A lifebar, the visual representation of one’s own health remaining before they perish is the single most important thing to keep your eye on during a fight. This rule has no exceptions, no matter what your level or who you may be engaged with. To be so foolish as to not pay heed to this important part of the Heads Up Display will result in your downfall, and permanent Game-Over.
A partial shade of red was all that was left after only a single stroke of his famed blade, leaving his challenger gasping and startled. The victim of the attack was astonished. How was such a thing possible? He had bought the best armor his level would allow him to equip, and even cast a defensive spell before getting in close. So then, how come he was defeated already? Was this blade that was supposedly forged from Light really so strong? If so, should any one person be able to own it? Such thoughts raced freely through this man’s head until he noticed a single gloved hand approaching him.
He flinched. This was the end, after all. He agreed to a duel, and now he was able to be slain and murdered by the victor. Those were the rules, and he couldn’t change them.
But the hand stopped.
The gloved hand of the Warrior of Light did not move to finish him off, but instead offered him help off his feet. Hesitantly, the young man took the hand and was pulled up off the ground. “Why…?” he asked with only confusion lacing his tone. He was easy picking – money and items that he had owned could have been the Warrior’s.
“The fight’s over.” Came his answer. A casual smile and warm words were all that were sent towards the nameless and confused young man. “I don’t think it even possible for me to hit you again without finishing you off, so we’re done here. I’m afraid that my word is final on this one.” It sounded like he thought the young man would try to continue even after that, but he wasn’t so crazy. So much damage from an attack too fast for him to see – it was only a fool’s choice to attempt to continue a doomed battle, and he was no fool. But he sure felt like one.
Agreeing to the fight’s end, a “Victory” message appeared over the blue headed warrior. “Why are you trying to get this blade anyways? Haven’t you heard how strong the beast is that I killed to get this thing? It’s no simple task.”
“I… wanted to be stronger.” He said, tilting his head away from the Warrior of Light.
“Oh? Stronger? Then why don’t you kill monsters. Seems a lot better than challenging someone who’s known for their strength, no?”
“That’s not….” His voice went quiet for a moment. A few moments, actually. “It wouldn’t impress anyone.” He half-shouted, surprising himself since he did so to a man who spared him instead of killing him. That definitely showed appreciation.
Either way, Licht didn’t seem to respond negatively to it, and instead questioned him curiously. “Impress? Impress who? Well, believe me when I say that this so-called ‘fame’ only gets you spontaneous duel invites from anyone who sees you grinding. It’s not as cool as it sounds.”
“That’s not it!” he snapped, frustrated by the embarrassment and anger he was feeling towards this man who had bested him, talking down on him like he was lesser just because he couldn’t beat him in a duel. It pissed him off! It did……
….didn’t it? Or was that even it at all?
“If you’re going to get angry at me, then I can just take my leave. Not much else for me to do here.” He stated with his eyes closed as he turned away to leave.
The man nearly jumped. “Hey! Umm… if anyone asks, can you not tell them you beat me in a single hit? I know it’s weird to ask… but she’ll think I’m weak and pathetic if….”
Licht stopped, turning his head to look back and raising an eyebrow. “She? I see…”
“I-it’s not like that! I mean…. Not yet… and it probably won’t ever be….”
“Now I do see.” He chuckled and smiled, which heavily contrasted the helpless look on the other’s face. “You wanted to beat me so you would look good to your girl?” he laughed. “That’s the first person I’ve heard with that story.”
“Not that… to protect her.” He said. “If people thought I was strong, then maybe they would stay away from us – her. I don’t want her getting harmed. I promised I would protect her.” The man’s shoulders slumped in defeat. He knew that after word spread around, many would think he was weak and not a threat at all.
“So why are you telling me this? I’m a stranger, you know. A Somewhat famous stranger, but a stranger nonetheless.”
Without looking up, the man replied, “Because I’m about to give up…. I can’t build any reputation around here, so what’s the point in keeping it secret? Besides, I’ve explained my feelings about her to some man who beat me before I did to her herself. Ain’t that just pathetic? Until I can beat someone and get renown, anyone might just walk in and try to hurt her – and I don’t think I can beat people who are strong enough to do that confidently.”
Licht remained quiet for seconds, or minutes – the young man couldn’t tell. He might have been dramatic enough to think it lasted for an hour, or even a day, but eventually, Licht did open his mouth and speak. “You’re pretty stupid, I think.” He spoke nonchalantly, without any hate or anger plaguing his voice. He even threw in a chuckle. “Haven’t you ever watched a superhero movie, like Batman? People who want to protect people they love don’t go and get themselves famous – that’s an easy way to earn enemies. If you want to protect someone, you simply stay off the radar, and stay close to them. And why do you feel so strongly about this anyways? You in head-over-heels for her?”
“No… I mean, protecting her is something I personally want…. But she also asked me to protect her too. That’s why…… that’s why I have to! I promised her I would.”
“Well you’re doing a shit job of it.”
“I…” he lowered his head. “…know.”
“I just gave you the easiest way to protect someone, didn’t I? You’re already off the radar, so what’s left to do?”
“Umm…. I….”
“Am not staying near her to protect her? Damn right you’re not. Instead, you’re challenging people to get famous, while neglecting her. Could you imagine if I was a PK-er? If I thought your inventory might have held items worth stealing? Then what? You would have left her all alone, with no protection whatsoever. Like I said; you’re doing a shit job of it.”
The young man raised his head as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Licht was smiling, as always. “I should go then?”
“I can’t say I’m the best with this kind of stuff, but I can say that talking to me isn’t going to get you any closer to her. Just go and be with her. Did you do this during V-day? I bet you’ve spent all this time fighting instead of being near her. I bet you didn’t even get her chocolates either, right?.” Licht sighed. “I’m taking my leave, and if I catch you without a woman near you today, then I’m telling everyone that
you begged me to spare your life.”
“Ok, ok!” he panicked. “I’ll go!”
Turning sharply, presumably to leave to go meet with the woman he wished to protect, he started darting off. But, before he got too far, he turned and with a smile on his face, waved to Licht. “Thank you!” He disappeared after continuing away.
The grass field that they had fought on was soft and the sunlight was perfect for a nap. Licht smiled to himself as he laid down on the ground behind a tree for cover. “Love is in the air, but it seems I never smell it. I guess I ought to get me a girlfriend one day, or a friend at the very least.” Stretching his limbs, Licht yawned quite loudly, but nobody was around to hear it. He was always alone in the end. He couldn’t tell if it was by choice or just cause, but that was the end of his day every day. “So much work! I guess I earned the day off….”
And then, before he drifted off to sleep, a single but odd thought passed his mind. Or maybe it was a want. Ah, yes, that was it. A want…..
I wonder…. Maybe one day, would anyone return this kindness and allow me to be selfish, just once?
Falling prey to unconsciousness, he spent the rest of the day under the bright sun and the smooth currents of the wind, alone.