Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 149: Fighting Back

When I entered [Isekai] alone for the first time after turning 13, I was nervous about what to expect since no one I knew, including any of Wind's friends, was online. There was Yur1, but he was busy with his [Familiar] hunting at the moment. Since there was a chance he might spend the rest of the day leveling up his new partner afterward, I decided to spend my gaming time alone with Saphi. But not only did I met Zale from the crafting hall in <Initio>, but Yur1 saved my butt from those nasty players acting like bank robbers.

"Y-Yur1?! What the heck are you doing here?" I ask in shock and relief. "I thought you said in the DMs that you're busy 'grinding' or whatever you're doing with your new [Familiar]. Speaking of which, did you get one?"

Yur1 quickly yanks my collar and whispers in my ear, "Yes, I did. And also, you should avoid blurting it out in public. You might accidentally reveal your powerful skill or something."

Oh, right... Glad he reminds me. But it's a bit too late for Saphi...

"As for your first question, I did a bit of grinding. But I can't exactly do that without multitasking," Yur1 says out loud before gently releasing my collar. "But I saw the notice when I came back, and I couldn't just ignore it when there was a big consequence that would happen if I did."

Glad he's on the same page. But why do I have a feeling he's not telling everything?

"I'm glad you're here anyway, Yur1," I say. "I need someone to be the swordsman, and I don't think Wind will be logging in on time to save this event."

"No problem. I'll be your sword and shield! Besides, I learned some new things while I was off [Familiar] hunting."

Yur1 helps me back up to my feet, and we face the enemy players who threw Saphi back in my hands before he could hit the ground.

"Two brats?! Damn, what kind of game would let two dumb brats into this MMO world?" The enemy leader smirks as his teammates gather around him, with one of the mages trying to heal him. "If you're thinking this is another one of your kiddie games, you're wrong!"

Yur1 chuckles while I keep a straight face, not being offended by his offensive remarks. "Kiddie? I think you're being mistaken here." He takes out his green crystal-like sword like Wind's [Sapphire Sword] and points it at the players. "Dude, you're the one underestimating us. Kaz!"

I don't know what kind of spell he wants me to do. But I know it might have something to do with distracting them. "Spirits that dwell the earth, heed my call! Lend me your power to manipulate the stones around me! [Stone Barrage]!"

I toss the stones towards the players. As expected, most of them block my spell while some dodge it. Question is if it's enough to give Yur1 some time.

"That's not what I imagined, but it will have to do." Yur1 raises his sword and puts two fingers on the blade. "Spirits of flames, show yourselves! Engulf me with flames to protect myself from danger! [Coat of Flames]!"

[Coat of Flames]... I heard from the wiki that this spell envelops the user in flames, protecting them from any area from extreme heat and damaging them when they are in contact with this state. But rather than enveloping his body, it instead envelops the whole blade. I mean, I'm not complaining about how he casts his spells. But I didn't know he could do that.

"This is for hurting my friend! [Cross Slash]!"

To my shock, I watch Yur1 swing his sword, creating a fiery X-shaped slash towards one of the players. When it hits the hunter, it engulfs him in flames, and his screams are enough to make me cover my own eyes. Scary scene aside, I can't believe Yur1 can combine skills and spells like that. Is that his [Sign] or something?