Chapter 3
"But you said you were more of a speed-type fighter right?"
"Forget it."
I turned down Nino's suggestion. It's not at all easy picking up new weapons, it took me years to get acquainted with a sword. I can't just suddenly change weapon types.
Keshin:
"I highly doubt that assassin-like play style isn't my strong point."
Hyou:
"What's keeping you from experimenting though?"
That's... a good point. I'm still a level one- but it certainly doesn't mean that it's too late to learn another weapon type.
Keshin:
"Wait, what weapon do you use Hyou?"
Hyou:
"I use a sword too, single hand no shield."
Is that problematic? Having two of the same weapon types? I'm not so sure.
Nino:
"Well you should definitely try out using a dagger at least as a back-up weapon, I mean everyone here has one equipped right?"
Effie:
"Not me."
Nino:
"Well you're a different story since you always carry that big shield!"
Santos:
"I think what Nino is trying to say is; while you can use it as a back-up weapon, it could be more efficient for you to learn how to use it to compliment your single blade style."
Nino:
"Hey- I was getting to that."
Hyou:
"Here it comes."
Santos:
"Sorry that you're just a bit too slow Nino, always letting the better mage take care of things."
Nino:
"Oh yeah? You wanna go? I'll unleash fire sacred arts right here and right now!"
Keshin:
"That'd be problema-
Hyou:
"Let them be- they never break down into an actual fight."
What a loud bunch. But they're having fun. It's different to how I imagined it. I always dreamt of a more serious party, a party dedicated to becoming stronger with me as its leader.
Well, I can't ask for everything. Besides, this... I like this. Though I'm finding it hard to fit in. At the corner of my eye- I noticed the silent archer slipping away.
Keshin:
"Ahh, I need some fresh air. I'll be back in a minute."
Hyou:
"Huh..? Oh- well don't take too long then."
After waving goodbye, I immediately followed after her. Ofcourse, this required me to use my hiding skill. For someone like me- wanting to be recognised- it's undoubtedly ironic that my hiding skill is pretty good. Last I checked, it was at level 20.
It does sound like a lot- and it is for beginners. But it's just a skill level. Even my Sword Arts like Vertical and Arc have skill levels- Vertical being at 77 and Arc being only at 13. I haven't used them much but they certainly could be a lot higher if I did.
I followed silently yet quickly- the Sniper's black attire was hard to catch in the night but thankfully my detection level is high enough to at least keep an eye on her.
Soon, we were reaching the edge of town. This is where I couldn't follow her anymore. At least not as close as I'd like to.
"What is she up to..?" I questioned. Who goes out in the fields at night? I thought it was common knowledge that tougher- more threatening monsters lurk about in the night.
I waited about 2 minutes- before she was far away enough to not see me- but close enough for me to keep her in range of my detection skill.
None of it made sense- what does she plan to do? Upon leaving the town, everyone else's HP bar seemed to have dimmered a little. That must've meant that we were considered to be in separate areas.
I watched as Sniper's HP bar shifted next to mine. I guess that's how parties keep track of whoever's nearby with the different tones of light and the position of each HP bar.
One thing I did notice was the fact that it only displayed my name. Perhaps it's a preference thing- but Sniper was registered as 'Archer' in my eyesight. Perhaps it simply shows which class everyone falls under.
'Archer.' 'Mage.' 'Knight.' 'Cleric.' 'Swordsman.' and my class, 'Adventurer.'
I wonder what happens if there are duplicates of each class. Well perhaps there's a customisation option available to only Hyouketsu.
I shouldn't focus on that right now- I need to prioritise Sniper. I hope she doesn't plan on getting herself into trouble.
I decided to run after her- noticing her completely haulting. What was she waiting for?
I closed in on her- to which I saw something flying at me. Something dangerous. Barely, I was able to dodge out the way. It was an arrow.
Keshin:
"W-wait! Sniper, it's me!"
Sniper:
"H-huh..? You followed me? But how..?"
Keshin:
"I uh... Inherited sneaking techniques in my time at the academy."
Sniper:
"Yet you aren't taking the assassin role?"
Keshin:
"Hek-! Onto the more important manner, what the hell are you doing out here? This late?"
Sniper:
"Late-night grinding. I do it often."
Keshin:
"I thought high level monsters spawn. You don't fear for your life?"
Sniper:
"Why become an adventurer if you're petty about things like that?"
Keshin:
"... I suppose that's a good point. But seriously, the least you could do is invite SOMEONE."
Without realising it, I've been having a full conversation with her. Her voice is certainly far more elegant than any of the voices I've heard today. I'd even go so far as to say it's angelic. Though something's off about her. She's been keeping that hood up. Why is that?
Keshin:
"Anyway, I'm here now. So mind if I tagged along to grind with you?"
Sniper:
"I'd rather not. You'd hinder me."
Keshin:
"What makes you say that? Is it because I'm level one?"
I could tell Sniper and I won't be getting along. She's got a cold attitude and nothing annoys me more than that. Who does she think she's talking to anyway? I didn't graduate from the most prestigious academy just to be trash talked by some level 10.
Keshin:
"Well? Got an answer?"
Sniper:
"Because I work better alone."
Keshin:
"What? You're not just trying to hoarde all the experience for yourself are you?"
Sniper:
"Just... Just shut up."
Keshin:
"You... I swear if..."
But then it hit me. She seemed lonely earlier. But why was that..?
Keshin:
"Sigh. Look, I'm not leaving you here on your own when your life is at risk. Let's come back here with the others, then we can start grinding."
Sniper:
"No!"
Why can't she do it? The enemies that spawn here are strong enough for her to clearly be confident in taking on alone. Why can't the entire group help her out? It'd be faster.
Sniper:
"Look. You're the only one who knows about this... Or at least acted on this. I can't get the others involved."
That look in her eyes. She may be covered with the hood, but those eyes carry history. Just what happened to make her act like this?
Keshin:
"Could you at least explain why? I know the enemies at night are stronger, but that's why we should all work together."
Sniper:
"Sigh. If I told you, will you drop it?"
I have to consider my answers carefully here. If I say the wrong response, it will cause trouble. Hyou couldn't get her trust so maybe I should intead.
Keshin:
"Well it definitely depends on what it is."
Sniper:
"I can't keep hiding it forever... Listen. I'm level 20."
Keshin:
"That's..."
Sniper:
"... I've been in another party before, so that's why I'm a higher level. We disbanded around 3 months ago. Anyway, monsters at night are supposedly 3-4 levels above your party's highest level."
Keshin:
"You mean monsters that we fight could potentially be level 23-24's?"
Sniper:
"So I'm asking you to turn back."
I could die at any moment if I get unlucky... My heart rate's going off... Wait- that means she seriously could've killed me if I didn't react fast enough to that arrow. What a crazy... But why is she on a team as weak as this one?
Keshin:
"I understand. But wouldn't a level 20 like you be better off with other level 20's?"
Sniper:
"... It's not easy finding parties around that level."
That pause at the start has me concerned. She's hiding so many things- could I even trust her? No... the main goal is to get her to trust me. Suddenly I felt a chill down my spine.
Keshin:
"My detection skill is going off like crazy. What is this?"
Sniper:
"What? Mine only just went off now?"
She certainly does seem surprised that I can keep up with my detection skill. Being friends with those perverts back in school has increased my detecting skill. It's sad they'd use their detection skills to peep the sizes of girl's chests.
Sniper:
"Keshin.. run now."
Keshin:
"What?"
Sniper:
"Run!"
She suddenly broke into a run. That's when I heard it. It's no doubt about it. A dire wolf.
Keshin:
"Town is the other way!"
Sniper:
"You get to town! I'll draw it away!"
Keshin:
"Then why is it still coming over... Aggro isn't it..?"
The wolf's fangs became more visible as the creases on it's nose increased in frequency. Saying it looked pissed was an understatement. This was a boss dire wolf, no doubt about it. There's no outrunning this.
"Sword Art, Vertical!"
I have to steel my will. One moment of hesitation will result to me dying. Even if I don't damage him- I can stagger him at the very least.
Sniper:
"Sword Art, Homing Fire!"
I heard a voice coming from the other direction- and what I saw was a life saver. Frame-locking it with my Vertical, she shot one arrow which bursted into three different arrows in three different directions- to which they all homed in on the wolf like a missile.
Catching a glimpse of its HP bar, it went from 2 bars to about 1 and 3/4. That means 7 more of that would definitely kill this thing.
It quickly leaped away from the two of us, anticipating our next movement. This wasn't going to be an easy battle- and running away was certainly not an option. Thankfully the boss was only level 24. Sniper being at level 20, this becomes a lot easier than if I were to take it on alone.
Sniper:
"If you want to live, we'll have to play risky. This is life or death, so don't lose."
Keshin:
"I don't plan on getting a game over when I just became an adventurer."