-chapter sixty-nine-

FINN

Sa totoo lang, wala na akong naalala.

I think I heard loud cheers and some people gave me a stink eye, pero bumukas na kasi ang gate sa gilid ko. Since their judging eyes held the messages already, nauna na lang akong pumasok. There wasn't anyone to wait for too, not with the current situation.

So to save myself from any harsh words and insults, I opted to step through the gate, moving forward to a new city.

After all, this is a game where staying rooted to the spot won't bear results. How else would I cope up with pain if not to move forward?

A barren land before an abandoned town welcomed me. Para itong nakalocate sa countryside, at walang kahit anong NPC silang nilagay dito. The cloudless sky had a lighter shade than before, a mix of orange in the dark red color. Naglinya ang mga gusali sa bawat gilid ng bayan, forming a box shape. It was almost similar to the village in the Beast's one, but this was more barren and isolated.

The strangest thing was the absence of a welcome notice.

Kapag pumapasok ang isang player sa panibagong city, automatic na lalabas ang mission message na may welcome at introductory note sa city. It helps with narrowing the steps in completing a city. Sa tingin ko ay nawala lang ito noong nasa twelfth city ako na matagal na lumabas ang notice.

I wasn't able to ponder over it for a long time because the gate portal opened. I instinctively stepped aside as the crowd of players rushed out, their eyes falling to the city beyond. May ibang napasulyap sa'kin pero agad sumama ang mukha nila. Na para bang hindi nakakita ng maganda.

I made my stance smaller, hiding behind the others as the popular players stepped out. Mabuti na lang talaga at mayroon akong ultimate stealth so I'm practically invisible, unless their eyes find me.

May rason naman pala para matawag din silang benefit.

I watched as Marcella and June were congratulated for saving the players, the words of admiration and praises never slowing down. June's eyes flickered towards me for a second and a smug smirk appeared in her lips.

"I win." she mouthed, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Blanko ko lang siyang tiningnan. Hindi ko gets kung saan siya nanalo? May nasalihan ba kaming contest na hindi ko alam?

June's eyes did not stay as she continued to drown in the spotlight, relishing at the grand fame she got. Isa 'yan sa mga hindi ko maintindihan at noon ay tinitingnan kong isang hassle. I couldn't really see myself being all high and mighty in the center of crowds. Hindi iyon kaya ng social awkwardness ko.

To think that the public's eye would be centered around me, that they'll follow me and talk things about me, I find it really scary. Napaka-unkomportable rin nito para sa'kin. Kaya siguro mas pipiliin ko na lang ang masasamang tingin kaysa mapunta sa lugar nila.

"Where are we? Omg, finally magho-horror na ba ang game na 'to?"

"Bakit parang walang tao? 'Tsaka mukha namang nasa cowboy film tayo nito."

"Oo nga 'no, walang tao. Wala ding lumabas na message o kung ano."

"We probably need to arrive at a certain location for the instructions to appear."

Natigilan ako sa boses na narinig. It sounded a bit low and weak, probably from what he suffered at the last city, but it was still familiar. The slight drawl in his deep voice and how he always talks with an air of authority and dominance. Dumako ang tingin ko kay Wes na nakatayo sa tabi ni Dierran.

He was massaging his temple, brows furrowed. Ngunit kahit na masakit ang ulo niya'y nagawa niya pang sagutin ang pumapasa-ereng tanong.

"Wes. You're awake." Marcella stated, giving her strategist a quick nod.

Minsan si Marcella paborito ding i-point out ang obvious, 'no?

"What happened in the last cities? My..." Wes frowned. "My memories are all messed up."

Baka nauntog siya?

"Anong ibig mong sabihin, Wes? What city do you last remember?"

"The eleventh city." sagot niya sa tanong ni Dierran. "Which city are we in right now? The thirteenth one?"

"Fourteenth, actually." another voice perked up, dripping with playful arrogance and confidence. "Sang-ayon ako sa sinabi mo, there must be a certain location that would unlock the city mission. The question we should be focusing on now is where."

"Of course 'yan ang fo-focusan natin, Kai." June's casual usage of the nickname made even Kairo rise a brow. "Would it be better if we split up and look for the location?"

"I don't think so. It would be time-consuming to gather around again. Mabuti sana kung mayroon ditong makakalocate ng location." Marcella suggested.

Now that I'm watching them at the sidelines, they really have an aura that made them powerful. From their cool and fierce stances, ang intimidating air na mayroon sila ay nagpapahesitate sa ibang players sa makisama sa usapan. Hmm, I guess they're like the popular squad around the school that knows the usual gossip.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang marealize na wala ako doon. I'd probably look like a lost child in the middle, o parang bibe sa gitna ng mga ostrich. Lalo na't matangkad silang lahat sa'kin.

Bakit kaya hindi ako biniyayaan masyado sa height?

"I think there's one player who can help us."

Renée looks like a model and Gavin is an athlete so he's really tall. Si Sebastian naman matangkad din dahil sa genes niya.

"Sino naman 'yon, Oliver?"

Papa's tall but I must have gotten my height from Mama. Bakit kaya? Okay na sana ako sa words of wisdom niya so sana iyon na lang tapos height kay Papa.

"Si Finn. I believe she can actually help us for locating the mission area."

I gave a slight pout at my thoughts. Pero okay lang naman siguro din 'yon, at least because of this, partnered up with my stealth, it'll be difficult for them to spot me. To prevent myself from getting more hatred, I should just stay in the sidelines.

I wanted to show Marcella and June who they're messing with at first, pero ilang beses ko na rin namang napakita sa kanila ang agwat sa skills namin so siguradong alam na nila 'yon. It'd be emotionally exhausting if I keep on fighting them just because of the situation they've carved for me. I bet that they also want me to be riled up and go feral.

Kaya naman hindi ko gagawin ang gusto nila.

Although, I have no idea why I have a hundred pair of eyes zeroed on me when I looked up.

I blinked, my feet instinctively taking a small step back. Kanina parang nag-uusap lang naman sila sa paghahanap ng mission area ah, kaya bakit nakatitig na silang lahat sa'kin ngayon?

I subtly touched my face to inspect if there are any dirts.

"Finley, can we ask you for help?" June asked, stepping forwards. Umarte na naman ang mukha at mata niya. "I know that we're not on the best terms and you hate me-"

Pwede na talagang maging fake news reporter si June.

"-but I hope we can set aside our rivalries for a second? We need to finish this city and get out of the game. Alam kong galit ka rin dahil sa nangyari sa past city, pero hindi ko naman kasalanan na mas effective ang earth magic ko para ihold down ang dragon."

"Omg. So tama nga ako na nag-away sila sa last city! Sinasabi ko na nga ba! Kaya naunang pumasok si Finn!"

"Oo nga, tapos mukha pa siyang galit. Luh, gusto atang sa kaniya lang palagi ang atensiyon."

"Diba, like duh, if someone's stronger than you, no need to be bitter?"

"Tama, tama. Mabuti na lang mabait at responsable si June."

From all the lies I could hear around me, I was more confused at June's statement. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi niya kaya napakunot ako ng noo.

"Sinasabi mo?"

"Like ang rude niya ngang sumagot oh!"

I mentally pouted. But I don't want to lengthen my question and add words.

"Let's be civil this time. I know you're pissed because you didn't contribute a lot to the past mission-"

"Isang bagay lang ang sigurado ako."

The pout in my mind grew when there were still complaints. Complete sentence na nga 'yon eh.

June raised a brow, urging me to continue. "And?"

"Need to be quick. Don't know what you're talking 'bout, but I never said those words." I gathered the remaining energy and confidence I have left to walk in the path they made for me. "If you can't speak truth, do not spread lies."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang reaksiyon nila at naunang naglakad. I know where the mission area is already because I had the same conclusion as Wes when I arrived here. The overall atmosphere in the city is strange and the game pattern wouldn't be messed up without any reasons. Kaya ginamit ko kanina ang Eye of Truth para malaman kung saan ang mission area.

It took a bit of time before they started following me. It must be a complete whiplash for them. Ang sundan at ibigay ang tiwala sa taong pinagsisigawan mo ng masasamang bagay kanina, siguradong malaki ang atake no'n sa pride nila.

It's why speaking with caution is really recommended for prideful beings. Because when it's stomped later on, caring and mending it would be harder. Shame is a really difficult emotion to accept, after all.

The mission area was located behind an abandoned bakery, pero nalaman kong bakery siya dahil sa architectural design na mayroon ito. It was a small magic circle, a drawn line of glowing blue behind the establishment. I stepped inside first, watching as a player count appeared above my head. Sumunod ang iba at nag-adjust ang circle, growing larger at every player.

It eventually appeared bigger than intended because of the gap between me and the players. I had to evacuate at the edges of the circle so they can all flock comfortably together. Para tuloy akong may virus na pilit nilang iniiwasan.

Although, not all of them really avoided me. Kairo and his alliance made no move to stand closer to me, but they also showed that they don't care where they're situated on. Kaya kung titingnan parang nasa gitna sila namin.

Gano'n din sina Theo at Sapphire na tumabi kay Eura. Marcella stood at the center of the circle, so her alliance crowded around her.

There was a certain stare in that area that made me stubbornly look forwards. Mula pa iyon nang makita kong nakatingin ang lahat sa'kin at hindi nawala hanggang ngayon. Hindi ko na kailangang tumingin para kailangan kung sino ang may-ari, gano'n din para malaman ang intensity ng pagtitig niya.

When all of the players has entered the area, the instructions appeared as well as the pain that shot up in my back.

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Dear Rogues! Congratulations! You have made it into the second phase of this game!

You have officially completed thirteen cities, exactly half of the cities you need to accomplish for this game. But do not be complacent at this speed, because more surprise awaits you.

The fourteenth city revolves around a theme that most games like to have. Be it with their pets, guardians, or mount system. The twelve, legendary astrological signs that are adored by many. You are now inside the famous Zodiac City!

The area you are in now is the Common Lobby. In this barren land, you are given the authority to open and step into any zodiac realm. There are a total of twelve gates around the city which will appear after you completed this guide.

The mission for this city is relatively easy. It is called the Game of Zodiacs, or interestingly, the Liar's Game.

One of you is assigned as the thirteen zodiac, bearing the tattoo of the evil serpent. In order to proceed to the next city, you must either kill all of the twelve zodiacs or hunt down the thirteen zodiac among you and kill them.

The choice is in your hands, rogues. Will you pick the long way or find the liar as a shortcut? Will you follow the natural rules or paint your hands with blood?

Good Luck~

▪︎▪︎▪︎

Almost everyone was rendered speechless at the new mission. Pero hindi sa bagong gagawin namin nakatuon ang pansin ko, ngunit sa attached message na nasa ilalim.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

(You are the only one who can see this message.)

You are appointed as the thirteenth zodiac, Finn. The mark of the serpent is present in your back.

Survive. Hide.

▪︎▪︎▪︎

-chapter end-

Bi-weekly updates na ba 'to? I'm so sorry ㅠㅠ I was overwhelmed with our assigned tasks and events that I had no braincells to write this. Although I hope this update would get you rolling and excited. Thank you so much for reading! I appreciate each and everyone of you, luvs~