LEVEL 3

LEVEL 3

"Nasaan kaya sila?" Tanong ni Sabrina habang nililibot ang kaniyang tingin sa buong airport. Kinakabahan ito na baka maligaw lalo na't unang beses niyang tumapak sa airport nang mag-isa. It took her several hours before they landed in the airport. Kasama n’ya ang mga kasabayang pasahero na isa-isang sinusundo ng kanilang mga kamag-anak.

"Sabrina," nilingon ni Sabrina ang tumawag sa kaniya. Sa kaniyang paglingon, nakita niya ang kaniyang pinsan na si Haruko o mas kilala niya bilang Haru, kasama ang kaniyang tito't tita.

"Haru!" Sigaw ni Sabrina, mabilis niyang tinakbo ang pinsan at mahigpit n'yang niyakap.

"Na-miss kita!" Ani ni Sabrina.

Sunod naman nitong niyakap ang kaniyang tito't tita na naging pangalawang magulang na rin niya. "Ang ganda naman ng pamangkin ko! Ang kinis ng balat, magandang hibla ng buhok, makurbang katawan, matangos na ilong– ang ganda mo talaga! Dumadaloy ang dugo ng Ichijo sa iyo, hija." Puri ng tita nito sa kaniya.

"Ay, teka lang, Sabrina." Haruto something in his sling bag. He took the book he and Migo bought last day. "Bestfriend ko pa pumili nyan!"

Malugod itong tinanggap ni Sabrina at niyakap ang libro. "Thank you so much, Haru! I owe you this one, pakisabi sa bestfriend mo ay thank you."

"Mukhang gutom na si Sabrina, why not sa resto na malapit na tayo mag-dinner? I'm sure she's hungry." Mr. Baltazar offered.

🎮

After taking a bath and wearing his school uniform, Migo headed to the kitchen to prepare his breakfast. Migo had to prepare all of his meals for months since his parents were out of town for some time.

He fried bacon and fried rice with egg. He also had his warm milk. Hindi ako nagka-kape masyado dahil hindi ako nakakatulog kapag nakainom. After having my breakfast, He was good to go.

Earlier, Mom called to check if he was okay here. Nakarating na silang US kaninang madaling araw, at nagpapahinga na sa hotel. Hindi na ito ang unang beses na naiwan ang mag-isa rito sa bahay. Saka sinanay na s’ya na maging independent noon pa man.

He had a bike, but today he didn't use it because he felt lazy so he just commuted. It took him some minutes before reaching Riverdale High School. This was where he and Haruto were studying as Grade 11 HUMSS students.

Pagdating n’ya sa room ay laking pagtataka n’ya nang makita ang mga kaklase na naka-bilog sa isang dating espasyong seat.

'Ang ganda mo naman!'

''S-salamat."

'May lahing japanese ka din ba?'

"Oo, yung mama ko ay may lahing hapon."

'Nakakapag-salita ka ng Nihongo?"

"Ah, hindi. Mas gusto ni mama na maging fluent ako sa pagsasalita ng tagalog."

"Oops! Teka saglit! Hinay-hinay lang sa tanong guys!" It was his crackhead best friend, Haruto. What’s with the commotion? Nilagay ni Migo ang bag sa upuan at nakiusosyo sa kanila. Pilit n’yang siniksik ang sarili sa mga nagkukumpulan na kaklase. Damn. Umaga pa lang pero ba't may naaamoy na akong hapon?

"Excuse me! Makikiraan lang."

"Hey, Migo!" Haru called me.

“The heck, Haru! Ano ba tong trip mo ngayon —" Haruto, who was jolly as always, put his finger on his friend’s lips before he could finish his words. Migo irritatedly removed it. The latter just laughed.

"Ang init naman ng ulo ng aking solid BFF na si Migo Felix! By the way," gumilid ng kaunti upang masilayan ng kaibigan ang babae sa kaniyang likod.

She must be...

Migo stilled for a moment.

"Meet my cousin, Sabrina!" He introduced her cousin. Sabrina, who was so shy at that moment, beamed a smile. "Hi!"

They were closed at the window, the air entering the room blew Sabrina's straight pitch black hair. She almost resembled a shampoo endorser. She was like the fairy of the shampoo he once heard from a song.

They were right when they said that Sabrina had her own exceptional beauty. She had a slender body. She got a small defined face— almost looking like a doll. Her porcelain-like skin glowed as the sun reflected on it.

"Hi, Im Migo Felix Manansala,” the boy shyly introduced.

"Kilala na kita, madalas kang i-kwento sa akin ni Haru." Sabrina replied. Migo didn't know but he felt embarrassed by what she said. Kahit kailan talaga ay madaldal ang pinsan n'ya.

He was about to speak when their Personal Development instructor came in and the class had started. As usual, Sabrina formally introduced herself to her new classmates and teachers in her new school. At kahit ngayon pa lang s'ya nakilala ng lahat, tila ba mga kaibigan na n'ya na ang mga ito. Maybe because she looked welcoming and friendly. Her smile could make someone feel at ease.

She was Sabrina Arizola. 17 years old. She came from the province where she and Migo’s brainless friend, Haru grew up together. She transferred here in the preparation of taking higher education and to pursue her dreams. And yes, Haru came from a province before but they went here in Riverdale because his father’s work was near the place.

"Class dismissed." Their Creative Writing subject ended. Migo stretched his arms and waist then yawned. I almost fell asleep during the class.

Time for lunch break.

Kaniya-kaniyang tayo naman ang iba upang tumungo sa school cafeteria na malayo sa Senior High building. They needed to walk for at least 5 minutes before we could reach the caféteria's building.

Hassle, Migo thought.

Migo grabbed his lecture notes and put them in his bag. He was busy arranging his lecture notes when he felt a hand pulling him away from his seat.

"Teka, ano ba?!" Bitawan mo ako!"

"Ang bagal mo kasi! Mamaya mo na 'yon ayusin!" Haruko shouted while pulling him away. Para lang s’yang papel na tinatangay ng hangin sa ginagawa ng kaibigan. Nagpatianod na lamang ito sa kanya.

"Hey, stop it, Haru! Baka nasasaktan na yang kasama mo!" Suway ni Sabrina nang makita nila sa baba na naghihintay sa kanila. Finally, he set Migo’s wrist free. Damn. It hurts!

"Tara na pasok na tayo!" Maligalig na banggit ni Haru sabay pasok sa canteen. "Doon tayo sa lagi nating pwesto." Ani niya.

They entered the cafeteria and sat in their favorite place there. It was near a glass wall where they could see the forest on the back of their school. After all, Riverdale was an old town still surrounded by forest.

Pagkaupo pa lang ay naririnig na nila ang bulungan ng mga tao sa paligid. They were talking about the new girl, Sabrina.

Si Haruto na ang nag-presinta na bibili ng kanilang kakainin. At libre n'ya pa.

"Ano kakainin mo, Migo?"

He told him his usual break time meal. "Burger and diet coke. Padagdagan ng hot sauce 'yong burger."

"Sayo, pinsan?"

"Kahit ano na lang, Haru. Basta masarap." Tugon ni Sabrina. "Then, burger and diet coke too are fine." Tumungo na si Haru at bumili ng kanilang kakainin.

Silence enveloped the two of them once Haruto disappeared. Should I initiate the conversation? It was his first time meeting her so he couldn't talk to her the way he does with his cousin!

But then, suddenly, Sabrina spoke.

"Pagpasensiyahan mo na si Haru kanina, hyper talaga 'yon," wika ni Sabrina. She was talking about how his crazy cousin fell downstairs.

"No it's fine. Sanay na ako," tugon ng binata na may mahinang tawa. Of course, it was not fine. Masakit pa rin ag pala-pulsuhan ko sa ginawa ng siraulong 'yon. "Laging gan'on yun," dagdag n’ya pa. Sanay na akong intindihin s’ya kapag hindi s'ya nakakainom ng gamot.

"So, saan ka nag-aaral bago napunta dito?" Pagbubukas ni Migo ng usapan. He couldn't think of any decent question, that was why he ended up asking such a thing.

"I came from a small private school in our province,” Tugon ng dalaga. Her voice sounded so soft, complimenting her soft visual feature.

"I see," sambit ni Migo. "May I know the reason ng paglipat mo?" At the back of his mind, he wanted to punch himself for asking awkward questions.

"Ewan ko kay Mommy, sabi n'ya she wanted me to study outside our province to attain new experience naman daw. Parang practice na rin raw kasi sa college gano'n din… sa labas ng probinsya ako mag-aaral. Saka para raw maka-bonding ko si Haruto. Ako lang kasi nag-iisa n'yang pinsan, saka wala s'yang kapatid."

Malalim pa ang naging usapan nila ni Sabrina. She told him more about herself. Her life before at her province, which by the way was named Azalea and was a province located in an island, her latest experiences and more. Hanggang sa unti-unti nang naging komportable sila sa isa’t-isa.

So comfortable that they ended up talking about Haruto.

"Hahaha! So what happened to Haru?" Migo asked, laughing. They were talking about Haru.

Kung paano s'ya minsang naligaw pauwi!

"Ayon," halata ang pagpipigil ni Sabrina sa pagtawa. "Mukha siyang batang yagit sa gilid ng kalsada ng makita ni Tita! Hahahaha!" Then both of them laughed again.

Habang nagtatawanan, they didn't notice Haru sitting on their side with his confused look.

🎮

Patay na ako nito kay Astrid dahil usapan namin ay 8pm at 8:30 na! Ang hirap kasi ng assignment nila sa Gen Math. It took him so long before he could find the right answer.

Or maybe it was just me who didn't understand anything from the discussion earlier?

Saka... teka? Bakit ako matatakot? She was just a player like me! She should have understood having a cruel life in the real world!

Migo headed to his room. He laid his body on the bed and then placed the gear on his head.

"Dive in!"

The weird unseen force sucked him consciousness unto the other world.

Once he opened his eyes, he was already inside INTO FANTASY and in the body of his avatar, Leviathan. He found himself sitting in the same position here on the bench at the town's plaza. He checked his profile window. I’m still at level 2. “Marami pa akong kailangang gawin para lumakas sa mundong ito.”

Upon checking his profile, his in-box was flooded by someone's messages. Kanina pa pala n'ya ako hinihintay.

Astrid:

Nasa Sapphire Forest ako. Bilisan mo!

You:

Otw.

Napatingin ito sa map icon at hinanap ang Sapphire Forest. It was 10 minutes away from the town's plaza. Hindi pa s’ya maaring gumamit ng crystal warp to teleport from one place to another and he had not enough money to rent a horse so he had to walk.

It took him an exhausting parade until he reached the Sapphire Forest. Mabuti na lamang at hindi gaanong mainit sa mundong ito. Kapagod!

He entered the forest and wandered around to see where the hell was Astrid. He was using a special feature that allowed him to locate his comrade. Once a player became a part of a party or guild, they could unlock the GPS feature to locate each other. It won't work for solo players, of course.

"Huh?" Leviathan’s forehead creased. The GPS said that Astrid was nearby, but where? Papalapit na raw ito sa akin pero hindi ko naman—

"Aaaaaaah!" Her loud scream echoed across the forest. There, he found her running like a coward toward his direction. Fear was clearly evident in her face. Bakit? Anong meron?

She just passed on him then jumped high on the giant tree. She hid herself there as she was hiding for someone. Hinahabol ba s'ya ng killer?

“Eh?” He uttered. "Hoy, Astrid! Bumaba ka nga!"

"DAGAAAA!" She screamed then pointed at the gigantic mole rat running in their direction.

Leviathan was too late to take action when the mole rat attacked him. It bit him on his torso and threw his virtual body into the air. Tumalsik ang katawan nito at tumama sa matigas na puno. Takte! Daig n’ya pa ang binunggo ng truck. It almost had his bones severely broken.

Because of that, Leviathan’s health bar dramatically decreased and he felt sudden weakness. His torso was tainted with blood coming from my deep wound. He was about to drink a health replenisher when Astrid threw one at him. Ayon na lang ang ginamit n’ya para mapuno ang health bar.

'Squuick!'

The mole rat attacked Astrid above the tree. Seemed like the latter had a phobia of rats, making her tremble in horror. She pulled out a knife from her inventory and pointed it at the mole rat as if it could scare the monster.

What is she doing?!

It was about to devour the poor lady when Leviathan, her comrade, called its attention. Lumingon naman ito sa kan’ya at sa kan’ya nabaling ang atensyon. Its crimson eyes glowed at the player, reflecting death for those who would fall under its razor sharp close.

‘Squiick!’

Leviathan heaved a heavy sigh. I must use my weapon now. He opened his inventory and pulled out the sword he obtained from his previous quest. The black blade. It was a pair of humongous metal swords with a strong black coating. It was so sharp that it could slice something in just one slash.

And I don't know how to use this thing.

'Squick!'

The mole rat, who was the size of an average car, jumped through the air.

"Hoy, Leviathan! Malapit na siya!" Astrid screamed when she noticed that he wasn't moving.

"Levi—"

The following thing happened like how light travelled in space.

The mole rat was about to scratch the player with its sharp claws when his black blade deflected it. The black blade managed to break its claws. The mole rat jumped backward then cried loudly for its broken claws.

Woah! Migo could feel strange energy running through his veins. It seemed like it came from each of his swords. It was illuminating light blue light. Leviathan felt so strong.

Maybe he had unlocked a sword skill unknowingly.

'Squuick!’

The mole rat attempted to attack him again but his body moved fast. Mabilis s’yang bumulusok tungo sa direction nito. His black blade pierced through its body, slicing it into half. Blood sprayed on the air, its rusty smell clung to his nose.

Dahil mataas ang level ng mole rat na nakalaban ko tumaas din ang level n’ya... nang triple!

[ CONGRATULATIONS ]

You’ve reached Lvl. 6

[ NOTICE ]

You have slain a level 5 mole rat!

Reward:

30 coins

Bumaba si Astrid ng puno. Naka-rehistro sa mukha n'ya ang pagkagulat dahil sa nakita kanina-kanila lang. Her eyes were glued to Leviathan’s sword that was coated with some blood. He slashed it through the air to remove the stain.

She came with that look. "Leviathan..."

"Ang astig ba ng ginawa ko?" The latter boasted. Well, what I did was really cool, wasn't it? He killed a gigantic rat in just a single move. Leviathan couldn't stop himself grinning from that thought.

"P-paano mo nakuha 'yang rare weapon mo?" Astrid asked.

"Secret! Hehehe!" He answered while scratching his nape.

"Eh, paano mo natutuhan gamitin yun? Kahapon ka lang naman naglaro ah?"

"Nag-research ako patungkol dito at nanoood sa YouTube kung paano ito gamitin." Leviathan raised his sword and let the virtual sun reflected on it.

Napakagandang tignan.

[ CONGRATULATIONS ]

You learned a new skill!

«Lightning bullet»

"Yosh! May skill na ako!" He almost punched in the air in too much joy. Now I can slay more monsters with my newly achieved skill—!

"Dagaa!" Astrid screamed again, almost defeating the scream of the scream queens, then hurriedly climbed back to the tree to hide.

"Hehehehe! Kaya mo na yan, Leviathan! Go!"

'Squiick!'

'Squiick!'

Leviathan held his twin blade tighter with a mischievous grin plastered on his lips. He could hear them running, hungry to kill everything that they would see moving.

"Come here and play," Leviathan whispered. He let the heat sensation materialize on his weapon. He also could see bolts forming on it.

"LIGHTNING BULLET!" He opened his eyes and attacked the enemies with the combined speed of lightning and bullet piercing through the air.

To be continued.