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Dear Players,
The developers and all members of Alfiria Saga have decided to end the game due to a lack of players. All remaining active players will receive a reward.
We will send the rewards via email and provide proper instructions on how to claim them.
Thank you for being a part of our world.
Sincerely,
Alfiria Saga Dev Team
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That was the first message that greeted me when I logged into Alfiria Saga.
Twenty-five years.
It's finally over.
I didn't realize how long it's been... but still, it hurts.
Out of all the MMOs I've played, this was the only one I truly loved.
I had been playing Alfiria Saga since the day it launched.
I still remember how packed the servers were on the first day. What made it special wasn't just the gameplay — it was the fact that it wasn't pay-to-win. The premium shop didn't sell power-ups or game-breaking weapons. Just cosmetic costumes for each class, pets, EXP buffs, and tickets to access the Black Market for rare equipment and consumables.
I started playing at 34.
Now I'm 59.
I quit my job right before I began this journey. I came from a simple but well-off family, and after finishing college with a degree in Computer Engineering, I immediately started working to become independent. I slaved away at a company for 12 long years. After saving up enough to live comfortably until my pension kicked in from SxS, I finally resigned.
Since childhood, all I ever did was study. My parents were strict, especially my father. I wanted to rebel back in high school, but I didn't have the guts.
Why? Because of what he said to me.
— "Try it, and I'll disown you."
So I behaved.
When college came, I thought I'd finally be free — make friends, hang out, maybe get a girlfriend.
That was the plan.
But reality didn't follow the script.
My college life ended up exactly like my high school and elementary years — study, home, repeat.
I chuckled bitterly as I remembered those days.
While browsing the net for a new MMO that could replace Alfiria Saga, a notification popped up on my screen.
"New Message."
— This must be the reward from AS for the remaining active players.
I opened it.
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Dear Player: Nuub,
Congratulations!
You are officially the Top 1 player of Alfiria Saga.
As a token of appreciation, the developers will be sending you a two-way plane ticket to any country of your choice — all expenses paid — for being the last active player until the very end.
In addition, you will receive several exclusive mementos of Alfiria Saga in honor of your incredible achievements within the game.
Thank you for your unwavering loyalty.
Please reply to this message as soon as possible so we can process your rewards.
Do not exit the game while the rewards are being prepared.
– Alfiria Saga Dev Team
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— Out of the country? Any country at all? Haha...
I'm way too old for that kind of trip.
The mementos will be more than enough.
So I'm really the last one, huh? Solo player 'til the very end... sigh.
I stared blankly at the screen.
— All that grinding... all that effort. My poor character...
I was the top player of Alfiria Saga. A solo player by choice.
Occasionally I'd join raid parties to take on SS-ranked dungeons, but I never joined any guilds — even though I got countless invites.
The game had Open Map PK (Player Killing), so it was brutal for beginners.
Newbies rarely made it to the higher ranks because veteran players would kill them on sight — just to avoid future competition.
The only way to survive in Alfiria Saga was to have connections — either a high-level guild or someone powerful enough to protect you while you leveled up.
Because of that, the game had a reputation for being one of the hardest MMOs back in its prime, with thousands of complaints about its unforgiving PK system.
I became Top 1 not because of money or friends...
But because I discovered something no one else did.
A hidden quest — something not listed in any game guides.
Apparently, Alfiria Saga had hidden content that needed to be manually triggered by players.
It led me to the Seven Unknown Keys, each unlocking one of the seven hidden instant dungeons. Clearing each dungeon rewarded a legendary item — one of the Seven Sacred Treasures.
Even owning just one Sacred Treasure would give a player a huge advantage.
They were soulbound — untradeable, unsellable, and offered massive stat boosts and bonus damage.
I owned all seven.
But I wasn't flashy.
I covered them up with costume items.
Even if an entire guild ganged up on me, they wouldn't be able to take me down.
But even with the best gear... no one could solo an SS-rank dungeon. Not in Alfiria Saga.
After quitting work, gaming was all I had left.
I tried to build a family, but I didn't have the courage to pursue it.
My parents wanted me to settle down, but I never did.
They passed away without seeing me live a "real" life.
To escape the guilt and loneliness, I poured all my time into AS.
Day after day. Year after year.
Now here I am.
— 50+ and still single... sigh.
If I could be reborn, I'd make things different.
I'd live a little. Maybe find love. Build a family.
But still... I'm not completely unhappy.
I was alone... but I had fun.
Maybe... if I had quit playing earlier, my life could've been more meaningful.
— Haay... just an old man, huh?
I reopened the email and began typing my reply.
— Okay... how should I start this...
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Dear Alfiria Saga and friends,
I'm very grateful.
I won't be taking the out-of-the-country reward,
but I'll gladly accept the mementos.
Thank you so much.
– Nuub
---
After clicking "Send," I stood up from the computer and made my way to bed.
As I laid down, my thoughts wandered.
— I wonder what kind of memento they'll send me...
A figure of my character, maybe?
A full light novel set of Alfiria Saga?
Or maybe even the cosplayers from the AS live tour...
— Oh man, I remember those 15 models... all so sexy... and those—
— Hahaha... haay... dirty old man mode again...
It was almost 3:00 AM.
My room was packed with action figures, nendoroids, posters, and official Alfiria Saga merchandise.
To most people, it wouldn't look like a grown man's room — more like a child's.
But this was my space.
My sanctuary.
Whenever I gamed, I felt young again.
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"New Message."
— Huh? It's already 3:30 AM.
Don't tell me... they're sending it now?
I opened the email.
One line was written in the message:
"Memento of Goddess Alfiria." Will you claim your reward? Y/N
— TF? So they didn't even send the plane ticket?
What if this was just a prank all along... sigh.
I clicked Yes, then closed my eyes.
I was getting sleepy.
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"Please don't exit the game.
Reward is being processed...
Transporting player will now begin..."
I felt something warm touch my skin — not painful, but strange.
I ignored it.
My vision faded.
And the next thing I saw was sheep... jumping over a fence...
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"Transporting complete."
"Welcome to Alfiria Saga."
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