Chapter 5 : Struggle

A week later, Elvira Book Store.

A group of young men could be seen strolling inside the bookstore. The youth in front had a brown tied-up hair with black eyes. His skinny and tall figure drew attention from everywhere. Long legs, white skin, coupled with his handsome look could really kill a few ladies.

Behind him, two people were following. One had a bald hair with playful eyes. His height was a bit short, but his toned muscle attracted quite a number of eyes.

The last man had a calm demeanor, with his deep black hair and eyes. His build didn’t seem perfect but his fine and refined aura was an attraction of its own. He looked quite dispirited. Of course, the latter was Raka.

“Brothers! Look, an introduction to mechanical engineering book!” said the bald youth, pointing at one of the cabinets.

“If you really want it, you can just buy it. Though, I’m not sure if you’ll actually read it” answered the handsome young man.

“Humph, at least It would be useful for me later on, unlike your useless art catalog” replied the bald youth angrily while glaring at the source of the voice.

“At least I have finished reading them. Let’s make a bet, whether you can or can’t finish the book by this semester. The wager would be the loser do anything the winner says” said the handsome man calmly.

“Ugh,” The bald youth shook his head helplessly. “Come on Raka, you gotta help me this time. Tell this smart-ass that he was wrong about me!” Knowing that he couldn’t win, the bald youth asked Raka for help. He knew that the handsome brother of his wasn’t someone to be messed with in the first place.

“Huh? What was it about again? Sorry, Arie, I didn’t really listen” Raka replied absent-mindedly. He couldn’t stop

thinking about Maya. Three days have passed and he was still pondering about it.

“Well, this isn’t like you. What happened?” Asked Arie, his eyes showing concern.

Dana also looked at Raka. The three of them have been best friends since high schools. It was through great effort that they could go to the same college together. Except for him, though, he was applying for art program and he was already a genius in it, to begin with.

“I’m fine. Thanks for your concern but it wasn’t a problem, to begin with. Also, you wouldn’t be able to help me even if you know” Raka shrugged his shoulder. Even though his friend was quite amazing, they wouldn’t be able to help him this time.

Arie and Dana looked at each other. They knew that Raka has a strong personality and there was no use in persuading him.

After strolling around for a while, they exited the shop and entered a café.

As for the book, Arie wasn’t really serious about buying it. In this era, a book was more like collectibles. Every book has its copies in the Skynet.

“Table for three, please,” said Dana calmly, his eyes penetrated through the waitress’ eyes. The waitress was a bit taken back, but she quickly recovered. She led them to their seats while secretly glancing at him.

“Looks like you’ll get another free cup of coffee,” said Arie teasingly

“I can’t help it. It’s wasteful not to use my charm. Of course, if she gives us a free snack then I will split it for you”

Dana grinned. He was a natural born ladykiller. Only God knows how many women have fallen into his mesmerizing eyes.

After a few minutes, their order came. As expected, the waitress gave him a portion of free french fries while cutely winking to him.

They ate while chatting. As good brothers, they always had a topic to discuss. Starting from the college preparation, cute girls in their department, and so on. Then, they start talking about Maya.

“Now that I have reached level 10, I can choose my class. Tell me, are we still sticking to the agreement?” asked Dana while looking at Arie.

“Of course! I’ll choose the warrior and you’ll choose cleric. Together we will roam the world of Maya!” answered Arie happily.

They always played together since they were small. It was their unspoken agreement that they would always pick classes that could complement each other.

Raka frowned, he couldn’t help remember his problem. The truth is, he wanted to surprise them after he reached a major town.

Seeing Raka’s bitter smile, Dana couldn’t help but notice the change in his friend’s mood.

“Uhh.. Raka, if you really wanted to play, I can lend you the helmet. No! I can even give it to you. You know that money is no matter to me, right?”

Raka sighed, he knew that his behavior made his friend worried.

“No need” He shook his head. “I’m okay, you guys can continue talking about it,” He said while munching the fries.

Arie and Dana looked at each other, they didn’t know what to do. In the end, they kept talking about Maya.

Even though they started in a different beginner city, they knew they would meet soon. Therefore, they had to make ample preparation for their future journey together.

“Listen, I have to tell you this. I got a skill while hunting. It wasn’t from skill book or boss-kill, it was from a specific event. After smashing a turtle-like boss with my mace countless times, I got a skill called Destroyer. It enables me to deal more damage when using a blunt weapon” said Arie quietly.

“I think, the AI could register a skill based on your action. It wasn’t easy, though. I had to smash the damn turtle for hundreds of times”

Raka’s eyes brightened.

Making a skill without the help of an NPC ? If I could learn some skills, I should be able to beat those damn golems!

“Well, I guess you really achieved something. Truth is, I also got a secret skill. It’s called footwork. It enables me to dodge most of my enemy attack. I was on the brink of death while soloing a boss, I tried to dodge everything and then the skill actually showed up right before I gave up,” Dana added.

Both of them kept on chatting about the game. Raka listened to them attentively while putting on an uninterested face. After listening to them, Raka concluded that there really was a chance to make a skill in Maya. Of course, its usefulness is on par with its difficulty.

…

Raka held the VR set in his hand. After arriving at home, he contemplated about what he heard in the café. He also browsed the Skynet for more information.

There were many threads and discussion about secret skills. Most of them saying that the skills are useless. Indeed, there were some good and even overpowered skills, but those were very difficult to get.

Arie and Dana skills were considered quite strong. It was quite a miracle for them to actually got it. Of course, they were already fairly strong, to begin with.

Raka made his mind. If his friend could do it, then he surely could do the same.

He put the helmet on, activating it. He closed his eyes and after a while, he could feel the familiar air.

He ran through the passage until he arrived at the temple. He stared at the wall beside him. The wall was full of strange symbols, similar to the golem’s body.

He clenched his fist. He focused all his power inside his fist. While gritting his teeth, he started punching on the wall.

BANG !

Ragna trembled from the pain. It seemed that no matter how high the pain reducer is, punching a wall with all you’ve got would bring you some pain.

Ragna endured the pain. He knew that he had to do it no matter what.

Running was out of the option, the only option left was to fight!

And the only way to win the fight was to get a power up, a new skill. A skill that could inflict real damage to the golems while negating the after impact of the golem’s sturdy body.

Obviously, there was no better training than to actually punch the golem’s body or whichever material it’s body was made of.

BANG !

"If I have to punch this wall for hundreds of time, then so be it!"

BANG ! BANG !

"Even if I have to do it for thousands of time, I won’t stop!"

BANG ! BANG ! BANG ! BANG !

The sound of Ragna’s punch echoed throughout the temple. It was clear that Raka had resolutely decided to challenge the dungeon.

Even though he had to force his way through, Ragna wouldn’t stop. He needed to know whatever thing it was inside the temple that triggered his instinct.

Thus began Ragna’s first struggle inside Maya.