Chapter 210: Grandiosity and Absurdity Victor’s response was delivered with a confident smile, challenging the disapproval radiating from Shadow Requiem.
His calm demeanor only seemed to fuel the tension, making the atmosphere inside the tavern crackle with uncertainty.
Tension reached its peak, and the members of Shadow Requiem exchanged skeptical glances, their doubts lingering despite Victor’s words.
Yuzuro instinctively curled behind Rever, seeking solace and protection in his presence.
Rever, in response, shot a sharp glare at the newcomers. If it was a fight they wanted, then a war they would get!
Shadowblade was undeterred and approached Victor with a sly proposition. "Grey Smoke, why don’t you leave this group and join ours? Fortunately, we recently had one of our members fall in battle, so there’s a spot available for someone of your caliber."
Victor chuckled, his laughter carrying a hint of amusement. "Oh, one of your members met their demise?" His eyes shifted towards Xin and the others, a subtle challenge in his gaze. "Our group remains intact. I wonder who the weaker party truly is here."
Stormbreaker adjusted his glasses with a calm demeanor that masked the sharpness in his words. "You must be working overtime to protect these newcomers. Join our ranks, and you can relax. You’ll receive your rewards at the end, just like everyone else. No need to burden yourself with these . . . inexperienced noobs."
Victor’s confident response resonated through the room like a steadfast declaration. "No thanks. I have plenty of money," he beamed, refusing the tempting offer with a nonchalant ease.
"And I’m content with my current team now," he added, though there lingered a subtle hint of reservation in his voice, particularly when he glanced towards Midnight Duchess.
Erratic Blade’s face twisted into a mocking grin. "We’re not blind to what’s happening here. There’s no point in trying to pass off this so-called teamwork when it’s clear you’re doing all the work," he taunted.
The members of Shadow Requiem erupted into laughter, the sound echoing in the tavern like a chorus of derision.
Rever, never one to tolerate insults, snapped back, his face contorting into a grim expression as he cracked his knuckles menacingly. "Are you implying that we’re weak?" he challenged, his tone daring them to push further. "Do you want a fight, huh?"
His readiness for confrontation was palpable. His temper is easily triggered when faced with unwarranted hostility.
Erratic Blade’s face contorted with anger, a vein pulsating on his forehead as he gnashed his teeth. "A fight you want? A fight you’ll get. My boy here," he sneered, gesturing towards Lord Schrödinger, "against that cat over there."
"That’s unfair!" Yuzuro interjected, her voice laced with concern. "Lord Schrödinger is only level 50+."
"Ha?!" Erratic Blade’s face twisted in menace when he narrowed his eyes at Yuzuro.
Yuzuro instinctively retreated behind Rever, seeking refuge from Erratic Blade’s piercing glares.
While on the other hand, Xin wasn’t aware of the tension and decided to ignore Erratic Blade and his group.
He decided to focus on ordering drinks and food. Ignoring the ongoing conversation with Shadow Requiem, he engaged the barista.
"Are there more places like this in the dungeon?" Xin inquired.
The barista scratched his head with his bony, ghostly finger, pondering for a moment. "Hmm . . . I think there might be, though it’s entirely up to the players’ luck whether they stumble upon such places," he replied, his words carrying a hint of clue.
Xin considered the possibility, wondering if there was a luck requirement to discover these hidden sanctuaries within the dungeon’s depths.
Amidst their conversation, Erratic Blade, clearly irked by Xin’s indifference, couldn’t contain his frustration.
"Hey, you!" he barked, addressing Lord Schrodinger, who was seemingly ignoring him. "You have the audacity to disregard me when I’m talking directly about you?"
Finally, Xin turned his gaze toward Erratic Blade, his expression as stoic as ever. "Who are you?" he inquired, his tone neutral, his eyes meeting Erratic Blade without a flicker of recognition.
The members of Shadow Requiem were left dumbfounded, their jaws dropping in disbelief at Lord Schrodinger’s apparent lack of knowledge.
"Y-you . . ." Erratic Blade seethed, gritting his teeth in frustration. "We are already talking a few minutes ago, and you still don’t recognize me?! Are you even paying attention?"
"Ah," Xin replied, his demeanor unfazed. "I assumed you were addressing Grey Smoke. Sorry."
He then turned to face the group of Shadow Requiem formally with a straight face. "So, who are you again?"
Shadow Requiem found themselves caught in a strange mix of incredulous disbelief and utter bewilderment, unsure whether to laugh at the absurdity of the situation or cry at the sheer audacity of Lord Schrodinger’s response.
And what kind of name is Lord Schrodinger?!
The exchange left them flabbergasted, their attempts to assert dominance thwarted by Lord Schrodinger’s nonchalant demeanor.
"Listen up, you greenhorn!" One of the guild members suddenly bellowed, puffing out his chest with exaggerated confidence.
"Prepare to be enlightened about the legendary presence you’re graced with! Behold, the unparalleled, the magnificent, the one and only Erratic Blade!" he proclaimed, his voice echoing with grandiosity as he dramatically gestured towards Erratic Blade, who struck a pose with an air of exaggerated importance.
Erratic Blade, with a flourish, twirled his sword as if it were an extension of his grandeur, a glint of arrogance in his eyes and a smirk on his lips.
"Indeed, you’re standing in the presence of greatness," he declared, his words dripping with conceited charm. "I’m the sun that brightens your darkest dungeons, the star that outshines all others in this realm! Remember the name, for you’ll be telling tales of this encounter for generations to come."
The tavern’s patrons exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by Erratic Blade’s theatrical introduction.
His grandiosity filled the room, leaving an undeniable impression, even if it was met with raised eyebrows and stifled laughter.
In the face of his eccentricity, Xin and the others decided to leave and proceed to their next area.
"H-hoi! We’re still talking with you!"
"Don’t mind them," Victor said.
While Xin briefly glanced in Shadow Requiem’s direction and nodded a little in acknowledgment. "See you later, Errand Babe."
What a strange name. Xin thought.
"It’s ERRATIC BLADE!"