Now that one of them had been killed and the other had been knocked unconscious, no one knew what was going to happen next. They all brace themselves for any kind of news they would be getting next.
[Now that the first round of competition is over, I would like to congratulate everyone who participated in this competition. However, you all need to get ready for the next round which will be held in a week.
The instructions and how to get to your location would be sent to you in four days. So kindly enjoy your free time in the outside world until then.]
The blank-faced judge made this call and everyone looked surprised at the sudden announcement.
They had expected the tournament to be a continuous one and they had prepared accordingly. This week-long break put a dent in most of their plans.
But despite their complaints, no one wanted to be the one to ask the judge about this sudden change. The death of their companion as well as the easy defeat of another was fresh in their minds.
No one wanted to be the third victim in such a situation as it would be beyond pathetic to face.
"Noah, what will you do now? Will you spend your week here? Would you head home? Ah, if you have noticed much to do then how about joining the guild with me? I can get you into the main branch."
Amelia offered him this tempting offer. Anyone else would have jumped at the chance of being in the guild's main branch Mystica since that was headed by the grandmaster personally.
'But speaking of grandmaster, I cannot risk it. So, I need to decline Amelia's offer right now.'
"Amelia, I do not think I can take your offer right now. It has nothing to do with you or the guild but it is because of my problems."
Keith tried to sound as neutral as he could in this situation but his voice still sounded a little bitter.
That did not go unnoticed by Amelia and she frowned as a result. Her eyes suddenly looked wary of Keith and there was also a sense of distance between them. Amelia's behavior was suspicious and Keith did not know if he was happy to see this or terrified to have earned her indifference.
"I see. So, you are one of the people who do not like the guild? I understand where you are coming from but I would say that you are wrong. I am sure whatever misgiving you have with the guild is all a misunderstanding."
"I was like you once as well, resenting the guild and the grandmaster but it all turned out to be a hoax in the end. I am sure you would find the guild-"
Keith knew he needed to stop Amelia before she ended up telling him her life story. To hear all this from Amelia's mouth was a terrifying experience when you considered what happened in the real MMO.
But still, it was reassuring to know that Amelia was on the grandmaster's side now.
"Wait! Stop! That is not what I am saying and I think you misunderstood my words. It is not that I have a problem with the guild, but my loyalty lies elsewhere. I cannot betray my master just like that."
Keith quickly made up an excuse to not have to face Amelia's disappointment. And suddenly, Amelia's annoyed expression turned to understand one. She also calmed down and began to see Keith in a new light.
"O-Oh, so it is about that! Now I understand and I am glad you told this me. Indeed, keeping your loyalty is important and I do understand you. In that case, I will not force you to join the guild. But you should still visit me as a friend."
Amelia offered Keith and his sweating intensified.
'No way. Never. I will not show my face anywhere near the guild and those who can recognize me. The risk is too big for me to take.'
So even as Keith nodded at the suggestion, he was sure he would never take it. Amelia could try all she wanted, but she would never get Keith to visit the guild with her.
As all this happened, Sara managed to worm her way toward Amelia with a happy expression. She suddenly looked up sharply once the pair in front of her was finished talking.
"Wow Amy, you were from the guild's main branch? Can you take me with you when you go back? I want to join the guild as well but I am too young to do so without recommendations."
Sara begged with her large eyes and a sad expression on her face. Looking at her made Amelia's heart melt and Keith instantly knew that Amelia would fall for her face and take Sara along.
'Amelia no! Have some dignity and do not fall for that innocent expression. You cannot allow your reputation to be tarnished by someone like Sara.'
But no matter what Keith yelled in his mind, nothing escaped from his mouth. He could only watch in silent anger as Amelia agreed to take Sara back with her. Now there was one more person added to the list of people Keith needed to avoid at all costs.
"Noah, what about you? We will all be staying in the town for today and I will head back to the guild for a week. But where will you stay? Do you have a place in the town? If not then you can come with me and I will help you out."
Amelia's offer was a tempting one. If only she did not mean she would take him back to the guild. It was something Keith could not allow to happen.
'Yeah, I do not think this is happening Amelia. I need to disappear for a week since the grandmaster cannot just up and vanish.'
So, Keith had no choice but to decline the offer.
Amelia looked disappointed but understanding at Keith's refusal. And because she had believed his made-up reason for having a loyal master he served already, she did not push him to come with her as well.
The clearing slowly empties and Keith was one of the last people to head out.
He looked back at the judge but somehow got the feeling that he should avoid those blank eyes. He still risked it, only to realize that the featureless man was glaring at his back with a grinning expression as well.
That unnerving expression caused Keith to gulp his nervousness down and he walked away.
The less he was faced with this place, the more Keith would be able to relax.
......…
'Man, nothing beats the feeling of being back home. I am so glad I get to rest on my bed and relax for the first time after the competition.'
Keith threw his body on his soft bed and allowed the comfort to pull him into a shallow sleep. He was able to get some decent shut-eye before he got a call from Clair on his phone.
It was a surprise for him since Keith had not expected anyone to contract him during this time.
But since it was Clair who called him, Keith saw no reason to put up his guard and replied with a lazy voice.
"What do you want? Make it quick because I want to go back to sleep.'
Keith's voice was still unguarded and sleepy. No one would be able to connect him with the respectful grandmaster no matter how hard they tried.
"Well, I would not have called you if this was not an emergency but I need to you head back now. We got a sudden request for monster killing and it is one of the more dangerous ones. Your presence would be needed this time."
Clair did not beat around the bush with her words and her order was clear - come back right now.
"Really? Did you call me about this? You know I will not be any help in this monster-killing business so what use is it to call me? Besides, should you not call Shinzou and others for this?"
Keith questions as he worked the kinks out of his back. He was tried from the competition and he did not know why Clair had called him.
"You idiot. I would not have called you if this was some kind of normal monster. It is one the grandmaster put down in his 'deal personally' list and that list is public knowledge. So, you better get your butt back here if you do not want to be found out."
Clair sounded angry and tried as she ordered Keith to come back.
Keith frowned as soon as he heard the 'list' and what it was for. He was sure it was not something mentioned in the game trivia but what did he know? Clair was the expert in this field, not him.
"Fine, I am coming back. But I need to head back out after a week, alright?"
