Chapter 534 - Homecoming
“—So bored... Wanna go somewhere?”
“Somewhere where?”
“You know, somewhere.”
In a corner of the sole town in the [Garden of Divine Creation], the Safe Area, two players were idly chatting on a rooftop, gazing at the stars for no particular reason.
Though they were veteran players, they were self-proclaimed and universally acknowledged as average. Sometimes they went on carefree adventures, and other times they grumbled about being bored, but they were true Arcadians, savoring the ‘boredom of another world’ to its fullest.
They were far from being rankers, and joining the ranks of exceptional players was a distant dream... but for those who were content with being “normal,” the heroes they looked up to were not objects of aspiration but rather sources of entertainment.
Thus, they accepted their roles as part of the crowd. Because in this world, Arcadia, even average people who wandered in with a casual, “I’m bored, let’s go somewhere,” could find adventures where they could enjoy being the main character.
Everyone could weave a story that suited their own abilities. Rankers, the Four Pillar War, Colored Monsters, Terror Armaments—without reaching for the pinnacles that were more like bugged, otherworldly uniques, countless other uniques were scattered throughout the world.
Endless adventures, endless unknowns, an infinite world with limitless content. Everyone was too busy looking forward to have time to look up and envy others.
“Wanna hit up the ant nest for the first time in a while?”
“Oh, what are you, a suicide volunteer?”
“Idiot, not that one. The small one for normal players, obviously.”
“Ehh... the ant hill isn't that great for drops, though.”
“But taking a long shot for a rare drop is part of the fun, isn't it? Better than playing the role of a bored bum, no?”
“You’ve got a point. Guess I’ll message Pami and the others—”
Just as they both stood up, ready to ignite their excitement for a modest adventure that evening... it happened.
It wasn't a near-silent footstep, nor was it a sudden presence that had closed in on them. It was at the exact moment the two of them happened to glance in the same direction by pure coincidence.
“Oops, pardon me?”
““—””
Who knew from how far he had closed the distance in a single step, but a figure suddenly appeared beside them, speaking in a casual tone.
It was the voice of a young man they had become very familiar with—as a voice from a screen—starting from the end of April, just over a month ago. Struck speechless and frozen by the unannounced encounter, they could only watch as he gave them a faint smile and said—
“Ah, uhm, right. Well then—have a good night!”
With a light wave, he kicked off into the air, vanishing upwards just as silently as he had appeared.
“.........”
“.........”
It took them only a few seconds to try and follow him with their eyes.
But by the time they craned their necks, the white and blue robes were nowhere to be seen in the night sky. The young man had vanished like a whimsical whirlwind.
There was no sense of reality, no lingering presence. But the casual smile burned into their vision and the cheerful voice echoing in their ears, even from a brief encounter of a few seconds...
“...Alright, well, guess I’ll go bombard my friends list with bragging rights.”
“You got it. Wasn’t Sham-ta a huge fan? He’s gonna cry his eyes out.”
“Let’s make him cry all he wants. Now’s the time to get revenge for that time he bragged endlessly about ‘Rinne-chan talking to him.’”
For those who savored the ordinary, this too was a momentous, extraordinary event.
◇◆◇◆◇
Setting aside the accident of interrupting some unknown players' chill time, I immediately launched into the sky, broke through the clouds, and flew away.
Spreading throughout my body was a week's worth of accumulated motivation—yes, it had been a week. I was back in the virtual world, with a vengeance...!
“I’m back, Arcadia, my second home!”
It had been only ten minutes since I returned to my home—the Yotsuya lodging—from a solid seven-day trip. Starting with the fireworks on the third day, the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh days were a non-stop whirlwind of endless events—
And man, it was fun. I brought back a mountain of memories, and it was an extremely meaningful trip where I thoroughly deepened my friendships and other connections with all the members.
And I didn’t forget to make sure my studies progressed perfectly, too.
After that, Irori and I were kidnapped by Gossan and dragged around on a tour of hot springs; Uni, Sora, and I had fun creating a giant cake that would put a wedding cake to shame; while getting a darts lesson from Helena-san, I was nearly attacked by a pouting Asche demanding, “Why Helena and not me?”; I was nearly attacked by Iris while we were alone during study time; and while I was napping on the terrace, Sora and Nia-chan had snuggled up and fallen asleep on either side of me, which led to Alicia White-san witnessing it, getting all jealous, and nearly attacking me... It was truly seven days filled with endless events and a violent sense of fulfillment.
But that was that. This is this.
I, a mere three months after my debut, am a bona fide Arcadia addict. Therefore, after being away from the virtual world for an extended period for the first time...
It’s only natural that my accumulated motivation would completely break down!
“Come forth, Sapphire!”
The moment I leaped above the sea of clouds as if just popping out for a bit, I spread my “wings” with a call. It’s been seven days again—or, in this virtual world’s time, has it been more than ten?
In any case, it was a long-awaited reunion. I patted and stroked the base of his neck, where the blue star resides, as an apology... and from his reaction, it seemed he wasn't sulking or angry, thankfully.
“There, there. My bad, leaving you all alone so soon after taming you.”
As he skillfully bent his neck and nuzzled against me while flapping his great wings, I gave the dragon's head a thorough, vigorous scratching by way of greeting.
While a Stardust Beast is unsummoned, it is said to be in a dormant state, and there's unconfirmed information that this “sleep” is as pleasant as heaven for them—
But he has magnificent wings. I want to let him fly as much as possible, you know?
“Alright... let’s get started—course set for east, speed unlimited. Fly, my partner!”
The answer to my order was a single, powerful flap of his wings.
Did he understand the concept of ‘east,’ or was he just reacting to where I pointed? Either way, he's a smart one.
As for the incredibly fast and acrobatic turn he just performed, I'll let it slide as a sign of trust and playfulness toward me... Alright, let's go.
We head east. Our destination is one of the places that bears the name ‘Unconquerable Dungeon.’
Home of the endless kumite—the [Shadow-Infested Arena].