LEVEL 7

LEVEL 7

They had just done another quest. Astrid and Leviathan defeated the crab monsters that were pestering a small town near the seashore. Nakatanggap sila ng mga special item as their rewards and they got leveled up. I am on level 32 samantalang si Astrid naman ay nasa level 43.

Marami silang mga ginawang quest na magkasama sa loob ng larong 'to. It had been a month or two since they started playing and becoming a party. Because of that we managed to unlock a new continent. Another place to unravel and find epic adventures!

After another quest, they went to a famous restaurant in this new town they'd just unlocked. They served virtual foods- which where, I am telling you, tasted better than the real ones. Kahit na virtual foods lang iyon, the player could feel his stomach full. Maybe because since the game used the user's brain, it sent a signal to it, which the brain interpreted whatever the signal meant. Too complicated.

Tumungo 'rin sila sa isang blacksmith shop to upgrade Astrid's bow. Sa iisang blacksmith lang ako pwedeng magpa-upgrade. Doon sa tatay ni Nita, since s'ya ang gumawa noon.

"Mas malakas na 'to kesa dati," Astrid said as she raised her weapon. Leviathan gave her a nod. The higher the level of the weapon, the higher the chance of giving damage. Mas magiging madali ang pakikipaglaban.

Lumabas na rin sila ng shop pagkatapos magpa-upgrade ni Astrid. Excited na excited na nga s'yang sumalang sa quest e.

"Let's find a merchant's store and buy potions," aya ni Leviathan. Tinignan n'ya kasi ang inventory- only to find out that I do not enough supply of potions. Malamang ay naubos n'ya ito sa gitna ng isang mahirap na quest.

"Sige. Ubos na rin ang akin e."

Lumiko sila sa isang maliit na eskinita, na napapagitnaan ng dalawang establisyemento. The map said that it was a shortcut for the nearby store.

Habang naglalakad ay nagtatanungan ang dalawa dalawa tungkol sa mga buhay nila sa labas ng laro.

"Astrid?"

"Hmm?"

"Ilang taon ka na?"

Nilingon s'ya nito. "Bakit mo natanong?"

"Bakit, masama?"

"Psh!"

"Ano nga?" Bakas ang pagiging seryoso sa tinig nito.

"17. Ikaw?"

He nodded. "Ah, okay. 17 na rin ako."

"Grade 12?"

"Grade 11," naiiling n'yang tugon, "I had to stop a school year when I was in elementary dahil na-diagnosed ako ng dengue."

"Ako 'rin, grade 11. 6 years old na kasi ako nag-aral. Actually, hindi ako nag-kinder."

Nagpatuloy sila sa pagbabato ng tanong sa bawat-isa habang binabaybay ang daan tungo sa store. Leviathan wanted to ask her real name and where she lived, but he thought it would naturally come to her if she wanted him to know about it. Gano'n din naman s'ya.

"Sa Riverdale High School ka nag-aaral?" Pag-ulit n'ya sa sinabi ng binata. He gave her a nod. "That's a nice public school, actually."

"Doon din-" Leviathan put his fingers on her virtual lips. "Shh!" Senyas nito sa kanya. She gave him a confused look. "Did you hear that?" He asked in a low voice. From the tone of his voice, Astrid knew there was something going on.

They sharpened their ears until they could hear laughs and someone crying near their place.

"Baka may kinakawawang player na naman," Astrid said. Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Hindi ko talaga lubos maisip kung bakit may mga mapagmataas na player. Leviathan found his fist and jaw clenching.

"Let's help the player," he whispered with that determined look. Tumango lamang si Astrid at nilabas ang kanyang sandata.

🎮

"Ano ba?! Lubayan nyo nga ako!" The girl player cried. A male player with green mohawk hair pushed her to the ground. She moaned when she felt the painful impact behind her.

Sabi na nga ba. Nagtago sila ni Astrid sa likod ng mga balde na may laman na tubig.

"Ibigay mo na ang hinihingi namin!" Utas ng lalaking brusko ang pangangatawan na puro tattoo. Limang lalaki sila samantalang nag-iisa lang ang babae. Leviathan checked their player's identification above them.

«Green»

Lvl. 35

«Black»

Lvl. 35

«Red»

Lvl. 35

«Gray»

Lvl. 35

«Yellow»

Lvl. 35

«Blue»

Lvl. 35

Wait, what's with their names? Pinagplanuhan ba nilang base sa kulay ang mga pangalan nila?

"Err, Rainbow ba ang pangalan ng guild nila?" Siniko s'ya ni Astrid at sinaman ng tingin. What?

Binalik na lang ang tingin n'ya sa kinakawawang player. Her username was Artemis, level 5. Like Astrid, she's under the class of assassin. A ninja. Nalaman n'ya agad dahil sa kasuotan n'yang ninja uniform. A ninja-yoroi with armor plates attached to it.

She kinda looked bad-ass. She would be a strong player if she'd turned into a higher level.

"Ano ba?! Mag-quest kayo para maka-gain ng coins?! Hindi yong nangunguha kayo sa iba," sigaw ni Artemis sa mga player. But the wicked players gave her a mocking laughter.

"Wow, sumasagot ka pa!" It was Red. The guy with the red mohawk, of course. Actually, parang magkakamukha lang sila, naiba lang ang kulay ng buhok. "Kung ayaw mo ibigay ang hinihingi namin," their faces became scarier, "Pasensya na lang sa 'yo, newbie-"

That was their cue...

"LIGHT SCREAM!" Astrid released her powerful arrow unto their direction. It exploded then illuminated blinding light that would blind them for a moment. An alarm appeared in front of them.

[ NOTICE ]

[ OFFENSE ] Astrid is attacking co-players! Sending notice to Town Jail.

Penalty:

500 coins.

*Failure to pay the penalty results in a heavier penalty (including: user ban).

"Shit. Saan galing 'yon?"

"Fuck. Wala akong makita!"

"Ang sakit sa mata!"

Tumalon naman si Leviathan mula sa pinagtataguan at tumakbo patungo kay Artemis. That special skill of Astrid had an effect only for her targets-kaya hindi ako naapektuhan nito.

He grabbed Artemis and made their escapade out of this place. They couldn't attack those bastards anymore, it was one of the rules if a player was in a town.. Once a player attacked another player, there would be a penalty depending on the heaviness of the offense made.

Fortunately, Astrid had to pay a small amount of coins as her penalty. Tingin ko hindi naman magkakaroon ng bad reputation si Astrid since she didn't actually attack them.

Furthermore, if a player killed another player, the player would be immediately sent to jail; a temporary or permanent user ban could be effective, too. The player would also gain the title of being a criminal. Penalties depend on the heaviness of the crime.

Sumunod sa kanila si Astrid. Tumakbo sila palabas ng eskinitang 'yon hanggang sa marating nila ang town's public market. Pumasok sila sa loob ng isang resto. They needed to hide for a moment because for sure those bastards would find them.

"Hu!" Leviathan wiped the sweat formed on his forehead. "That was close!" Astrid called the waiter then asked for water. Maybe to relieve ther virtual thirst...

Is there such a thing?

Panting, his gaze went to Artemis. Her head was lowered yet he could see how she bit her trembling lips.

"Kiddo, are you-" Leviathan was cut off when, finally, her virtual tears fell from her eyes.

W-Wait.

Hindi ko s'ya pinaiyak, ha!

"H-Hoy, hindi kita pinaiyak a!" Kabado nitong sabi nang nagsimulang umiyak si Artemis. Nasa tabi n'ya si Astrid na mabilis s'yang inalo.

"Shh, 'wag ka na umiyak. Malayo na tayo sa mga pangit na player na 'yon."

Was she new to this game? Siguro.

Most probably, she just entered the virtual world just now. Leviathan heaved a sigh as he brushed his silver hair. If we didn't come just in time, maaring sinaktan na s'ya ng mga 'yon. This may be a virtual world, a fantasy world, but they still should follow the rules of the real world.

"Kami na humihingi ng dispensa sa mga player na 'yon. Mukhang kakapasok mo pa lang dito sa laro pero ayon na agad bungad sa 'yo." The glass of water Astrid ordered came. Ininom 'yon ni Artemis, calming down herself. She seemed so fragile, that even slicing an onion could make her shed tears.

"You got a nice costume, bagay sa 'yo,"Astrid complimented to somehow make her smile. He agreed with her. Artemis' costume was so cool! If I have the chance to redesign my costume, gan'yan 'din ang gagawin ko. Ang astig.

"T-Talaga?"

They both gave her a nod. Finally, her trembling lips pressed into a thin curved line. "Thank you."

Habang nasa loob sila ng resto, nag-kwento si Artemis tungkol sa sarili n'ya. She was way younger than them-she just turned 14 yesterday. Her mother gave her a Game Gear as a gift. Ngayon n'ya lang raw s'ya nakapasok sa INTO FANTASY. She also said that she chose to become a ninja assassin because she was influenced by her favorite anime show before.

"Nakaka-miss na nga 'yon panoorin, e," pag-amin n'ya habang nakangiting nagku-kwento. "Actually, I have a quest..." nahihiya n'yang sabi saka yumuko, "kaso tingin ko, hindi ko kaya."

"But you already reached level 5, a? Kaya mo 'yan!"

She scratched her nape then averted her eyes somewhere. "Nakailang respawn ako sa nauna kong mga quest, nahirapan akong maabot ang level na ito."

Nagkatinginan si Astrid at Leviathan. Sinamaan s'ya nito ng tingin nang mapansin ang pagpigil ng tawa ng binata. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi na ako makahinga. He bit his lower lip but his whole lips were curving. Damn it.

"Gusto mo, tulungan ka naming dalawa?" Astrid offered with her ever-soothing voice.

Artemis' gloomy face suddenly glowed. Ang birtwal n'yang mga mata ay parang mga butuin na kumikinang.

"Sigurado po kayo?"

Ngumiti si Astrid. "Oo naman," hinaplos nito ang buhok ng katabi, "tutulungan ka namin ni Leviathan. 'Di ba?"

Yumuko ang binata, pinipigilan pa rin ang pagtawa. "O-Oo naman."

Ang babaw ng kaligayahan ko!

🎮

'They headed to a wide garden owned by a rich NPC family here in this town. Dito raw ang quest ni Artemis. This garden was pestered by humongous grasshoppers that killed almost all of the beautiful plants and flowers in this place. Ang goal ni Artemis ay patayin ang 10 grasshoppers na nanrito.

Si Astrid ang tumulong kay Artemis. Maalam kasi si Astrid kahit papaano sa class ng assassin dahil gusto n'yang maging assassin dati. If Astrid had a bow and arrow, Artemis had kurumaken type of shuriken. It was a star-shaped sharp weapon. She was also wearing a special ring on her finger kung saan nagma-materialise ang armas n'ya. It was like the shining orb on Astrid's bow.

Ang cool.

Since she was an assassin, she had an amazing speed. She could travel from one place to another fast and do swift movements. She could also hide herself easily-isa sa mga katangian ng isang ninja. Astrid taught her how to control her virtual body and her weapon to do critical attacks.

Samantalang si Leviathan ay nakaupo lang sa dulo, pinapanood silang dalawa na talunin ang mga level 10 na monsters. Wala naman itong maituturo kay Artemis dahil taliwas ang class nila; swordman kasi ito. He couldn't also interrupt her quest, even Astrid who was just guiding her.

"Ah!" Artemis moaned when a monster slashed her chest. Her health bar dropped to half. "Uminom ka agad ng health replenishing drink-ilag!" sigaw ni Astrid nang muntik na naman itong tamaan ng matulis na kamay ng higanteng tipaklong. Kung hindi s'ya umilag, patay na naman s'ya. She should really master her speed.

"Attack them now!" Artemis released sharp kurumakens then threw them to the monsters. Some managed to deflect it, some were hit by it. Hindi gano'n kalaki ang damage nito dahil malaki ang agwat ng level nila.

Artemis closed her eyes. She concentrated, materializing a powerful kurumaken on her hand. Nang buksan nito ang kanyang mata ay mataas s'yang tumalon sa ere. Woah. It was higher than the tallest tree in this garden!

Habang nasa ere ay binato n'ya ang kurumaken sa target. Bumulusok ito pababa mula sa itaaas na aakalaing isa itong meteor. Tumama ito sa monster at mabilis na bumagsak ang health bar sa kalahati. Bago pa ito makabawi sa atake ay sinugod n'ya ito at pinaulanan ng kurumakens hanggang sa tuluyan itong mamatay.

A-Ang lakas n'ya! Ang astig!

May siyam pa s'yang kailangang patayin. Isa-isa n'ya itong tinapos- with the help of Astrid, of course- hanggang sa matapos ang kanyang quest. She also turned into a level 7 player.

"Nice!" Nag-apir ang dalawa na kapwa pagod. "Ang lakas mo pala, Artemis e!" Puri ni Leviathan sa kasama nilang newbie player. Wala akong ibang masabi sa kanya bukod sa ang angas n'ya...

"Thank you po sa tulong n'yo," nahihiyang sabi ng newbie player.

It was a whole day with Artemis, their newly found friend inside the virtual world. Since she was a first-timer, Leviathan and Astrid felt like they had the responsibility to aid her. That was why, after that quest, they ventured on a journey together with Artemis. Tinulungan nila itong sa mga sumunod nitong quest, pati ang pagpapa-level up. They helped Artemis to catch up with their level so that she could come with them exploring different places.

Hindi naman gano'n kahirap tulungan si Artemis, Leviathan thought. She's a fast learner, too!

Later on, Artemis had found it easier to maneuver her avatar. Nagagamay n'ya na ang skills n'ya as a ninja, as well as some of the modifications in her virtual body. Iba kasi ang kontrol sa pisikal na katawan sa katawan na meron sila sa loob ng mundong ito.

Hanggang sa nakakayanan na ni Artemis gumalaw nang kan'ya lang-walang tulong ni Leviathan o ni Astrid. It felt like they were parents raising their child. Which sounds absurd!

"Gusto mo sumali sa party namin?" Astrid asked, beaming a smile. Kitang-kita nila mula sa kanilang kinauupuan ang unti-unting pagtatagpo ng araw at kalupaan. The sun was slowly hiding to rest. Above the sky were the flying creatures. Ang ganda pagmasdan ng mundong ito.

"R-Really?" Artemis asked, seemingly hesitant. Pabalik-balik ang tingin nito sa dalawa na tinuturing n'ya ng ate at kuya. She didn't think that she would meet nice people like them in this world.

Si Leviathan ang sumagot nang may malapad na ngiti. "Oo naman! Masaya kapag marami sa party, 'di ba?"

The girl giggled, "Oo naman po! Sasali ako sa inyo para sabay-sabay tayong maglaro dito!"

The three of them shared a laugh together. Now, Migo had standard people who were too indulged in gaming. It was not because of the gaming experience, or its high graphics, or the satisfaction it gave whenever you accomplish something-it was because of the people they met every time they planned. It was because of the unexpected friendship they could create along the way- the memories. For some, this might be a fake world built by computer, everything was only made up for entertainment, but for them this is all real.

Just like meeting Astrid and Artemis. I now have more reasons to enjoy this world...

[ NOTICE ]

Artemis joined your party!

Nothing could go wrong inside INTO FANTASY. Or so they thought.

To be continued.