Hello~ GPS here again with another chapter of KWO. This time it's actually about more about KWO. I swear.
I am fail with the image manager here. My picture quality always gets ruined because I don't have a scanner, then the formatting gets kinda funky when I upload here. Anyways, the current cover picture is supposed to be Kuroko as described in chapter 8.
And also, goodbye my beautiful Spring Break. I'll still try to get these chapters in on my usual basis (anywhere from two days to a week), but if I don't then you can assume it's because I am busy.
Disclaimer: I only own my headcanons and not an awesome basketball manga.
Chapter 10: Message & Update
The first thing Kuroko noticed were two bright, blinking dots on the side of his person, one red and one blue.
He guessed the red circle lead to the patch updates since he already knew what the other was. His fingers traced the blue dot, opening up the message window.
You have received 1 new message:
Aomine: 04/25/38 11:16*
Close message index.*
.
Aomine: 04/25/38 11:16*
Close message index.*
.
In front of him appeared a holographic projection message. Though people could just use standard typing, Kuroko supposed Aomine wasn't the writing type.
"Yo, Tetsu", the tan-skinned man started, "You're not online right now, so I'm sending this message. I just joined this guild made by this super strong dude. He's seriously super OP. Like, he blew up a tree. Anyways, though it was a little bit creepy, the guy found me when I was monster grinding and invited me into it. Apparently he was watching me when I was fighting in that tournament and thought I was good at fighting and stuff, which of course I am but that doesn't matter right now."
He paused for a second. "Oh yeah, and I won the tournament. Though right in the last round I was up against this really big dude but he forfeited. Then I find out he's in the same guild as the one I just joined! I guess the guild leader was recruiting all the strong guys". Aomine's furled his brow and put on as serious of a face he could make, apparently his impression of the guild leader. "He said something like, 'You will be an imperative member in forming a formidable union". His eyes unsharpened from the stern face he had attempted. "I have no idea what imperative means but I know he wants to have a really strong guild."
"Anyways, I'm hoping you could join this guild with me. I told Akashi–err, the guild leader–that I wanted Satsuki and you to join. He already let Satsuki join since he needed an analyst or treasurer or something and cuz she's strong, even though she's just an ogre woman."
A rock was thrown towards Aomine's way, though it sailed past his when he ducked. From the background, Kuroko heard Momoi's voice chiding the darker-haired bluenette as he reluctantly took his words back.
"Anyways, Akashi said anyone could join as long as they fit hit standards. We'll all be in the central town in the PVP arena until around five looking for new members, so if you could make it before then that'd be cool. I think we could use another Mage. Right now, the guild only has five members. There's the leader, the big dude, me, Satsuki, and some Archer dude but I haven't seen him yet. Satsuki doesn't want to fight unless she has to though so we need at least two more people. I asked him to wait for you but I dunno how that's gonna go. Reply as soon as you get online."
Aomine gave a small smirk and a final sentence before ending the message with a final, short sentence:
"I hope to see you there, Tetsu."
.
The message projection screen disappeared, bringing Kuroko back to his message index.
You have no new or unread messages.
.
Kuroko closed the message archive and wondered if he was too late already as it was around twenty minutes past the stated time. He was still in the butterfly monster training ground, meaning he'd be even later to the arena.
Should I still go? I really do want to join a guild though, and I probably won't get many chances. Do I qualify as strong? My weapon is powerful, but I don't know if I could compare to the guild's standards since Aomine-kun won a tournament. He said he would wait though.
Deciding to believe the other man's words, Kuroko started off towards the city in full sprint. If he hurried, he might be able to catch them before they left (if they were still there, of course).
Even though he had speed buffed himself, he was still rather slow in getting to the central town. Having a powerful weapon still didn't make him any faster at running.
Somehow I have the feeling I'm forgetting something…
It was ten minutes later when the Light Elf finally reached his destination, sweating profusely and trying to catch his breath as he walked along the side of the building to support himself. Somehow, it seems he was more tired than usual after running. He cursed the fact that warp spells were only for higher level players.
...I feel like it's something obvious…
His feet stumbled a bit on the rocky ground as he entered the arena, giving him reason to believe he should take a second to adjust himself before moving clear blue eyes searched the arena for dark blue hair while trying to remember what his brain seemed so hard trying to bring to light.
…Wait a minute…
Then suddenly, at the same time he found the spiky, blue head he was looking for, his epiphany came.
I'm a moron.
He mentally berated himself at a simple fact he should've realized as soon as he had finished with Aomine's message. Sure, he was in a rush and might've been thinking too much that he might not have made it in time, but it wasn't much of an excuse.
I could have just sent a message back…
Kuroko let out a small, silent sigh while approaching his Warrior friend, who seemed to be talking with someone that he couldn't see through the crowd.
…Is he eating a burger…?
He brought his hand up to tap Aomine's shoulder as his arrival was still unknown by the taller male. Just as his fingers were about to make contact though, Kuroko somehow had the feeling that he–he of all people–was being watched.
The bluenette turned his head to the side, only to come face-to-face with a crimson-haired man with sharp eyes that bore into his. What stuck our sorely were not just his handsome features, but the fact that the irises staring back at the Cleric were mismatched in color; the left was a canary yellow and the right matched his locks as a carmine red.
"Huh? Akashi, what're you doing?"
Akashi? The guild leader?
"Is this the person you spoke of, Daiki?"
The Warrior looked to his side before saying, "what do you me–GAAH! Tetsu! When did yo–"
He was cut off by Akashi speaking once more. "Interesting. Pardon me for saying so, but you're rather… inconspicuous. It exceeds even the description given to me by both Daiki and Momoi-san. It was a bit difficult for me to see you, so I hope you'll excuse me for invading your personal space."
The redheaded man stepped back with graceful strides before continuing: "My name is Akashi Seijuurou, a Sorcerer class player. And you are?"
"Kuroko Tetsuya, a Cleric."
"So, it is Tetsuya then. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance", the red-haired man spoke smoothly. It seemed he was used to calling others by first-name basis, making Kuroko feel like he shouldn't refute.
"Tetsuya, would you like to join my guild? I'm sure Daiki has already told you the details. My goal is to form the most powerful guild in this game, with quality rather than quantity. I am currently looking for at least one last member and a Healer such as yourself would fit into our ranks quite well, especially considering you are already familiar with two of our members. I must warn you though, we have quotas to meet, and to fulfill them, you should be prepared to become stronger."
Aomine gave him an encouraging look.
The Light Elf didn't even have to think of it, there was no way he would refuse. This was what he came here for, after all.
"I will gladly join, Akashi-kun."
{You have joined the guild, "Generation of Miracles."}
Midorima had just finished a match, and was warped back into the PVP arena. Somehow, in less than three minutes, Akashi had found and recruited someone into their guild. Surely they must have been something special if they could catch his attention that quickly.
He walked towards a head of red hair, easily seen from above the crowd due to his height.
"Shintarou", the redhead greeted him as he approached, "Allow me to introduce you two."
…who? There's no one the–
The shorter male gestured to his side, and before the Archer's eyes, a person materialized in plain sight, though even then it seemed as if he were looking upon an apparition. He wondered how he hadn't seen the shorter bluenette standing there, perhaps if it were some kind of illusion spell. If he recalled though, people couldn't use spells or skills in the PVP arena unless they were having an official duel. So how?
"This is Kuroko Tetsuya, a Cleric. He'll be joining us from now on, and I expect you to treat him accordingly". "And Tetsuya", he motioned towards the green-haired man, "this man is Midorima Shintarou. An Archer and this guild's Vice Leader."
He doesn't seem very strong. He's short and looks rather frail. And does he ever blink? He has an extremely expressionless face.
"It's nice to meet you, Midorima-kun", the impassive-looking male said, bringing the tall man out of his train of thought.
"Midorima-kun?", the bespectacled man questioned. "Not 'san'? How old are you?", he asked, as it was rather disrespectful to call your seniors by the honorific Kuroko had used.
He paused for a moment before deadpanning, "I think you are mistaken in something… I am twenty years old already."
Midorima returned Kuroko's blank stare, not believing his words.
Aomine choked on his burger.
Even Akashi blinked at his response.
"You're twenty?", Aomine managed to wheeze out after dislodging the food from his throat.
"Yes". By now, the Cleric was starting to feel like this would become a running gag in his life. He opened up his profile and showed it to his newly gained guild members.
"Woah. You really are twenty. Dude, you're older than I am! I thought you were a high schooler or something."
"Daiki, that's rather rude. Also, would you please inform me of your schedule, Tetsuya? I've noticed from your profile that your level is a bit low and I'd like you to train with our members until we've reached something satisfactory."
The two began a discussion of how they could fit Kuroko's schedule with the others. Something about "training" and "partners".
"Come to think of it, where did Murasakibara, Momoi, and Haizaki go?", Midorima asked.
"Murasakibara went to go buy snacks, I think Satsuki logged out a while ago, and Haizaki is trying to hit on chicks in the town square."
"I see."
Truthfully, neither of these two could get along well with the other, so an awkward silence hung between them. Aomine would've tried to start a conversation but the only mutual topic they could discuss was this game. And while he thought Midorima was uptight, the other thought of him as rather brutish and slightly moronic, besides in battle.
A few minutes later, the two shorter members of the guild had completed their discussion.
"Daiki, Tetsuya, I trust you will be training for the duration of this day", were Akashi's final words before he pardoned Midorima and himself to leave under the guise of finding Murasakibara and stopping him from spending all his ladomi on food.
When they had walked out of the arena, Midorima spoke to Akashi in the private chat.
"Akashi, what are you thinking inviting him into this guild? He doesn't look particularly strong. Even Momoi had said he had low stamina and only slightly above average spells. He has no commanding aura and nothing about him particularly stands out."
"Shintarou, that is precisely the point. He has an extremely weak presence, and if he utilizes the skill well, he could become our trump card. Also, I take it you did not see his staff?"
His staff? Shintarou had been too busy trying to even focus on the person, let alone a weapon.
Taking his silence as an affirmative no, Akashi continued, "It was a Living Weapon, one I have overseen the creation of myself. It was but pure chance, but it would be of extreme difficultly to find someone that weapon is more suited for. I won't tell him of all its secrets myself though. I will merely watch him as he gains control over it on his own."
"I guess we'll see, though this could possibly be the one time when your judgment is wrong."
"Don't be foolish, Shintarou. Have I ever been wrong about anything like this?"
The green-haired man sighed. "I suppose not."
Oha Asa did say Sagittarius' have the best luck today…
"Man, that was pretty surprising, Tetsu. He let you in really easily."
"Hmm?"
"The other guy we found had to go through a test to get in. He had to PVP a bunch of times with a time limit. His name is Haizaki, by the way. I think he was a Rogue class player. He has this really weird, OP weapon that lets him do a lot of crazy skills, and I think he joined this guild cuz Akashi bribed him with money and items and stuff. Anyways, I'm going off topic, but the main idea is that maybe it's because you're a Cleric that he didn't test your fighting skills. "
Kuroko wondered if that was really the case. "You are not to participate in any one-on-one PVPs, Tetsuya, and you will understand soon enough why", was said to him before the speaker of those words had left. No further explanation had been provided, just the simple order. The bluenette thought it best to follow them.
Then Kuroko's thoughts shifted towards a different direction.
"Aomine-kun… were you eating earlier?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. For some reason, they added food into the game. Didn't you check the updates list when you logged in?"
"I was busy coming here. I will look at them now."
"Kay."
Kuroko tested the hand motion for opening the updates window. He swiped his hand from his right side to his front. Several options appeared, one being his message box. Directly underneath that was the updates list, which a lithe finger pressed.
04/24/38–04/25/38 Patch 0.1 Updates:
- In accordance to popular request, taste and hunger functions have been added into the Options Menu. Players will now be able to trade ladomi for virtual sustenance, though they can only eat about as much as they could in reality because the brain can recognize its limits. Eating in the game will not replace real food, so it is important to remember to log-out every few hours.
- Due to a multitude of adventurers disregarding the rules and overplaying Kiseki World, therefore damaging their health, we have lowered the amount of time a player can be logged in from eight hours to six-and-a-half. The previous statements of having to log-out for forty minutes and the penalty for breaking the limit still stand.
- If a player is connected to a monitored gaming area set up by Akashi Industries, however, they can stay in the game longer and only have to take a twenty minute break.
- There is now a weekly limit of 100 hours of game play. If the problem of overplay persists, it will be lowered once again.
- "Day" and "Night" features have now been added to most regions in the game to encourage players to log-out regularly and sleep. In some areas, monsters have different skills or statuses during the different times of day.
- Stamina levels have been decreased, also to encourage logging-out and to make for less brutal game play. As our way of compensating, the pain level has decreased to 16%.
- The Alchemist* class is now available for gameplay.
Please be courteous of your fellow players and considerate of the administration.
–The system programmer and management teams.
Kuroko closed the window.
"They've changed a lot during this first patch."
"It'd suck if they got any stricter with the game play rules."
"Aomine-kun. Since Akashi said to, shall we go train now?"
The Fighter gave his cheerful, toothy grin.
"Of course!"
I'll admit it. I love writing clumsy Kuroko. And suave Akashi. Teehee.
I've been having a lot of plot bunnies in my head for new stories lately. If I ever do post a new story during the duration of this fic, I'll make sure it doesn't get in the way of this since it takes priority. Having writing-highs are fun.
Anyways, thank you for reading once again. I hope you read again in the next chapter~
Comments? Critiques? Advice? lay 'em at me.