THE TWO WHO LOVE GAMES

Our group has been travelling for almost an hour on the road and it is already 10:00 am on the clock. Since the two reminded me that the next stretch would be a longer one, I took the liberty of buying a wagon and a horse. It was much costlier than 3 nights stay in an Inn but it is worth the money if it relieves me from the exhausting walk on the road. There was just a glitch on using horses. Like in the real world, they also need to rest within a period of time or else their stamina would be drained and they'll be gone. I let shanks drive the cart and asked Borte to watch our back. As I scan the area, I asked Shanks to stop the horses and rest for a while.

"Boss, may I ask something?"

"What is it?" I replied as I look at Borte with a curiosity.

"I want to know if you are affiliated with Shiroe of Log Horizon considering you are going to meet him. What business do you have with the villain in glasses?"

"Hmm. You are one curious cat aren't you? I'm sorry I cannot disclose any information to anyone even to my bodyguards but I can tell you that I am a friend of one of Shiroe's affiliates. Why do you ask by the way? Do you perhaps happen to be affiliated with him in some manner?" I responded.

Borte scratched his head as he gave me a guilty smile. "We actually met him once but it was almost a year ago. Since then we never saw him. All I know about him are from rumors I hear from fellow adventurers."

"How about you and Shanks? What is your story? You two look close enough I almost thought one of you is gay" I supplemented as I gave a little laugh.

Borte and Shanks both laughed at my last statement. It was Shanks who answered back. "We know each other since we were kids. Since the "apocalypse" began, we only both have each other. We tried joining a group before but it turned out to be a mistake. We were forced to help them in their player killings because if not, they would harass us instead. Since our last ordeal, we ran away together from those players and since then, we have been travelling from one place to another."

"It must have been hard for the both of you running away like that" I commented.

"It is true, but we have each other so it was like an adventure for the both of us", Borte replied.

"Have you considered joining a guild instead? I heard that guilds are pretty cool. They go into hunts together, they set on quests and they have a place for everyone to stay" I asked.

Borte was about to say something but suddenly we heard something behind our backs. Borte responded quickly as he stood in front of me. It was a forest monster and it is a level 30 Pog class. They are the usual monster that appears on roads and attacks whoever they encounter.

"Stay behind us boss"' Borte exclaimed. "We will not allow anything happen to you."

I smiled on their display of bravery and loyalty for me. I know they can handle the monster knowingly that Borte is level 47 and Shanks is at level 46. If it was just me, I can deal with it in just a few seconds but with the fact that I am with these two, I might as well watch them fight and enjoy the show.

"Okay. I'll stay back as you deal with the monster. Be careful you two", I said as I stepped back away from them.

"No worries boss, we fought quite a number of this kind of monster. Shanks, let's use that and end this quickly", Borte.

I stood as I watch Borte pulled his axe from his back while Shanks was preparing a spell. The monster moved and approaches the nearest one of the two. Borte casted a weapon enhancement magic on his weapon and afterwards, he swung it towards the enemy. The axe is swirling like a boomerang as it approaches the monster but it flew past the enemy. I thought it was a failed attack but suddenly vines entangled the axe and was pulled back hitting the enemy's back. It was a good hit I'm sure the damage was heavy on that one. Shanks pulled the axe with the vines and swung the axe for another attack. Shanks delivered three more attacks until the monster was defeated. After few seconds, the vines on the axe disappeared too.

"That was amazing you two. I never know you can do something like that. Can every adventurer do that?" I exclaimed as I give them a handful of claps.

"It's not actually something we can brag to every adventurers. It is just effective to monsters with low HP because it can only last for 30 seconds", Borte claimed as he puts back his axe on his back.

"We actually just discovered about this accidentally when we were fighting monsters to earn some gold. We went on a certain spot we thought only low level monster spawns but we were given faulty information. It was when we got nearly killed that by accident I casted bind on Borte's axe and then I was able swung his axe just like I did today." It was Shanks explaining.

"If you ask me that skill of yours is really awesome. It is something that proves your identity as close buddies. What do you think?" I asked the both of them.

Borte and Shanks didn't answer but as they looked at each other, they gave each other a wide smile. We pulled back the horse to the cart and we continued our journey.

Another hour has passed and we haven't seen anybody or any monsters on our way. Borte remains on his post guarding our rear while Shanks holds the ropes in front. In my case, I am enjoying the new scenery but as time is passing, I am getting bored with the same things I see so I took the initiative to break first the silence.

"Shanks, Borte. Can you tell me something about yourselves? Will you share how you both did become friends if you don't mind?" I asked as I let out a little sigh.

"You're bored, are you not boss? Well, I don't mind telling you. How about you Shanks? Borte asks.

"I don't mind", Shanks answered shortly.

"Well, where to start? Shanks and I are actually childhood friends and we live in the same neighbourhood. We also both attend at the same school. When we were kids, we would usually go out together and play. Sometimes we invite each other to play our favorite video games and that's until we learned how to play online games. When we graduated from middle school, we both attended different schools. Since we seldom see each other, we used online games as our medium to chat and enjoy playing together. We weren't the type who can have many friends. We tried having friends but they were all fakes. Once they learned about our family, they turn cold on us. We continued communicating like this with each other until we went to college".

"Don't you see each other outside the game?" I interrupted.

"We seldom do", Shanks abruptly replied.

"That's true." Borte seconded. "We can't even hold a long conversation outside because of our work. I work as a part-time in a car loan company while Shanks works in a construction firm. I think a year already passed since we started playing this game. It is when a gaming company advertised about a game expansion being done that we started playing this game. We were so interested in the game, so a week before the installation of the expansion pack, we tried to learn how the game works. When the installation of the expansion pack was aired, we both entered the game and the next thing we know, we were in a different world."

"I see. So that's how "the apocalypse" started. Am I right?" I asked for confirmation.

"Yes boss. We..." Borte suddenly stopped his speech just as the same time as the cart stopped moving. Borte's eyes were on front and his expression was like someone who saw something scary. I turned my gaze on front of the road and saw a group of adventurers.

There were four of them on the middle of the road but I have the feeling someone is hiding within the woods. They look suspicious but I must first take precaution before engaging. The two might pull-off something for us to escape but if given no choice, I'll deal with them myself. I'll take my chances and find an opportunity to cast a spell without anyone noticing. I looked at Borte and Shanks but they seem too uneasy.

"Borte, Shanks. Do you know these people?" I asked in a controlled voice.

"Do you remember the group we told you before? They are the ones chasing after us. I'm sorry boss if we won't be able to protect you this time" Borte replied.

"That's nonsense. I hired you to protect me and that's what exactly what you are going to do. Let's try to see first if we can negotiate with them" I said to Borte.

One of the members of the group came closer and pointed his sword at us. He looks like the strongest among the group and the rest; I can tell they are as strong as Borte or Shanks. With a grin on his face he said: "Shanks, Morte. It's been a long time since we saw each other. Do you still remember when you both bailed on us? We suffered too much loss because you ran away. Now we can at last take our revenge on you. We have been waiting for this opportunity to kill you until you'll lose everything! We might as well take something from your employer but if she will resist, we can't ensure if we can hold back."

After Shanks and Borte stepped down out of the cart, I stood up so they would set their attention to me. After I saw everyone's attention is on me, I cleared my throat ready for a speech.

"Hello adventurers. I am the owner of this caravan. We are on our way to Akihabara to deliver something important. I am also the employer of these two adventurers. Is there something we can offer so we can solve this without any harm done?"

I saw the surprise looks on both Borte ans Shanks' faces after my speech. The two were completely frozen on their ground as they shift their eyes on the enemies ahead.

"Well then. That's a generous offer you gave us. Will you then give us everything you have? You look like a peole of the land. You value your life, don't you" the swordsman demanded.

"I see. Let me talk first to my guards. Will you let me?" I said with a smile to provoke the enemies.

"Yes. Please convince those two scared cat for me. You know you can't run anyway right?" the swordsman added.

I stepped down the cart and went close to the two. I know these two are scared but I can tell they can overpower the enemy and overcome their fears. With the plan in my mind, all I need to do is to push the button and thus whispered on both Borte and Shanks ears.

"Listen very well you two. I know you are scared but I believe you can do something about that. Your job is to protect me right? Just trust in your own and your partner's capabilities. I ask you this, when was the last time you have enjoyed doing something together? I'll tell you something. After you blind them with something, all we need is 30 seconds. You know what it means."

It seems these two was able to hold their fears at last. I glanced at the leader of the enemy and he's rather suspicious of my actions.

"Hey, what's taking so long? You know we can't wait forever" the leader asks.

30 seconds is also enough for me to silence the others who are hiding in these woods as i thought. My plan is ready. I looked at the leader of the enemies and said, "Don't worry. Just give us 30 seconds and it's all over." It was my cue and its good, Shanks understood it.

Taken by surprise, the enemies were blinded by the explosion Shanks created. Now is my chance. I casted "Shadow Catch", a spell that allows me to detect enemies and dispel any hiding techniques within 50 meters, after a second I found the other two enemies hiding. The nearest was another swordsman probably waiting for the ambush if we were to run on the opposite direction. I dashed on his direction ambushing him from above with three hits before he perished. Without delay, I used the trees as cover as I approach the other one who seems to be a healer. Again from above, it took me three hits before he perished and after that, I returned to my original position near the cart. Shanks and Borte was still attacking the four on the road and the dust is almost clearing. There was still 13 seconds left on the 30 second opportunity window so that means I was able to take down the two in 18 seconds.

Counting from the time I casted "Shadow Catch" and the time I learned their location which took me two seconds, dashing towards the first victim until he perished, 4 seconds, approaching the second victim until he died, 6 seconds and the time I returned to my original position which took me another 6 seconds for a total of 18 seconds. Borte and Shanks on the other hand seems to be enjoying slaughtering their foes as they cannot do anything. When the Borte and Shank's spell ended, the four enemies were rattled with their HP's in red status. The leader was enraged and began shouting.

"Don't think you can win with that surprise you gave us. Borte, Shanks. Have you forgotten how we work?" The leader laughed hysterical and then shouted, "We too have a surprise. Healer, show yourself and heal us. You too swordsman, come out from where you are and finish these arrogant fools."

Borte and Shanks stepped back with horror and looked at me. I've never been good in pleasing other's hearts or putting other's mind at ease. I am somewhat the opposite of those that is why I was given the title "agitator" in the previous games I've played. Still, I know something that can ease up tensions and doubts from a person's mind. I gave out a smile for both of them and at that moment, they steady themselves and prepared for the next thing that could happen.

After a few seconds, the leader and the other members were starting to worry. They tried calling again and again for the two which they don't know are already waking up in a cathedral. Borte and Shanks stepped forward and this time, they are acting like the predator.

"Hey leader, I think no one's coming. Nice bluff but we are not scared anymore of you. How about we give another one of that attack Shanks? What do you think?" It was Borte trying to act brave but I can still see his body shaking.

"It is a pleasure Borte. Lets finish them", Shanks replied.

One by one the enemies were retreating until the leader was left. The leader tried to run but Shanks casted bind on him making him stumble.

"Please don't kill me, I don't have much but you can take it", begged the leader.

"Why would we kill you? We are not P'kers to begin with. We only joined your group because we thought you can help us. But we were wrong. We don't want what you are doing that is why we ran away. We survived slaying weak monsters to earn gold coins and we are proud of what we earned. Stop your doing and instead, try doing something with your own strength. You'll understand our feelings when you do", Borte lectured.

Shanks and Borte returned to the cart and we continued our ride to the city. As we are clearing out of the forest, we heard a loud cry echoing throughout the forest.