Rogue Wars Online

Chapter Three: Starting City

Pero, since this is a game, siguro'y naincrease na ang physical abilities namin. And if the main class here are rogues or assassins, we're much more agile, quicker and stealthier.

Binuksan ko ang pinto ng rooftop at dahan-dahan na naglakad pababa. Hindi naman ang mga kapwa kong players ang pinagtataguan ko but the possible presence of monsters in this city.

I exited the building without any problem. Strangely, the streets were vacant. I would have expected people to atleast crowd the street in confusion and desire to know more.

Lumiko ako pakanan. Maybe I should find a large and clear space. Baka may pagtitipon nang nangyari sa mga players na malapit lang sa isa't isa. I should probably try and listen to their meetings. Baka may makuha akong makakatulong sa'kin.

"Hindi puwede. They would list down instructions kung 'yon nga ang pakay nila."

Natigilan ako't napatago sa malapit na alley nang may marinig na mga boses. From the left corner of the barren street, two boys walked out, discussing something. Mukhang nakapokus lamang sila sa pinag-uusapan kaya hindi nila napansin ang presensiya ko.

"Kung gano'n nga, e bakit may countdown? Ano 'yon wala tayong gagawin buong magdamag?"

"That's what we need to confirm."

Humina ang boses nila nang tuluyang makalayo. So they're also questioning the presence of the decreasing time. Siguro'y isa sila sa mga pro-gamers. I believe if a newbie got stuck in this game, they'd be panicking.

"Ano ba ang ginagawa natin at bakit tayo nagtatago?"

Napatalon ako't mahinang napasigaw nang may magsalita sa tabi. I immediately raised my fist up as a defensive stance.

Isang babaeng may asul na buhok na abot dibdib ang nagpakita. She was looking at me, amused. Nakahalukipkip siya't mahinang natatawa.

Nagulat ako do'n. Akala ko kung sino na ang biglang sumulpot. Lalo na't bigla lang siyang nagsalita.

"I'm sorry. Did I scare you?"

Tumango ako tapos umiling. The nod was to acknowledge the apology and the second one was an answer to her question.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "So natakot kita na hindi?"

Umiling ako. I was surprised, not scared. There's a difference.

"Okay." napakurap-kurap siya. "Hindi ka natakot?"

Tumango ako.

"Hindi ka ba nagsasalita?"

Nagulat ako dahil sa diretso niyang tanong. People would just naturally assume I'm not a conversation specialist nor do I enjoy talking.

"Ah. I'm sorry. That was insensitive." paumanhin niya. "I speak without thinking sometimes. It's a trait I'm working on."

Prangka lang siguro ang bibig niya.

"'s alright." mahinang sagot ko.

Nanlaki ang mata ng babae dahil sa sinabi ko. Her jaw dropped. "Hala!" sigaw niya. "Ang ganda ng boses mo!"