New Alliances

Raijin's return to Asgard was quieter than his departure. The sun was setting in the virtual world, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. Players were bustling around, completing quests and showing off their newly acquired gear. Raijin's body ached from the intense battle with the Goblin Chief, though he knew it was just a phantom pain. His mind, however, was far from relaxed.

He glanced down at his new Goblin Chief's Leather Armor, the reward for surviving his first real test. It was an upgrade, no doubt, but the battle had shaken him. If a low-level quest like that had nearly cost him everything, how would he handle the stronger foes waiting ahead?

His thoughts turned back to his family. Every victory in the game brought him closer to the prize money from the *Grand Tournament*, but each fight also came with a harsh reminder: losing here meant more than just failing a quest. It meant losing his one shot at securing a future for his sister and mother.

Raijin shook his head, pushing the dark thoughts aside. He didn't have time for self-doubt. If he wanted to stand a chance, he needed to keep improving. His gear was better, but his skills were still lacking. More importantly, he needed to learn how to fight smarter, not just harder.

As he approached the bustling square at the heart of Asgard, Raijin's attention was drawn to a group of players gathered around a bulletin board. He edged closer, curious, and noticed they were all discussing the same thing: the upcoming Guild Recruitment Event. Guilds in Vanguard Genesis were a big deal, especially for players aiming for the top ranks. Not only did they provide safety in numbers, but they also offered exclusive resources, better quests, and the chance to form powerful alliances.

Raijin hesitated. He had always preferred to play solo. Forming bonds with others could slow him down, or worse, distract him from his main goal. But after the fight with the Goblin Chief, the idea of having backup didn't seem so bad.

"Hey, you looking to join a guild?" a voice cut through his thoughts.

Raijin turned to see a tall player standing next to him, wearing sleek, high-level armor that shimmered in the fading light. His avatar looked serious, with sharp features and a confident stance.

"The name's Kaito," the player introduced himself with a nod. "I saw you looking at the board. You interested?"

Raijin sized him up quickly. Kaito didn't look like a beginner, which meant he had probably been playing Vanguard Genesis for a while. His armor was well beyond what Raijin had, and judging by the way other players in the square were glancing his way, Kaito was someone worth knowing.

"I'm not sure yet," Raijin replied cautiously. "I've always played solo."

Kaito chuckled. "A lot of new players say that. But trust me, this game isn't built for solo players. Sure, you can go it alone for the early levels, but the real content? The high-tier dungeons, the bosses, and especially the tournaments? You won't stand a chance on your own."

Raijin felt a twinge of annoyance at the statement but knew Kaito wasn't wrong. The Goblin Chief's fight had been a harsh wake-up call.

"Maybe," Raijin said, keeping his tone neutral. "What do you suggest?"

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "My guild, Shadow Fang, is looking for new members. We're not the biggest guild in the game, but we've got a solid group. We focus on strategy and teamwork, not just brute force. And from the looks of you, strategy is what you need."

Raijin considered the offer for a moment. He'd heard of Shadow Fang, a mid-tier guild that had a reputation for being tactical and efficient in their quests. They weren't as large as some of the other powerhouses in the game, but they got results.

"What's the catch?" Raijin asked, crossing his arms.

"No catch," Kaito replied with a grin. "Just commitment. We train together, fight together, and we don't tolerate freeloaders. If you join, you're part of the team."

Raijin frowned. Joining a guild meant obligations, and that could interfere with his personal mission. But on the other hand, having a group at his back could help him grow faster, both in terms of skill and resources. And if the guild was focused on strategy, it could be the edge he needed to climb the ranks.

"I'll think about it," Raijin said finally.

Kaito nodded, seemingly unfazed by the noncommittal response. "Fair enough. We're having a guild meet-up tomorrow evening at the Iron Fortress Tavern, just outside Asgard. If you're interested, come by. We can run a few dungeons together, and see how you fit in."

With that, Kaito turned and walked away, leaving Raijin to mull over the offer.

Raijin wandered through the square, his mind buzzing with possibilities. He knew he needed to improve if he wanted to stand a chance in the Grand Tournament. Solo play had its limits, and he had just brushed up against them. But joining a guild was a big step. It meant opening himself up to others, relying on them and more importantly, them relying on him.

Could he afford that kind of risk?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice calling his name.

"Ryota!"

Raijin's avatar froze for a moment as the voice from the real world seeped into his consciousness. Quickly, he deactivated the VR connection, the world of Vanguard Genesis fading away as his vision blurred and then refocused on his dimly lit apartment.

His younger sister, Sakura, stood at the doorway, looking concerned.

"You've been playing for hours. You haven't even eaten," she said, crossing her arms. "Mom's worried."

Ryota groaned inwardly. He had been so absorbed in the game, he hadn't noticed how much time had passed. His stomach growled, reminding him of the real-world responsibilities he couldn't afford to neglect.

"Sorry, Sakura," Ryota said, standing up and stretching. His body ached from being in the same position for so long. "I'll come to eat in a minute."

Sakura softened, her expression shifting from annoyance to concern. "I know you're trying your best, but don't overdo it, okay? You need to stay healthy too."

Ryota gave her a tired smile. "I know. I'm just… there's a lot riding on this."

Sakura nodded, but the worry in her eyes didn't fade. She turned and left the room, leaving Ryota alone with his thoughts.

He sat back down on his bed, staring at the VR ring device on his hand. It looked so small and innocuous, but in the game, it was a gateway to something far bigger than himself.

Could joining a guild be the key to turning things around? Could Shadow Fang help him rise to the top, or would it be just another distraction?

Ryota closed his eyes for a moment, weighing his options. The game had given him a new sense of purpose, a path forward. But it was a double-edged sword, one that required careful navigation if he didn't want to get cut in the process.

For now, the only thing he could do was move forward, step by step.

Tomorrow, he would decide.