Chapter 1, Unknown World.
Chapter 1, The Unknown World
"It is estimated that tonight there will be a rare phenomenon that only occurs only two times throughout our history. That is the meteor shower, which we call "The Falling Star". The phenomenon is expected to occur at 10 o'clock tonight. Make sure that you do not miss it!! Because this is a very rare phenomenon that you will not be able to see again!."
Said the tv presenter.
Bzzt.
On June 14th.. a lot of people were transported to another world at the same time the rare phenomenon is happening.
How did it all begin you ask?
It all started about 14 hours ago.
*****
14 hours ago.
My name is Gray Argento Greyhart. 24 years old, and I am currently unemployed. I don't have a job, and would just play games all-day long until morning comes.
"Gray.. I'm sorry it is all my fault" Said the person outside the door.
The person who was standing in front of the door was his mother. Roseline Agatha Greyhart.
"I'm sorry.." said Roseline while sobbing.
That's what his mother always said every day.
When he was in university, he was always bullied. Or was taken advantage of. Even people's bullying made him almost give up with life, and he eventually chooses games as his escape from reality.. Games were a lifesaver for Gray. He even made new friends in the game. But, no matter how good he is in the game, he is still the same Gray. Depressed, sad and don't have any hope nor dreams.
And eventually the sounds of step getting further away could be heard. Roseline tried to talk to him everyday, Trying to apologize for what happened 2 years ago.
"You can always talk to me if.."
The sound faded and buried by the sound of game speakers.
"But it isn't your fault though…" Gray spoke with a low voice.
'Mom.. you don't have to apologize, because I know that it was not your fault. but was their to begin with'
He could only blame himself for his weaknesses. But it was already in the past. all that's left is only regrets.
***
Click Click.
Click
"Damn.. the boss mechanic is a little too hard to fight. Were they high when they made it?"
"I need to think of a new way to be able to subdue this boss. Would Cecilia be able to analyze this one?"
Growl~
"Oh come on, I just ate an hour ago!"
Growl~
Gray stomach keeps on hurling. After a few more minutes, he couldn't endure it any longer.
"Ugh..My stomach is still growling. Should I go grab something then?"
"I want to get out, but my legs trembled when I heard the word "get out"
He decided to go to the kitchen. He then gets up from his chair,
"Yeah.. let's do it" He turned off his PC, and prepared himself in front of the door.
Usually, our nanny will deliver my food and put it in front of the door. Since she was away, there was no one to deliver it. Gray was frustrated because he was so afraid of the outside world. "I am weak, useless, cowardly" was what he thought of to himself every single day 24/7. Gray also tried to brave himself to leave the room after 2 years. But still could not do it. Now His legs were shaking so hard at the thought of "getting out". It was as if he was fighting a boss at the highest level in a dungeon. But he decided to do it anyway. despite the trauma he had.
Gray then closed his eyes, and grabbed the doorknob with his trembling hands.
creeeeaaakkkk
The sound of the door opening was very intense
Thump.. thump.. thump
Gray's heart beat very fast. Even the voice could be heard clearly by both ears. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead like a waterfall, going down atop from the hill. His feet started to feel so cold. It's not even surprising if he fainted right here now. If it had not been because of the urge to eat, he would never tried to leave. He tried to reach the doorknob and try to open it. There's a bright orange-ish bright light outside the door that made him close his eyes, leaking from the slight gap of the door. The light was so bright that it resembled the sunlight.
Gray opened his eyes slowly.
"Ugh…
creeeaakkkkkkk~
the door opened. Yet the man who opened the door looked like he was on his deathbed.
Pant.. Pant…
Gray breathed heavily. his rough breathing was that bad because he hadn't exercised for the last two years.
"Damned door. Making me nervous already. Pant.. Pant.. " Said Gray while breathing heavily. Looking at the main house door with tired eyes while rubbing it.
"Then, will the front door make me die?"
***
"I remember that Mother went with the others somewhere... Pant.. I'm out of breath.. Pant.. Pant, how come I used to be able to go in and out so casually before?" Gray said while breathing roughly, as he placed his hands on his chest.
It's been 2 years since Gray dropped out of university because he couldn't stand the bullying of his classmates. Since then, Gray never left the room and only spent his time playing online games. Mostly it is MMORPG or Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game, to be exact. it was one of the most popular game genre because of the play style they have. most people choose to play mmorpg because either they like the genre, or they want to break free from reality by often fantasizing about getting into the game world. that's what makes mmorpg have a lot of fans around the world.
Growl~
"Ughh… i just couldn't hold it back anymore. wouldn't they have something in the fridge?"
Gray opened the fridge, and saw that there were only eggs.
"Sigh… Just some egg?" He then began to search the fridge thoroughly.
"Ah! Cup noodles! and Onigiri!! but It's past the expiration date…"
he was mulling over about the expiration date, whether he should eat it or not
"Argh.. I don't care anymore.. Basic human needs! I can just go to the toilet later." Bah. He snorted.
Gray then cooked the eggs sunny side up and poured some hot water into the Cup Noodle, and ate it at the dining table. 'It used to be very crowded here.' he thought to himself. Now there was only me, the nanny, some maid, and my family. This used to be such a warm and happy place.
"If only those greedy bastards and their family hadn't schemed things to kill my father, maybe none of this would have happened."
Gray ate while crying at the same time.
The Greyhart family was a wealthy family. Gray's father owns multiple businesses throughout the country. But when Gray was on his way to his campus, he got news that his father was involved in a car accident while on the way to work. He immediately went to the hospital where his father was being treated. Because he was still on his way to campus, he could immediately turn his car and change destinations immediately. His car drifted from the red lights, making a U-turn. He stomped the clutch and gas pedal, launched his car at full speed.
He arrived in 15 minutes, and parked his car in the hospital parking lot right away. He immediately ran to the hospital.
Pant..Pant..
"Please open the way. Let me through!" said Gray in hurry
"Sorry but please take the queue first sir-"
"Where's my father? Where is he? I heard he was rushed to this hospital when he had an accident" said him, interrupting the nurse's words.
Then the nurse remembered that a patient had just been rushed to the ER. They say the patient was involved in an accident.
The nurse was sure that the person in front of her was really a relative of the patient. The nurse hurriedly lead Gray to the ER.
"This way, sir.."
They ran to the emergency room as fast as possible
"Move!" said Gray while pushing others.
"Ah! Hey, you!" A couple nurse who were walking and visitors shouted at him.
"Please God, please, please…" said Gray..
He was very worried and couldn't control his emotions. He ran with his fist tightly gripped while crying.
After a while, Gray and the nurse arrived at the ER. The moment they arrived, the doctor approached Gray.
"Are you a relative of the patient?"
"I am his son. Is it true that my father is here?"
"We have contacted the patient's family. We have also done our best to treat the patient too. However.."
"However what?!?"
"We did our best, but.. His life.. He's already breathed his last breath"
"N-No way..."
"I'm sorry sir…" the doctor said while dropping his head down.
Gray fell to the floor with both his arms on the floor ind front of the door. as if strength has left his body.
"L-Lies.. No way.."
"It couldn't be..
"Father!!"
Gray rose up his body, as if he couldn't believe all of this had actually happened, entered the emergency room and held her father's hand tightly with both hands.
"No... No no no no!!!"
"Come on...Father.. Wake up!!
"No, no, no..
"AAAAAHH!!'
When Gray was screaming, His family had arrived at the hospital. They were very surprised and shocked. They couldn't believe that they had just lost a member of their family.
Roseline, Gray's mother, was also shocked. Astrid, her sister who is currently taking her high school entrance exam, left in the middle of her exam and came together with her. They were all hysterical and shocked. She rushed to grab her father's hand alongside Gray. They couldn't believe all of this was happening right now.
***
Gray then went to the hospital rooftop to calm his mind and also to get some fresh air. Leaning on the edge of the rooftop fence, looking up at the sky. Just as he was closing his eyes, an agent came to him.
"Greetings, Sir Gray. My name's Smith, from the police department"
"Ah from the police" Gray, who was leaning on the rooftop fence while sobbing, immediately wiped his tears with his sleeves, then immediately looked back. 'Maybe sir Smith has some info about the perpetrator.' he thought to himself.
"We would like to inform you that we have found and arrested the perpetrator of the accident from this morning. We want you to come with us to the police department."
"Okay"
***
Gray arrived at the place.
He was immediately directed to the room where the culprit was. It turned out that Roseline, her mother, was already here. Sitting there with a cold gaze. Gray, seeing the culprit there made him lose control of his emotions and immediately gripped the culprit's collar tightly.
"Bastard! Are you the one who did it?" said Gray while pulling his collar.
"Gray. Calm down," said Roseline, in a cold tone. The look in Roseline's eyes was cold and serene. She seemed so cold that the room was filled with her killing intent. She almost let emotion take the better of her.
"Sit"
"It's true what Ms. Roseline said. Sir Gray, you better sit down first and calm yourself first. if emotion took control of us, we wouldn't get anywhere in this conversation."
They continued to discuss this issue for quite some time.
They talked until this afternoon.
"I can't believe all of this is happening."
"I'm also not really sure if this is a dream or not. According to Smith, this is a thoroughly planned scheme. and that person who was doing the execution was only their tail"
"Fucking bastard." He swears.
"It means the person wanted something from your father. Those bastards probably want to take control of our businesses. Fucking scums" Roseline answered with anger.
"Mother.."
"Hah..." Roseline let out a sigh
"You go home first with Astrid and the other. Mother will take care of it with Smith."
"Yes, Mother."
Gray went home with his sisters, while Roseline started to get deeper into this problem. He went back into his Accord with his sisters. And drive back home.
but years after years, they hadn't made any progress. The person responsible for all these things could not be found. It's like they never existed to begin with. In the meantime, Gray has been very diligent. He went to help his Mother manage the business, and also didn't forget to do his college assignments. His life is very hard. Even when he was on campus he was bullied, he was ridiculed as an orphan.
"Hey orphan. How does it feel to be someone who doesn't have a father?"
"Fatherless.. hahahaha"
"You are nothing without your almighty father"
"Hahahahaha"
'Those goddamn snake.. When Dad's still alive, they're so friendly to me, wanting to get closer to me. Now that he's gone, they bully me instead. Motherfucker'
Helping his Mother manage his father's company was already hard enough, yet he still went to college. Not letting a 0 on all of his assignments. His friends from college, instead of feeling any empathy or sympathy for him, they bullied him instead. At first Gray didn't think much of them, paid no mind to it as he had to focus on managing his family company to support his family. However, just like a glass that was bound to be full if it was filled continuously, Gray finally fed up and had enough with all of this. He tried to fight back, but it was all to no avail. Gray, who was tired from all of this and couldn't care no longer, went to lock himself in his room and never came out again.
**
14th June, 2020.
2 Years have already passed.
Present Day.
"Ugh.. I'm full."
Gray had finished his meal, and went back again to his room. Grumbling from the sudden flashback.
"Why am I having nostalgia now? ugh… way to ruin my meal"
He grabbed some drinks from the fridge, while opening the group message he hadn't read.
– 13:35. FourEyedDemon: Hey, @Greyhart. Surely you hadn't forgotten the raid. Why aren't you here yet?
– 13:35. BaldieHugo: Hey hey. I just found out something interesting! wanna check it out??
– 13:36. MissValencia: It's probably nothing. Anyway, be sure to check your in-game mail @Greyhart. Just sended you some goods. Be sure to check it.
– 13:36. Cecilia: He is probably eating his meal right now. anyway, here's our plan for today's raid….
– Several people are typing…
– 13:37. LeonardoDaVinci(Amayami): Cecilia-san is something isn't it!? She's so awesome. Kyaaaa<3
– 13:39. Me: She is! XD
– 14:00. FourEyedDemon: Where have you been, we've been waiting for you for quite a while @Greyhart.
– 14:00. Me: Sorry. I just went to have a meal. Can you send me the coordinates?
– 14:01. FourEyedDemon: Check it on your inbox. Anyway, you just changed your class to a saintess right? I heard that their mana consumption is high because of their absurd mana cost. Just be sure to bring some potions and also some herbs to make our own potion later, since we will be out in the wilderness for a while. And don't forget to open the blessing, healing and cure skill.
– 14:02. Me: Aye, Captain!
– 14:03. Cecilia: Have a nice meal @Greyhart. We'll be waiting
– Several people are typing…
He drank his soda while typing on the phone with his right hand. He named his contacts based on their personality.
"Just looking at their names alone is enough to make me laugh" now that his mood has somewhat recovered, he hasten his paces.
The group decided to go to a dungeon while Gray was having a meal. He read through all the messages he had, skimmed through the message history and didn't realize that he was already in front of his room.
"Oh! didn't realize I was already here.
Gray opened the door, and immediately sat down on his ergo chair and turned on his PC. He then turned on his monitors, and opened the group chat again.
– Several people are typing…..
– 14:10 MissValencia: @Everyone. @Brightfall. @RaidTeam Prepare for the raids.
– Several people are typing…..
– 14:27. FourEyedDemon: You're ready? @Greyhart
– 14:27. Me: Bring it on!
***
Click..Click..
"Hey.. where's the buffs?
"It's still on cooldown.. hang on"
Gray was checking his teammates while looking at the cooldown time. He was currently fighting a level 745 boss that dropped a limited timed item. or for short, they are fighting to get a special item. The item was quite over-powered since it can boost all of his teammates stats and could repel and nullify status attack.
"Cecilia.. is it ready?"
"It's ready. i can go anytime, Adam"
"Buff ready! Take care of the boss while the buff's still active!" Shout the party member.
The boss's HP was still high. But Cecilia attacks are sufficient enough to deal damage to the boss. It was a demon type boss, so all the party members had to use holy items. Adam and some members are still trying to aggro the boss, while Cecilia prepares her ultimate attack. Gray party consists of 21 people that's from all over the world. Only Cecilia, Adam and Gray are from the same country, Indonesia. While the others are from overseas. So they need to use English to communicate. Anyway, With that, Cecilia is ready to take action.
"Cecilia-san.. Buff ready.."
Tanaka Amayami. She's a university student that majors in arts. She is 23 years, Japanese. She was good in arts that made Gray named her contact LeonardoDaVinci. She's the main support of the Guild while also having the painter skills that can shorten their teammates' cooldowns. So she's the party ace alongside Cecilia. And While she's also a university student, she could play very often and consistently while also managing her time to do her study. And never missed a single raid. The tenacity alone makes her the top support of the guild.
"Amayami-chan, now!"
Amayami applies her Buffs to Cecilia, while the other member is catching up to Adam in the frontline. Cecilia, who was beside Amayami, was ready to go.
"Thank you Amayami-chan.. I will go now."
"Be careful Cecilia -san!"
Cecilia starts running towards the boss while still holding the ultimate button. "Cecilia! Switch!"
"Switch!"
"Take this!!
She switched places with Adam. Her character instantly teleported to the frontline, and Her ultimate is unleashed. Dealing massive damage to the Boss. Roarr..… the boss groaned from the pain. Indicating its own current state. Now the Boss only has one third of its max HP. They can now defeat the boss thanks to Cecilia lowering its HP with her ultimate skills.
"Everyone! Right Now!"
They all used their ultimate, leaving only 0 mana. Everyone charges towards the Boss, attacking it with all their might. Feeling excited about what items it would drop when the boss die.
Everyone shouted excitedly. Leaving the group with only Gray as their last main damager.
Gray character, The Saintess she used the Ultimate skill called Sacrifice of the weak. Dealing absolute damage when their teammates mana are 0 and converting their HP as damage while leaving everyone in 1 HP left. A warm light came down from the sky, piercing through the clouds. Making the scene painted with beautiful lights and bringing down a punishing attack to the boss. Leaving the Boss with zero health. Finally the Boss has been defeated. While its body scattered into tiny dust. Dropping the items that they want.
***
The guild meeting room.
"Now we have defeated today Raid Boss. and the item's finally in our possession."
Everyone clapped. The Guild Master, Adam, Cheered while holding his monster drink that can be seen from his camera.
"Thank You everyone for being here from the day one. I can't thank you enough guys, for staying with everyone here. Even when we were all from different countries. There might be some difference between us, we still could unite every one of us under the banner "BrightFall" and be at the top 10 of the best guild."
"Come on, what are you saying Adam.. stop with that kind of talk. We're like family aren't we?"
Hugo, he's 29 years old, the vice guild master of BrightFall. A bald headed dude that has a huge body, and is so friendly. He has the most playtime besides us and has been here from the moment the guild was first founded.
"Yes.. even though we all are from different countries. We can't get rid of the facts that the guild will not be what it was now if you guys aren't here"
Laughter and cheers can be heard from his headphones. Gray, who was silent from the beginning, finally opened his mouth. Breaking his silence.
"Will this be our last raid?"
Suddenly, everyone became silent.
Even if they did not want to admit it, this could be their last time together.
"I heard that several people are starting to get busy with their jobs. And also, Isn't Ryan gonna be a dad? I heard that your wife's pregnant?"
"Hahaha.. yes it is"
"Waaa congratulations for being a father! "
Everyone congratulated Ryan, who was the tank of the guild alongside Hugo. Ryan has a personality that everyone likes. He's a wholesome, good and kind hearted man. Tanking the damage in the frontline alongside Hugo and Adam.
"Now I will be leaving the guild. since i need to take care of my family now"
"I need to leave too. My university final term date is not that far away either. I also need to focus on my work. I'm afraid that i will not have the time to play again"
"Amayami.. "
While he was feeling happy for them. He can't deny that he was feeling sad. Gray expressions can be read by everyone.
"Come on Gray.. don't be like that. You're the reason we were even here today!"
"If it weren't for you, the guild will not be what it is today"
"Yeah.. don't be sad. When the time comes, we will surely meet once again!"
Everyone in the guild knows that Adam, the current guild master, is only a figurehead. The real guild master is in fact Gray. Everyone acknowledged him as the leader while not having the title itself.
"Yeah he's right"
"Yeah Hugo's right!"
"Yeah. We will surely meet again one day." Said Gray with a Big smile on his face.
Everyone laughed and cheered while holding their drink up. Maybe today will be their last time together. but their friendship will last forever.
Today, the overall ranking number 2 guild in the unified rankings, BrightFall, is no more.
***
"I can't believe that our guild just disbanded today"
Said Gray while leaning behind his chair. He really didn't have anything to do now.
"We will surely meet again right?" Said Gray, while looking at the ceiling.
"I probably should have some sleep"
Gray got up from his ergo chair, and headed towards his queen sized bed. Then he lies in his bed while staring into the ceiling.
"BrightFall.. a guild that me, Hugo, and Adam created together was able to reach the top 10 best guild of all time. I can't believe it either. He asked me to be his guild officer and we met Hugo by chance in the game while i was raiding a boss alone, and now we are close like family. It's funny that he's so weak back then, and now they're the leader and vice leader of the number 2 guild. Really..
Gray said sleepily, and finally fell asleep. When he sleeps, he looks like a baby. Hair that has grown long. Clothes that are dull and unwashed. Panda eyes. Gray really looked like a hikikomori. The evening sky is so beautiful. Soft clouds in the sky like marshmallows adorn the evening sky. The light from the evening sky shone on Gray's sleeping face.
***
4 hours later.
Gray found himself woke up in the evening. Can't believe it's already night, Gray said to himself. Gray opened his bedroom window, and looked up at the sky through the window.
"If I'm not mistaken, there will be a shooting star at 10 o'clock. They say this is a very rare phenomenon and people say it's very beautiful. Well, I don't really care."
Gray was deep in thought as he looked up at the sky.
Several minutes passed. Gray was deep in thought. He didn't notice that he had been staring at the night sky for a while.
"Hmm?"
"How long have I been staring at the sky?"
"But, the sky tonight is very beautiful, isn't it... Ah yes, it's June 14th right now... It's my birthday. It's been 2 years, no one celebrates it anymore. On this 24th birthday it is the same, alone."
Years ago, they always celebrated every family member's birthday. Including himself. But everything changed after the incident. They were too busy working or studying and didn't have time to celebrate each other's birthdays.
"In 5 minutes the meteor will appear.. I wonder what the meteor looks like. Are the meteors actually shooting stars? They said that if you pray to the shooting star, your wish will be fulfilled.. If so, I want to make a wish."
"I want, at least to be useful for other people. I want people to be able to depend on me. I want to at least offer my shoulder to ease their burden"
A very bright light appeared from the east.
Is that the meteor? Gray said
Then, the earth shook from its impact.
"Ughhh what is this!!?? Earthquake? AAAAAH!!
Unable to stand up, Gray fell to the floor. Suddenly a large-scale earthquake occurred, along with the shooting star phenomenon.
"Ahh I can't stand up..."
Gray then closed his eyes because the impact of the earthquake was very large. His head was so dizzy that he was unable to see, let alone stand.
A siren sound is ringing from outside. The sound of people screaming, and the sounds of animals could be heard clearly.
The impact of the fall of the meteor caused an earthquake with a very large scale to occur.
"Ughhhh"
Several minutes passed. The earthquake finally ended.
Ding!
"..."
The sounds sounded like a notification sound from a phone.
Gray slowly opened his eyes and found out that he's currently in a strange place. A world that's different from his world.
An unknown world,
"Where am I??"
[Welcome to Alden]
[Player Gray]
BrightFall Chapter 1, Unknown World.
To Be Continued.