Parallel – A Virtual Reality. - Chapter 14

When I logged back in and saw almost everyone in front of the fountain, I greeted them until Kagito, the one who was last from the group to arrive, appeared and we went towards the room in the guild hall that I asked Kagito to rent beforehand.

As everyone entered the room, I closed the door and told them to sit down. As Zenith and Peko had deemed that Eliana and Kagito were reliable people, I decided to just tell them everything.

The story was quite long. At first, Vladi seemed to have a jealous look but soon it faded as everyone listened to a shorter version of our training.

I told them about the cave, while excluding the information about Peko and Zenith being demi-humans and the latter being a Death Lord. I told them what happened to the village while we were there and almost everyone’s expressions seemed to change, except Eliana’s, who remained unfazed. She was listening closely to every detail while giving a look of understanding as she seemed to have realized the direction of the conversation and my purpose of creating the guild.

Then I told them about my ‘Plan’, a word used very loosely as I haven’t really planned much ahead.

“Thus, I will need the power of many people to help us protect the village, which is the main purpose of the Guild.

“But this can’t be monitored alone, that would be the role of Eliana and Kagito. Also, I would need you guys to be in good terms with the Kingdom too, for future purposes.”

At this, Eliana got deeper into her thoughts and said, “And what would I gain apart from being a representative of the Guild as I am going to be supposedly in charge of public relations and administration?” She was hinting obviously that she wanted to make the most possible profit with her job.

I smiled. “You can represent us in RL as that would bring us more popularity and it would be you who will have most of the income. But of course, not all of it as it is only right to distribute some between the other members.” At my words everyone was shocked, including Eliana.

Of course, she wanted to have a lot of money, and this was the perfect opportunity for it. However, even so, she didn’t expect it to be handed to her on a silver plate.

I added, “Of course, you will need to do your part really well.” I smiled before addressing the rest again. “Does anyone disagree with it?” This is to ensure that there will be no problems in the future due to monetary gains.

Arksen and Isa didn’t have problems with money, and they weren’t the greedy type. Zenith and Peko were citizens of this world, so real life money has no meaning to them, but Vladi and Kagito were another matter altogether.

“I don’t mind as I will get a share of it too.” Said Vladi with an unconcerned look

“I think with the small share, it will be enough to survive for a year…” Said Kagito with a satisfied look

I glanced at Eliana who was smiling like the Cheshire Cat now and I added something else, “If they ask for interviews looking for us, just tell them that we will consider it only if it benefits the Guild and we will get the full commissions from them, as this requires our presence.”

“Okay, but before everything else, how much is ‘most of the income’?” Asked Eliana, her eyes already shining.

“70%, the rest will be divided in 6% to each of us.” At this, her eyes flashed in greed.

“Deal!” She said unhesitant, one part because she knew this was probably the maximum that she would get, the other part being it was already more than she expected.

“About the management of the guild, what kind of guild do you want to make? I know you need power quickly, but it seems like we still have quite a bit of time…Also, should we own dungeons?”

“Guild-wise, anyone above 20 will be allowed to enter. Those who are above level 50 will have to pay a commission of 2 golds monthly in game. For the dungeons, we should own some so that we can have some extra income. For beginner dungeons, they are free for all beginners. Players above level 50 will have to pay 1 gold fee. I think we should also get some good merchants to handle all these transactions.”

As we continued talking about administrative stuff, Eliana was quite surprised about the fees, as they were quite low. However, I feel that it would be better like this way; if it was too high, we would be seen as tyrants and it would only be a matter of time before the players revolt.

After a while, everyone joined the conversation. Peko’s insights were quite useful. Through our conversations, we also got to know more about each other.

Kagito was a second-year university student while Eliana had a technical degree in economics and Vladi was a third-year high school student and her dad was a policeman. …

Arksen wanted to spar with Zenith, so we went towards the training hall and asked the instructor if we could spar there. The instructor told us to go to the back, there was more space there for sparring, and he followed us with a curious look in his eyes. After all, not many came wanting to have a spar here.

Vladi also asked me for a spar. I was surprised at her sudden challenge, but soon agreed after remembering her conditions to join to the guild.

As we were talking, Zenith had already taken out one of the swords we got while traveling and was prepared for the spar.

After both of them were ready, they both dashed towards each other. Arksen could bȧrėly avoid Zenith’s sword and could only dish out light punches to avoid getting sliced.

As the match went on, both of them became more used to each other attacks. Their attacking style was quite different from each other and both of them had grins on their faces. Arksen started using magical attacks, and Zenith just brushed them off with a wave from his sword. This seemed to be one of the skills he received from Drakon, Power wave. That, coupled with Heaven Splitter, made Zenith an especially difficult opponent.

Soon after, Arksen was getting pushed back, even when he dealt seemingly heavy blows to Zenith, the latter would just shrug it off and continue. This would have been seen as reckless, but the pressure he exuded was enough to make anyone with good senses to pull back, as a slash would come shortly after another, and when the opponent thought they had widened the distance, a Power Wave would come.

Finally, Arksen was defeated. He was defeated by a final Power Wave that he couldn’t avoid. Zenith quickly went over to him, helping him up.

“That was a good fight.” Zenith smiled slightly.

“It was for me as well, but I am still too weak. This spar is probably just normal to you.” Arksen said with a smile.

“Well, you are weaker than us by many levels, and Ardha is quite strong himself…” Said Zenith himself who was helping my fallen friend that had his stamina in the red and health below 30%.

“Okay! I am fired up!” Exclaimed Vladi and I sighed.

I asked the instructor who still seemed stunned by the young people who just sparred “Can I borrow two wooden swords?”

“Hm? Okay.” The instructor agreed readily before giving me two swords for training.

“You will be using those?” Asked Vladi in a serious tone

“Don’t worry, I will be fighting all out, something I wouldn’t be able to if I used swords.” I told Vladi

“Okay, but no excuses later!” She smiled and readied herself getting one gun out

“I won’t have to~” I said while preparing myself.

Then Peko shouted “Start!”

I reacted instinctively. I moved to the right swiftly as a bullet from a gun that wasn’t in Vladi’s left hand whizzed past me.

‘Magical bullets…’ I thought. I couldn’t absorb or nullify them with my skills right now, so I just had to contain myself to evading or enduring.

I sprinted towards her direction while evading the bullets, using my concentration to read the trajectory of the bullets.

Vladi’s lips then curved up into a predatory smile. She suddenly came closer and a shotgun appeared on her hands as the two guns disappeared.

“Full Burst!”

A huge light appeared in the shotgun and my body immediately reacted.

‘Elemental Enhancing: Wind & Annulment!’

I then quickly swung my right sword which split the attack diagonally.

‘Elemental Blending & Elemental Enhancing: Earth and Fire!’

A sudden strong wind appeared behind Vladi. The sudden appearance of the wind stunned her and before she could react, she was pushed forward by the wind. As I sprinted towards her while using elemental enhancing of fire, my speed doubled and in a split second, my swords were already swinging down on her.

Before it hit her, I stopped my motions. There was no need for her to get hurt as this was just a spar.

This combination of Elemental Blending with Elemental Enhancing was mentioned in the book. This combination allows you to moderate the power output of the elements so as to not over exert your body. Of course, as I haven’t mastered it yet, this caused a huge strain on my body.

“The match ends here.” I said lightly.

I went towards the instructor who watched me wide eyed along with everyone, except Zenith and Peko who already knew of my abilities and returned him the swords.

“So, the gap isn’t only in the levels, huh~” Said Arksen with an amused face

“That’s… wow.” Isa remarked, awestruck.

I smiled. After all, I trained with strong individuals every day and the Book Master left me was full of various battle tactics.

I went towards Vladi afterwards who still seemed to be a little stunned.

“You surprised me, never thought I would use that move in a spar with others.”

At this, she just gazed at me, looking at my eyes before just saying, “Uhm, yeah…”

She seemed to be a little dazed and she turned towards Isa after saying that.

-Hey

– “Huh? Kagito?”

-Yes, we managed to arrange the meeting; it will be tomorrow at noon

– “Great! Do you need us to be there?” I asked. After all, it was a meeting with the Lord of this city.

-Well, Eliana said there was no need, as we have heard that the NPCs had been talking about our Guild since yesterday…

– “Ok, then, if anything occurs, just tell us. We will be setting off tomorrow, but we can delay it a bit.”

-Ok, good luck

– “Same.” I cut off the chat and turned toward the group who was curiously watching me.

“They got the meeting with the Lord, and we are setting off tomorrow too. Thus, I am going to the Smithy to keep improving my skill. What about you guys?” I asked them.

“I have to log off because my coach needs me to arrange a match soon~” Arksen said. He seemed to be full of energy again.

“I am going to the church.” Said Isa as she was a Paladin and needed to report to the Church of her doings.

“I am staying for a while.” Vladi who seemed better, replied.

“We will accompany Vladi~” Said Peko who seemed more cheerful than ever.

“What she said.”

“Okay, see you guys tomorrow, and be prepared for it.”

I then went towards the Lombard’s Smithy to hone the Blacksmithing skill further as I won’t really be able to use it much on the way to the Dungeon of Wishes which was marked on the map that Eroda gave us.

When Lombard saw me coming in, he got surprised and told me he would have everything ready for tomorrow. I informed him that I just came to hone my Blacksmithing Skill.

At this, he smiled at me and told me to use his Smithy as I liked. He was quite a generous man!

My day thus ended trying to advance the skill.

The next day in Parallel, as I logged on inside the Smithy, Lombard handed me the Swords and the armors before I leave for the fountain where everyone was, including Kagito and Eliana.

“Here, these are for you Zenith and these for you Peko.” As I handed their new equipment, they seemed surprised because they didn’t know I would get them new armor.

“You guys setting off already?” Asked Kagito, who seemed a bit nervous for the meeting that was going to happen.

“Yes, I will leave this to you guys.” I said to them.

I gazed at the rest of the group. “Let’s go!” I shouted as they nodded.

Thus, we set off while waving towards Eliana and Kagito.

Our long adventure would be starting now. We might have different destinies waiting in store of us, but everything began here. My journey with all of them was the best I ever had… It truly was the journey of a lifetime… No… it truly is.

Name Ardha

Alignment Neutral

Race Human Level 102

Class Legendary Elemental Warrior

Title Elemental Novice

Fame 4300 Infamy 0

Health 9623 Mana 13640

Strength 259 (+50) Agility 371 (+55)

Vitality 154 Stamina 159

Wisdom 123 Intelligence 250

Luck 71 Leadership 82

Concentration 124 Endurance 130

Perseverance 126 Fighting spirit 138

Attack 95~ Defense 210

Magic resistance 25% to all elements

Elemental Affinity 42%

+50 to all status

Increase the proficiency in elemental uses.

Skills:

– Elemental Blending (Active) Level: Maxed

– Elemental Enhancing (Active & Passive) Beginner Level 8: 67%

– Sprint (Active & Passive) Beginner Level 9: 2%

– Swimming (Passive) Beginner Level 2: 76%

– Magic Mastery (Passive) Beginner Level 9: 87%

– Elemental Mastery (Passive) Intermediate Level 1: 81%

– Sword Mastery (Passive) Intermediate Level 2: 5%

– Fast recovery (Passive) Beginner Level 9: 98%

– Hand-to-hand Mastery (Passive) Beginner Level 8: 77%

– Tailoring (Passive) Beginner Level 5: 57%

– Dual sword Mastery (Passive) Intermediate Level 1: 20%

– Repair (Active) Intermediate Level 1: 1%

– Absorption (Active) Beginner Level 3: 85%

– Annulment (Active) Beginner Level 4: 11%

– Cooking (Active) Beginner Level 3: 3%

– Blacksmithing (Active) Beginner Level 5: 3%