Can't believe it has been over 6 month since the 1st chapter of this fanfic! Thank you all for all the views and lovely reviews. Here is a new drawing for the title girl: bunnymaid/art/The-White-Robed-Witch-Take-2-753426992
(Sorry. I never figured out how to put links successfully on FF. If someone knows how leave it in a review thanks.)
Edit: A lovely reader pointed out a plot hole in this chapter. So a small line of the chapter was edited to fill the hole. To clarify things, the White Robed Witched is still only level 74 at the end of this chapter. I just took out the part where Naomi was able to equip the new level 75 gears. No other changes were made. Sorry for the inconsistency. Oops on my part.
Christmas was always a festive time of the year. Colored lights decorated the street lamps and winter themed stickers on every shop window. With the pale snow falling every so gently down the sky, the scene was picture perfect. However, this picturesque scene was wasted on someone like me. On this Christmas day, I didn't go out with friend; I didn't go visit family; I didn't go anywhere.
I spend most of my day locked away in my little apartment, playing Glory. You are probably laughing at me for being antisocial. But there was only three days for the Christmas event! For this year's Christmas Event, Glory designed a stocking collecting event that will last 3 days. A player can only accept the Christmas quest from the Christmas Event NPC in town up to three times in a day. Is it me or was Glory obsessed with the number 3 for some reason?
Anyways, the player can accept the quest in the single player or a group ranking. However, once you choose one of the two categories, you had to stick with that for all of the 3 event days. You can't change your mind halfway through.
Breaking the rankings down more, all the players were separated by levels. For example, all the level 75 characters were in a ranking, level 70 to 74 characters were in a different ranking, level 65 to 69, and so on so forth. Level 70 to 74 was where I fell. After the initial three levels ups I managed to get from my days off, I haven't able to break through to the next level after that. I was currently stuck at level 73 at 75%. I hoped that in the Christmas Event, I would earn some experience books that would push me closer to level 75. Any useful equipment, skill point books, and rare materials would be a nice bonus too, of course. Anything I can't use, I'm sure Ye Xiu would take like a recycle plant.
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I took my time reading through the event description again while logging into the game to make sure I understood the rules correctly. I worked for the company doesn't mean I know all the details about the game and the events. I also looked at the ranking boards ahead of time, it seemed like Happy and most of the troublesome elite members from the different club guilds were all fighting over each other in the level 75 ranking. I was glad that I didn't have to fight with anyone from Happy.
Just as I was stocking up on supplies for my first Christmas event run, three notification popped up on TV one after another.
[Congratulations to Lord Grim and Steamed Bun Invasion for achieving a grand slam in the Christmas event.]
[Player Lord Grim has achieved a grand slam in the Christmas event and has been rewarded: Apocalypse Star.]
[Player Steamed Bun has achieved a grand slam in the Christmas event and has been rewarded: Sundering Apocalypse.]
[What's a grand slam?] I quickly messaged Ye Xiu after seeing the TV.
[When you collect all 20 stocking on the map.]
Would it be possible for me to collecting all 20 stocking? Probably not. I wasn't currently in any guild and didn't have many close online friends. Forming a team for the event was out of the question. Playing in the individual round meant it was 1 vs 49 players for 20 stocking. The chances would be very slim, but that didn't mean I wouldn't try.
[At least try to make it on the rankings, you will probably at least get something decent then.] Ye Xiu send me a message almost like he read my mind. He didn't seem to have any hope of me achieving a Grand Slam at all either.
[Okay. Thanks.] I replied to him before heading into my first run.
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When I accepted the quest from the event NPC, the White Robed Witch was dropped into a snowy field. The sunlight was a bit strong on this map, making the snow covered map almost too bright.
I was delight to find my character's outfit easily blended into the surrounding. If you don't look closely, you might not see her in a glance. I was still cautious though, I had my character hide behind a bush when the round started. It was a good thing because many players passed by the bush I hide myself behind. Many of them weren't even too interested in the event anymore when they saw my name in this round's grouping. Many of them were just running around looking for me and pick a fight with me for fun.
After 10 minutes into the round, 15 stocking had shown up so far. My luck was good and saw someone picked up a stocking and followed them silently around the map. Instead of carrying any stocking myself, I used this random player as my stocking backpack. I would silently kill off any player nearby and dropped any stocking I found for this random player to carry. If this player was killed off by someone else, I would following the other person and use the same strategy until they were killed by someone else. When the final countdown started, my current target carried 12 stocking. He probably thought his luck was great until I ambushed him from behind a tree and pocketed the 12 stocking in my own bag. After that, I hid well until the 120 second timer ended.
The next two rounds, I repeated the same strategy. Because the event map was randomly chosen each time, some maps were harder for me to hide in than others. One thing didn't change in any of the round was the excitement of the players when they saw the White Robed Witch in their grouping. Many of them wanted to compare notes, others just wanted to see my character in person, and some even wanted to help me in the event.
Some of the normal players actually came and offered me their stockings because they respected me for competing against the pro despite my normal player background. To them, I represented the normal players in the pro scene.
I wasn't backed by any club and didn't have someone to power level my account for me. Each level was something I grind for step by step just like the rest of them. I needed the prizes from this event to help level my character. Many of them respected the amount of work I put into the game while working a regular Monday to Friday job. I was the Goddess of the normal players, some called me. Little by little, the word started to spread. With the help of everyone in the second and third round, I obtained a high number of stocking of 14 and 17 in those round.
Most people in the individual ranking in my level bracket had a stocking count of 18 after three rounds. After I completed my three rounds for the day, my stocking count stop way ahead of the rest of the individual. 43 stocking on the first day. That was the highest number for an individual across all the level brackets.
[Not bad for the first day.] Ye Xiu send a QQ message when I had already logged off the game.
I had the day off, but I still had other things to do. For one, I still had to finish the drawing of Flowing Cloud for little Lu as promised. Also, I had a feeling Trouble Rain from Blue Rain would be next in the figure line. I might as well do some homework before then.
[I had a lot of help.] I made a mental note to post a public thank you on my Weibo for all the help I received.
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For the next two days, I played my daily three rounds after work. Again and again, I received help from many players in game. I even achieved Grand Slam once. I got a nice level 75 ring that had +10% Magic Attack and +2 Cast Speed. Which was a nice upgrade from my +6% Magic Attack and + 1 Cast Speed level 65 ring.
After the three day Christmas event, the White Robed Witch stood at the top of the level 70-74 individual ranking as the undisputed number one. The number of stocking difference between the White Robed Witch and the number two character was over 50 stockings. Feeling so grateful to everyone, I posted a illustration of the White Robed Witch dressed in a Christmas outfit putting presents in stockings that hang over a fireplace, and typed an official thanks to everyone who helped.
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When both the clock hands came together on 12:00, it was the end of the 12/27 and beginning of 12/28. This also signaled the official end of the Christmas battles and beginning of present opening! With over 130 stocking to open, I put the item on a hot key and started to click through as fast as I could. Even constantly clicking on the item, it still took me over a minute to open all the items, and I couldn't tell you how many times I made it on TV because I was clicking through the stockings so fast.
The constant notifications of rare items flashed on TV showed that many other people were tearing through their own stockings at this time. I caught glimpses of Happy member's names once in a while too. By the end of the stocking opening session, the White Robed Witch level up to level 74. I also gained two very rare 20 point skill books which I applied immediately.
[Did you get anything good?] Ye Xiu came to ask after he finished opening presents on his own accounts.
[A lot of materials and equipment that I don't need. You want them?] I offered the items up easily. I had no use for them and they would take up space in my storage.
[Of course. Give them to Chen Guo later. What did you get for your ranking rewards?]
[An orange, level 75 mage belt. +10% Debuff Resistance, Magic Defense, and Magic Attack.]
[Your luck isn't bad.]
[Thanks. Your side?] I asked.
[Our luck was good too. Got a lot of useful things.]
[I'm heading off for my match tomorrow.] I bid Ye Xiu goodnight since it was already past midnight. Lack of sleep would definitely affect my performance tomorrow. At least it was a 'home' game in City B against Royal Style. I didn't have to worry about traveling and sleeping in hotels; I slept the best in my own bed.
I looked at level 75 orange accessories I got from stockings before heading to bed with a big smile. Although I was only level 74 currently still, I was still excited by the new equipment. Thinking about the increase in damage, I fell asleep happily.
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Lady Fortune was a fickle mistress. One second she could shower you with a loving smile, and the next she could completely abandon you. When I woke up on Saturday and prepared for my match tonight, my world was turned upside down by a random person posting on my Weibo.
[Naomi is a despicable woman who abandoned love for career.] User: XxSilencexX213 posted at 12/28 11:34AM. Everything snowballed from that point.
Lin contacted me 30 minutes after this post. Many eNews have already reached out to many employees of Glory Co. to get more gossips. By the time it had came to my attention, it was already seen by thousands of people, commented on over a few hundred times, resposted to many other places, and caught the attention of the whole Glory circle. Fans split into different groups and argued with each other. Some believe the rumor, some didn't, and the rest didn't know what to think.
The post was made without any evidence, and was completely wrong. True or not, this was the internet; once something gets out, it can't be taken back ever again. The damage cannot ever be undone. There would forever be a trace of this event.
As if the whole overseas department had found out, everyone came with me to my match. Tonight I was welcome with boo's and things tossed at me when I entered the stage. I won my match, but I was still booed off the stage.
"Naomi. Do you have anything to say about the rumors online?" The host took the chance to ask after the match.
"Like you said it's only a rumor. What is there more for me to say?" I said a bit coldly before leaving the stage.
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Oddly enough, I was calm through the whole thing. I was like the eye of a storm. The storm brewing around me didn't affect me. Maybe it was because I knew that rumor wasn't sure. Maybe the pain was too much so I numbed myself. Maybe I had already given up.
"Naomi?" Yu WenZhou checked on me when I stepped off the stage.
"Naomi, are you okay?" Even Huang ShaoTian didn't say too many words tonight when I walked past him.
"Naomi?" Many other voices asked and overlapped with each other, but I walked past them towards the exit.
"I'm okay because I know the truth." I said to everyone, and also to comfort myself at the same time. "I'm okay." I repeated and tried to smile.
I don't know what kind of expression I had on my face, probably something really tragic. Unknowingly, tears of frustration and sadness I have been trying to keep down blurred my vision. One drop leaked out, then the rest just flowed freely down my face. Everyone looked worried at me. Many people moved towards me, but I stepped back to avoid any physical interactions like it would burn me.
"I'm okay." My voice cracked and ran out of the stadium.
No one there was convinced by my words.
Around the same time as the match that night, a reporter from a smaller Glory eNews publication came out and said that from a unname, but trustworthy source, they found out Naomi, the young sculptor behind the Glory figures and owner of the White Robed Witch, had ditched her fiance for overseas job opportunity and fame. Naomi denies the claim during her match. Glory Co. refuse to comment at the moment.
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People who couldn't come physically, send a message of concern. People could visit all came to see me at my apartment one after another. Lin and everyone in the department came first. Yu WenZhou and Huang ShaoTian rushed over after their match interview. I refused to see any of them; I felt bad but I really couldn't face any of them at the moment.
[How dare you not opening the door when we visit. Do you know how much money I make for one match? Making me waste my time on you. Ungrateful!] Huang ShaoTian complained to me on QQ later.
Wang JieXi and Gao YingJie came the day after on behalf of the whole team. I didn't plan to let them in either, but...
[Shame. I brought a bucket of KFC fried chicken along.] Wang JieXi messaged me when I didn't answer the door.
You could guess how fast that door opened after I saw that message. It wasn't too convenient for me to buy my own food at the moment, especially at busy places like fast food places. The three of us had dinner together and talked for littled. It was nice to see Little Gao again. He was definitely a good hugging buddy substitute for YiFan. The two were around the same height and body size. By end of the night, I had a feeling that Little Gao was looking at his captain with a pleading look to rescue him from my clutches.
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The following Monday, I received a letter from Glory Co. on my desk saying I was let go immediately due to my negative publicity affecting the company, and I needed to move out of the apartment by Mon, Jan 6th. After Project Desert Dust's pre-order, I would receive my last paycheck from the company, and we would end all ties then. Glory Pro Alliance also notified me that my appearance at All-Star Weekend was cancelled, and the rest of the invitation matches were on hold until further notice; a.k.a cancelled.
I turned in my company phone and packed up the little belongs I had accrued at work in a cardbox and left with the termination letter in hand. Everyone at the small office, along with YueHua, bought me a cake and a personal Iphone on my last day.
"This is from all of us." YueHua handed me the boxed phone. "We already put our contact in there for you."
"You did good work here." Sam said as he took a bite into the Tiramisu cake. The bitterness of the strong coffee in the cake reflected everyone's current mood.
"This is so unfair." Jin voiced his thought.
"Good luck." Aiko added.
"Keep in touch." Lin let out a deep sigh.
"Contact me if you ever need beauty tips." YueHua tried to smile in the tough times.
"When the truth comes out, everyone will regret it." Kazumi was the only one in the group knew my story. I could tell the way she was acting, she was mad for me. She glared at her fork like she could bend it with her mind if she wanted to.
After eating cake, I bid everyone goodbye and left with my box of things. I walked down the same hallway of the company one final time. When I was leaving, I couldn't help but to feel sad that I would never return here again.
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New post on Naomi's Weibo: [I have left Glory Co. Thank you all for your support for the past year.] 12/30 11:11PM
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Naomi's Weibo has been deactivated on 12/30 11:25PM.
To Deer-Silence: I wish YiFan would play cupid for Naomi, would make things easier for me to write in the future.
To Guest: Sorry I'm still undecided...I'd like to join the betting pool too when it happens!
To linear salo: There is a fine line between friendship and rivals. Or I think that's how that goes.
To Rosy Fire: Welcome back to my story! So lovely to hear from you again. Thank you so much for taking the time for reading and reviewing all the past chapters! Some of those reviews really cracked me up and made my day :)
