kscans

Chapter 660 - A Cry of Grief

In any case, with that, I could say I had successfully greeted the current rankers of the Southern Faction.

It wasn't a perfect round of introductions, since the third-seat girl showed no signs of waking up and the eighth-seat, the [Poet], was nowhere to be seen, but I had at least made the effort to go to them, so I should have made a decent impression.

Alright then, putting aside the still-silent Iris for now, who I was also curious about. My next destination was automatically decided—

Which is why I was planning on showing my face anyway, even if I wasn't dragged there.

“—And with that, I present to you my favorite, BOOM!!!!!”

…And just like that, with a BOOM, the table changed from South to North.

The troublesome fan who had been making her presence known in the corner of my vision while I was mingling with the Southern members caught me the instant I stood up to answer her appeal.

My arm was grabbed, and I was shoved from behind… once again slammed into a seat just like Oume-san had done. I found myself face-to-face with five people.

One familiar friend, two I had seen the night before, one I had fought head-on, and one I was meeting for the first time.

Including Rinne, who had rolled me over here, that made six in total.

Absent was the [Great Tiger], who had probably gone to join the general players' ruckus. These were the current and former rankers who had participated in the 11th Four Pillar War.

“...I am so, so sorry. Every single time, this idiot of ours…”

“No, well, yeah. I’m honestly starting to get used to it all, so, yeah…”

As expected, the first to speak was my friend from the last Four Pillar War and a fellow practitioner of a 'similar playstyle that uses countless weapons,' Maru II of [Ever-Changing].

Lately, it had become a routine for him to apologize for Rinne’s unrestrained fan behavior every time we met. But as I said, I was getting used to it, so he didn’t need to worry too much about it—well, maybe. Just a little, perhaps.

It would be nice if he could rein her in a bit, if possible.

Anyway, that aside.

“Good evening, Acrobat-kun. We both had a rough time yesterday, eh?”

“Ah, hello. Good work to you too.”

Next to speak was, again, as expected, the de facto leader who held the Northern Faction together in place of the number one problem child and free spirit, the second seat herself.

I mean, wow, she’s even more laid-back than she was on the battlefield. It’s hard to believe this is the same person who cornered me with a hellish assault in the final phase of last night’s battle.

…Well, now that the de facto leader has spoken, it’s time for greetings, Part 2.

“It’s been a while since I became a ranker, but allow me to formally introduce myself… My name is Haru, the [Acrobat], a newcomer to the East. I’ve only been playing Arcadia for less than half a year, so I would be grateful for any guidance you seniors could offer—”

“Ahaha, that’s a good one. What could we possibly guide you on at this point?”

“If anything, I’m the one always learning from him…”

“The fact that it’s been less than half a year is a joke in itself!!!”

My sincere, bowing junior routine, honed by part-time jobs, was naturally cut short. The [Wolf Pack]’s cheerful laughter was followed by Maru II’s wry smile and Rinne’s energetic voice.

Is it just me, or is this energetic girl even more energetic than usual? Maybe I'm imagining things.

…………And, putting that aside as well.

“—Jin. He's greeting you, it's polite to respond.”

“Oh, right you are. My apologies, Acrobat-kun.”

“Not at all… oh, and. Haru is fine.”

The one who smoothly interjected into the relaxed atmosphere was the former ranker, Hagi of [Dog Whistle].

It’s not that he lacks dignity, but he does have a bit of a laid-back character vibe to him. The reputation of him being the one to ‘keep things in line’ for the acting representative seems to be accurate.

“Alright, Haru-kun. Then let’s start with me—I’m Jin, second seat of Nortalia, the [Wolf Pack]. You can call me whatever you like, but make it friendly, yeah?”

“Ah, right. Then, Jin-san it is.”

“And this here is my right-hand man, Hagi-kun. Call him Hagi-kun, with affection.”

“Why did you hijack my introduction?”

“What? You were just gonna stand there in the shadows thinking ‘I’m not a ranker anymore,’ weren't you? If I didn’t push you, you would’ve just kept quiet, right?”

“I was going to introduce myself. Your meddling is unnecessary.”

—And just like that, the prior information that this wolf-dog pair was close seemed to be correct as well. They have a unique vibe, but I’m glad they seem to be having fun.

……………………And, putting all of that aside for now.

The problem zone…—that is, the single gaze that has been fixed on me, glaring, ever since Rinne pushed me to the Northern table.

A glare that seems on the verge of shedding tears of blood, openly hostile. And next to him, another person trying to placate him.

Wondering what to do, I cautiously shifted my gaze toward them…

“……………………Tenth seat, [Cloud-Hiding]… Rickey.”

That was the one glaring. He had the air of a wanderer in well-worn, earth-colored traveling clothes, with a trademark faded white scarf that also seemed to have seen many years.

He was short by Arcadia's standards, where most men were tall, but his face was not that of a boy or a young man. Beneath his short, black-and-brown marbled hair was a handsome, dandyish face that suited a light beard.

“Whoops—um, I’m Tonic. Tonic of [Dispersion], sixth seat.”

And that was the one placating him. He was dressed in what looked less like a bodysuit and more like a hero suit, a sleek black-and-white outfit. His black-and-brown marbled hair, matching Rickey of [Cloud-Hiding], was styled into a slightly longer, handsome cut. He looked just like someone out of a live-action superhero movie.

Both were opponents I had only briefly seen last night, so this was effectively our first meeting.

Therefore, while Tonic seemed friendly enough, I couldn’t think of any reason for Rickey to be glaring at me like this—

“………………………………Hey, Acrobat.”

“Y-Yes!”

—…I couldn’t, but.

Hearing his low, rumbling voice, like the earth itself was shaking, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of anxiety that I had unknowingly done something wrong.

That’s how heavy his voice was, packed with some kind of emotion.

As I unconsciously straightened my back under the handsome man’s intense gaze… the words that spilled from Rickey’s lips, as if a dam of emotion had broken, were—

“Aren’t you… a little too popular?”

“— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —……………Excuse me?”

Honestly, I couldn’t process the meaning right away.

“Uh, uh… Rickey? I’m telling you for your own good, you should probably stop right there.”

“Not content with a love quadrangle, you even have my, our Rinne-chan…!”

“Um, I’m not exactly your Rinne-chan, though.”

“And you seemed so friendly with Nacchan and Aika-san, and even Oume-nesan…!”

“Actually, I thought he seemed friendlier with the guys, but okay.”

Ignoring me, who had frozen in thought, and undeterred by the retorts from Tonic, Rinne, and Maru II, Rickey’s “emotions” continued to simmer.

I glanced over. Jin-san was stifling a laugh and quickly looked away, while Hagi-kun-san looked down with an expression of pure ‘shame’ and let out a heavy sigh. Seeing them both,

I more or less understood what was about to happen… and in the next moment.

“— — — YOU BASTARD, [ACROBAT]! WHY IS IT ALWAYS YOU!?”

Without hesitation, I relaxed, closed my eyes, and silently received the shouted torrent of his heart.

“Is it your face!? Your personality!? That Crown Smile!? Or is it your strength!? If it’s that, then I’m a ‘ranker’ too! I may not be at the top, but being in the top 30 should be good enough! Where is my heroine!? Huh!?”

I think, well, I think I at least managed to restrain myself.

From making a face that said, what the hell is this guy talking about…