Civilization

I flop on the couch as I unlock my phone while Rebecca starts making breakfast. Her hair was tied in a bun while she wore a tight blue shirt and black leggings.  The smell of cooked eggs and sausages fills the room as I open the messenger app.

"I died…" - Rebecca

"I barely survived." - Evan

"I'm still in some sort of trial dimension place." - Nina

"It was tough, but we were able to defend against the various zombies that came at us." - Sam

​ "Zombies? I was fighting against skeletons." - Evan

"Me too. There was a large army of skeletons roaming near me." - Rebecca

"I was fighting against spirits or ghosts-like monsters." - Sabrina

"Wait, we were all fighting against different monsters?" - Sam

"I guess so…" - Evan

"The monsters that were near me were similar to specters, ghosts, or spirits. They were impervious to physical attacks and had to be defeated via magic. There weren't many of them, but because they could only be defeated by magic it was a tough battle. They attacked using magic as well and defending against them was hard." - Sabrina

"Interesting, the zombies I faced were made up of demi-humans, humans, and beasts with the most difficult zombie being the beasts. They moved quite fast and if any of my troops got bitten then they would turn into zombies after 10 minutes. Fighting against them was hard, but at least we were able to be fully clothed in leather armor. Their attacks were relentless, and they kept coming at us until the sun rose." - Sam

"The zombies are similar to skeletons in that remark, however, the skeletons were easy to kill. One blow on their skull and they disintegrate. The only problem was their number, it was like an ocean of skeletons wandering the earth." - Evan

"Right! I saw them from a high point and watched them come out of the ground where the pillar of light was, and it was like watching a machine churn out skeletons." - Rebecca

"I was fighting against skeletons too." - Kingston

"Kingston! What happened to you and Ian?" - Evan

"Not sure about Ian's side since we split into two separate parties but near the Krepost we were invaded from two different sides. One side had the endless army of skeletons while the other was an army of skeleton lizardmen." - Kingston

"Was there a difference between the two?" - Sabrina

"The lizardmen had weapons and armor and seemed to be able to know how to use them, whereas the normal skeletons just pushed forward aimlessly. I also had to fight against a monster called Monster in the Darkness. A small skeleton-like monster covered in a black miasma that transforms into sharp claws and could disappear." - Kingston

"Kingston, so you also faced against a skeleton that was stronger than the rest." - Ian

"Ian! Rise and shine, yea, I did. Did you end up taking care of the Bone Dragon or Wyvern or whatever it was?" - Kingston

"Yea, luckily for me, I had the Code of Hammurabi which reflected its breath attack, pretty much killing it." - Ian

"Wait, wait, wait. You killed a Bone Dragon?" - Evan

"Bone Wyvern to be exact and yea." - Ian

"This just makes my struggle worthless. HAHAHAHA!" - Sam

"So when are you going to carry me? I think I need some help over here." - Sabrina

"Wow… I missed that?" - Nina

"Unbelievable… Well, so that you know, the Krepost was able to be defended during the night and the skeletons turned to dust in the morning." - Kingston

"Was it difficult though?" - Ian

"Of course, luckily for us the Krepost can heal our injuries so long we stay within the confines." - Kingston

"This event is crazy. Not only are there different monsters depending on where we are, but there are singular monsters which are obviously a class stronger. " - Evan

"But, the loot is good." - Sam

"You got loot? All I got were bone fragments." - Evan

"I got loot too though." - Ian

"Same." - Kingston

"I died so…" - Rebecca

"Lol! Evan got nothing out of his struggle." - Sabrina

"What!?" - Evan

"I got a skill book and a sword after the whole ordeal." - Sam

"I got a skill book and a cloak." - Sabrina

"2 Bone Spears, a skill book, and a necklace called Shadow Rose." - Kingston

"I acquired 2 skill books, an orb, a knife, and a tower shield." - Ian

"What is this difference in items?! Kingston and Ian both got so many items." - Evan

"Just lucky." - Ian

"Did anyone find out more about the event?" - Sam

"Nothing. However, I do have theories." - Ian

"Same!" - Evan

"I did see that the pillars of light come out of the ground, and the monsters crawl their way out of the ground to come out." - Rebecca

"In my case, the monsters phased through the ground. However, I had a scout go toward the pillar of light after the sun rose, and they told me that there was a barrier around the pillar of light making them unable to move forward." - Sabrina

"I think that is to protect the pillar of light from invaders during the day. My theory is that each pillar of light leads toward the Reaper's territory or at least somewhere near. It acts as a portal, and that portal is constantly churning out monsters to invade other places." - Evan

"I had a similar thought since I found the door in the cave. However, I didn't expect there to be such a large army coming out of the door." - Ian

"Well, if we give it some time, I'm sure there will be more information, especially with how much is being posted right now on the forum." - Evan

"Tell us when there is an in-depth post?" - Sam

"Will do Sam!" - Evan

"Alright then, Imma get breakfast. Cya~" - Sabrina

"Same, Rebecca has already prepared it." - Ian

"Living with a beautiful girl, how lucky…" - Kingston

"The guy is luck in and out of the game." - Evan

"HAHAHAHA! Maybe I should buy a house and get all of you to move in." - Sam

"YES PLEASE! GET ME OUT OF HERE!" - Kingston

"Oh! Daddy Sam, help me pleeeease!" - Evan

"It would be fun." - Ian

"I'll look into it. Bye guys." - Sam

"Ciao!" - Evan

"Bye!" - Kingston

"Talk soon." - Ian

Closing my phone, I eat the breakfast that was prepared by Rebecca. The both of us chat for a while before going on a morning jog, coming back before midday. After a quick change of clothes, Rebecca took me shopping as the weather was getting colder. As it was my first time shopping with a girl I didn't know what to expect. I wore a simple white t-shirt with a black jacket and jeans, but when Rebecca steps outside, I saw a clear difference in fashion.

Tying her hair in a low ponytail with a sky blue ribbon, she wore a white blouse with long sleeves and a low cut tucked inside a black high-rise pleated mini skirt. Leaning against the door, she puts on black knee-high boots with a gold zipper and a small gold cross at the ankles.

"How do I look?" - Rebecca

"Uh…" - Ian

"What? Cat got your tongue? So cute. I saw you taking out a white shirt and black jacket so I thought about matching them. " - Rebecca

"You look great…" - Ian

"Thank you." - Rebecca

Like an angel, she smiles at me making me turn away in embarrassment.

"Now, then. Let's go shopping!" - Rebecca

Linking her arm with me, Rebecca pulls me along to the train station where we got on a train toward the city. Throughout the rest of the day, she pulls me around, shop after shop dressing up in different dresses, skirts, blouses, and shoes while also forcing different clothing on me. Despite my objection, I had no choice but to wear what she selected, entertaining her for the day until we got back home.

Sitting on the couch stretching her arms up, Rebecca leans her head back looking at me as I walk close to her.

"That was fun, Ian." - Rebecca

"Yeah, thank you for getting me this new jacket. I quite like it." - Ian

"Trust you to get something so plain though. It's just a simple gray jacket with a hoodie, nothing like the leather jacket or the denim one which I thought looked good on you." - Rebecca

"Right, but still I like it. Although I have a question for you." - Ian

"Sure? What is it?" - Rebecca

"Why did you want to go out in the first place? From the time I knew you, you were never the type to go out of your way to shop. You always got it delivered here." - Ian

"Can't I indulge in a little outdoor shopping spree?" - Rebecca

"I just want to know what is wrong, if there is something wrong." - Ian

"Everything is fine. I just wanted to go out with you." - Rebecca

"Then, you won't mind me asking you one more thing?" - Ian

"I don't mind." - Rebecca

"I like spending time with you, so if it is okay with you… Will, you officially become my girlfriend…?" - Ian

"You know. I was waiting for those words for a long time." - Rebecca

"Really?" - Ian

"Why else would I stay with you for so long?" - Rebecca

Grabbing my hand she pulls me down gently before placing her hands behind my neck. I bend down, gradually getting closer to her until her soft lips meet mine. A slight cherry flavor enters my mouth as I rest my hand against her cheek. Closing my eyes, I kiss her back passionately before our lips part.

"So, our first kiss was upside down?" - Rebecca

"Then, let's make our second the right way up." - Ian