Hi! Thank you so much po for 10k reads! Ahhh, I can't express my gratitude enough huhubells. Maraming salamat sa pagbasa, pagboto, pagkomento at pagmahal kay Finn po! Love ya! ❤❤
-chapter forty-one-
FINN
Who would dare kill a player like this? It wasn't from any monster in this game. The method of killing seems rather humane, something that bundles of data were not coded to do.
Ngunit napakaimposible naman kung papatayin ng players ang kapwa niya. Why would they even?
"Bitawan niyo ako!"
Mabilis akong tumakbo sa pinanggalingan ng boses. My blood ran cold when I recognized the tone and voice. It was familiar and it sounded like home, just like how it was years ago.
It wasn't too far from the corpse. Just a couple of trees away, there was a clearing. Natigilan ako nang makitang may mga taong nagkukumpulan doon. I can spot about five players there, all of them boys.
But that voice I heard didn't come from a male.
"Bitawan niyo nga siya! Hindi kami pumunta dito para makigulo. We're just trying to finish the quest."
I stepped closer upon hearing another familiar voice. Ngayong malapit na ako'y kitang-kita na nag-aaway sila at hindi nag-uusap, explaining the words of plea that were uttered earlier. Two boys were beside each other, holding something. Hindi ko ito masyadong makita dahil natatago ng katawan ni-
"Sebastian." I whispered.
Sure, he and Gavin argues a lot, but Baste is not the type of person who instigate fights. Lalo na sa mga taong hindi niya kakilala o ka-close.
If Sebastian was fighting against them now, that means he has a good reason for doing so.
"Tumahimik ka nga!" singhal ng lalaking nasa harapan niya. "Wala akong pakialam kung hindi kayo nakikigulo kasi kami, gusto namin!"
"Then find other people to trouble!" pabalik na sigaw ni Sebastian. "Let us go."
"Sorry at hindi pwede." nang-iinis ang tono nito. "Mabilis akong maakit sa magaganda at mukhang mayroon kang Beauty dito. Gusto ko din, p're, kaya ba't di mo na lang ibigay sa'kin? O kung ayaw mo..." ngumisi siya. "Kahit hiram okay na din."
"Gago ka ah!"
Umamba si Sebastian ng isang suntok ngunit agad itong nabasa ng lalaki. He lifted his hand to catch the clenched fist, trying to crush it with his strength.
"See, you're weak. You can't even fight against me." itinapon niya si Sebastian pagilid. "Kaya naman, baby girl, dito ka na sa'kin. I promise I'll give you a good time." he said that, licking his lips and eyeing the woman in front of her.
Mas lalo akong kinabahan nang makita kung sino iyon. When Sebastian was pushed to the side, the woman beside him was revealed.
Renée!
Blonde hair braided and black eyes glaring fiercely. Pinipigilan siyang gumalaw no'ng dalawang lalaking nakita ko kanina, pero kahit na nasa ganoong sitwasyon ay makikita pa rin ang pag-ayaw at laban sa mukha ni Renée.
"Sabi nang umalis ka e!"
Tumayo si Sebastian at muling umamba ng suntok. Once again, his attack was a bit slow that any expert gamer could instantly read it. Iniangat ng lalaki ang kamay niya, handa na para pigilan ang papadating na suntok. A smirk slowly appeared in his face, growing as the clenched fist went closer, Sebastian's hard and furious face behind it.
Then, my palm covered his entire wrist, grip tight and crushing.
Sebastian's fist halted in the air when I appeared in front of them. Nanlalaki ang mata niyang napatingin sa'kin. Dumako rin sa gawi ko ang tingin ng lalaki, ang ngisi niya ay nagsisimula nang maging ngiwi. His brows furrowed at me, irritation clouding his face.
"At ano naman ang kaila- what the fuck!"
The man shouted loud in pain as I slowly twisted his arm in my hold. His face crumpled, a hiss leaving his mouth.
It's always satisfying seeing loud and arrogant mouths shout in pain.
"Aray! Aray! Putangina naman, ano bang problema mong bata ka?!"
"Do not refer to Finn as a chi-"
Sebastian's angry statement was cut off by Renée's cold voice. "Huwag na huwag mong mamura si Finn."
The man glared at them and glowered at me. He raised his free hand, ready to punch me, but Wes grabbed his arm, yanking it back.
"Tangina! Pasalamat kayo may resbak kayo!" sinipat niya ang mga kasama. "Hoy Renzo, bugbugin mo nga 'tong mga 'to!"
The fourth man who was standing behind the loud man, all this time, shivered. Wes had the tip of his dagger pointed to his neck.
"Boss, sorry. Mahirap lagay ko dito."
"Putangina naman!"
The man's eyes went back to Renée and he gave an irritated huff when the two guys who were holding my friend was now sitting with Theo, who was holding one by the throat and the other through a dagger.
Sumimangot ang lalaki. "Tch. Whatever, aalis na kami, okay ba? Pasalamat kayo madami kayo." sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. "Pwede bang bitawan mo na ang kamay ko? Parang ikaw naman binabantaan ko para magkaganiyan. Badtrip mga 'to, amputa."
I did not let him go and instead tightened my grip. He uttered a sharp curse, biting his lower lip in pain.
"The girl there." I nodded my head at the direction of the tree. "Was it you?"
Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay na parang iniisip kung sino tinutukoy ko. Then, his lips stretched into a menacing grin. He tilted his head to the side, tongue darting out to lick his lower lip. Doon ko namataan ang piercing sa dila niya.
"You killed Eris!" Renée angrily blurted, eyes screaming murder. "Sabi mo mag-uusap lang kayo pero pinatay mo siya. Ang malala pa, ginalaw mo siya bago no'n!"
I paled at those words. Even though Renée was accusing and shouting at the man, hindi umalis ang tingin nito sa'kin. His amusement seemed to grow when I looked repulsed.
Does he find his crimes amusing?
"Ako nga ay may gawa."
Who said monsters only exist as game datas in this game? Some of them are much more alive than expected.
Some of them are just standing in front of us, without us knowing.
"Why..." mahina kong bulong.
"Why wouldn't I?" he answered like it was a normal thing to do. "Hindi ba't ang laro na 'to ay kaparehas lang ng patayan. I'm only helping to take down the numbers, and killing useless people. Like that friend of yours."
My nails dug on his skin and he flinched. Ngunit kahit anong pagpilit ng sakit sa mukha niya ay hindi pa rin nito nawawala ang ngisi sa labi. Sinulyapan niya ang kamay kong nakapalibot sa pulsuhan niya.
Death's not just a small matter that anyone can decide. To take a life of somebody. Who is he to draw the line between life and death? Who is he to demand when a person shall stop breathing or not?
"You're fierce and deadly. Ang sarap mo sigurong durugin at patayin. It's always fun to break strong people."
"Dylan, tama na 'yan. Umalis na tayo." natatakot na usal ng kasama niyang si Renzo.
Wes seemed to be digging the blade deeper into his skin, his face already dark and dangerous while glaring at the back of the said Dylan's skull.
Dylan made a noise of protest. "But I haven't had my share of fun-"
"Don't touch them." tukoy ko sa mga kaibigan.
"Hindi ko 'yan mapapangako. Nakakairita si apat-mata dahil umaatake, e hindi naman magaling. At-" his eyes landed to Renée. "I'd like a taste of that piece-"
Dylan's head snapped to the right when Renée's palm came into contact with his cheek. The loud sound of the slap was so defeaning and satisfying in the quiet forest. Namula ang pisnging sinampal ni Renée.
I was quite glad I didn't move first. Renée was the one who truly deserve to hit him.
"You're so fucking disgusting." Renée spit out, looking down at Dylan like he was no more than a commoner. "Oo, hindi ako magaling sa mga laro at pakikipaglaban. Wala akong alam kung paano 'to ginagawa. I admit that I don't have the power, strength, or the intelligence, but I have dignity and respect. A thing you're so obviously lacking."
Natahimik ang lahat sa sinabi niya. There's a reason why Renée is popular and feared in school. She's not just a pretty face, she becomes very scary when all her buttons are pushed. Kahit ang mga nagiging kaibigan niya na sikat ay hindi nakakatakas.
"Dapat pinakita mo 'yan kanina pa. E'di sana goods ang time nating dalawa." Dylan grinned.
"She just told you to stay away. Is your comprehension low?" Theo interjected from behind. "Hindi pa ba sapat ang sampal para makitang pinapaalis ka na. Nakakapagod kayo."
Dylan shrugged. "Oh, we'll go. Sinabi ko na nga kanina 'di ba na wala kaming gagawing masama. Aalis kami dito nang matiwasay, kahit tutukan niyo pa kami ng baril para masiguro 'yon, pwedeng-pwede." sinulyapan niya si Wes sa likod. "Bitawan mo na ako, p're."
Wes hesitated for a bit but he did let go. Dylan then stretched his arms, circling them and clicking his neck. Sinubukan niya galawin ang kamay niyang hinahawakan ko pa rin, at tumaas ang kilay niya nang makitang hindi ko pa ito binibitawan.
"Do you need something else, pretty?"
"Why."
"Sinabi ko na iyon sa iyo kanina, 'di ba? This game kills people, so why not just help them?"
Umiling ako. "Other."
"Ibang rason ba ibig mong sabihin?"
Tumango ako. The smirk on Dylan's mouth froze and his eyes hardened at me.
"I'm with someone who believes the game won't let people go unless it reaches a certain amount. Sumusunod lang ako sa gusto niya dahil matindi din ang galit ko sa mga manlalaro dito. I don't really care if we get out or not."
Dylan peeled my hand off him when the grip loosened. Nakangiwi niya itong winasiwas, rubbing on the red spot that formed on his skin, a bruise I made.
What does he mean by that? Another presumption made by a player? To have quite a few followers for a revolting order, she must have influence and power. Aside from Marcella's flag assumption, this one's an assumption on the number of players.
They probably thought of it because of the player count at every city. But... is it really possible? That only a certain amount of people can proceed or go out? That's unfair... and a bit impossible.
Hindi naman iyon nabanggit sa game explanation noong matanda. Hindi ba sila nakinig no'n?
Dylan gestured to himself, carefully watching my face. "Angry? You can kill me if you want."
"'m not a killer."
Dylan grinned, as if my reply summarized his whole behavior and even called him out. Dahil talaga namang mamamatay-tao siya. He killed Renée's friend, and he doesn't seem to be regretting it.
"Your loss. Now it's either I catch and kill you or the other way around."
Dylan started to walk away, his companions following. Hindi ko alam kung anong tumatakbo sa isip niya. He surrendered quite easily but he still didn't back down. Kahit na nasampal siya't napagalitan ay nanatili ang ngisi sa mukha niya. Is he actually crazy? Who would even enjoy killing their fellow humans?
Just for an assumption?
Ano na ba ang ginawa ng larong 'to sa kanila? There are people who uses themselves just to ensure their survival. There are those who won't think twice about using people. May mga ginagawa ang lahat para lamang makaalis, kahit na ito'y makaperwisyo pa ng ibang tao, at may ibang mas ginugulo pa ang magulo nang mundo.
"Magpapatuloy ka pa rin ba sa pagpatay?" Wes asked. "It may be legal in here, but you will surely face charges outside."
Dylan stopped. "Sabi ko na ngang galit ako sa lahat ng players dito. As long as they're easy to kill, why not? Anyway, how would they press charges when no one's there to witness or defend it?"
So he's planning on killing us to shut our mouth? Or bribing us with money?
Hindi naman kami siya.
"Eris didn't do anything to you! She's a good person." kontra ni Renée.
"Is she... really? I mean, I wouldn't know, right?" ini-angat niya ang kamay to offer a small wave, slightly glancing back. "Ngunit hindi lang naman ako namamatay dahil sa galit sa isang grupo. What I'm doing is revenge. Isang malalim na paghihiganti sa lahat ng mga mahihina na naghahanap ng pain para sila'y mabuhay. Burn me in hell, for all I care."
I stared at Dylan's retreating back. Just what happened to fill him with murderous rage? Pero... kahit ano pa 'yon. Is it really proper to kill other players?
"Sila nga ata 'yong mga naririnig ko sa chismis." saad ni Theo na nakaupo pa rin. "Pumapatay ng mga manlalaro. Pero hindi ko alam na ganito sila kalala ngayon. Maybe the numbers of their cult grew?"
"I didn't know you enjoy gossips." komento ni Wes.
Humikab si Theo. "Hm. Malalaman at malalaman mo kapag may kasama kang madaldal."
Is he talking about Sapphire?
"Killing players." I muttered. "Why?"
"As you've heard, it's a purge of some sort. Probably influenced with their own emotions. Akala ko tuturuan lang tayo ng game na maglaro o magbeta lang, now even the people's worst sides are being laid bare." Theo shrugged. "Anong kasakiman pa kaya ang haharap sa'tin? Sana naman hindi masyadong nakakapagod." binulong niya ang huli sa sarili.
Isang hagulgol ang kumuha sa atensiyon namin. I hurriedly stepped towards Renée when she fell on her knees, tears streaming down her eyes. Pilit niya itong pinupunasan ngunit hindi ito tumitigil sa paglabas. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath in between crying.
When I tried to touch her, she trembled.
"Sorry, sorry, Finn. You surprised me." she smiled apologetically.
I only stared at her. That earlier interaction scared her. She was subjected into sexual harassment and it would probably go worse if we didn't arrive. Siguro'y surpresa lang din ang atake sa kanila kaya mabilis na nagugulat at natatakot si Renée sa paglapit namin.
"But... Eris." humikbi siya. "Nang sundan ko siya, I heard her shout of h-help. Pero bago pa ako makadating, they've already k-killed her. It was... It was so bad. They raped her, Finn. They're fucking animals."
Hindi niya na napatuloy ang pagsasalita dahil sinikop siya ni Sebastian sa isang mahigpit na yakap. Renée's shoulders trembled and her sniffles was loud. Itinago niya ang mukha sa leeg ng galit na Sebastian.
There was regret, anger, and fear in his face. I know what's running on his mind without him vocalizing it. The helplessness he felt earlier because he wasn't able to fight against the attackers.
I crouched down beside the two of them. "We'll bury her, Ree. Pray for her soul too."
"Oo. Para at least maging peaceful ang paglibing niya." Sebastian muttered atop Renée's head. "I'm sorry."
I watched the two of them, nostalgia filling me.
No matter what happens.
No matter what I face and what I am subjected to.
I promise to never lose my morals in this game.
-chapter end-