[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
The notification appeared in front of hin as he smiled as he opened his stats.
[Player: Michael Wilson]
[Lvl: 18]
[HP: 270/270]
[MP: 190/190]
[STR: 98]
[DEF: 92]
[AGI: 95]
[Skill: Ten Rings of Shen (lvl 3)]
'My skill has also leveled up. Now each ring can multiply my stats by 4 times.' Michael thought to himself with a smile as he looked at his stats.
"Thank you. I managed to become a level 20." Lakshmi said to him with a grateful look.
"I also managed to become a level 18." Michael said to her with a smile.
"I guess I got more exp because I was a level 15 when I defeated it." Michael said to her.
"As we level up it becomes more hard to level up again." Lakshmi said to him with a sigh.
"Well, let's get out of here. We are done here after all." Michael said to her as she nodded to him.
The two of them exited the Gate as they saw the group of three who were knocked out by Michael. The trio were surprised when they saw the two to them.
"What the!? They managed to complete a 2* Gate!? It usually takes at least 2 to 3 hours to complete." The silver Player said shocked.
"They can't have completed it so quickly." One bronze Player said to him.
At that time the timer on the Gate became 0 and it was added to the World Clock as the group of 5 watched it.
"They actually completed it." The other bronze guy said to his friend.
"Well, let's go now." Michael said as he picked up the two stars after the Gate disappeared.
"Right." Lakshmi said with a smile as she walked with him.
The two of them made their way to the association building and exchanged the stars for money which they split among themselves. Then they went to a cafe as they ordered drinks and ate some snacks.
"The juice is very tasty." Lakshmi said with a smile.
"And the snacks here are very good as well. It feels great to have this much money and be able to enjoy it." Michael said with a smile.
"I know. Being a Player helps, though we have to make sure that we live through a Gate." Lakshmi said with a chuckle as he chuckled as well.
"So, why do you do this? Clearing the Gates I mean? I'm just curious?" Michael asked her curiously.
"Oh, well, first is that I want to get stronger. The other is to prove myself." Lakshmi said to him.
"Prove yourself to who?" Michael asked her curiously.
"My sisters. I'm the third of the three of us. Both of them are Players, they became one before me and both of them are silver ranks. And I'm not that strong either." Lakshmi said to him as she clenched her hand.
"But still, couldn't you try to get stronger with them? I mean, being with a group is much safer isn't it?" Michael asked her.
"Yeah, I guess. I used to be a part of their party, something of a dream party to me. But they kicked me out for being too weak." Lakshmi said with a frown.
Michael's eyes widened when he heard that as he didn't think about that. He thought that she had went on her own to prove herself, not that she was kicked out of the party.
"I see. Do you, uh, dislike them?" Michael asked her a bit hesitantly.
Lakshmi looked at him at his words before she looked at her food.
"I, can't say that I dislike them. I mean, I idolised them, they were Players and had completed Gates, to me they were heroes. I was very happy when I was able to become a Player, even if I was a bronze one. I thought that the three of us could work together and get stronger. I just, didn't think that they would kick me out." Lakshmi said with a sad smile.
"So you want to prove yourself to your sisters. Is that it?" Michael asked her.
"Yeah. I want to get stronger and prove them wrong." Lakshmi said to him with a smile.
"I see. That's a good goal." Michael said with a smile.
Lakshmi smiled at his answer before she drank some of her juice and then looked at him.
"And what about you?" Lakshmi asked him.
"Well, I want to get more money for my mom's recovery. She is in the hospital after she was in an accident and I need the money to help her." Michael said to her with a sigh.
"Oh, that's. I'm sorry for asking that." Lakshmi said to him with a regretful look.
"Don't be. You didn't know. Besides, I now have a chance to get more money and help my mom." Michael said to her with a small smile.
"I see." Lakshmi said to him in response as she stayed silent.
The two of them didn't say anything as they looked at their respective food. Soon Michael looked at Lakshmi and decided on what to do.
"Hey Lakshmi, how about we become a party?" Michael asked her.
"Huh? A party?" Lakshmi asked him surprised.
"Yeah, we are both Players who don't have a party so I was thinking that we might become a party and work together." Michael said to her with a smile.
"That's, a great idea." Lakshmi said as a smile appeared on her face.
"So does that mean we can become a party?" Michael asked her.
"Of course, I would very much like to fight with you." Lakshmi said with a smile.
"Then it's settled. Let's get stronger together so that we can complete our goals." Michael said to her with a grin.
"Sure." Lakshmi said with a smile and a nod.
And after that they exchanged their contact information and went on their ways as tomorrow school would start again. Michael reached his apartment and sat on his chair and sighed in relief as a smile appeared on his face.
"I finally have a friend. After so long." Michael said to himself with a small smile as he closed his eyes.
'I will have to work extra hard and mom. I will make sure to get you out of your coma.' Michael thought to himself as he opened his eyes and looked through his window at the night sky.