Chapter 1:
Chapter 1: A New Game Before The Vacation
Corrupted Realms RPG Online
Vacation is coming, three months of no school and stay at home isolation and play games all day. School is like a cake, a celebration. And playing games in those days is like a cherry on top.
The last exam is tommorow but here I am walking towards the game shop after today's exam. I don't care about studying, I don't care if I fail, as long as I play a game, I enjoy my life.
Why do I liked games you asked? The story? The graphics? Well, of course the actions and uniqueness.
Stories are main part of games but, I never understand a thing only a bit. Only iconic moments and scenes are what I only understand.
Stories was never a thing for me, I am not even paying attention on what the characters say or how the game progresses. Just the action is what I want.
I went on front of the game shop, the sliding door opened by itself in my presence, a digital bell rang. I went straight to the counter approaching Lisa who was looking on her phone.
She noticed me, looking up from her phone. A white plastic lollipop stick sticking out of her lip.
"Oh hello there, good afternoon Rael, how's the exam?" She greeted me
I rested my arms on the counter, felt exhausted "It was good, stock knowledge at it's best. Still got half and above the score of the exam"
"Well, that's good. But you should keep studying to keep your grades high"
"Yeah yeah whatever"
"So, what do you want today?"
I looked behind me, shelves stacked with games, game character on pillows, mousepads, any product that can fit just for the sake and advertisement collab for a game "Do you have any new games today?"
"Well, a lot was published today, puzzle games, fighting games, shooter games, or maybe you want... Porn games?" She grinned as she nonchalantly twitched her left eyebrow twice
"I am feeling playing an online RPG today"
"I see, I thought you are only into fighting and shooter"
"Just show me what you have"
She turned around and looked at the stacked games on the shelves behind her and gazed her eyes straight to the RPG genre "We got Divine Light, Dawn And Mysteries, Trace In Twilight, Shadow Of The Abyss-"
"Those are months and years ago" I groaned "I might have missed the best updates and parts. I want something very new, something that just got released"
Lisa rubbed her chin, her eyes locked on to a shelf "There is something I know"
She took out a thin game case from one of the shelves and placed it on the counter.
'Corrupted Realms RPG Online'
I took out my phone and searched about it. It is released and sold early but the game will start in July 1 around 8 AM, it is the day of vacation.
It said here it is made by Tiforce, the game is sometimes called CRO. A Third-Person or top-down view perspective AAA Sandbox MMORPG game, it contained leveling system with character progression, tons of gears, enemies, bosses, loots, raid bosses, lots of classes and many more even selling loots into real-life money.
This is the first ever game made by Tiforce but somehow a lot of people are hyped.
My eyes locked onto something, words that are bold looked like something important.
"When the game starts after waiting, 200 random players will be given OP starting items as a thank you gift for playing our game"
Sounds very promising, I can enjoy this throughout the vacation, perfect timing.
"You know what, I am still feeling playing a fighting game. Let me get that... Loumine IV"
"Here ya go" she placed it on top of the other game
"Yeah I want to buy-"
Before I could take it the games, Lisa snatched both of it away.
"... What?"
"Isn't it still your exam tomorrow? I know you are going to play all night so you should study"
I groaned "Stop acting like my mother and you want me to repeat the word 'stock knowledge'?"
"But maybe think about getting your grades up"
"I don't care, what am I even going to do to the things I learned like math or doing some carvings, drawings, politics and stuff when all I want to become is a cook. Why don't they just let students learn what they are into to gain their full potential?"
"I didn't know you are into cooking. Well, maybe you can like make some arts with your food"
My face was filled with confusion "What? I am not going to play with my food. All I want with my food is that they are edible and satisfied to the eater"
Lisa sighed in defeat "Okay, there isn't really something stopping you. That will be total of 47 NPHP "
I paid, bid farewell and walked out. Other students are going home after the exhausting long exams.
Some were discussing about it, some are even reading as they walk.
All this learning and studying just to become a cook. Not to become famous, not to become rich, but to become a cook that's all.
Imagine going to school for around 16 years just to become a janitor, a sports star, or a delivery man. How waste of time is that.
What am I even doing in life?
I finally arrived at home and opened the door, I was met by my sister down the stairs, Zoe, drying her hair with a towel.
"Good afternoon" I greeted
"Good afternoon? Who even greet their siblings like that?"
I ignored her and walked upstairs.
"I heard that you got 33 out of 80 in math"
I stopped by the time I step foot on at the very top of the stairs.
"Is there a problem with that?"
"What the hell do you mean!? 33 out of 80!? Study tonight or I will have that PC and console of yours confiscated!"
"Whatever you say" I waved my hands as I turned my head away from her
"I am being serious here!"
I shut the door on her ranting. Even if you try to take it, I am going to lock my door tomorrow.
I placed the games near my PC and flopped myself on my bed. A rest on my comfortable bed after a tiring day. I am not sure why but I felt like I can't wait to play CRO.
The game was released early, but the game itself will start in July 1. Today is June 28, just 2 days of wait.
Wait, I really want to do something a while ago, what was it again?
Right, let's try out the Loumine IV.
***
57 out of 90 in English, no study at all, just pure knowledge. The others got higher but studied before the exam, but I still showed that I really actually learned something.
I looked out the window, at the fountain, center of the school. The fountain is beautiful as ever, what's more beautiful is that girl over there near the fountain sitting on a bench, eating.
Her name is Talia, my... Crush, yeah my crush. She is beautiful as ever, her face makes me smile, I just can't get myself to confess to her.
But that's just normal, I mean like-like-like you can't just confess to your crush without courage and shy-
.....
Eh? My eyes widened in shock, something hurt deep inside me, the liveliness of my eyes dissapeared, all of them in an instant.
A-a-a boy, sat with... Her? A boy sat with Talia? She seems... Happy with him, they are talking to each other so lively, laughing.
Since when did you have a... Boyfriend Talia? For the past few months I saw you without someone, alone. I am not a stalker or something, but I sometimes ran into you outside and inside the school.
You know what, it was my fault for not confessing first. Reality is something, reality can be sometimes have a plot twist, reality is unfair, reality is random, reality is... Reality itself.
I guess that, let's just forget about her.
Someone suddenly kicked my table "So, brother of mine. I heard that this section recently examed English. So, how much did you get?"
I looked up, it was Zoe, beside her was my classmate Rita.
"Hmph, I got-"
I looked at my paper on my table, it was gone. Maybe it was passed to the teacher.
"1 2 3 4 5, aahh, talk to the girl in that chair, she was the one who checked my paper"
"So, what did you get?"
"57 out of 90"
"Tch, atleast not below 40. And what is the girl's name sitting there?"
"Uhmmm, Xiana? No, Mari? Nonono, Lisa? No, ahh I don't know" I started blurting out random names
"It's literally near the end of the school year and you can't even remember your classmates' name!?"
"I came here to learn knowledge, not the name of my classmates"
"You also came to school to make friends and not to become a loner"
"That is a lot of work to do"
"No it is not"
"Yes it is!"
She looked at girl eating in front of me "What is her name?" She asked
"I told you I didn't came to learn names. And actually, I don't know"
The girl in front of me took a notebook out of her bag and threw it at me. I caught it before it landed on my face.
Did she just threw something at me like we were friends!?
"Oi! Why did you that!?" I shouted to her
"I am literally sitting in front of you the whole school year, I am Maya! How can you not even know my name!?" Her face full of frustration, but her mouth suddenly transitioned to a smirk "Oh yeah, you know this creepy brother of yours is spying on a girl?"
"Eeehh?" Zoe leaned her face near mine "Who?"
"Yeah who!?" I shouted to Maya
"You know Talia? The hot chick from the other class?"
"Oh yeah yeah yeah, I know"
They are both talking at each other like I am not there.
"Ewww no, I am not falling in love to someone who has a boyfriend"
"Wait she has a boyfriend?"
I pulled the curtain aside "Here have a look for yourself"
They both took a peek and gasped.
"Well, my brother isn't really much interested to someone in a relationship. You know when we were in elementar-"
"Do not mention it" I cutted her off
***
July 1 has arrived, I can hear my sister and her friends laughing in her room. Probably celebrating finishing the school year. But I saw someone carried a light gin with them, well, as long as they don't disturb me.
Drinking early in the morning is something else, but who's gonna stop them?
I inserted the disk in my console, put on my headset and carried the controller. The game opened, I logged in my account since that's what they always ask for.
'Thank you for buying the game but please be patient, the real game will be starting in 5 minutes and 27 seconds'
23,890,128 players in lobby
Reminder: By the time the game starts, 200 random players will be given random OP equipments as a thank you gift for playing the game'
"Brother, can you get us another light gin from the store? And also an orange juice and some chips. I'll pay you when you come back" Zoe shouted from her room, muffled by the walls
Seriously? But well, I can pass the time as I wait for this game.
I stood up and went straight to the store. Around me was like a ghost, not a sight of people, not a cat, not a single soul. I entered the store, a bell rung.
Maybe buying some ingredients today will be good, I am thinking egg fried rice for lunch. I am wanting to become a cook but I am cooking such basic foods.
I went around the shelves and took some few ingredients.
I picked up garlic first. Always garlic first. Oil without garlic is just oil. Eggs, cheap protein. AndOnions for the finish. We still have that left over rice at home.
I went to the refrigerator to buy gins. But by the time I put my hand on the handle, I noticed something out of the window in front of me.
It was Talia, with that guy again. Reality is really trying to break me eh? I already got over it, who cares about her. That's why games help us forget reality, not even a relapse and gin last night, just playing games all night long that I forgot about it.
I went to the counter, full of light gin, chips and ingredients.
"You seem pretty jolly today. Might be it's vacation today isn't it?" The woman on the counter said "I always see you kinda grumpy"
"Nothing, I just got over somethingi— I mean yeah, it's vacation"
She scanned the products "You have somekind of odd purchases here. You're still 17, I know it's vacation, a time to celebrate. This aren't for you right?"
"Hah! For me? No no no, do I look like a drunkard?" I showed her a kiddie face
"Whatever you say" She gave me the products
Wait, am I forgetting something? My game!!!
I ran back home and dropped the ingredients on the kitchen table and went straight to Zoe's room.
She and her friends are in a circle, surrounding the half emptied light gins and opened chips. I barely know all of them.
I placed the products in front of them "Here ya go"
Suddenly, one of them with glasses wrapped her arms around my left leg "Oh hi there handsome, it was good to see you again"
"What the- Let go of me!"
"Looks like someone's feelings is going out" a girl said
I shook my leg, escaping her grasp and went out.
"Eh? I don't remember your brother being like that?"
"I-I dunno, it was my first time also seeing him being like that"
I locked my door and went straight to my PC. The game will be starting in 4 seconds. I opened my own bag of chips and started munching.
3
2
1
"Welcome To Corrupted Realms RPG Online"
The last exam is tommorow but here I am walking towards the game shop after today's exam. I don't care about studying, I don't care if I fail, as long as I play a game, I enjoy my life.
Why do I liked games you asked? The story? The graphics? Well, of course the actions and uniqueness.
Stories are main part of games but, I never understand a thing only a bit. Only iconic moments and scenes are what I only understand.
Stories was never a thing for me, I am not even paying attention on what the characters say or how the game progresses. Just the action is what I want.
I went on front of the game shop, the sliding door opened by itself in my presence, a digital bell rang. I went straight to the counter approaching Lisa who was looking on her phone.
She noticed me, looking up from her phone. A white plastic lollipop stick sticking out of her lip.
"Oh hello there, good afternoon Rael, how's the exam?" She greeted me
I rested my arms on the counter, felt exhausted "It was good, stock knowledge at it's best. Still got half and above the score of the exam"
"Well, that's good. But you should keep studying to keep your grades high"
"Yeah yeah whatever"
"So, what do you want today?"
I looked behind me, shelves stacked with games, game character on pillows, mousepads, any product that can fit just for the sake and advertisement collab for a game "Do you have any new games today?"
"Well, a lot was published today, puzzle games, fighting games, shooter games, or maybe you want... Porn games?" She grinned as she nonchalantly twitched her left eyebrow twice
"I am feeling playing an online RPG today"
"I see, I thought you are only into fighting and shooter"
"Just show me what you have"
She turned around and looked at the stacked games on the shelves behind her and gazed her eyes straight to the RPG genre "We got Divine Light, Dawn And Mysteries, Trace In Twilight, Shadow Of The Abyss-"
"Those are months and years ago" I groaned "I might have missed the best updates and parts. I want something very new, something that just got released"
Lisa rubbed her chin, her eyes locked on to a shelf "There is something I know"
She took out a thin game case from one of the shelves and placed it on the counter.
'Corrupted Realms RPG Online'
I took out my phone and searched about it. It is released and sold early but the game will start in July 1 around 8 AM, it is the day of vacation.
It said here it is made by Tiforce, the game is sometimes called CRO. A Third-Person or top-down view perspective AAA Sandbox MMORPG game, it contained leveling system with character progression, tons of gears, enemies, bosses, loots, raid bosses, lots of classes and many more even selling loots into real-life money.
This is the first ever game made by Tiforce but somehow a lot of people are hyped.
My eyes locked onto something, words that are bold looked like something important.
"When the game starts after waiting, 200 random players will be given OP starting items as a thank you gift for playing our game"
Sounds very promising, I can enjoy this throughout the vacation, perfect timing.
"You know what, I am still feeling playing a fighting game. Let me get that... Loumine IV"
"Here ya go" she placed it on top of the other game
"Yeah I want to buy-"
Before I could take it the games, Lisa snatched both of it away.
"... What?"
"Isn't it still your exam tomorrow? I know you are going to play all night so you should study"
I groaned "Stop acting like my mother and you want me to repeat the word 'stock knowledge'?"
"But maybe think about getting your grades up"
"I don't care, what am I even going to do to the things I learned like math or doing some carvings, drawings, politics and stuff when all I want to become is a cook. Why don't they just let students learn what they are into to gain their full potential?"
"I didn't know you are into cooking. Well, maybe you can like make some arts with your food"
My face was filled with confusion "What? I am not going to play with my food. All I want with my food is that they are edible and satisfied to the eater"
Lisa sighed in defeat "Okay, there isn't really something stopping you. That will be total of 47 NPHP "
I paid, bid farewell and walked out. Other students are going home after the exhausting long exams.
Some were discussing about it, some are even reading as they walk.
All this learning and studying just to become a cook. Not to become famous, not to become rich, but to become a cook that's all.
Imagine going to school for around 16 years just to become a janitor, a sports star, or a delivery man. How waste of time is that.
What am I even doing in life?
I finally arrived at home and opened the door, I was met by my sister down the stairs, Zoe, drying her hair with a towel.
"Good afternoon" I greeted
"Good afternoon? Who even greet their siblings like that?"
I ignored her and walked upstairs.
"I heard that you got 33 out of 80 in math"
I stopped by the time I step foot on at the very top of the stairs.
"Is there a problem with that?"
"What the hell do you mean!? 33 out of 80!? Study tonight or I will have that PC and console of yours confiscated!"
"Whatever you say" I waved my hands as I turned my head away from her
"I am being serious here!"
I shut the door on her ranting. Even if you try to take it, I am going to lock my door tomorrow.
I placed the games near my PC and flopped myself on my bed. A rest on my comfortable bed after a tiring day. I am not sure why but I felt like I can't wait to play CRO.
The game was released early, but the game itself will start in July 1. Today is June 28, just 2 days of wait.
Wait, I really want to do something a while ago, what was it again?
Right, let's try out the Loumine IV.
***
57 out of 90 in English, no study at all, just pure knowledge. The others got higher but studied before the exam, but I still showed that I really actually learned something.
I looked out the window, at the fountain, center of the school. The fountain is beautiful as ever, what's more beautiful is that girl over there near the fountain sitting on a bench, eating.
Her name is Talia, my... Crush, yeah my crush. She is beautiful as ever, her face makes me smile, I just can't get myself to confess to her.
But that's just normal, I mean like-like-like you can't just confess to your crush without courage and shy-
.....
Eh? My eyes widened in shock, something hurt deep inside me, the liveliness of my eyes dissapeared, all of them in an instant.
A-a-a boy, sat with... Her? A boy sat with Talia? She seems... Happy with him, they are talking to each other so lively, laughing.
Since when did you have a... Boyfriend Talia? For the past few months I saw you without someone, alone. I am not a stalker or something, but I sometimes ran into you outside and inside the school.
You know what, it was my fault for not confessing first. Reality is something, reality can be sometimes have a plot twist, reality is unfair, reality is random, reality is... Reality itself.
I guess that, let's just forget about her.
Someone suddenly kicked my table "So, brother of mine. I heard that this section recently examed English. So, how much did you get?"
I looked up, it was Zoe, beside her was my classmate Rita.
"Hmph, I got-"
I looked at my paper on my table, it was gone. Maybe it was passed to the teacher.
"1 2 3 4 5, aahh, talk to the girl in that chair, she was the one who checked my paper"
"So, what did you get?"
"57 out of 90"
"Tch, atleast not below 40. And what is the girl's name sitting there?"
"Uhmmm, Xiana? No, Mari? Nonono, Lisa? No, ahh I don't know" I started blurting out random names
"It's literally near the end of the school year and you can't even remember your classmates' name!?"
"I came here to learn knowledge, not the name of my classmates"
"You also came to school to make friends and not to become a loner"
"That is a lot of work to do"
"No it is not"
"Yes it is!"
She looked at girl eating in front of me "What is her name?" She asked
"I told you I didn't came to learn names. And actually, I don't know"
The girl in front of me took a notebook out of her bag and threw it at me. I caught it before it landed on my face.
Did she just threw something at me like we were friends!?
"Oi! Why did you that!?" I shouted to her
"I am literally sitting in front of you the whole school year, I am Maya! How can you not even know my name!?" Her face full of frustration, but her mouth suddenly transitioned to a smirk "Oh yeah, you know this creepy brother of yours is spying on a girl?"
"Eeehh?" Zoe leaned her face near mine "Who?"
"Yeah who!?" I shouted to Maya
"You know Talia? The hot chick from the other class?"
"Oh yeah yeah yeah, I know"
They are both talking at each other like I am not there.
"Ewww no, I am not falling in love to someone who has a boyfriend"
"Wait she has a boyfriend?"
I pulled the curtain aside "Here have a look for yourself"
They both took a peek and gasped.
"Well, my brother isn't really much interested to someone in a relationship. You know when we were in elementar-"
"Do not mention it" I cutted her off
***
July 1 has arrived, I can hear my sister and her friends laughing in her room. Probably celebrating finishing the school year. But I saw someone carried a light gin with them, well, as long as they don't disturb me.
Drinking early in the morning is something else, but who's gonna stop them?
I inserted the disk in my console, put on my headset and carried the controller. The game opened, I logged in my account since that's what they always ask for.
'Thank you for buying the game but please be patient, the real game will be starting in 5 minutes and 27 seconds'
23,890,128 players in lobby
Reminder: By the time the game starts, 200 random players will be given random OP equipments as a thank you gift for playing the game'
"Brother, can you get us another light gin from the store? And also an orange juice and some chips. I'll pay you when you come back" Zoe shouted from her room, muffled by the walls
Seriously? But well, I can pass the time as I wait for this game.
I stood up and went straight to the store. Around me was like a ghost, not a sight of people, not a cat, not a single soul. I entered the store, a bell rung.
Maybe buying some ingredients today will be good, I am thinking egg fried rice for lunch. I am wanting to become a cook but I am cooking such basic foods.
I went around the shelves and took some few ingredients.
I picked up garlic first. Always garlic first. Oil without garlic is just oil. Eggs, cheap protein. AndOnions for the finish. We still have that left over rice at home.
I went to the refrigerator to buy gins. But by the time I put my hand on the handle, I noticed something out of the window in front of me.
It was Talia, with that guy again. Reality is really trying to break me eh? I already got over it, who cares about her. That's why games help us forget reality, not even a relapse and gin last night, just playing games all night long that I forgot about it.
I went to the counter, full of light gin, chips and ingredients.
"You seem pretty jolly today. Might be it's vacation today isn't it?" The woman on the counter said "I always see you kinda grumpy"
"Nothing, I just got over somethingi— I mean yeah, it's vacation"
She scanned the products "You have somekind of odd purchases here. You're still 17, I know it's vacation, a time to celebrate. This aren't for you right?"
"Hah! For me? No no no, do I look like a drunkard?" I showed her a kiddie face
"Whatever you say" She gave me the products
Wait, am I forgetting something? My game!!!
I ran back home and dropped the ingredients on the kitchen table and went straight to Zoe's room.
She and her friends are in a circle, surrounding the half emptied light gins and opened chips. I barely know all of them.
I placed the products in front of them "Here ya go"
Suddenly, one of them with glasses wrapped her arms around my left leg "Oh hi there handsome, it was good to see you again"
"What the- Let go of me!"
"Looks like someone's feelings is going out" a girl said
I shook my leg, escaping her grasp and went out.
"Eh? I don't remember your brother being like that?"
"I-I dunno, it was my first time also seeing him being like that"
I locked my door and went straight to my PC. The game will be starting in 4 seconds. I opened my own bag of chips and started munching.
3
2
1
"Welcome To Corrupted Realms RPG Online"
Please sign in to leave a comment.