8 Protected by an NPC
When Blue showed up, everyone is having mixed feelings. Just staring at his fancy clothes, they glance down. Some of them wore leather shirts, patched up pants, and dirty maducated shoes, while others have rusty armor which they robbed from the zombies. The rest are practically naked, at least it's just men who only have briefs.
As for their weapons, almost everyone have none. Because they sold the trash beginner swords from Hermit to the market. Those who can buy a weapon have already threw them away as well. They are mostly equipped with Bronze quality. But upon seeing Blue's sword, something tells them that this majestic brand is as far from dead as a doornail [1]. Everyone's drooling at it like it's some hot beauty.
Oh, if only they knew how much value is that sword, hell would have break loose long ago.
Just these reactions made Blue sweat hard as fu***. Calm down, calm down, they're just a bunch of cheap Charlie's[2]-- and I'm the only rich Charlie here!
Why is everyone wearing like peasants?
"What's with his equipment? They look so precious!"
"I have never seen those items in the market."
"Hey mister, can you share me some info of your equipment? I would really appreciate it if you can tell me their qualities."
That's what everyone's been dying to find out.
Blue didn't have anything to say, and is helpless against these enthusiastic players as they surrounded him.
"Move aside!"
Everyone stopped gossiping. All of them turn their heads. Even Blue looked up to see Spotless Glass and his remaining party striding towards him. Out of instinct, the players nearby made a path for them as if they're welcoming monarchs. This causes Blue to furrow his brow, noticing their frightened expressions. He glances at the Star Admiral members. There's nothing special about them. The party only consists of three men and a woman. Their equipment aren't bad either. But there's this air from them which he didn't like...
They're too snobbish.
"Hello," Spotless Glass greeted him, a gentle smile plastered on his face.
Blue nonchalantly asked, "What's up?"
This dull and casual tone made I am Perfect and Delifierce despise him. They thought he was naive to stay so compose in front of them, possibly because he got good equipment. Even Elegant Grace thought of him as a plebian who doesn't know matters. But Spotless Glass also keeps his cool so he replied, "Oh nothing. It's just that I find your equipment very nice--"
"Sorry, they're not for sale. Better luck next time."
"W-wait!"
Blue just walked pass them as if treating them like air. In fact, he have already known they're from Star Admirals the moment he saw their names. He could only make two guesses what they're trying to do. Either they reprimand him on selling his equipment with their money, or rope him into the guild. But it's a far cry when dealing with Blue. Money? Pssh, he doesn't need their money. He can get his own by himself. As for roping him? First of all, he was the Supreme King! Anyone who dares to put a leash on this beast will ended up losing their fingers.
Talking with them would be a waste of time, he would rather play than chit-chat. He almost reached where Sigurd is until I am Perfect and Delifierce blocks his path.
He narrowed his eyes. "Didn't I say they're not for sale?"
I am Perfect sneered, "Like we even care. You think you're so arrogant that you can have that--"
"Have this perfect pretty face, blah, blah, blah. No need to make your useless preach. Everyone already gets it. Can you please move aside? I need to hand in my quests." He was getting rather impatient, as he gestures the bags in his hands.
I am Perfect felt speechless. This guy is ignorant! He had the nerve to say his face is perfect? I am Perfect! "Fu*** you! Who would talk about your quests? Especially your ugly face!"
"Then what's with the username?"
"What about my username?!"
"It just doesn't suit you. Look at yourself, you're all dirty and dress like a hippie."
What he said isn't wrong. Looking back at I am Perfect, the dry blood, which came from pillaging corpses, are all over his handsome face and his messy long blond hair is covered with dust. Although he has a Silver equipment, he wore the exact same thing as everyone else, a fine leather armor with only a few shred marks and blood. He really does look like a hippie.
"Since you really do look like one, you should've name yourself 'I am a Hippie' instead."
"Fu*** you! Are you insulting me?"
"Yeah, I'm insulting you. Why? Because you are fu***ing wasting my time!"
Never in his life would anyone dare to criticize his appearance, and to I am Perfect's anger, it came from the mouth of this lowlife.
He's rich and powerful in reality! Everyone who he thinks is useless should always be trampled by his foot. The weak should fear him. The weak should serve the strong like himself. But this guy just stands there with a blank face, as if his appearance means nothing to him. Everyone would be afraid by the huge background behind his back. But this guy isn't?
How could he not feel upset?
Delifierce spoke up. "So what if we're wasting your time? All you do is bark and no bite."
But Blue replied with a dull tone, "And you! Your username doesn't sound appealing either. It would've been better if you change the word 'fierce' to hotdog."
"..."
"..."
The rest of the players have been watching the two opposing sides bicker. But the truth is, the winner is still Blue. Neither I am Perfect nor Delifierce were able to come up with an insult, and instead took his nasty words and let's him bad-mouthed about their names. Thinking over his words, they began to laugh.
"Oh god!"
"Replace 'fierce' with 'hotdog.' Deli hotdog! Hahahaha!!!"
"He does have a bald head though."
"Oh look, his face is all red! Hahaha! Now, he does look like a hotdog!"
While everyone continued mocking him, Delifierce indeed grew a full shade of red on his face. He seathes his teeth in anger.
"Fierce..." Spotless Glass didn't think that Perseus can be this ignorant and loathsome. Although it is upsetting that they were insulted by someone below them, even if they try to compress him with their might, he'll just remain unfazed. Why? Because he realized now that he doesn't seem to care at all. Just seeing his friend almost bursting with rage, he couldn't help but feel nervous.
"What's with that face? You're not satisfied? Don't be like that. I'm telling you, I bet 50 bucks that you're absolutely delish! I just took a taste from you a while ago. However, you're too raw. So you might as well add some olive oil." Blue wasn't going to rest just yet. He have fought this guild many times back in Honor and likes to taunt them a lot.
Despite he have never joined the Star Admirals, his prescensce already threatened them to the point they have to put up their special defenses, or shamelessly ask the creators banned him to play. They had no idea why he treated them like that because they haven't done anything to offend him.
Oh, they already did offend him. How? Because he has big hate issues with haugthy elitists.
When he spoke this manner, Spotless Glass nearly coughed out blood.
Both I am Perfect and Elegant Grace have their jaws open with wide eyes.
Even everyone else is stunned in momentary silence.
"..."
"..."
How... How cannibalistic!
Too brash. This guy has no shame at all!
"I'm done now, so can you please move?
"Why you..."
"Fierce, don't!" Spotless Glass tried to intervene.
But it was already too late. Delifierce have lunged forward, with his rusty axe going straight for Perseus. Nobody thought he would attack out of hate, but they knew it's stupid. A level five killing a level eleven is not just a taboo, it's suicide!
Fu*** you! Who cares if you're level 11?! Even if I die, my guild will fu***ing hunt you down to the ends of the Earth! He did this just to make Blue retaliate. If he kills him, not only did Perseus defend himself, everyone here will be witnesses the next time they'll talk to the guild master about what happened. Their guild are the kinds of people that will do anything to extract vengeance.
He got to him within two feet, swinging his axe behind his back. Perseus merely stood there. His expression looking somewhat blank.
Just that face makes Delifierce want to kill him more.
You're still cool as a cucumber? Then let's see if you can stay that way! You're just a cheater who's got a free ride [3]!
Just as the blade got three inches closer to Blue's neck, something weighed down his back, and he feels his spine broke in two. Without realizing it, he found himself being slammed into the ground.
His full HP came down to 1%.
A system interface popped into his face.
[System Announcement: You have been attacked by Elite Commander Sigurd with a skill. You will retaliate within 5 seconds.]
[System Announcement: Under the effects of Pommel Strike, you have been stunned for 5 minutes.]
Fu***!
Perseus didn't make the attack?!
Blue haven't done anything. He planned to get a little bit of damage from him so he stayed calm. He would even evade if he wanted to, but in the circumstances, he had seen the unexpected.
[Pommel Strike]: attacking five enemies with a sword rear. A single target attack that deals 545% damage while ignoring 5.5% of the target's defense. When successfully hit a target, an additional 10 damage is dealt. Has a chance to [Stun]. Effect lasts for 5 minutes.
"Rookie. I didn't think you're this bold to let an enemy cut off your head. You're making me doubtful of your abilities." Sliding his sword to its sheathed, Sigurd spoke with a wry smile.
Those who are present, witnessed the whole thing. Everyone almost forgot about Sigurd, and the people standing close to the human commander have a fright when he suddenly disappeared, then reappeared beside Delifierce who was wide open for his attack to land. Everything happened within three seconds.
What left most of them puzzled is his initiative to attack Delifierce.
Why did he protect Perseus?
Only Blue knew the answer.
Player: Perseus
Level: 12
Health: 1400/1400
MP: 1200/1200
Class: Warrior (Temporary)
Life Class(es): Blacksmith Level: 2
Skill Points: 30
Fame Points: 40
It's his fame points. His racial class trait may be at as well. Although Blue knew little about how they're use for, he speculated that they have something to do with Player Rankings. But boy, he was wrong. These points are nothing to that sort. They're only meant to show his contribution to the city. Just these 40 fame points, and he already has at least a small margin of the Alliance Army by his side. The only NPCs who acknowledged him as their equal are Sigurd and Hermit.
"I apologise for making you disappointed, Commander. Although I can defend myself, the only issue is these precious swords. If I were to attack rashly, I would've ended up wasting Grand Master Hermit's hard work and mine as well. Surely you understand how our great blacksmith would lose his temper if one of his finest works broke. Plus, it'll just stain my reputation as your only sword boy." Blue replied, making an innocent face.
---
1. dead as a doornail - completely dead or useless.
2. cheap Charlie('s) - A derogatory term for a miserly or parsimonious person. Used largely in countries of Southeast Asia, it likely originated in Vietnam during the Vietnam War to refer to American GIs (who called soldiers of the Viet Cong "Charlie") unwilling to spend extravagantly at bars, restaurants, or for prostitutes.
3. a free ride - an opportunity or advantage that someone gets without having done anything to deserve it.
