Chapter 159 - Sharing a Drink on the Starless Plains
◇ Message received from player [Irori] ◇
"Hey. Hope you enjoyed the date with your rumored partner."
"Anyway, Goldow has something to talk to you about. Pop into the talk room when you have a moment."
◇ Eastern Round Table Talk Room ◇
[Haru]: Evening?
[Haru]: I heard you wanted to talk, Goldow? You here?
[Goldow]: Yeah, my bad, youngster.
[Goldow]: Forgot a couple things I needed to tell you and give you.
[Goldow]: Got a minute?
[Haru]: Ah.
[Haru]: I'm out of the city right now, can you wait a bit?
[Goldow]: Nah, my fault. I'll come to you.
[Haru]: Uh, it's pretty far?
[Goldow]: Don't underestimate a ranker. I'm not an AGI build like you, but a little distance is nothing.
[Haru]: Well, if you say so.
[Haru]: In that case, I'll be waiting in the Withered Luck Plains, north of the Safe Area.
[Mi-na]: So far.
[Ri-na]: My condolences.
[Irori]: That's what you get for trying to act cool for no reason.
[Goldow]: ......
[Goldow]: J-just wait... I'll be there in an hour.
◇◆◇◆◇
"...You know, I really could have just gone to you."
"Hah... huff... D-don't... underestimate me."
His golden hair, like a lion's mane, was in complete disarray as the third-ranked player appeared at the designated location, just as he'd declared, in one hour.
The real-world time was just before midnight. After logging out once following my da—adventures and whatnot with Sora, I had gone on my second bird hunt as planned, seeking the additional materials Nia had requested...
And starting with Irori's message, one thing led to another, and here we are.
The [Withered Luck Plains], a unique area where the [White-Shining Bird of Fortune] appears—a desolate land with not a single weed in sight, where a single, unbelievably massive tree towers over everything.
There's nothing else to describe; it's a truly deserted field.
I guess there's no demand for it among players, either. I've never encountered another person even while camping here for long hunting sessions.
The maps may be ridiculously vast, but the player population is also ridiculously huge. Unlike the beginner areas, you usually run into people with some frequency in other zones.
Anyway, setting that aside.
"You okay...?"
It's a distance that takes even me over thirty minutes to cover from the [Safe Area]. From his own words and his appearance, I knew he wasn't an AGI build... I'm honestly impressed he made it in an hour.
It seems that even a ranker can't avoid virtual sensory fatigue if they push their avatar in a way that doesn't match their build. When I showed concern for Goldow, who was breathing heavily without trying to hide it, the strapping man, his forehead slick with sweat, just raised an arm as if to say, "I'm fine."
Still, he's huge, even when he's leaning over with his hands on his knees. I bet he's a tank or heavy warrior build—
"Sorry, I'm fine... What were you doing out in a place like this?"
"Well, it's this kind of place. There's only one reason to be here, right?"
I spread my arms to show off my [El-Gran Series] equipment, and he nodded in understanding.
"Ah, now that you mention it. But you already have that set, you still need more materials?"
"Yeah, for various things."
"Hoh?"
I'm not about to be so stupidly honest and say it's to match my partner's gear. I can already see myself getting teased to death.
"So? What were those couple of things you needed?"
I don't mean to rush him, but I want to hear the main topic first. It'll be easier to chat casually without it hanging over our heads.
When I prompted him, Goldow nodded once more and began to operate his window—
"First, take this."
"...A key?"
The small, simple key was plucked from the inventory by a hand almost as big as my face. As I took it, I noticed its intricate details, giving it the aura of a rather important item...
"It's an entry key to the 'Round Table.' With that, you can jump there from any safe zone, like a city."
"Oh, now that's something."
It's like a magic item straight out of a storybook. Nice, this kind of thing genuinely gets me excited.
"How do you use it?"
"You can select it from your inventory screen, objectify it and open the details window, use a thought command, whatever. It'll even activate if you make a gesture like unlocking a door."
"The degree of freedom is insane."
Seriously, how much detail did they pack into a single item in this game? Is it the best or what?
"That's the first thing. Next is about the talk room... but it looks like Ui took care of that, so no problem there. All that's left is—"
Goldow then operated his still-open window further.
"Once again, welcome aboard—Haru the Acrobat."
"...Yeah, same here. Good to be here, Goldow the General Commander."
I accepted the friend request that appeared before me and shook hands with the strapping man, who was grinning cheerfully.
But, well. If there's one thing I have to say—
"............Wait, you ran for an hour just for this?"
I asked this of the third-ranked player, the de facto current leader of Istia, who must be extremely busy at this time—
"............Don't say it. Even I think I'm an idiot."
He'd said it was his fault and all that... Is he surprisingly earnest, or what?
With his tendency to laugh easily, he's a surprisingly approachable guy, contrary to his rugged appearance.
"Ah, whatever. Since we're here, let's use this chance to get to know each other, Ninth."
"I don't mind... ah, wait a sec—it's almost time."
Besides the great tree, there wasn't a single rock on the plains that could serve as a chair. I had no objection to Goldow's suggestion as he plopped himself down on the dry, cracked earth... but first, I had to prepare for the respawn my alarm was about to announce—
"Oh."
"Be right back."
High above the fantastical great tree, which had to be well over fifty meters tall, a faint light emerged from the void. In a very game-like fashion, polygons gathered beneath it, and a giant, pure white bird with massive wings materialized—
[Panga Fool]—into [Ignition]. Then, I dashed along the 'path' of the [Parabellum Bullets] I'd thrown from both hands.
"Hup."
[Blink Switch]—The [Giant's Hand Axe] I swung, scattering a fierce gust of wind, sliced the giant bird's body in two without much resistance.
I sent the massive weapon I'd summoned only for the attack back to my inventory and glanced at the results that popped up... Nope, a bust. Unfortunately, no [Azure Sky Feather of the Lucky Bird (Rare Drop)].
With a sigh, I activated [Floating Leaf]. Manipulating kinetic energy, my body now free from weight and gravity, I landed gently.
The round trip was just over two hundred and fifty meters—and I'd completed the entire process in less than ten seconds. In response to my performance,
"Quite the showman."
He let out a sharp whistle. Goldow, a corner of his mouth curling up in amusement, looked thoroughly entertained as he thrust a large stein, likely pulled from his inventory, toward me.
"I mean, you could probably do the same thing, right?"
"Hah! Is that what you say to the old guy who just huffed and puffed his way over here?"
The [General Commander], who ranks just behind the renowned [Sword Saint], laughed boisterously at my deadpan look as I took the stein.
The droplets that scattered spectacularly from our clashing steins glittered in the silent plains, taking the place of stars.
The old man really doesn't have time for this, so he's going to get an earful from Hinayo-san or someone later.