Welcome, Player

Special Chapter 3: A Day with Astro

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-special chapter-
• Astro •
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"ASTRO, ARE you really going to sign up for Life's new game?" Ceres, my cousin, asked.

We were in my room, playing a fighting video game. He came into my room this morning, inviting me to play the game he brought and making a bet. If I lose to him, he gets to ask me questions. In the fifty rounds we had, he never won.

So now he's using his confidence to ask me. I wouldn't mind him asking though. I don't get why he needs to bet it. I would answer it still.

"Yes." sagot ko at tinalo siyang muli.

He threw his game console to the ground while I stared at mine. I've read this consoles on articles. Ito ang laging ginagamit noon. But now that VR games are popularized, it was considered a trash. Or for some historic-loving gamers, a souvenir.

"Why?" I lifted my head to look at him. Ang tagal niyang sumagot.

He frowned and slumped on my bed. Sighing, I look at him rolling over my neat and organized bed. I need to clean up again.

"Why? Anong why? Paano kapag sumali din si Apocalypse do'n? Anong gagawin mo?"

He pouted and I patted his head. I can see where his worries came from. He's just concerned about my feelings. Because what happened four months ago destroyed me.

Second Lyf was the MMORPG game that dominated the world. Naging usap-usapan ito dahil galing ito sa isang underrated na kompanya. It came after Life whose RPG survival game, Project Z, stayed at the top for years. Project Z was a game that got awards year after year, but not everyone enjoys the game. People who wants less-thrilling genre played Second Lyf.

Or, ngayong nalaman ko na, maybe they quit Project Z because of Apocalypse's meddling.

When Second Lyf topped the sales, rumors started to circulate. The strongest player in Project Z, leading the largest guild, is quitting and going to play Second Lyf. Now there were bashings over the survival game at na hindi na daw magiging maganda ito dahil wala na ang pinakamalakas na player nila. I never pay attention to it back then, how there were no complaints from his guildmates.

And I never suspected him because he blended in without problem. Napakabait niya. He helps with the guild and he cleared the rumors about him being a threat to me
Not that I minded. Having a strong competition is always something I enjoy. But making friends are also something I desired.

Since people in real life avoids me because of my straightforward nature.

But I never knew he could hiss. Months passed and the eyes of my members towards me changed. They began their complaints and would start votings on decision-related things. How they would rather have Apo make a decision than me.

Hinayaan ko 'yon. Baka nga hindi maayos minsan ang desisyon ko. I was even glad that they got to voice out now. I don't want to be controlling over my members. I'm not a dictator, I'm just a leader.

However, I didn't know that I was being attacked from behind. Nagising na lang ako isang araw na galit ang mga guild members. Then they voted me out of position. Players who heard what happened aren't sure what side to pick. I took a break and quit the game.