Chapter 6: Information Gathering (Part 1)

Morning – A New Day Begins

The golden light of morning poured through the windows, radiating a soft glow across the room. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, warming the air as it ushered in the new day.

Alt stirred awake, her silver hair slightly tousled as she slowly sat up in bed, her body moving with practiced ease. The quiet of the morning seemed to settle over her, but her mind was far from at peace.

She lifted her hands, staring at them for a moment, the weight of their situation pressing down on her.

“…I’m still here.” Her voice was soft, a quiet affirmation to herself.

Her fingers curled into fists as a surge of determination filled her chest.

(“We will get out of here.”) she thought, the resolve in her eyes hardening.

In Axel’s living room.

Axel clapped his hands together, standing confidently in front of the group, his expression serious but with a spark of excitement in his eyes.

“Alright, everyone! Today’s the day we gather intel. We’ll split into three teams to cover more ground,” he said, pointing decisively at the members of the group.

He pointed first to Madden. “Madden, you’ll go with Kane.”

Madden gave a silent nod, his arms crossed, unfazed by the task ahead.

Kane groaned dramatically, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Ooof… Not with the silent guy…”

Axel smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. “Sorry, Kane. Madden’s the only one who can tolerate you.”

Ken and Damon both nodded immediately in agreement, the humor of the situation not lost on them.

Kane’s voice rose in mock disbelief. “So mean! You should’ve just paired me up with Alt! She can tolerate me too!”

Axel chuckled, shaking his head. “Alt’s going with me.”

Damon raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curling into a smirk. “Why am I not surprised?”

Kane let out a dramatic sigh, looking truly disappointed. “Awww, man!”

Axel cleared his throat, his tone regaining focus. “Ehem… That leaves Damon with Ken. Any questions?”

Alt, who had been quietly observing, raised her hand.

Axel blinked in surprise. “…Yes, Alt?”

Alt’s voice was calm and direct. “I’m going with Damon.”

Axel paused for a moment, his mind catching up to the unexpected change. “…Oh? Uhhh… yeah… sure…”

He side-eyed Damon, who met his gaze with a knowing smirk, making Axel’s stomach tighten in realization.

Axel sighed, adjusting his robe. “I’ll go with Ken, then.”

Alt nodded once, her decision final. “That’s all.”

Axel sighed again, his earlier enthusiasm slightly dampened by the unexpected shift in teams. “O-okay, guys! Let’s head to Sethia!”

The team responded in unison, a chorus of excitement and determination rising in the room. 

The Streets of Sethia – Alt & Damon

The city of Sethia pulsed with life, a deceptive normalcy masking the players' grim reality. They moved through the streets with an air of ease, a disturbing testament to their forced adaptation to the game's deadly stakes.

The intricate stone roads were lined with shops and vendors selling a variety of goods. The sound of boots clacking against the pavement echoed through the air, blending with the low hum of conversations and the soft rustling of the environment.

Alt and Damon walked side by side, weaving through the crowded streets, their steps in sync. However, despite the lively atmosphere, the space between them felt quiet, almost tangible.

Silence hung heavily between them.

Damon glanced sideways at Alt, his curiosity finally bubbling to the surface. His voice was low, but there was an edge of genuine curiosity to it. “So… why’d you wanna go with me?”

Alt’s expression remained unreadable, her pace never faltering. “…I need to see if Ken and Axel will get along.”

Damon raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard. “Huh?”

Alt continued without looking at him, her voice calm and composed. “Ken is ranked first, but Axel is the leader. We have to make sure Ken doesn’t secretly want to take control and sabotage us.”

Damon let out a low whistle, impressed by her insight. “Welp… that’s one way to tell me you wanted to be with me.”

Alt blinked, momentarily thrown off. “…Hmm?”

Damon smirked, his expression a mix of amusement and mild disbelief. “Nothing.”

He stuffed his hands into his pockets, shaking his head with a quiet laugh. “I meant, it makes sense. But damn, how do you even think about these things?”

Alt’s gaze shifted briefly to the horizon, her expression still stoic. “Experience.”

Damon grimaced, the weight of her calm response settling in. “Oooof. I have a hard time even deciding what to eat for breakfast.”

Alt glanced at him with a quick, almost imperceptible look of acknowledgment before her voice dropped slightly, her tone returning to its usual calm. “…Let’s go.”

Damon groaned dramatically, his steps faltering as he let out a theatrical sigh. “Right, right… sheesh…”

Sethia Market – Kane & Madden

The Sethia Market was alive with energy. Merchants called out to passing players, advertising their wares with colorful banners and enthusiastic voices. Stalls lined the busy streets, overflowing with an array of rare potions, weapons, and materials. The air was filled with the scent of fresh produce and the chatter of players haggling for deals, the entire market pulsing with activity.

Among the lively chatter and bustling crowd, Kane groaned loudly, his voice rising above the noise.

“Uggghhhh! This sucks! I want a conversation, damn it!” 

He turned to Madden, who was walking beside him in complete silence, his stoic expression not shifting in the slightest.

Kane threw his hands up in frustration. “You’re so boring, dude!”

Madden’s expression remained unchanged, his voice as deadpan as ever. “I know.”

Kane gawked at him, his eyes wide in disbelief. “Ugh! Don’t admit to it! You’re making me feel bad!”

Madden gave a small nod, his tone unbothered. “Good.”

Kane sighed dramatically, his voice rising in exasperation. “AHHHHH! I AM SOOO GOING TO GET BACK AT AXEL! He knew about this!”

Madden sighed, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Let’s just go and gather info now, okay?”

Kane huffed, but he nodded reluctantly. “Kayyy…”

Sethia Square – Axel & Ken

The streets of Sethia Square were also bustling with activity. This central hub, the heart of the city, was where most players gathered, talking, trading, and preparing for their next mission. The square was packed with adventurers, all moving in different directions, some rushing, some casually strolling, but all caught in the same vibrant pulse of the city.

Ken smirked as he glanced sideways at Axel, his voice dripping with amusement. “Hmph. Looks like your right-hand person bailed on you.”

Axel shrugged, his expression nonchalant. “What? No… she probably had a reason.”

Ken raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. “Riiighhht…”

Despite the throngs of adventurers, one particular group caught their attention. A large, intimidating crew of battle-worn players stood off to one side, their arms crossed and eyes scanning the crowd. Their armor was scratched and dented, clearly the marks of many battles fought.

Axel’s eyes narrowed, already considering their next move. “Let’s start here.”

He stepped forward with confidence, clearing his throat to get their attention. “Excuse me!”

The leader of the group, a muscular man with a scar running over one eye, turned slowly toward them. His presence was imposing, and his gaze was sharp, sizing them up in an instant.

“What do you want?” he asked gruffly, his voice as rough as his appearance.

Axel’s nerves were evident as he took a deep breath and addressed the intimidating man. “Oh! Ummm… we were wondering if you’ve been to the Forbidden Forest yet. We need some guidance.”

The man’s expression changed instantly, a hint of amusement flickering across his features. He crossed his arms, eyes narrowing as he assessed them.

“Pffft- Ya’ll taking on the Forest Demon?”

Ken nodded, his voice steady. “Yes.”

The leader let out a deep, rumbling laugh, shaking his head as if he found their request absurd but strangely entertaining.

“Hah! Then ya’ll are in for a treat,” he said, his voice laced with dark humor.

Axel gulped, his throat tight with unease. “What do you mean?”

The man’s grin faded slightly, his tone taking on a more serious edge. “This boss packs a punch way harder than before. Whoever made this game cranked up the difficulty. We lost some good players in that fight…”

Axel’s body tensed, his eyes narrowing. “How many of you fought?”

The leader’s face darkened, the weight of the memory heavy in his voice. “...There were 25 of us… only five came out alive, including me.”

Axel’s eyes widened in shock. He didn’t expect such grim news, and for a moment, it felt as if the air around them had thickened.

Ken, ever the pragmatist, folded his arms and looked the man over. “Did the monster look different? Or did it gain new skills?”

The leader shook his head, his expression grim but resolute. “Nah. Looks-wise, it’s the same. But skills? They’re the same, too, just a lot faster and stronger.”

Ken clicked his tongue in frustration. “...That’s no good.”

The leader studied them, his gaze lingering for a moment, seemingly measuring their resolve. “How many of ya’ll are going?”

Axel hesitated, his mind racing as he thought about the odds. His uncertainty obvious.

Ken glanced at Axel, noticing the slight fear in his expression. The unease was unmistakable.

Ken scoffed, shaking his head. “Six. Including me.”

The leader stared at him for a moment, his expression unreadable before he burst out laughing, a hearty laugh that seemed to echo across the square.

“Oh, Lordy. May God have mercy on ya’ll’s souls,” he said, clapping Ken on the shoulder with a heavy, almost mocking gesture.

“I suggest you take more people with ya.”

Ken smirked confidently, his gaze unwavering as he faced the leader. “Hah. We may not look like much, but trust me. The Demon will be the one praying.”

The leader chuckled, nodding in approval, clearly impressed with the young man’s boldness. “I admire the confidence, kid. Good luck to ya’ll then.”

Then, without missing a beat, he turned to Axel, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “...And give this guy some balls. He gonna need it.” He pointed at Axel with a teasing grin.

Axel snapped out of his daze, his face turning bright red. “Uhhh- yeah…” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking away awkwardly, clearly flustered by the leader's blunt remark.

The leader laughed heartily, giving a playful salute before walking off, leaving Axel and Ken standing there.

Axel let out a long, exhausted sigh as he watched the leader walk away. “Sorry…” he muttered, still embarrassed by the teasing.

Ken shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Meh, all good. You okay, though? You froze for a hot minute.”

Axel rubbed his face, clearly trying to push past the awkwardness. “…I’ll be honest, Ken. I don’t want to die.”

His voice dropped slightly, revealing a vulnerability that wasn’t often visible. His usual confident demeanor wavered as he spoke, exposing the weight of their journey ahead.

Axel continued, his voice a bit strained. “This all feels too surreal, and I still haven’t wrapped my head around it…”

Ken leaned casually against a nearby railing, crossing his arms. He regarded Axel with a level-headed expression, the weight of his own thoughts heavy on him as well.

Ken nodded, his voice firm. “...Yeah. You’re right. I haven’t either.”

Then, with a rare intensity, Ken turned his gaze to Axel. “But it doesn’t mean I should cower in fear.”

Axel blinked, his eyes widening slightly. (“…That’s… true.”) He hadn’t realized it until Ken said it aloud, but it struck him deeply. A small smile tugged at his lips, a sense of admiration for his teammate growing.

Axel nodded, his tone warm but teasing. “Spoken like a true leader… That title suits you better.”

Ken blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Sheesh… No need for flattery.”

Axel tilted his head, his expression more serious now. “No, seriously. You’re strong, skilled, and fearless. That’s what makes you Rank 1. But more than that… you don’t care about what others think of you.”

Ken paused, his usual bravado momentarily fading. He sighed softly, his gaze meeting Axel’s with a genuine openness. “...I appreciate it, but I’m nowhere near as good as you.”

His tone softened, his eyes focused and steady. Ken locked eyes with Axel, his words intentional. “You have something I don’t... strong people who believe and care about you. You’ve earned respect through kindness and justice. That’s something even I admire.”

Axel stared at Ken, slightly taken aback by the depth of his words. It wasn’t often that Ken opened up like this, and Axel felt a deep sense of respect for him in that moment.

Then, Axel smiled, his heart feeling lighter. “...Thank you. I feel better now.”

Ken grinned, the usual cocky spark returning to his eyes. “Good! We gotta be in our A-game when we face that Demon.”

Axel’s smile widened as he straightened up, his sense of resolve returning. “Yeah. Let’s go.”