"Time is the storm in which we are all lost" - William Carlos Williams.
Each of us would have a rough time in life. There isn't a single individual who isn't struggling with it. Who has a problem-free life? Do you feel free of tension? Are you satisfied with the way you live? No? Yes? I am sure that you are experiencing difficulties in your life, and having a hobby to avoid or conquer those difficulties is what I believe. I write to escape the harsh realities of life. Correspondingly, Yeol and others used MMOs to escape the realities of challenging times. However, as time passes, we realize that avoiding them isn't the best solution. We must confront the truth sooner or later. We need to continue our life with or without that problem. The best choice is to face it, which is what the majority of the players did. They confront difficulties rather than avoiding them, and as a result, they leave the gaming world to contend with reality.
Time skips a week after the server launches.
World chat systems were quieter. Formerly thriving, it is now abandoned, with just a few cacti, which had been cultivated, blooming. There were no new plants, which means no new players joined the server after it launched. The server launch events concluded, and just one superpower guild remained on the server. The Legacy was the only group that had complete control of the server. The lifesaver guild was on the verge of disbanding, with only three active members: Yeol, Saki, and Manami. Following the faction war, I, too, quit the guild and abandoned the game. But before I left the group, I had one more role to perform. As the previous leader of Lifesaver, it was my responsibility to ensure that my guildmates had a dignified exit. So, you're probably interested in the outcomes of server launch events. In every tournament, Elegant won. He received title boosts, which increased his strength and rare red gears. He was invincible. Yeol, on the other hand, had exceptional gaming abilities for an amateur, finishing in the top 10 in all events except the Top-up tournament. She was a free-to-play gamer. Thus she didn't spend much money on gaming.
The leaderboard had quite interesting results to note.
Top 1 - Elegant
Top 2 - David
Top 3 - Tiger
Top 4 - Novo
Top 5 - Lily
Top 6 - Rush
Top 7 - Sky
Top 8 - Jayson
Top 9 - Helen
Top 10 - Yeol
Top 13 - Manami
Top 17 - Saki
These results quite shocked me. Being a free player, Yeol was in the top 10. That was surprising for me, who had played almost dozens of MMOs. Her growth was exceptional. Everyone believed it to be Yeol's superior luck. Regardless, I wish we could know she was not in favor of luck but developers.
"Are you up for PK today, Yeol? Remember how we agreed when the server launched? "Rush wrote
"What kind of agreement? We had already broken the deal before Anonymous departed." Yeol expressed her anguish for Anonymous's unexpected absence.
Yeol was a strong woman who could deal with the psychological trauma from her family's issues. She was good at controlling her emotions. It was nothing new to her. After all, it is how she grew up. But Anonymous was the one person who broke the ice shield around her heart, and she couldn't get over it. His unexpected absence hit her hard. She unlocked the long-locked doors for Anonymous. She worked to remove the rust from her heart's locks. Eventually, someone had the keys to open the lock. Perhaps she confused that person for the key to her feelings. Her soul couldn't rest, even though she wasn't sure why she felt restless for the person she'd just met 12-15 hours before.
"It's been a week since we've all been playing, and there are only around 20 active players. It feels quiet around. I am not used to this silence in world chat." Yeol tried to be more expressive with server players.
"I know, well that's what happens with most of the players. MMOs are mostly auto-oriented games. So, players feel like they are just watching anime or something like that. As a result, players lose interest and leave the games." noted Elegant.
"In these 27 years of life, Yeol. I had played about 25-30 MMOs, and most of them end up losing players due to high P2W events too." Tiger wrote with a sigh.
"However, this game isn't very P2W focused. Is it? Furthermore, I am aware that it is an auto-play game. Yet, we have the choice to turn it off. Why are gamers losing interest because of this?" Innocent Yeol was curious.
"You know, Yeol, you're too pure. People turned MMOs into a kind of dating. Most people take part in MMOs for online dating, which is pointless. They are simply mocking individuals who are professional MMO gamers. These rumors have caused MMOs to lose both players and popularity. My mother considers being a professional MMO player a meaningless occupation, and she constantly mocks me for choosing Esports as a career." Novo stated.
"That's wonderful, Novo. You're a professional Esports player; so what is Esports? What does it entail? I'm sure you don't auto-play there, do you?" Yeol inquired, eager to learn more.
"Well, Esports is electronic sports just like e-commerce is electronic commerce. Well, it's a growing field in China. We have a team of five players and engage in a 5vs5 battle. The developers of MMO games choose exceptional members of the gaming world from different regions that boost the competitive environment. The rankings refresh every week. It's quite fun to be a professional player, and you can earn well while playing," explained Novo.
"Novo, since how many years, have you been a professional player?" asked Tiger.
"It's been ten months," replied Novo.
"If you look at it differently, MMOs are fun to play once you understand them. They require your skills and strategies along with your keyboard speed. Hence, they are quite productive when it's a group event or quest. They require you to formulate your build, organize your gears, and improve your stats by combining and mixing various materials." David wrote.
"You all are pros in gaming. I feel like an unripe mango in the basket of fully ripe mangos." wrote Yeol.
"No, Yeol. I am here for you. Hahaha." Naru tried to comfort him.
"Hey, Naru, partner up with me. I need a boding partner." wrote Rush.
"Sure, no worries, man. After all, two dudes can be better at a relationship, I guess," Naru wrote with a kink in his tone.
"Naru, You are a funny man, bro." Elegant wrote.
"Ya, now that Jayson and Manami have formed a bond, I no longer have anyone to wait for." wrote Rush with disappointment.
"You know what, Rush? Have the guts to express what you feel. Otherwise, you will lose all your loved ones." Yeol gave a piece of free advice.
After getting refused by Rush, Manami decided to Bond with Jayson as she needed to complete the partner dungeons. Yes, you can enter a partner dungeon without having a partner, but it will only provide the player one chance a day. Have a partner will provide three attempts a day. Hence, players emphasize having a partner better than staying single. Three tries provide thirty pink crystals, thirty child's drums, and thirty roses. As a result, more attempts equal more materials, which is proportional to higher stats and CP.
"Leave everything aside. Do you agree with PK?" Rush asked a direct question.
"I am not interested in PK. I am in the tenth position. Why don't you ask Sky? He is closer to your CP." Yeol replied without interest.
"Why? Are you afraid that you might lose? As you are not a P2W player?" Rush tried to mock Yeol.
"Enough! I am not paying in-game that doesn't mean I am afraid to lose against you. Let's go ahead with PK. I am ready. I will show you the power of common gamers." wrote Yeol with conviction.
"That's the spirit, Yeol. Give your best shot, baby. Don't cry after losing." Rush mocked again.
"Who are you calling, baby? Mind your words. Be serious. Where are you? Let's PK!" wrote Yeol with great confidence. If we could have seen her expression at the time, I'm sure her eyes would have been ferocious. It would have been intense enough to terrify a lion. When it comes to her pride, she takes it seriously. She was never a fan of any jokes about dignity and character.
"Okay, sorry, Let's wait for the Faction war to end. We will fight once it is over." wrote Rush as he noticed aggression in Yeol's chats.
"Okay, done."
"I would like to see the outcome of the PK. Let us know when you begin. I want to put a reward on this PK. " wrote David.
"What reward?" asked Naru.
"You will know shortly." wrote Elegant.
*In Guild Chat*
I wrote with a sad heart, "Hey! Everyone, I am sorry to report that I won't be able to continue playing due to personal circumstances beginning tomorrow."
Yeol asked, "Why leader?".
"What?" questioned Manami.
"Why?" - Saki.
To calm them down, I responded, "Hmm...Sorry about that. I hope you can relate to my predicament. Please let me know if anyone is interested in leading the club.
*In world Chat*
"I am opening the doors of Guild house for Yeol. I want you to join Yeol. Accept my offer," Elegant commanded.
To be continued...