Adventure World Online (AWO)

After enjoying their meal leisurely—since there was no way they could leave the restaurant until the lunch break was over—Chang and her friends stayed and chatted in the VIP room of Kaew Fah Restaurant for a while. The office ladies, disappointed they could not get close to or get autographs from the group they mistook for celebrities, eventually left the restaurant one by one to return to work.

"Do either of you play Adventure World Online?"

Mon asked eagerly, seizing the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Chang and Moddang, not knowing what else to talk about.

"Moddang doesn't play games at all, but the young miss does. Although, I don't remember what game it is,"

Moddang answered shyly.

"Chang, what game do you play? Is it Adventure World Online by any chance?"

Mon turned to Chang, his excitement mirrored in the faces of Es and Id. Hearing that Chang played games made them instantly think of Chang Long.

"Uh-huh, but I haven't been playing for very long,"

Chang replied nonchalantly.

"We play too. What's your name in the game? We should exchange names and add friends. We've been playing for ages, so we could help you out!"

Mon said grinning widely. Secretly, he thought this was the perfect way to confirm if Chang and Chang Long were the same person.

"No, thanks. I don't like dealing with too many people—it's exhausting,"

Chang replied coldly, leaving the three guys with awkward smiles. Even the bodyguards, who had been curious about their young miss's in-game profession and skills, looked a bit disappointed.

"Wow, what a response, cheeky. You know, we're your friends. Plus, we helped you escape those kidnappers. You can't even tell us your in-game name, seriously!"

Mon complained, feeling miffed at her dismissive tone.

"I just don't want to be hounded both in and out of the game. I finally found a place where I can feel comfortable and not have to constantly be on guard while walking around. You should understand that, especially after what we went through that day,"

Chang replied in a steady voice.

"Young Miss…"

Moddang looked at Chang with sympathy, fully understanding her feelings. The three guys, on the other hand, were momentarily taken aback, realizing they had not considered her perspective. They had been too focused on their desire to find out if Chang and Chang Long were the same person.

"Sorry, we didn't think about that…"

Id quickly apologized on behalf of Mon, who seemed at a loss for words.

"Yeah, sorry, Chang,"

Mon mumbled softly. Es nodded silently.

"Never mind. If anyone's to blame, it's me—for being born the daughter of a billionaire like Pichaya Rattanaruangrit," Chang replied with a tinge of sadness. As soon as she finished speaking, her phone rang.

Ding ding!

"Dad…"

Chang answered the call.

"Chang, have you finished giving your statement? It's been such a long time,"

Pichaya asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I'm done, Dad. We stopped by for something to eat first. We're heading back now,"

Chang replied.

"Alright, come back soon, Chang. By the way, I need to head to Japan again. Is there anything you'd like me to bring back?"

"A big maguro fish, maybe. So, you're leaving already?"

Chang asked with a hint of annoyance, as her father was rarely ever home.

"Yes, Aunt Im is helping me pack right now. If you get home and I'm not there, give me a call, okay? It'll put my mind at ease."

"Uh-huh, got it."

Chang replied and hung up the call.

"We should head back now. My dad's about to leave for Japan, and besides, we've been sitting here long enough," Chang told her friends. Id glanced at the phone in her hand but said nothing. Noticing his gaze, Chang suddenly remembered how she had not answered his call earlier.

"What's your number? I'll save it."

Chang asked him. He looked a bit startled by the question.

"Huh, my number?"

"Yeah. That way, I'll know it's you next time you call. Otherwise, I might think it's one of those weirdo prank callers. Unless you like being mistaken for a creep?"

Chang tilted her head in mock suspicion, half-jokingly wondering if he might actually be one.

"Are you nuts? I'm not a creep. Hand over your phone—I'll save my number. If I leave it to you, you might save it under something weird."

Chang chuckled and handed over her phone without protest. Within moments, he had saved his number.

"What name did you save it under?" Chang asked as she took her phone back.

"Idsara,"

Id replied evenly.

"Wow, your actual name? Why not throw in your last name too and make it super formal?"

Chang teased, prompting laughter from her friends.

"I thought about it, but then I figured you'd tease me even more if I did."

Id replied with a smile.

Afterward, Chang and her friends made their way back to the police station's parking lot to head home. She felt surprisingly cheerful after chatting with Id and the others. It had been a long time since she had friends around her like this. Being naturally introverted and prone to keeping to herself, coupled with her infamous record as the most frequently kidnapped person in Thailand, it was no surprise that she rarely ventured far from home. Whenever she did go out, it was always with a protective entourage. Although kidnapping attempts had lessened in recent years, the recent incident reminded her that she would continue to face this danger until the main culprit was caught.

When she got home, Chang found that her father had already left. She called him as promised and then spent the rest of the day diving into game research. Most of the information she came across was standard and familiar to regular players. However, Chang discovered that a few tidbits she learnt was something the system had not publicly announced—things most players were still unaware of. She browsed forums where gamers posted articles and shared insights about the game, for other gamers.

Chang had been watching content about the Seven Pirate Kings and the grand showdown that was set to determine the ultimate ruler among them once all seven heirs had emerged. It was shaping up to be one of the most significant events in the game. From what Chang knew, three of the heirs were Siegfried, Demos, and a friend of Duncan's—someone she speculated to be one. As for the others, she had no clue. Still, she hoped that by the time the seventh heir appeared, she would have grown much stronger than she is now.

With nothing else to hold her interest, Chang shut down her computer. She picked up a book, lay down on her bed, and began to read while waiting for the game system to finish updating its new patch. At some point, without realizing it, she drifted off to sleep.

…..

In a vast open field, Chang found herself facing Siegfried, Demos, and the other heirs of the Pirate Kings, whose faces were obscured in shadowy silhouettes. Looking down, she saw in her hand a long silver sword with a skull-and-wings guard. Siegfried drew his Caduceus from its sheath, while Demos bared his claws with a wicked grin, stepping toward her slowly.

"It's time to settle this. Do you know how long I've been waiting for this day!"

Chang stared at Demos intently. Despite holding a sword, it felt so unbearably heavy that she could not lift her arm. Large beads of sweat formed on her face as Demos drew closer. She tried to step back, only to find herself rooted in place, unable to move.

"I think it's time we decided this once and for all. Forget our friendship for a moment—let's fight to see who's stronger."

Siegfried said, flashing her a wide smile. Like Demos, he moved toward her, followed by the indistinct figures of the other heirs.

Demos suddenly lashed out at her with his sharp claws. Chang raised her sword to block, but its weight made it feel nearly impossible. Summoning all her might, she managed to deflect the attack. Before she could catch her breath, Siegfried lunged at her with blinding speed. She had tried to evade, but her movement was as slow as a crawling turtle. Siegfried's sword slashed into her side, and blood seeped from the wound as Chang crumpled to the ground, clutching her injury. When she looked up, all the heirs had encircled her, preparing to attack in unison.

Closing her eyes, Chang braced herself for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The anticipated blow from the heirs of Pirate Kings never came. The emotionless voice of Demos faded into silence. Instead, she felt the warm touch of a hand on her cheek. puzzled, she opened her eyes.

"You!"

Chang gasped in shock. The open field and the Pirate King heirs had vanished. She was now by a tranquil lake under the soft glow of the setting sun. Standing beside her was a stranger—a man she recognized from earlier in the day.

"You're so clumsy. Be more careful next time."

The stranger smiled warmly as he steadied Chang in his arms. She stared at him wide-eyed, too stunned to speak. How did he end up here? And why was he holding her like this? Truthfully, Chang had no idea why she was in this unfamiliar place with a stranger who somehow felt oddly familiar.

"Daydreaming like this and you might fall into the lake. I really can't take my eyes off you, can I?"

"Huh?"

"Alright, I'm letting go now. Stand up straight, okay?"

The man said. Chang, still dazed, found herself tilting precariously, as though she might fall the moment he released her.

"How did you get here?"

She managed to ask once her wits returned.

"I'm here to look after you. But I should get going now. And you—don't zone out while walking again, okay?"

he replied, releasing her gently. White mist began to envelop the area, making it hard to see as she tried to call for him.

Thud!!

"Oww..."

Chang groaned in pain as she sat up groggily and looked around in confusion. She was back in her bedroom, but something was off. Before she fell asleep, she had been lying on her bed. Now, she was on the floor beside it, the heavy book she had been reading to stave of the drowsiness was lying nearby.

"It must've been you pressing on my arm, making it too heavy to lift the sword,"

she scolded the book, narrowing her eyes at it. Rising, she headed to the bathroom to wash her face. As she exited, the game console emitted a notification—it had completed the new patch update.

Chang thought back to her unsettling dream, where the heirs of the Pirate Kings ganged up on her while she was powerless to fight back. Even Siegfried, whom she firmly believed would never turn his sword against her, was one of them. Of course, that was how a showdown would have to be. If Siegfried held back, it would not count as a real duel. The only way to ensure she would not become prey like in her nightmare was to train harder. She was in the perfect place for it too—the Wu Ming's Secret Training Ground. She had to make the most of her time there.

"Just you wait, Demos. Showing up to torment me in my dreams? I won't let you get away with it,"

she muttered, determined. Then she headed to the game console, reclined on the setup, and let the system take her back into the world of adventure.

.....

The in-game world post-update looked much the same, except for the new bank logos, which prominently displayed the real-world banks that had partnered with the game. Most players logging in right after the update were guild members eager to claim special territories. These guilds quickly assembled online members for meetings and sent out scouts to locate the special territories, which turned out to be easier to spot than expected. These territories stood out as large fortresses, towering over ten meters tall, with AI soldiers patrolling the premises with strict vigilance.

It was truly surprising that the second-largest guild in Adventure World Online, the Dark Horse Guild, showed no sign of participating in the scramble for special territories like other major guilds. Its leader, Aswa, not only issued no orders regarding the special territories but also disappeared without a trace. Many speculated that he had to have prioritized his focus to the Pirate King's hidden tomb.

Most players were shocked by the rise in in-game item prices. Although the increase was not substantial, it was widely believed to be related to the new feature allowing in-game currency to be exchanged for real money. Independent players mostly turned their attention to mining areas, which were expected to be limited to two or three per island. It was anticipated that once wars for special territories began, the demand for resources would skyrocket—especially for ores and essential construction materials. Moreover, the banks introduced two new types of real estate for players to purchase: sawmills and smelters, both of which came with exorbitant price tags.

While other players were captivated by the game's updates and in-game changes, Chang Long found herself back in a dark, sunless place. She stood in pitch-black darkness, surrounded by something moving. Whatever it was, it seemed enraged and consumed with a desire to kill her. It took Chang Long a moment to piece together what was happening. As she tried to recollect her thoughts, a rock was hurled at her, hitting her squarely on the head.

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