The Players stood after the message appeared, leaving the lounge and making a ruckus while doing so.
The members of Black Arrow walked by Isaac and Marvin's group, bidding farewells as they passed. It didn't take long before Black Arrow's members strode out of sight, their green robes fluttering behind them.
Isaac stood up alongside Marvin and the rest. They waited for a larger crowd to leave and filtered in behind them, blending in with their numbers.
Niko turned to the white-haired man and asked a question, ''Isaac, I heard some players talking about your head being severed. Why didn't you die?''
Marvin also had the same question but assumed it was another skill in White Online and didn't really care to dig deeper into it.
Niko, however, realized how valuable such a skill would be! Everyone would be vying for it if there was a chance to learn it!
''It's a skill of mine,'' Isaac whispered, trying to avoid prying ears. ''However, it's not as overpowered as that battle made it seem.''
''Hmm,'' Niko pondered for a moment and came to a realization. ''Is it Legacy skill?''
The group collectively turned their heads to Isaac, and they saw him slowly nodding his head.
''Damn!'' Lionel exclaimed, ''That is insane!''
Ins sighed and looked at his cane, ''I want Legacy too. I'm tired of being a healer, fuck!''
''Shut up, you will be a good little puppy and act as our support!'' Niko grinned and rubbed Ins' head.
''Fuck off!'' Ins slapped the Niko's hand away and harrumphed with anger.
Marvin rolled his eyes, ''Ah, right. Hoods, everyone!''
As if it had been practiced, they covered their faces with hoods in the same instant. Their delinquent figures were suddenly shrouded in mystery.
Isaac scratched his cheek, ''I see now.''
''You saw nothing,'' Marvin said while threatening to poke his eyes with hand signals. Isaac zipped his lips shut and flashed him an OK sign.
Soon, they reached the end of the corridor and saw an endless line of NPCs and Players exiting the Colosseum.
However, the Players who wanted to become Gladiators had a separate exit, allowing them to leave unhindered.
Their group also took that exit and soon left the Colosseum behind.
After swimming through the endless waves of people, they reached the streets and quickly separated themselves from the crowd.
''Fucking hell,'' Marvin glanced behind him and clicked his tongue, ''Tch, they could have at least given a warning signal before closing Colosseum. Look at this mess!''
Niko shrugged, ''Well, they must not have taken to account that literally the whole player base was going to visit the Colosseum.''
''That's true,'' Marvin noticed another building in the distance that was crowding with Players who were leaving the Colosseum.
''Is that the… World Bank?'' He looked at Isaac, who nodded in confirmation.
''Hmm, should we rob it?'' Lionel suggested. However, received a chop in the head from Marvin.
''Did you forget that we were trying to be lowkey?!''
Lionel rubbed his head and chuckled, ''It's fine as long we don't get caught.''
Ins, Derek, and Niko also started thinking about it, making Marvin sigh in resignation.
''If you are going to rob it…'' Isaac glanced at them and shrugged. ''Don't steal mine.''
''Ok.'' Lionel grinned and glanced at the building made of gold and white marble. ''One day…''
After jumping through a few alleyways, they left the streets and reached the grounds of a pleasant coffee shop. The shop's interior was crowded with tired NPCs who had dried throats after many minutes of shouting and screaming.
Isaac and the rest took a seat at a round table that was placed neatly in front of the shop. It didn't take long for a waitress to come from the shop with disheveled hair after pushing through the clustered crowd of people.
She saw that one of the tables was full and walked toward them; however, the closer she got to the group, the more fearful she became.
The hooded figures looked far from friendly, and in her eyes, she thought she noticed a piercing red light emanating from their eyes.
The clipboard in her hand trembled, and she wanted to turn around and hide in the shop, but she'd already reached the table without her realizing it.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
''Six coffees, plain,'' Isaac remembered that everyone had the same taste in coffee. Plain, without any extra caffeine, and no fancy flavors.
The waitress shakily nodded and returned to the shop with hurried steps.
Marvin looked around him and saw that there were no guards in sight. However, the longer they stayed, the more dangerous it became.
''We have to leave once we've finished drinking,'' He spoke softly.
Isaac nodded and glanced inside the store, where the waitress was already holding a serving platter with six cups.
'Way more efficient than any shop in real life,' He mused.
''Alright…'' Isaac sighed and said. ''I have to log out soon anyway.''
''Is everything alright there?'' Marvin asked.
Isaac nodded, ''Everything is good. They really act like they want to fix our strained relationship.''
''You have that effect on people,'' Marvin turned his gaze toward the waitress, who appeared and quickly placed the cups on the table before scurrying back into the store.
He grabbed one of the cups and took a sip.
They drank in relative silence, trying to enjoy the taste.
However, the tiny cups couldn't quench their thirst before it was time for them to part ways.
Marvin stood up and gave Isaac a firm pat on the shoulder, ''Take care. We might not be able to see you before you return to Snowstar.''
Isaac nodded, and when his big brother and friends were about to leave, he remembered something.
''Wait!'' He opened his Interface and sent over five friend requests.
Marvin and his friends saw the message pop up in front of them, and without further ado, they accepted and left after bidding their farewells.
Isaac watched them leave and saw them being just as loud and chaotic as before. A chuckle escaped his mouth.
''Lowkey… I need to escort them to a dictionary and point out what it actually means,'' With another laugh, he left the yard and walked toward the neighborhood.
After walking for half an hour, enjoying the fresh air and calm atmosphere, he reached the neighborhood's gates.
Without any hiccups, he entered and soon reached his rented house.
He grabbed the silver key from his Inventory and pushed it into the keyhole. He twisted and watched as the door opened.
He entered the door and saw the dimly lit kitchen and living room.
No sound reached his ears, and the shoe rack was empty.
''She's not here…'' He mumbled, and after making sure that the door was properly locked, he said aloud ''Interface.''
The holographic screen popped out of thin air.
''Whew…'' This exhausting gaming session was done, and only one thing was left to do.
To press [Log Out]
Once his finger touched it, he felt his consciousness transfer from one place to another.
His figure turned into floating particles, leaving no traces of him ever existing. Only the memories he'd made in Colosseum.
Memories that everyone who had witnessed his victory would remember...
Forever.
