-chapter five-

LEALIS

I CROSSED my legs as I watched the chaos unfold. Galit na galit ang lima kay Rae at panay naman ang depensa ng kakambal ko sa desisyon niya. I have never watch a drama this entertaining again. Shame I don't have any foods.

"Bobo ka ba?!" sabay batok ni Risu sa pinsan. "Yung agwat natin sa kanila kasinglaki ng Jupiter, ungas!"

Rae glared. "Ano ba Ru! Two months 'yon. Siyempre lalakas din tayo no'n."

"Same as them." komento ni Vys. "Lalakas din sila habang nagpapalakas tayo."

"Iyon nga ang sinasabi ko, tangek ka!" another batok from Ru.

I stretched out my legs dahil medyo sumakit na ito. Ilang minuto na nga ba ang bangayan nila? Ang babait nila kanina no'ng nandito pa ang grupo ni Solace pero nang makaalis na, inatake agad nila si Rae.

Napahikab ako. We should go to the Blacksmith now to get a job and proceed with the game pero iba ang pinoproblema ng mga kasama ko.

It's not like we can turn back time or take Rae's request back. Um-oo na ang kabilang grupo at hindi na namin alam kung saan sila nagpunta kaya siguradong ang sunod na pagkikita namin ay doon na sa Game of Governors.

"Ano sa tingin mo, Leis?!" biglang bumaling si Risu sa'kin. Can't she see that I'm trying to avoid being associated with their noise? "Hindi ba't isang bobong desisyon 'yon?"

Inikot ni Quatro ang mata. "Makabobo ka parang may maganda ka namang contribution sa grupo na 'to."

"Hindi kita kinakausap so shut up. Ikaw ba si Leis? Ikaw ba?"

Pagod akong bumuntong-hininga. Naririndian na ako sa kanila. "We can't do anything about it no-"

"Of course we can!"

We frowned, especially because she seemed confident at that statement. Ano pa ba ang pwede naming magawa maliban sa magpakita at magpakamatay do'n sa event na 'yon?

"Hindi tayo sumulpot!"

Binatukan siya nina Chae, Quatro at Ansel. Napailing na lang ako. Talagang pinaghalong Tito River at Tita Feure 'tong si Risu. Nasaan na kaya napunta ang pagka-chill ni Tito Irusu?

Umirap si Chae. "Hindi kayang baliin ni Rae ang pangako niya sa ibang tao, nakalimutan mo ba?"

"Maganda ngang challenge 'to eh!" masayang wika ni Ansel. "Ito na ang oras natin para magpalakas! Isipin niyo ang mangyayari kapag nakalaban natin sila sa event? Ang mga halimaw na 'yon."

"Matatalo tayo." sabay na sagot ni Quatro at Risu.

I wonder why they're so against it. Nasa likod lang naman sila the whole time.

"Hindi!" sinamaan sila ni Ansel ng tingin. "We will be legends."

"Kakanood mo anime 'yan." Ella suddenly sat beside me, making me flinch. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil parang hindi ko siya nakita kanina.

"Saan ka galing?"

"Ah. I went to the Blacksmith para kunin ang Mechanic na job. Akala ko nga sumunod na kayo pero hindi pala. Anong nangyari?"

Nalaglag ang panga naming lahat sa sinabi niya. Nakakuha na siya ng job?!

"Sandali... Sandali-" Risu was already twitching in anger. "May job ka na?"

Inosenteng tumango si Eurie.

Sa isang iglap ay nasa harap na ng babae si Risu at niyuyugyog ito ng malakas, that it almost made Ella dizzy. For a priest, she sure has insane speed in the most useless time. "Bakit? Paano? Bakit may job ka na?"

"Oi bitawan mo nga ang kapatid ko!" pilit namang inaalis ni Quatro ang babae.

Another popcorn-worthy event. Pwede na atang um-apply sa teleserye itong mga kaibigan ko at ang daming ganap sa buhay.

"Ka-Kasi-aray!" iyak ni Eurie nang pisilin ni Ru ang magkabilang pisngi niya. "Kashi shabi naman diba punta daw sha blacksmith pagkatapos-aray waa!- kaya pumunta ako!"

In the corner of my eye, Chae and Ansel were trying to quietly leave the group. For the second time, Risu might be a rogue again, because with an awesome perception, she snapped her head to their direction. Hindi ko mapigilang mainggit mula sa speed niya kanina at perception ngayon. Kung sana ganito din siya kabilis sa laban 'no? Hindi 'yong patulog-tulog lang siya.

"Saan kayo pupunta?!" singhal niya.

"Siyempre sa blacksmith." Chae rolled her eyes. "We're only delaying time by staying here."

I didn't want to nod kahit na agree ako sa sinabi niya kaya tumayo na lang ako. Tinapik ko ang balikat ng pinsan na kasalukuyang nagiging dragon.

"Let's just head over to the Blacksmith. We have plenty of time to plan about Rae's request." I tried being the voice of reason. "Right now, getting strong and levelling up is our priority."

Risu deflated like a balloon. Binitawan niya si Ella na naiiyak na at ngumuso. "Fine."

"Sandali lang-" pinihit ni Quatro si Ru paharap sa kaniya. "Bakit 'pag si Leis na, sumusunod ka agad?"

"Duh. Kasi bestie at pinsan ko 'yan. Importante ka ba sa buhay ko para sundin?" irap ni Ru at nagsimulang maglakad paalis. "Tara na mga gunggong!"

Napailing na lang ako sa mga reaksiyon niya. Since we were kids, she always followed me. Kahit sa garden lang 'yan o 'pag maglalaro kami ni 'bal, lagi siyang nakasunod o kinakausap ako.

The six of them went ahead, leaving me with a quiet twin. Abala si Quatro sa pagcoconsole at pagtatanong sa kapatid niya kung masakit ba ang pisngi. As if he's not the first person to pinch Ella's chubby cheeks. Mula bata nga e ito na ang paborito niyang inisin dahil lomolobo ang pisngi 'pag galit.

"Bal." I glanced at my twin who walked closer. "Galit ka rin ba sa ginawa ko?"

Ngumiti ako. He's older but he's the one who often needs words of affirmation. "I'm the last person who will ever be angry at you. Alam ko naman kung bakit mo 'yon ginawa."

Isang malumanay na ngiti ang sumilay sa labi niya. "Sobrang lakas at galing niya kasi! Kahit ano man ang resulta ng laban natin, I hope we can put up a good fight."

Tumango ako. It's always exciting to go up against strong opponents. To see where our limit starts and ends. Ang malaman kung saan ang dapat naming i-improve at paano.

I know why Rae challenged them. He knows the gap of our levels and strengths, and I'm sure he's not aiming to win, even though his competitive self is crying out to do just that. Going up against legends doesn't mean we'll become one too, but it can provide a learning experience. It's a showcase of true strength and limits.

Hindi nagtagal ay dumating kami sa Blacksmith. Kasalukuyang si Ru na ang pumipili ng sa kaniya. She didn't hesitate to touch the Druid part. A green light surrounded the room and I felt my vigor return. We all gazed at her with lifeless eyes. She mastered herself in healing people ㅡ a job she's too lazy to do.

Our priest will be useless.

"Magstart na kayong magstack ng HP potions." my twin reminded. "We're gonna need it."

Tumango ang lahat habang eskandalong napatingin si Risu sa aming banda. Her face was set on an ugly frown as she pointed at us accusingly. "Oi! Narinig ko 'yon!"

"Siyempre, nandito ka rin eh. Mas may concern kami kapag hindi mo narinig kasi bingi-" nanlaki ang mata ni Quatro at bigla siyang tumawa. "Bingi ka na nga pala! Ilang beses na kitang tinawag na iheal ako pero 'di mo ginawa."

I don't know if that was purely teasing because he's laughing, pero nakikita kong naiinis pa rin siya sa nangyayari.

Risu threw her deadliest glare. She grinned, one of her usual expression of having sinister thoughts. "Talagang hindi ka na makakatanggap ng kahit isang dagdag na life mula ngayon."

Quatro was about to counter that statement back when Rae pushed him towards Aeron's desk. "Tama na nga 'yan. Ikaw na."

I can't help but pity my twin because he had to lead this band of dimwits. He already looked so done at the responsibility he's shouldering. But then, he's also used to this since he's been our leader since the first game we've played.

Nagulat ako nang biglang maramdaman ang kakaibang pwersa ng mahika na pumasok sa shop. Quatro stood in front with his eyes closed and body glowing in red, black and orange. Nawala lang ang nakakasuffocate na power nang matapos ang pagpili niya ng job.

"What was that? May kinalaman ba 'yon sa job mo?" tanong ni Ansel.

"Mages centers themselves on magic kaya malakas ang apekto nito sa paligid. That probably explained the surge of magic power." paliwanag ni Vys. "What did you choose? Sorcerer?"

Umiling si Quatro. "Nuker."

Napailing na lang ako nang nanlaki ang mga mata ng mga kasama. He chose to be a nuker? Ang alam ko they usually deal one-hit large-scale magic attacks. Malaki ang kuha ng MP nila dahil sobrang taas naman ng damage na dealt ng kanilang skills. But unless we want to nuke a dragon and carry hi. afterwards, his job is useless.

Bakit ba hindi capable sa pag-iisip ang mga kasama ko?

"Ba't mo 'yon pinili?!" singhal ni Rae. "Ano inu-nuke natin? Isda?!"

"Ano ka ba. Gusto ko lang itry maging one-hit attacker. Ayaw mo no'n, isang bagsak lang pagpatay ko sa kanila!" kontra nito.

"That is if hindi magaling ang tank nila at kinuha lahat ng damage." sagot ni Ansel na kakatapos lang rin pala pumili ng job.

"Ano pinili mo?" humihikab na tanong ni Ella.

Ansel grinned and showed a lance to us. Kumunot ang noo ko. Is that under the warrior class? Akala ko ba tank ang pinili nito.

"I'm a lancer! Tank rin kami na may malaking offensive damage. Maganda din ang endurance namin. Although hindi kami kasing lakas kumuha ng damage gaya ng guardians." paliwanag niya.

Guardian. Naalala ko ang isang miyembro ng Oddcredibles ay isang guardian din. I think his name was Priamos or something tapos nakabalot siya sa isang malaking armor.

Napangiwi ako. Yeah, I can't imagine Ansel being inside that hell of an armor for days. But I should admit that they have the biggest of defense, especially against our nuker. At kung may plano kaming labanan sila, bakit kami pumipili ng mabilis nilang macounter na job?

The next one who went to the desk was Chae. She picked the dancer job from the warrior class. Ito talaga ang gusto niyang mga role. Something with good agility, endurance and damage. Kahit na hindi na masyadong malakas basta balanse.

Vys was the next to choose. Pinili niya ang scout na job under the rogue class. I was surprised kasi akala ko assassin ang gusto niya pero pinaliwanag niyang pwede lang rin magpataas ang damage ng isang scout. What's important is that he can tail and sneak upon our enemies. Ang scout kasi ang may pinakamaliit na presensiya sa buong laro.

Next was Rae. Alam na namin kung ano ang kukunin niya. Parang parte na kasi iyon ng personality niya. Arthur the warrior, it's what Quatro always call him, in relation to the ancient legend of the English King.

Ang sunod na pumwesto ay ako. Ngumiti sa'kin si Aeron. "Hello, player. You have finished the Wolf Quest successfully! Now, you have to pick a job of your liking. The ranger class specializes in dealing damage from a longer distance. The class has five jobs available."

May lumabas na limang imahe mula sa desk ni Aeron. Both showed different characters wielding their own specific weapons.

"First is the Hunter. They can position themselves at short-range or long-range. They are very quick on their feet. They usually use slingshots, or large guns. They have higher dexterity and endurance if they're fighting inside a forest.

Next is the Archer. They utilize any kind of bows. Like the hunter, they can position themselves at any distance. They usually enchant their arrows before fighting or possess a certain element to help them.

Third job is the Gun-Slinger. They mainly use guns and has a medium range. As they're the masters of moving around and dodging, they're very agile. However most of their attacks take up more MP.

The fourth one is the Sniper. Now this one specializes in long-distance attacks. They have the highest stealth among rangers and has an almost-perfect aiming skill. They can enchant their bullets or apply their elements.

Lastly is the Bard. They can be categorized in Priest, Mage and Ranger class. Here, they deal attacks through their instruments. They usually use clarinets or pianos. Their damage is similar to hunters or archers."

Naalala ko na si Vesta ay isa ring sniper. Siguro'y palagi siyang napapartner kay Priamos para magkaroon siya ng depensa. Bard is good but I'm not really swayed by its description.

Napatingin ako sa arrow na nakapaloob sa quiver. They're A-Ranked weapons and along with the bow I got, hindi ko naman siguro kailangang pumili pa ng ibang jobs. I took a deep inhale and tapped the archer character.

Ngumiti si Aeron. "Well then, Player, welcome to being an archer. You have to increase your intelligence and strength to make continuous attacks with your arrow. Always remember that intelligence and perception are the crucial attributes to rangers. You should also increase your dexterity to move quicker in the battlefield. Endurance is one thing to watch for but not to entirely focus on."

Tumango ako sa sinabi niya. Nagulat ako nang biglang lumabas ang arrow ko sa desk niya.

"As a Blacksmith, it's my job to provide you with good weapons in your adventure. We'll raise the level of your Angel's Bow to have higher damage."

Nagaalangan akong tumango. My eyes widened when a glowing circle began to appear on my feet. Then I felt something being etched on my back.

"That is the symbol of the archer being engraved on you. An arrow that describes your focus on things and a bow that determines the strength of your focus."

I felt the surge of power flow inside me. There was precision in my eyes and my vision got sharper. Naging mas malawak din ang naabot ng tingin ko.

"Woah! Ang ganda na ng bow mo bal oh!"

Umakbay sa'kin si Rae at itinuro ang bow. He's right. It was already glowing in white and pale gold. Nang hawakan ko ito ay naramdaman ko ay may lumakbay na lakas mula sa bow papunta sa kamay ko, making me almost drop the weapon in surprise.

"Now, dear players, you have finished choosing your job and strengthening your weapons. Proceed to the tailor shop in the Havaras Forest and meet with Divina. She will make the armors and gears that will further help you in this adventure."

Tumango kami sa sinabi niya. Pagkatapos naming magpasalamat ay aalis na sana kami, but before we could open the door, Aeron stopped us.

"A tip." naging seryoso ang kaniyang mukha. "You have to be careful at all times. At Level 15, you will not be secured by the Beginner's Immunity. That means you can be killed by a player. This is the Southern Continent. Unlike the other lands, player killing here is open in every location."

Muli kaming tumango at ngumiti si Rae. "Don't worry, Aeron! As long as we're together, no one can beat us."

So, kung hindi, patay din tayong lahat?

Nang tuluyan kaming makalabas sa Blacksmith Shop ay bumati sa'min ang malamig na ihip ng hangin at ang asul na langit. I closed my eyes at the peaceful feeling of the nature that welcomed me. Sa totoong buhay ay mahirap nang mahagilap ang mga bagay na 'to, since technology has already killed our environment. It's a bit hilarious to find out that we'll actually experience this abundance in nature inside a piece of technology.

Rae turned to us, a wide smile on his face. "This is it, guys! Natapos na natin ang pagpili ng job at may weapons na tayo. We're going on our adventure now!"

Quatro chuckled and ruffled my twin's hair. "That's right, bud! We'll have the greatest adventure ever written."

Ngumiti si Ella at pumalakpak. Umirap lang at sumipol-sipol si Risu pero may multo ng ngiti sa labi niya. Vys gave a simple nod and Ansel cheered. Chae only sighed but she was silently laughing.

Napangiti ako habang pinagmamasdan sila. Especially that twin of mine who has an adventurous spirit. When it comes to games like this, it's always the journey that makes it memorable.

"Race you to the forest!" Risu shouted loudly and bolted towards the trees.

"Hoy hindi fair!" sigaw din ni Quatro at hinabol ang dalaga.

Rae laughed, running with them. Ella and Ansel came next, cheering as they jump and run with joy. Chae jogged behind them with silent irritation. Sumunod ang naiiling na si Vys pero napahinto siya nang makitang hindi ako kasama.

Huminto siya para lumingon sa'kin. Isinayaw ng biglaang pag-ihip ng hangin ang buhok niya. Tilting his head, he offered me a small smile and held out his hand.

"Come on, Leis. Let's have our adventure."

I chuckled, taking his offered hand. That's right. Our adventure starts now.

It might not be worthy of a tale, but it is ours.

-chapter end-