The next day, Markus prepared to went to school early in the morning.
"Same old days without mom..." he muttered as he munched on his toast. "I guess she won't be home for the next 2 days or three?" he emptied his glass of milk and dropped them all into the sink. "I'll wash you later this afternoon," he said to the dishes.
He went outside, whistling as nothing has happened on the previous nights.
To his surprise, Cassandra and Dave poked his head the moment he went outside their house.
"Hey, what was that for?!" he whined.
Cassandra stepped back and said in a loud voice, "How could you do that, huh?" her voice was shaking though as if she is mad but kind. "We were worried sick, you idiot!"
"You could have asked for us, Marky," Dave said. He still holding his friend's elbow. "We could have thrown a fist or two to those thugs."
"They were high schoolers, we can't do a thing to them." Markus sarcastically said. "Besides, fistfights are illegal."
"That's not the point!" Cassandra raised her voice again. "And don't tolerate him, Dave. I thought we've talked about it?!"
Hearing the kids' voices, Ned urgently ran to them from his shop and said, "Hey, are you, kids, alright? Did something happened?" he was wearing his used (old) suit and gloves. His shoes were not evenly matched.
"Hey, uncle Ned," Markus asked. "You too, what happened?"
Ned saw his reflection on glass from his workshop. He turned around and coughed a little before saying, "Oh, sorry about that." to wipe off his shame.
Dave turned around to cover his laugh and Markus did the same.
"I thought someone was hurting you when I hear voices outside your house," Ned explained.
"Don't worry, Uncle Ned," Cassandra said, crossing her arms. "I'm just giving this idiot a good lecture."
Markus looked away.
"I thought it was a fight," Ned said. "Well, anyway..." He grabbed something from his pocket and handed it to Markus.
"What is this, Uncle Ned?" the kid asked.
"Some other resources I found in my drive. You could use those for sure." He playfully offers the drive to the kid.
"Thanks a lot, Uncle Ned!" the kid replied with much glee.
"You three should get going or you'll miss the train," Ned said.
"Haiiii.." the three said in reply.
They walked towards the train station as Cassandra gave Markus a pretty long lecture.
"De, what will you say?!" Cassandra asked like a boss. She stood on top of a bench on the subway station and looked down at the two boys.
"I'm sorry, I'll never do it again." the two of them said in unison.
"What did I do to do this as well?" Dave asked.
Markus elbowed Dave's side and whispered, "Just go along with it or she'll hit us again."
The train arrived and everyone went inside.
...
A few months later, he approached Ken and Brent to ask them to join the 3-on-3 tournament again. He looked for them around the school but they have given him a hard time. A classmate said that they were avoiding him. That made him sad.
"I can't blame them," Markus said to himself. "They were hurt because of my stupid ego. I bet they're afraid to even talk to me right now."
He walked towards the fountain near the boy's CR on the left-wing of the school gym and found Ken, waiting for Brent.
"Ne, Ken, how have you been?" he rushed to meet him. "I was searching the whole school just to talk to you."
"Ahh, Marky? I'm fine." Ken replied. He tried to distance himself.
"Thought so,,, How about Brent? Is he doing well?" Markus asked again.
Brent came out from the restroom, overhearing the conversation.
"What do you want with us?" Brent asked knowing where this conversation will go. He avoided eye contact though.
"Ahh, uhmm..." Markus felt the awkward situation but he still said, "Would you like to try it again? I'll make sure we will win this time."
"How are you so sure?" Ken exclaimed. He was surprised at how he reacted so he changed the way he talked. "We'll end up beaten again... You will end up beaten again" he added. "I don't like losing."
"In fistfight maybe, but not on the game."
"Do You have something new now?" Brent asked.
"Yeah, a weapon that will beat them for sure."
"That's nice, Markus. But, my mom confiscated my account card and grounded me on using the computer for the whole year. Even if I want to help you and win with you, I can't." Ken said "Besides, I'm just at level 13. I also not have that equipment, too. I'm not that of a big help." he added.
"I'm afraid that is also my case, Markus. I'm sorry, but we can't help you this time." Brent added. "My dad suspended my account. He has a friend who works in ORION that crafts the ROA."
"I see, I understand... I'm sorry for dragging you again to something like this." Markus said downheartedly.
"Don't worry, we'll definitely give you a call if we're back to business, but for now, we have to lay low. My mom's gonna kill me if I disobey her now." Ken muttered.
"You can still fight on your own, anyway, Markus." Brent tried to change the atmosphere.
"What do you mean?" Markus felt confused.
"I mean, that RPG game will be held at the SEA MALL on an open-entry. Remember the ROA-Quest? It'll be out later this month. You can sign up and win alone." Brent said. He showed him the e-flyer from his tab.
"Oh, I forgot about that. The Quest." Marks muttered. His motivation was lit again.
"Apparently, the beta testing has passed the Orion standard so they're making way for it on the market," Ken explained.
"You're pretty learned for a grade-schooler, you know." Brent frowned on his friend.
"I've just read it on a spam email." Ken rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, we will only drag you down if we join you now, Markus... I'm still at level 10 and Ken's been stuck in level 13. I know you're pretty high level now." Brent said.
"It's true that I'm at level 20 now." Markus muttered.
"See?! Anyway, you say you have your own weapon, right? Only you can use that, so why don't you try it on that competition?" Brent encouraged him.
"But, I want to fight and win with you guys."
"Don't worry about us. Just beat their asses and that will be fine with us. Just give them our share of your win. I'm sure those thugs will show up there as well. " Ken muttered.
"You think so? Okay. I'll be doing for You two as well..." He looked at them and he saw the sincerity in their eyes. He looked up to the sky and said, "ahh, I'm gonna win the Quest! Definitely!" Markus exclaimed.
"Ahh..." they placed their hands atop of each other and shouted, "WIN!"
"Then, we should take our leave now, Markus," Ken said.
"Ohh, sorry. I forgot it's already dismissal time." Markus said.
"On top of what happened, I got curfew hours, too, now," Ken added.
"You too, Brent?" Ken asked
"Ahh, haven't I told you about this, Ken?"
"No,, well, as for me, I have to drop by the convenience store."
"Then, I should be going, take care, you guys."
"Ahh, you too, take care." and the three parted ways.
A while later, Cassandra and Dave came from the PE field and approached Markus.
"Oi, sorry you've waited for long..." Cassandra waved her hand while walking towards him.
"What are you doing before we arrive?"
"Just nothing... c'mon, let's go!" he grabbed his friends' arms and lead them on their way.
They walked towards the train station with light feet. At the street, Markus saw the poster to which Ken was referring, the open-entry for the ROA-RPG game that will be held at the Sea Mall.
"This was really happening..." Markus whispered to himself.
"What is that, Markus?" Cassandra asked.
The Sea Mall is one of the biggest malls in the city. It is where most of the conventions and programs of big events placed their reception and many more. This time, the ROA will be played in an individual player basis. The description says on the poster was that
"This event is called the Battle of Best (BOB) in ROA-RPG, the Quest. The players will forge their way into the maze prepared by ORION through the Aegis system. Players will take the treasures, fight monsters and other players, and will loot on their way. Register and have a fair game!" Dave read.
They stopped as they read the poster for more details. He got the email address written on his tab where he will pass his entry and the contact number for further information. The contest will be held next week, Sunday. There was better info written on the poster,
"Look! Look at this you two ... the contest was sponsored by no other than ORION!" he said will all of his excitement.
"Ahh,, that's awesome, Marky." Cassy said, "You'll get to play their original game!" Markus' excitement radiated to her.
"Damn Right??" Markus bragged.
"It will be great if you will be able to get through the finals, Marky," Cassandra added
"Why, Cassy?"
"Because my brother said that the finals will always be held at the ORION atrium. You will be able to set foot on that big company if you win!"
"Is that for real?? Ehhh,, I can't wait.... The more I have to work harder!"
"Ahh,, Do your best, Marky! We'll definitely gonna cheer for you"
"Good luck!"
"Thanks, guys,, I'm gonna definitely win!" Marks exclaimed. "This time, I'm stepping closer to what I want to be. The greatest programmer that beats ORION!"
"PLAY HARD AND WIN, huh?" Dave said. "I like that motto Marky. I'll back you up with that. If you're finished with Orion, maybe it's nice to conquer the world as well and be known as the greatest programmer of all!"
"That's awesome!! Thanks, Dave. I'll have to try hard to make that happen." Markus exclaimed.
The three went home and Markus rushed to his room to study more books and Ned's other resources. He also got books from his mom's room and their own attic. He learned everything he could and tried it on his PC.
"I have to make this even more interesting. Something that will break through any walls and can shield through any attacks." He said to himself. His fingers can't stop hitting the keys.
Later that night, Ned noticed the light in his room and called on him from his garage.
"Oi!!! Marky!" Ned shouted.
He thought he heard his name so he just unconsciously replied, "What's up ol' man?" he shouted back from his window.
"Have you eaten your dinner?" Ned asked
He realized he was not just daydreaming.
"Ahh,, I still have my ramen here... don't worry!" Markus replied. he stopped what he's doing and went near the window. He saw Ned outside the shop, facing his window.
"Okay! Sleep early.." Ned said and went inside to do his job.
He opened the window and waved, "Yes, old man Ned!"
"I'm not an old man!" Ned shouted back.
But that was a lie. He didn't sleep for the whole night.
The next day was the day of the elimination round. He set up early and fix his things. He cooked his cupped-ramen and immediately took a bath. He was about to lock the door when suddenly,
"Mornin', Marky!" Cassandra greeted from the street
"Mornin', Cassandra, You too, Dave. Why are you here?"
"Of course we'll be here. We're coming with you... we might not know what you were about to play but we know much about you,, that's why we're going. Is that a problem?" Dave explained
"No, it's not!" Markus said.
"Then that's it! It's settled then let's go!"
The three of them went to the Sea mall and saw how big the event was.
"Woah,, isn't that really great, Marky?"
The center atrium of the Sea Mall was packed with computer units lined from side to side and people from different places gathered just to participate in the ROA-RPG game. Around the atrium lies huge standees and hologram projections engulfing the whole area. Music is played like a festival and people just kept coming through.
"Ahhh,, it's very different from the tournament on the Sunny-Go."
"It's because ORION was behind all of it. Look at those high-end computers out there Marky. And I've heard that many players from the district will be participating here." Cassandra explained as she loudens her voice to be heard amidst the noise around.
"Awesome, that's ORION for you," Dave said in awe. He kinda doubts if his friends heard what he said with the noise around them.
"Ahh,, I will definitely play this game there." Markus threw his hands on the air as if celebrating his victory.
Someone has overheard what Markus said and whispered behind him.
"I doubt that, brat!"
He faced the guy and grinned at him in return, "I thought the cops got you. but, it's still good timing. Now, I will definitely crush your guts, idiot!"
"Picking up a fight before starting the game, huh... well, it doesn't matter. I will crush you again, damn kid!" Kirk replied. "Be prepared to cry."
"I wonder about that, damn ass?!" he replied. Markus faced his friends and walked them to their seats.
"Was he the man who beat you up, Marky?" Cassandra said with a clouded voice
"Why didn't you fight back, Marky? You could have kicked his ass." Dave added.
"I promised my mom not to pick up a fistfight ever again, that's why I'm planning to fight him on the different dimension, in the RPG."
"I don't know what to say anymore,,, I just want.... I just want you to... GO CRUSH THAT BASTARD MARKY!" Cassandra said with all the confidence she has right after that encounter.
"Thanks, Cassy. I'm on my way to doing that and I will definitely climb to the top."
"I will bet all my hopes to you, Marky. It's not just because you are my friend but because I know you can."
"Ahh,, then,, look at how I play, okay?"
"Ahh,, leave it to us, Marky."
He went to the registration booth and registered himself. He was given a computer number and that will be his unit for the fight. After a few minutes of preparation and arrangements of the players, the announcer went to the center stage and gave the introduction.
"Saa,, Good Afternoon ladies and Gentlemen! Were gathered here today to witness the fight on the different world presented by our greatest sponsor and the most prominent computing company of the whole world, the ORION!!" applause filled the whole atrium.
"... the game that the players will play for today is one of the latest RPG systems specially made by ORION. It will be released in the next 3 months but these players here will experience the game here and NOW!" even louder cheers were heard.
"Now, let's not take this long....I know you all know the rules, it was said in the briefing a while ago, but if you still have queries, just click the help button on your screen..." Drum roll was sounded,
"Players, put on your 3D ORIOglasses now..." a few seconds were given to put their glasses on "...let the games begin! And may the blessing of the goddess Aegis be at your favor." fireworks were lighted and the big screen showed the world where the players were set off.
Let the Quest begin!