"I want to build a house for my father and mother there," Rian said, his voice rising with indignation. "And you want to sell it for some vague investment? Do you think I believe in your empty promises?"
His frustration boiled over as he considered his uncle's words. He knew all too well that they were just as poor, with no other property to their names. "If you want to sell, then sell your part! Don't even think about selling ours!"
Before Adrian could respond, Eric interrupted, his tone laced with disdain. "My father has received a solid offer for that plot, you know. You could get some money too! Or has being poor for so long damaged your brain?"
Rian's heart raced at the jab, anger surging through him. "You think a quick sale will solve our problems? It's not just about money; it's about our family's future! You can't put a price on our legacy!"
Rian's hand clenched into a fist as he spoke, the tension radiating from him. He turned to his parents, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. "Father, Mother, what is your opinion on this matter? On which side do you stand? On your brother, who's urging us to sell our share of the property for a quick payout, or on your son, who is looking to the future?"
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in the air. "Remember what I said yesterday about my first day in Everlasting. This isn't just about money; it's about our future. I need to know where you stand."
The room fell silent, the gravity of Rian's question hanging like a storm cloud overhead. He could feel the tension crackling in the air, waiting for his parents' response. Would they support him, or would they side with Adrian? The uncertainty gnawed at him, intensifying the conflict within.
Rian's mother looked between him and her husband, Johan, who was lost in deep thought. After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice steady. "Sorry, brother, but I can't sell my part of the property. I have faith in my son to achieve something, and I believe those days are coming."
Uncle Adrian's face flushed with anger at his younger brother's rejection. His eyes locked onto Rian, a fierce glare cutting through the tension. "It's because of punks like you that I couldn't sell the property!" he spat. "You're not even earning anything! Do you think your dreams will lift you out of poverty? Let me tell you, you'll be stuck like us forever. We, poor people, have to work our asses off just to pay our debts, and I had a good opportunity right in front of me. But because of you, both our families will remain poor!"
He stepped closer, his voice growing more venomous. "Do you think playing games will get you out of this mess? I bet that gaming pod you have there is already your college money, and you just waste it like an idiot!"
Adrian's gaze fell on the gaming pod in the hall, a tangible reminder of Rian's aspirations. The words dripped with disdain, fueled by his frustration that his plans had unravelled because of Rian's defiance. The air grew thick with animosity as Rian braced himself, feeling the weight of Adrian's accusations pressing down on him.
With a final, bitter glare at Rian, Adrian declared, "I will sell my part of the property. From now on, your family and my family will have no sort of relation."
He stood abruptly, the chair scraping harshly against the floor, and turned to his wife. "Come on, let's go. We don't have anything to do here." He then shot a warning look at Eric. "And don't ever try to contact them. If you do, you know the consequences."
As he stormed out of the house, the tension hung in the air like a thick fog, leaving Rian and his parents in stunned silence. The door slammed behind them, echoing the finality of Adrian's words.
Rian took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down as he sank back into his seat. He looked at his father, guilt creeping into his voice. "Father, I'm sorry for how I spoke to you and Uncle. I just couldn't stand the thought of our only property being sold. I want to build a house for you."
After a pause, he continued, "I plan to let Lila play the game too after some time. She can earn and help support us but don't worry about her studies. She'll only play during the holidays."
His father met his gaze, a mix of concern and pride in his eyes. "Rian, I appreciate your passion, but I want you to focus on your future. This family needs stability."
"I know, Dad," Rian replied earnestly. "I believe we can make this work. I just need you to trust me."
Lila chimed in, her voice bright with excitement. "Look, Father and Mother! Brother gave me a gift!" She held up her new mobile phone, the screen glinting in the light.
Her father's expression shifted to one of surprise. "So, Rian gave you a gift, huh?" But then he added, "Rian, you just earned some money and you're already spending it?"
Rian shrugged, a determined glint in his eyes. "Father, I need a mobile phone to stay updated on everything happening in Everlasting. Now that I have some money, I bought it for me and for Lila, too. I want her to be prepared for the future after school, so she doesn't have to worry."
His father regarded him for a moment, the lines of concern on his face softening slightly. "I understand your intentions, but we need to be careful with our finances."
"I know," Rian replied earnestly. "But this is an investment in our future. With these tools, we can find opportunities to improve our situation." Lila beamed at him, her excitement infectious, and Rian felt a renewed sense of purpose.
"Look what I bought for us to eat!" Rian said, recalling the dumplings he had picked up earlier. With the unexpected visit from his uncle, he had completely forgotten to enjoy the meal with his family.
His mother's face lit up with delight. "Dumplings! I love those!" she exclaimed, heading into the kitchen to grab some plates.
After they shared the meal, savouring each bite and enjoying the brief moment of family connection, Rian's father got up to leave for work again. "I'll see you later, son. Keep an eye on your sister," he said before stepping out.
Once he was alone, Rian pulled out his phone, eager to browse the Everlasting forum. The vibrant discussions and opportunities awaited him, and he felt a surge of excitement at the thought of what he might discover to help improve their situation.
As Rian opened the forum, he noticed the top three topics trending:
Information about BlackMerchant
This thread was buzzing with speculation, as many guilds sought the whereabouts of the mysterious BlackMerchant, eager to recruit him for their ranks. Players were sharing tips on how to approach him and theories about his next possible appearance.
Top Player Aira's Rise to Level 10
A thread dedicated to the astonishing achievements of Aira, the first player to reach level 10 at an unprecedented speed. Discussions centred around her strategies, the skills she mastered, and what this meant for aspiring players.
Survival Strategies for New Players
A helpful compilation of advice for newcomers to Everlasting, discussing essential skills to develop, resource management, and tips for forming alliances. This thread was packed with insights that could aid Rian as he navigated his journey.
Rian clicked on the first thread, eager to uncover what the internet knew about the BlackMerchant. As the page loaded, he noticed a pinned comment at the top:
"BlackMerchant, if you're seeing this post, we want to let you know that we, the Iron Vanguard guild, are eager to recruit you. Contracts can be negotiated."
Scrolling down, he saw a flurry of other guilds expressing similar intentions, each one vying for the opportunity to bring the BlackMerchant into their ranks. A sense of pride swelled within him his reputation was gaining traction.
Yet, a wave of caution washed over him. Rian had no intention of revealing his identity. He wasn't looking for the spotlight or guild commitments; he simply wanted to earn money and stay under the radar. The thought of entangling himself with any guilds felt counterproductive to his goals. He leaned back, contemplating his next move in this ever-evolving game.
After thinking for a while, Rian stood up and entered his gaming pod, anticipation bubbling inside him. As he settled in, the familiar darkness enveloped him, and in an instant, his vision went black.
The next moment, when he opened his eyes, he found himself standing in front of his shop in Everlasting. The vibrant colours of the bustling market greeted him, and the sounds of chatter and distant laughter filled the air. Rian took a deep breath, the exhilaration of being in the game washing over him.