In the Metropolitan Gaming Center, there were huge flat monitors streaming games, so everyone could watch the games while in the vicinity. Different games were on live streaming. But noticeably, almost everyone was viewing the Inheritance Kingdom by the Han-Jin Gaming Corporation. Almost everyone sighed with envy as they couldn't play the game just yet. It's like candy that you couldn't have. Too bad, the Philippines couldn't get the license to operate the game.
Maria entered the gaming center. Her gaming card still had some credits, so she planned to stay there until she runs out of credit. She eyed the live streaming with regret.
"I wonder if it is really lifelike, " she softly pondered. She heard that the capsule had six senses integration that you could feel the actual battle.
"It is."
"Huh?" She turned her head to the person next to her. The man reeked of alcohol. He looked wasted. From his appearance, he had not seen a shower for days. "Ew, Mister. You may want to move a little. If you can't smell yourself, I can. I am sorry, but I am really sensitive to bad odors." She walked away from the man.
The man smelled himself and laughed. He really didn't care about this kind of remark. After all, he really reeked of alcohol. "Thanks to Han-Jin Gaming Corporation..." His face dimmed as he walked away.
Maria found a spot to play her game. It was a virtual slot machine. "Maybe I can gain money from this. I am a little short of funds as of the moment, " she thought enthusiastically. She felt lucky today, but the result was otherwise. After ten tries, she thought of switching games. She failed to get a single winning from that game. "Pfft! And I thought I was lucky," she reckoned.
She tried the virtual card gambling game. "Come on, I feel lucky...I feel lucky...I feel lucky..."
"No use in saying this mantra, Miss. Hahaha." A random player mocked Maria. He found it cute but couldn't prevent himself from teasing her.
She frowned to the man across her. "Hmmph! Mind your own business, Mister."
"Looks like you're out of luck, Miss. Hehehe." He folded his cards and revealed the highest combination among the players.
"Miss you lost again," said the card dealer. "I am afraid there is no credit on your card."
"That fast?" Maria was disconcerted. Her seat had not been warmed up, yet she already lost all her credits. "Hmmph!" She looked angrily at the man across. "What do you care? You keep on disrupting my luck." She picked up her gaming card from the slot and tramped away from the virtual gambling table.
Even if Maria had lost many games, she still believed she was lucky. Many of her friends were puzzled about her never-ending optimism in games. That set her apart from other gamers. She would not complain about losing no matter what.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!" She raised her fists and said happily. "Today maybe not the day, but what about tomorrow? Hahaha! I will win tomorrow!" Her resolve cannot be disputed. She was truly an optimistic gamer.
[Beep]
Maria checked her mobile messenger. (Hmm...Mrs. Doti...)
She checked her bank's balance. (Looks like I got paid right away by Tan Animation. That's good. Let me transfer my payment to Mrs. Doti.)
After paying her rent, she also paid for her web service. "Whew! looks like it is just about enough to cover to resume my services. But about my loan..." She looked troubled.
She sent a message back to Mrs. Doti about the money transferred to the landlord's account.
[Beep]
[Good girl. Next time pay on time, so I won't bother your neighbors. - Mrs. Doti]
"Mrs. Doti, you...."
Maria exhaled to calm herself down. Mrs. Doti, after all, was not a bad person. She was just too annoying sometimes. (She let me stay in the house for two months even I was late on my payment, so I can't really complain much. The rent issue is resolved. But...) Her loan was a bother. (My mom will nag me if she hears about my loan not being paid. Obviously, my mom will be notified since she is my guarantor.)
"I wonder if I can get a part-time job this time. As long as it will not damage my hands, I can do it for extra income. Fight!" She was suddenly boosted with unique confidence.
[Beep.]
[I have a job for you. - Mr.Tan]
Maria smiled as she read the message. (Good timing, Mr. Tan.) Her luck was exceptional, she thought. She dialled Mr. Tan's number. "Hi, Mr. Tan. You have a new commission work for me?"
"Yes. I will pay you twice the amount that I have been paying you."
"That is so kind of you, Mr. Tan. Please send the details so I can start on it right away."
"Ah, the thing is~"
Maria caught Mr. Tan's delay. Something was odd. "What is the catch, Mr. Tan?" she inquired skeptically.
Mr. Tan cleared his throat. "The genre is different from your line of work."
"A different genre? But you will pay twice the price?" It was ambiguous. She hesitated a little. She needed money to pay her loan, so she finally decided, "Thrice. Pay me three times and I will do it." She was just fishing for more. "But only this time, because I need the money."
"Huh?" Mr. Tan was surprised. He didn't think she will agree right away. Maybe she really needed the money. Oh wait-- he just paid her, he recollected. "You brat! I will send you the contract first. After signing, I will send you the details of your new job. Is your web service reconnected?" he suddenly remembered.
"Probably. I will know when I get home."
"What?! You are not home yet?" Mr. Tan checked his watch. It is past nine in the evening. "Have you been playing games in the Metro Center again? How much did you lose this time?" he berated.
"Mr. Tan--uncle, you are too nosy. You are not even my father."
"Brat! Stop wasting your money!" He sounded like a parent who likes to nag. "You better be home in 5 minutes. I will call you again." Then he hung up.
(Impossible!) She sent a message to Mr. Tan since he already hung up.
[Uncle, I can't do it in 5 minutes. Walking takes 30 minutes.]
[Why are you walking? You ride a bus or a cab.]
[I can't. I lost today in the Metro Center. Hehehe. I don't have spare money for transportation.]
Mr. Tan didn't reply anymore. Maria already guessed he was too upset to argue. She could already imagine his face. Maria laughed. She better not tease Mr. Tan anymore. He was a good person and he treated her like a lost daughter. That was why he could curse and nag her, and Maria didn't mind at all. She passed by a small diner along the way. She was familiar with this eatery since it was famous for stewed beef called Pares. She ate heartily before going home.
Maria's body was not too shabby for a girl her age. She may be a little weak and on the thin side because she did not develop muscles. Her lifestyle was pretty much sedentary. She did not eat as much as well since most of the time she was engrossed in a game and cannot be interrupted. Walking occasionally was the only workout she had. And it was very rare to see her outside her house. Her skin was usually a little bit anemic, but now that she was walking, the rosy colour was coming back on her cheeks. Maria's a pretty girl. She was a bit tall, too, around 5'6". She might be boyish, but her facial features were dainty and feminine. If she was going to wear makeup, she could pass as a movie actress. But Maria was not self-aware. You could say that her vanity was next to none.