The Gloomy Healer & His Companions I

---Chapter 1: The Gloomy Healer & His Companions I

“Ah, you’re already here?” Quartz asked, a bit surprised.

Quartz had just entered a certain garden near the edge of the capital city. There, he spotted the energetic-looking YUI-YUI waiting for him, sitting alone at a fancy table beside a creek. It was the kind of spot that seemed suitable for some kind of garden tea party.

“Yep yep! I had plenty of time, so I figured I could get here early!” Yui spoke with a carefree smile.

“Well, I guess it’ll make things easier if you’re here from the start.” Quartz shrugged, taking a seat next to Yui.

It’d been about a week since Quartz first met Yui at the Water Cathedral. After Quartz barely managed to take down the serpent, the two swapped friend codes and kept in touch. Eventually, Quartz decided he’d introduce Yui to the party he usually played with, so he messaged them all and made plans to meet up here in this garden.

“I’m so excited to meet your friends!” Yui declared, her eyes sparkling.

“Don’t get too excited, they’re all pretty ordinary, haha.” Quartz laughed nervously.

“That doesn’t matter, silly! A friend of yours is a friend of mine! After all, birds of a feather stick together!” Yui nodded triumphantly to herself, as if she’d just said something profound.

Quartz simply humored her with an awkward smile. Even now, Yui’s bright personality was still a lot for someone so subdued to keep up with. But in a sense, that brightness was also what kept him so intrigued by her.

“You know, you’re really strange.” Quartz commented with a smirk.

“Hey! Don’t be mean! I think I’m pretty normal, aren’t I?” Yui pouted, before stopping to really think about it.

“Maybe you are.” Quartz stared upward, glimpsing the blue sky between the tree branches. “I just feel like… in an online game like this, people tend to be pretty jaded or sarcastic. I mean, sure there are people who like to RP or something, but on average I’d say that finding someone who behaves as earnestly as you is pretty rare.”

“Oh really?” Yui tilted her head, deep in thought. “… I dunno, I’m just being myself.”

“Yeah, I can tell.” Quartz smiled with a small chuckle.

The two continued to chat, and before long a tall man approached the table.

“Good evening, Quartz.” he spoke politely, adjusting his glasses. “Is this the party member you mentioned?”

“Yeah, that’s her.” Quartz nodded.

“N-nice to meet you, sir!” Yui shot out of her seat, standing up straight and giving a bow. “My name is YUI-YUI! Feel free to call me Yui! Thank you very much!”

“Oh my, quite the formal one we have here…” the man was a bit taken aback.

“Yui… I know he looks all serious, but you can relax. No need to be so formal with him.” Quartz awkwardly mediated.

“Oh, sorry, haha.” Yui scratched the back of her head. “But doesn’t he just have that kind of vibe? Like you’d get a stern lecture if you’re even slightly rude to him?”

“Well, I can’t deny that…” Quartz was sweating.

“Heh…” the man chuckled. “I must say, you’ve brought us quite the oddball, Quartz.”

“I can’t deny that either…” needless to say, Quartz was already second-guessing the whole plan at this point.

“Well then…” the man held his hand out to Yui. “My username is #65, but everyone calls me Rokugo. I’m of the Archer class. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“It is an honor to make your acquaintance, sir!” Yui shook his hand, taking note of the large bow and quiver of arrows he carried on his back. “By the way, earlier you said ‘good evening’… But the sky is blue!”

“Ah, yes, I was referring to real time.” Rokugo answered, taking a seat.

“Oh right, of course!” Yui smiled, embarrassed, as she too returned to her seat.

The in-game flow of time was fairly fast, with a whole day passing in about 2 hours. Despite this, players tended to greet one another by real time.

“Based on that attire, I take it you’re Fighter-class?” Rokugo asked, curious.

“Yes! I figure that when it comes to combat, relying on your own fists is better than any weapon!” Yui declared proudly.

Even though in this game, an unarmed punch would do nothing if you didn’t have your gloves equipped…

Quartz thought to himself. He’d heard Yui explain her choice in class before, and couldn’t help but find her reasoning amusing, considering this game required some kind of equipment no matter what class the player chose.

“Is that so? Sounds like you’re quite the eager little martial artist, huh?” Rokugo chuckled, clearly amused by the explanation as well.

“Yes! I do my best to get stronger every day!” Yui curled up her arms, as if to show off her muscles by flexing.

Even if you try to show off your muscles, the physique of your character model doesn’t really change in appearance, you know…!

Quartz was desperately trying to keep from laughing aloud.

“What’s up with the goofy face, Quartz?” a new female voice spoke up suddenly.

“Wah! Mint, don’t startle me like that!” Quartz spat, nearly falling out of his seat.

“Ah, good evening, Mint.” Rokugo greeted, with glance over his shoulder.

There stood an elf-eared girl with bright blue hair tied up in a long ponytail. She wore a frilly outfit with a flowing skirt and a long cape.

“Oh, another one of Quartz’s friends?!” Yui turned around, hopping out of her seat to give another greeting. “Call me Yui! It’s nice to know there’s another girl here!”

“Yeah, of course!” she smiled, shaking Yui’s hand. “I’m Mint, of the Mage class!”

In Mint’s other hand, she held a large staff, much like the one Quartz carried. In Myth of Genesis Online, there were only two spellcaster classes: Mage and Healer. The opposite of Healers, Mages were able to use offensive magic while lacking basically all types of support skills.

“Hey Quartz, how did you end up finding us a cutie like this anyway?” Mint asked with a smirk.

“I-I told you already, I met her during my solo quest last week.” Quartz blushed, looking away.

“Oh, right! But what’s with the embarrassed look?” Mint asked with a nosy smile, clearly enjoying teasing him.

“Quit trying to tease me!” Quartz pouted.

“Hahaha, alright, alright. Just havin’ a little fun. It’s rare to see you act so bashful!” Mint chuckled as she took a seat.

“???” confused, Yui simply took her seat with a smile, oblivious to the implications of the prior exchange.

“I take it she’s Fighter-class?” Mint asked the group.

“Indeed she is.” Rokugo nodded.

“That’s great. Our party was in desperate need of more frontline support!” Mint gave Yui a thumbs-up, to which Yui, excited to be of use, once again tried to show off with a flex.

“Oooh, a new frontliner? Sweet, now I won’t be the only one out there getting thrashed by everything that comes our way!” spoke a spunky young man who’d just approached the table.

“Striker, you’re here!” Quartz lifted his head.

Standing beside the table was a young man with bright orange hair, wearing light silver armor with a sheathed sword at his waist.

“’Sup Quartz? I was surprised to hear that you of all people found a new party member!” he grinned, turning his attention to Yui. “I’m Striker. Knight-class. Nice to meet ya!”

“Yes! Call me Yui! I look forward to fighting with you all!” Yui energetically answered.

“Remember when I told you a friend of mine introduced me to the game?” Quartz asked Yui. “He’s that friend. Striker and I used to go to school together IRL.”

“Oh! …what does IRL mean again?” Yui tilted her head.

“Ah, it means ‘in real life’... You seriously didn’t know that?” Quartz smiled wryly, a sweat drop upon his head.

“Right, I’ve heard that before! I just forgot! Sorry, I’m not used to net slang...” Yui smiled apologetically.

“Hahaha, I can’t believe you got to know a girl like this, Quartz!” Striker laughed.

“C’mon now, do I really look that anti-social to you?” Quartz sighed.

“Hey, um…” Yui suddenly spoke up. “I noticed you all seemed surprised that Quartz would become friends with me, but why? Is it that weird?”

Yui looked at the group, a concerned expression on her face. Seeing her ask so earnestly, they all began to chuckle a bit.

“Oh no, see… Let’s just say it’s been tough for ole’ Quartz here to make friends in this game.” Striker answered, trying to figure out how to explain.

“Yeah, it’s like…” Mint had a troubled expression.

“You guys don’t have to try and hide it or anything…” Quartz sighed.

“???” Yui tilted her head, looking back at Quartz.

“See… a while back, I used to have a bit of a nickname around here.” Quartz responded. “I’d always be called… The Gloomy Healer.”

[To be continued…]