LADY BIRD

Amidst the dazzling and sprawling digital marketplace of the "Realm of Legends," players of all ranks and statuses gathered, bartering, and trading with an energy that made the air crackle. Here, the very essence of ambition, strife, and hope intermingled, producing an atmosphere that few other game zones could replicate.

A sudden uproar echoed through the square, signalling the arrival of a known and revered figure. "Haha... Boss, You are finally here!" the enthusiastic shout belonged to BladeMaster, a renowned member of the Hydra group. His flashy armour, adorned with blue and silver, shimmered under the digital sun, drawing attention from all corners.

Rumbling Sky, with his famed obsidian black Armor that seemed to absorb all light around him, made his entrance. Even without the deliberate proclamation of his arrival, his aura would have commanded attention. "Stop that racket. Point me to the upstart selling bronze rank gear," he demanded, his tone icy.

BladeMaster, grinning with a mix of reverence and mischief, motioned towards Logan's stall. "There, Boss. That's him. Just look at this stash! It could be a game-changer for our core team in this newbie place!"

Rumbling Sky's gaze, sharp and assessing, quickly found Logan. His digital avatar seemed to magnify every nuance of his surprise, his eyes widening as he took in the array of high-tier equipment laid out. The hidden level of Logan added to the mystery, leading Rumbling Sky to assume Logan had some secret knowledge or contacts from the beta-testing phase.

Clearing his path with a sense of entitlement, Rumbling Sky towered over Logan. His voice dripped with arrogance as he declared, "Listen up, youngster. I am one of the eight vice-leaders of Hydra. Hand these items to me. In exchange, I'll offer you a high-ranking elder position within Hydra. That status? It'll net you ten thousand Links, easy." As if the mention of the new global currency, a symbol of affluence and power in both the virtual and real world, would tempt anyone to his side.

However, what Rumbling Sky didn't account for were Logan's memories, remnants of a life once lived. Memories that painted a very different picture of their relationship. Once, Logan had been a force to reckon with in the Hydra guild, a mace warrior whose name was whispered with respect. Rumbling Sky, for all his bluster now, had been but a vice leader for new recruits then.

Now, with the knowledge of his past and a newly reincarnated vigour, Logan wasn't about to bow to old hierarchies or intimidations. Meeting Rumbling Sky's haughty gaze with defiance, Logan retorted with a smirk, "Go suck a mana potion and stop wasting my time." It wasn't just a rejection of an offer; it was a challenge, a declaration that the game's old dynamics were about to change.

The entire marketplace seemed to hold its collective breath as the tension between Logan and Rumbling Sky reached a breaking point. Even the vendors nearby, having seen countless brawls and quarrels, instinctively distanced themselves, fearing the power and wrath of the Hydra Guild, particularly Rumbling Sky.

Rumbling Sky's face, already a fierce mask, twisted even further in anger as Logan continued to ignore him. He wasn't used to being disregarded, especially in such a public setting. "Ignorant child! Do you even grasp the power of Hydra? Your defiance will be your downfall in this game!" he proclaimed, trying to maintain a facade of calm control amidst his boiling anger. He desperately tried to use his reputation and the looming threat of Hydra's influence to intimidate Logan into submission.

Yet, Logan was unfazed. With every piece of equipment he sold, every transaction he made, he was sending a clear message: He didn't fear Rumbling Sky or Hydra. This was his turf now.

It was perhaps this nonchalant defiance that truly pushed Rumbling Sky over the edge. Without a second thought, he lunged forward, shoving the surrounding players out of his way, intent on wreaking havoc on Logan's stall.

But the game mechanics in "Realm of Legends" were not to be taken lightly. The premium stall, having recognised Rumbling Sky's aggressive intent, triggered its defensive measures. A sharp siren pierced the air, startling everyone present. Red warning lights began flashing, disorienting Rumbling Sky momentarily. His title turned a glaring red, and the word "Intruder" hovered above him, signalling to all players that he was a marked threat.

Within moments, the city guards, NPCs with formidable AI, descended upon the scene. Their armour gleamed, and their faces remained impassive as they quickly apprehended Rumbling Sky, binding his in-game avatar in chains. His character would be incarcerated for a full in-game day, a severe penalty for any player, especially one of his rank.

"Unhand me! I've done nothing wrong!" Rumbling Sky protested, but his cries fell on deaf ears. In the game world, the laws were clear, and they were applied without bias, regardless of a player's reputation or rank.

The surrounding crowd, which had moments ago been paralysed in fear of Hydra's wrath, erupted into a mix of whispers and gasps. Many were shocked at the rapid turn of events, while others looked at Logan with newfound respect. The bold merchant had stood his ground against one of the most formidable players in the game, and he had emerged victorious.

As Rumbling Sky was being dragged away, the once dominant and feared figure was reduced to an object of pity and mockery. All the while, Logan, with a satisfied smirk, continued selling his wares, proving once again that in the vast realm of MMORPGs, it was always wise to expect the unexpected.

While all players were staring at Rumbling Sky being dragged away, the scene soon shifted when an elegant figure approached Logan's stall. It was Lady Bird, head of the Phenix guild. As she gracefully navigated her way through the crowd, the awestruck murmurs changed from Rumbling Sky's imprisonment to her unexpected presence at Logan's stall.

"Lady Bird is here!"

"Why would she be interested in this equipment?"

In the MMORPG world of "Realm of Legends", Lady Bird was a name synonymous with power and grace. Her avatar, with its detailed graphics, was clad in an intricately designed gown adorned with feathers that sparkled and shimmered. A tiara made of sapphire was set upon her head, and her deep blue eyes held the wisdom of a seasoned player.

Because of her rich background, expensive spending ability, her character is already covered in all types of decorative buff items. But sadly she also didn't have any silver equipment yet.

She stopped before Logan, her gaze perusing the displayed items. "I want all these items. But I only have 5 silver with me. Will you accept Links (Real world Money)?" she asked, her voice soft yet commanding.

Logan, trying to mask his surprise at seeing such a high-profile player at his stall, replied after a bit of thinking, "I'm willing to make a deal, but the currency exchange would be 20% higher than market rate."

Lady Bird nodded, seemingly expecting such prudence. "Don't worry. You can trust me. I'm not like those HYDRA people. You give me your finance QR code, and I will immediately transfer the money to you."

Logan paused. As he forgot to link his finance account to game account. Lady Bird, sensing his hesitation, continued, "My word is my bond in this game. You can tell me if there is any more conditions."

Logan sighed, pulling out a holographic tab which materialised between them. "Let's draft an agreement first. I still need to attach my finance account to the game account. We can finalise the exchange tomorrow."

As they began inputting terms into the virtual agreement, the marketplace buzzed with whispers. Logan's stall had become the epicentre of the most significant event in the game that day.

The completed agreement shimmered into existence, signifying the conclusion of their deal. Lady Bird, with a gracious nod, said, "You'll have your Links by tomorrow. By the way don't forget to contact me if you have good loots to sell. I've already sent a request."

Logan smiled, his confidence shimmered as he deal with her smoothly without caring about the awkward crowd. "Thank you, Looking forward to future dealings."

With a flutter of her cloak, Lady Bird departed, leaving behind a trail of excited chatter. Today had indeed been an eventful day for Logan and the Realm of Legends.

_PeterPan_