43 Chapter 43: I Do Need Help.

A calm voice enters through this battlefield without warning.

It is not from Rein, The Three Guild nor from Kirito and the others.

However, Rein recognized this voice.

(Fuuhh... looks like he made it in time.) (Rein)

In fact, he 'wait' for him to come.

*Shruk* *Shruk* *Shruk*

All players in this field look toward the source of that voice.

That man's identity is,

"Diavel-san, what makes you come to this place?" (Rein)

The leader who led the players from the first boss battle.

No, right now he is not just one single player but a guild master.

"I come here on official business, Rein-shi. Not as participants, but as third-party judges." (Diavel)

"Hmm." (Rein)

Impregnable Shield.

That's the name led by Diavel and his guild members on his back.

Their work is mainly the same as the current army but how they do is different.

To compare it easily, The Army is close to the military while Impregnable Shield is the police forces.

In the first floor, Town of Begining, thousands of players still reside in there from not being able to overcome from own cowardice.

But the more Clearing Group climbs toward the upper floor, more casualties will inevitably increase.

Therefore, to cover this mortality rate, Diavel create this guild to lead and encourage these players.

In other words, they are instructors.

But they are not the clearing group nor strong enough to do so.

Then why this guild, even the guild master himself come to this place?

The reason is simple.

"Rein-shi. As you know, my guild members including me have worked hard to train the players for increasing the forces of the clearing group until now. I'm sure everybody here acknowledges this fact, yes?" (Diavel)

It's to prevent unnecessary loss.

Everybody, who stop fighting nods to his words since they are also grateful to their effort.

Diavel has a point.

Because of his guild and himself, the clearing guild is able to recruit a fair amount of players under their flags periodically.

Therefore, they immediately cool their heads a bit to prevent more loss than now.

But he forgets one thing.

"So? Then should I just say, "Okay then, this case doesn't happen? Let's all forgot about it." In the first place, I get this item fairly while these three esteemed guilds broke the pact." (Rein)

To Rein, he doesn't want to have a deathmatch with these guys either. Rather, he felt thankful for Diavel and his team to come at this timing.

However, as the guild master of Familia Myth, he can't show his weakness to the public easily.

There's no way knowing where will the enemies strike his back.

The three guilds are also the same.

Of course, they know they are the one who is wrong. However, their pride and the sense of loss couldn't accept Rein's claim just like that.

In other words, both sides need to have their faces be cleanly intact.

With a scoff, Kuradeel rebukes his claim shamelessly.

"Hmph, you are the one who started this fight in the first place. Also, YOU are also the one who makes the rule. Shouldn't you take the responsibility?" (Kuradeel)

Both sides are parallel to no end.

No matter how long the discussion will be, it's impossible for them to reconcile.

Even so, Kirito who hear that couldn't help getting angry.

"Hey, you!! We all agree to take turns for this boss fight! Why it only becomes our fault!? In the first place, you guys are the one who started it!!" (Kirito)

"*Sigh*... A kid will always be a kid." (Kuradeel)

"What did you say!?"

"Stop." (Rein)

Before Kirito rushed through the front, Rein raised his hand to block him up. In this place, it will be disadvantageous for Kirito to 'attack' Kuradeel just with that small provocation.

It's just like saying,

'We are the one who is wrong so we will pay all of the compensation.'

"Kirito. Now is not the time to pick a fight with them. Cool your head." (Rein)

"But!" (Kirito)

"Besides,"

Instead of being angry with his reaction, Rein smiles teasingly toward his direction only.

"I already prepare all the things needed. Your role is not needed."

"!!"

For the third party to hear, it's quite a harsh scolding.

However, for Kirito who hangs out closely with this guy know the inside meaning of that smile.

(...So that's it.) (Kirito)

He still has an ace card under the sleeves.

During the two years Kirito hang out with Rein, he never spouts any nonsense during serious times like this.

That's why,

"...I understand. Sorry for being emotional."

Kirito takes a step back easily.

Because Rein will always handle it, no matter how difficult the situation is.

"Good."

After that, Rein faced toward Kuradeel and Diavel.

"Now then, since the disturbance has gone away, let's continue. To conclude, The Three guild won't give up taking the resurrection item from me, while The Impregnable Shield won't let any more casualties from both of our sides. Am I clear on that?"

"That's right." (Diavel)

"Of course! We will fight until the end!" (Kuradeel)

"OHHHH!!" (Three Guild Players)

Just like before, all of them won't take a step back. The most peaceful and easiest way to handle this situation is for Rein to obediently hand over the item.

But will he do so in the first place?

No way.

It is not his style to get used by the others.

Instead,

(I will suck you all until you become a mummy.)

"Before I start my argument, I want to show something for you all."

It's time for payback.

*****

What is the most important skill for a businessman to have?

There's a lot to mention, but the biggest ability needed is the skill to communicate.

To be accurate, lead the conversation to your side so it will be easier to get what you want.

Rein, who already have that skill from the business world in tens of years finally shine that skill to this death game.

*Ring*

From his interface, he takes one item from the item box and let it materialize outside.

*Fwish*

What he takes is nothing dangerous.

In fact, all players recognize it.

"...Recording...crystal?" (Agil)

It's an item for recording own voice and plays it according to the user' desire. Although, it's not an item frequently used since there's no practical use for players.

However, it is a fatal 'weapon' for this situation.

With a click, he played the recorded voice inside the crystal.

[...Oh, but don't we just promise? If the guild could defeat the boss during the time limit, then the drop will be theirs?] (Rein)

[...That's why we, the army is the one who should get that item!] (Kobatz)

[...for the other two esteemed guilds. Are you the same as The Army? Will you break the agreement too?]

[Heh, for a rare item, we won't spare any effort to get it.] (Divine Dragon' representative)

[If we have that item, our guild will progress much faster.] (Knights of The Blood representative.)

*Fwissh*

With that, the crystal' light dies out after finishing its role. It is just recording for a short 20 seconds.

But that's enough.

With a smile, Rein faced toward Diavel while ignoring the 'thieves' who had their faces pale like a vampire.

"Now, what did you understand from the recording, Diavel-san?" (Rein)

For his response, he could only say it with a bitter smile.

"...Fuuhh... goodness. I'm really glad I never offend you." (Diavel)

"I'll take that as a compliment. Can you use this for my justification as proof of my self-defense?"

"...Yes, it can."

"!!!" (Three Guild Players)

That nails the death sentence for the three guilds.

Popularity and trust are the most important factors for a guild to survive in a long period.

If those recordings get spread to the normal players...

"Pl-Please wait!!" (Kuradeel)

Then their trusts will fall to the rock bottom.

"L-let's talk this first. Right, we shouldn't always handle everything with violence."

(My, my. What a change of attitude.)

While amused by his reaction, Rein only smiles faintly to him.

They are the one who picked the fight.

Then all the things he will do is just 'self-defense'.

"Solve by words, huh? What is it again? 'We will fight until the end.' I'm fine with that though."

"Kuh!"

(Fu*k you!! Our lives will be over if we do that!!)

If glares could kill people, then Rien would already die tens of times after receiving stares full of hatred and frustration toward him.

Even if he is fine with them, all of them would be prepared to be exiled from their guild and live as a solo player while receiving eyes of condemn.

Worse, they will never be able to join any other guild, since they will be labeled as 'troublemaker'.

Nobody wants to get treated badly, especially when they already basked in glory for a long time.

It is extremely easy to fall down, but it's very difficult to go back up after that.

Therefore, all they could do is swallow their pride and anger while forming a 'nice' smile to this bastard.

"Well... Since I already obtained the item, I won't make trouble to you all." (Rein)

Hearing that, the three guilds unconsciously sign in relief.

Unfortunately, it isn't over yet.

"But."

Because the 'compensation' comes after that.

"I do need some 'help'. I'm sure all of you could do something with that."

After this event, all of them could only bang their heads to the table while regretting their actions.

Because the guy who is smiling gently to them is not a hero...

But a devil wearing the skin of a human.