#- Gans -#

Gans spurred his horse very fast, but his riding skills weren't high enough to handle the horse at such a high speed.

The Vatts was divided into nine races and dozens of nations, but none of them had high-level horse riding skills. In fact, some couldn't ride horses at all.

Clearly, due to the game rules he couldn't break, Gans eventually fell when his horse neighed as he spurred it to go faster.

But, Gans was fortunate as his horse didn't go far from him, so he could quickly stand up and run towards it to ride again.

This time, Gans became more aware of the powerful influence of TAGAR and the WoW game on him.

However, he didn't give up. He continued to spur his horse, though not as rough and not as fast as before.

His current goal was simple, to chase Yaktalja, to chase Napandriel, to know the truth about all this. Unfortunately, Yaktalja was already too far.

#- Sun of Lion Knight Group -#

"...may their souls find peace, may their souls ascend to the His side, or may their souls reincarnate for a better life. May goodness bless them, may they be surrounded by happiness..." Zhendra led a mourning prayer to remember their friends, Tigar, and other players who were killed by them due to their ignorance.

The remaining members of the Sun of Lion Knight stood behind him. They all placed their arms with open palms touching their chests, a universal symbol in WoW to mourn the death of their friends.

Tears had now dried up, sorrow had faded, and slowly they began to recover and try to return to joy to face the once enjoyable game world that had turned into a cruel reality.

After the mourning ceremony, they gathered their belongings and prepared to start their journey to a town.

"We only have six healing items, two daggers, and three shields that are almost defective," Natasha said while organizing the looted items given by the Yaktalja group.

Preta drank from the remaining pouch, "There are only ten pouches left. You have to reach the Town of Hope before it gets dark, or you won't survive."

Dens was testing the shield from Natasha, "This shield is good. By the way, there are a total of seven rations, two of them are fruit rations."

"So, how do we divide them? By the way, our cloth armor is also damaged and can't be used anymore," Hexon said as he took off his cloth armor.

Preta was still silent and tossed the pouch after he finished drinking. After that, he took his sword and wore his already damaged cloth armor, then left abruptly.

The other members of the Sun of Lion Knight, of course, looked at Preta and were waiting for his orders. However, they didn't receive any orders.

Dens exchanged glances with Natasha, wondering what Preta was actually doing. The others were also confused but just kept an eye on Preta.

When Preta left, Dens followed him from behind, followed by Zhendra and Natasha.

Realizing he was being followed, Preta turned around, "You don't need to follow me anymore. You are free to determine your own goals. I am not capable of leading."

Dens punched Preta quite hard, "You're weak. You know only you can lead. This group is vulnerable, we all know it, but only you unite us all."

Holding his face, which felt sore from Dens' punch, Preta shook his head, "No. I am selfish, I will endanger all of you."

"You're really going to endanger us all by leaving us," Natasha said, smiling.

At the same time, Vector and Crocils had also approached them due to their conversation. Meanwhile, Hexon, carrying all their belongings, was the last to come.

"Yeah, Gans right. I often put you all in danger because of my selfish decisions. Crocils could've been killed by Seamons in the previous battle, and just imagine if that happened now, when this game is no longer just a game," Preta said, his voice trembling, closing his eyes a few times.

Using the softest tone she could, Natasha, holding Preta's hand, said, "But isn't he alive because of you? We still need you. If we stand alone, fight alone, we might die."

"Pret, just relax. We all know you're selfish, and right now we won't let your selfishness win. Lead us, give us the best strategy you can think of. If you hesitate because of your selfishness, I'll punch your face again," Dens replied, laughing softly, but his laughter wasn't welcomed by anyone.

"You know, this might all be the influence of TAGAR getting stronger. I mean, we're all too immersed in this game," Zhendra said.

Because of his words, all attention shifted from Preta to Zhendra, who was now just staring blankly.

Natasha, still holding Preta's hand, added, "Zhendra is right. Dark energy attributes are the dark energy from Ibusa, and it's negative. And do you know who has the most dark energy attributes?"

Preta wiped his eyes, almost shedding tears, "Gans. Only he has two in dark energy."

Dens chuckled softly, "So, you mean Gans acted like that earlier because he's a Vatts?"

"If that's the case, then we really need to delve into this world, all its lore," Vector said, finally joining the discussion.

Hexon glanced at Vector, smiled after a while, then approached and lightly punched Vector's chest, "I got it. That's why Vector and Crocils are closer now and keeping their distance from me."

Crocils, looking puzzled, asked, "Really?"

"Maybe, because Hass is known as the species most caring for each other. Their aura is purest and harmonious when united," Natasha said, releasing her grip.

"So, what do you think, Pret?" Dens asked again.

Preta smiled and rubbed his face, "I'll try to earn your trust. So, from now on, I'll offer you options. Do you want to go to Gans first or head to the Town of Hope?"

"Better to find Gans. He can't have gone far for sure. Vatts is a lousy rider," Zhendra chose without hesitation.

Natasha walked towards Zhendra, "I agree. If Gans went to Napandriel, he wouldn't be able to catch up. Napandriel forces consist of skilled Elves and Lehurs in horseback riding. Gans would be alone, and that's dangerous."

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Hexon chuckled cynically, "Gans left by his own will, he's free to determine his fate. Let's just leave him."

Crocils joined the laughter but without cynicism, "And that proves the bad influence of TAGAR."

Dens walked to Natasha and Zhendra, "You're right. Araguves has three spiritual attributes, which means poor in empathy."

"I'll just stay silent because I'll go along with whatever decision," Vector said.

Crocils moved towards Vector, "Hass, neutral."

"Okay. We'll go look for Gans, but we can't search for too long. Napandriel mentioned that the Town of Hope is a bit farther now after the update, and Gans, who was chasing Napandriel, is heading in the opposite direction, towards the Gerned forest," said Preta, staring into the eyes of his friends who entrusted their lives to him.

Preta actually still felt hesitation, but he had to go along with his friends' wishes because he knew their teamwork was much better than before and could enhance his safety compared to going alone.

"Team decision, a decision to be followed. So, what are you going to do with these things?" Hexon said, immediately dropping the items he was carrying to the ground.

"Melee gets shields and healing items, two ranged get daggers, and one ranged gets healing items. Natasha gets the rest," said Preta, then approached the items Hexon had thrown away, taking the shield and healing item.

Dens and Hexon followed Preta's orders and took the shield and healing item.

"I guess I'll take the healing item. What about you, Vec, Zhend?" Crocils asked, already holding his healing item.

"Whatever, I want that blue dagger," Vector said, immediately taking the blue-colored dagger.

"Then the black one is mine," Zhendra said, also taking the black-colored dagger.

Natasha glanced at the remaining healing items that were not taken, "So, I have two healing items?"

Preta nodded, "That's right. Use them wisely."

Hexon held his cloth armor, "By the way, this cloth is defective, and it's very dangerous for me."

Preta looked at how badly damaged Hexon's cloth armor was. "You're right. Your ranged still have some decent cloth armor. Can you exchange with us melee guys?"

"My armor's also defective, unfortunately," Zhendra said.

Meanwhile, Crocils and Vector both took off their cloth armor. "Still intact, just a bit scratched," Vector said.

Preta took both cloth armors given by Crocils and Vector. "So, we only have two that are still good, so-"

Natasha removed her cloth armor, "You can use mine. It's a bit damaged, but still better."

Dens, standing next to Natasha, grabbed it. "I'm a Tank, so let me use this. Preta and Hexon, you guys take the good ones."

Preta handed the armor to Hexon, and Hexon put it on. Meanwhile, Preta stared at the armor for a moment before putting it on.

"Guys, I want to try something, but only if you agree," Preta said after putting on his cloth armor.

Now all eyes were back on him.

Dens approached, "What do you want to try?"

"Sigh... logout."

"We've tried multiple times, and it's been useless," Vector said.

Crocils patted Vector on the shoulder, "He's right, we're truly trapped in this world right now."

Preta looked at his two friends, "What if there's maintenance or a glitch, so we can't log out?"

"Shouldn't we automatically log out during maintenance?" Natasha asked.

"Let's do this, we wait for a while, and then we all try to log out. And during our journey too, let's try for a few in-game days. How about that?" Dens suggested, straightening out Preta's cloth armor.

Dens carefully looked at Preta's face. A face rarely shown by Preta, but the same face he displayed last night when hesitating to escape from the ušfrāms horde.

Dens understands if Preta still finds it hard to accept all of this, especially in his role as a leader with decisions over the lives of his friends. Surely, it's really tough for him too.

Preta smiles and holds Dens' hand to stop him from adjusting his cloth armor, "Good idea. So, everyone get ready, we're going to pick up our friend."

Everyone smiles.

Smiles and enthusiasm have replaced their mourning feelings. Although, they all know for sure that the smiles and enthusiasm they show are fake, used only to mask the anxiety and fear they're facing.

But even so, at least the smiles and enthusiasm they try to put on manage to bring a momentary feeling of happiness and calmness for them.

After all the items are moved and they're ready and mounted on their horses, they immediately head towards the Gerned forest to meet their friend, Gans.

Now, all the members of Sun of Lion Knight have left the cabin, which looks even more terrifying than before, with some of its wooden walls shattered and its color replaced with the dark black blood of ušfrāms whose bodies are piled near the cabin.

#- Gans -#

After falling and getting up several times, Gans finally manages to catch up with the Yaktalja group led by Napandriel.

But, it's not the warm welcome he received before. Instead, arrows are shot in his direction, narrowly hitting him.

Luckily, when Napandriel sees him, the arrow shots stop, and Gans can approach Napandriel safely.

"Why are you here, Dens?" says Napandriel on his horse, calm and collected.

Meanwhile, Gans is still struggling to control his horse, which keeps moving, "Gans, not Dens. I want to ask."

Napandriel stroked his horse and turned around, "We can't answer here. We need to leave quickly. If you want, you can ask while we ride, that is, if you can handle it."

"Really wise words. I just want to know if all of this is really real," said Gans.

Napandriel's horse and his troops’ horses started walking. With calmness, Napandriel said, "Feel free to log out if you don't believe."

Gans spurred his horse forward, "I've tried. If this is true, can I join you?"

Napandriel's eyes turned towards Gans, although his face still forward, "We can't accept you. Besides, you're still a member of the Sun of Lion Knight and have many enemies. The decision to accept is not mine."

"No problem. I don't need to be your member, I just want protection," said Gans, trying to control his horse and match its speed with Napandriel's.

"You came to the wrong place, Vatts. The Sun of Lion Knight is still feared by many. You could even use its name for protection," replied Napandriel, immediately spurring his horse to run even faster.

Gans fell silent due to Napandriel's words and also because of the speed of their horses that he couldn't catch up with.

Struggling to control his horse, Gans had to dismount and lead his horse.

After walking a few steps, Gans looked around. As far as his eyes could see, there was only an expanse of barren land, a Land of Silence.

Finally, he decided to sit down and let his horse rest beside him. He realized the bad decision he had made.

He forgot the greatness of the name of the Sun of Lion Knight, which Preta, he, and his friends had built for months. The greatness of a group's name that could defeat its enemies just with its name.

Foolishly, he left that greatness. Gans realized he intended to seek protection in the middle of this disaster, but it turned out he was leaving that protection instead.

While gazing at the empty expanse of Land of Silence, Gans slowly let his tears fall. He was sad for making his foolish decision, and he was sorrowful because fear had taken over his soul.

Alone in the Land of Silence with minimal protection and weaponry, not to mention lacking rations and water supplies. A tormenting hardship.

Now, he also didn't know which way to go. The Gerned Forest could provide him food through hunting, but he didn't know the direction of the Gerned Forest as he had fallen behind the Yaktalja group, and their tracks had been erased.

Such is the Land of Silence, a desolate land that will soon erase all signs of life, including tracks left behind, with sand and soil. A Land of Death.

In the middle of emptiness, in solitude, Gans tried to access his self-UI and log out without caring about anything. However, the first and the next attempts always failed without any signs of success, shattering his hopes.

Now, in his pure heart untouched by the dark energy from Ibusa, Gans only hoped for one thing that remained —his friends would come to help him.

In the middle of that hope, thanks to Vatts' sharp eyes, Gans saw something moving in the distance. Something that became his hope.

He immediately stood up, mounted his horse again, and now he tried to be gentler with his horse, even though the horse's run felt slow to him.

####