The Real RPG of Life Series: Memoirs of Friendship [FIN]

Chapter 15: A Trial of Friendship (Natasha)

One week has passed, a week where I had decided to take part in some of the Nova Raider’s daily activities after classes. They always had something they had to do, and they do it after our classes. Whether if it was to hunt for materials for weapon and armor crafting, gaining Tin for the guild’s bank or gaining experience individually, they always did it after school; and I, as an observer, would just quietly look at their progress and would even help them out sometimes.

They would usually go on parties to gain Tin and experience, helping each other improve. Yulene, Kathy’s avatar, was one of the few players I would accompany during this time. Faylin, Alicia’s avatar, would come and join us since we would normally have an awkward time just being by ourselves.

“Okay! Are you set, Kathy?” Faylin asks as we were facing the guild fort’s gates.

“Like I told you a thousand times, stop calling me by my name!” Yulene growls, knowing her words aren’t taking that much effect.

“Geez, you worry too much, Kathy. It’s not like people will take advantage of you if they knew your real name right, Natasha?” Faylin looks at me for a reply.

“H-huh? Yeah, of course.”

“Hmm? You okay?”

“Yeah, I am. Should we get going?” Faylin and Yulene nod and we soon depart to our desired location. There wasn’t any particular place, really. We were like explorers who would go where our feet would take us, fighting off monsters for their items, experience and Tin.

Thinking back to Faylin’s statement earlier, it soon made me think of what I was doing. Here I am, being Natasha in Grandiel Online, not letting them know my other self. I might have been contradicting myself with my reply to Faylin.

After my daily visit with the Nova Raider’s guild, I would drop by Saja’s shop to rest up as she closes down the shop. After the first time she accompanied me, I tried going on alone the guild without her accompanying me, seeing that she had a lot of custom orders she needed doing. During this time as she closes down her shop for the day was the only time I could talk with her, aside from school.

“So, how did it go?” Saja asks while crossing out the orders she has already finished off her list.

“It was the same as always, you know, grinding for experience and Tin.”

“Eh…”

“So, how’s your side?” I ask casually.

“It’s going pretty well, thanks to Erica’s help. Really, you’d never find a good apprentice nowadays.” Saja shows delight with her expression.

“She DID want to be your apprentice according to Penelope.”

“I see, well, I’m glad I took her under my wing.” Saja fell silent for a while going back to her list of orders as I decide to open my friends list. Einsworth wasn’t online; it has been like this for over a week now ever since that day. Saja, seeing that something was worrying me, puts down her pen and puts her hand below her chin.

“Hey, what’re you thinking about?”

“E-eh? Nothing much…”

“Tasha, don’t try pulling of a lie. I can see through it, as you’re well aware of.”

“How’s… Erica and Penelope doing?” I pull off a random question, hoping to throw off Saja.

“Hmm… they’re always looking for you. They know you’re online, but they just don’t know where.”

“I see. You… didn’t tell them right? About the Nova Raiders?”

“Hey, I promised you, didn’t I? It’ll be you who’ll be telling them, not me and thus, my lips are sealed.”