Starting from Zero

Book 3, Chapter 20

We Got Trouble!

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After we solved the problem about the forging fire yesterday, I took Rose and started heading to the Dragon's Canyon. We bought a lot of stuff before we left the Lost City, and of course I was the one who paid the bills. I already got some serious debt on my ass anyway, spending a bit more won't be so much of an issue.

I meant to be generous, but Rose refused to buy anything of good quality because "Ziri is broke now". In the end I bought an ordinary female wizard battle armor for her. She won't accept anything with higher price. The set is called [Wizard's Might], light armor, with really plain stats. But taking the fact that most wizards out there are still wearing cloth robes, this thing can be pretty luxury now. It comes will several nice additional attributes too.

When we are traveling in some woods, Rose suddenly pointed forward. "What's that?"

I followed her direction and noticed someone, or something, are fighting. It's not far but the mist among the woods made it really hard to make it out.

"I can't see it clearly. Should we check it out?"

"Me first then!" Rose hopped ahead, ignoring my warnings and protests.

The girl is getting naughtier by the hour!

"AHHHH--"

Her screaming dragged me back from my thoughts. I pointed forward. "Lucky! Go!"

We've been working together long enough for Lucky to understand my order through a simple gesture. Lucky charged at where I was pointing while leaving a strong current and some broken woods behind. I just felt my view getting better with most obstacles gone. Lucky's always destroying whatever is around the battlefield, no exceptions.

"What's wrong?? Rose?" After pulling my hood up, I dashed out of the open path Lucky just created.

I saw Rose sitting on a fallen tree, rubbing her feet.

"Bad day! I was jumping over a log when some vines caught my feet. I nearly flattened my face on the ground!"

I helped her with her ankles. "Nothing serious. As long as you don't flatten that part. Haa-ha!"

"What-- You! Bad!"

I massaged her feet while enduring her attacks, by which I mean she is punching my shoulders using her tiny fists.

"Ouch! That hurt! Forgive me my lady!"

"Who the hell are you two?"

A very impolite voice interrupted our "romantic hour" which of course put me in a bad mood. I raised my head slowly to look at the intruder wearing knight armors. His silver full metal heavy armor and the big two-handed bastard sword made him look like a real deal. (Actually that is very impressive gear. But our MC here hasn't seen much of the outside world.)

A group of at least 20 people are following behind.

I'm not planning to give him any responses. I don't like him, and I meant to show him that. So I just summoned Night Shade without a word.

The nightmare stallion emerged out of thin air under their shocked stares. I lifted Rose onto Night Shade's back, hopped on myself, wrapped an arm around Rose, then gave Night Shade a pat on the neck. He caught what I meant and started cantering away slowly in a relaxed manner.

We walked for a while before I realized Lucky is not following us. I whistled with my finger which reminded Lucky to glance at our direction. It seems he just noticed that we have left. Lucky slammed at a giant bear monster into the ground, picked it up with his mouth and trotted towards us, while passing in front of the group. He accidentally brought down another tree with his tail, which almost fell onto that knight.

After we're well gone, someone behind that knight in green wizard robe finally spoke. "Captain! That dragon carried our quest NPC away!"

"What?? Then why are you all standing here? Go get them!"

Only then did the whole group remember to go after us.

When we traveled for some distance I ordered Night Shade to start galloping towards another direction at full speed. I also un-summoned Lucky in order not to leave any traces behind. Well, that won't be just "traces". Anyone with eyes will easily notice the mess where he went.

Before going back, Lucky complained that he was planning to enjoy the bear meat. So I asked him to try pick out several slices as fast as he can. He did. That giant bear was torn into pieces within 5 seconds. Lucky stored some of the best parts into his own inventory and went back into the pet space.

I noticed something left behind on the ground, so I quickly picked it up and ordered Night Shade to run. Now's not the time to take it easy.

Rose asked while leaning against my chest: "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I checked. Their knight leader is level 399, his followers are at least 380. I was just using Lucky as a bluff. If they decided to chase us we will be in big trouble! Don't ever think we two can take on a whole group of high level players. I'm not THAT good."

"Pfff. But I thought you were good. Can I see that thing you just picked up?"

I'm pretty curious too. I took it out and displayed its attribute to us.

[Guild Badge]. Used to establish a guild. Non-destructable. Passive skill [Commander]: Subordinates will recover from pain faster. Effect dependent on commander's level.

Tip: A player who wears this badge will become the guild leader, after which he/she will be able to recruit guild members and assign positions to them. The leader can set the appearance of the badge as the guild emblem (only once). Once emblem is set, all members will obtain a guild membership badge (reclaimed when leaving the guild). Guild members will enjoy 1% more EXP when teamed up with each other.

"This could come in handy. Hey Ziri, put it on! Then make me the vice-leader. We can get more experience points!"

"I don't have time for that. Managing a lot of people is such a pain."

"No one said a guild needs lot of people. Two of us are enough!" Rose waved her arms out of excitement. "What do you say? Two of us! We can be the number one mafia guild in [Zero]! Haha! I'll be a gangster mistress!"

I'm beat by her crazy imaginations! But yeah I'll do it. It's 1% more EXP, and there is no cost, so why not?

"Alright. Wait a second." I equipped the badge. The system immediately told me to confirm the guild name, emblem and flag.

"Um, Rose? What should call our guild?"

"There must be 'Rose' in there! And it should make people frightened!"

"Is that so?..." I thought about it. "How about just calling it 'Crimson Rose'?"

"No. Using my name doesn't sound right. Try another!"

"Rose of Death?"

"Awful!"

"Bloody Rose?"

"Worse!"

"Vampire Rose?"

"Not good!"

"Bloodshed Rose?"

"No no no! This won't do!"

"Oh I got a good one. How about 'Blizzard Rose'?"

"That...sounds nice. It's settled!" She finally nodded.

"What about the emblem?"

"You decide!"

I tried to draw a picture of the emblem and the flag in my mind. The system asked if I would decide to use them. I confirmed my idea, and the badge turned into the shape of a rose with a beautiful red color. As for the flag, there are two swords crossed with each other, with a red rose in the center point. Thorned vines twined up on the blades.

"That will do. Now send me an application and I'll make you a member."

"Yes!"

The application process is pretty simple which only took several seconds. Once this is done, two small rose marks appeared on her shoulder and in front of her chest.

I appointed Rose as the vice leader. "Done. We're in the same guild now."

"Do we invite Wayne too?"

"I suppose not. You forgot I'm a public enemy and you're also a red criminal? We can create a small guild for fun alright, but Wayne is still innocent, what will happen to him if he joins our guild?"

"I see your point. But this is not fair! I'm called the vice leader, and you will always be my direct boss right?"

"No no I won't try to be the actual boss. Aren't you the one giving me orders?"

"That's more like it. Remember to listen to me! This vice leader thingy is just a cover. You hear that?"

"Yes ma'am!"

Jesus! This is not the Rose I remembered before! Don't tell me it's because of love. That's not what I wanted.

We ran for some time to make sure they won't catch up before we stopped. Riding on Night Shade doesn't mean we can relax, it costs Stamina.

After we slowed down, Rose leaned into my arm to rest. Both of us kept silent. This feels pretty good. Maybe.

"Hey Rose?"

"Mmm?" Rose raised her head.

"I-- I!" I clenched my teeth. "I- Can you be my girlfriend?"

I feel my face burning and my heart is beating off the course. The embarrassment is causing me to sweat like mad.

"May I?" I lifted her face to look at her. Her eyes are emitting some complexed emotions. I never thought human eyes can express so much information, so fast.

She threw herself into my embrace and started crying, which left me dumbfounded. However I can understand she's just excited. I gently pushed her away and wiped those tears off her face.

"I, I love you!"

I tried to approach her face.

But just before our lips can make contact, her body froze, then she disappeared. With Rose gone, I instantly lost my balance and fell off from Night Shade's back, crashing on the ground like a turned turtle.

"Rose? Rose!" I stood up and called her name. I opened my private chat without finding her. The system shows that the player is now offline.

What happened? Did I push it too far? It can't be! It's not likely my fault.

Does she hate me? I don't think so. She wouldn't act like that if she just planned to refuse me. So why is she suddenly offline? What is going on?

(Guess, my dear readers!)

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The author is terrible at writing romantic scenes and I'm even worse. Good thing that there won't be too many of them.