43. A Gamer's Friendship

"Then.. Destroyer, what kind of class is that? As far as I can remember there is no such class." TukangSantet added, trying to control himself from laughter.

"Hmm? This is a new class. At least that's what was written when I registered my character." Shiro answered while choosing a ripe apple.

"New class? No system update since 6 months ago." said TukangSantet.

"That's right. And there were only additional Undead type monsters and the level awakening feature on the update." PenggaliKubur said, starting to stop eating.

"Heh? What?!" Shiro looks surprised hearing the statement from PenggaliKubur.

"Heh?" TukangSantet and PenggaliKubur turned to Shiro with a surprised expression.

"Don't be surprised!" Shiro jerked in annoyed, seeing the two of them were also surprised to see him surprised.

"Then why are you surprised?! I'm also surprised to see you surprised!" exclaimed TukangSantet and PenggaliKubur simultaneously.

Shiro, who felt confused trying to recall the time when he was registering his character yesterday. "Then... Why yesterday were 2 new classes available?"

"You choose it, don't ask us!" PenggaliKubur jerked irritably.

"Wait a minute. When did you register your character?" TukangSantet said.

"Huh? Yesterday, around 10 a.m. Why?" Shiro replied uncertainly.

"Did you register your character during the Big Event???" asked PenggaliKubur in surprise.

"Right." Shiro answered curtly.

PenggaliKubur and TukangSantet turned and looked at each other. Then they chuckled loudly because of the misfortune that had been experienced by Shiro. He had just registered his character in the EEWAO and has to be stuck in the game world forever.

"Tsk! So what?!!" Seeing the two of them laughing at him, Shiro began to look annoyed.

"S-Sorry... But, I guess you're really unlucky. When we and the other players want to get out of this world, you enter this world voluntarily Hahaha.." said TukangSantet, holding back laughter.

"Unlucky?? I feel lucky to be trapped in this world!" Shiro replied irritably.

"Huh?! I think there's something wrong with your brain." said PenggaliKubur, stop laughing.

"Then what exactly is that big event? Somehow I have a hunch that the event is what makes us trapped in this world." said Shiro trying to change the subject.

Instantly the atmosphere became very calm.

"You might be right. I have been playing this game since last year and have met a lots of players from all over the world. Previously, EEWAO had more than 50 million active players. But as time passed, due to intense competition in the game, their number has decreased very dramatically. As far as I can remember... 3 months ago, during a massive raid at the large tomb, there were only about 500 thousand players who were still actively participating in the event."

"Ahh.. I remember that time. A very pleasant event." said PenggaliKubur.

"Then what does that have to do with my question?" said Shiro.

"However, after the announcement of a big event that gave a big prize just by logging into the game, a lot of old players were tempted and tried to return to play the game. But bad luck happened to them, instead of getting the promised prize, they were instead trapped in the game world and can't return to the real world. Right now, there are almost 3 million players who are trapped in this world. And in just one day after the big event ended, tens of thousands of players died because of the chaos that had occurred."

TukangSantet continues the story at length. While listening to TukangSantet's tale, Shiro opened the status display to relearn the use of Crystal Essence.

"And unlike when they were still in the game, their character who was dead could not come back to life. Because of that incident, the players assumed that if you die in this world means you really die, both in this world and in the real world." said PenggaliKubur.

"That's right. That is why the other players prefer to stay inside the capital region which they think is a very safe place." TukangSantet added.

"Hoi!! Are you listening?!" Seeing Shiro being too ignorant of their explanation, PenggaliKubur exclaimed in an annoyed tone,

Without looking at them and while continuing to study the Crystal Essence he held, Shiro said, "What a fool.. We are gamers! A true gamer should be happy if they have to get stuck in the game world they like."

Hearing Shiro's words, PenggaliKubur sighed and then said, "Be a little mature. Not all gamers are anti-social like us. There are also those who have family, girlfriend and normal life. So it's normal if they are depressed."

"Ah... Still, sounds stupid to me. It has become a reality if we are indeed trapped in this world, and the only way we can survive in this world is only become stronger. If they are afraid of fighting monsters, tell them to play as actors who play the role of heroes in the capital fortress. And I will take care of all the monsters by myself."

Shiro who is a stubborn person does not want to budge with his opinion, he then stood up and walked away from the two of them.

"Where are you going?" said TukangSantet.

"Back to the forest. I am a busy person! Give my thanks to the village head and his grandchildren for taking care of me when I was here."

"I already added you to the friend list. I'll contact you if anything happens!" TukangSantet shouted in a loud voice.

Without answering what TukangSantet had said, Shiro continued to walk away from the two of them. Without first saying goodbye to the residents, Shiro returned to the forest to continue his hunt.

"He reminded me of myself when I was his age. Selfish and ambitious." said PenggaliKubur, watching Shiro leave.

Only a few minutes after Shiro's departure, Ana and Turi returned home and brought several types of fruit. Seeing Shiro's figure who is no longer on the front porch of her house, Ana asks TukangSantet and PenggaliKubur.

"Eh... Sir, where is Mr. Shiro?" Ana said, slightly embarrassed.

"Hmm..? Shiro has gone to the forest just now. He sends his greetings to you. He says thank you for taking care of him." said TukangSantet.

"What?? Why? Even though we have brought fruit for him..." said Turi who looked very disappointed.

Hearing this, Ana hurried after Shiro.

After arriving in front of the village gate, Ana who looked exhausted stopped running and looked around to make sure if Shiro might still be there. But as far as the eye could see, she could not see the figure of Shiro.

Ana's expression suddenly lethargic due to disappointment. She regretted that she had not had time to express her true feelings to Shiro.

Ana, who wished to see Shiro again, shouted in a very loud voice, "Mr. Shiro!!! One day... Come back here again!!"

Next Chapter : 44. SweetSugar