Alkia Kingdom Reborn

Alkia 6: Dark Fortress

Gabi na nang bumalik ako sa Alkia Town. Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansin ang mga kawal na naglilibot, parang may hinahanap. May mga players na tila pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa. Lumapit ako sa isang babaeng lumuluha sa isang tabi.

"Anong nangyari?" tanong ko. Nag-alangan siya pero matipid akong ngumiti sa kanya. She was a pretty mage with green eyes and curly blond hair.

"May mga nagnakaw ng items ko. May mga taong pumapatay ng kapwa manlalaro," sagot niya. "Hinahanap na sila ng mga kawal pero hindi sila matunton. Naka-hood sila."

Marahan akong tumango. Maaari palang magnakaw o manakit ng kapwa players sa loob ng town. Pero magiging kriminal sila at huhulihin ng mga kawal. Maybe those players were desperate. Gagawin nila ang lahat makalabas lang sa laro. Kung hindi kami magtutulungan, malaking problema.

"Better rent an inn. Magpahinga ka muna kaysa manatili ka rito. Here," sabi ko at inabutan siya ng gold coins. Nagpatuloy na ako sa paglalakad. Pero may ilang players na nakakita sa ginawa ko at gusto ring mamalimos. Nagmadali ako. Kailangan nilang kumita ng pera at mag-level up kung gusto nilang makaalis doon.

"That's too generous," komento ng lalaking sumabay sa paglalakad ko. He was the guy with the midnight blue hair and deep blue eyes, Zero. He had already registered his party name in the city registrar, "Lethal Alliance" as shown on my dashboard. Lumiko ako sa isang eskinitang walang katao-tao pero sumunod pa rin siya. A dead end. I stopped and faced him.

"What's up?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong ko.

"I want to discuss something," nakangising sabi niya. "But first, what's your name again?" he said.

"Lumapit ka sa 'kin pero hindi mo alam ang pangalan ko?" mataray na tanong ko.

Napakamot siya sa ulo at nahihiyang ngumiti sa 'kin. "Sorry, maybe I should introduce myself first," sabi niya.

"No need. I'm Zeus. Just spill the beans," sambit ko.

He checked his dashboard to know my ranking. I currently held the third spot in the game, next to him. I leveled up after killing monsters nonstop.

"Cool. So it's you. I thought it was a guy," namamanghang sabi niya. "I'll stop beating around the bush. I want to form an alliance with you. Kumpleto na ang party ko pero puwede pang bumuo ng guild. At mukhang bumubuo ka rin ng sariling party. Iisa lang naman ang layunin natin," sumeryoso ang tono niya. "Ang matapos ang laro at makalabas dito. If we encourage the others to play, maybe we have a better chance. We need to lead and teach them."

Pinag-aralan ko ang mukha niya. He was determined. One thing I liked about him was that he wasn't selfish. He was willing to help those non-gamers.

"How about the thieves and those with red names?" tanong ko. Red names, players who killed co-players.

"Catch them? We can't let them destroy other players. If they repent and change, we can accept them again," he answered with a shrug. "Nabalitaan mo na ba? Sky already has an official position here. He was promoted a war god recognized by the officials and guards. He'll move soon. Kahit mas nauna ako sa kanya sa laro, mas mabilis pa rin siyang nakapag-level up. He's that good. You should accept some secret missions from the nobles or officials. Or maybe from the King. I'm doing that now. Mas madaling hikayatin players na sumali sa guild kung magkakaroon tayo ng posisyon."

"Hindi pa ako pumapayag sa gusto mo," paalala ko sa kanya.

Ngumisi siya. "You think you have a choice?"

I rolled my eyes. He chuckled then left.

May natanggap akong mensahe mula sa isang mataas na opisyal. He wanted to meet in his mansion around midnight.