Chapter 19: Yuusei's Backstory

The next day, Takara and Noctis returned to the VIP corner of the Blacksmith shop. 

"Takara, Zero, what are you doing here? I guess it's not about those items you had customized, is it?" 

Yuusei said, 

"Precisely. What we want to talk about is your history with the former Gamer Guild. 

But before that, let's have Takara here to see what she can do so no one will eavesdrop." 

Noctis replied to Yuusei. 

"I'm a multi-elemental battle mage, not a witch. Luckily, I'm prepared for situations like this. Thanks for the new spell book you gave me, my dear. It really comes in handy." 

"Will the both of you cut this lovey dovey stuff, you lovebirds? Just get started and cast the spell already, Takara. I don't have time to witness you being sweet to each other 24/7. I got some refining to do afterwards." 

Yuusei cut in impatiently. 

Translation: "Oh Methis, the primordial goddess that is the bane of the gods and goddesses of Olympus, I invoke you to soundproof the exterior of the VIP Section of this shop." 

After Takara finished chanting the spell, those outside the VIP section of the Blacksmith's Shop found they couldn't hear what's being said inside the VIP section. 

" Good thing you only accepted one group of players at a time, and  the rest waited outside. Otherwise your secret will spread." 

Takara remarked. 

"Perfect work, Takara. I suspect you're curious about why I'm associated with the former Gamer Guild, Zero. It's a long story." 

"Then make it short and cut straight to the point, Yuusei. I still got floors to clear, people to visit, and plots to enact."

Yuusei heaved a deep sigh, and started narrating how he ended up in the Gamer Guild. 

"It was two years ago when I accidentally got sucked in-game. I actually did blacksmithing for a living before I got sucked into RPG Fantasia. I forged katanas, chakrams, and other weapons for gaming, anime and film enthusiasts who like to have weapons for display in their collection. And I earned good money from it. "

" That figures why you are a blacksmith even in the game. Are you perhaps also an avid gamer? "

Noctis cut in. 

" Your guess is correct, Noctis. I've been an avid gamer who plays RPGs and MMORPGs ever since I was a child. That's the reason why I decided to become a blacksmith when I grew up. Looking back, I didn't regret any of those blacksmithing. I still played online games when I got the chance to do so. And that's how I got sucked into RPG Fantasia. "

" It's a wonder you managed to survive for that long. And I thought blacksmiths in this game are just realistic NPCs, not players. "

Noctis cutted in. 

" Do you think I'm unarmed? Think again, Noctis. I'm no ordinary blacksmith. I know how to fight. I was not a gamer for nothing.I crafted for myself the Mjolnir 2, a mighty warhammer that closely resembles all the features of the original Mjolnir, which is said to be wielded by Thor, the god of thunder himself. I hid it in my inventory, as other players wanted to lay a hand on my warhammer . "

Before Noctis could open his mouth again, Yuusei cut him off by continuing to speak. 

" Hey, hey, Zero. I'm not quite done yet. One time, I got so curious about the trending game RPG Fantasia that I clicked the link. A scroll appeared out of nowhere, and after a few seconds, I got sucked in-game. I managed to survive and climb up the ranks. That's thanks  to my skill as a blacksmith and gamer. The Gamer Guild was still in existence back then. It was already one of the top guilds, with Ayami Ashima as the Guild Leader. 

I worked hard to get to the top ranks, eventually getting accepted into the Gamer Guild as an elite Blacksmith. I started out as one of those grunts in a subsidiary guild directly under the Gamer Guild, but eventually became a main guild member of the elite guild. The path wasn't easy, but it was all worth it in the end, or so I thought. It was fun while it lasted, until Ayami decided to dissolve the Guild because of traitors. He shut off relations with us ever since, and he went solo. Even under such a situation, we still tried to contact him behind the scenes, and looked out for him behind the scenes. Everything seemed to be uneventful until recently, when I, along with Rebecca Hudgens and the hybrid werewolf Raymond Collins found out too late that Ayami had been set up on a suicide mission near the base of the Necromancer Guild. The Necromancer Guild released their secret weapons to fight Ayami, an enhanced version of their undead lichs that even I have a problem dealing with. Those enhanced liches are rumored to be the secret army of the Guild Leader of the Necromancer Guild. When we found out, we tried all means to get Ayami rescued and extracted from the base, to no avail. Their Guild Leader predicted our moves, and outsmarted us in advance. At least we managed to contact Ayami's father, and gave him a proper burial. My only regret is I didn't make an effort to meet with him, and reassure him before his death. I have a suspicion on who did it. I've silently gathered my proofs when the Gamer Guild was still up and running. She's someone with deep ties to the Necromancer Guild. In fact, she's already a first rate member of the Necromancer Guild, a witch named Chiyo Chinen. Chiyo is closely linked with the witch Hecate. Chiyo easily made Ayami fall for her charms. Ayami thought Chiyo was his one true love all the time. He was wrong. I tried to warn him. He didn't listen. I pretended to be a close friend of Chiyo to know what she was up to. I knew something was off the moment she first set foot inside the  Gamer Guild. 

I've been moving up and down the Floors ever since, always on the lookout for myself, aside from looking out for both Vannesa Hudgens and Raymond Collins. Be careful of the witches of Hecate, Zero. They can be very wily. "

" Is that all you got to say, Yuusei? Thanks for sharing your story. "

Takara said. 

" Can you now lift the spell, Takara? I got something to say to Yuusei here, and it doesn't concern you. Don't worry about Yuusei's safety. I got tricks up my sleeve. "

Takara immediately lifted the spell, and left the Blacksmith Shop. 

When she's out of earshot, Noctis chanted a spell just as powerful as the one Takara chanted. 

The exterior of the VIP section of the Blacksmith Shop got blocked by a barrier that prevented those waiting outside from seeing what happened inside or even overhearing their conversation. 

"There's something I'd like you to witness, Yuusei.But what happens here, stays here. Keep your mouth shut. If you carelessly blab about my identity, then you know what happens." 

Noctis gestured with a finger seeming to cut off his head. 

Takara said, then removed his mask. 

"Are you Noctis, Ayami's younger brother? He always talked about a younger brother outside RPG Fantasia. You have the same features as him." 

Yuusei said in surprise. 

"Yes, Yuusei. You're right. And you also know that my father is one of the Game Administrators, right? Please call me Zero when others are around. Don't worry, I got your back. I also got the backs of that vampire and that werewolf hybrid. Thanks to all three of you for staying true to my older brother until the end. Well, see you when I see you next time. I wish you'd aid me in my fight to the top, just like how you three assisted my brother."

" Here's the full set of Legendary class armor and matching weapons you've been wanting to obtain for a long time, Yuusei. Take it. Consider this as my gift to you."

Noctis opened his inventory and gave the items to Yuusei. 

" Thanks for this man. You have my support. See you when I see you. "

Yuusei replied back to Noctis. 

Noctis put his mask back on, removed the barriers after Yuusei finished putting away the full set of armor and weapons, then went out the door of the Blacksmith's Shop.