A short while ter Liam was lying on a cou the living room. His eyes were red, his body feeling terrible.

  Serena was exhausted from the day’s events, falling asleep on top of Liam.

  o him stood Kathrin, carefully nursing him and apologizing tinuously for being one of the people who threw a bag at Liam.

  The young man could only smile wryly as the burning in his throat gradually subsided.

  At this moment orderly footsteps could be heard from outside. The doorbell rang.

  With a and from Merida, a s o the door revealed the outside view, showing a tall man and woman duo in tidy uniforms.

  Liam’s mouth opearing at Merida in disbelief and accusation,

  The woman didn’t show any guilt as she expined:

  “Those criminals didn’t ring.”

  A moment ter Merida opehe door, letting the visitors in.

  Two people ehe apartment, wearing red uniforms with bck boots. Scabbards were tied to their belts, hiding dangerous cold ons.

  Liam still wasn’t quite sure why guns didn’t develop well in this world.

  “Citizens. rivate Gerjo and Lieutenant Taver from the Federation army, Falva Division.

  ologize for any invenieoday. The criminals in this district have been apprehended.

  Now, please let us talk to the brave fighter chasing away the criminals and I also must ask all of you tister as you might be called up as witness.”

  The uniformed oke with a hint of warmth, trary to the lieutenao her, whose expression made it clear that he didn’t enjoy being here at all.

  When Kathrin poi Liam and praised his heroic deeds the male soldier looked at him with disregard, not impressed by the young man’s current state.

  heless, the female private didn’t fet what they came here for, approag Liam with respect.

  “Liam, right? Thank you on behalf of the city for standing up during troubled times.”

  “Everyone would have dohe same. Don’t mention it.”

  Liam was somewhat flustered as everyone looked at him with kind eyes. A warm feeliled in his heart.

  “Oh, you would be surprised hoeople don’t have the same ce.

  You have reacted exceptionally and even proved that you fight. The army could use people like you. Are you ied in joining?”

  Looking at the woman in surprise, Liam came to uand what was going on.

  Still, the army had a good reputation, and it was an honor being invited by them.

  Liam was pting the offer seriously, his judgement influenced by the sweet feeling of experieng the genuine gratitude of others.

  But after a moment his eyes drifted to Serena still sleeping on his body. He carefully patted her head while speaking up:

  “Thank you for the offer but I have someoo take care off.”

  There was o take risks with the army if he could earn money safely from the game.

  The private didn’t show a ge iions.

  “A pity, but we respect your decision. If you ever ge your mind, you reach out to us here.”

  With those words the female soldier handed a small card over to Liam, who received it calmly.

  Suddenly the lieutenant spoke in a deep voice:

  “He already deed. Why are we still wasting time here?”

  “Apologies, Sir.”

  Uhe rude man’s urging the two soldiers quickly left.

  “I often heard that some martial artists think they are better than us on people, but this soldier was really insufferable.”, ented one of Merida’s workers.

  “Hush! Are you crazy? Don’t let them hear you!”

  “Why? What they do? The federation is still governed by w and order!”

  “Don’t be hey have a thousand ways to take revenge!”

  “Shut up! Both of you!”

  Merida suddenly spoke in an authoritative tone, bringing sileo the room.

  ***

  An hour ter in a high-rise building close to the majestic red oak tree.

  Close to the top was an enormous appartement. It was luxurious, with its own gym, whirlpool, a s rivaling theaters, and more. A single picture on the wall was worth more than a whole group of lower-css citizens.

  At this moment a door opened, a tall woman stepping out. Her face looked slightly tired, with a fair skin, curly brown hair reag her shoulders, and captivating green eyes.

  She wore the clothes of a martial arts student, her feet bare, exuding an athletic vibe.

  Despite a day of pying, she didn’t feel mucrease irength, as she already had a det cultivation beforehand, reag the marrow strengthening stage at twenty years old.

  Only two more stages and she would be able to draw starlight into her body, making her an official starlight master, respected throughout the federation.

  But right now, the young woman didn’t look like a digarlight master at all, stretg her body and sitting down on a rge dark wooden dining table.

  “Young miss, any wishes?”

  A calm female voice came from a middle-aged woman i.

  “Just some water.”

  A momehe servant appeared, p a gss of water.

  “Thanks Daphne.”

  “Daphne, pour me one as well, please!”

  “Right away, young master!”

  The young miss looked to the side where her younger brother left his bedroom. His short bck hair arted in the middle. He wore beige, baggy clothes with metal pieces inid, partaking in the modern trend.

  If Liam resent, he would reize the siblings as Silva and Felix who trained in the same dojo as him.

  Felix was excited as he approached the table, talking to his sister:

  “Silva! It’s unbelievable, right? The virtual world is so real! All the ames look like sh*t pared to Fate of aboul!”

  “Language, Felix.”

  Felix rolled his eyes, ign the remark.

  “How far did you get?

  Ahh, never mind. You never pyed games before. If you have any questions, just ask me!

  By the way, what race did you choose? And what css? Maybe we team up!”

  Silva smiled faintly looking at her eager brother.

  “I choose nephilim and want to bee a tank.”

  “Nephilim tank? Ahh, sister… why? If you want to bee a tank you should’ve chosen dwarf or orc. Why go with nephilim?”

  “Their story souhe most iing. But don’t worry, I have met an expert. He said that nephilim bee strong magiks.”

  “An expert? This early in the game? Be careful that you don’t get tricked! You know that those guys spin the most eous lies if they fall for you!”

  Felix noticed the unpleasant expression on his sister’s face.

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said this.”

  “No. You are n. But I’ve matured a lot sihen.”

  “Exactly! I say you don’t need some expert. You make it in the game on your own, with a bit of support from your brother!

  Look, there was already a server annouoday! They also didn’t have an expert among them! This only shows that everyone make it in the game!”

  Silva looked at her brother with a strange expression.

  “How do you know that there was no expert ieam?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? Team TMMBC?! Which expert would accept such a team name?! Wouldn’t they lose all face? Where y with such a name?”

  Suddenly Silva couldn’t hold it iing out a loud ugh, eg like chimes uhe high ceiling.

  Felix was surprised, about to ask a question.

  Ding!

  At this moment a spicuous sound rang out, a metal door sliding to the side and revealing a spacious escator.

  A middle-aged man and woman steeped out, their faces showing pleasant surprise upon hearing their daughter’s joyful ughter.

  “What’s going on? You seem to be in a good mood.”, spoke the bck-haired man in his deep voice.

  Felix and Silva perked up.

  “Mom, dad! We just came out of the game.”

  “Mhm. How is it?”

  With their mother’s question, Felix began praising the game to high heaven. But Silva noticed the somewhat flicted emotion in her parents’ eyes.

  Soon she mao get her question in:

  “Mom, dad? What did you e here for? Especially dressed so formally?”

  Silva’s mhed faintly as her father spoke up:

  “Silva, the family dinner has been brought forward.”

  “Oh? To today?”

  “Yes.”

  The air was somepressive. But Silva soon steeled her face.

  “I want to go!”

  “Are you sure? We told you before. You don’t o fight for the succession. We just drop out. It’s not a big deal, really. Our lives would still be great.”

  Silva looked into her parents’ faces. They had this talk before. With his parents’ blessing, Felix indeed dropped out of the race.

  But Silva could feel that this matter still weighed on her parents’ minds.

  Their branch of the family didn’t have it easy, with her father’s older brother always being the favored one.

  But now that the virtual world appeared, the cards were shuffled anew, and no one could tell what the future might bring.

  Silva was more determihao put her vicious uncle in pce.