Episode 12: Aarus, Eluna, and the Alliance Kingdoms.

Emma rests her head on her hand. She tilts her.

"What do you mean? Of course, I would try this game. I just want to know why this game is so popular."

I put the recommendation letters and the scroll back into my inventory.

"You just started playing?"

Emma shakes her head and grabs something from her inventory.

"I've been playing since two days ago I think, and I just finished all the tutorials. I got this old scroll from the kid on the river yesterday. I still have no idea what to do with this."

I grab the old scroll from my inventory and show it to her.

"I also have it. What level are you right now?"

Emma lifts her old scroll and compares it to mine.

"My level? 12. How about you?"

I nod with understanding.

"I'm level 70."

Emma is looking at me and humming.

"I see. Well, I don't know if you're strong or not, but what I do know is that your level is way higher compared to mine."

Emma puts the scroll in her inventory.

"So, where are we going now? Since we are both done with the tutorial."

I raise my eyebrow and tilt my head.

"We?"

Emma frowns and sulks.

"Come on! I have no idea what I'm doing here, I'm just playing for fun. You seem to know a lot about this game so teach me while we are playing!"

I sigh.

"Fine... follow me then."

Emma nods and we both are leaving the pub and on our way to the middle of the village. I look around to think while Emma is standing beside me and following me wherever I go.

"Are we going to leave this village?"

I nod.

"Which one do you prefer? Aarus Empire, Eluna Empire, or the Alliance Kingdoms?"

Emma is scratching her nape.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. How about you explain it to me first?"

I'm pointing to the northwest of the village

"If we go there, we will be going to the Aarus Empire, The Sun of the Orion. Its territory is the biggest compared to the other two. All the facilities are there and you can do pretty much everything and so many spots for players to leveling up their level. Aarus Empire holds the highest player population right now with more than 45%. If we go there and accept the Aarus Empire story quest. We will immediately get the 15% bonus stats from Blessing of the Sun."

Emma is nodding while humming.

"What's the downside of Aarus Empire?"

I take a deep breath.

"Well, with the current player's population, it's going to be hard for us to get a quest from the NPCs since it's too populated by the players and the quota for the quests is pretty low. The next one is, there will be a lot of enemies coming from outside the empire. Let's say you're doing a quest or leveling away from the mainland, there's a higher chance that you'll encounter bandits, assassins, and spies from the Eluna Empire and Alliance Kingdoms more often. The last and the worst part is the players that choosing Eluna Empire and Alliance Kingdoms sides, they can kill the players from Aarus Empire with zero penalties. On the other hand, while the players from Aarus Empire killed the players from Eluna Empire and Alliance Kingdoms, their EXP will instantly get reduced by 10% and one week with half the drop and EXP rate penalty."

Emma tilts her head.

"So, you're saying that even if we defend ourselves from them and killed them, we still get a penalty?"

I shake my head.

"Depends, if you got hit first by them, you won't. If you hit them first, then you'll get a penalty."

Emma is biting her lips out of habit while nodding.

"That will be a pain in the ass. Then let's skip that one. What's next?"

I'm pointing to the southwest of the village.

"Eluna Empire, The Moon of Orion. It's the second biggest territory in Orion. Its current player population is around 31%. The facilities are not as good as in the Aarus Empire, but there are more trainer NPC over there compared to Aarus Empire. We will be getting more EXP needed to level up our weapon mastery compared to Aarus Empire even if Eluna Empire is more populated than Aarus Empire. If we choose Eluna Empire, we will get 10% bonus stats from Blessing of the Moon."

We sit on the bench. Emma is stretching her legs.

"So, what's the downside?"

I lean on the bench.

"Well, since it is smaller than Aarus Empire, the dungeons and hunting areas are way less than Aarus Empire. What's more, is that most of the monsters with high-value drops are from Aarus Empire. So, if you need those, you either buy it from the players or go to Aarus Empire territory and hunt those monsters with half the drop rate and EXP rates since you're inside the enemy territory."

Emma is looking at the players while biting her nail.

"That's bummer... I hate it already. The last one is Alliance Kingdoms, right? How about that one, is it the best option?"

I shake my head.

"No, the Alliance Kingdoms, the Stars of Orion are the least favorite among players. Not just it's because of the smallest territory, but also the Alliance Kingdoms already have conflicts with each other. There's nothing good about them except for the resources. The Alliance Kingdoms are on the east side of Orion that is also near the Lindverold where the high level monsters are at. Only 14% of the player population chose this path and only 5% bonus stats from Blessing of the Stars. There is something that not so many players know about the Alliance Kingdoms, and that is the Tombs of Kings' dungeon. A place where thousands of relics can only be obtained through quest and only those players who chose Alliance Kingdoms that can get and start the quest. But still, it needs a lot of effort."

Emma sighs deeply.

"It doesn't matter, isn't it? I mean, Aarus and Eluna Empires are far better than the Alliance Kingdoms. But, I don't think I want to be in one of them either."

I scoff and look at her mumbling.

"When did I say that there are only three options? Of course, there's another option."

Emma turns her head and looks at me with her curious expression.

"Really?! Tell me."

I chuckle.

"The last 10% of the players are not joining any sides. They called them mercenaries. Today's friend and tomorrow's enemy. They can go anywhere they want without getting a penalty whatsoever. Killing a player won't get them in trouble as well. The only downside is that they don't get any blessings. But again, it means they didn't get any story quest and won't progress until they choose sides."

Emma leans on the bench.

"I've been thinking from what you said. Are those three will be at war? Since you've been saying about taking sides."

I snap my fingers.

"Nice, so you realized. Later, when there are at least hundreds of level 50 clans, they all are going to war against each other in the Triangle of Ruinations, or the developers called it Battle of Zion Moor (BZM). A single castle on top of the highland in the Triangle of Ruinations. Whoever captured the castle and successfully defend it for seven days in-game time will be rewarded by Betelgeuse. It can be something useless or godly quest item to the clan leader. Of course, the clan members will be rewarded plentifully by Betelgeuse as well."

Emma is humming with understanding.

"That's interesting. I never thought a game could be this fun and exciting."

Emma stands up and stretches her body.

"Well anyway, that's not bad if we can be mercenaries for now. At least until we are sure on which sides we are going to take. I hope we can participate in that Battle of Zion Moor event."

Emma looks at me.

"What about you? Do you already make up your mind on which sides are you going to?"

I tap my lips with my fingers.

"Well, I really want to join the Alliance Kingdom by using this..."

I take out the old scroll from my inventory and show it to her. Then she grabs her old scroll.

"With this? Do you know where we can use this?"

I nod.

"I do, but didn't you said that you don't like the Alliance Kingdoms earlier?"

Emma sighs deeply.

"Yeah, but I want to play together with you though... I never played any games in my entire life, so I want to stick with you until the end. I would prefer that than playing alone."

I stand up and smile.

"Well then, we should prepare everything before we start our adventure and increase your level. I have enough money for both of us since I've been farming and selling a lot of items."

Emma nods and grins.

"Great! Lead the way, Mister leader!"