Must be nice eh? to be born rich. People would try to curry your favor. People will rally over you. You can get away with pretty much everything. You could just buy anything you don't have and get everything you want.

  Meanwhile the common folk, people dont give a fck about you. People will avoid you. You have to be a good boy or you'll get in trouble with the slightest suspicion. You have to work hard for something. You have to suffer for everything.

  The option to ask my past guildmates for help was always on the table. I just wanted to avoid them as long as I could. My past guildmates in a game I used to play- Shardillica Online, are big shots in real life.

  Well that should be obvious. Whenever a new game cosmetics is released, they would have it right away. It's not cheap by any means. I was only able to meet them because I have some sort of skill, and I can kinda help maximize their performance, so they keep me around.

  On our idle talks, they would talk about expensive watches. I'm actually ignorant when it comes to that. I just searched what they would talk about and that's how I know they are expensive. I would only be able to wear them in my dreams. I find myself searching a lot of topics they talk about, and it's mostly pricey items or hobbies. I would learn a new thing or two everyday.

  They would ask permission to skip the raids because either they will go clubbing or go on a vacation to somewhere with no internet. Where the hell would be a place with no internet in this day and age? slow internet sure, But no internet? I guess I would never know. I haven't really traveled out of the country all my life.

  I am quite sure they already have a copy of Gemfall and probably know a thing or two. They can be quite obsessive with being the first in the leaderboards. If they really want, paying for some info isn't a problem for them. But if they would share it with me is another question. Not after what I did to them.

  Have you ever tried listening to your intrusive thoughts? If I did, I'd probably be rotting in prison. But I do it all the time in games. intrusive thoughts are my ingame compass.

  My past guildmates made a mistake in having me borrow the same level of item as them on a difficult raid. “We need all the help we can get,” our leader declared. That's why when I was the last surviving individual on a wipe out, I stole everyones item and bolted away.

  The dungeon is located in a lethal zone. Our game is quite hardcore. You die, you drop all your items. We pulled every “anti ganking” method we could think of. From choosing the time of entering, putting scouts by the entrance, invisibility items if somehow an enemy still managed to get in, and of course, the numbers- gankers avoid people in numbers. We brought our best items so we don't go cheap on safety measures.

  But they would never see it coming that the real enemy would come from their own. What I did was when I was the last surviving, I quit the raid group and quit the guild. That would mean in a lethal zone, they would become my enemy. Killed the remaining members as they are all in red hp. Got all the dropped items, and bolted away from the dungeon.

  They should have seen it coming after seeing my ping. Since i got a VPN to cover my tracks.

  I got an achievement for carrying a record breaking amount of loot. tantantananan~ I vividly remember the sound of it. My heart was beating so fast the whole time. I was also sweating like a pig. Sweat would be all over my mouse and keyboard.

  But in the end, all I got out of this was their anger. The items, being so expensive, I would have difficulty selling them. I refused to sell it on discount. I refused to have some wanker get it for less, not after what I went through getting it.

  So what I did is I hid it away on my alt account. I then went into hiatus on my main account. Played to my hearts content on the alt account. I made use of it thoroughly. One of the best game experiences of my life.

  But all good things never last forever. I knew eventually I had to face them for my crime. I had to face them sooner or later. Damn. I don't really want to.

  I don't even know if they really have info on Gemfall, I just got the feeling they do. Like I said, they are well connected, and are quite the gamers. I'm not sure. But I don't have any other ideas. I have to approach every option possible for me.

  So I logged in to my alt account, and sent back the stolen items on my main account. Using that account, I went to the tavern our guild used to hang out.

  I would pick my seat in the middle of the tavern, and in my peripheral vision, a familiar figure would register. Quite an iconic skin- a plague doctor mask. I know someone who wore it all the time.

  Upon seeing me, the plague doctor mask guy would suddenly vanish. I braced myself for what's coming. A minute later, all members of my past guild appeared in front of me. One by one, they surrounded me.

  They all wore endgame items. Their items emitted all sorts of special effects: fire, ice, lightning, shining lights, you name it. All eyes on the tavern are on us. Something is happening.

  A stern voice came out of nowhere.

  “You're out of luck now, Igmi. you had the nerve to come back here. You forgot your VPN by the way. You are not getting away now.”

  The moment finally came. I replied,

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I know. I never intend to run. I need your help.”

  “GET A LOAD OF THIS GUY. Maybe say you're sorry first? also give back the fcking items you stole. You fcking rat.”

  “I'm sorry. You can have your item back. Can you help me now?”

  As I put all the stolen items on the tavern table.

  “YOU BASTARD! you think you're getting away scot free? we could break into your home and break your bones one by one and get away with it. You better watch your tone, the next time you speak.

  Ahh… they're very mad. I should have put more effort into my apology.

  A cold hoarse voice spoke up.

  “This isn't enough. Give us all the items you have and all the ones in your stash.”

  I could see the members grinning wide.

  !!!!

  I would be stunned after hearing those words.

  I knew I had to pay for my crimes but not like this. Not like this. This sucked because I knew I couldn't refuse this order. It's too late to bolt out now they have my address.

  I don't mind them taking my endgame items, I could always get them back in no time but,

  I have mounts that were given for free on the first days of the game. It's very expensive right now, but that is not the point. The point is that it has sentimental value. I ride it all around the place, probably to flex, but mostly because I just feel at peace riding it. It's like wearing the shirt you have for a long time.

  I still keep the first armor I crafted around. The first food I cooked, the first fish I caught, the first potions I brewed, the first crop I harvested.

  I still keep my retired item sets throughout my journey, so I could look back at it and see how far I've come.

  I would keep the traded items from the cool people I met. I would keep the gifted items to me as a newbie. I would keep the items the newbies gave me for helping them. I would keep the quest items from storylines that I liked. I would keep all sorts of items that have good memories in them.

  I would keep the achievement items around. I would remember the time I painstakingly spent just to get them. They are proof that I could achieve things if I really wanted to.

  They will probably just throw it all away but these items are important to me. They are my diary in the game. If you take them away, a core part of me will get ripped apart. They are the witness that I had fun, the snapshots of my adventure. It's like burning your photo album.

  Damn it all.

  I should record my adventures in video format next time.

  With a heavy heart, I gave them all the items on me, and the key to my stash. I was butt naked in the middle of the tavern full of people.

  Ahh. This is the payment for my crime. Kinda brutal if you ask me. This is karma huh.

  This should be ok right? with this I paid for my crime right? I'm acquitted now, right? I should be able to ask for help now right?

  Pleased with the outcome, the guild leader would speak up.

  “Good. Now, you need help with what?”

  The leader, son of a game company CEO. I wanted to ask for his help so badly. He has well established connections to the industry. I wouldn't be surprised if they knew the people behind Gemfall.

  But somehow I got a bad feeling about this. It's just a question away. I should hurry and speak up. It's humiliating being surrounded like this. I can't wait to finally move on and leave this game behind.

  Oh.

  That's why.

  That's why I'm hesitating. These people, I have a feeling these people won't stop until they get everything from me. They said it themselves “This isnt enough”. And it's not like the items I have in my stash are worth a lot too. If I say “I'm stuck with Gemfall” and what if they don't have a copy? and I have like five of them.

  I can't escape if somehow they decide to take my copy. I need another reason. They will be suspicious if I don't say anything now. I need to say something different.

  “I want to borrow 60 bucks to buy Gemfall. Now's kinda a bad time for me. Can you help me out?”

  Upon hearing this, all the members burst out laughing. I think that went well, good job me.

  “HAHAHA Gemfall? you're never finding one at 60 bucks. Dream on. “

  Every guild member continued laughing out loud for a good amount of time.

  “You know what, since you're quite the clown, here. Take this 60. You could have sold those items you stole for waaay more than 60 bucks, but I guess you're too dumb to know that you fckng rat. Goodluck buying Gemfall with that. Hahaha.”

  “This will do. Thank you.”

  I replied.

  I think the leader sensed the irony in my words and it put him in a bad mood.

  The leader stopped laughing and wore a serious face. Every guild member will do the same.

  ‘Hmmph. What a shame. You just had to betray us.”

  Muttered the leader. He would click his tongue and teleport away.

  The other guild members followed suit.

  And just like that it would seem it's finally over. These people waste no time, they do things at their own pace. I guess I already bored them.

  I was left naked in the middle of the tavern alone. There's lots of people looking and it's embarrassing, but I had to think for some time. As if feeling pity, another player sat across from me.

  “It's just a game, why would they be so serious?”

  I can't help but smile. Yeah, just a game. But for people like us, it's the only life we have. It's serious business. I can't blame them.

  “The 60. I want it.”

  The player across me would add.

  “Sorry?”

  I was puzzled.

  “I'm saying, I will sell you Gemfall for 60 bucks”.

  I was surprised. Probably did it out of pity.

  “Sorry I...”

  I don't know what to say since I didn't think something like this would happen.

  “I actually played the game together with a friend. I didn't like it. So I went back to Shardillica.”

  “Yeah it's quite bugged at this point it's understandable.”

  “Bug? oh you mean, the controls? my friend says it's supposed to be a feature.”

  “Feature? bullshit”

  I can't help but call that one out.

  “That's what I thought too, but believe me it is. She's a beta tester for the game.”

  Upon hearing her words, my eyes would widen.

  Without wasting time I was like,

  “HERE… TAKE THIS. I DON'T WANT THE GAME. TAKE THIS 60 BUCKS, JUST LET ME MEET YOUR FRIEND.”

  But then, I apologized.

  “Sorry,.. I'm just stuck at the moment. I want to make progress in the game.”

  “You lied.”

  “Sorry?”

  I can't help but get confused.

  “You lied to the people earlier. You said you needed to borrow 60 bucks because you need to buy Gemfall, but you already have a copy.”

  “Ah… I...”

  “How do i know i can trust you, “rat”?””

  “...”

  I was speechless.

  “... Those people, …I believe those people won't stop until they take everything from me. I can't afford to let them take away my only ticket- my only ticket for a second chance at life.”

  “I won't be able to prove things to you but please…”

  I had to beg, this might be my last chance.

  After a brief silence, she then extended her hands at me. So I didn't waste time. I handed her the 60 bucks right away.

  “Her name is Calie, she works at a beta testing company. We played together earlier, but I didn't liked my stay so I left her. She's probably mad at me and would probably be even more mad that I sold her out for 60 bucks.”

  “We should meet up tomorrow, I'll invite her. I had to apologize to her either way. And you, yes you! you are treating us both, got it?”

  she added.

  I nod. Finally, I'm moving on. This might be my only chance, I'm not letting this get away. So I went ahead and grabbed it.

  I apologize in advance, my piggy bank. Your sacrifice won't be in vain.