Welcome, Player: Rebirth

Prologue

-prologue-

"SOLEIS."

Tumigil sa panonood ng argumentong kasulukuyang nangyayari sa dining area ang isang babae. Her long black hair swayed as she slowly turned to look at her father. Avraeth drifted his gaze from his daughter to Reverie, who was laughing at Feure's odd joke.

""Why don't you change for now? Maglaro ka with the other kids. And as always, remember the rule."

Tumango si Soleis kaya napangiti ang kaniyang ama. Pinanood niya itong pumasok sa loob ng dining area. Matapos siya sulyapan ulit ay marahan nitong isinara ang pintuan.

Every year, an odd reunion happens in their house. It involves her mother and the friends she made in-game. For some unknown reason, they always lock themselves inside the dining room. Walang pwedeng pumasok unless mauuna silang lumabas.

Some couples play together like Soleis' parents, but a rare few of their friends had other spouses. If allowed by their significant others, they bring their kids as well para makipaglaro at makipagkaibigan sa ibang bata.

The mansion has two dining rooms and a main hall kitchen. Sa secondary dining room nagkukulong ang mga magulang at ang foods naman ay nakalagay sa main dining room. In a normal family, the adults will be having their talk while the kids play around and wait for them.

Soleis was about to head back to her room when she halted. Kumunot ang noo niya nang makita sina Ryker na lang ang nasa sala. Her twin and close friends were nowhere to be seen. Si Melissa at Sanya na rin lang ang natirang nakikipaglaro kay Penelope.

Bumuntong-hininga siya't naisipan na hayaan na lamang ito. Forest has probably led them into something crazy and she's not up for any adventures. Ngunit nang madaanan niya at marinig ang ingay mula sa library, natigilan si Soleis at sumilip sa loob. Nang makita ang mga kaibigan na nagpupulong-pulong sa gitna ng silid ay hindi niya maiwasang pumasok.

"Anong ginagawa niyo dito?" nakasimangot na bungad niya sa kanila.

Mabilis na napabaling sa gawi niya ang mga kaibigan. Arthur, her twin, gestured for her to come closer kaya umupo siya sa tabi nito. Mas lalong nagtaka si Soleis nang makita ang mga VR headgears sa sahig. Walo lahat ito at may isa ring mini-box na nasa gitna.

Soleis reached for it, reading the large title. "Arth Online?"

"It seems like a game that was launched 17 or 18 years ago?" hindi siguradong sagot ni Asveal, the son of Astro.

Soleis raised a brow at the unique description written just below the game name. It says that the game offers 99% of pain, hunger and exhaustion. 99% ang pagkatotoo nito. Ang mararamdaman mo sa totoong buhay ay gano'n rin sa game. Inikot niya ang box at sa likod nito ay ang instructions sa game at description. A vrmmorpg game that promises real-life features and dwells in between the medieval and present times.

"Do you want to be the king of Arth?" malakas na pagbasa ni Felicity, Feure's daughter, sa description. "Welcome to Arth Online. The crown is waiting for you at the throne."

"Bakit kaya may ganitong game si Tito na tinatago dito sa library?" Forrest, Felicity's older brother, wondered out loud.

Ini-angat ni Soleis ang tingin. Nagtitigan sila ng kaniyang kambal at hindi nakaalis sa mata niya ang pasimpleng pagkurot ni Arthur sa tagiliran ni Forrest.