Hakuya made his way to the boss room of floor twenty-six where The Frozen King awaited. He dispatched the monster without hardly having to concentrate and took its loot. He spun Gungnir around a few times before placing it on his back. Before Nobunaga had set his plan in motion, Hakuya had only used the rare spear when he absolutely had to, now he made sure he had the weapon equipped at all times in case of a Death Gamer ambush. Kind of like this one.
He glanced around at the eight players slowly surrounding him. They had average equipment, they probably weren't any higher than maybe level forty. Hakuya looked up at his own level, sixty-six. These guys shouldn't typically be a problem. There were a few of them though and he couldn't exactly afford to die.
Hakuya rubbed his chin a little and wondered what to do. He could easily use a teleport crystal to get out of there but then he could also cut them all down and give the weaker players eight less psychopaths to deal with. Hakuya did pride himself on being a helpful gentleman so cut them all down it was.
He drew Gungnir and crouched as the DGamers leapt towards him. They all shouted various things but he wasn't paying attention to their voices. He closed his eyes and the battle began. Two steps to the right and a horizontal swing followed by a spin of his spear and a thrust. That was one down. Next, drag the spear along the ground, turn a little to the left, swing up, thrust down. That made two.
Hakuya felt his feet slide ever so slightly on the icy floor, his eyes remaining closed. Three steps to the left, spinning his spear overhead followed by four lightning fast thrusts, that was three gone. Next he stood his spear straight and moved it to the left blocking a strike from a sword. Four quick steps back took him out of range of a rapier skill and a quick sweep and several thrusts from his spear made short work of the wielder.
With four men down, the others would be panicking now. They would hesitate, then, one would rush in. His spear went above his head and he blocked the overhead sword strike. Flinging the off-balance attacker aside he finished him with a powerful downwards stab. Hakuya tilted his head to the left a little, elbowed the incoming attacker, hit him in the head with the shaft of his spear a few times then stabbed him. Two left, how would they attack?
Hakuya stepped right, then back and to the right again to avoid the double attack by both players. He deflected a slash with the shaft of his weapon, spun the attacker around and then ran him through twice. His back was turned to the final enemy now who would launch a last ditch attack to try and bring him down. Nope, he teleported away.
Hakuya opened his eyes and turned around, scanning the empty boss room before him. He placed his spear on his back once again and took a final look around. "Well… they didn't put up much of a fight now did they?" he asked, turning to the room's entrance. Leaning against the doorway was a man with a large claymore sheathed on his back.
"They didn't appear to, although sometimes I think you show off too much," the man replied in a deep voice. He was well built at had to be over six feet tall. He wore a deep purple breastplate with a black vest beneath. His lower half was covered by a pair of grey pants and knee-high greaves the same colour as his breastplate. He wore elbow-length steel gauntlets that matched the rest of his armour. His pale blue eyes watched Hakuya, his black ponytail bobbing a little as he approached the slightly shorter player.
"Perhaps, but hey, it's fun," Hakuya said with his usual carefree smile. "Is there something I can help you with Souji?" he asked.
"Nothing overly particular. Just thought I should let you know that most of the top guilds have begun preparing to launch an attack on Nobunaga," the swordsman replied.
"I didn't figure it'd take long. I don't think it'll do much though, he seems to have an unnatural control over the system."
"How do you figure that?"
"Would he have been able to execute this plan of his if he didn't?"
"A fair point."
"So, what about The Divine Rose, are they joining the fight?"
"We haven't decided yet. Perhaps if you would come back we'd join in."
"Sorry Souji, but those days are behind me now. Guild life just isn't my thing."
"Says the man who founded this particular guild."
"I'm a free spirit Souji, can't change that now can you? I just go where the winds and the ladies lead me." Souji placed a hand on Hakuya's shoulder. The spearman could see anger clear in the bigger man's eyes.
"People are going to die if this isn't stopped Hakuya. How can you be so damn carefree about it all? Don't you care about any of the other players?" Within seconds Hakuya's spear was aimed at the throat of the massive swordsman.
"Don't you for one second accuse me of not caring. If you so much as think that once more I won't have any remorse putting my weapon through you. If not being with the guild makes me some sort of uncaring fool in your mind then so be it, but do not confuse your own feelings with reality." Souji swallowed slightly and attempted to take a step back, but that razor sharp spearhead followed him.
"All you ever do is run after the first skirt you see. You were once a dignified guild leader and a fearsome name on the frontlines. But now… now I have no respect for you Hakuya. Waste your days away while I go and make a difference in this world and free everyone."
"Do as you will. Souji, we're no longer comrades you and I. If you cannot pull yourself from the rivers of the past then that is no fault of mine. People change and anyone who tries to prevent that is foolish indeed." Hakuya retracted his spear and placed it on his back as he began to walk away. "One more thing, I too am making a difference in this world, but I unlike you do not need the glory and awe of the weak to swell my ego."
Souji watched as Hakuya left the dungeon and finally released the breath he had been holding. He slammed his armoured fist into a pillar as he went the opposite direction the immortal object notice popping up as he fist connected.
As Hakuya exited the dungeon he took out a teleport crystal and made his way to Algade. The fiftieth floor town had become a gathering place for many players. Generally Hakuya would prefer to stick to himself but the noise of the city helped drown out his thoughts. Gungnir bounced softly against his back as he walked along one of the market-filled streets. Players called out from every direction trying to sell their wares but it was just white noise to Hakuya.
Maybe he should go visit Chrome and his friends, those kids always gave him a laugh. He was snapped out of his thoughts when a hand tapped him twice on the shoulder. Hakuya's head flicked up and he spun around to see Arcadia standing behind him.
"Arcadia," he said, his clouded mind making him unsure of what to say.
"What, no princess or flirting today?" the purple haired woman asked, a small grin on her face.
"My apologies, my mind is… occupied," Hakuya said, trying his best to smile.
"Hmm, is something wrong? I've never seen you like this," Arcadia said, looking a little worried. Hakuya shook his head.
"Nothing you need to worry about… Princess," Hakuya replied with a hint of his usual smile.
"Come on, I'll treat you to lunch to get you back to normal," Arcadia said as she began to walk past him. She turned her head a little. "That is acceptable right?" Hakuya laughed a little.
"I suppose just once I can be the one being taken out somewhere," he said.
The two proceeded to a small outdoor café where Arcadia ordered them a drink and something to eat each. The two sat down and proceeded to eat their meals as they were served. "So, what's wrong?" Arcadia asked, looking at Hakuya.
"As I said, it's nothing you need to worry about, I'm fine," Hakuya replied.
"Oh just tell me would you. I can tell something is up, you're completely different to normal," Arcadia said. Hakuya sighed a little, smiled and ran his finger around the rim of his glass.
"I just had a rather ugly reunion with an old friend. Some things he said got to me a little, that's all." Hakuya took the time to recount the whole conversation with Souji to Arcadia. The latter listened intently as she witnessed a side of Hakuya she had never seen before.
"Well, it seems to me this Souji guy is an ass," Arcadia remarked.
"That's what you get from all that? My old friend is an ass," Hakuya said with a small smile.
"What you chose to do is something that only you can decide. If you had chosen to remain with that guild then so be it, but you didn't and Souji has no right to try and drag you back. You are free to live your life your own way, doing what you desire. If you live life trying to please others than it's only going to lead in your own sadness and regret," Arcadia said, looking up at the sky.
"Well now, such deep words of wisdom," Hakuya said, grinning. Arcadia turned, glaring at the spearman.
"Hey, I'm trying to help you here," Arcadia said. Hakuya couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the insight," Hakuya said, waving his hands in front of him. "It's just unusual to hear you talking like that."
"It's not exactly normal to see you all down and quiet."
"My apologies Princess, I shall endeavour to remain upbeat at all times."
"That's not what I meant you dork, it's nice to get a break from the flirting once in a while."
"Then I must apologise again Princess, this is how I would like to live my life. It would be rude of you to try and make me change," Hakuya said with a huge grin. Arcadia's eyebrow twitched a little and she stared at Hakuya.
"You really are impossible," Arcadia sighed, shaking her head. Hakuya smiled and rose to his feet.
"Thank you for the meal and the talk, Arcadia. It means a lot," he said. Arcadia could see the sincerity in the other player's eyes and she could hear it in his voice. "Would you mind if I added you to my friend list, it would be nice to have another trustworthy ally in this game."
"Sure, I guess it can't hurt," Arcadia said with a small smile, opening her menu. The two added one another and Hakuya gave a small bow.
"If you'll excuse me Princess, I have some matters to attend to," he said.
"Until next time then. Later Hakuya," Arcadia said. The two shared a smile and then Hakuya departed. He opened his menu and stared at the new name on his friend list, smiling a little as he closed the window. The smile remained on his face as he teleported out of Algade.