The Reaper

-TV News-

Meanwhile...

"Hello, again fellow New Life Online Fans! It's Aika, your favorite host of "What's New in New Life Online"! We know that our program already ended earlier but there's an important event going on right now in the Dark Forest near Vanguard's Stronghold! The wanted man Scythus and his party are now fighting with the officers of the Order of Light city. We've also heard that they were outnumbered but managed to defeat most of their chasers! What a powerful group! We still don't know the outcome of the fight but we will update you guys as soon as they finish the fight! See you later guys!"

-Dark Forest-

"BULL RUSH!" It's the usual rush move but this time he's also holding his sword with both hands and preparing to stab me. It wasn't as fast as the rush but it was accompanied by a powerful attack. I successfully dodge it in time!

"STAGGERING STOMP! A different move! He hit the ground with his foot and shook it. Ugh! Because of it, I staggered making me stand on my feet unsteadily!

"BULL CHARGE!" *BAAAAAAM!* He charged at me and pushed me using his shoulder with massive force! I blocked it with my shield but the force is powerful enough to knock me back.

"FINAL THRUST!" He rushed towards me while I was having trouble standing on my feet after being knocked back.

He's preparing to use his ultimate attack! If by any chance, I would be dead after getting hit by that. But I wasn't that dumb. I, who defeated the shade, know exactly how to take advantage of my power.

I tried to balance myself and rushed towards him while preparing my all out move too.

"You're mad! Trying to collide with me with your move, you must have a death wish!" He shouted while we're almost near each other.

"YAAAAAAAAAH!" He shouted hitting me and cutting me in half but...

"What the?!" He realized he cut nothing but only my armor. It's because of the Shade's passive that physical attacks won't work on me.

"REAPER'S SCYTHE! BEHEADER!" Before he hit me with his sword I already slashed him with all I've got. My power up is out. I'm exhausted... before I knew it, I already hit the ground and lost consciousness...

-Dark Forest-

"Ugh! That really hurt badly. If not because of my armor from my monster soul I would be dead by now. This brat is a piece of work," He said while spitting blood out from his mouth. He's almost dead too. His power-up also vanished.

"Too bad, I need to kill you right now or else you would be a problem when your class rank are still this high," One of the ways to weaken a strong player is to kill him because it will reduce his overall class ranks.

Before he hit Scythus with his sword to finish him, a person out of nowhere yelled at them...

"Stop right there Zeth! He's not in your territory anymore. He's a precious visitor here in our stronghold. Would you mind if I ask you to stay away from his party," Zeth was surprised when he saw the person who just spoke. He was accompanied by a large army. He's wearing high-quality armor, his hair is cut clean, and a face of a gallant knight.

(SIEGRIEL / MAGIC WARRIOR: A)

"Long time no see, Sigriel, the Guild Leader of Vanguards. This isn't the business of your guild so I suggest you stay out of it." Zeth said while trying to intimidate him.

"Stop looking at me like that. We all know that you're the strongest player here in the game because of that competition but I know you know that not all of the strongest players participate in it. Be careful who you disrespect here. Looking at you... You can't even lift up your weapon. Leave now or we will wipe you out," Siegriel huh, he's something.

"Tsk! Wake Deandre up and let's get out of here. You will regret this decision, Sieg," He hopped up on his horse and left the place together with the others. They also found Marie sleeping behind the bush.

-Vanguard's Stronghold-

I gained consciousness little by little.

"Ugh! Ouch... my head hurts..." I said while holding my head. I'm pretty sure If I was dead, the game should've kicked me out.

"Oh, Hello Scy, you've been out for almost two hours. We're already here inside of one of the inns of the Vanguard Stronghold," Elou said. The place isn't as fancy as the Order of Light Inn but doesn't look shabby at all.

"What happened? I thought we are all dead by now," That Zeth guy should have killed all of us by now.

He explained to me what happened after I've passed out.

A man wearing quality armor walked towards us.

"Hello, it seems that your friend here is already awake. My name is Siegriel and I'm the Guild Leader of the Vanguards. How are you feeling?" The man looks really young to manage politics and guild affairs. He really looks like a gallant knight.

"Thank you for saving us earlier Mr. Siegriel. But why did you save us?" I asked politely.

"You don't have to be polite, just call me Sieg because that is what they call me here. Well for starters, we heard explosions near the Dark Forest so we decided to check it out. We didn't expect you would come to our place," I'm not calling you that.

"Sir, we already told you that it was Scythus' party after some of our soldiers watched the News," One of his soldiers explained.

"Ahem. Don't mind this guy. He's a know-it-all. You know, one of those bookworms in class." He laughed gallantly.

"It's because you don't listen to what we're saying Sieg," It looks like the soldiers are really friendly towards him to talk to him like that, maybe because he's young.

"Stop that, you're making me look bad. Anyways, you're free to roam around the stronghold but please don't make any unnecessary trouble or you'll make me mad. Good luck with your adventures. If you want to visit the tundra, make sure you buy some thick clothes from the shop. Wearing your armors like that would only freeze you to death," He recommended. He is not only gallant looking guy but also a good one.

"We will keep that in mind Sieg. Thanks again for helping us," I don't have a choice but to call him that, do I? He just smiled while walking out of the room.