-III-
[Asuna's POV]
"Ok, this is the tough part," said our new (temporary) party leader, Neo. His face and tone radiated seriousness.
After departing, it didn't pass more than 10 minutes before making a stop. Right in front of us, a full group those wolf monsters – I think they are called «Dire Wolfs» – were roaming on our way to the next settlement. In between them, a huge silver wolf seems to be acting as a pack leader. The big wolf showed us its teeth in an act of intimidation.
/ Silver Fang \
Although the pack gazes' followed our every step since we arrived, they refused to confront us yet.
"We can't pass through this route," Intervened Mito, eyeing the sides of the dirt road. "These monsters will fight alongside the Field Boss." She pointed at the tree lines from our left. "We should try to camouflage with the forest. If we are quick enough, we should avoid their pull."
"Standard but effective." The Westerner contemplated for a few moments. "Or that would be the case if we were solo playing the game."
"...you sounded as if you are sure we are gonna botch it before even trying." Her gaze turned towards him. "You may be underestimating us, Mr Neo."
"Quite the opposite, Miss Mito." Why are they referring between themselves in English? "I can see you are quite knowledgeable on the game too. My problem is about the uncertainty of if is this the same game we played..."
"..." Misumi chose to remain in silence.
"It may seem as if we only need to run through the bushes, not to go too deep in," His index finger pointed out at some trees behind the first tree line at our left side. "Now look closely."
A few seconds passed before something emerged in between the foliage. One of those wolves with a hungry expression was coming out to be met by its companions.
"It's not gonna be as a day in the field. These monsters came from that direction because some players already did that strategy." He pointed out. "Their pull of mobs has made them spread around. Without knowing where and how many of them are, we are risking a big slap on our faces."
"How did you know?" Mito looked at him closely with a certain suspicious look. "Ah, you used a skill."
He nodded. "I have the [Detection] skill as support for my build." His gaze scanned through various places, perhaps he was activating this so-called 'Skill' consecutively. "Not as good as [Searching] against mobs and players, but good enough to give me a warning if some unknown entity is close enough."
"...still, trying to make it through this mob group will be riskier." Mito interceded once more. At this point, these two were the only ones exchanging, while I and Lisbeth were watchers. "We haven't had combat training as a group yet."
He shrugged his shoulders. "I stand by what I said. But even if our gamer god, Daigo-sama smiles on us, do you expect cero mistakes with our initiates by our side? We can't help each other in between vegetation, mobs and possible traps in our way. We might as well end up apart and killed one by one."
So, once more, I'm dragging Mito and the rest back...
"...and you also think that this isn't the same game as the Beta."
"Exactly," Neo retorted to Misumi. "We can't expect mercy from a psycho dev who treats us as lab rats," Neo closed his eyes and sighed. "He should...he will surprise us. The only question is 'when'. If he put some new assassin monster, waiting for some easy prey in the forest..."
Due to the lack of response from Misumi, I can say his argument must be plausible. If that's the case, then what? What should we do?
"Our only chance as a group is to face tank them, penetrate through their numbers, and get out of the fight as fast as possible." The Westerner said in full resolution to his way.
On our part, we couldn't speak. Mito, being a Beta tester and the most knowledgeable player I trust, was unable to reply. Lisbeth, who seems to be a beginner too, kept to herself whatever opinion she had. However, by her expression, I can say the mace user wasn't a fan of this plan at all either.
"I see you all not enterally convinced." He inspected us with his obsidian pair, including Lisbeth. "Discuss about it then. However, make it quick. The night is almost here."
...
He left us by ourselves while he kept scanning the area.
Mito turned her eyes towards me. I know, she is thinking about my safety. This might prove to be too much for us...no, for me. Perhaps only for me. I'm always the problem, huh?
"What about you, Lisbeth-san?" Mito redirected her gaze towards our mace-user. Her light chocolate gems casted a peculiar calm. A sharp contrast from mere seconds before. "Do you agree...are you okay with all of this? These stakes..."
She narrowed her eyes a bit, as if trying to discern in her thoughts if she was fine. I didn't take too long to come with an answer.
"Hell no."
...
"...Are you going to back down then?" I integrated into the talk for the first time.
Why did she curse?
She turned at me. "Of course not, gosh," and shook her head.
"...that doesn't make any sense." Our scythe user intervened.
"It perfectly does for me," she looked at Neo, him corresponding her gaze. "I knew what I was signing up for."
"...Even when you can't stop shaking?" I point out at her obvious trembling. Her own body betrayed the steel in her tone.
"Even as such, I can't stop," As the black-haired turned, her gaze steeled even more, mixed with longing. "I won't let things end like this." She stomped on the ground a couple of times to gain control over fear for once. Not too effective though.
I have never been in love before, but if they weren't relatives, there couldn't be more obvious signs after our little talks. She really like him a lot, huh...
I can't help but crack a mischievous smile at her.
"Wha...what's with that face?" Lisbeth sensed my peculiar gaze towards her. I just agitated my hands in innocence. There will another time for that.
"Leaving the 'obvious' behind for a moment," Mito intervened. "Asuna, what will be your resolution?"
"Mito," I hesitated. We can stop here and go back for safety, thus learn about the game step by step. She will understand.
But before I could form my next phrase, a flashback took my world:
"How to overcome frustrations and failures?" I was back at my room with my big brother. We both were sitting on my bed side.
I told him that I was frustrated. Even after studying so hard, I couldn't reach the number 1 position at school tests. I was struggling against a genius that have never tasted defeat.
"...sometimes is about faith."
"Faith?"
"Indeed," he smiled at me slightly. "Because sometimes we can't see ourselves winning. I bet mother hadn't give you a good time either." He changed to an unpolite expression. "However, I believe in you, Asuna. You don't let your talents blind you. Your hard work will pay off."
He put his hand over the top of my head.
"Just have a little patient, okay my little sister? Your time will come."
"Mito," I repeated, back to the present with a new resolute from the bottom of my hearth. To seek the strength I sorely needed. "Please, tell me how to activate my skills."