A Better Place

We went to the throne room. The door opened automatically. We went in. From the very first step, the plush red carpet unraveled on every step we took. Around the uncarpeted areas, the mixed chequered design between pristine, white quartz and dark but beautiful onyx.

It was an enormous room, hall, and pillars decorated so that it looked like the guardians and angles carved from the finest marble. Yet, the most eye-catching thing in the room was the throne itself.

The throne was...I can't describe it. I am speechless. I hate to admit it, but it is better than Edens Palace.

The throne is of gold and silver. It was huge, being able to fit the two of me on it. On the backside of the throne, there stands the largest marble statue. Sword in hand, protecting the King's throne.

Every inch of the throne was covered in beautiful carvings, embellished with the finest gems and pearls. Yet, no matter how you look at it, it doesn't look gaudy. It looks...seemingly tamed magnificently.

If I have to describe my thoughts in one word, I will say...

"I want to sit there."

"You can sit there. Lord Adas"

Where the hell did he come from?!

[Go Adas]

"Das"

"Hmm?"

"Good luck."

Good luck? For what?

I walked to the throne, and as I was about to sit on it, the doors opened.

Are the challengers here already? I am surprised, but what I was more astonished about...was the challengers.

"Why are you two here? Ricky, Rikka!"

"Long time no see, Adas," said Ricky.

"Why are you here?!"

"There was an announcement in all the worlds that 'World Zero is cleared and players can enter world zero to challenge the king,' so we are here."

"Are you here to challenge me?"

"Of course, we are here to challenge you."

"Stop it, Ricky. Don't worry, Adas. We are not here for a challenge."

"You are not?"

"We came here to challenge the king, but we had no idea you were the king."

"I also just got to know that an hour ago."

"The palace looks awesome from outside, but it's also amazing from inside."

"We had the same reaction."

"Reinaaaaaa. I missed you!" Rikka said...yelled as she rushed over to Elena.

"Why are you so happy, Rikka?"

"We have exams tomorrow!"

"So...shouldn't you be angry or sad here?"

"I love exams."

"Sorry, she is loud. She always acts like that when the exams start"

"It's okay."

I can't tell him I am like that too!

[Hello Rikka]

"Hello...Adas!" Rikka yelled.

"What's wrong?"

"Come here!"

She pulled me to the side and said, "Lily is sitting on Reina's head!"

"Yeah, I know."

"Reina's will know your secrets!"

"Oh...actually, I told her everything."

"Is that so? Well, that makes sense."

"What are you two whispering about?" Ricky asked.

"It's nothing."

"Hello Lily, are you getting along with Reina?"

[Yes, we are best friends now]

"What about me?"

[You are also my friend]

"What about Adas?"

[He is...special] She hid in Elena's hair like one hides under a blanket.

"Hey Rikka, who are you talking to?" asked Ricky.

"I am talking to Lily."

"Lily...you mean Reina?"

"No. I am talking about the pixie sitting on Reina's head."

"Who are you talking about? There is no one on her head."

"Oh, right, you can't see her."

"Lily, can you?"

[I don't mind]

"There is something on her head!" exclaimed Ricky.

[Hello, I am Lily]

"It's speaking!"

Just how many times have I seen this reaction?

[A New Challenger Has Entered]

"...."

A new challenger? Are you kidding me? If this continues, then I won't even get a chance to rest.

It takes about 30 minutes for someone to reach the palace.

"We can help you with the fight."

"Only the ruler is allowed to fight."

Fuck off, NPC.

"Well, then, we will watch and cheer for you."

"No need for it."

I want to log out already. I will wait for the challenger to reach her, then defeat him or her and log out from here.

"The palace is huge!" said Rikka.

"Yeah, it is. We have been exploring it for two hours, but 3/4 of the palace is yet to be explored," said Elena.

"Let's go and explore it."

"But Das--Adas will---"

"He will be fine by himself, right, Adas?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

[Can I go too, Adas?]

"Sure"

Elena, Rikka, and Lily went out of the door. Lily was waving at me until they left the room.

I am now alone with Ricky. Come to think of it; this is the first time I am alone with him.

"We have never been alone, right?" asked Ricky

"Yeah"

"What should we do now?"

"I have to wait for the challenger."

"This floor was supposed to be unclearable, so how did you clear it?"

I haven't done anything yet!

"We cleared it somehow."

"It's good to see that you are enjoying this game now."

"Am I?"

"Yeah. You have changed since the first time we met"

"Well, thanks, I guess?"

"I remember you were crying that night."

"I wasn't crying!"

"Jokes aside. Do you find this game interesting?"

"It's interesting in its way."

"Do you like it?"

"If I have to say yes or no, then yeah, I don't hate it."

"What do you like about this game...I mean the virtual world?"

"What or why I like it is because this is a virtual world and because this is not the real world."

Because I hate the real world.

"Do you like it more than the real world?"

Real-world...I hate it. I hate the nasty adults living in it, but...

"I will make it a better place."

"What do you mean?"

"I will make the real world free from nasty adults, free from injustice, free from corruption, free from criminals, free from crimes, free from hate."

Once I become the king...I really don't like being called king.

"No one can do that."

"I can"

"If you can, then I would love to see a world like that"