Chapter 28: You Are Not Alone

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Part 1

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Back in LIXXO, I was always a solo player. I hated to party up with random players for many things in-game; quests, missions, item-gatherings or just farming. And the dramas that went with it. In one way, I was not a people friendly person. My childhood and youth was not exactly a rainbow and unicorn experience for me to socialize well with others.

However, playing in NPO for nearly two months had made me realized something important. And that was the fact that this game was way too complicated for me to solo effectively.

In the beginning, it was easy-peasy. But once I was out of level 30, the game began to change. Teamwork and coordination between party members was a must for anyone to survive and win. Being solo was no more viable and effective when it came to risk versus rewards. Monsters and elements surrounding our gameplay too were becoming smarter and harder to control.

Fortunately, I had Elly with me since I started my game. I had to admit, for an NPC, she was very well ‘created’ indeed. If not for the fact that the system told me she was an NPC ally, I would assume that the way she acted was very much like any other player. Her Artificial Intelligence, AI or her programming – not that I knew any – must have been out of this world. In fact, nearly all the NPCs I knew or had high affinities with had displayed amazing AI and programming; Popo, Mimi and to a certain extent, Rose.

And she did not bring me any unnecessary dramas like most players would. She wouldn’t trouble me with her private or emotional issues. She would not seek me just to hog me and had me follow around her like I was on a leash or something.

She wouldn’t argue about me dealing the final blow to the enemies or the way I distributed our loots or to question my strategies during our battle. And she was never the smartass that had to remark everything that I did. She never shirked from her duty even once. In fact, she would plunge headlong, becoming my shield. Not that I needed one but having someone who was reliable made my gameplay much smoother and dare I say fun.

Others might have thought that I loved people who obediently follow me around like a good pet dog. Well, I dare say they were right on their money. Obedience or being subservient, loyalty and honesty were a must for me and Elly had all of that. Maybe not the honesty part just yet.

From dreading to party with anyone especially PCs, I could now withstand the fact that I was in one. She was always at my side, helping me as much as I wanted and never ever complained. And when Rose came along, I was quite satisfied. The three of us were doing quite well so far.

However, the night when Elly was forcefully taken away from Popo and Mimi, it made me snapped in such a way that I thought had forgotten about it after all these while. PTSD or not, I was seething with anger and on the verge of another breakdown. Not only that the two cute couple was harassed and treated badly even though they had some statures with them, but from what I’d heard as told by the Bunnian couple, Elly was beaten severely to point of near death. Since this was the time of a new event, all NPCs could now be killed.

And I would not let Elly be alone in her ordeal. She was my ally and I would never ever let any harm to come to her. For her to be beaten badly made my blood boiled and I was never going to be a nice person when I was in this state. Even during my normal state, most people would find me unbearable. But now, I was on a mission to be the worst kind of nightmares towards those who hurt my allies.

Walking down the main road of the city, the Royal Palace loomed before long. Located at the northernmost part, the palace was the biggest building within the City of Asgardia and the tall golden-domed roof tower that became the landmark for this city made it easier to find.

Unfortunately, I did not have the Royal Palace’s inner layout. On my map, it just appeared as one big block of empty space. Beside of not knowing the layout, I had no inkling where they kept Elly hostage. But I had to do something.

“Rose, hide somewhere. I’ll summon you once I know my way in.” Surprisingly, the Red Alraune did exactly as she was told. She did not kick up any fuss and that was a relief. But the task now lay ahead. What should I do next?

Without a choice, I took some time to scour its perimeter. Massive walls made of cobblestone stood as high as 30 feet with only one entry; the palace main gate. And not to my surprise either, there were no less than 30 armed guards who barricaded the only entrance.

Tried as hard as I could, I had neither the skills nor the equipment to get myself inside the Royal Palace undetected. Rose’s skill might help, but where would I go from there next? From the perimeter of the wall alone, this Royal Palace was indeed very huge. Not knowing where I would start and end up would be as pointless as standing here currently.

Sigh. What a waste of time.

And for my failed effort too, I was shooed off by the patrolling guards that made their rounds along the wall. I came twice from nearly being arrested. Looked like the security of this place was more than the first time I came here for the Army draft for the new event. And to think that I could just go in gung-ho like that like some Rambo or superhero hotshot was naïve indeed.

What I needed now was to know where exactly was Elly taken to. Unfortunately, this was one of the very few moments that I had let my emotions got over me. To my embarrassment, I had neither the information nor the means necessary to rescue her when I arrived outside of the Royal Palace.

Feeling the toll of my earlier rush of blood to my brain, I was getting restless and took an unneeded liberty to rest at nearby a park just to blow off my steam. A good plan or two was much needed now. The night was still young; cold, windy and the park was bustling with people, players and non-players alike. But my boiling blood never once lost its fiery temperature.

After a couple of hours, a half-baked plan was concocted and I proceeded to procure the necessary items. Time was the essence and by the look of things, was scarce too.

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