Starting from Zero Volume 4 Chapter 9

Book 4, Chapter 9

Infuriate

           "Give us the loot. We want the treasure not your lives. WE were the ones dealing with all those monsters, now we can't just let you take it for free. Hand them over or we will take them by force!"

           The speaker is a wizard-like player wearing black robe. He seems willing to talk but... Maybe he's just planning about how to take us down inside his mind.
　　
　　    That's quite a big group behind him, about 500 people. From their broken weapons and ragged clothes, they are those unfortunate guys who were fending off the monsters on the other side.

            We were just trying to head back to the city so I already un-summoned everyone except Phiona, who is now standing on my shoulder as a small aurora bird.

            "Are these guys the ones you mentioned?"
　　
　　    "Yeah. But there were several thousands of them back then."
 　　
　　    I asked Hawk to get closer and whispered to him: "So they brought thousands of people here and now this is what's left of them, which means they don't have much supply on them now. We three, plus my companions, should be enough to take care of them." 　　
　　    "But he was true, we can get the treasure because they helped keeping monsters away. We should at least give them half of the loot, and hopefully settle this without a fight."
 　　
　　    "Um, if you say so."

           Hawk is quite the honest guy it seems. Well, he chose to be a Paladin anyway, I guess honor is important to him.
　　
　　    Hawk spoke to the wizard: "We didn't know you were here, and we opened the secret entrance too. It was pretty tricky one, I don't think you would have made it. How about this, we'll share half of what we got, let's consider the work done as a team."
　　
　　    The black robe began to consider. But a warrior beside him yelled: "How do we know how many items you took? You can just tell us a fake number and give us less stuff, am I right?"
　　
　　    The wizard silenced him. "To tell the truth, we wouldn't have made it up here. Those monsters suddenly stopped coming, I guess that's because you opened the secret room. I believe you, we'll accept half of the treasures."
　　
　　    Hawk took off his ring and stretched his hand towards Elfy. 

            "What?"
　　
　　    "Give them the bow."
 　　
　　    Elfy held it tightly and shook her head. "No! Why should I? It's mine!"
　　
　　    "Elfy!"
 　　
　　    "No I won't!"
　　
　　    "Listen, we aren't really justified here, we should at least give them what they deserve."

            Now that's the first time I saw some anger from Hawk.
　　
　　    Elfy looked at Hawk's serious expression and decided to comply. Though unwillingly.

           "Fine..."

           She looks about to cry. Sadly there's nothing much I can do in such a situation.
　　
　　    Hawk threw the bow and his ring over to the wizard. "Four items in all. I gave a bracelet to my friend, and an egg, already hatched so we can't give it back even if we want to."
　　
　　    The wizard looked at the items. "I'm [Fate Revenger], master of the Black Moon, our guild. We have several branches now, among most major cities. Come visit us when you have the time. I appreciate your honorable decision. Let's at least become allies. If your girl friend over there really wants the bow, you can come to our auction sale next week. We usually sell our loot this way and share the profit for everyone. As their leader, I can't break that rule. But still, I can make an exception this time and ask you only 90% of the bidding."
　　
　　    Hawk answered politely: "We did take your advantage, I should apologize. That bow is indeed valuable to my friend, we will be there."
　　
　　    "Farewell then."

            Fate began to lead his men off the mountain. Not everyone followed him though, we saw a small group left behind.

            Fate noticed the out-standers and turned back. "Mr. Loong?"
　　
　　    A wizard wearing blue robe stepped ahead. "You Black Moon can leave now since you got no more business. Don't forget to give us the share for the items. We got something else to do."
　　
　　    Fate turned to Hawk: "Careful brother, this man is far from the kind type. We can't help you because of...our agreement. Be on guard."

           Then he humphed and left with his members.
　　
　　    The "Mr. Loong" sized us up for a bit.

           "Huh. Fate is an idiot but I'm not. I believe you are all smart guys too so let's get this straight. The black outfit you're wearing, friend, is also one of the reward I a.s.sume? We won't ask much...sell it, and we'll share the money seventy-thirty. We take the seventy of course. How about it? You can get thirty percent out of it without even lifting a finger, just call it free. I know I'm always the nice guy."
　　
　　    Well, if anyone can see my face they would notice I'm extremely p.i.s.sed off right now. I immediately saw what he was going to do when he stayed, and I planned to give up the bracelet too. He's going to sell it anyway, the worst case is I can just borrow some money from father and buy it back. Elfy is already the pegasus' master so even the system would not have the right to take it away.

           What I'm not expecting is that the b.a.s.t.a.r.d wants my armors! I don't know how much it would sell and I don't care. The two months' worth of effort is already enough to make it surpa.s.s any treasures we might find on this tiny mountain tip.
　　
　　    "...Ha-hahaha!" I really feel like laughing to let off some of my anger. "Just tell us straight if you want dead! Of course I'll help you with it."
　　
　　    "What'cha saying huh??" A minion came up but Mr. Loong dragged him back.
　　
　　    "Now now my friend, do you know you should never take your words too far? Your voice...sounds like someone just went over the age of 10. Do you want me to teach you the rules of the world out there?" Then he dropped his att.i.tude. "Your equipment won't help you fight against 200 people. How long can you stand if we attack you together? Now be clever so you don't suffer too much."
　　
　　    I didn't respond, cause I don't know what else I can say to this moron. Oh well, time for some actions.

           I raised my hand to my shoulder. Phiona jumped on it. Then I threw her into the air (a little more gently).

          She turned into her true form while creating a hot wave around us, cause several people in the front of the group to stagger.
　　
　　    "A phoenix!"
 　　
　　    "Black phoenix!!"
 　　
　　    The group scattered. That's what I expected would happen when someone who don't even know about companions see a real one. Hawk and Elfy are well-knowledged and they still tried to climb a tree.

           Someone in the group are already taking out their recall scrolls.
　　
　　    Mr. Loong shouted and stopped their movement.

           "STOP IT! It's just one phoenix, and it doesn't look a real one! Use our advantage and kill the player so his companion will just disappear! Stay in your positions!"

           The group is still a bit chaotic but is under control in general. However, Mr. Loong's face is not really "under control". He must have realized something is not going to proceed as he planned.
　　
　　    The turns of his expressions look quite fun. I wonder what will happen if I give him some more surprises.

            I stretched out my right hand, a giant black portal appeared beside me. A mighty roar came out of the portal and caused a visible air shock, knocking some people down.

           I rubbed my ears. I did tell him to "make a show". But I should have opened the portal a little far from myself. Now my right ear is ringing.
　　
　　    Lucky shot himself out of the portal, gliding close the ground and swept past their head. He also caught two very unlucky people in his claws, who gave out some terrible inhuman screams out of fear, which caused the other people on the ground to shake.
　　
　　    People lose their intelligence when stressed or terrified, that's what's going on in front of me--someone forgot they are still playing a game and began to beg for their lives.

           "I DONT WANNA DIE!!"
　　
　　    Lucky threw the yelling madman into the crowd with some force. The falling human bomb crashed into something solid head-first and caused some blood splashes. Some female players fainted. Good. I don't really enjoy scaring girls. Now they're out cold so they don't have to see what's coming next.
　　
　　    I pointed towards the sky. Loong'er appeared around me and slowly floated upwards while recovering to her full size. Mr. Loong seems helpless at how to control the situation. His men are crying like Christians who are meeting with Jesus face to face. (*)
　　
　　    I summoned Rosy. Now I'm going to jump scare them for good, even give some people a heart attack, if I can.

           Several thick plant vines emerged from under their feet and brought some people down with them. More yelling.
　　
　　    Mr. Loong's face has turned into the color of purple.

           I'm not satisfied though, I asked Phantom to find someone unconscious and control him.

          The poor guy's body suddenly stood up. "NOOOO! I CAN'T TAKE IT! DEVIL! IT'S THE DEVILS!" He screamed in hysteria and clawed at his own face. He did it so hard that he now looks like a living zombie. The man has no idea what's happening since he's not awake at all. But those people around him aren't aware of the fact, what they saw is one of their comrade just went insane.
　　
　　    I took the chance when everyone has lost their mind and shot my dragon cords at Mr. Loong. Now I'm pretty good at it after all these days' practice. The cords only become sharp when I inject my MP into them, otherwise I can just use them as really strong ropes.

           I caught the man's neck like throwing a la.s.so and began to retrieve it. The cord wrapped around his neck firmly.
　　
　　    I attached the other end of the cord onto my saddle before I shook Hawk and Elfy back to their senses. They have been staring at the scene with their mouths agape for a while now.

           "I caught the prey! Now run for it! Ahoy, Night Shade!"

           Night Shade bolted away, with Mr. Loong hanging behind us who just realized what's going on. He pulled on the cord around his neck in order to breath a little.
　　
　　    His condition is of no concern to me so I just asked Night Shade to gallop as he wish. I also tried to choose the most painful routes--whichever path with the most th.o.r.n.y plants or ragged rocks.

           When we left the mountain range the only piece of cloth left on the unfortunate dude is the unbreakable underpants used to hide his embarra.s.sment. His equipments are no where to be found.

           Hawk and Elfy caught up from behind. Elfy glanced at the now dying Mr. Loong. "Ziri, let him go. That's enough revenge."
　　
　　    "Not gonna. This is the first time someone tries to pull that off on me.  I won't stop before I get rid of all the bad mood. You two can get back to the city and have a rest, I'll be there when I'm done with him."

           Without waiting for an answer, I asked Night Shade to charge faster and left the couple behind.
　　
　　    After a while, I felt a weight go away, and the cord retracted itself. I turned my head to see a white light. So I finally dragged away Mr. Loong's last point of HP. Hmm. I could have done worse if I finished him off using my Revenger and take 2 levels off him instead of 1.
　　
　　    I opened the chat. "Hawk, where are you? Let's have some fun in the city!"
　　
　　    "You done with the guy?"
 　　
　　    "Not really. He just died on the ground."
　　
　　    Elfy nudged into the screen. "You looked scary! I thought you were going to eat him or something."
　　
　　    "I'm not a monster! I was just a bit over my head, did I do anything bad to you?"
　　
　　    "No. So we're going to the city together?"
　　
　　    "Yeah. I've always wanted to see what's inside a city, now's the chance to lift up the spirit a bit. I got a close friend called Wayne who's been blasting about all the fun in various cities beside my ears all day long. I think he's doing it on purpose!"
　　
　　    "Alright. Which city's on your mind?"
　　
　　    "The Bright City!"
 　　
　　    "Bright City? That's not really a big city. There are a lot of bigger ones to have more fun."
　　
　　    "Not for fun this time, my gf is in jail. I need to rescue her from the Bright City and it'll be best if you can help me with it."
　　
　　    Hawk nudged back into the screen. "Um, I do want to help but, you know those guards will just kill us in one hit right? You will need at least ten or twenty thousand of people to attack a city!"
　　
　　    "I'm not asking you to fight the NPCs."

           Ugh. It's best to explain this in detail in front their faces, so I used my Star Gaze ring to detect their location and just teleported there, which of course, startled them.
　　
　　    "You--" They stared at me as if an alien has come to visit.
　　
　　    "Ask questions later!" I showed them my new bracelet. "Now this thing, will hide my red name. I need you to take this bracelet to my girlfriend so she can just walk out of the prison like taking a walk in the afternoon."
　　
　　    "Good idea!" Hawk took the bracelet. "Tell us what she looks like in the private chat so we can find her."
　　
　　    "She...is not on. A second, I'll go call her."
 　　
　　    "Be quick!"
　　
　　    I logged out the game and called Rose's phone. Her roommate answered it.

            "Can I speak to Rose?"
　　
　　    "She just went into the game. I'll tell her you called."
　　
　　    "Nonono, I'm hoping she would do that."
 　　
　　    "Ah, good for you. See ya then!"
　　
　　    I appeared in front of the pair again. They're leaning on each other, enjoying the scenery.

           I'm hurt! Must they show off their love at such a time??

           I called them to join Rose's private channel.
　　
　　   Rose's beautiful face showed up in the group chat. I pulled off my helmet and tried to speak but Rose took the initiate.

           "Hey dear. Welcome back! I was just--ehhahaha--ahh don't--HAHAHAHA! Hey wait--AH!"

           The screen shook violently, I see the figures of several girls in there. A nice looking girl came up to the display.

           "Hey you! So you're Ziri?"
　　
　　    I frowned. "Who are you?"
　　
　　    "You don't know me? Which rural part did you come from? You don't know this vice master of the second biggest guild in the whole game?"
　　
　　    "Oh excuse me ma'am. I don't even know about the chief master of the first biggest guild."
　　
　　    "Why you--!"

            Ohh this is fun. I see smoke coming out of her head.

            "I'll only tell you once: I'm from the G.o.ddess Alliance. Join us now. I give you 30 seconds, or you won't like what I'm about to do to Rose!"

            Rose's screaming came from the screen. "No! Ah!...Urf!... Stop it!"
　　
　　    "What the fuc is this all about?" 　　
　　  

            "I told you, silly. Join our guild. I heard that you got some really nice equipment. Oh and your Luck would help us a lot too."

(*) This reminds me, apart from being offensive to certain nations, the author will make all kinds jokes against some religions and various G.o.ds from other cultures too. Example, s.h.i.+va from Hinduism, Anubis from Egypt. I think he even tried to turn Lady Liberty into a Boss or something.

     Though you'll only see such content in later stages.