-chapter eleven-

FINN

"Player Finn, number 007, you have a total of 80,000 penns on your account. This is the total penns you collected from completing the three cities, getting one Revolution Flag and completing nineteen floors. I will now transfer this into your account. The command is 'Payment' if you wish to spend your penns."

Tumango ako sa sinabi ng NPC. A screen then appeared in front of me, showing the money that I currently posses in game. Magagamit daw ito para sa pagkain, potions, gamit o di kaya ay lodging.

Nang buksan ko ang pintuan ay bumungad sa'kin ang naglalakihang buildings at huts. So there are actually cities like this. Akala ko naman sunod-sunod na mahihirap na city ay kailangan naming daanan.

This is the Metropolis, ang ikaapat na city sa Rogue Wars Online. The place is a mixture of the modern and medieval world. There are huts on top of mushroom-like hills and skyscrapers of modern design. Pwedeng magpahinga ang mga players dito. There are no time limits or monsters to fight off, ang tanging task lamang para makaproceed sa next city ay...

Ang sumali sa isang alliance.

I sighed and looked up. The rules of the city is placed on the blue sky, a refreshing color after the numerous crimson hues.

▪▪▪

Dear rogues, welcome to the Metropolis!

This is a place to freshen up and for resting. Stop by the Bank to collect your penns, the money used in this game. You can entertain yourselves in the Mall or sleep in the Hotel.

You have finished levelling up and we believe that you now posses great skills and buffs. And so, this time, we want to test your ability to connect with other people. In Metropolis, your task is simple.

Create or join an alliance! The next cities will be harder to complete. Thus, having friends to help you is necessary! Aside from that, this is also an opportunity for you to make friends!

Head to the MetroHall for the creation of your alliance. Find worthy allies who will aid you in your journey. Remember that you will not be able to proceed if you're not part of any alliance!

A Revolution Flag is still present in the city. This one offers a great benefit that will contribute to you and your friends. Goodluck, rogues!

▪▪▪

Sa tabi no'n ay ang Leaderboard. Some player named Oli now sat at the top of the board. Sunod sa kaniya ay ang pangalan ko at sa ilalim ay si Marcella. Napabuntong-hininga ako. That means she's already here.

Sana lang nakalimutan niya nang nage-exist ako.

I travelled in the shadows of the buildings, keeping my presence low. Napapaisip pa rin ako sa kay Gavin. I'm pretty sure it was him who protected me against Marcella. Pero, bakit siya nandito? Gavin never told me he played games.

This makes it even difficult. I want to keep an eye on him dahil sa nature ng game na ito. What if something bad happens to him? I need to ensure that he can complete this game. Kailan pa kaya kami makakalabas dito? Siguro'y hinahanap na si Gavin sa kanila. We've already spent more than five hours in this game kaya siguro'y magmi-midnight na sa totoong buhay.

If I need to keep Gavin in my sight, as to ensure his safety, I need to join whatever alliance he's in. Hindi naman siguro siya kasama nina Marcella dahil kinontra niya ito. Pero... who knows? Maybe he didn't know about her and just tagged along? I don't think I'd be able to join if parte siya ng alliance nila. Marcella is already too much, that Amnesia is a headache and Wes is very strange. They are all very exhausting.

Oh. Eura did say something about a newbie in their group. Could it be Gavin? Pwede nga siguro 'yon. Kaya niya rin nakontra si Marcella dahil hindi naman siya parte ng grupo nito. Should I join their alliance? But thinking about Kairo's presence in there makes me hesitate. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumapasok sa utak ng isang 'yon.

Besides, he's also the one responsible for this headhunt that's currently happening. I don't think I can fathom being in the same alliance as him.

I let out a small sigh. Bakit ba kasi sila pa ang naisipan mong samahan, Gavin? I know you're a very easy-going person, but couldn't you just tagged with people who has little care in the world?

"Curious. Mukhang ang lalim ng iniisip mo Finn, ha. Pwedeng makilangoy?"

Napatalon ako sa boses na narinig. Napaawang ang bibig ko nang makita si Sapphire sa harap. She's laughing to herself while pointing at me.

"Hilarious. Ang cute mo! You jumped like a frightened cat!"

Why am I being compared to a cat a lot this last few hours? Kulang na lang na lagyan ako ng cat ears at tail para maging totoo ang sinasabi nila.

"Sapphi." bati ko.

Sapphire grinned. "Happiness. Hey, Finn. Nice to know you didn't forget about me."

Why is she still speaking like that?

Nahagip ng mata ko ang anino na biglang gumalaw. From the dark alley, Theo walked up to us. Nakatago ang dalawang kamay niya sa bulsa.

"Hey there, Finn. Glad to know you're alive and well." tumango siya bilang bati.

A small smile appeared on my lips upon meeting them again. Seeing their familiar and comforting faces is very refreshing. Parang nakalimutan ko tuloy ang mga humahabol sa'kin.

"Teasing. Not just alive and well, she even placed herself on the leaderboard." Sapphire's eyes are twinkling in mischief. "Ano ba ang nangyari pagkakuha sa'yo no'ng halimaw, Finn?"

I blinked. Oh, right. A lot has happened just because of that incident. We were only separated for a city, but it felt like I've already spent years in my life.

"Long story." sagot ko.

"Well, it's good that we have plenty of time." humalukipkip si Theo. "But before that, do you have an alliance you want to join?"

I don't actually want to join any but the rules of this city is preventing me from doing so. Umiling na lang ako bilang sagot.

Theo smiled. "Then how about joining mine?"

My lips slowly parted. "You made an alliance?"

"Yes."

Theo actually doesn't look like someone who is willing to lead people. Madalas ay wala siya sa modo at tahimik. He also emits an exhausted vibe, na parang kahit ang pagtira sa mundo ay nakakapagod para sa kaniya.

"Explanation. It's actually because of the rule that he was forced to create an alliance, Finn." pagkuha ni Sapphire sa atensiyon ko. "Don't worry, we don't exactly need to be beside each other at all times. The alliance was only made for players who doesn't want to join any or prefer playing alone."

"I'll explain it once we arrive at the meeting spot. Marami din kasi ang gustong mapag-isa lang. As a player who's not good at team fights, I also share the same sentiment." saad ni Theo. "Are you interested?"

Tumango ako. If it's an alliance purely made to pass this test, then I'd be alright. Pwedeng hindi na kami masyadong magkita pa in the next cities. We don't owe each other friendship.

"Amused. Alam mo ba, Finn." Sapphire linked her arms to mine. "Talagang hinanap ka pa namin ni Theo bago siya makapagmeeting."

Theo glared at the girl but resumed his walk. Humagikhik si Sapphire na parang may pinaplanong masama.

"Why?" tanong ko.

"Teasing. Hindi ko alam, baka namiss ka-" bigla siyang tumawa nang maiwasan ang inihagis na bote ni Theo. "You were his first partner, after all." pahabol niyang bulong.

"Sapphire, I'm going to kill you." ani Theo.

"Bluff. Ilang ulit mo nang sinabi 'yan. Wala bang bago?"

Mahina akong napatawa sa interaksiyon nilang dalawa. They immediately halted in their steps and stared at me like I grew two heads. Agad akong tumigil sa pagtawa pero nanatili ang munting ngiti sa'king labi.

"Amazement. You can laugh." tila blankong usal ni Sapphire.

Theo sighed. "That's good. You looked like you were carrying the world earlier."

Napakurap-kurap ako. Gano'n ba talaga ako kamukhang problemado kanina? Ibinaba ko ang tingin.

"A lot happened."

"Exasperated. Tell me about it." Sapphire huffed. "Parte ka na ng leaderboard."

"Have a revolution flag."

Nasamid silang dalawa at napatingin sa'kin na nanlalaki ang mata. Laglag ang panga ni Sapphire.

"It was Kairo. I owe him?" hindi siguradong paliwanag ko. "Marcella wants my head. Either I give the flag or die."

Unti-unting nawawalan ng buhay ang mata ni Theo nang sinabi ko iyon. Kasalungat niya si Sapphire na pumalakpak.

"Extremely happy. That was the longest thing you've ever sai-"

Pinutol siya ni Theo. "That must have been exhausting."

Tahimik akong tumango.

"I already want to die just from hearing that." nakangiwing dagdag ng lalaki.

"Upset. Ikaw talaga!" binatukan siya ni Sapphire. "Alam mo ba, Finn, naggive-up na siya kanina noong nasa fifth floor pa lang kami. Sabi niya umalis na daw kami dahil pagod na siya. So, isipin mo! Ako pa ang humatak sa kaniya pababa. He just stood beside the exit door all the time I was fighting! The audacity!"

"Nandito na tayo."

Hindi pinansin ni Theo ang pagdadabog ni Sapphire. Napatingin ako sa hinintuan naming lugar. Isang maliit na parang restaurant ang kaharap namin. The sign was broken off a hook and it was a bit run-down.

"Finn." tawag ni Theo. "It's your choice whether you want to come with us or not. You're not expected to carry out alliance tasks. If you want us to help you fend them off you, we'll gladly do so."

Tumango si Sapphire. "Agreement. Tama si Theo, Finn. You can always count on us to help you!"

"Thank you." nakangiti kong sagot.

Tumango lang si Theo at pumasok sa loob. Sapphire gushed over me before dragging me inside, all the while talking about her adventures. It's really easy for me to become comfortable with them. Pero, parang hindi naman siguro tama na isama ko sila sa problema ko.

They're already helping me a lot by asking me to join this alliance.

Sa isang malaking mesa ay nagpupulong ang mga players. Medyo mas marami ang lalaki kaysa sa mga babaeng nandito. Theo stood in front of us all and Sapphire appeared beside him. Umupo ako sa isang silya na medyo malapit lang sa mesa para marinig at makita pero hindi sapat para makuha ang atensiyon ng iba.

"Oh."

Napabaling ako sa gilid nang marinig ang isang boses. I was face to face with a familiar man. His hair was parted to the side and a cross earing was pierced on his left ear. Kulay asul ang kaniyang mga mata. Kumunot ang noo niya.

"You're familiar."

Ikaw din naman.

"She's the girl who Amnesia bullied."

Napatingin ako sa katabi niya nang magsalita ito. His brown eyes are focused at the table. His black hair and full bangs was combed neatly, may grey streak sa gilid nito. Ang buhok sa likod ng leeg niya ay mahaba.

The man beside me perked up. "Oh. So that's why you were familiar. Nice meeting you again."

Tumango lang ako at iniwas na ang tingin. Naalala ko na. Sila pala 'yong dalawang lalaki na nakasama ko sa game orientation. The one with the piercing was the man who countered Amnesia's insults.

Should I say thank you? Pero... hindi rin naman ako nabother sa sinabi ni Amnesia dahil hindi naman 'yon totoo.

Tumikhim si Theo kaya napatutok kami sa kaniya. "As you all know, this alliance is made just to proceed to the next city. You don't owe any one in here anything. If you create connections, that's alright. If you didn't, that's alright too. Basta, once we walk out of this diner, we can go our own ways.

You can ask any alliance member for help, but they are not obligated to agree. You can team up with them or even with other alliance members. Simply put, we're not required to give each other fucks here."

Itinaas ng lalaki sa tabi ko ang kamay niya. "What about the revolution flags?"

"We can't break the rules. Once a member is in possession of an alliance flag, everyone gets points. However, we can adjust it. The one who found a flag can message me. Sabihin mo kung sino ang kasama mo at idede-duct ko ang points ng lahat except sa inyo."

"What about you?" the man smirked. "How can we trust that you won't harvest the points?"

Pagod na bumuntong-hininga si Theo. "Kasi wala akong pakialam. I don't really care about the benefit or the points. I just want to move cities."

Aside from points, siguro ay nas-share din ang benefit na nakukuha ng isang player? Is that why Marcella is so adamant to make me join her?

Ngumiti ang lalaki. "Hm. Alright."

"Well then, now that that's settled, I assume all of you here is alright with the terms so..." may pinindot si Theo sa ere at may lumabas na screen sa harap ko. "This is all for the wolves who hunts alone."

▪▪▪

Congratulations, dear player! You are now part of the alliance, Lone Wolves.

You have completed this city's task. Feel free to spend your time in here or proceed to the next city. Goodluck, rogue!

▪▪▪

-chapter end-