New Life Online

-XXXX City Gaming Center-

"Finally! The day has come for the New Life Online's biggest Gaming Centers around the world to be opened for the biggest event no one has ever seen! Will it be a World Boss Event like last time? A Worldwide Tournament? Or maybe a Battle Royal?! It is said that we will all be surprised at what will come! We'll find out soon! For now, let's find each and everyone's rooms and get ready to set your game on!" Aika, the famous newscaster dedicated to NLO, has finally made her appearance, live in a magician's outfit holding a mic that looks like a magical wand. They really prepared for it, I could tell.

It was announced a month ago that after they start the event, it won't be broadcasted anymore through any viewing platforms, from television to any internet viewing apps or websites. It is because the Government wants them to participate inside the game and make it as if it's a once in a lifetime event making even those who don't want to play the game try. I'd say that the plan is working considering the available rooms shown online is about to be fully booked. Still, no one paid attention to the deteriorating nature and missing old people and children all over the country.

I promised myself that I won't come... but this isn't just about me, I want my sister to survive all through this. I can't let her go through all those hardsh.i.p.s from before ever again and that's' why I have to survive as well. I know my parents won't ever forgive me if I would be selfish and because of this, I have no choice but to come.

I came with Kinny and Pheel as they won't leave me alone. I'd say when they say the biggest gaming center, I didn't expect it to be this huge. Thick giant walls covered the whole place. The only possible way inside is the entrance. This is not a gaming center, it's a f*cking fortress. Without a keycard, they won't let you inside and that also made people more curious. But this kind of place, I don't think that we're only trying to survive from the virus but we're also trying to survive from something even bigger.

Thousands of people have gathered here and some of them are already inside. Inside of the gaming center, it felt like there's another city filled with skyscr.a.p.ers. To save millions of people, they had to make sure they have enough space to accommodate such numbers.

Finally, I've reached the information desk and there's like a hundred of lines. Such hype is definitely groundbreaking. "Your room number should be 80992, please take the bus numbered 80 and there will be a facility dedicated to the people from Block 80." Block 80 means there will be a thousand people inside a building. This could mean that this gaming center has hundreds or even thousands of buildings but as Azzie said, it's still not enough to save everyone, not to mention, we already lost lives from this virus and people only thought about the victims as "Missing people."

Both Kinny and Pheel are on a different block and they said that their ban has been lifted for this event. Now, they can participate as well and even left me without saying goodbye. So yeah, I decided to go to the building.

-Block 80-

The building is pretty tall. My room details say it should be at Block 8 on the 20th floor so that means in this building, there will be 20 floors and can accommodate 50 people per floor. Well, I guess it doesn't matter which floor I'd be into but somehow this place looks familiar.

I entered the building and there are lots of people inside the lobby. And... "Scy! You're here!" Oh yeah... right. There are like hundreds of blocks and they're here...

They approached me and, "Yow, Elou. It's been a while. I can see that the rest of the gang is here as well."

"Yeah, Miss Petula managed to reserve rooms near yours. How cool was that?!" Right, right... Petula huh, no wonder...

I looked at her and hinted that it was planned all along by the SOH. "Hey Petula, I didn't expect that you would do such a thing for the guild. You should have talked to really important people to get those slots."

I was surprised by something though... I remember Zia not be able to walk and Chara being blind but somehow... they're doing great now.

"It was a pain in the b.u.t.t but don't worry about it. Everything for the guild." Petula and her complaints. Guild huh... it's been a while and they still consider me as one of them. Not even asking what happened to respect my privacy. They are such good friends. Where on earth are Jay and Son by the way?

"Unfortunately, we could only bring the core members of our guilds. The others are not on the same block as ours but I'm sure we'll find them in the game. " Petula replied.

"How long is the event going to last anyway? I mean, look at this place? This place should have cost billions." Elou's right. Little did he know that this is supposed to be something else other than just a big event.

"It's the biggest event for a reason. I hope that our guild could still maintain being the top guild after this." Akko, the one who carried the guild to the top while I was gone. She sure has lots of burdens as the guild leader now.

"I'm sure you still could do it. I, on the other hand, am planning to go just for the sake of my sister. I won't participate in any activities at this event." They looked at each other and-

*Sigh* "What's new? I mean, you've been in and out of the game so I guess we're used to it by now but it doesn't mean we're leaving you out of the picture. For us, you're still the leader we look up to whatever happens." Then he smiled. If you only knew what happened to me this past year... I missed every single one of you and our time together... but this time, they have to do it by themselves. The next time we meet in the game, it will be in a different scenario. I could say that the others are not happy about my decision but that's final.

"Jeez... Stop asking being like that. You've been doing so well in the game. I'll be watching you guys." Then suddenly, Elou hugged me.

"Man, we all missed you." And the others approached me and had a group hug. Man, I'm going to miss this.

"We have a lot of stories to tell you!" Akko, I know.

"Have a duel with me first, Scy! I learned new techniques from my clan!" Leion too...

"Yeah! Our techniques!" Zia must have copied it again making Leion's face angry again.

"... ..." I missed both of you as well, Elle and Lili.

"How about a healthy meal for everyone!" Chara joined us as well.

"Better be seafood!" And wait... why is Osia here too?"

Huh?! Somehow, I've felt so much killing intent! I couldn't help it but feel scared and threatened.

"Hey, Scy? Are you alright? You look worried out of nowhere." What was that?