Chapter 13 – Airship

A community Lobby.

It was a large VR space created by the developer for Horizon Online players to relax and connect socially with each other. All necessary facilities were prepared, such as bars, cafes, and even a billiard and golf area.

In this place, information was exchanged in real time. Many players went to the Lobby after they realized that the monsters became more fierce when the night arrived.

Although the activity in this Lobby seemed to be limited, the bored players could also watch streamers to pass time.

It wasn't just because the people who wanted to learn the new things needed to watch streamers play in the field, but also because not everyone played Horizon Online. Some only watched because it was interesting or their friends played the game.

Still, when something big happened, the Lobby was in an uproar. Everyone talked about it, spreading the news until everyone knew it.

And the time now was one of those moments.

===

— The monsters at night are different!

— What?! So scary! It might be me, but when I hunt at night, they don't want to appear.

— I can't believe it... How come my friend can fight normally with no problem while my team's average level is 6 and have difficulty slaying them?

— Just sell them or farm for Nar, whatever.

— Hmm? It's true that you can't see any monsters at night, but is it that impossible to beat them? I can still beat them alone.

— You're level 7 aren't you?

— You can beat them in a party of 3-4 though, can't you? I heard you can't do it with a party of two.

===

The community forum was bustling with messages containing similar contents. People were still in disbelief with what they had seen, so they couldn't help but post and talk about it in this community Lobby.

Until a certain thread appeared.

[The first world announcement! Atlas and Ferin? Who are they?]

Not just the Lobby, but every part of Horizon Online was discussing this topic.

Even the streamers were discussing it, showing their thoughts about it and those two. Of course, this was aired on Punch and many viewers had opinions of their own.

Everywhere in Horizon Online, not one person wasn't discussing about those two mysterious figures that had made the first world announcement.

Reactions varied from curious, surprised, or jealous. Anyone could have any opinion about them. Their names were unfamiliar to most people in gaming circle.

But from this world announcement, all players found out about something. Rare monster. The existence of an ultra-rare monster drop.

With this news, many people made up their minds and joined in the excitement. They left the Lobby at once to search for a Rare monster.

Of course, their effort was fruitless and almost everyone quit after an hour trying to find Rare monsters.

***

As the players ran out of the newbie village, Atlas and Ferin walked around the city after splitting from the road they took with the other players. They looked for the Airport that would take them to the next city.

The Airport was actually really simple.

There were NPCs called Drivers and they could take you anywhere as long as you paid them using their airship. This was a mechanic implemented in MMORPG so that players could get to a new city without running around without a specific goal or spend a long time walking aimlessly around the map.

When they asked an NPC for directions, as they mostly forgot about the newbie village's layout, Atlas and Ferin found out that the airport was located outside the city, past the bridge where they just went across on the way to the cave. So, they headed toward there immediately while avoiding other players.

Their nicknames were hidden by now because they didn't want anyone to recognize them or they might attract unnecessary attention from jealous players. At least until the next city.

"Wow! It's amazing, At!"

Once they left the gate and arrived at the Airport, Ferin couldn't contain her excitement and hopped around like a little kid, her bunny ears flopped around to showcase it. She pointed at the airships that floated on top of a tower-like building, dragging a thin and strong line behind it that connected to a disc-shaped object.

"It's been a month since we saw it. While it's way smaller than the Hub, the designs are still cool." Atlas nodded in agreement. "Let's go now, Fer. We have to logout as soon as we reach the next city."

"Aw~ Already?" She whined, but followed Atlas anyway after realizing how late it was already. They had played for more than 8 hours, a few minutes past their plan.

After buying a ticket, which cost 150 Nar each, and entered the airship, the metal door closed behind them and the airship shook a bit as it took off into the sky.

From there, they could see how vast the landscape was. Forests, lakes, and even some monster lairs that players hadn't discovered yet.

Atlas looked at Ferin who was standing beside him at the window and smiled softly at her.

"It's so beautiful." Ferin whispered with a melancholic tone as she stared at the scenery, her silver hair swayed as she leaned her body against the window glass. "Sometimes, I wish we can live inside this game forever, At."

Atlas looked at the same scenery his girlfriend was staring at with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"That might be wonderful. Though, I can't say about the monsters."

"Hehehe, right. If only the monsters weren't here, then it would be perfect! Ah, but then I won't have something to release stress with. Huh, that's troublesome."

 "We can always explore and find good scenery, don't you think so? Horizon Online is vast. Let's take this game easy now and just explore places we haven't visited yet while finding a clue about the Ball of Time."

"Good idea! We just need to take equipment we deem necessary and sell everything else. We don't need to aim for number one anymore, as no one can beat us anyway!"

He held her hand gently and she returned his grip after a moment, and they stood there holding hands until the airship arrived at the destination.

Once they arrived, they left the Airport and looked for a place to logout. They passed the gate with a sign 'Welcome to Rudina City' and looked for a hotel right away. 

In this game, one's character would stay in the place they logged out and slept. It was dangerous to do this in the outdoors, that was why they were searching for a safe place.

After finding a hotel, they rented a room for the night and logged out. 

Thus, their first day in Horizon Online was over.