New World, New Reality

#6: Building Bridges

#Shirayuki Sai POV
It's been a week since we investigated towns and roads. Its a lot different with the old log online. The NPC's are also acting weird. Their eyes are fixated to us which seems to be catious of our arrival.

Karneval Town

Every NPC's are wearing fancy clothings. If you imagine the old times where gowns are very long matched with mask. We were also asked to dress in the same way. It took me 2 hours to look for clothes in my wardrobe. I'm safe to find a reward I garnered from a guest. Akame looks like a perfect fierce lady in her black and red dress. Aika looks like a little princess. The boys are in suit which made them more like a human. Fye was the one who stand out. Shiro didnt come with us since he's negotiating with the council's representative. Aris is already in the crowd and talking with the girls. Fye looked to me and smiled. If I were in the same age as Fye, I might have fell in love with him. I figured out that Aika likes Fye so she sticks with him almost all the time. I made way for them to have a conversation so I dragged Akame with me. "We're for investigation", Akame grumply said. "Then lets do it together", I answered back. "Shiro always believe in the principle of teamwork", Akame tried to go back. "We cannot involve Aika in this. Let's go somewhere dirty works occurs", I opened. Akame kept quiet and followed me.

We entered a dark aisle and a portal opened. "What is this place?", Akame asked in a bit worry. "Trust me, I wont let you be killed", I turned back to her. She looked at me and sighed. "Who said I'm scared to die?", Akame rolled her eyes. We entered and landed into a dark underground. It was a maze like one. I've been here before and rumor says that a broker information is hiding in this place. Akame drew her sword. "Lower your weapon Akame. We are going to alarm them", I explained. A few meter and we can see NPC's selling some dark weapons. Akame checked on them and toom interest. She negotiated with the price of one sword. I continued walking and bumped on a huge body. "Why are you here?", he asked. "We are NPC's. Player and NPC's should never have a contact. Do you also plan on killing us?", he asked and prepared a very huge berserk sword. I gulped and looked around. They didnt react like this before. I looked at Akame and an arrow was pointed to her. I rushed to draw my bow and arrow. Once I shoot this, a battle will break. This will be 20 vs 2. What will I do? Akame looked at me and raised her hand. "We're not here to fight. We're here to ask for information", I bowed. That was my last resort. "What can you offer back?", the huge man asked. "Protection", a voice of a man answered. I look back and saw a man in white suit. His hair was properly fixed and he looks so formal. "Thank you Shira for finding this place", Shiro went closer.

"I offer protection", Shiro looked straight into the man's eyes. They seems to communicate via telepathy and they went inside a room. Akame and I waited outside the door. We cannot hear anything. Akame was quiet the whole time as if she was in deep thought. I cleared my thought. "Why are you so such a bother?", Akame asked. I was horrified with her question. "What do you mean?", I asked. "You dont trust your team and you dont listen to Shiro", she opened. "I'm not a team orriented person plus its not that I dont listen to Shiro", I reasoned out. She grabbed me and pinned me on the wall. "Is it because we seems weak to you? Why did you even join the team? Shiro was always guiding and protecting you. Then, why?", Akame asked. "Sorry, I dont understand why you are asking me those things", I removed her grip. "Jerk, we are your team right now. Stop comparing us to your previous guild and do your task", Akame gave me a good punch. My HP went down with 10% .

"I'm not a jerk. You're just a fan of your team work thingy", I also return a punch which decreased 20% of hers. No, that's not what I'm really thinking of. "You thought that being in a team comforts me?", I asked. No, I'm really at ease that I can rely on someone. "I just joined because I really need to go back in the real world", I added. No, No, No, that's not what I really feel. Akame gave a blank stare at me and headbutted me. "Wake up! You're not a good lier", she said. The door opened and Shiro came out smilling. "It's nice to see you having a good time but I dont want you to be killing each other", Shiro went in between us.

Karneval Town
Fye and Aika are walking along the crowdy area. "Everyone is enjoying here", Aika noticed. "Uhm, NPC's has nothing to worry", Fye commented. Aika held Fye's sleeves. "Akame and Shira might be killing each other now", Fye chuckled. Aika's eyes widened. "You laughed again", Aika smiled. "But then, Shira still doesnt trust us", Aika lowered her head.

Back at the underground
"I demand for an explanation", Akame insisted. "What explanation do you want?", Shira asked. "Tell me why you cannot work well with the team or else I wont be able to accept you", Akame added. Shiro just face palmed. Shira gulped. "Answer me", Akame shouted. "I'm not a team freak. Why? Because that means having more responsibility. Having more fear that maybe because of you, they might die. It's having the guilt. That's why I only had one guild member. And he was always there to watch my back. I'm scared okay! I'm scared....that he's no longer there to watch my back", Shira answered and looked down. "Everyone is scared idiot", Akame roared. "Aika is scared also. But then, we decided to take a step and look for a solution together", Akame clarified. "A guild is not a burden, they are blessing", Akame added. Shira stepped back. "I'm also here to watch your back", Shiro smiled at the girl. Akame humphed and left.

"Akame have a sharp tongue but she's really concerned", Shiro explained. "I know", Shira answered. "Shira, guilds are suppose to look for one another like a family. Do not take it as an obligation to protect them. Take it as something that a friend would do in times ofa dversity", Shiro tried to pat Shira's head but remembered that she hated it.

Good night