Chapter 308 - Ragtag Group

Alexandria bit her lip. As much as she wanted to try reviving her brother back to life, something tries to block her way of summoning him back. She has been struggling to do it many times as whenever she tries to do so, she gets incapacitated by an unknown force that seems like she is being robbed by her life force the moment she performed the ritual.

"What is going on?! I am quite sure that everything is fine whenever I try to use [Resurrection] in the past why is it not working now!?"

She tried every single thing that can at least increase her chances to have success in reviving her brother but every time, she fails, it seems something has been taken from her. As a demon, she never felt anything like this before.

"Did they perhaps do something to the body of my brother? Do they know that I will be reviving him?! No, that's impossible. No one knows that I can revive my twin if he dies or he can revive me if I die. That's just impossible!"

Alexandria is pacing back and forth. The king and queen are pretty useless and were just staring blankly. After the death of their son, they turned into a state of near-catatonic since they still respond when called or asked but they would most likely remain like that.

"Useless! Useless! If you two are not the key to my plans, I would have already gotten rid of you two already! F*ck, f*ck, f*ck!"

Then she just remembered something else. A sinister smile appeared on her face.

"What if I ask that "guy" do his specialty? Maybe he can do something about it. Hehe..."

...

...

...

I logged out from the game after straight gaming in Alternate World. Although I can feel full while playing in the game and eating the food over there, I can't really say that to my real stomach too. So when I am free to go and rest, I decided to log out for a bit. The others also ensured that they will be guarding the place while I was out for a bit so everything is fine.

This quest is pretty long and from the looks of it, it was like I am already doing half of the job of what was the Pioneers of Aquagius is going to do in the future. Doing the quest involves a lot and if I am not wrong, the unsealing of the two merfolk should have happened during the events of the Pioneering season. Doing it so early is already going to change a lot of things in the near future too but I already dove too deep to swim back up.

Despite the reason I said not too long ago not to go out for a bit, I decided to check what is happening outside. It's still around 7 in the evening. Everyone should still be up during that time.

However, contrary to my expectations, everyone is holed up in their rooms. Well, except for Janus as he is currently in the living room and currently watching television. I checked the kitchen and saw a note from Pandora's brother that they will not be at home for 3 days due to some checkups sessions and rehabilitation training for Pandora. As for the two siblings, they are already in their rooms and it seems they are playing hard for today again.

I was still inspecting around the kitchen when Janus arrives in the kitchen, maybe to grab some drinks since he is holding a glass.

"Ah! Manato! Where have you been? You are missing in the game and even in the real world and everyone said you are holed up in your room! I know you are a hardcore gamer but you should also do it moderately too!"

"Oh, don't worry. I might be holed up in my room but I am also taking care of my body, you don't need to worry. Also, I need to do it since my quest is basically pretty long and hard to do so I have to focus my all on it. If things went smoothly, I might be able to bring quite a lot of loot for everyone. I know you guys wanted some gifts too so you should all expect something too. There will be plenty of souvenirs."

"That's sweet, brother! Thank you in advance! Everyone in the group would also be very delighted to hear the news too!"

"Anyways, due to that quest, I am pretty far away. There are plenty of good things and bad things here and there and this quest would have been easier if you guys are here with me to help but since it was a quest that cannot be shared, I have to solo it. So while we are speaking, what is currently happening now? Are you guys fighting properly and leveling up?"

"Of course we do! Although I am late to the party, I already achieved level 70 the other day! I can now tank harder attacks and everyone can now properly rely on me too. As for the others, I think they are hitting it close to level 99 I guess? They have been raiding dungeons here and there lately after Sigma and Mr. Teddy joined our ragtag team. Even Harmless Sparrow prioritizes partying with us rather than on her own guild. Riko even said that we are going to plan and tackle the 12-man dungeon a bit later too."

"Sigma and Mr. Teddy?" my eyebrows furrowed. Is he talking about the same Sigma?

"Yeah, you know, the Sigma you fought against during the last arena completion? She joined us in our ragtag group. She is also didn't join a guild so we allowed her to join. And although Harmless Sparrow is in a guild, she barely has any time to her guild so yeah, she is an exception. Mr. Teddy is also quite a powerful player though he is a bit weird and he never talks. Ah, correction, he talks but only like one or two words? And yeah, he wears a teddy mask which makes him a bit weird since his character has a big and masculine body while his head has a teddy bear mask."

I was surprised when I heard Sigma joined the ragtag group. I mean, I have a direct influence on everyone around the ragtag group and even Harmless Sparrow who I never intended to get close has also become an acquaintance too, and now a part of the main team of the ragtag group I created.

"Heh, I can't wait to meet them. Also, I hope you guys are strong enough now after I return. Maybe you guys should also surpass me. We will be tackling a raid boss after my quest is over alright?"

"Heh, I like that Manato. How about we permanently make this motley crew of us together and make a name out there without making a guild? Isn't that pretty awesome? Like you know? The group of players on that one anime where they ended up in the game world? They have one too which is similar to them. Isn't that pretty badass right?"

"...I will think about it..."

...

Returning to my room, I had a heavy feeling about what Janus said to me. Formally create the ragtag group as a whole party and make a name without creating it a guild? That is a straight copy of the Debauchery Tea Party1 but I like the sound of that. I know I am just a player who returned from the past. I wanted to do a solo playing style but ended up creating the little circle of friends of mine as a group in the game. Not only that but I ended up recruiting a bunch of NPCs on my side. 

I know I have been betrayed countless times in the past timeline. In fact, isn't my main objective for going back in time is to take revenge on the guy who ruined my life? Isn't this complete makeover without any hint of revenge instead? The guy who I have been trying to take my revenge on has been struggling lately and I already robbed a few things that he should be famous in too so isn't he going to be pretty useless in this timeline already?

Perhaps I still think about revenge but it seems like I don't necessarily need to keep thinking about it either. Maybe that doesn't sound too bad at all. A group of players, all are guild-less players cleared raids, dungeons, and difficult quests and made a name out in the game world? That does sound awesome indeed.

Maybe I have unconsciously been gathering allies here and there just to create the strongest group. But heck, even if I know the future, with all the changes I have been doing, I know one day, everything I know in the past timeline would just be useless.

Perhaps... I will do it.

I closed my eyes, still thinking about our conversation as I lay down on the bed and returned back to the game.