The temperature was dropping as the sun gradually progressed further west. Sunset would begin soon. I look at Artoria, following along beside me as we exit the side street into the town center. Around the fountain were gathered a handful of players. In the past few days, people had started arriving, other lead players that were focused on clearing the game.
"Starting to feel like a real city." I remark as I watch another player enter the square from the main street. Artoria nods in agreement. She turns left, heading for the tavern where we were meeting the rest of the party.
"It feels alive, not just repetitive NPCs anymore." Artoria agrees, turning the handle of the tavern door and heading inside. I follow her. Inside was a relatively nice tavern. Klein had insisted on us having the meeting at the nicer tavern in town so that we could make more of an occasion out of the event. I look around, spotting the rest of the party. Kunimittz, Dynamm, and Harry had minor changes in their gear. Klein spots us and waves us over.
"Finally showed up!" Klein remarks, grinning. I shake my head.
"I showed up on time. You all are just early." I retort, sitting down at the table as Artoria sits beside me. I look at Kunimittz, looking him over. "New gear?" I ask him. He looks down at his gear and nods, looking back at us.
"Yeah, Harry, Dynamm and I all decided two days ago to check out the dungeon. We didn't get terribly far, but we wanted to at least see what it was like. So we got some new gear from that." Kunimittz explains. I nod. It seemed they were pretty proactive. While Klein, Dale, Issin, Artoria and myself were all questing for the past few days, Kunimittz was striking hot iron.
"So, what did you learn? Considering the topic of this meeting being a foray into the dungeon tomorrow, it would probably be useful if you could tell us what you know." I respond, grabbing one of the mugs from the table and taking a sip of the contents.
"Well, there's not much to talk about that the handbook didn't have. We arrived around the same time another player was going in. She seemed pretty determined to tear through the dungeon, so we worked with her for a couple hours before she split off to go deeper while we explored some of the other passages. The dungeon itself is pretty standard, it feels like a labyrinthine castle of sorts, with kobolds being the main opponents." Kunimittz briefs as Klein and I nod. The others listen intently.
"The enemies have more complex attack patterns though, and the use of actual weapons took some getting used to." Harry interjects. Kunimittz nods, backing up Harry's statement.
"What about the other player you mentioned? She provide any new information?" Klein asks probingly. But Kunimittz shakes his head.
"It seemed that she was as new to the dungeon as us, and we didn't really talk. I just asked her if she wanted to work together, she said 'sure' and that was that for a couple hours until she decided we weren't pushing aggressively enough and went her separate way." Kunimittz replies. Klein and Dale nod.
"Probably a solo beta tester." Issin remarks, scratching his head as he sips his beer. Kunimittz and Dynamm nod.
"She was certainly skilled with a rapier." Dynamm remarks, chuckling.
"A rapier user? I forgot rapiers were even in this game. I have yet to see someone use one." Dale responds with a surprised nod. Dynamm shrugs.
"Well, she was pretty good, albeit reckless with one. Even had Kunimittz here sweating to keep up." Harry adds with a laugh, socking Kunimittz in the shoulder. Artoria and I look at Kunimittz with surprise. He was one of our better fighters and certainly the best out of him, Dynamm and Harry. Kunimittz chuckles softly.
"I never claimed to be a prodigy." Kunimittz defends himself modestly, drinking deeply from his mug. Klein looks at me.
"Well, moving on from the adventures of House Kunimittz, what is our plan tomorrow?" Klein asks, looking around the table.
"Well, if a three man team can handle itself pretty well for a day in the dungeon, I was thinking we could split into two groups. There is the raid boss strategy meeting tomorrow night, and I want at least someone to attend that. By splitting the party, one party could leave the dungeon early to attend the meeting while the other continues to explore the dungeon for a couple more hours." I speak as the others nod.
"So, how would we split the group?" Dale asks curiously.
"I'm thinking myself, Artoria, Dynamm and Issin in one group. Dynamm can be our guide. Then you, Klein, Kunimittz and Harry in the other group. Your group will attend the meeting, while we make up for lost XP." I theorize a plan as the others think.
"That would work. I have no issues with it. It ensures each group has someone with experience in the dungeon to provide advice, it allows us to cover more distance, and effectively kill two birds with one stone. And from my experience the other day, we wouldn't be under too much threat from the enemies in the dungeon." Kunimittz speaks up after a moment, nodding.
"I'll second that. It's a simple and sound plan." Dynamm affirms, leading the rest of the group to nod.
"Then are we in agreement?" Klein asks, looking around the table. I nod, followed by Artoria and the rest of the group.
"So, what about timing? When should we head out and when should we meet up?" I ask.
"In regards to the location, I don't see any reason not to meet up at the entrance to the dungeon." Issin responds, earning a nod from Kunimittz and Dynamm.
"Yeah, the trip there isn't too difficult, especially right now with all the traffic. No need to detour to have a meetup elsewhere." Kunimittz agrees.
"Yeah, I'm fine with meeting at the dungeon." Klein adds. I nod.
"Sounds like the dungeon is the place to meet then. And time?" I ask, looking around.
"Not before six in the morning. I want to buy food for the trip." Issin responds.
"I'd like to be at the dungeon by 10 in the morning. Any later and I'd feel like we're cutting into our potential time actually exploring the dungeon." Harry adds. I nod.
"How does eight in the morning sound then? Smack in the middle of those two parameters." I ask, looking around.
"I think I can make that. It's what? An hour? Hour and a half? To the dungeon that is." Issin comments.
"If you aren't at a forced pace, yeah, that's about right." Kunimittz replies.
"I'm fine with eight AM as well." Harry states.
"Alright, so tomorrow, we'll meet at eight in the morning at the dungeon. We'll then split into two groups. One of myself, Artoria, Dynamm and Issin and then in the other group, Dale, Klein, Kunimittz, and Harry. Klein's group will leave a couple hours earlier to attend the dungeon boss meeting and then I'm thinking we meet up at Kunimittz's house to share everything we all learned for the day. Sound like a plan?" I summarize.
"Yeah, that sums it up. But why my house?" Kunimittz asks.
"Because it's closest to the town center." I reply. "And since you kept us out for so long hunting for a house, we can put the responsibility of having a stocked kitchen on you." I add smugly. Kunimittz nods grimly.
"Ah, so it's cuz you're an asshole." Kunimittz responds dryly, earning a laugh from Klein, Dale, and Harry. Even Artoria giggles softly. I chuckle.
"Yeah, I don't think there's any opposition to that plan." Dale speaks out after the laughter dies down. The others nod in agreement.
"Well, good meeting then. Time to eat." I remark and get up to buy food for myself and the rest of the table. Klein and Harry get up and follow me as we walk to the bar. I buy stews and meat pies for the table and return to the table, setting them out on the table for everyone to pick from as Klein and Harry return with roast beef, bread, and smoked sausage.
"Moving on up in the world from sandwiches and chicken legs." Klein remarks happily, grabbing a roll and taking a bite as he sits down.
"This is all a nice arrangement of food, but what are we going to eat? You only bought enough for Artoria." Harry remarks jokingly as Artoria flushes and mumbles through a mouth full of roast beef. She swallows and glares at Harry.
"I don't eat that much!" She snaps. I laugh, as do the others. Her having had to rush through a bite of food having only emphasized Harry's joke.
"Artoria, I know of only five gluttons in the world, and you are four of them." I comment, earning a glare from her. She grumbles and kicks my chair out from under me. I fall to the floor with a wheeze, the wind knocked out of me. Coughing, I gasp for air between my laughter as the rest of the table laughs.
"Holy shit, Artoria killed Kaze." Issin remarks, laughing.
"You're not human, Artoria." Klein speaks, feigning a somber and grim attitude as Artoria poutily resumes eating. I get up, righting my chair and sitting back down. I grab a bowl of stew and begin eating as I listen to Issin tell a story about a drinking party with his boss a couple years ago.
By the time our meeting turned party came to an end, it was well and truly dark outside, and we all unsteadily made our way out of the tavern. My mind felt hazy and I looked at the others. Dale was supporting Klein who was chuckling at who knows what, while Kunimittz and Issin looked around the area unsteadily, their faces flush. I blink the haze out of my eyes and try to remember which way my house was.
"Well… goodnight everybody!" Klein shouts loud enough for everyone in the town center to hear. He waves farewell as he is led away by Dale, with Issin in tow. I wave farewell, grinning and look at Kunimittz and his group.
"You alright, Kunimittz?" I ask him, as he keeps looking around, squinting and swaying. "You look a little unsteady there." I add. He shakes his head.
"Fine. Not drunk." Kunimittz replies, swaying more when he shook his head.
"I dunno, you look pretty toasted to me." Harry remarks, grinning.
"Not. Drunk." Kunimittz states again, more insistently.
"Whatever you say. Let's get home, shall we?" Harry replies, laughing as he heads off for home, taking up the lead as Kunimittz and Dynamm follow. I look at Artoria but… she's nowhere to be found. I frown. Had she gone off without me? I pout and head for the side street that led towards our house. Turning onto the side street, I see her in the distance and rush to catch up to her.
"Why'd you leave without me…" I whine, walking up alongside her.
"Because I wanted to get home." Artoria replies.
"Aren't you supposed to escort the inhibited?" I ask, looking at her.
"You're drunk. In a game. You're not crippled. Besides, I'm not the chosen one anymore." She replies, cheekily. I pout and shake my head.
"You wound me. Is this what they mean about a rebellious phase?" I clutch my chest.
"Rebellious? I'm the same age as you." She retorts. I laugh and walk on in silence with her. Reaching the house, I head inside, heading through the dark for my room.
"G'night, Artoria." I call out in the dark, opening the door into my bedroom
"See you in the morning, Ritsuka." I hear her reply, followed by a door closing. I then close my door and fall onto the bed, my head swimming.
Artoria seemed a little distant today. I wonder if everything is alright? I think to myself as it feels like I am sinking ever deeper into the bed.