The Prophesied Heroes

The town of Northern Red Windmill occupied a bright and warm zone within the world of Three Realms Online. While it wasn't notably distinct from other towns, its claim to fame lay in being the largest, in the region—a bustling hub that nearly resembled a small city.

Walking within the town was a young lady with light brown hair elegantly tied in a bun. Brown eyes and an expressive face defined her features as she navigated the streets, carrying a heavy wooden box laden with freshly picked tomatoes. Despite her visible struggle, a resilient work ethic coursed through her veins. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she faced the challenge of opening the shop's door.

Leaning the box against the door, she attempted to surreptitiously reach for the knob. With a determined twist, the door finally yielded, but at the cost of the box toppling over, spilling its contents onto the floor. "Ugh, not again," she exclaimed in frustration.

"Karina! It's the 4th time this month! Are you okay?" her gray-haired father rushed to her side.

"I'm sorry, father! I don't need your help! I'll wash these once I have them picked up."

"Oh? I forgot that my daughter is all grown up! Independent, just like your old man."

Setting about the task of picking up each tomato, she replied, "Do you think the prophecy will come true? I remember the book said that it would be today."

"Who knows… I wouldn't question the gods and the prophecy, although we've been waiting since morning for them to arrive and they haven't shown."

"It's not that I doubt the prophecy of the gods, father, but you always told me never to trust anyone, not even your own shadow."

"I said that? Oh… ahem, yes, I did, didn't I! Good, that's why you're the favorite daughter."

"Father, I am your only daughter. In fact, your only family."

"Mm, yes, to which I thank the gods that they continue to bless me with your presence for this long. It feels like just yesterday when you were little, running around the town playing pranks on the people. I'm going to miss you one day."

"What are you talking about, father? I'll always be here to help you; I'm not going anywhere," she retorted.

"Have you given much thought to that proposal?"

"Father, please stop asking me. You already know the answer to that."

"I know, but you actually have a future. You don't need to worry about me; I'm a mere old man but can still pull my own weight."

"Father, I'm a hard worker and a hard worker I'll stay. Besides, no one is going to help you around your shop like I would. Look," she said, lifting up a tomato. "Tell me how much we should increase the price per tomato?"

"Ah, um…" her father hesitated.

"Exactly. You have no idea. Father, please don't bring that up again. My place is here with you." Karina's father let out a deep sigh and picked up one of the tomatoes.

"Lomeir!" a young man screamed, peering from the other side of the main door into the shop. He was in a hurry and exuded the scent of sweat.

"They're here! I have to warn the others! But they're here!" he shouted before darting to the next shop.

The human town seldom received such good news, and this time it applied to every single town in the world: the prophecy of the heroes who would save the world.

Lomeir and his daughter dropped whatever they were doing and hurried to the town's center. Excitement permeated the air as every person in town ran to witness the news, relishing the privilege of witnessing history.

Upon reaching the town center, they witnessed beings being summoned one by one onto the ground. Each person was different, representing various races and genders.

"Woah, you see that, father! Elves, and a bunch of other races! … even a human can be a hero! Father, are you seeing this?" She said with excitement.

"Mm, indeed," he said, nodding his head and scratching his beard.

'Welcome to The town of Northern Red Windmill' the prompt displayed upon every player.

"What the…"

"Woah, this is trippy, yo."

"Um, I don't like being in a public place."

"Check it out…"

"Damn."

"These graphics are insane!"

"This takes the cake."

As more and more players summoned into the town, the voices in the wind grew louder. They were noisy and rowdy, paying little attention to any NPC around. The number of NPCs gathered around outnumbered all the players being summoned in.

The summoning continued.

"Check that out, dude. You see that lady? She's staring at me… creepy."

Each player could be identified by a light blue name box above their head. When staring at a crowd, the names disappeared to avoid obstructing visibility, but focused sight would reveal the names of those within the focus.

"They're… not what I expected, father."

"Mm, remember, Karina, never trust anyone. Not even your own shadow."

"Father, I don't think they apply to that! I mean, these are the prophesied heroes you're talking about!"

Her father replied in silence.

"Hello heroes! We've been waiting for your arrival! Welcome to our town!" a lady said with gratitude, gathering the courage to steal the attention of the clueless players.

"Yo? An event?"

"Whatever, old lady."

"The graphics are crazy real but this town is sorta run down."

"Lol, she looks kind of ugly!"

The players responded callously to the lady.

"I… uh, I'm sorry that you find me old and ugly… we did our best today to clean up the town and prepare for your arrival. I'm sorry if our town displeases you," she said, trying her best not to tear up at the rude manner every player spoke.

"Way to go, jackasses, you made the lady cry" a player shouted.

"Is this part of the event?"

"I thought she wouldn't speak! Does this mean every NPC has a unique voice?"

The bulk of the players ignored the lady and began exploring their characters and viewing their menus. A few scattered to explore the town.

"What? Why would the heroes say something like that?" Karina questioned.

Her father let out a deep sigh, "Let's go finish picking up those tomatoes, Karina."

They both walked away disappointed.

"Hey! You may be a hero, but you can't just take that without paying!" a lady shouted from a distance.

Karina turned her head in disbelief, unable to comprehend why any hero would act the way most of them did.

"Let's go before our shop is next. Maybe we should close shop for the day; the sun will go down in a few hours. It feels more like a raid of savages than a summoning of heroes," Karina's father said, walking away from the center and observing several players fighting each other.

Karina and her father reached the shop and barred the door. They had no idea what to feel, especially Karina, who, since being a small child, awaited the summoning of the heroes with the highest of hopes.

"Maybe they can stop the bad things that happen in this world," she heard her younger self crying that line while holding her small, bloody hands close to her chest.

She attempted not to shed a single tear, but one sneaked out of her eye.

"Karina, I haven't seen you cry since you were little. Do these ruffians distress you that much?"

"No! I won't cry; you taught me to be stronger than this!" she said while violently rubbing away the tears.

"Come here."

Her father walked over to her and hugged her for the first time since that day long ago. With that embrace, her stress, cringe, and anger all dissipated. She understood that her father had always tried to toughen her up and show her tough love, but this hug broke that boundary. She continued to sob and cling to her father.