Chapter 20 - Gala and March

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others" - Jonathan Swift.

Visions may have a lot of influence on us, our spirits, and even our dreams. We have been trained since infancy to have a goal in our lives. Isn't that right? Take a minute to reflect if you are lacking in vision. What do you want to achieve in the next five years? Or perhaps you envision yourself with whom? Some of you may have already seen it. So do I; I have the vision to successfully tell Yeol's narrative and to make you aware of every emotion she may have felt along her adventure. While playing 'Immortal Destiny - The Gaming Adventure,' I realized everyone had a vision. Everyone else was busy collecting stuff and prepping for their formidable build, but Yeol was helpful. She used to donate her equipment, gear, and supplies even when she needed them as if she didn't care about them. I couldn't figure out what made her so kind. Was that her demeanor? Or was it her background that set her apart?

The second day of the server launch had nearly passed, with the usual dramas and conversations. Some new members joined the server, while some departed. This never-ending practice of connecting and disconnecting may have left a legacy in the MMO world since games have always been a form of entertainment and were not taken seriously, Particularly in nations with no established Esports teams, like Japan, India, and the United States. Later that day, after completing the double escort quest, everyone waited for the server clock to strike 14:00 to attend the Bond March and Gala.

"Come on, folks, show some enthusiasm. Our Leader is about to enter into a Bond," Tiger wrote.

"We're eager and waiting for the clock to strike 14:00," Rush said immediately.

"We are enthusiastic to see what the Bond March and Gala event will be." Yeol wrote with conviction.

"That's correct. I'm looking forward to seeing it as well. When I was testing the beta version, I never went to one, "David wrote.

"Uh...Are you a beta player too, David?" Manami was curious.

"Indeed," David wrote.

"Then you might know Anonymous? He was a beta player too." wrote Yeol as soon as she read David's world chat.

"Well, Yeol, I know about your fascination with Anonymous, but there were about ten servers in the beta version. I don't know him." David responded.

"I understand, never mind, I just wanted to know whether I was to blame for his unexpected absence," Yeol wrote, disappointed.

"You're still thinking about it, moron. Rush should not be taken seriously, "Novo wrote.

"Have you considered bonding with someone, Novo? If you don't mind, I was wondering if you'd want to be my partner? "Rush wrote in the global chat.

"That is just ridiculous. Were you not before Manami a split second ago? "In irritation, Yeol wrote.

"Nah...Yeol was just playing around," Manami wrote dejectedly.

"So it's determined that I'll be able to bond with Manami?" With joy, Jayson wrote.

*System Notice* Congratulation Tiger and Novo, being the bond partners.

"I am afraid you are late, Rush. I already have Tiger's invitation, and I bonded with him. We are hosting a celebration tomorrow," wrote Novo in a sympathetic tone.

Yeol was delighted when she received this system notice. She was overjoyed to see Rush rejected by Novo. Perhaps she was upset at Rush for breaking Manami's heart. Manami offered Rush to be his partner in DM, but he declined to owe to her low CP level. Manami realized she needed to work harder to get a higher CP level. This episode, however, shattered Manami's joyful nature, and Yeol blamed Rush for it. Rush might understand the emotion of being rejected after having experienced it. Well, maybe it was something new for Yeol but for Rush, it was his fifth MMO game, and he was used to being that way he was, so it didn't even scratch the surface of his emotions.

"Okay, everyone, the wait is over. Thirty seconds left for the Gala and March, let's get moving 'the Grand Hall' map." wrote Elegantly.

"Wow!, Leader, you are surprisingly on the correct time. Lily commented on Elegant's timing.

"I memorized event timings so I couldn't waste much of my time. I come online on event times only, and most of my dailies are completed at server reset time. In that way, it helps me to manage my real and reel life balance." Elegant elaborated.

"That's so thoughtful, Mr. Elegant," commented Novo.

"The March seems like a parade. We are all walking behind your bridal carriage. It feels as if you are getting married, Mr. Elegant." Yeol commented on ceremonial sight.

"Indeed, I feel the same, Yeol. Ohh! yes, everyone, do not forget to collect those red bags and packets lying behind the carriage as they contain some Bond dungeons materials and flowers, which are required for raising the intimacy level between bond players." Elegant explained the importance of the red packets involved.

"So these are the presents given away by Bond March and Gala? Why don't we receive Ingots? Or how about bound ingots? "Sky asked.

"Woah! Sky, When did you first appear? I recall you were offline a minute ago, "Manami stated.

"Hmm...I only recently joined. The event appears to be enjoyable. Today I shall start gathering followers for my future Bond mate." Sky wrote with zeal.

"First and foremost, you do not currently have a partner, and second, this event does not provide Ingots or B.ingots." Rush responded to Sky's question.

"I might get a partner in the future, you know." wrote Sky with hopes.

"Who knows? You might end up being partnerless?" Rush taunted him.

"Enough, you two." wrote Tiger.

"I will see you in battlefield Rush." wrote Sky with aggression.

"I got some flowers from the red packets, which I know are for raising intimacy. What is this crystal heart of pink? I got that material too in red bags." inquired Yeol.

"Hmm...let's see, are those pink heart crystals?" asked Novo.

"Yes, exactly," Yeol responded.

"Those hearts are critical for increasing the level of your love lock. A love lock is a piece of equipment gained after establishing a link with a partner. You received it as a gift from your partner as part of your Bond. Both parties acquire love locks and can equip them similarly to other equipment. At first, the love lock you get is green. In the same way as common equipment, love locks are available in five different colors: green, blue, yellow, orange, and red. Increasing the level of your lock will also improve its color. This will also improve the four basic stats: HP, ATK, DEF, and PIERCE. Just as gears may be improved with enhanced stones, love locks can be enhanced too. Gears need the enhanced stones whereas love lock requires pink crystal stones." Elegant explained.

"Be ready, everyone. Gala is about to begin." wrote Tiger.

The Gala was one of my favorite events, to be honest. It was the event that somehow connected our souls with our in-game partners. Even if we don't know the opposite player, we are bound to be together; It gives us the feeling of eternity. It appeared to be a delightful, Chinese, traditional wedding gala. Players could send and receive red packets from Bonding partners and even send them roses. They even have red bags on the floor to be collected where you can get roses, pink crystals, pet food, mount food, and child drums. You ask, what are child drums? That's something interesting to note. The developers have a baby system. Bonding partners can train together to obtain a baby, which was, of course, a pet. You can raise that baby's level by using those drums. The Gala also had a photo booth corner where players click pictures for memories. I clicked a lot with Yeol also others. Wish I could share it with you all. Hopefully, someday I will.

"Thanks for the wonderful Gala and March, Elegant and David." wrote Yeol with an appreciation for the Bonding information they provided.

"Méi wèntí," wrote David.

"Wow, David, you are a Chinese player?" wrote Novo.

"How did you know that, Novo. Méi wèntí is a Chinese word?" wrote Manami with confusion.

"Yes, it means no problem." wrote Yeol.

"Yeol, you are Chinese too?" Novo inquired.

"Bù, bù...I studied Chinese literature for about two years as an optional subject. Hence, I know a little bit." Yeol replied.

"Well, that's amazing. Yeol, you are my cup of tea, I think." wrote Sky.

To be continued...