Utopian Fantasy: "A Fair Game" Vol. 2

Chapter 11: Rallies and Protests

Everyone was surprised at the unexpected sight.

“What the f*ck is happening?” Keeta uttered.

“I-I think we should hurry back to the Base and ask Coco. I-I’m sure they know the answer,” Leo suggested.

“Yeees,” Aize groaned with a whisper. “I sense something…. And I don’t like it,” he followed.

Quickly, Aize started moving. His two constituents followed him.

Lumine and Mika looked at each other. With a slight nod, the two agreed to follow the others.

As they reached the streets leading to the Coco Tavern, they saw a glimpse of what seemed to be a commotion outside the building.

As they go nearer, the details of the turmoil are becoming clearer in their eyes.

A group of numerous players is rioting in a circle. Most of them are familiar to the Plains, but what’s intriguing is some of them are curiously new faces. But what caught their utmost attention is the man standing in the middle of the crowd. The man has a big plump stature. He has an attire that resembles that of a public leader. Every time the man opens his mouth, the crowd cheers.

“THAT’S RIGHT!!!”, “THIS PLACE IS A HELLHOLE!!”, “WE DON’T DESERVE THIS MESS!!”, these are the faint cheerings that were becoming clearer in their ears as they arrived at the scene.

“I hear your voices, people! I hear your hearts! And what’s more delightful than reciprocating it with words that are also coming from the heart? I, Joenald Rocos, promise with all my heart… that I will liberate you from the shambles. Like a father, I’ll put all my strength… and my soul… to build a comfortable life for all of you,” the quirky man in the middle announced.

And after that, the crowd cheered wildly,

“YOU’RE A GRACE FROM HEAVEN, GOVERNOR!!!”

“WE WILL SUPPORT YOU WITH ALL OUR HEARTS!!”

“WE WILL FOLLOW YOU TILL DEATH!!”

When Aize and the others came, they saw Minerva and Calixto standing secluded from the crowd.

Minerva and Calixto are both Aize’s loyal followers. Minerva is a lady who lost her arm during the incident with Bingo. She has a pendant called Ymir’s Heart that allows her to perform Ice Magic by freezing moisture from the surroundings. Calixto is a man that has a Special Dagger. The Dagger has Anti-Tank properties.

They approached the two bystanders.

“What is this nonsense?” Aize asked Minerva and Calixto.

Minerva answered, “Apparently, a man named Joenald Rocos suddenly appeared in the Settlement together with his goons.”

“Joenald Rocos?... Hmm… his name rings a bell for me,” Mika mumbled.

“Are they responsible for the castle in the Rubbles?” Aize asked.

“We think so,” Calixto answered.

“But - But how? How - how were they able to construct a big structure for a short time?”

“We don’t know too, Leo,” Minerva replied. “We just saw it when we were strolling the Settlement yesterday. It seems like it just magically appeared out of nowhere.”

“Is it possible that there’s also a player among them that can use Spacial Magic like Coco?” Mika asked.

“Very unlikely,” Aize responded. “For them to move an entire building in this location - it will take a lot of mastery to accomplish it. In my entire experience playing games in this franchise, Coco is the most adept Spacial Magic User that I’ve ever known. Unless…”

Lumine suddenly interrupted to point out what she noticed. “Wait, wait, wait! Are you seeing these?”

“Yep… You’re right,” Minerva responded.

What Lumine was pointing out is the bunch of fast foods and beverages that the people in the crowd were munching. Some of them were eating burgers while they continue they’re rallying cries. Some players had their mouths stuffed with pizzas and burritos. This scene surprised them.

“How were they able to make such food? Where did they get the ingredients to make those?” Mika wondered.

“Is it possible to cook these foods in this game? Is it related to the Cooking Mastery Talent? I mean… If you reach a certain level of mastery, you will be able to cook those?” Lumine asked Aize.

“I hate to say this, but it’s the first time I've encountered this. Must be a special feature of this game that I didn’t know,” Aize answered. He paused for a while, and “But why does it matter!? I want to know why they are here.” He looked at his constituent, “Calixto?”

Calixto answered, “Joenald and his men barged into the Tavern and asked the people to join his cause. The commotion started as a small persuasion. But it got so out of hand that Coco had to move them outside. More and more people came to hear his lousy speech.”

“And I think his persuasions are working,” Mika uttered as the cheering of the crowd went wilder.

“What does he want exactly?” Aize asked. It’s noticeable in his tone that he is slowly enraging.

“I think he’s starting a revolution, Boss,” Calixto answered.

“Revolution!? For what!?” Keeta responded.

“I-I think… He’s trying to challenge your supremacy, Boss,” Leo stated. “They-they want to overthrow you.”

“What!?”

Suddenly, the ongoing speech stopped.

“Oh. I think a respectable man suddenly came,” Joenald Rocos said as he noticed the arrival of Aize.

The crowd reverted their attention to Aize. Their faces frowned and their teeth grind as they saw the man.

“THERE! THAT’S THE MAN THAT LED US TO THIS SHITTY SITUATION!!” a man from the crowd shouted.

“THAT F*CKING AIZE IS THE REASON WHY WE’RE LIKE THIS!!!” another clamored.

“HE THINKS THAT HE’S THE BOSS OF THIS PLACE! BUT SERIOUSLY, HE’S JUST A MESSED-UP GOON LEADER!!”

“YEAAHH!!!” the crowd agreed.

“NOW… SHOW HIM WHO’S THE REAL BOSS GOVERNOR!!” one of the players incited.

The angry uproar continued. The place is going wild.

Suddenly, Joenald raised his palm - and just like that, the shoutings stopped. He stepped forward and walked decently towards Aize.

Aize’s underlings readied themselves; they drew their weapons as Joenald approached their boss.

“There’s no need for that, my kind guests. I’m just here to decently talk with this respectable man - like the civilized people we are,” Joenald forewarned.

Joenald stood in front of Aize and offered his hand for a shake.

Aize just stared at the hand, then he leered at Joenald’s eye.

“What do you want?” Aize asked.

“I just thought that maybe… we can have a good conversation,” Joenald answered.

Aize didn’t reply. He continued his vicious stare.

“See… these people need hope. They need change - a good governance. They have been longing for that since they came to this land. I’m confident that I can provide them with what they want and what they need.”

“I’ll ask you again - What do you want from me?” Aize repeated.

“I know that you’re an extraordinary man, Mr. Aize. I know your capabilities and I know that you live up to your reputation. I understand that it would be such a waste and it would be a great problem if we failed to form a good relationship with you and your people.”

Despite Joenald’s vague statements, Aize knew right away what the other party wanted. “You want me to work with you?”

“Ahh, just as I expected. You can easily pick up things, Mr. Aize. I know who you are and I’m well aware of your feats. I know that you’re a warrior - a very excellent fighter. That’s why I want you to work with us.”

“And I know you’re just one of those shitty clowns who can easily fool these sheepish people,” Aize responded. “You can do whatever you want with the Rubbles. But leave this place alone. I don’t want to see you again near this Tavern,” Aize stated arrogantly.

Aize signaled his people. They turned their backs and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, a group of players from the crowd blocked their way and prevented them from leaving.

“I’m afraid we will have a problem with that. As you see, these people want the whole Settlement back - and that includes this place, and the Tavern,” Joenald said.

Aize chuckled insolently. “If you really knew me that much, you’ll know that I can easily take down these people.” He is referring to the players blocking their way.

“That’s why I wanted to have a prudent negotiation with you.”

“I already made my decision. Now, if you will not command these men to move out of our way, then don’t be sorry if they’ll end up severely bedridden.”

The blockers stood still, confident and unafraid of Aize’s intimidation.

Aize commanded Calixto to take down the nuisances.

Calixto readied himself. “Well, you left us with no choice, he uttered. He sprinted toward the blockers.

Suddenly, a high-fenced metallic police barricade magically appeared to protect the blocking players.

Bewildered, Calixto stopped on his foot. “What the heck!?”

Aize was angered. “Come on, Calixto! It’s just a fence! Just swerve around and get those people!”

“Yes, Boss!” Calixto did what was instructed.

Joenald chuckled at the attempt. Then, he faced one player amongst the crowd of his people - a young man to be exact. He jerked his head upward to signal something.

The young man nodded back. He lifted his arm and aimed at the blockers. A special ring on his finger glowed an orange color. And by that, a taser gun magically appeared in the hands of one of the blockers.

ZIIIIIIIIIIIPP!!!

The blocker shot the taser gun at Calixto.

Calixto was caught off guard. He was almost hit by the taser. Luckily, he was able to dodge by throwing himself to the ground.

Aize and the others were surprised.

“Wha!? Where did it come from?” Keeta’s reaction.

“Did you see that!? A taser gun magically appeared in his hand!” Mika uttered.

Joenald laughed again while shaking his head. “I’m extremely disappointed with your decision, Mr. Aize. I expect that our problems will be solved with a good talk.”

Joenald paused and chuckled. His laughs are so annoying; each breath is accompanied by a pig-like snort.”

He continued, “Ahhh… I get it now. You want to do it the old way. You don’t want to work with us, eh? Then, I’ll ask you to work FOR us. You’re a well-known hitman, right? Come on, tell us your price.” He laughed again as he mocks Aize.

“Shut the f*ck up!” Aize responded. He’s slowly enraging. “Calixto!? What are you doing!? Stand up and eliminate those people!”

“So-sorry! Right away, Boss!” Calixto responded as he frantically got back on composure.

But then,

“Bo - Boss. I - I think we have a problem.”

“What is it now, Leo!?”

They looked at the blocking players and to their surprise, all the players are now holding their own taser guns. The taser guns are pointing in their direction.

“Take cover!” Minerva shouted.

ZIIIIIIIIIIIP!!! ZIIIIIIIIIIIP!!! ZIIIIIIIIIIIP!!! ZIIIIIIIIIIIP!!!...............

Leo was the first to be hit by the tasers. He was electrocuted and dropped to the ground.

Mika used his armbands to form a shield. He stood in front of Lumine to protect her too.

Calixto was able to run away from the range.

Minerva formed an ice shield to protect herself and her Boss.

Keeta was also hit by one of the tasers. But unlike Leo, she was able to endure it - the electrocution made her kneel.

When the shots ended. Mika quickly moved to aid the paralyzed Leo.

“This f*cking sh*t,” Aize uttered as he drew a knife. He dashed towards Joenald.

“Daviiiiiid,” Joenald signaled the young man as Aize approaches him.

“Yes, Father,” the young man answered with an unenergetic voice.

Aize continued moving. He is aiming for Joenald’s big body. But just before he could hit Joenald with the butt of his knife…

CLANG!!!

 A chained armor magically covered Joenald’s body. The armor neutralized Aize’s attack.

Aize didn’t stop, he aimed for Joenald’s round neck this time.

CLANG!!

And again, an impermeable metallic neck guard suddenly covered Joenald’s neck.

Aize hopped away to assess the situation. With just a few seconds of assessment, he was able to figure out what was happening. He knew that it had something to do with the young man with the peculiar ring. He changed his target this time, he is aiming at the young man.

“That kid, huh?” he uttered as he charged his belt.

Aize has a Spirit Item - a belt. He can use this belt to give himself significant Buffs. However, these Buffs only last for only a burst of duration, and there’s a Cooldown between the effects.

“Daviiiiid… you should do something now,” Joenald said to the young man.

Knowing that Aize is targeting him, the young man is greatly terrified. He starts to panic and his body starts to shake. “I - I - I - I…. don’t know what to do father!” he said with a shaking voice.

Aize finished charging up. He dashed at the young man with great speed - with an attempt to perform a launching punch.

“Daviiiiiid….”

BLAAAAAM!!!