Assassin of Ice (2)

The opals in the cave reflected the light from the entrance giving the whole place a sparkly glow. Little specks of multicolored light danced across the walls giving the place a disco feeling.

"This is one of my favorite places in game" said Blank looking around.

I ignored him and headed toward the back. If I was right the orb should be around here. First to find it got to keep it right?

Let's see, opal, opal, definitely another opal. I traced the back wall of the cave. I looked upward and stopped walking at the same time as Blank. Both our eyes had fallen on an orb just off to the right of the center.

It was still a good several feet in the air.

"Look a rock that's not quite a rock" Blank smirked looking at me. I clenched my teeth slightly. He had found it a second before me. Which by solo player laws meant he had the first attempt at getting it. I really hated teaming up.

"Well what you waiting for? Grab it already." I said sulkily.

"For you." He gave me a slight bow making me freeze. "The most beautiful guy I've ever seen. Did you know your avatar's hair sparkles nicely in this light? I'd love to see your real life hair in here."

Just what was wrong with this guy's head anyway? Not that I'd turn down the free orb, but I couldn't completely ignore solo laws now could I?

"Just grab it at the same time and leave it up to the system." I muttered. Whoever touched it a millisecond first would get it that way. "You have a jump enhancement gear type right?" I asked.

Blank nodded and we both jumped up to touch the orb. I made sure his hand touched a fraction before mine. Stupid solo play laws, I was way too much of a law abiding citizen. I should work on that. I'm an assassin for crying out loud. I suppose to be a bad-boy type!

[Congratulations to Blank of the SnowLeopards for completing this challenge. As it was done within the time limit, no punishments will be received by the real world.]

Ding! A notification appeared before me. Rewards for team who completed challenge. Please select from the following categories. Oh? A team win? Thank you system, but doesn't anyone understand that I'm a solo player!

Whatever.

[Clothing, Accessories, Weapons, Enhancements, Special]

Hmm my clothing was decent, accessories as well. My blades were already fine. An enhancement should boost my normal stats. A decent choice. what was special? Would it give me a potion or something? Usually something like that would appear as an item.

I should do an enhancement, but special looked way to interesting.

[RoyalBlue has chosen special]

[Blank has chosen special]

Huh he's really such a copycat. I'll let it go since special looks so interesting though.

[Wings of Winter]

[Wings of Ember]

Two wing items? I immediately equipped mine. Light blue wings with dark blue tips bound to me. Blank's wings were black with reddish orange tips. If mine were ice crystals then his were flames.

[Wing stats: flight, 500% speed, 500% agility. Growth type item will improve with user's stats.]

What! What kind of overpowered item is this! This was a max level type item stat. Even then it would be legendary and it could still improve!

Would this also transfer to reality? A wicked grin crossed my face. I was currently only level 27, a nice bonus from real life fighting, what kind of item would this become at level 100? Assuming the AI alien hadn't decided to change the level system anyway.

[Challenge will close in 1 day and 15 hours]

Oh the game was going to stay open for a little bit? Time for some leveling then. I glanced at Blank. To be nice and invite or to ignore? Ignoring was so much easier though, but this ridiculous team function had gotten me some wings.... Ugh! I was going to regret this later wasn't I?

"Hey, I'm going to do some leveling. Do you want to come?" even speaking teamwork was painful.

I instantly regretted it seeing Blank's face light up. Why was he so ridiculously happy all the time. Did he really like being around me that much? We'd only met a little while ago.

"Sure!" Blank replied.

I wanted to slap myself. What made me think this was a good idea? I like being around him for a few seconds and it suddenly turns into more.

He spent the next hour following me around as I killed random monsters in the autumn area around the cave.

"Watch where you're walking not me." I muttered seeing his gaze still on me.

"But you're the most beautiful thing around." Blank replied.

I chocked on air for a half second before regaining my posture. I glared at him. This guy was dangerous. His attachment to me seemed to be growing.

"I'm a weirdo who cannot hold a relationship, please do not get a crush on me." I muttered before realizing I had said it out loud. Shoot.

I glanced at his gleaming face as he brought his head near mine. "Decimal told me all about you, but since I can touch you it's not a problem right?"

I shoved him away. "I ….."

Blank yelped and I looked at him. Then I smirked. Oh terrible, when he had stepped back, he stepped on a baby level one iron snake. It then launched itself up and bit him... on his more manly parts.

I couldn't help snickering as he crushed the snake and gently removed it from himself. He shot me a glare then started going through his bag.

I tossed him a small bottle from my own bag. A low level anti-poison potion from my alchemy skill. Okay maybe I felt just a little guilty for pushing him onto a snake. I wonder how bad that would feel with the real pain conversion factors of the game?

Blank sat down babying his lower section. Was it bleeding? I kept trying not to look, so very awkward. Okay I felt bad enough I should heal him, but why did the snake have to bite him there! This was going to lead too so much misunderstanding.

"Um, how bad is it? I can heal it if you know, if you want." I muttered looking everywhere but at Blank.

He was quiet for a bit before responding. "Okay."

Awkward! Could I heal something without looking at it? I was sure going to try. I reached over trying to ignore everything as I focused on my healing magic. Just don't think about it. I thought to myself. My hand brushed against his pants and I immediately pulled back slightly before touching it again.

The spell was less effective above fabric but there was no way I was going further. My weird healing sense allowed me to 'see' the injury as I healed it. Shoot I think my face had gone a bit red.

This all happened because of that stupid team up! Not to mention stupid healing magic being more effective through touch and no fabric! I should of never told anyone my secondary class.

"There, done." I said removing my hand. I awkwardly watched him get back to his feet. So much silence, could we just go separate ways now?

I debated what to say for several seconds before finally opening my mouth. Just as I did though, Blank's communicator beeped and he withdrew his attention from me.

Maybe I should make a run for it? I debated leaving. My wings could outrun his right? Who am I kidding they are probably the same stats. I was just about to leave when my chat communicator also beeped and I pulled up the interface. It was from Deck.

[Decimal: Royal! Help!]

What did that idiot want now? I'm blaming Blank's new attachment to me on him. He rarely asked for help though otherwise I'd consider leaving him. I pulled up his location data. The dark graveyard. Figures he would be there. We had once talked about the orbs potential for that area.

I glanced at Blank who was also scanning data. Did Deck want help from both of us? He better not be trying to play match maker or something. If he was I'd definitely string him up by his toes over an iron snake pit! While I was at it I think I'd hang some on them on his male parts!