Adventure World Online (AWO)

Doom Star Guild

Demos, the enigmatic guild leader, appeared before the leadership assembly for the first time in months. By his side was a completely black-feathered eagle, about the height of a ten-year-old child, with cold, gray eyes matching those of its master.

"That's a Harpy Eagle!"

One of the leadership members whispered to his neighbor.

"A rare monster!"

The other man whispered back.

Demos watched the guild members converse for a while before turning to open a window, letting his pet fly outside. He then cleared his throat to draw attention. Demos was tall and thin, almost gaunt, with paper-white skin that made him look more like a sickly person. His appearance contrasted sharply with his dark clothes and jet-black hair.

"Hello, I'm Demos,"

he introduced himself politely, surprisingly so. Phobos, who usually stood in for him, appeared far more intimidating.

"Many of you haven't met me before. Honestly, I wouldn't be here if Phobos hadn't threatened me in the forest..."

This statement solidified the leadership members' first impression that Demos was weaker than Phobos, the guild's deputy leader.

"But the matter of the Pirate King's secret tomb seems serious enough that I had to leave the forest to discuss it,"

Demos continued, ignoring the murmurs among the leadership.

"I'm about to set out to search for the Pirate King's secret tomb. Which... I don't have many leads, just this map..."

His words silenced the room, all eyes fixed on the leather map in his hands.

"T-that... could that be a treasure map, Guild Leader?"

One member asked excitedly.

"Yes, I acquired it shortly before Phobos dragged me out of the forest,"

Demos replied with his usual politeness.

"And what do you want us to do, Guild Leader? Should we accompany you to the treasure cave?"

Another member asked, equally excited.

"No, it's not quite that time yet. To be honest, the map is complicated. Even though I have it, I can't read it,"

Demos said calmly, passing the map around for everyone to examine and try to untie the golden silk binding it.

Everyone tried to open the map, but no one succeeded, even though some exerted themselves until they were blue in the face. Some even tried cutting it open with their swords, only to be repelled by a tremendous force that sent them and their swords flying across the room. After failing to open the map, it was returned to Demos.

"If we can't read it, what's the use? Two tombs have already been discovered, and other guilds are racing to find the remaining ones. Besides, I've heard that it's possible to enter the tombs without a map,"

one member said. He had read on the forums that a group of players accomplished the quest and received a map at the port, only to find it led to a tomb on the starter island already discovered by others. The matching winged skull symbol on the map and the tomb door confirmed it. No matter what they tried, they could not open it, just like Demos's map.

"So... I need everyone to help find the origin of this symbol,"

Demos said, holding up a drawing of a lion's head with a human face and ears. Its mouth was slightly open, revealing long, sharp fangs, and bat-like wings extended from either side of its head. Everyone in the meeting recognized the face as one of the toughest beast kings in the game.

"A... a Manticore..."

…..

A tall young man stood in a spacious room filled with mirrors, wardrobes, and jewelry displayed before him. After being addressed as 'Your Majesty' by the Elves, the entire Elven community had become a flurry of activity, seemingly preparing for a grand celebration. His friends, caught up in the excitement, had scattered to help the Elves, leaving him alone.

Siegfried began reflecting on his journey. Since he started playing this game, this was the first time everything had changed so drastically. First, he obtained a rare item egg, then discovered the Pirate King Heaven's tomb, and now, he had become the High King of the Elves. He felt like he was drifting away from Chang Long bit by bit, unable to do anything about it. She was the queen of ghosts and the dead, while he had become the king of a highly civilized, but dwindling, race. It was like light and darkness...

"Sieg..."

Chang Long knocked and walked in, pulling Siegfried out of his thoughts. He turned to look at her.

"Chang Long, um, what's up?"

He asked, feeling slightly nervous.

"I want to talk about the kiss,"

Chang Long said calmly, making Siegfried's eyes widen and his face flush.

"K... k... kiss!?"

He stammered.

"Yes!"

Chang Long replied, walking closer to him.

As Chang Long drew nearer, Siegfried's heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst from his chest. He tried to meet her gaze but found it incredibly difficult. She leaned in close, so close it nearly stopped his heartbeat. Then she whispered softly in his ear.

"Princess Rhea kissed me because it was a method of healing, not out of affection like you thought..."

Siegfried felt both relieved and disappointed at the same time. Relieved that Princess Rhea had no romantic interest in Chang Long, but disappointed that the kiss had nothing to do with him.

As Chang Long stepped back, having said what she came to say, Siegfried did not want her to leave. He turned to stop her, and somehow, his nose ended up brushing against her cheek, leaving them both frozen in surprise.

"Siegfried!"

Chang Long exclaimed, her voice sharp. She swung a fist at the opportunist instinctively, aiming to knock him out with one punch.

"Wait, wait. I didn't mean to, Chang Long!"

Siegfried cried, grabbing her hand, hoping to explain that what had just happened was not intentional. But it accidentally made him happy.

"Let go... Ah!"

Chang Long yanked her hand away, her face flushed. She turned to leave but tripped over the piles of items meant for Siegfried to choose from for the evening's celebration, falling to the ground.

"Oops!"

Siegfried, still holding her hand, fell along with her into the mess. The scene of their first meeting flashed through his mind again, except this time she was not unconscious.

Slowly, Siegfried pulled his lips away from hers, both their cheeks as red as ripe tomatoes. He bit his lip, too nervous to say anything, not even a word of apology. Chang Long sat up silently, her head bowed. After what felt like an eternity, she stood up and walked out of the room. Siegfried watched her go, unsure whether to call her back or let her leave. He thought it might have been better if she had slapped him hard in anger rather than leaving in silence.

In the evening, the town square was transformed into a celebration area. At the center stood a tall, white circular platform adorned with gleaming crystals, with two stairways leading up to it. At the top of the platform was an ancient-looking throne carved from white ivory. The houses were decorated with silver and gold ribbons, and soft music played from a small stage near the central platform. The Elves, dressed in luxurious yet simple silver and gold silk garments, gathered in the square.

Siegfried, wearing the Alberich set, was escorted up to the high circular platform by the Elven leader Volund and his wife, Princess Rhea. His expression was neutral, devoid of happiness. He scanned the crowd for Chang Long but could not find her in the ceremonial grounds. His friends were absorbed in the spectacle, thoroughly impressed by the event.

Volund gave a long speech in the Elvish language, which everyone listened to attentively. Finally, a golden crown with vine patterns was brought up and placed on Siegfried's head, though he paid it no mind. Even when invited to sit on the throne, he was too preoccupied to notice. His heart was filled with pain and confusion, all because of Chang Long.

.....

Chang Long sat lost in thought at the edge of the forest outside Quendi City. She gazed at the swaying flower field, now illuminated by hundreds of fireflies flying in the wind among the moonlight as the fairies presented during the day were all gone. Her mind was flooded with images of Siegfried kissing her cheek and lips.

"What's troubling you?"

Davy-chan and Hisa-chan appeared, sitting down beside her.

"Nothing... Hungry, aren't you?"

Chang Long sighed, looking exhausted. She turned to the two spirits, who smiled gently at her. Hisa-chan's smile matched his handsome face well, but Davy-chan's fierce look made his smile seem out of place.

"I'm getting hungry. You've picked a great spot for dinner—beautiful and with good weather,"

Davy-chan chuckled.

"Ha... I never thought I'd hear you call something beautiful, Davy-chan!"

Chang Long teased, laughing softly as she pulled out her dining gear from her bag.

"Isn't Kitsune with you, Chang Long?"

Hisa-chan asked. Usually, the little fox Kitsune was always by her side, but it was nowhere to be seen.

"Kimhant probably dragged him off to explore the Elven city. They seemed pretty excited,"

Chang Long replied, ordering food from the Cone of Abundance.

"Hey, make sure to get some strong rum today! I love that stuff—it really hits the spot!"

Davy-chan said, always adding liquor to his meal requests.

"Sure. Hisa-chan, do you want some sake?" Chang Long asked, Hisa-chan smiled and nodded.

"Chang Long, are you confused about something?"

Hisa-chan finally asked.

"No, not at all!"

Chang Long frowned, lighting incense and placing it before the two spirit tablets.

"...When I'm confused, I usually listen to my heart. Our instincts are better than a hundred rational reasons. Because you are that kind of person, I chose to follow you... isn't that right?"

Hisa-chan said with a smile.

"Hey, hey... love takes time, you know. That young Siegfried seems like a decent guy, but being Heaven's heir is a tricky situation. It's not that it's a bad thing, but even though I and the Six Kings were enemies, we were also friends to some extent. But... the one you should avoid the most is Beleth de Montes—he's so cruel that even the fiercest monsters would be ashamed..."

Davy-chan rambled on, savoring his strong rum with vivid expression.

"Chang Long..."

a voice called from the darkness, making everyone turn to look. A man in an elegant white silk outfit, adorned with silver vine patterns and gold trimmings, stepped out from behind a large tree. The crown on his head was gone, and his face showed deep unease at being ignored by Chang Long.

"Siegfried..."

Chang Long looked at him in surprise because he should have been at the Elves' celebration.

"May... I... talk to you?"

Siegfried asked softly.

"Sure... come in,"

Chang Long replied, pulling out an extra plate from her dining kit. Siegfried, relieved, quickly joined them.

"Have you eaten yet?"

Chang Long asked. Siegfried shook his head and was about to say something, but Chang Long stopped him. She ordered a dish from the Cone of Abundance, and Siegfried's face turned pale at the sight. It was a spicy seafood glass noodle salad, colorfully filled with crushed chili peppersl.

"Eat it all, and then I'll talk to you,"

Chang Long said, handing over the plate that looked more like a chili salad than a noodle dish. Davy-chan and Hisa-chan were just as stunned as Siegfried. But for the sake of love, Siegfried nodded and started eating the fiery dish without hesitation.

"(Sniff) ...I... (sniff) ...I want to (sniff) ...apologize (sniff) ...and say (sniff) ...that I didn't... (sniff) ...mean to (sniff) ...it was an acci- (sniff) ...dent,"

Siegfried tried to explain, his face red and eyes watery, constantly sniffing to prevent his clear snot from dripping. Chang Long, Davy-chan, and Hisa-chan struggled to hold back their laughter, feeling sympathy for his earnestness, which was both amusing and pitiful.

"Mhm, I know,"

Chang Long replied, trying to maintain a serious expression.

"But I... (sniff) ...am serious (sniff) I truly care... (sniff) about you, Chang Long... (sniff) I was so worried... (sniff) when... (sniff) you left... (sniff) like that!"

Siegfried continued. This time, Davy-chan could not hold back any longer and burst into loud laughter.

"Oh, I can't take it anymore. So funny! Why don't you blow your nose before speaking, huh? Ahahaha..."

"I don't (sniff) ...have a handkerchief... (sniff), so,"

Siegfried replied, his face even redder. He realized that if even Davy-chan was laughing this hard, his current state must be quite ridiculous. He glanced at Chang Long, who was shaking from trying to suppress her laughter while rummaging through her backpack.

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