The Player is a Part-Timer

Chapter 14: A Foolish Little Star

"A barrier? What are you speaking about, good Sire? There is no barrier here." Gillian played the innocent. "At least now..." added the girl jokingly.

"Is that so?"

"Yes..."

"Interesting. Not as it matters. What matters more is the fact, she lost her weapon in her sudden, er.... departure. We would like to get it back. It is really important to her."

"And why do you think it is here?"

"Because she said it is here, and I tend to believe her." The man glanced at the girl, who offered a small, subtle smile for the first time since coming here. "She is really important to me."

"How good of her." Gillian deadpanned uninterested.

"Please, if you have the weapon, hand it back. I don't even care what happened with that man or your blunder with my companion. In fact, I was just looking for talented people like you. If it was really you who took care of her, you have a bright future joining me."

"Kokabiel... you cannot be serious!" Mertinia glared at the man. "She is...!"

"You said it yourself, no? She defeated you with relative ease. We need allies, Mertinia. If you want to exact your revenge, you can't fight alone."

"Tch!" Glaring at Gillian, the girl clicked her tongue and turned her head away. "I don't trust her."

"You don't have to. Trusting me is enough." Like a father, Kokabiel patted Mertinia's head gently.

"That sounds interesting," Gillian muttered as she caressed her chin. "And what cause are you recruiting for, if I may ask?"

"Curious, aren't you? I will tell you once you join us." The fallen smiled slyly. Yet, no matter how friendly he intended to look, Gillian just got the typical villain vibe from this guy.

"What if I say no?" The girl leaned forward, curious. "Just curious."

"Your choice. But I digress. It is better to stand on our side than against us. Change is coming, and it will sweep away everyone who stands on the wrong side. Stand with us, and reap the rewards! Stand against us, and calculate the consequences!" Kokabiel grinned pridefully.

"Is that a threat?" Gillian squinted her eyes.

"More like a warning of the inevitable. Make your choice. I give you a day. Tomorrow night, in the park. Bring the sword with you..." The man stood up, following his example; the girl on his side did the same. "... and I shall show you the beginning of the new world."

"Interesting. But, let's assume — But really, this is just an assumption — I refuse, and don't appear in that time and place? What's then?"

"Let's just say... consequences will follow." Chuckled dubious the man.

Gillian and Kokabiel stared into each other's eyes for long moments. In the end, Gillian burst out in laughter.

"Pfft! I get it, Joker-san! You want me in your pyramid scheme! Don't you? Sorry, but I don't buy anything. Maybe next time. But nice try anyway..." The player wiped away a phantom tear from her eye, really enjoying this jest.

"That's not...!?" The fallen leader was caught off guard suddenly. Is she joking!? This human really tested his patience. "This is not a pyramid scheme!"

"Ah! A triangle, then! I get it." Gillian winked teasingly, drawing an inverted pyramid in the air. "You almost got me. But ol'me never falls to a pyramid scheme. I also advise you to get out while you can. In a pyramid game, you can only lose."

Interestingly, every organization was a pyramid scheme — or a trapeze, depending on how many people were on the top.

The few controllers usually gain the most benefit, while the ones below gain less and less depending on where they stand in the hierarchy — while doing most of the "manual labor."