Celestial Expeditious Spear Arts

The AO forums.

One of the most well-known places for finding information on the game.

It was also one of the places where I did most of my research.

I had been clicking away on the forums, doing research to make sure I didn't miss out on any important news.

Usually I would be searching for any new dungeons, events, or if players had discovered anything.

It was a regular day.

I didn't expect anything out of the ordinary to happen.

But I was wrong to assume that.

"What's this?"

I found a forum page with a pretty small thread.

Nor did it have many views.

[Forum - Streaming discussion (58) ]

[....]

[....]

[Anyways, did you guys see the video which has been circulating around the forums that went semi-viral?]

[Of what?]

[I think I know what you're talking about. Isn't it of that masked player defeating the manikins?]

"Masked player? Wait a minute.."

I scrolled further down the thread until something stood out like a sore thumb. 

There was a link. 

Although I couldn't tell by the phrasing but I had an idea of what it was.

I clicked my mouse's button. 

A video's frame was in a box alongside a load of other videos. 

I was on the popular social media website, 'Nale TV'. 

Below a video was a title, 

"It's just as I thought.."

I didn't think this would ever happen. 

My eyes couldn't believe what I was seeing. 

100 thousand views. 

'To think that my very first video garnered this much attention..'

Then, 

"Let's see the video first."

I clicked on the play logo. 

[Welcome, ladies and gentleman tooooooo another episode of.. Reacting to clips!]

The video began with a young man in his early twenties. 

Blonde hair spiked around his head as he wore headphones. 

His smile and over-the-top attitude, quite frankly to me was, 

"Cringe."

I said bluntly with an slightly disgusted and embarrassed expression.

How can someone act like a toddler and adult at the same time?

Even though I wanted to click off the video,

My curiosity was still there. 

'Let's endure this..'

[This time we will be reacting to this clip that has been circulating throughout the forums!]

[Many users have shared this with me due to its pe-cu-li-ar nature!]

"Ugh.. what is he talking about?"

I couldn't handle his speech so I skipped until I found the very clip that was of me. 

___

CRAAAACKKKLE!!—

BOOM!—

My spear completely pummeled through the body which turned into a manikin. 

I looked at the camera with my mask and the clip ended. 

___

"No way..."

My cheeks immediately colored a bright shade of rose. 

"I looked that stupid?"

Let's see the comments first. 

'Please don't be insulting..'

I scrolled down and found the very top comment. 

'Oh no..'

My hopes were completely lost. 

—Why is he wearing a spruce wooden mask?? LOL

Ah, no.

"Dammit..."

I dug my head in between my hands. 

The fact that my reputation had become like this on the first time streaming. 

"Hooo.."

'I should just forget this.'

I eventually came to terms with reality. 

—Everyone's been making fun of his mask but does anyone actually know how he managed to fight manikins?

I clicked to see the replies. 

—Yes, that's what I thought too. I've never EVER seen anyone fight against manikins before. That too of them changing into powerful human opponents. 

—I agree. This is definitely the first. 

I clicked off the page and turned off my computer. 

I pushed myself back and rested against my chair while stretching my body. 

"Well, that's only because I'm on the island."

But now that I think about it... 

'How will I leave the island? Will that crazy dark elf help me somehow?'

I pondered for a couple of seconds but then stood up. 

"I'll think about that later."

'Now then..'

For now, 

I'll focus on getting stronger. 

* * * 

「 You have logged in as the User 'Xela'. 」

I entered the game world once again.

"Are you finished resting?"

I quickly turned around to see Aree standing behind me with her usual attitude.

"Ah, yes."

I replied, feeling a little startled by her sudden appearence.

"Then follow me."

I didn't ask any questions.

My body naturally trailed behind her.

We entered the garden.

I was beginning to think that we would start with another duel,

But I was wrong.

Hm?

'I thought we would've stopped by now?'

We didn't stop.

In fact I didn't even know where we were.

The sun's rays beamed down and allowed me to see the area around me.

There was a forest far in the distance.

"Where are we going?"

I decided to ask her.

"Where else do you think we're going (dog)? It's obviously that we're.."

A smirk appeared on her face.

It was warning me something.

Just like the previous time when she threw me into the dungeon.

"Going to go to a special area."

I felt a bit of relief after she spoke.

Yet this felt like it wouldn't be anything 'normal'.

In time we reached the forest but travelled further in.

My heart began pumping blood at a faster rate.

I felt numerous gazes piercing all over my body like I was a mere doll.

I could already tell what it was that was watching me.

There were definitely creatures who could rip apart flesh like cotton roaming about.

"We're here."

I ignored the gazes and stared at the path in front of the dark-elf.

"What's this?"

There was a clear blue lake.

Surrounding it were many trees in a perfectly arranged away.

"Xela."

"Yes?"

"Take out your spearmanship arts book."

I nodded.

A game panel appeared in front of my eyes and I clicked on a book that was laying in my inventory.

As soon as I brought the book out, many of its pages flicked through at an alarming rate.

It flew into the air.

「 Hidden mana equirement met. 」

「 [Divine Expeditious Spear Arts] has revealed its true form. 」

「 [Celestial Expeditious Spear Arts] has revealed its existence. 」

The glowing inscriptures on the page it stopped at began acting strange.

The book closed and fell into my hands.

"What was that?"

"The spearmanship arts are reacting with the mana from the lake."

The mana?

"What can't you not tell? Haaa.. have you been absorbing enough mana scriptures, untalented bastard?"

"Hey-"

This little cheeky brat.

As much as I wanted to punch her my instincts told me to stop.

"Okay. Then does the lake have a connection with the book?"

"It does. Go on."

I nod once again and begin walking towards the lake.

I turn to look behind myself but...

"Why aren't you coming?"

Sweat began dripping down my face.

She smirked sadistically without speaking.

'Oh no..'

"You can stay here for the next two days."

"Wait!"

I was about to take my first step.

—Though.

"Oh, I almost forgot."

Her up-to-no-good smile continued.

"If you return to my house, then I will torture you and drag you back here to stay for not just another two days but..."

Bloodlust exited her body.

The aura went cold and sent shivers enough to freeze my body completely.

"..an entire week."

Gulp.

What have I gotten myself into this time?