Three Days After

"You were caught on an AOE skill the moment you exited the portal." Nero shrugged as he explained nonchalantly. He was already at the table that Mertyla and Rosette were occupying when I arrived in the common room, so I asked immediately. 

"I did?" I could feel my face grow hot. Dammit! It really was, as I feared. "Seriously?" 

But what kind of AOE skill was it that made me unconcious for 3 days? Is there even a skill like that? I know I'm not that strong, but I couldn't be that weak.

"It happens. It's because you don't often to guild wars so you don't know. It's a skill that shows its full potential when used in a large scale siege. Don't worry about it."

I frowned at his words. "Even if that's the case, how you can be so nonchalant about it?" I covered my face as I felt my face getting warmer with embarrassment. "I even talked big to Teiran about wanting to participate. This is so embarrassing."

"Who cares? It's not like he'll give you a hard time about it." He started stuffing himself with food and even had the audacity to get the sausages from my plate. "He'll just give a one-liner 'I told you so' and that's it." 

"Augh! Still!"

"Besides, it's better than getting your ass handed to you or trembling at the mere presence of your enemies." There was a hint of mischievousness in his tone. The one that he has whenever he's being sarcastic. 

"With that tone, I don't know if you're teasing me or you're trying to make me feel better." I deadpanned. What's with this dude so early in the morning?

In response to my frustrated comment, Nero just smirked as he patted my shoulder.

 "Like I said, it happens so don't worry about it. The important thing is we won and secured the cave. Who cares if you were able to fight or not."

"I care! I'm also part of this guild and it would've meant a lot to me if I was able to contribute." I pouted. "I was really looking forward to it too."

"Look, I'm sure the guild master understands. And I can assure you that Teiran won't be such a dick next time you ask to participate again."

"No!"

It's as if everyone in the common room, except for Nero and me, shouted their disagreement. I blinked at them a couple of times, taken aback by their behavior. Although Nero just started sniggering at my side. 

"What..."

"Y-You know Avy... I think it's better if you start with getting used to fighting with other adventurers first. You know, in the Arena and some sparrings." One of our guildmates' said from the next table.

"Okay?" I responded skeptically.

"Oh, yes, yes. He's right. After all, it's not like you were the only one who needed a few days to recover after the war." Nero said, smirking smugly for some reason. "There were even some of us who were left half-dead, you know."

"H-He's right, Avy." Mertyla added. "Don't get so down. The person who casted the skill is very, ultra, super duper powerful. He almost got us, too. We really thought we were a goner. Right, Rosette?"

Rosette just shrugged and continued with her soup.

Well, if she puts it that way. Still, I can't believe there's a skill like that. I've never encountered an OP skill like that in my research of WoG before. Haa~ I guess this is just another variable I had to consider.

"And, as much as I hate to admit it. It was all thanks to your brother that we won and everyone got back safely." The Demon Blade beside me added resignedly. 

"Teiran? Really?"

"Yup. So nobody would even dare criticize you for it."

"What happened?"

"He was so cool when he came at the last minute and saved everyone." Mertyla piped in excitedly. "I only saw his skill, but it was like a real meteor shower. Like some sort of god-sent miracle to vanquish that devil- "

Huh? Was there someone from the Blackwood guild so strong that they threatened our guild to the point that we needed saving? I frowned in disbelief.

Nero started laughing like a maniac and even started hitting the table. "You heard that Avyzhia? She said devil!"

"N-No! I-I mean…"

Now, Mertyla looked so scared like she had just made a life-threatening mistake. Even Rosette stopped eating and looked at her in utter horror. And for some reason, when I glanced around us, they were wearing the same expressions.

"Is that… a new nickname…? " Nero asked between his fits of laughter. 

No one said anything after that, though. 

After a while, Nero finally stopped laughing but still had a smirk on his face. "Then again, we still have to give that Devil a new nickname to honor the feat of single-handedly bringing Emblem to the brink of annihilation." 

"Don't be ridiculous, Nero. There's no way someone from the Blackwood guild could ever threaten Emblem."

"Pfft. Of course, there isn't. Even their ace wasn't a match to the Devil after all." 

"Haa~ So who is this Devil then? If they're not part of Blackwood, then… one of ours?" Nero just kept on smirking at me. "Could it be that someone from our guild lost control and started attacking everyone?" 

"Aaahhh~ My dear Avy~ You're so perceptive."

"No way! Really?" Danglebells! How strong are they? "Who is it? Did I meet that person already?"

"Probably not… " Nero shook his head. "That member comes and goes on a whim, you see. And they got too excited for not being able to fight with everyone for a while. They also left shortly after the guild war, and nobody knows when they'll be back."

"Oh… It would really have been great to meet someone like that." I couldn't help the disappointment in my voice.

Gosh! Emblem really is just full of strong people. Crazy, strong people.

"Anyway, 'Emblem's Devil' is too generic. It's not as cool as 'God of War' or 'Scarlet Demon'." 

"Wow! Are those they're nicknames?"

"Hah! They've been called worse, believe me."

"Hmm… Then how about 'Emblem's Azrael' "

"Oohhh~ How fitting for the crazy chic who suddenly appeared and started knockin' down ev'ryone." Another guildmate spoke up and suddenly invited himself to our table. He was smiling at me widely. If I wasn't mistaken, he's the Berseker Raistlou.

Raistlou is always quick to taunt anyone to a PvP, whether it's his guildmate or not. Since I never liked PvPs, I tended to avoid him before. Are we supposed to be on friendly terms?

"Exactly. Almost everyone had their asses handed out to them, even you." Nero smirked at him, but he shrugged in return, although the smile on his face didn't disappear.

"That's to say... Avyzhia, if you need a sparring partner, just let me know. I'd be happy to help."

"Thanks, Raistlou." I smiled at him gratefully. 

Well, I do need experience on PvP now, unlike when all of this is just a game on my computer screen.

"Me too."

"As do I. Just let us know, Avyzhia."

Our other guildmates, who were apparently listening to our conversation, suddenly piped up enthusiastically.

"T-Thanks everyone. I really appreciate it."

"Haa~ You guys never learn." Nero shook his head at them. "You really want to die?"

"Oh, come on, Nero. It's just sparring. I'm sure my brother wouldn't mind." 

"Pfft. Yeah, right." He just rolled his eyes at me and started on his neglected breakfast again.

Mertyla then just laughed nervously and started eating again.

"Argh! Do you guys mind?" Rosette, however, looked like she got really upset when everyone suddenly started paying attention to our table. 

"Oh! Looks who's awake!" 

Everyone turned their heads to the owner of the voice. It was Guild Master Duram, and behind him was the Ikemen I've been wanting to meet in person. Gosh! It's really the Star! He looked way more beautiful in person than on screen. Those graphics didn't do him any justice.

"How're you feeling, Avyzhia? It was pretty rough, wasn't it?" Guild Master Duram, too, invited himself to our table. Even without me looking at her, I could feel Rosette's glare getting hotter.

"I'm feel good." I said honestly. "And I'm really sorry about what happened at the guild war?"

"Y-You are?" He suddenly stiffened for some reason.

"Yes. I'm sorry I wasn't of any help during the guild war. You even specially told me to participate." I really feel so guilty, but what can I do? The least I can do now is to apologize. 

"R-Right. Haha… Actually, I've been repenting as well." The guild master gave me an awkward, apologetic smile. 

"For what?"

"For not being able to protect you." Star interjected, looking at me apologetically. 

"Whaa!" Just him looking at me like that makes me blush already. Men more beautiful than women really do exist. "Y-You don't have to feel guilty about anything. It's the other way around! I promise I'll get stronger so next time I'll be more prepared for any sudden attacks."

"Avyzhia, we promise we'll be more prepared next time as well. So you can run as wild as you want." 

Danglebells! These people are spoiling me too much. Is this the effect of being their savior's little sister?

"Just don't get anyone killed, okay?"

He meant that I don't get myself killed, right?

"Okay. I promise."

Emblem really is a good guild.