Chapter 6: The Wandering Wolf

Wolfy walked causally down the city streets with his arms crossed behind his back as he took in the sights of the city around him. While his sister was busy tending to the needs of the guild. Beside him was Yara who had decided to change the whole look of her character. She now had her hair tied in a ponytail off to the left side, braided and tied with a pink ribbon. Her dress style appeared more modern with a white short top that showed a bit of her bellybutton and a matching pleated skirt with a black accented line at the base of the hem. Around her left ankle was an anklet and simple white pair of flip-flops.

Yara looked over the status menu as she thought about the outfit she was wearing. It had raised her stats slightly but nowhere near the levels of players like Wolfy or Mariya. Like most players in the world of Phantasia, she wasn’t anything more than a simple casual player. Looking over to Wolfy, she took note as to the outfit that Wolfy was wearing. He was cute but she questioned just how his stats looked.

From the knowledge she had of the game, various clothes would increase and decrease stats. There was little equipment in the game that didn’t have positive and negative effect. The problem was trying to not only mix and match equipment that didn’t destroy base core stats to abysmal values but also trying to keep the outfit cute and unique to the character – of which a good number of players cared about their appearance.

“Hey, Wolfy, I got a question for you.”

Wolfy turned his head in the direction of Yara as the two of them turned the corner down another street.

“What’s up?”

“Is it true there are some items in the game that able to increase your stats without any negative effects?”

“Yeah, I’m wearing various pieces of equipment that have no negative effects on my status plus the passive abilities that help. Of course I also have the buffs and items I use during combat as well as my sister’s magic to help.”

“I guess my next question is, how do you mix and match your outfits to be so cute?”

“That’s easy. Just wear what you like.”

“Not much of an answer,” Yara said with chuckle.

“True. Honestly, I would say start with a style you like and slowly mix small things. Obviously trying to keep your stats from dipping into the negatives too much.”

Yara made notes of all the information that Wolfy shared with her that he was aware of in the game. They continued down the street until they reached a shop that sold various modern-day goods that could be seen in the real world. The two of them entered into the what had the appearance of a cafe and took a seat at one of the tables. A young girl dressed in a maid outfit smiled and handed over two menus.

“Here you go. I’m glad to see you’re still alive and well, Wolfy,” the girl said with a smile.

“Likewise, Pyira. Guess you gave up on the dungeons?”

“Yeah. Figured I’d just up my maid and cooking skills. Turns out, I should have done this from the start. Makes sense seeing as how I worked at a maid cafe back home.”

“It suits you.”

“Thank you. Anyway, both of you take your time and order whenever you’re ready,” Pyira said with a smile.

Pyira made her way into another room as Wolfy looked over the menu. He had ordered from the cafe which Pyira had named La Rose before but it had been some time since he had laid eyes on the menu. After going through all the items, he looked up to Yara.

“How do you know her?”

“My sister and I were clearing a dungeon and found her. At the time, she was level twenty… I think. We were level sixty-nine and were bored so we helped her out and she decided to open up a cafe in a city. Apparently, she must have opened up a chain and decided to work here.”

“I see.”

“Were you expecting some grand story?” Wolfy asked as he placed the menu down on the table.

“I’m surprised you haven’t tried to ask her out or something. You two look like you would make a cute couple.”

“Oh, I did. My sister was okay with it.”

“You… have to get permission from your little sister… to date people?”

“No. I don’t need her permission to date anyone. She’s just protective of me like I am of her. We just want each other to be happy and what’s best for the other.”

“Sounds like you should be dating your sister since you love her so much,” Yara said with a smug expression.

Wolfy smiled and spoke with a cheerful tone but Yara felt a chill run down her spine with each word spoken.

“Yara, I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that so I don’t have to brutally torture you within an inch of your life.”

The smug expression faded into worry as Yara tried to think about what to say.

“Y-You wouldn’t do that… right?”

Wolfy continued to smile causally and spoke calmly.

“I would. You see, I’ve done a far amount research into torture methods back in the real world. Not to count I had to watch many torture scenes in various media and write some to the point that I lost whatever sense of sanity I had. So, yes, yes I would do put you through trauma that would haunt you for the rest of your life.”

Yara found herself speechless for a moment as she continued to see the cheerful expression on the psychopath that she was about to have a drink with. Before she could say anything, Pyira returned with a smile on her face.

“Are you two ready to order by chance?”

“I know what I want. Could you get me one of those hot fudge sundays and could I get one to go for my sister?”

“I can do that. And you, Miss?”

“Oh, uh… just a simple milkshake is fine.”

“All right, I’ll have your order out in just a bit,” Pyira said with a cheerful smile.

After Pyira was out of ear shot, Yara stared back at the monster sitting across from her.

“You’re a monster.”

“Technically, I’m a wolf.”

“Just wait until I message your sister about this.”

Wolfy couldn’t help but giggle in a cutesy tone as he rested the palm of his hand against his chin and placed his elbow on the table.

“Feel free. She already knows I’m screwed up in the head.”

“Then why doesn’t she get away from you?”

“You know, that’s a good question. I often wonder that sometimes myself. Maybe it’s just our bond together, the fact that we spent so much time with each other or perhaps she is just as messed up as I am. Either way, you should be grateful that the two of us actually like you and that I respect enough to not have you as my own slave.”

“I refuse to be someone’s sex doll in this game.”

“Sex? Ew, that’s stupid. Why would I use any girl for sex. I’m scared of it.”

Yara seemed puzzled by the words that she had heard coming out of Wolfy’s mouth. Before she could ask a question, Pyira returned with their orders and smiled as she bowed.

“Here are your orders. I hope the two of you enjoy.”

Without another word, Pyira left as Wolfy quickly ate his treat before him. Yara did not speak as she thought about the conversation that had taken place. She sighed and took a sip of the shake on the table.

After finishing up their treats, the two of them returned to the guild building and headed their separate ways. Entering the main guild room, Wolfy cheerfully smiled and jumped into his sister’s lap. It was clear that he had startled her for a second as she was lost in thought running various things in the guild. After processing what he was holding, Mariya smiled and grabbed the cup that held the hot fudge sunday in it.

“Got you that because you hard so hard,” Wolfy said as he transformed into his wolf form.

Laying his head down, he closed his eyes and tried to drift off into a deep sleep.

“Thank you, nii-nii,” Mariya said with a smile as she gently placed her hand on Wolfy’s head.