The Waiting Game

I finally come back into the game, breathing heavily as I nervously smoothen the creases of the plain clothes I'm currently wearing in the game.

It seems like I'll have to also enhance my appearance soon...it's good to invest in my appearance if I'm going to be a merchant. 

Nonetheless, what I look for first when I enter the game again is a majestic and gigantic mountain prominently rising above the surface, with a beautiful cherry blossom forest atop its peak.

From the forum of "Geography of Catelia", a forum I read when I was scrolling, this was Mount Lianthan, a mountain that looked like it was sloping down, scaring anyone who came close to the mountain due to how it looked like it was crumbling down on you. 

I look around, staring at the skies for any sort of silhouette that can be made out of the haze of the clouds.

It felt like I couldn't find anything that would give me a clue to this big landmark, so I might as well move straight past, thankfully, I managed to see the mountain the more I walked. 

...but, even though the mountain was beautiful, there was a goofy banner that hindered you from seeing all the marvels that the mountain had to offer. It's because it was too distracting. Especially with its content.

It was a banner that boldly stated "Wanted: Husband", with an atrocious subtext of "Reach the path to the skies if you believe you are worthy."

...well, this must be referring to what that Rosvyliana NPC is looking for. It's quite odd.

Anyway, it's good if I get a head start and walk to the mountain path as soon as possible.

"Wow, it's truly huge," I remarked, as I was getting closer and closer to it. A lot few minutes later, I managed to get closer to the mountain. There was a pathway to the peak of the mountain, but its entrance was guarded by a woman with a high ponytail. She was wearing a hanfu dyed in red and white, holding a spear in her hand.

"Halt, what did you come here for?" The woman says, blocking the pathway with her spear. She looks at me with disinterest evident in her yellow eyes, even yawning in front of me as she stands guard. Maybe many people have come here already?

"I want to meet with Rosvyliana Edensfield," I answer honestly, and she only stops blocking my path, frowning slightly...maybe I said Rosyvliana's name wrong? 

"Pass. You're the 51st today," She remarks, staying in her post and not moving away. I look around as I walk these long stairs...there are many people ahead of me...but I can't lose to them.

Rosyvliana is the only known NPC who abolishes the "harem" system when you marry her.

It's exactly what I was hoping for!

I walk a little bit faster, doing my best to reach the peak faster, but after a long hour of reaching just the middle part of the path, I can feel my legs trembling and my heart racing to the speed of infinity.

I think I should really start working out. These steps might take me another hour before I can actually reach her...

But giving up now? I can't do that. Not when she's my only chance of forcibly only having one woman in my "harem".

Thus, after another hour, I finally reached the top. The scent from above is rejuvenating, and it feels calming to know that you're being greeted by the colorful cherry blossom petals that are being blown by the wind. 

At first, I thought a solitary house would be all I see here aside from the cherry blossom forest...but there's actually a whole sect here? Its structure is so different from the world beneath the mountain.

If we're talking about life below this mountain, one noticeable thing would be that the civilization and its structures are comprised of the typical fantasy-medieval look that you see in fantasy-based games...but here, it's another world entirely. It's one you see in those Murim comics.

I don't even need to explain from thereon.

I look at a sign displayed at the very center. It showed the directions of where to go...well, it was specifically for the players since it only said one thing.

North.

And of course, I went North, shocked at the gigantic gate that showed neither opulence nor grandeur. It seems to focus more on simplicity than showing off.

This is rather paradoxical, considering that despite the sheer size of it, it seemed to look way too simple for a pagoda where the guardian of Catelia resided. 

But...I'll have to admit. Something was calming and peaceful about a place like this.

I walk past the gates and enter...all to see a big line! It's crazy! I can't even count the people waiting in line for this! It seemed like there were 30 or 40 more people in front of me...

I take into account everyone's expressions. Some seemed nervous, and the others seemed confident. Some weren't even waiting in line yet!

There were people still looking at their reflections on the lake's clear surface, and then there were those practicing recitations for poems and wrapping their gifts.

However, despite all the ongoing chaos outside, I've taken notice of how other people brought specific high-end gifts.

Amongst the grandest of gifts, it would be some pretty clothing that looked custom-made to fit her style and beauty. The most important asset of that gift were the ruby gems that could only be obtainable in two dungeons known in-game.

Let's not even talk about the fact that those dungeons are high-risk!

However, on the other side of the spectrum, the lowest-tier gift was an expensive brush used for calligraphy...which is nothing much if you compare it to the grandest.

In retrospect, one had to consider that it could easily sell for a thousand dollars in the real world due to it being a popular gift for Epic or Rare-tiered scholarly women.

I try not to let this dissuade me from meeting with her. I have to try my best, even if I don't have anything to offer her aside from my loyalty and sincerity...

However, whether it will be enough or not is still unanswered.

...30 minutes later, I finally get to see her a bit closer, making out a sight of her sitting down in a chair with a bored look on her face.

This time, only 10 people are in front of me, which is nothing to worry about since it can actually help me. I gain an advantage in seeing what others do...and why they potentially fail.

The one with the grandest gift confidently offers her his gift after finally getting his turn. He flashes a confident smile at her. "My lady, surely this will make you change your mind?" He asks, intentionally using a romantic tone of voice to incite her to be his.

"I don't mind offering you gifts over and over again, and I will prove my loyalties to you," He sweet talks. "It's my 27th time coming up here again, do you truly not believe in me?"

For a moment, I believed that he was a man who mastered the ultimate rizz, getting any girl he ever wanted...it could mean an end to the plans I had for this game, but...

A sharp swish sound breaks my thoughts momentarily, and I am left gawking at what I see in front of me...

"A fool whose intention is to deceive will only succeed in adding up to their own sense of worthlessness," She says with calmness...just as if she didn't slash those ruby gems as if they were nothing! It's absolutely insane!

"Next," Her voice echoes the room, casting away the ruined dress to the pile of gifts...

Sh*t. Her standards are really high...while I even be able to cut it? I don't know. I think I'll be needing all the luck I can get.