Second World-Novel

"Storm, I would like to introduce you to some of my friends," Jack heard Jeanny's voice.

Jack turned to her and saw several players standing behind her.

"Some of them followed me when I quit the Wicked Witches. The others I met on my adventures," she said.

She then proceeded to introduce her friends. There were eight of them, two men and six women. He recognized three out of the six women, he had met them in the past, when he saved them in the forest before he went into the dungeon with Jeanny and Silverwing. They were originally Wicked Witches members as well. These three must be the ones Jeanny mentioned to have followed her when she quitted her guild.

The three of them were still basic class, at level 18. Their names were Sweet Talk, Salty Trade, and Bitter Rain. Sweet Talk was a fighter, Salty Trade a ranger, and Bitter Rain was a magician.

One of the two men within Jeanny's entourage was a level 19 magician called Swellgoing. He sported a rather unfriendly look at Jack. Jack was wondering if he had met the guy in the past and offended him. He had no recollection at all.

The other man was a giant size youngster, probably the same age as him, Jack thought. But his size was certainly impressive, probably almost the same size as Goliath from Warriors of Solidarity. More impressive was this man was an advanced class already, a Knight of level 20. An appropriate class considering his bulky frame. He could be the ideal tank for a party. Jeanny introduced his name as Giant Steve. Not too subtle for an alias, Jack thought. The man sure was proud of his stature to use an alias like that.

The remaining three female friends of Jeanny, one was a basic class ranger at level 18, called Wondrouslife. The other two were both advanced class. One was a level 19 Rogue, named Viral Cora. She had a petite build with a lively disposition, she was eager to introduce herself with a vigorous handshake and a sweet smile.

The last female friend who had advanced class, was a level 20 mage called Trinity Dawn. Jack had an inkling that he had heard the name somewhere before. He was still racking his memory when Trinity Dawn greeted him, "It's an honor to finally meet the number one rank from the tutorial period."

The other gasped when Trinity Dawn mentioned it. They probably came to this world from other cities, so they did not see Jack during the tutorial period ranking. Or they had simply forgotten about him since Jack was not one of those well-known players. Swellgoing's gloomy expression became even darker.

"Trinity was also a fellow ranker, you know," Jeanny informed. "She was at rank eight."

Now that Jeanny mentioned it, Jack remembered it now. She was one of those independent experts who were pretty well-known in the gaming world. Silverwing had mentioned her in the past.

"The honor is mine to have met a well-known expert," Jack gave her a polite reply, but Jack was actually more impressed with Jeanny, who had managed to befriend an expert after only leaving her guild for a short time.

"He was just lucky to get the rank," Swellgoing uttered, breaking the mood.

Jack thought, why did this feel familiar? He remembered a moron from the past who gave the same remark as well about him winning the rank. But that moron was the second ranker, so he at least had the qualification to criticize. Who was this dude?

That dude continued, "he was nothing compared to you, sister Trinity. Jeanny, you should pick better friends. It is not wise for us to oppose the coalition. Actually, our life will be better if we join one of the three great guilds within the coalition. I have a friend in Death Associates, how about we go apply together?"

"Jeanny, why do you bring an idiot around?" Jack said, indicating Swellgoing.

"What did you say?! If you have the guts, let's–"

He did not have the chance to finish his sentence as Jack gave him a kick. He flew away like a loose kite. Everyone was flabbergasted by the sudden turn of events.

Bowler, who had just come near, said, "bro, you truly are aggressive today. I thought you need someone to help you bicker, I guess you don't need it."

"Probably the adrenaline has still not yet cool down," Jack told him.

Bowler gave him a thumb up, then scurried back to continue picking up the loots.

Swellgoing did not receive any damage from the kick, but it did not mean he didn't feel the pain. He rose up with difficulty. Jack's strength was not trivial, and he had sent his kick without reservation.

"Yo… you… How dare you!" Swellgoing said, anger and shame overwhelmed him.

"You are such a retard! Don't you know that Jeanny had just quitted from one of those three great guilds you mentioned? Won't it be stupid to go back again after just leaving not long ago?" Jack scolded him.

Swellgoing's eyes were red already with fury. None of Jack's words registered into his mind. "You..! I will kill you!" He brandished his magic staff and aimed it at Jack.

"I admire your bravery," Jack said, and brought out his own magic staff as well.

Swellgoing shot a Mana Bullet, which Jack responded in kind. In fact, Jack pointed his staff at Swellgoing's staff. So when his Mana Bullet came out, it went directly to Swellgoing's Mana Bullet which was rushing over. The two Mana Bullets crashed in the air.

Just as how when the same melee skills clashed, the winner would be determined by the level of the skill and its user strength. The same thing went for spells that collided with each other. Their Mana Bullet might be similar in level since Jack only increased its level to 5, but Jack's intelligence stat trumped Swellgoing who was still a basic class Magician. Thus Swellgoing's Mana Bullet was obliterated when the two spells clashed. Jack's Mana Bullet continued on its way towards its target.

Swellgoing hastily summoned a Magic Shield for protection, but he still suffered damage when Jack's Mana Bullet crashed into his shield. When he was thinking about a counter-attack, Jack was already in front of him. Jack kicked at his legs, making him fall down, and placed the tip of his sword on Swellgoing's neck.

"Want to continue?" Jack asked.

Jeanny came at this time and gave a stern face, "Please stop, you two."

"He kicked me first!" Swellgoing complained.

"He acted like an idiot first," Jack countered.

"You two acted like idiots!" Jeanny uttered. "Now let him up, please."

Jack removed his sword and walked away. He could not bother with that idiot. Viral Cora came at him and whispered with a giggle, "Don't mind him, he was just jealous. Everyone knows that he was fond of sister Jeanny. And Sister Jeanny often spoke highly of you, so he has actually borne quite a grudge against you."

"Oh, no wonder," Jack said. "I was confused what's his problem with me. Such a shortsighted fellow."

"So, are you interested in our sister Jeanny?" She whispered in a teasing voice.

"What? Me? No, I just considered her as a friend," Jack replied.

"Ah, good then," Viral Cora said.

"Why is it good?" Jack was puzzled.

"Never mind," she giggled.

"So you really have two classes," Trinity Dawn came and said. "I'm still doubtful when I heard your conversation. It was hard to believe."

"Show us," Viral Cora said with anticipation.

"I'm not a showman," Jack said. "Any of you want to have a duel for that?"

"Let me!" Giant Steve said from the back.

"I'm interested to give it a try," Trinity Dawn said.

"Try what?" Jeanny approached. Swellgoing was behind her, wearing a downcast head. Probably had just received a scolding.

"They want to fight me," Jack said.

"What? No! I didn't bring you people here to start a fight," Jeanny said.

"It is just a friendly duel," Giant Steve said.

"No! I mean it! Any of you start fighting, I'm not bringing you out for questing anymore," Jeanny warned.

Jack looked around. From the look of it, it was apparent that Jeanny was the leader of the group. Jack was even more impressed by the girl now. She was a natural leader. Her quitting the guild was indeed the right move. She could now freely develop her real talent rather than getting constrained in a guild that did not value her.

"What was the commotion just now, did I miss something?"

Jack turned to the source of the voice and saw it was John.

"It's nothing, go away!" Jack said.

"All right. Call me if something exciting comes up," he then ran back to Saint Edge group.

Jack was speechless with the guy.

Jack continued to chat with Jeanny's group before White Scarfs and Saint Edge groups departed. Before they left, both guilds' leaders came and gave Jack a farewell, which astonished Jeanny's friends. They did not expect those big shots to be so polite with Jack. Their opinion on him was getting better, except for Swellgoing whose expression became even gloomier.