-chapter twelve-

THIRD PERSON

"Give me 25,000 gold coins and you can enter the arena."

LEALIS COULD only stare at Feyre in disbelief. Tama ba ang narinig niyang sinabi nito? Magbabayad lang siya para makapasok? In this said deadly event faced with the rumored fearsome rogue?

She was ready to exhaust everything she had... to fight to the teeth and let herself be thrown to the Cathedral again without mercy... but here she was, speechless. Malalakas nga, wala naman palang pera. 

"Look, hindi ko naman gagawin 'to kung hindi kailangan."

Pinilit ni Feyre na maging seryoso at mukhang kawawa dahil sa nanunuring titig ni Lealis. She wasn't a very religious person but she would kneel and pray just so her cover wouldn't be blown.

Bahala na ang event dahil hindi niya palalampasin ang oportunidad na 'to! What if she fails to meet another player with this amount of money? Swerte pa naman dahil maraming gold ang natatanggap ng mga newbies. Ngayong nasa Level 70s na si Feyre, daig niya pa ang pulubi sa pagfa-farm ng pera! The money she receives as reward ranges from one to twenty gold! Ni hindi sapat para bumili ng tsinelas pangsampal kay Voldmir!

Meanwhile, this beautiful elfㅡahem, este itong newbie may 80,000 gold! Nasaan ang hustisya para sa pinakamalakasㅡeste, pinakamagandaㅡI mean, pinakafamous... pinakapasaway na player ng Arth?!

She started to run through calculations in her mind. Twenty-five thousand gold, she thought while chuckling. Ilan nga ba ang utang niya kay Hex? Pwede siyang manghingi ng discount sa lalaki. Para saan pa at naging mag-asawa sila kung wala siyang family and most especially, wife privileges, 'di ba? Papayag din ang soro na 'yon. Kahit magpapakipot 'yon sa unang beses na magtatanong siya, konting landi lang at makikiliti na 'yon.

Sa sobrang tuwa dahil iniisip niya na ang sariling lumalangoy sa pera at ang paglandi sa asawa ay hindi niya namalayan na kanina pa siya tinatawag ni Lealis. The blonde archer decided to slap her shoulder, eliciting a glare from the rogue. 

"Para saan 'yon?" singhal ni Feyre.

Lealis sighed. "Kanina pa kita tinatawag pero tumatawa kang mag-isa..." na parang sira, she wanted to add.

Feyre couldn't help but stare as the archer talked. Mukha itong problemado na naiinis. Tuloy ay nakikita niya si Hiraeth sa babae na may pagka-Sol ang mukha. 

"Sorry naman, ganiyan talaga 'pag maganda. Ba't ba?" pina-angas niya ang boses bago inilahad ang kamay kahit na hindi pa nakakatanggap ng sagot. "Di bale, 25,000 para makapasok, newbie."

Feyre imagined herself to look like some cool hero seeking the villain's retribution. But all Lealis could see was a short bully who loved to extort money from children.

'"Isn't that cheating? I should fight you, right?"

Ngumisi si Feyre. "No offense, pero hindi ka mananalo sa'kin, newbie. Isa pa, it won't be considered as cheating kasi may karapatan kaming gumawa ng rule. My rule is either give me 25,000 gold coins or leave this place."

"Are you that broke?"

Medyo na-offend si Feyre sa sinabi ng babae. Wala bang filter ang bibig nito? Napakadiretso naman magtanong.

"Ha! Kaya kong makakuha ng 25,000 coins sa isang kurap," pagsisinungaling niya. "Pero kung may easy way lang naman, bakit hindi ko 'yon pipiliin?"

Lealis could smell her lies from a mile away. Malakas man at nakakatakot, it seemed like this rogue isn't good at lying. Hindi makatingin ng diretso sa kaniya at may panguso pa kapag nagpapaliwanag. Hindi niya mapigilang makita sa babae si Quatro na ang hilig magsinungaling kahit laging palya.

She couldn't help but sigh. She wasn't fond of the idea but if Feyre was taking advantage of the situation, then she should too. Mas mabuti pang hindi niya pagurin ang sarili sa pakikipaglaban kay Feyre. Maganda rin kung makakapasok siya ng maaga sa arena. She will have more time to study its ins and outs. 

"Paano ko ibibigay sa'yo?"

Feyre grinned. "Just transfer the money, bes!"

Napangiwi si Lealis sa tawag nito. Binuksan niya ang profile tab at hinanap ang option for transferring gold. It automatically scanned the players nearby and appeared as a list in front of her. Feyre's name was at the top. 

▪▪▪

Transfer G25,000 to Level 77.Feyre?

Yes | No

▪▪▪

Feyre loudly cheered when she received the money. Umikot-ikot siya sa kinatatayuan habang sinusuntok ang hangin. Lealis watched her deranged celebration with a blank face. She couldn't help but realize that the strong guilds in this game had insane members. Prerequisite siguro. 

Huminto si Feyre at malakas na humalakhak, tipong iniisip niya na isa siyang masamang villain na naisahan ang hero. 

Lealis couldn't listen anymore. "When are you going to stop?"

Tumigil si Feyre sa pagtawa at umirap. 

"Ano ba, panira ka naman," she scoffed, then nodded at the door behind her. "Pasok na, pasok. Hayaan mo kong maging masaya sa bagong yaman ko. Mwahahaha! Akala niyo ha, soro at asul, kayo na ang uutang sa'kin ngayon! Hinding hindi na ako kailanman maghihirap!" 

Feyre continued to laugh maniacally. Napailing na lang si Lealis at iniwan na ito. 

With a deep breath, she stepped inside the arena. Unang napansin niya ay ang sobrang lawak nito na hindi na maaninag ang dulo. The whole place was engulfed in stone pillars, encircling the cracked ground filled with rubbles. May ikalawang palapag ang arena at mukhang sinabugan din ng bomba ang itsura no'n. 

Sobra ang pagkamangha niya sa paligid na hindi niya namalayang nasa gitna na pala siya ng arena. The rays of the morning sun enveloped her. Iniangat niya ang tingin sa glass ceiling. She noticed the clear blue sky first, before the flashing red light at the roof. A camera, she guessed. 

"What a beautiful day, players! Someone just entered our arena! The very first player to pass a guard and it's even the exceptional and strict, Feyre!"

The voice that boomed throughout the arena made her look around. Wala pa ring katao-tao at base sa narinig, mukhang isang announcer ng game. 

The first player... Lealis couldn't help but grimace inwardly. Hindi naman siya nakapasok dahil sa tapang at lakas, naswertehan lang talaga at gipit ang guwardiya sa pintuang napuntahan niya.

"T-This is the first player who collected all the tickets and passed the formidable guards! Lealis, from the guild, Force Majeure!"

A holographic screen appeared at the center of the arena. Lealis watched as her name was scribed at the top of the list. May nuebe pang blanko sa baba ng pangalan niya. 

Her eyes narrowed at the rankings. This stuff always poses some kind of danger. May pakiramdam siyang magba-base ito sa amount ng kills mamaya.

Lealis surveyed her surroundings again. It's good that she arrived first. May panahon siya para maghanda... at magmanman.

"TICKETS, HOY."

Napasinghal si Risu nang makitang hindi na siya pinapansin ng lalaki. Nakilala niya ito bilang ang taong may planong i-kidnap ang ever-adorable niyang pinsan. Kaya naman naisipan niya itong nakawan ng tickets ngayon. 

But she has long lost his attention. Nigel's eyes were glued to the screen where Lealis was being shown. Nanlalaki at puno ng interes ang mga mata nito. Nigel couldn't believe his luck, nor could he be wrong as he studied the player. Ito ang elf na nakasalamuha niya sa alley! 

Pero bakit bigla itong naging babae? Trip ba nito mag-crossdress.

"Hoy! Hoy! Tangina, hoy, tickets nga!"

Nigel glared at the priest who shouted next to his ear. He wanted to cut that persistent and loud tongue so bad.

Ngunit pinigilan niya ang sarili dahil kailangan niyang magtanong. "Kasama mo siya, hindi ba?" sabay turo niya sa screen.

Risu loudly cursed. "Nakilala mo ko?"

"Of course," sarkastiko niyang sagot.

"Kapag ba sasabihin ko, bibigyan mo ako ng tickets?"

The loud-mouthed priest and the ruthless fox began a staredown. Risu had confidence in her ability to keep the eyes open for long so she was certain of her victory. Nigel, however, could only see Risu as a chattering rat who wouldn't be able to hold a candle to him so he held the stare and smirked. 

"Siya ba ang lalaking nasa alley? If you answer me honestly, the tickets are yours. If you lie... have fun at the Cathedral," dagdag niya.

Risu laughed sarcastically. "Excuse me ha, pero priest ako."

Nigel raised a brow. "So?"

His short and indifferent answer made Risu think twice. Oo nga pala, nakalimutan niya kung sino nga itong kaharap. This isn't just 'some' guy who likes her cousin, he's insanely dangerous. Kahit nga si Lealis na sinasabi niyang gusto niya ay kaya niya pa ring saktan. 

"Fine," bumuntong-hininga si Risu. "Oo. Siya 'yon. Gumamit lang siya ng voice-changing potion no'n..." she smirked, "Why? Not interested anymore?" 

Nigel didn't bother to answer. Inihagis niya ang ticket sa lupa at naglakad palayo. He slowly walked towards the arena, eyes still glued to his golden-haired elf on the screen.

Isang ngiti ang sumilay sa labi niya. "Not interested? Don't be ridiculous. I don't care for gender. As long as it's that elf, I'm good."

Napailing na lang si Risu. Hindi man siya kausap ng lalaki, hindi niya pa rin mapigilang mag-react. Actually, kanina pa ito nakalayo sa kaniya at mukhang kausap lang ang sarili. Pero narinig pa rin ni Risu ang monologue nito dahil sinundan niya ang lalaki. Hindi siya tanga para bitawan ang umaapoy na tsismis, ano! 

Napangisi siya nang tumahak na ito papunta sa malapit na pintuan. 

"Boy, sorry ka na lang. Malalaman din ng barkada ang plano mo," she muttered and began to play with the tickets he left behind. "Salamat na lang dito, hehe."

She was whistling a carefree tune as she picked a doorway with the least threatening aura. Imbes na matakot ay parang ang gaan ng loob niya sa paglapit dito. Na-a-alala niya ang mga panahong nagtatawanan sila ng mga pinsan at ang gaganda nila kung tingnan.

Maswerte talaga siya at ito ang napili niya. Hindi siya isang tanga para piliin ang mga delikadong doorways, 'no! Isa siyang priest! Priest! And one of the skills she prided in is her ability to spot dangerㅡ

Isang matamis na ngiti sa dulo ng daan ang napag-estatwa kay Risu. She swallowed, dragging her feet forward and arms moving in a quite robotically manner. Gusto niyang umiyak. Gusto niyang magwalwal. Gusto niyang humiga at magwala. 

Dahil bakit? Bakit?! Sabihin niyo, putangina bakit... ang slayer ang nakatayo ngayon sa harap niya?! 

"Hindi ba't kay Hex pumupunta ang mga priests? Why are you here?" nakangiting tanong ni Solace.

Risu cursed in her head. Hindi niya naman alam 'yon kasi hindi naman nilagay sa rule. O mayro'n mang announcement pero ano naman ang kaya ng isang baguhan na tulad niya.

Sa halip ay mapakla siyang natawa. "Ay, sige, gano'n ba. So pupunta na lang ako do'n..."

Risu felt her soul leave her body when a sharp sword was pointed at her neck. Malapit na siya do'n! 

"Nope," Solace's sweet smile began to look scary for Risu. "You've already chosen so you have to go through me."

TWO PLAYERS stood at the start of the path leading to the door with the most dangerous presence. Chae sent their leader a knowing glance. Rae would obviously pick the door that everyone's avoiding in the hope of meeting the slayer.

Chae sighed. "Seems like no one picked this door."

"Yeah... that's why I know I'll meet Solace here."

"Hm. Think you can win against her?"

Rae pursed his lips. Winning against the strongest player as a newbie was impossible but, "I think they're just testing if we're worthy to enter the arena or not. Gusto ko lang din masubok ang lakas ko sa ngayon."

Chae hummed. She couldn't help but look at her friend in awe. He was always like this ㅡ brave and will tackle countless challenges despite not being that strong. 

Ngumiti si Rae sa kaniya kaya hindi niya napigilan ang pag-amo ng mukha.

"Cha, I've been wondering," he muttered, still staring at her. "Bakit lagi kayong nag-aaway ni Bal pero ang bait-bait mo sa'kin?"

"Alam mo, Cha, lagi akong napapaisip." Rae frowned. "Bakit lagi kayong nag-aaway ni 'Bal pero ang bait mo sa'kin?"

Natigilan ang babae. Panandalian niyang iniwas ang tingin bago blankong tinitigan ang kaharap. 

"Dahil magkaibang tao kayo, idiot," she grumbled before walking away with her head down, hiding the flush on her cheeks.

Nagtatakang sinundan ni Rae ng tingin ang papalayong likod ng babae. Anong klaseng sagot 'yong natanggap niya? Siyempre alam niyang magkaibang tao sila ni Leis kahit na magkakambal! Akala ba ni Cha... hindi niya alam 'yon?

He put that thought aside for now and walked closer to the door. His mind and body were thrumming in excitement, fingers twitching to grip the sword in his hand even tighter. 

Ngunit hindi niya inasahan ang taong naghihintay sa pintuan. Because the slayer that he expected was replaced by a long-haired kimono-wearing man. Hindi lang sa hindi niya ito in-expect, but he also doesn't know who the player is.

Kunot-noo siyang huminto sa harap ng lalaki. Now that he got a closer look, he remembered this player as the man who walked beside Solace... noong unang dating nila sa game. He was easy to ignore at first. The dangerous aura that he was now exuding was easily hidden whenever he's next to the slayer. Ngunit ngayong kaharap na niya ito, hindi mapigilan ni Rae ang manliit sa malamig at matalim nitong mata.

The man tilted his head, sharp eyes narrowing down at him. Napalunok si Rae sa nanunuri nitong titig. He couldn't help but think of his father whenever he was about to catch him in trouble.

"Arthur?"

Nanlaki ang mata niya sa pagtawag nito. Namali ba siya ng rinig? Did the man just call him Arthur? No, no, that's impossible. Siguro ay masyado niya lang iniisip ang ama na naririnig na niya ito.

"S-Sino ka?" he almost shouted the question.

Inignora ito ng kaharap. "What's your name?"

"I'm... Rae."

The man continued to stare at him, and he couldn't help but wish he had his twin's cool-headed and confident personality right now. 

"I see," saad ng lalaki matapos ang ilang sandali. "Now, I understand Feyre."

Rae's ears perked at the familiar name. Naalala niya ang makulit at sobrang pasaway na rogue na tinuruan sila. Ngunit hindi niya maintindihan ang koneksiyon nito sa nangyayari ngayon. Maybe... this man also know about his declaration of a fight against their leader?

The man sighed, putting him on alert. 

"I won't tell your mother, Arthur. But I want to know how you had this game?"

Nanlaki ang mata niya at umawang ang labi. Ilang minuto pa siyang natulala lamang sa sinabi ng kaharap. The cogwheels on his brain stopped turning for a moment as he tried to understand their whole interaction and the familiar feeling of being scolded. 

His jaw dropped and he stared at the man, wide-eyed. 

"Pa?!" hiyaw niya.

Tumango ito at halos paglamayan na ni Rae ang sarili. Shit! Patay talaga siya! Malalaman ng ama niyang pumasok siya sa pinagbabawal na archives at kinuha itong game!

-chapter end-