186 The Calm before the War

Only days before the official Guild War started, school resumed like an everyday routine. Walking the familiar path, Ren heard murmurs about the upcoming wars, and everyone was excited from the high pitch of their voices. They even proudly brag about their guilds and how they would win the war.

They were conceited enough to say that they would bring a powerful NPC as a backup which Ren only laughed about. It wasn't that simple to bring an NPC as a backup. The one who was asking the NPC should have an [Intimate] relationship level with that inhabitant for it to agree as a backup. What's more, it should be a fighting type of NPC.

At least the rumor about him being a rat in the slums died down and was overshadowed by the Guild Wars. Ren thought.

"Hey, Ren!"

Ren didn't stop walking even after he heard Roni's voice calling him from behind.

"Hey, wait up." Roni jogged to where Ren was and panted. "Hey. I heard that you left the dorms. Did you change apartment? My mother told me that your family is selling your things. They said that they're going to move with you here. Is that true?"

Ren didn't comment and continued to ignore Roni. He knew that the man was mad at him behind his fake smiles. It was evident from the mockery in his tone no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

"Is that okay, though? What are they going to work here? They aren't even high school graduates, and the cost of living here is higher than in Zone C. Are you all going to be alright?

Behind the words of concern was the desire for the downfall of others. Ren already knew that type of talks. He knew that Roni merely wanted to know how his life was. The guy got his penchant for gossip from his mother. And his envy streak runs in his family.

A good thing that Ren took over from his parents. They didn't want to brag about things to their neighbors or some strangers, mostly because they knew that the others would borrow money from them if they did.

His parents weren't stingy. It was because they knew that the borrowed money would never return.

And once you started to collect that debt, the other party had the guts to get angry and call you names. They came to you begging with their knees on the ground and tears in their eyes, but they would leave you hanging and get furious at you if you collect the money they owed you.

What's more, you're the one who got embarrassed when you collect your money since they call you names and whatnot.

That was always how it went.

Anyway, back to Roni. He was still persistent in knowing where Ren was staying, and he was even bragging about his new pod along the way.

"My friend gave it to me after his customized one arrived. Though the condition is I have to be a Monk and join their Guild for a year. I don't care since their Guild is awesome. They're back by their parent's corporation, and we are exceptionally taken care of.

"You probably heard of it. It's a famous guild, Great Dynasty. You can join if you want but be warned, dozens of players are joining as we speak, so you might want to get in line.

"Good thing that I am friends with the Guild Leader. If you want, I can recommend you. But no promises, though."

"Not interested," Ren said without stopping to look at the guy. He knew Roni had heard the rumors circulating about him, and he was sure that it was the guy who had spread those rumors. But not one bit of guilt was present on Roni's face when he talked to him. Instead, his tone was nothing but mockery and arrogance.

Not eliciting any kind of reaction from Ren irked Roni even more, but he still forced a smile. His mother asked about Ren's Family's condition and why they were going to Zone A.

Roni cursed inside his head because of his family's 'Marites' side. But he had to admit that he was indeed curious about where Ren currently lived and why his parents were going to Zone A.

*Marites = another word for people who loves to gossip

"Hey Ren, when are your parents coming over to Zone A? My parents are coming on the weekends, and maybe we can have lunch together with your parents. A get-together of some sort between neighbors."

Ren stopped walking, and he faced Roni with a smile. The guy wanted to know. Then he'd let him know so he couldn't sleep at night from vinegar overdose.

"Sure. I'll message you when and where. I'm still busy with the Guild Wars at the moment."

"Oh?" Roni's eyes widened, and he had totally forgotten about his original goal. "What Guild? Is that why you don't want to enter ours?"

"Fighting Lamb," said Ren simply. He didn't want to explain further since Roni would know about it soon enough.

"Fighting Lamb?" Roni's face wanted to scowl, but his lips were twitching into a smirk. "Never heard of the guild."

"It's just a small guild." Ren went ahead, leaving Roni from where he stood. Fortunately, the guy stayed on his spot and didn't follow him around anymore.

The moment Ren got inside his class room, the first thing his eyes took was Evie's chair. Like always, the woman was early. She was just staring at the scenery outside the glass window while sporting a sleepy face. Was she still working despite getting enough money from the game?

Didn't she follow his suggestion to store her gil?

Ren took his sit and checked his phone to pass the time. Though amidst the gossip, Ren heard his name being associated with rat and slums.

Ren released a bored yawn before browsing on his phone again. There was supposed to be a quiz today, and most of his classmates were reading their notes.

Ren wasn't interested, and neither did he study. He would leave it all to his past memories.

Feeling bored, Ren looked at the lady beside her and asked, "You played COVENANT, right?"

Evie briefly gave Ren a stare before she nodded. "Yes."

"Are you going to participate in the Guild Wars?"

"Yes."

"Oh? Which guild?"

It was visible to Ren that Evie was weighing her options. She probably thought he wouldn't recognize her in a mask, so she said.

"Iron Roses."

Ren didn't show his surprise and his face remained stoic.

"I see." That was the only word Ren said before he pretended to browse on his phone. Iron Roses was a weak guild mostly made up by women.

Did he and Evie had the same thought of using weak guilds to rise to fame? If so, then Ren commended her.

It's only a pity that they were going to be enemies.

"You . . ."

Ren was surprised when he heard Evie speak. Their eyes met, and it was Evie who retrieved her gaze first.

"You live in Diamond Palace, right? I often saw you eating at the restaurant."

Ren rubbed the back of his neck. He could only hope that he didn't appear like a stalker. "Ah. That. It's near so . . ."

"Then why aren't you addressing the rumors about you?"

". . ." Ren blinked. There wasn't any concern in Evie's voice. Only pure curiosity.

Ren laughed a little, and the hard-line on his face melted. "It's fine. Those rumors wouldn't kill me."

". . ." Evie didn't comment and pursed her lips.

"I see . . ." she muttered after a while, and they were back to being awkward classmates.

Later that afternoon, when the class finally ended, Ren and Evie tracked the familiar path to the bus station.

It was not like the two of them were friends, so they kept their distance from each other. Ren somehow knew Evie's schedule since it wasn't the first time they'd rode a bus together though they were meters apart like they didn't know each other.

When the class ended, Evie would go to Diamond Palace to work, so the two would definitely go home together.

It didn't escape Ren's notice that some guys secretly followed her to her work and even dined at the restaurant, even on weekends, just to see the girl.

Worry and irritation knock on Ren's heart. Worry for her whenever she comes home late at night while irritated for the stalkers that he knew was a ticking time bomb. It was only a matter of time before they couldn't contain themselves. And one of these days, they would burst and decide to approach Evie.

He knew because he was a man.

Ren sighed. It was none of his concern but he felt like he owed her everything after he ruined her life in the past. He was merely acting on guilt, but he too felt that his feelings were out of the line. And like before, he immediately killed it before it turned into something that couldn't be controlled.

It wasn't supposed to be his problem, but it was since he was already worrying about the whole thing.

But what could he do?

Offer to escort her?

He would only appear like a creep.

Ren gave up and left everything to fate.

There was no use in worrying about it now that the Guild War was upon them.

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A/N (Doesn't consume coins)

Sorry for another two chapters today. Been busy the whole day that I only got the chance to write at 6 PM.

We'll try to squeeze another one if time permits.

Thank you all for the support! �