Hello!!! This year I just turned 24. I can say that starting to get acquainted with online games at the age of 20 is considered late, right? Either I lack talent in this area, or I just didn’t have much exposure, so I’m not keeping up. Perhaps that’s why my gaming journey hasn’t been a bed of roses. From the moment I downloaded the game, I was on the wrong game website. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache. I sat there playing for a whole session, and only after being guided by a master did I realize I was in the wrong game; otherwise, I would still be grinding without knowing when. I am extremely, extremely bad at gaming…
Time has flown by, and it’s been 3 years and 4 months since I ventured into this virtual world. This can be considered a major turning point in my life. From someone who only cared about studying and had no interest in games, to learning to play and completely changing my attitude towards online gaming. Basically, I was overwhelmed by one word… BEAUTIFUL.
Let me give you a brief review of what I have experienced over the past 3 years. I’m not good, but I know a little about everything. This game is different from the games I’ve played afterward because it doesn’t focus on leveling up. Instead, your character will “mature” based on skills; for example, when you first join, you’ll be at the lowest level (really weak), and currently, the highest is the True Form of Reversal (super awesome). To increase your skills, you need to practice internal energy, divided into two branches: faction internal energy (anyone can practice because it’s free) and wandering hero internal energy (this requires spending a little money and is better).
Playing Nine Yin, you’ll be able to perform countless martial arts moves, flying through the air like in a martial arts film. If you’re strong, you can charge ahead as a shield; if you’re weak, you support from behind. In terms of professions, there are various jobs from farming, sericulture, fishing, to being a herbalist, poison master, and even begging can earn you money. Speaking of money, an important part that must be mentioned – the currency (silver coins) – in-game currency. This can depend on your play style and luck, and you can earn a lot or a little. The interesting part is that you can sell it to other players, and it can be converted to Vietnamese Dong. The dazzling array of colorful martial arts moves is complemented by the fashion component. The “coolest” items are called Fashion Items – sparkling with many beautiful effects. Next are the faction outfits and title clothes, which are equally beautiful. As for houses, weddings… it would take until next year to cover everything. To experience it, I invite you to explore the beautiful land of Nine Yin!
Anyone who plays games wants to find at least one companion. Someone who can share joys and sorrows and support each other in the game. I am no different; since I started playing, I have found some valuable companions. Especially, there I met her. A girl who initially impressed me so much that I exclaimed, “wow, so cool.” She is truly powerful, like a strong, cool girl. Although she is also a newbie, she is willing to help me with the things I am still unclear about. I call her “sister,” and she leads me to hunt monsters.
We met during a beautiful time at the end of autumn in September when the slight chill occasionally swept over the South in the early mornings. It wasn’t cold enough to breathe out steam like in the North, but just enough for people to say, “Wow, it’s a bit chilly today.” What could be more enjoyable than lying in bed, logging into the game, completing this quest and then that one? Well, this is actually more of my hobby.
She invited me to a new server. Well! Actually, she is my first friend in this virtual world, so if she goes to another server, I will definitely go with her. A week after the new server launched, we actually moved. Entering the new server marked the beginning of a new life in the virtual world that Nine Yin offers. Busy running quests, defeating dungeons, and battling bosses.
In the same server but not on the same path. She has her new friends, and I have mine. We still talk and care for each other bit by bit. The two of us are in different guilds, yet we are close, which seems strange when I think about it. Because the closest relationships can easily become strangers if you don’t maintain contact. This is how real life works; what to expect in that virtual world. The way to sever a relationship is silence. Just remain silent, and acquaintances will turn into strangers. It’s hard to maintain that initial sincerity.
Over the past three years, I have made some close friends in the game and lost some people who were once close. Nothing strange about it, as life changes, environments change, and people change. At one time, they liked you and got along with you, but now they don’t. Just like that. Gains and losses come and go. Or simply, I might be a bit bland, bland as if soaked in seawater for a hundred years, I wouldn’t be salty. In the beginning, I was very lively, but gradually, as I got to know people, I became more and more bland; if you can’t adapt to the conversation, you will be bored to death by my dullness.
I don’t know what terrifying force has kept our relationship going until today. Thinking back, it’s really scary. We initially only communicated through the game. That’s right, just the game. Online, then offline, and that was it. Gradually, we added each other on Facebook and talked more. Honestly, I’m not even sure when we became closer.
There were times when we stayed up all night to create clips for the game’s fanpage event because the deadline was approaching, and we were both busy, so we had to rush.
There were times we planned to meet in real life, but it rained heavily or unexpected work came up, so we had to cancel.
There were times due to my silly actions that I ended up in jail; she brought a whole bunch of clones (alternate accounts) into jail with me to help me level up… in jail. Yes! Leveling up in jail. I was foolish, yet she still went along with me; it’s really something.
There were times we struggled for hours in a forbidden area, getting killed by assassins and bosses over and over again. “Sister, you go ahead, I’ll tank the boss for you.”
My name is also what she calls me – Fox.
The first time I met her in real life was in 2018, our second year of knowing each other. I was walking and smiling, feeling very happy and excited. Happy because it was the first time I got to meet someone I only knew online. And because that person was her. This lovely girl.
The first meeting felt a bit awkward and not very natural.
The second meeting was filled with anticipation.
The third meeting felt familiar.
The fourth meeting was a feeling of wishing we could be closer to meet more conveniently.
The fifth meeting was the feeling that if possible, we would live together in the future.
The sixth meeting…
The seventh meeting…
The eighth meeting…
Do you remember the future plans that the two of us built? Reality is harsher than we thought, but let’s strive together to fulfill our dreams.
I am someone who is inherently weak, but because of you, I want to be stronger. At least I can be a support for you. Because the longer I know you, the more I realize you are not as strong as you seem. You also have a bit of childishness, a bit of charm, a bit of fragility.
Thank you for the times you took the bus from Thu Duc to Binh Duong to visit me, I’m usually afraid to travel far.
Thank you for being by my side for the past three years through my mixed feelings of happiness and sadness.
Thank you for the little gifts you’ve given me.
Thank you for the motivation you’ve inspired in me.
Thank you for helping me create beautiful memories.
Thank you for being my friend for the past three years.
Thank you for being so compatible with me both in-game and in real life.
Thank you Nine Yin for bringing you into my mundane life, enriching it in both the game and reality.
Thank you for adding so much flavor to this relationship, nurturing it to grow as it has today. From strangers to being as close as family. Together, we can express all the craziness within us without hesitation.
There are choices that people may regret when looking back. Entering this game, you and I have experienced pain and sadness here. But if I had to choose again, I would still choose this path because it’s where I met you. I never thought I would see you in flesh and blood. I never thought I would share meals and laughter with a friend from the game. I’ve felt the gradual dullness of some relationships I once had, so today, after three years, I truly cherish this relationship, cherish our brief meetings. You told me that we could argue, get mad, and then laugh together to resolve misunderstandings, but we must not go silent and leave. I personally also hate that silence that leads to misunderstandings and then quietly drifting apart.
Life is busy; both I, you, and the people I’ve met through the game are gradually putting down our swords. Some are working, others are studying. Occasionally, I still log into the game. I see the guild channel empty of familiar things.
No longer is there the guild leader calling out to everyone for battles every day.
No more playful banter in the chat.
No more serious guild meetings with dozens of people discussing strategies to fight against enemies.
No more failed guild wars, losing bases, the guild leader blaming himself, and then sitting alone in the AFK room.
No more karaoke sessions on Alo-Alo, where as soon as the guild leader starts singing, everyone trolls him and the chat is disabled.
No more frantic calls from the team: “Whoever logs in, bring the lute to buff me to fight,” “I’m busy tomorrow, so let the others log in and do the quests for me,” “The lute got lost; hurry and replace it,” “The enemy is at Chengdu; teleport back quickly,” “Get in the party and fight X; he stole my tree…”
No more anyone calling me a noob every time I get killed by monsters in the forbidden area.
No more anyone calling me a noob because I can’t jump over the gap or climb the wall to catch up with everyone.
No more late-night chats, sitting together after setting up the stage.
I truly miss the time spent with everyone in the Quân Long – Nghịch Thiên of Lão Tam noob. Our guild leader is an older person but extremely playful, always dedicated to the team. If my usual routine before was to come home from school, open my laptop, watch movies, YouTube, and eat, after getting to know everyone, my motivation to go online increased significantly. I would bring my meal to the table, online, eating, chatting, and it was so much fun.
Thank you all for stopping by so we could meet at the most beautiful time of our youth. For some, it may just be a game, but for Fox, it’s a very beautiful period of youth. Back then, we were together every day; although we were all over the country shaped like the letter S, when we entered the game, we shared a new roof, sharing joys and sorrows while protecting it. Now, life can’t be tied to the game forever. People go to work, others go to school, and life is too busy. We have parted ways, but we still keep in touch and tease each other on Facebook; parting doesn’t necessarily mean sadness, right?
The New Year is approaching, wishing Quân Long – Nghịch Thiên and all of Fox’s friends a peaceful new year. Thank you all, whether friends or foes, for the affection you’ve shown Fox – whether love or hate. Thank you for accompanying each other on this small journey of youth! Goodbye Quân Long, farewell Nghịch Thiên.
It’s just online gaming.
The game is fake, but the feelings are real.
Boss fights and dungeon clearing are fake, fighting is fake, dark circles under the eyes are real, late nights are real, laughing and talking together is real, heartache is real, hurt is real, and cherishing each other is real.
“Hello, sister, I’m new to gaming; can you help me with my quests?”
Chengdu, a sunset afternoon, a newbie leading another newbie to hunt monsters…
A truly beautiful picture, isn’t it?
Yes!!!
—White Fox—