Chapter 2

Hyou:

"Do you have any real combat experience?"

We stood back, watching boars and slimes simply roaming about the area. The plains were filled with them, and it certainly wouldn't be surprising if we could level up at least three levels by killing them all.

Keshin:

"Does sparring count?"

Hyou:

"Not if it's simple practice. What I mean is, have you ever fought seriously? That would include risk of your life."

Keshin:

"No. I stuck to basic sword training."

Hyou:

"Then your first target will be the boar over there."

Hyou then pointed towards a boar. In the far off distance, I could catch a glimpse of flame magic. It seems Nino is going a bit crazy with fighting. Effie's keeping watch on her.

Keshin:

"My first enemy."

I inhaled, preparing myself. I could feel the pressure coming from Hyou and Sniper- though Santos seemed to be a bit more energetic and encouraging.

Santos:

"Don't worry, you won't die if I'm around! I do have level ten healing powers!"

That's right. Me, a level one, is in a group filled with players that are level ten and above. It takes at least a month of hardcore grinding to get that high. Most playerd that are above level fifty don't even focus on grinding for levels- they just go for gear since gaining experience is difficult late game. That would make sense though, fighting for life and death everyday doesn't sound appealing.

Hyou:

"Keshin! Don't lose focus now!"

Keshin:

"A-Ah! Right. That boar isn't being defeated by itself."

I steadily approached the boar, cautious with the way I moved. I didn't know how I was going to approach it- but maybe starting off with a sword art would do.

Suddenly its eyes flashed red. It was a very small spark, but that probably means it noticed me. It began to grunt a lot, it's nostrils expanding and closing as if it was breathing heavily. It then began to grind its hooves to the ground, stomping on its hind legs.

Hyou:

"He's got this."

Santos:

"You seem so sure. What makes you think that?"

Hyou:

"He's determined. I'm pretty sure he's graduate."

The boar suddenly charged at me, at a high velocity too. 'Just like I practiced...' I told myself, inhaling. Just before the boat could hit me- I shifted my body to the right, letting it run itself through my sword's side. Only able to get it through halfway- I had to use my strength to carry my blade through the remaining part of the horizontal length of its body.

Santos:

"He's got a good reaction. Not bad for a starter."

Hyou:

"To think we were at that point a month ago."

Santos:

"Time flies huh."

After my blade ran through the boar, I took that opportunity of its delay in attacks to unleash a sword art. I activated it once more.

Keshin:

"Sword Art... Arc!"

The sword glew green once more- to which I unleashed the blade's imbued strength onto the boar in an arc. A clean green stroke of light passed through it- colliding with the crimson red liquid gauging out. That was the boar's blood.

Before falling flat and onto the ground- it let out a wheeping roar that attracted the other boars. It was about three different boars- though before they could get ready to attack- they all seemed to collapse one-by-one.

'What was that?' I questioned myself, but it became rather clear once I saw what was sticking out from their necks. I didn't even see them- but Sniper had a clean shot towards each of these boar's necks. She does live up to her name. It just shows the difference in strength between a level one and a level ten.

Hyou:

"Good job Keshin, you'll catch up to us in no time."

Santos:

"Does that mean he's in?"

Hyou:

"Yeah, he passed the trials with flying colours."

It was a somewhat quiet party. Though the peace was disrupted with an erupting voice.

Nino:

"He was accepted? Alright! We should hold a party for recruiting our final member!"

Effie:

"I thought the maximum allowed in one party was 10."

Hyou:

"If we get anymore party members- we'll end up recieving less experience and rewards for ourselves. Six is as good as you can get."

Hyou certainly seems like he's the most experienced here. He's somewhat calm and collective, and really knows what to say at the right time. He's definitely leader material.

Effie is also composed, I wouldn't be surprised if Hyou put her as the second-in-command for this team.

Nino is energetic, outgoing. I feel like I can't exaggerate how hyper she can be. It's like she's got the energy of a kid.

Santos is also somewhat energetic, but I get the vibes that I can sympathise with him quite a lot. He's honest. I wonder how honest he can be though?

Hyou:

"Well as Nino said, we should celebrate this occasion. We found our last party member so might as well make the first night a night to remember."

Nino:

"Yes!"

Santos:

"Eh, who'll pay for things?"

Effie:

"I don't mind paying for the food, but no alcohol. We already saw what happened with Hyouke-"

Hyou:

"ALRIGHT! I'll rent a room for us to stay at!"

He was quick to leaving us- with Nino and Santos tagging along. Now I'm curious to see a drunk Hyouketsu.

Effie:

"Come on, what're you standing there for?"

Keshin:

"O-oh, right, I'm coming."

Sniper seems to be awfully quiet though. I wonder if she views us as friends- or if anyone else even sees her as a friend.

I get these vibes that she's just out of place. I wouldn't blame her since she's so quiet and all- but it would be nice if she was more talkative.

What does she even sound like?

Sniper:

"..."

A cold stare- oh, I've been staring too much. Averting my eyes as quickly as I could, I tried my best to play things off as I walked with Effie. Sniper herself began to move, finally. It was odd how Effie spoke to only me and not her. Perhaps it's that cold nature that she seemingly has?

Keshin:

"Hey Effie."

I whispered to the female.

Effie:

"Why're you whispering?"

Keshin:

"I wanted to ask about Sniper. She's quiet most of the time. Don't you think she's pretty excluded in this group?"

Effie:

"Ah, well..."

Keshin:

"Ah- sorry, I just joined so I shouldn't ask those types of questions."

Effie:

"No it's fine. I'm not so sure. Hyou has already tried speaking to her, but she only seemed to grew more distant to us after he tried talking with her one night."

Keshin:

"She grew more distant..?"

Effie:

"Maybe it's because Hyou isn't the right person for that kind of job. You see- Hyou and I go way back. We went to the same school together and trained together as acquaintances."

Keshin:

"I didn't realise you two were so close."

Effie:

"No, we were never too close. We have always been just friends, but he seemingly always refused to talk personally. Not just with me- but with anyone."

Keshin:

"Oh, I see. I guess something bad must've happened to him."

Effie:

"No, he's just really bad at talking."

Keshin:

"Ah I see. Wait what?"

Effie:

"He's a born leader- but he's bad at relationships. The reason why we're all so attatched to him is because we know he's bad with words when it comes to those situations."

Keshin:

"I don't get it, why would it be so difficult for him to sympathise with someone and help them? He's a born leader."

Effie:

"Well, he lacks the experience. Being a born leader- he led a life one would dream to have. Though because he has led that life, he was unable to experience the life of trouble most of us dealt with."

Keshin:

"Huh... not everything's perfect."

Effie:

"Far from it."

My attention turned to Sniper, who was looking down so there was no way she could've known I was looking at her. Regardless- her head lifted up the moment I looked over to her. Just my luck.

We soon arrived at town. I got to learn a few things about my teammates today. Effie seems to be a lot nicer than I thought her to be. At first I thought she was going to be someone more strict and scary to talk to. I probably shouldn't assume things so quickly.