Dahil may ilang oras pa bago ang fireworks, nilibang muna namin ni Mr. Elf ang aming sarili sa paglalaro ng mga festival games. I continued playing the shooting game until I got all the top prizes. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko nang naglaro ako ng dart game. Kinuha ko lang ang sa tingin ko ay maganda, and then umalis na ako. Mind games naman ang trip ni Mr. Elf, like solving riddle, puzzle and playing chess game.
Everything went smoothly. Kahit papaano nag-enjoy naman kaming dalawa hanggang sa kumalam ang sikmura ko. Ah, I guess it's time for dinner. Pero saan kami kakain? Puno lahat ng taverns and restaurants.
"I'm hungry," I said and rubbed my belly.
"Wait here. I'll go get us some food."
Seeing Mr. Elf being so thoughtful, I finally revealed my first sincere smile of the day, "Hmm, I will wait for you here."
Pagbalik ni Mr. Elf, inabutan niya ako ng Popcorn at hot coffee, makikitang umuusok pa ang mga ito.
"Popcorn and coffee? Seriously?" looking at the weird food set in my hands. I don't mind drinking coffee at the middle of the night but with popcorn?
"What?" Mr. Elf said eating his own popcorn. "Drinking coffee will give 20% energy boost and keeps you awake. About the popcorn, well... it is the only food stall with no waiting line."
Kung si David ang kasama ko sa laro panigurado meron na akong takoyaki, grilled hotdogs and barbecue! I sighed. Iba talaga pag vegetarian ang ka 'date' mo.
"Nothing, thanks for the food," I answered while eating the corn.
Some minutes later, the players start pouring over the west exit. While being pushed by the wave of the crowd, a cold hand embraced my hand.
"It's easy to get lost in this crowd," Mr. Elf explained as he secured our hands.
Initially, I want to break away. But since I already accept to be his woman repellent. I let him have his way. Besides, he's gonna not planning to hold my hand until we reach the lake, right?
Arriving at the lake, I felt the heat from a while ago disperse. The fresh air outside let me regain my energy and liveliness, especially looking at the lake with tons of floating lanterns with different shapes and colors, lighting up the entire lake brightly.
There were already quite a lot of players gathering in the grass beside the lake. Some were holding their lanterns and some start drifting their owned lanterns to the lake. Others were just relaxing and waiting for the fireworks display.
Ang daming tao! Lahat yata ng thief players andito sa lake. Wait... andito kaya siya? I started to roam around and looked at the male players in the area. Sayang kung andito lang sana si Momo,
matutulungan niya akong maghanap sa taong iyon.
Seeing the reaction of every man either turns red or become shy, I feel disappointed. Nope, definitely not one of them. I'm sure, hindi ganyan ang magiging reaction niya pag nakita niya ako.
"Who are you looking for?" Mr. Elf asked angrily.
I forgot Mr. Elf is with me and his hands still holding mine, guess he got angry because I was dragging him around with me.
I released my hands to his grip but didn't answer his question.
I'm looking for a person I haven't seen before. If I told him that? Ano nalang ang iisipin niya sakin? Baliw?
"It's hard to look for someone in this crowd. If I were you, I'll let that person come to me instead," he yawned and said lazily.
I stared at Mr. Elf, but did not say anything, what does he mean? Wait... make that person come to me. That's a good idea! I don't know him but he knows me!
Suddenly, Just in time nakakita ako ng paparating na wooden tour boat. Mas gumanda ang itsura ng boat nang umilaw na ang mga lanterns na nakasabit dito, it gives off a romantic effect sa sino mang sasakay dito.
"I have plan," I gave Mr. Elf a smile.
Tumalon kaming dalawa sa paparating na tour boat. Umupo ako sa nakaset-up na guzheng at nag-isip kung ano ang aking tutugtugin.
"Do you know how to play that instrument?" Mr. Elf looked at me. "You're not gonna use it just to create some noise, right?" He folded his arms and leaned his back against the wall outside the boat. The teasing expression on his face was very obvious.
I looked at him and an idea came up to my mind. "Don't worry, I won't disappoint you."
I stretch and exercise my fingers before finally touch the string and start playing the guzheng. The melodious sound of a guzheng started to be heard from the boat.
The silent lakeside was now filled with the fine sound of string music-soft and calm, a scene that you could only see in movies and paintings. It's a bit windy tonight; my bangs were swaying with the wind so I took advantage of it and turned my voice louder as I start singing, blending my voice to the wind and to the soft string sound of the guzheng.
Looking over the lakeside crowded with players. I felt everyone's gazes were now on the boat, slowly descending as if they were admiring me and the melody.
Where are you? I hope you can see me...
♠♠♠
After playing the song, and saw that we were getting away from the people. I sensed another person inside the boat.
Following my instinct I saw a person in dark clothes with mask standing at the roof. Seeing he's holding a sword, I expect that he didn't come here just to watch. His purpose is clear but the question is, did he come for me or Mr. Elf?
"Woman, is that the man you're looking for?" Mr. Elf said looking at me strangely.
"Nope. I think that man is here for you, Mr Elf."
"I don't remember inviting a third wheel to our date."
"Oh? Then why not asked our guest," I smiled and open my fan waving it gently. "Who do you come here for?"
"This person was hired to kill YOU." The man in black said while looking at me.
He wants to kill me! But why? I don't remember offending anyone.
"This person was ordered to kill the girl who's doing the legendary quest!"
That man's voice sounded sweet like the clear spring in the mountains. In this silent night, it was particularly pleasant to hear.
After listening to the black man, I want to puked blood. Who in the world want to do that heartbreaking, brain cracking quest in the first place!
"Mr. Killer," I lightly blew the nails of my fingers. "Did your client pay you a lot of gold?"
"Reasonable amount," the man in black answered.
"Good! To be hunted on a beautiful night just like this. It really makes me upset."
I touched the guzheng as if it was a precious item. "Mr. Killer, why don't we make a deal? If I can beat you, hand over the golds your client paid you and kill your client instead as compensation for sparing your life. What do you say? But if you want to die in 15th day of the game, and waste your expensive capsule, I don't mind giving you a ride!" I said in a cold but seductive voice.
The man in black sneered. "If it's under normal circumstances, I certainly wouldn't be able to hurt the infamous you, but tonight is the lanterns Festival. All the players who participated in the event are restricted to use their skill and weapons!"
Restricted? What does he mean? What the F@ck! I can't summon my daggers! What to do? Without weapon what will I use? My hands? Looking at my hands I saw my magic fan. Then a smile appeared on my face.
"Makes our deal more challenging?"
"What about him?" the man turns and looked at Mr. Elf, "Is he not going to help you?"
"Me? I'm too lazy to do anything. I'll just sit over there and enjoy the show." Pumasok si Mr. Elf sa loob ng boat at relax na umupo. He stretched his arms and crossed his legs with one hand supporting his chin.
"Let's not involved others and concentrate to each other, shall we?"
"Agreed! Defeat me if you have the ability!"
After a gust of wind, the person in black disappeared and turned into smoke.
He's an assassin just like me! Interesting.
Seeing that the black man appeared in front of me with his sword about to pierce my chest, I moved slightly. The sword brushed past by my body. The sword has a faint purple on it that means its has poison.
He continuously attacking me with his sword and I was busy defending myself using my magic fan! Surprisingly, my fan is so sturdy that it can par with his sword.
Oh, magic fan I'm starting to like you more!
The black man would sometimes use his assassin skills on me, pero madali ko itong nadi-depensahan or naka-counter attack. Why? Because I'm an assassin just like him! I know his skills perfectly.
Using my folded magic fan I overturned the black scarf covering the assassin's face. Originally I thought I would see a terrifying ugly face. Contrary to my expectation, a beautiful and delicate face with a flame-filled eye greeted me instead.
A small, snow-white delicate face, beautifully arched eyebrows bent like a light willow leaf, long eyelashes, small and exquisite rosy cherry full lips and a pair of attractive amber eyes, except, that the adorable innocent eyes have transformed into eyes glittering with cold rage and fury ...
This man was really beautiful!
"Nightingale, give me your life!" His beautiful face has a mixed of hatred. With a loud shout, he burst forth with his sword, using all his strength to this attack.
"You're not skillful enough," I calmly said as I catch his sword using my index and middle fingers. Caught off guard, I raised my fan and point it towards the black man's neck.
Stunned silence. The two of us held our breath and stared each other, not even blinking as if we're waiting for the other's next move.
"I admit defeat," he sighed. Stepping backward then took something from his body and threw it on me. A gold pouch with 10,000 gold and a black medal.
"I can't kill my client, it's against the rules of our guild, but let this medal be the token of my gratitude. With that medal, you can command any members of the Black Hands Guild to do anything you asked or kill anyone you desired. I also extend an invitation for you to join our guild," the young man in black jumped out of the boat.
"Nightingale, you are meant to be one of us. This person will wait for you at the guild."
"I just beat you once, and now you want me to join your guild? Aren't you a weird one?"
"We are destined to be together." After the black man said that, he turns to leave, disappearing into the night sky without leaving any trances of his preasences.
"Black Hand Guild?"
"It's an underground guild. The members are all professional killers. Their price is sky high so the player who hires them either pays in gold which is very difficult at the moment since the game is just starting or pays in real cash." Mr. Elf lazily stood up and came to me. "Let's go back the fireworks will start soon."
♠♠♠
In the dark skies of Kal-shushu, a spectacular fireworks display is taking place. As what Mr. Elf mentioned, the fireworks will continue for an hour and the mood will be different when you watched with the surging crowd or watched it on a peaceful quiet lake.
"The song you just played, I heard it somewhere before."
"发如雪 (Fa ra xue)," I said, still looking at the sky. "Hair just like snow." It's my mother's favorite song. When she was alive and I'd always play this song for her.
"I know it's a bit late but..." Mr. Elf got up to his seat, took something out from his inventory then put that something in my hand.
I look at the flatly folded lantern in my hand. Besides the small candle is a blank note and writing pen.
"I got it from the monsters I killed."
Liar! Sa itsura at shape pa lang ng lantern na hawak ko, makikita na isa itong custom made lantern.
"Since tonight is the lantern festival, you should also make a lantern." Mr. Elf arranged one lantern first and after he was done, he placed it into the water. His action was very casual.
"Why didn't write your wish?"
A note is usually placed in the lanterns, and what was written was usually the wish of the person who wrote it. In the real world, the Gods bless those wishes but here inside the game, I don't know.
"I don't have a wish. I have everything I want, can get everything I want," Mr. Elf said lazily. "So why bother writing?"
I was stunned for a moment then I looked at the elf in front of me. It sounds like a truly capable rich kid!
I arranged the purple lantern in my hand. The petals had a deep color from pinkish-purple lantern to dark violet went from bottom to top. Each of the paper petals was lined with golden threads, making the lotus looks not only refined but extraordinarily elegant as well.
I took fancy to it and was hesitant to let go. Finally, I wrote something to the blank note and slowly placed it on the river. It lightly touched the water and I pushed the lit lotus lantern away.
"What did you wished for?"
I opened my fan and covered my mouth. I looked at my floating lantern getting further and further away. "It's not wishing, it's a promise."
I WILL find you...