Chapter 4

We followed the soldiers to a tent that was set up for meetings. Inside were tables, chairs, and a complete model of the mountain with flags marking various spots all over.

The Intimidating Tank sat at one of the desks with his hands folded looking at us, like he was trying to decide what to do.

Behind him was a Less-Intimidating Tank. His smile was infectious and he really just looked happy to be there. 

I wanted to tell him to calm down and leave me alone, but I kept my mouth shut.

The Mean Tank asked, “Has anyone checked their guild story?" 

“No, not yet," one of the soldiers responded.

“Oh, I'll do that!" The Puppy-Dog Tank hopped over to us and pulled up his portal. 

“The Hellhound Guild. Number of guild members…two? Why only two?" He tilted his head, making him look even more like a dog.

“Oh, well, this one over here has a bad personality," Fenton pointed at me. I can't believe he said that with a straight face.

"Me? You're the one who scared everyone away.” He shot a look at me that screamed for me to stop it, but I decided to double down.

“Honestly, this one was incredibly violent with our guildmates. Just hitting us and watching us get chased by monsters. It's really disheartening sometimes. I guess it got to them faster than me.” I put a look on my face that said, ‘please pity me, I am so sad.’

Fentons face turned as red as a tomato and he whispered, “just wait until we get out of here." 

The Puppy-Dog Tank looked back and forth at the two of us during our little conversation and then his face dawned a giant smile, “You two are honestly so cute together. I really hope I can be in a guild with my own lover someday! I will need to find a lover first, but that's what I hope for." 

He continued to smile at us as our jaws dropped to the floor. “No," we said in unison. “No!" 

“Oh it's ok, we aren't prejudiced!" He turned and took his place behind the Grumpy Tank again and left us with our jaws on the floor, unsure of what to say next. 

"Only two people in your guild? I'm surprised the system hasn't deactivated the guild yet. I thought it needed to have four,” he said, looking at us skeptically.

"Oh, we just lost two members actually, so we were looking for some more when we got attacked by the Hellhound.”

Fenton actually sounded pretty convincing, he must have a decent score for his charisma. If I had been the one talking, we would already be dead.

The Mean Tank stood up and walked over to the model, “So tell us about the mountain. What path did you take to get inside?" 

Fenton joined him and pointed to the other side of the mountain, "It was somewhere around here. There was a small crack just big enough for us to fit into. We followed it…" he stopped for a moment thinking about the events. “It's strange though. We walked a long way, but it didn't feel like we walked all the way through the mountain." 

The Mean Tank had a thoughtful look, “It probably wouldn't. We have determined that this mountain contains one of the ancient artifacts.”

“What?” Both Fenton and I said at the same time.

"After exploring the Sacred Temple we found some tombs that described the artifacts and what they could do. One of them alters space. It was described as creating a pocket dimension that makes it hard to reach. This is the first one we found, but it might be the hardest to track down.”

"How do you know if you found it?” I was getting curious. My favorite parts of video games were the lore and world state. I was a little miffed about this whole ordeal because I didn't feel like I was able to independently explore and look into this world. 

"It will be guarded by a dragon, at least that's what the text said.”

Fenton and I looked at each other. The monster in the center of the cave seemed big. It could have been a dragon, maybe? Did we seriously walk right past the ancient artifact? 

Fenton turned back to the Big Meanie and said, "Hold on, if it makes its own pocket dimension doesn't that mean there is a possibility the cave won't have the same path?"

"Most likely, but based on when you both exited the cave we can try to make a time table and map of the various paths. So if you could tell us everything you remember, that will help us to be one step closer to leaving this world.”

I was about to spill everything when Fenton put his hand over my mouth. "Wait, wait, wait. We don't know anything about you. How do we know you aren't actually a cult or something?”

Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and stared at Fenton. I got the feeling this was not a great remark. Maybe his charisma wasn't actually that high?

"Well, we don't! We're not going to help you until we know who you are," he stuttered out his reply but held firmly. That was something I was noticing about Fenton, he seems to always say what he meant.

“They're not wrong Jacob," The Puppy-Dog said. “With all of the talk about the ‘New world’ cult, it would make sense for them to be nervous." 

I had no idea what they were talking about, but, seeing as Fenton's hand was still over my mouth, I didn't get the opportunity to ask. 

I narrowed my eyes at him and opened my mouth. His eyes grew questioning, and then showed a sign of horror as I licked the palm of his hand. 

“Oh my gosh! Gross! Disgusting! What is wrong with you!" He screamed, wiping his hands on my tunic and smacking me repeatedly.

“See what I mean? Violent," I snickered.

The whole room just stared at us. 

The Big Meanie, who I guess is named Jacob, said, “Alright, here's my information. I'm the clan leader." He opened up his player portal and sent us his clan information:

Divine Judgment Guild

Guild leader: Jacob Lawrence 

Number of guild members: 206

Divine Judgment? That's presumptuous.

"Oh, yeah I've heard of your guild. You're one of the more official ones,” Fenton says, still looking a little uneasy, so I tried rubbing his shoulders.

"I think it will be ok. Let's tell them what we know and then we can get out of here,” I said. He slapped my hands away with a sigh. Then, he relayed everything that had happened after entering the mountain.

Once he finished the room was quiet. 

“So, you both probably walked right past the ancient artifact and didn't notice a thing?" Jacob asked. 

“Yup! It was way too dark to see anything in there. And we didn't want to get eaten." This seemed like common sense to me, but everyone in the room seemed shocked. 

“...New plan," Jacob said. “You are coming in with us. If you join us then maybe you will recall the correct path." 

“Uh, there isn't really anything to recall though? We couldn't see anything. The most we did was feel the walls so we didn't lose our footing.” I didn't really understand what would be different with us being there. They didn't know about my luck, and I really didn't want them to find out. I was not a good liar, and the longer we were together the more questions they would ask, and the more they might start to notice.

My goal was, and always has been, to just relax while being trapped in this game. I had no intention of going on expeditions that could get me killed in the real world.

"We will pay you as mercenaries to accompany us. Ten gold per day for each of you."

Ten gold…well…

“Make it thirty," Fenton said. “Then you have a deal.”

"Deal. We will get you both loaded with new supplies and equipment. I'll write out the contract so you are guaranteed gold from the guild's coffers each day,” he sighed as he stood up and walked away from us. It was clear our conversation with him was over. 

The Puppy Dog tank approached us, “I'll take you to the storehouse and we can get you guys all set up. If you're hungry I can have some food prepared too.” At the talk of food I suddenly liked this puppy.

"Yes please! I'm starving!” My stomach was very excited about this and started to add to the conversation. No one could speak my stomach’s language, but they got the gist. 

Puppy Dog Man led us to a tent a little further away, " My name is Kendrick Lawrence, by the way. I'm Jacob's younger brother in real life. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier.”

Looking at him now, I could see the resemblance. Though the personalities did not seem similar at all.

"Nice to meet you Kendrick. I guess we will be in your care." We shook hands and smiled at one another when I suddenly felt a tug on my sleeve.

“Ho..honey…we should really focus on getting ready…together.” The blush that was covering Fenton's face reached all the way down his neck. I don't even know what kind of face I was making.

Kendrick looked between us and suddenly said, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean anything by the handshake! Don't worry! Faust isn't my type at all. So no worries!”

"...Hey…" I think I was just insulted.

“In this tent you will find everything you need for supplies. Swap out any clothing, armor, or minor supplies you need. Remember to not overburden yourself. If you need any specialty supplies like mana stones or a staff let me know.”

"Oh, neither of us are mages,” I said absently while ducking into the tent.

"Really? But he looks like a mage?" Kendrick said.

“...Yeah…he gets that a lot.” And he followed me into the tent.