MegmaTech came out roaring to me, "Yeol, you got no partner, right? Why not we form a bond?"
"And who gave you this idea of the sudden proposal?" I said with a frustrated look. As far as I have known Magma, he has always been an overbearing and demanding idiot. More like a person who would always be friends with those who benefit him. In other words, he was more to friends-with-benefits connections without considering the importance of real friends. Even though it was not like I used to hate him, I admired his growth and skills in gaming. Yet, to bond with a person after benefits might not be something I would want.
"To be honest, Yeol, we all know him well. Isn't it? I am pretty sure he got this idea because of the lavish dowry that you might be offering to your bond partner," wrote Divya to warn me.
"Well, If that's the case. I am broke. You are not getting any dowry for bonding." I wrote to tease him, to prevent his sudden proposal.
"It is less meaningful to bond with you if you do not provide a dowry. If you keep doing this, no one will bond with you, even if you are in fourth place on the leaderboard. In any case, people need dowry to bond. So let's strike a deal: you give me ten red-stripped stones as dowry, and I'll bond with you." In a sly tone, he said. Without a doubt, my treasure was what he desired. I'm not going to give him my red-striped stones. My most valuable possessions are also my source of power.
*NOTE - Red-stripped stones are uncommon drops in boss caves to construct legendary red gears. These gears were the backbone of special character skills that are in the first chapter*
"Who told you dowry is the necessary condition for bonding? If it is, I won't bond with anyone." I commanded in the world chat resulting in a sudden cold wave of silence. Everything seemed silent; the system messages and pop-ups froze, including the World and cross-server chats.
"Who said it's a necessary condition? I am willing to bond with a broke lady. Do I have to honor, Miss?" Write a man with a furry white avatar frame and bubble box. His level was around the apex level of 250.
*7 Months ago*
"Why do you don't want to change your guild? Is there any justified explanation for your plans? If not, I am afraid that I have to disband the Guildhall." I tried to be more commanding as I wanted Saki to join us at The Legacy. I wanted her to play and grow together. Was that too demanding of me? I asked myself. However, I knew she would refuse to join us, but I still tried to convince her.
"There is a reason, Yeol. I wanted to stay back for my friend. He is Shadow, a player who joined here a few days ago. We connected and cleared the boss dungeon together. He even asked me to be his bond partner. I am waiting for him." she tried explaining.
After listening to her explanation, I felt her situation was similar to mine. I said while checking the guildmates list, "Have you thought about it? What if he doesn't appear again? What if he left the gaming? As far as I can see, he hasn't been online for the last three days."
"I am sure, Yeol. He will come back. I am willing to wait for him, even if it takes years. Hence, when he's back, I want him to see me as I am. I would stay here and wait for him. Please don't disband the guild. It has memories." Saki wrote with a pleading tone.
Her determination astounded me; Anonymous had been offline for twelve days, and I had given up hope of ever seeing him again on the second day. But she is ready to wait months here. I suppose this is what you call genuine affection and love. I have mistaken an arid oasis for actual water.
"Miss. Yeol, don't you feel that Anonymous would come back?" Saki asked, striking at the point when the iron was hot. Within no time, I found my cheeks wet and tears rolling down my eyes. I couldn't tell if I was crying out of rage for not being a supportive friend or out of love for being too fond of an unknown.
"I don't know about it, Saki. Maybe he won't be coming back." I wrote with a grievance in my voice.
"Won't you wait for him? Or are you also thinking that he is too heartless to leave you hanging?" Saki asked in all her honesty.
"You can wait here, Saki. We all are leaving, and if you feel alone, pop up in the world chat. Don't assume that no one is awaiting your presence. We all are here." I ended the conversation, preferring not to comment on her questions. Over the healed wounds, she sprinkled salt. I was confident that he would not come back as I merely scratched the surface of his feeling. He won't return for someone clumsy and an idiot. Would he?
The goal is to be at the top of the scoreboard; even if I am now in tenth place, it isn't enough for me. I want Anonymous to see me at the top, not the tenth, the next time he sees me.
It was simple for all of us to go because we had no close ties to Guildhall. However, it may have been as difficult as hell for Saki. To let everyone leave and wait for that one person who will never return. I suppose that's how life operated. Saki waited for Shadow in the same manner that many gamers every year wait for other players to be online before being lost in the depths of the MMO universe. Those server names die out of thirty days of inactivity. Those who do not take games personally but rather professionally survive better, whereas those who take them too personally lose power and patience.
*System Notifications*
Manami Joined The Legacy
Yeol Joined The Legacy
Loki Joined The Legacy
Yu Joined The Legacy
The New Leader of LifeSaver Guild is Saki, congratulating the upcoming leader.
To be continued...