Midel's POV
Days had passed. And I'm yet not fully recovering through these changes. Losing a comrade in a battlefield was almost like losing shields in a gunfight. Now I am good without a manager. I did survived being a secret player for at least a year or two without anyone's help.
But Mr. Douglas' influence was different. He was not just any kind of a manager, he is also a great mentor and a father to me. I've made decisions in the past that made me regret it, I almost hanged myself in frustration. But thanks to him, I didn't totally drown in this madness. If only I could give him more than just a goodbye and an apology. I would have done better.
But now, everything went back to where it started. I'm always working alone and looks like this is what I'm supposed to do all the way to the end. Imagining if I could really accomplish what I want without someone's help.
"Here's your order, sir! Have a nice day!"
After receiving my food, I walked by the near table on the second floor of the City Mall and begun eating. Soon as I was taking a bite of the chicken's wing, a group of students enthusiastically gossips behind me as they walked by.
"Is that really true?"
"You didn't watch the news last night, didn't you? It's all over the world, dude. Lazarus' bounty just went up to 8 million last night."
"Wow! That's a lot of money."
"Exactly! Like, how could they put a bounty on an unknown player like he's a criminal or something."
"We don't even know if that player's a guy or not. Everybody's totally clueless..."
They're already out of my ear's reach so I quickly opened my browsing app. I need to confirm what I just heard and as soon as I read the latest news online, I sighed. I stared at my food and it almost made me lose my appetite.
How could they waste money just like that? Putting bounty on my head, what am I to them, huh? All I did was to be exclusive. Didn't know it was already a crime at this point of time.
"They're just wasting money for that kind of thing." I couldn't help but whisper. Went back to the counter and asked for a packaging instead.
As soon as I was about to go out. "Hey!" Someone called for me from behind. I turned and looked at this man approaching me.
I advertently looked around, making sure I was not just embarrassing myself if I'm not the one he was calling to. "Do I know you?" I finally asked, as soon as he stopped right infront of me. Surely, he is referring to me.
He is one of those smiley kind of people. Round eyeglasses and a butterfly hairstyle. A bit shorter than me but surely, he's matured enough and I'm not doubting my observation skill about his age. Probably younger than me. But what am I saying already? I don't even know what he wants.
He then extended his right hand to me. The other was hidden inside his pant's pocket. "You're Midel Gray, right? I'm Ceil, by the way. Ceil Banner at your service!"
I squint my eyes on how brightful his personality is. Like how the heck was he so enthusiastically introducing himself at a stranger like me? Wait. He just told me my name so that means he knew me.
To avoid being rude, I accepted his hand for a handshake. "Sorry but, how did you know my name?" I'm not wearing an I.D. or anything that may become a reason of him knowing my name in just a glance or a distance.
"Oh, sorry. First of all, I'm not a stalker or anything. I hoped I didn't frightened you."
"You didn't. I'm just curious." It's strange how he got so close at talking to me like we are long time friend when in the first place, that handshake was the first time I did to this guy.
"Can we take a sit before I explain?"
"Sure."
After settling in a side. Away from most of the walking crowds. He cleared his throat before talking. His smile was still visible while doing it. "Uhm. How do I begin with this?"
I'm really curious of what this guy is doing here. But he's somehow intriguing at a strange vibe and I kinda want to know his true purpose of approaching me.
"First of all," and this time, his smile faded as his face turned into a serious stare. "I want you to know that I am Laila's friend."
"Wait. You know Laila?"
He nodded. "After her death, I couldn't attend to her funeral because I'm away from the city. And I am deeply sorry of what happened to her."
"Thank you. What do you actually want from me, Ceil?"
"You don't recognize me, do you?" His smile returned as soon as he asked me that.
That made me think for a second before shaking my head. "Not sure if I do. No. Should I?"
"My IGN is BunnyB. I'm popular in some streaming channels but since you said you don't know me, that's okay."
I stared at him. "Okay? Then what are you really up to, BunnyB?"
He leaned his back on the chair. "Honestly. Since Laila's death happened. I still can't get over it."
I clenched my hands secretly. Maintaining eye contact. "What do you mean?"
He was silent for a little while before answering. "You're still blaming those players even at this very moment, am I right?"
"Why would you even care?"
"I'm her friend."
"And I'm the brother, Ceil. You don't have to do that." I shook my head. Trying to stop him from what he is doing.
"I actually have a dream... a dream that could make me stop feeling guilty about what she went through that day. I want to be at the top. I want to feel the throne of being the strongest of them all where all those savage players could see me."
"You're not at fault here, Ceil. It's never your concern. Unless you're one of those guys in the incident then that might take a huge turn on this conversation." I sounded threatening. But he never felt afraid about it.
He stared at me. "You're also a player, right?"
"Sort of."
"Then you'll understand me."
"Not sure If I will." I don't know how this conversation is going to. I badly want to go already. "It's nice meeting you, Ceil. But I have to go now."
He also stood up the same time as I did. "If you want me to help. You can always reach me anytime. Just don't hesitate." He handed me a phone number by piece of paper. How prepared was he before we had this conversation?
After that encounter.
I really struggled to attend tournaments because of how the people meticulously stares at every players who wants to attend an event. I couldn't afford to create a dummy acount so I've been on a hiatus for at least three weeks.
The news never heard from me in the time.
Until I decided to call him. After so many considerations, doubts, and worries. "I need your help." I finally said it. "I want to reach the top. Like you."
"Took you long enough. But no problem, I got you this time, Midel." He said through the phone call.
I sighed heavily. I couldn't sit nor maintain standing in one spot inside my room. "Look... Ceil. Before everything. I need to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"... I'm Lazarus."
After a short silence. I then heard him chuckle on the other line.
"I know. I already know who you are."