Guild Master?

With a lingering doubt in my mind about how things would unfold, I approached the elf on the counter. Their presence exuded an air of enigmatic grace that made me question my own readiness for any potential confrontation.

"Excuse me," I began, my voice tinged with hesitation, "could you point me in the right direction for registering with the guild?"

The elf turned their gaze towards me, their captivating eyes studying me for a moment before they replied in a melodic, gender-ambiguous voice, "Certainly, registration is on the second floor."

'that's it?' is what comes to my mind

I sighed internally with relief, but the tension around me didn't dissipate entirely. The formidable figures surrounding the elf maintained their vigilance, their readiness to intervene if necessary still palpable.

"Thank you," I said with genuine gratitude, then quickly retreated from the counter. Though the situation hadn't escalated into a confrontation, I couldn't help but wonder about the complexities of this world and the varied responses of its denizens. With the elf's directions in mind, I made my way toward the second floor, determined to complete my registration without further incident.

As I made my way to the second floor, my eyes scanned the bustling guild hall once more. The atmosphere here was so vibrant, it felt more like the heart of a bustling city than a traditional gaming guild. It was as if NEuEarth had managed to capture the essence of real-life hubs of activity, and I couldn't help but appreciate the immersive nature of this digital world.

I chuckled to myself, my lips curling into a wry smile. "This place is looking more and more like a place in real life. Haha."

With a renewed sense of appreciation for the intricacies of NEuEarth, I continued my ascent to the second floor. As I reached the top of the staircase, my eyes fell upon a figure that could only be described as imposing.

"!!!"

There, in all his rugged glory, stood a man who appeared to be in his fifties. He sported a long brown beard that cascaded down his chest, a testament to the passage of time and battles fought. His bald head gleamed, perhaps brighter than the future of an average person, with countless scars etching a map of his experiences across his weathered face. He was clad in a massive suit of armor, bearing the weight of countless clashes and encounters. To complete the intimidating ensemble, a colossal axe rested on his back, ready to cleave through any challenge that dared to cross his path.

If there was anyone who embodied the spirit of a fearless berserker, it was this man. His mere presence sent a clear message: he was a force to be reckoned with, a guardian of the guild who had seen it all.

The sight before me sent chills racing down my spine. If girls could be seen fangirling over handsome guys who could sing and dance, then guys like me were the ultimate fanboys for cool-looking stuff—sleek cars, epic battles, and gigantic metallic robots that you could pilot from within. And there, standing before me, was a true embodiment of the latter.

I approached the berserker with a sense of awe and anticipation, like a kid in a candy store staring at the coolest toy he'd ever seen. As I moved around him, I couldn't help but realize that he was even more massive than I had initially thought. Every detail of his imposing presence begged to be examined, and I gladly obliged.

My gaze traveled up and down his immense form, taking in every nuance of his armor. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. It seemed to be composed of some form of hardened skin that had taken on a metallic sheen over time. The belly part of his armor, however, bore a strange accumulation of dirt, like a blemish on an otherwise flawless masterpiece.

Without a moment's hesitation or second thought, as if I were tending to my own cherished car, I instinctively took action. I spat on the offending dirt and used the arm part of my clothing to vigorously wipe it away. As I removed the unsightly blemish, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. The discomfort that had initially prickled at my senses vanished, replaced by a refreshing feeling of accomplishment.

As I approached the colossal berserker, curiosity got the better of me. With a mixture of awe and wonder, I extended my right palm and gently pressed it against the armor covering his massive stomach. The moment I made contact, I couldn't help but close my eyes briefly, savoring the unique sensation that coursed through my virtual avatar.

"So this is how it feels," I murmured aloud, my words carrying a sense of genuine amazement. Of course, I was referring to the hardened metallic skin of the berserker's armor. In my mind, it was an innocent moment of virtual exploration, a way to immerse myself in the intricacies of NEuEarth. However, I had momentarily forgotten my surroundings and the fact that I was in a very public place.

Unbeknownst to me, my actions had drawn the attention of everyone nearby. The worker diligently wiping a table paused mid-stroke, and even the female worker assisting some players at the counter froze in her tracks. The guild hall had fallen into a sudden hush, all eyes now fixed upon the peculiar sight before them.

". . . . . . . . "

I became acutely aware of the hushed gasps and the eerie silence that had descended upon the room. Slowly, I opened my eyes, my cheeks flushing a faint shade of embarrassment. I glanced around at the bewildered onlookers, and the realization of how strange my actions must have seemed hit me like a bolt of lightning.

Here I was, a newbie, touching the belly of a gigantic warrior as if I were examining a pregnant woman's belly for a baby's kick. It was a comically absurd image, one that was undoubtedly etched into the memories of everyone present. That I will surely cringed whenever I think about it in the future.

With a sheepish grin, I awkwardly withdrew my hand and took a step back from the imposing berserker. I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation, hoping to break the tension with a bit of humor.

The towering berserker, a mountain of a man, cast a disapproving glare down at me. His eyes, like two glinting shards of ice, bore into my body. There was an unmistakable air of annoyance mixed with bewilderment, as if he couldn't quite comprehend my audacity.

"What do you think you're doing, young man? "

His deep, resonant voice thundered through the hall, laced with an intimidating quality that sent a shiver down my spine. It was the kind of voice one might expect from a fierce Viking chieftain in a high-stakes confrontation.

I swallowed hard, momentarily caught off guard by the sheer presence of this larger-than-life character. In the face of his imposing demeanor, I felt like a mischievous child caught red-handed.