48 The Obelisk: Return (10)

"...What? What?" The player said raspingly. "Blood? Is this my blood?"

Their eyes widened as they looked at the tip of the blade that was dripping with a viscous brown liquid. The player diverted their gaze towards Aectaeon. Since the man was wearing a mask, it was solely his eyes that they saw

Eyes that were crude. Eyes that seemed to be amused at their bewilderment.

The player was struck with jitters slowly running down their spine. They immediately turned their gaze away from Aectaeon, only to bear witness to the man trying to twist the knife.

"Ack! Stop! Stop it!" The player screamed as they struggled to take their hand off of the knife.

Before they could escape, Aectaeon grabbed their wrist and pushed the blade deeper into the player's palm. Ralkias, in the meantime, simply observed what was happening. He even took a step back to make some space for what Aectaeon was planning to do.

For a few seconds, Aectaeon did not say anything. He just stood there, hand firm around the grip of the knife. The man couldn't be bothered to listen to the player's pleas.

He turned his head towards where the companions of the player were. But it wasn't them that he wanted to see. It was the Elf that was still on the ground, writhing in pain. His eyes narrowed into slits, the sight making him click his tongue hard.

Having had enough, Aectaeon returned his attention to the player just as he pulled the knife. He proceeded to grab the player's neck, remembering to put pressure on their jugular veins.

"What makes you think that you can just walk away without an apology?"

As might be expected, the player fought for breath rather than answering Aectaeon. Even so, he didn't mind. From the beginning, it was not an answer that he coveted from the player.

Clutching that player's neck tighter, Aectaeon said his last words to them, "How does it feel to beg? Is it fun? Is it fulfilling? Do you want to feel it again? If that's a yes, come to me anytime. I'll take you on."

Following that, Aectaeon threw the player to the ground, their back bearing most of the impact. The player couldn't even groan. They just choked on their own saliva while heaving heavy breaths in between.

Thereafter, Aectaeon glanced at Ralkias and nodded. Side by side, they resumed their walk as if nothing had happened at all.

Aectaeon hid both of his hands under his cape prior to saying, "Store Swiss Army Knife"

The knife in his hand vanished in an instant, leaving only the droplets of blood on his fingers.

"I thought you were a pacifist, Aectaeon? Why did you do that?" Ralkias queried, peering over his shoulder to see how the player was coping up.

The other elf aggressors had finally approached the player who was glaring at the two of them. With a snort, Ralkias faced the front.

"Pacifist? Me?" Aectaeon asked, his voice slightly rising, "I guess I appear like one. But it wouldn't be of benefit in the Obelisk. Without the system, anarchy will prevail here."

"You just seem like the type to avoid trouble because it's annoying to get involved. Not exactly a pacifist."

"I haven't even done anything yet. What made you arrive at that conclusion?" Aectaeon then stopped walking and gave Ralkias a stare. "Are you a stalker or what?"

Ralkias quickly raised his hand, shaking his head at the same time. A droplet of sweat broke on his forehead, laughing awkwardly at the question.

"No, I'm not a stalker of some sort. I judged you based solely on our conversation. But it appears that I was wrong from the start, no? You just went ahead and stabbed that player's hand without hesitation."

Aectaeon heaped scorn on Ralkias' rejoinder. He blew air through his nose, chuckling afterward. Ralkias tilted his head to the side, knitting his brows as he looked at Aectaeon.

"What's with you? Did I say something funny?"

"No, it's just, why did you think I was a pacifist when you already claimed that we're the same?"

Ralkias gulped, his mouth turning into a deep frown, "Fair, I'll apologize then."

With that, the two went on their walk around the first floor. Again, there wasn't much for them to see aside from the varying activities that the other players were engaged in. The two stood out like a sore thumb, looking as if they were strolling in a zoo.

"Are we going to transmigrate simultaneously?" Ralkias inquired, bringing his hand up to his chin, "I have… let's see, forty-five minutes left."

"Forty-five minutes also."

"That's great then. I won't be bored walking around on my own."

Ralkias seemed to have forgotten that Aectaeon agreed to be his companion only until their next transmigration. Still and all, Aectaeon didn't bother refuting his statement.

When all was said and done, he was thankful for Ralkias' company.

The reason why Aectaeon was adamant about having companions was that he wanted to avoid responsibility. He was none the wiser regarding the capabilities and traits of his fellow players, but there would surely be a few who would take advantage of others. One of the worst kinds was those who tagged along without lending a helping hand.

But Ralkias defied his expectations.

Not only did Ralkias filled him in with what he needed to know, the man also gave him a reason to yearn for his return to the Obelisk - An acquaintance whom he could relate to.

"Should we arrange a place where we could gather? You know, after we're done with our game worlds." Ralkias suggested as he put his hands on his waist.

He roamed his gaze around the floor, yet there was no area that satisfied him. Players were scattered everywhere.

"Ralkias, wouldn't it be easier to reconvene on the topmost floor that we could access? Since we're both allowed on the 51st floor, let's go straight there and wait. If we confirmed that we could both access the 52nd floor, then we'll move our meeting place there next."