After resting, I logged back into the game and found myself in my guest room in the Fairy Kingdom. I immediately sent a private message to Akaha:
[ Who? ]: Viyatka
[ To whom?]: Akaha
"It's time to enter Log Apofis. Zikei and Elk are waiting for us. We need to discuss our next steps, as the Coyote Guild is still pursuing us."
My fingers trembled as I typed the last sentence. The coyotes weren't just competitors; they were on a real hunt.
Akaha [Aka-32] responded almost immediately:
[Aka-32] : "Got it. I'm already online. Where should we meet?"
A minute later, a new message appeared in the group's general chat, from Zikei:
[Zikei]: "I'm dropping a marker. Coordinates: 114.7 - 58.2 - Old Aofeadale Subdistrict. [Blind Dog Bar]. Don't attract attention."
—"Blind Dog"? I've never heard of it...
I opened the city map, and the location was in a dark part of the city, where NPCs rarely spawned and there were almost no players.
The area was old, with brick buildings, narrow streets, distorted signs, and smoke coming from the canals. It looked like it had been cut out of the main story map and left forgotten.
When I and Aka-32 entered the hall, Zikei and Elk looked up at almost the same time.
Both of them showed relief on their faces.
—Finally! We thought you decided not to come.
Elk said, leaning back in his chair. Zikei only nodded, his eyes glinting under his mask.
—Good to see you, Disava. And... good to see you're not alone
He added, noticing Aka-32 standing nearby.
It was quiet around them. The Blind Dog bar played an old recording with noises, like from an old radio, and the light from the oil lamps cast soft spots on the table. They chose the farthest corner, where they couldn't see the entrance or any other players.
I sat down on a chair, and Aka-32 sat down next to me, folding her hands in her lap. Elk placed a virtual map of Aofeadale and the surrounding areas in front of us. The map was marked with red dots, indicating the areas where the Coyotes were setting up ambushes.
—Things are getting worse, and they're even patrolling the lower districts. It seems like someone has a serious bounty on our heads.
I looked at the map and took a deep breath. Her heart was beating faster than I would have liked. I knew that this conversation would change a lot.
—Listen, I've been thinking about it, and I've made a decision. I'll join your group.
Zikei was slightly surprised, but his face remained calm. Only his fingers twitched, as he hadn't expected me to say it so bluntly.
—But there's a condition: I'll fight and level up on my own. I need to grow on my own. I don't want to rely on other people's buffs or shields. When I'm needed for a group quest, I'll come. But for the rest of the time, I'll be on my own.
Silence fell. Only the virtual rain drops outside the window were tapping on the metal roof.
Aka-32 gave me a quick look, a mix of respect and concern in her eyes.
Zikei was silent for a couple of seconds, then nodded slowly.
—Honestly? I expected something like this. You're not the kind of person to hide behind someone else's back.
—But if you're on the team, then at least officially. We'll know when you're online and we can back you up if things go bad.
Elk slammed his fist on the table in approval.
—It's a deal! The main thing is that you're with us. The rest is a matter of habit.
Aka-32 added quietly:
—And if anything... I can help you with farming or potions. It's sometimes easier to work together, even if you're going your own way.
I smiled slightly and winked at Aka-32 like a fox, as she perfectly played the role of a detached player.
—Thank you. But for now, I need to learn to rely on myself.
The system in the corner of the screen gave a message:
[ A new group has been created: "Shards of the Sunset". Participants: Zikei, Deer Horns 444 ( Elk ), Disava, and Aka-32. ]
The soft ringing of the notification sounded almost symbolic, like the beginning of something new. Zikei looked at everyone and said:
—Then it's decided. From now on, we are a team. But everyone will have their own path.
But before they could discuss their strategy, something unexpected happened. A small, glowing creature suddenly appeared on my shoulder, a small man with wings. Fritte stretched, yawned lazily, and looked around the table, having been there all along, listening to them.
—Um... who is this? Did you... did you seriously bring a pet to the bar?
Elk almost spilled his drink. Zikei watched silently. His eyes narrowed as he realized that this was not just a decorative companion.
Fritte looked at both players with visible arrogance and, crossing his tiny arms, said:
—A pet? I am a member of the Fairy race, you know! Don't be so rude!
Aka-32 snorted quietly, covering her mouth.
I sighed, realizing that it was impossible to hide his presence now.
—This is Fritte, my... companion. I obtained him after a "Unique Offer" that I completed alone.
—A Unique Offer?
Zikei asked, leaning forward. His voice was filled with genuine curiosity, but also caution.
—Yes, but I can't disclose the details. It's a contractual secret.
Fritte chuckled smugly, swaying his legs.
—It's best not to meddle in such matters, mortals. Not everything related to "Unique Offers" is safe, even for those who make them.
—You're a strange couple… a fairy, a unique offer, a mystery. It's like in old legends.
Zikei leaned back in his chair and chuckled.
—You know, you have a knack for attracting mysteries. Is your luck a 100 or what? First those Coyotes, then the rumors about your artifacts, now the living glow on your shoulder.
He raised an eyebrow.
—You're clearly hiding something.
I smiled slightly, the corners of my lips twitching slightly.
—Perhaps, but I've already told you the truth.
—Then fine, just don't let this thing explode at the wrong time.
Fritte protested:
—Hey! I'm not a "thing"!
Elk laughed, raising his mug:
—Welcome to our crazy company, Disava, Ak-32. And you too, Fritte.
And in that moment, as the virtual rain began to fall outside the window again, and the neon lights of Aoifeadale twinkled through the glass, I felt a strange sense of peace for the first time in a long time, even though I hadn't told them everything, and I didn't think they needed to know.
Not because it was safer. But because I was no longer alone.