Chapter 13- The Friend in Field

YESTERDAY

The adventurer guild room is filled with lively chatter and the clinking of mugs. The team is gathered around a large table, celebrating.

Chloe: (raising her mug) Cheers to us! We've earned this celebration.

Saber: (smiling) Cheers! It's nice to relax for a change.

Chloe: (grinning) So, Saber, any big plans for our next adventure? Or are you just going to keep saving me from King Ogres?

Saber: (laughing) I guess I'll have to stay on my toes to keep up with you, Chloe. You do have a knack for getting into trouble.

Chloe: (mocking) Oh, please. I had that ogre right where I wanted him. You just swooped in for the glory.

Ergo: (smirking) You two are so obvious. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're flirting.

Saber: (blushing) What? No, we're just... having fun.

Chloe: (playfully nudging Saber) Admit it, you enjoy my company. Besides, who else is going to keep you on your toes?

Saber: (smiling) Okay, okay. You got me there. You're not too bad yourself, Chloe.

Ergo: (laughing) Oh, the sparks are flying tonight. Should I give you two some privacy?

Chloe: (mocking) Ha, as if! You'd miss all the fun.

Saber: (chuckling) We just became friends a day ago. Don't get any ideas.

Ergo: (teasingly) Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that.

Chloe: (winking at Saber) Don't worry, Saber. I've got your back, both in and out of the battlefield. Just try not to get yourself into any more solo missions. You had me worried sick last time.

Saber: (grateful) Thanks, Chloe. That means a lot. And don't worry, I'll watch where I'm stepping—unlike someone else I know.

Ergo: (with a mischievous grin) You two are impossible. Just don't let Lead catch you slacking off.

The door of the guild room opens, and Lead walks in, surveying the room with a stern look.

Lead: What's all this noise? Shouldn't you be resting up for tomorrow's training?

Chloe: (grinning) We're just celebrating, Lead. It's important to unwind sometimes, you know.

Lead: (sighing) Just don't overdo it.

Saber: (nodding) Understood, Lead. We'll be ready.

Lead: (smirking) Good. Now enjoy your evening, but remember, dawn comes early.

Lead walks away, leaving the group to their celebration. The team exchanges looks, ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.

Lead: (addressing the audience) Then I left, thinking it was just a normal celebration. (The screen breaks) What a fool I was.

Fast-forward

Saber's head is a swollen potato. The same goes for Chloe. Both are sitting down and crying.

Lead: I've had enough of your shenanigans. (Scary face) I think both of you need 'Extra' attention, am I right? You know, Chloe, what it is, right?

Chloe looks scarred.

Saber: (Shocked face) Don't tell me that you… You enjoy clobbering her!

Lead: (angry) ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Chloe: (crying) Yeah, he does give me time to breathe.

The other adventurers look at Lead in disgust.

Lead: ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

Saber: (disappointed) That makes matters worse.

Chloe: (disappointed) So true.

Narrator: Lead that day explained the situation to everyone but still lost a lot of reputation and was labeled as a 'Tyrant Grandpa.'

In the grounds:

Lead is standing in pose. Saber and Chloe are standing in pose.

Saber: Alright, what's this about?

Chloe: (smirking) Probably the 'Tyrant Grandpa' didn't have enough energy to prove himself innocent.

Lead: SHUT UP! Because of you two brats, I got that name!

Chloe: Relax, it's not that bad. If the naming was up to me, I would've called you 'Bullying Fossil.'

Saber: Power-Tripping Relic.

Chloe: Ego Elder.

Saber: Wrinkled Warden.

Chloe: I like that sound.

Saber: Came up with it myself.

Lead's shadow, and Lead's scary smile.

THANG THANG!

Saber and Chloe with potato swollen heads.

Lead: (wiping his hands) Are you ready to be silent now?

Saber: Yeah, we can see whose hands are punching us.

Lead: What was that?

Chloe: Yeah, Lead, you're very calm now as far as I can see.

Lead: Alright, now, today I'll witness your skills as adventurers. Can you defend yourself from a higher-level monster? Let's find out. (Removes his wooden sword) Are you ready, brats!

Saber: You sure are going to enjoy tormenting us; that's why you're so eager for this match.

Chloe: (nods) Can't agree more.

Lead: Shut up and come at me!

A VS frame with chad Saber and jojo Chloe vs creepy Lead.

Both are running.

Chloe: Saber, go to the right and stay open.

Saber: Gotcha.

Chloe comes from above.

Lead tackles the sword. Vibration of Chloe. Lead side-eyes back at Saber. How did he get there in a second?

Saber: (smiling) The left hand grabs the sword. Saber's widened eyes. The dash flashback: So it's that speedy move, huh?

Lead: Not so speedy when caught.

Chloe was pushed back. Lead raises his hand. Saber in distress tries to pull the sword back.

Saber: DASH!

Lead fell down. Saber fell at a distance.

Lead: (wipes his face) So it just pushes you from behind, I see.

Lead: Chloe!

Chloe: Ye-Yes!

Lead: You had the chance to hit my blind spot when I was focusing on Saber, but you zoned out. Pay attention!

Saber: (thinking) So the guy is really observant. I have to create an illusion, but that is if I can… He is at a higher level, that's for sure. Otherwise, a dash-enhanced sword would've bruised a regular person.

Lead: (thinking) The kid has potential, and his brain is functioning way faster than the average 15-year-old. Otherwise, none of his age would've thought of using the speed skill to attack while the move itself looks like a defensive skill.

Chloe: What are these guys thinking so intensely that I have an entire day to wander in my dreamland? This feels like I accidentally walked into a warzone. These guys look like a boss fight I didn't sign up for.

Saber's serious look. Lead's serious look. Chloe's serious look. All three are just standing there, and a crow passes by.

Chloe: Are you guys gonna move?

Lead rushes towards Saber. Saber is ready. Lead takes a sharp turn towards Chloe.

Chloe: (screaming) AAAAA!!! STAY AWAY! PEDOPHILE!!!

Lead: Wait, What? We're in a match here, you moron! Just shut up!

Chloe: Oh! (claps hands) But I didn't forget.

Lead: What?

Jumped Saber behind Lead, who is alert.

BANG BING BOOM!

Saber's eyes are spinning, and Chloe taped.

Lead: You moron brats!

Saber stands up and uses 'Dash.' Slips and rubs his face near Lead. Lead taps his leg on Saber's head.

Lead: You dumb creature. At least use your skill 'Properly,' dumbo.

Beaten Saber's face.

Narrator: And that's how Saber was sent to an open large field to master the control of the 'Dash' he's so proud of.

Saber: Seems nice. I could laze for a while, but he would pop out of nowhere and kick me, so better train.

Saber: Alright, time to test all the unlocked moves and abilities, hehe… System, show all the unlocked options.

The screen shows all the unlocked and new options.

Saber: I did get a lot of options to check out, I see.

Saber: Troubled. So many to choose from.

Saber: The 2nd entrance is going to open in 3 more days.

Flashback: I really went toe-to-toe with that monster. But at least I'm at level 7, so that's good.

Flashback: Ergo- She was really worried about the kid. Saber is standing silent.

Saber: Still troubles me. Why was that the case? Was Ergo teasing me? Yes, that can be a possibility given how often she teases both of us.

Flashback: *Ergo- She was really worried about you, kid. Can't forget that sentence. It was too powerful to forget. But she's so damn

Saber offered his hand to Carlos, smiling. "Now stand up, my friend."

Carlos, standing up and shocked, asked, "What did you say?"

Saber, confused, replied, "I said 'stand up,' dummy."

Carlos, still in shock, pressed, "After that."

Saber realized, "Oh! 'Friend'?"

Carlos blushed. "Are you not?" Saber bowed.

Carlos, panicking, stammered, "Ye-Yes, a friend, yes I'm your friend."

Saber remained confused by Carlos's reaction.