The Immortal Player

Everyone met up in front of a famous high-end restaurant called Mins' Restaurant. There were some media following them, but they did not care that much nor did they pay that much attention towards them.

The Manager of the restaurant clearly recognizes their identity as Pedro, Weyron, Meen, Talia, and Lony's faces were all over the news that was broadcasted on the television inside the restaurant. So, the manager of the restaurant approached them with a big smile and asked, "Madams, Sirs… Welcome to Mins' Restaurant! How can I help you?"

Pedro simply said, "A table for eleven, please."

"Eleven? I see, sir. Please kindly wait for a second, we'll prepare the tables for all of you to fit in." The manager respectfully said as he stole a glance towards the other restaurant crew as if he was telling them to arrange a table for eleven people.

"Will do, thanks!" Pedro nodded in response. Then, he glanced at Weyron and asked, "Why don't you invite the other three players that are already selected for your roster?"

Weyron simply shook his head in response and said, "Do you want to scare them by introducing these freaks—ehem, great players?"

Meen could not help but frown in response.

While Pedro simply laughed before saying, "How was your training? Do you know how to swing your sword properly now?"

"Aish! Don't change the subject that fast, cousin Peds!" Weyron grumbled. "My schedule is really packed because of tasks from here and there! It's busy enough for me already, you know?"

Pedro simply smiled in response and said, "Here I thought you can spare us some time for some in-game combat sparring… I guess you are too busy for that. What a shame…"

"W-W-What did you say?" Weyron asked as everyone else glanced towards Pedro out of astonishment from what he said.

Fortunately, the manager of the restaurant interrupted them with a menu in his hands, while saying, "Uhm… Sir… Your table is ready!"

"Great!" Pedro said as he clapped his hands. Then, he said to everyone, "Let's go! I am hungry!"

Hopeless, everyone could only follow Pedro in response as they resumed to the topics they were discussing beforehand.

Pedro simply ordered the appropriate platter meals that would be sufficient for everyone else.  And while waiting for the food to be served, the restaurant crews—even the restaurant manager, requested a picture with them.

The same thing happened with the other customers of the restaurant and even some passerby that had thick faces. Well… It was better than that rather than an awkward silence amongst them.

Eventually, they were left to their own accord as their meals were served. And while eating, Pedro asked Weyron once again, saying, "You and your guild really don't have any time to spare for a skirmish of some sort?"

"Are you serious?" Weyron asked with both of his brows raised—doubting that Pedro was seriously considering a skirmish amongst the two teams.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Pedro said. "We lack experience in dealing with opponents that have huge numbers, while your team is lacking experience fighting against a strong group of opponents. I think it would be a win-win if the two teams would be able to have a skirmish against each other."

"How many players do you want me to send?" Weyron asked. "And, what are the other specific details of the skirmish. I doubt that we would even be allowed to use our trump cards?"

"Hmm… It's obvious that we won't use our aces and trump cards!" Pedro said. "Our goal, after all, is just to gain experience. There's no need for any of the teams to really kill each other. Anyway…"

Pedro glanced towards Arvee and asked, "Arvee, how many players can you handle. Restrictions applied."

"Restrictions applied?!" Weyron complained. "What do you mean by that cousin Peds?"

"Hmm… I can probably take on twenty Aldos, Cap!" Arvee answered in a calm demeanor.

Pedro simply laughed in response. Then, he whispered to Weyron, saying, "Did you forget that we destroyed a force of Fifty thousand players when our strength was unrestricted. Do you badly want to die in the game, Wey?"

Pedro simply sighed in the next second and said, "Anyway… Bring all of the one hundred players on your team! Those who can touch me, Sabri, Mathew, Talia, and Arvee are 'commendable' players. While those who can hold Loren, Aldo, Lony, and Roval on their own would not be half bad either. Won't it be a good opportunity for you to see who has what it takes to be able to fight against us?"

Weyron simply flicked his tongue and said, "Deal! No take-backs! We meet at the Tarala Kingdom Adventurer's Guild Branch!"

Pedro simply chuckled in response and said, "Taking advantage of setting the place of the skirmish, huh? I just hope that your men would be wearing proper armor during that time."

"Tsk! Don't underestimate our players, cousin Peds! They might not be as strong as you guys, but we're hardworking you know!" Weyron grumbled.

"Don't miss understand, Wey! I am not underestimating the effort that all of you are giving for the game. However… Hard work and Winning are two completely different things! Just think of this skirmish as an opportunity to learn something new! Anyway… It would also be a good opportunity to show miss Meen and your members the reason why you are terrified with us." Pedro chuckled in response.

Weyron could only scratch the back of his head and said, "It's not like I can reject your request anyway! Besides… It would be a good opportunity to show them 'what we should be aiming for', right cousin?"

Pedro simply nodded in response and said, "I'll message you if we are about to return to the Kingdom. There are few things that I need to settle in the game beforehand."

"I understand! I understand! Take your time. The production of our guild's items is not yet finished. It would be best if my players would be accustomed to their new weapons and equipment before the skirmish starts." Weyron said.

Pedro simply chuckled in response and said, "Good Luck!"

Soon, their dinner ended. After a few exchanges of goodbyes, Weyron and Meen left—afraid that they would be scolded by Director Veronica even if they were just a second late.

On the other hand, Pedro paid for their meal and they stopped by a shawarma stall to buy Talia's snacks before heading back to their gaming camp.

"Was it really alright to have some skirmish battles against the Team Oran Gutan, Captain?" Lony asked in a worried tone.

Pedro simply smiled and said, "It's obvious that they need it more than us. We are just giving them a helping hand to know their mistakes and improve while they still have time to do so before the competition starts."

Lony simply sighed in response as he stole a glance towards Arvee and Talia. Then, he said, "I could only pity those players who would be against these two hardcore players. I doubt that they would take them easily despite the difference in strength."

"Don't worry!" Pedro said. "We'll be fighting as a team. It is completely different from fighting on their own. Teamwork is harder than it seems when it comes to fighting with swords."

"Well… You are right! But still… Just you, Captain, and sister Sabrina together was already a terrifying combination to be an opponent. What more all of us in one go?" Lony said before forcing out a smile.

Pedro simply chuckled in response and said, "It won't be terrifying as it seems."

Soon, they were able to return to their gaming camp. Upon arrival, they held a team meeting before going back to their own rooms, prepare, and log back into the game.

They discussed that they would need to finish their 'Daily Routine' first before they would head back to the Tarala Kingdom with Faunia. They decided to leave Werewolf Tam under Ragas' care while Clara would be his backup just in case something bad happens.

Although it was a risky move that they chose, it was way riskier to leave Faunia away from Pedro for quite some time. She gets annoyed easily, and the aftermath could only be the worst if someone would be in a conflict with her. So, it was only evident for Pedro to keep a close eye on Faunia as much as possible.

Moving on, Pedro also made things interesting for them. Instead of using teleportation portals, he suggested foot travel to train their bodies in moving from place to place with their heavy armors on. Not only would their stamina be tested, but also their movement speed while on their armors.

…

On the other hand, the Team Oran Gutan also had a meeting at that time in the game. Weyron explained the details of the skirmish to them and informed them of the rewards they would be able to obtain if they were able to, at the least, fend off the attacks of certain players in the Team ARES.

Of course, it fired up the players of the Team Oran Gutan, especially by the fact that they would be able to fight against the main guild, Team ARES, while being able to see the fruits of their hard work. Well… It seems like only Weyron was terrified by the outcome of the skirmish. Nevertheless, it would still be a good opportunity for him to get a grasp on how strong Team ARES currently was and how can he win against them if they face each other in the competition.