Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 24: Seraph

What a day. After we barely managed to get to school early, I was bombarded with surprise pop quizzes, homework, more Damon and Zac debates, and basically trying to fetch Kazuki after school again. Thankfully for the latter, today was a bit different as Damon and Zac were tagging along with me, during which for once, I was relieved to see them not fighting as they usually do whenever I'm around. It made sense considering all of us were now playing <Isekai Online> and they also wanted to take a break from school-related stuff. So rather than going straight home, we decided to stop somewhere first.

"I am so excited to get back in <Volo> later! I got plans to level my [Masteries] up to higher levels today." Zac loudly declared while raising his hands up in the air like a crazy sports fan. "What about you, guys? Do you have any plans to level up your [Masteries] as well?"

Damon sighs as turns to Zac. "You do realize that I just started the game yesterday. How about you try and help me navigate and battle in the fields?"

"Oh, come on. Isn't the <Training Hall> enough for you? Besides, you're practically a king when it comes to using guns and that strange weapon of yours highly resembles reminds one."

"Yeah, but real-life experience isn't enough for me. Besides, you don't hear Hayate and Kazuki bragging about how easy it was for them to just kill a few monsters just because they know so much archery and magic in real life."

"Guys, don't drag me into your petty feuds again," I groaned as I averted my eyes away from the two. "But to be honest, my plans depend on what Kazuki really wants to do today."

Zac then frowned as he turns his attention towards me. "Are you sure? You can just enter the game by yourself since you're old enough to do so."

"I would, but..." I turned my attention towards Kazuki, who stopped walking and stared at the store window of a popular bookstore in awe. I guess he was too distracted to eavesdrop on our conversation. "I just want to play the game alongside Kaz. He's really wanted to play <Isekai> ever since he heard about it from our Dad. And as his older brother, I want to make sure he's not only there to witness everything on launch day, but I promised to keep him safe from any harmful situations. And until he knows how to brave things by himself, I have to keep an eye on him and enjoy the game by his side."

As I finished, the two stared at each other for a few seconds. Then, to my relief, they look back at me with smiles on their faces. "Yeah, you're right. MMOs are very similar to social media. One side is nice and friendly and the other is brutal and toxic. You have to tread the waters carefully or else, it may consume you completely."

"Zac's right. Anonymity is everywhere in this day and age, and you may never know what the other players' true intentions towards you and Kazuki might be." Damon said and crossed his arms as he approached me. "Besides, while the law forbids anyone from falsifying their information, that doesn't mean it will stop them from spreading toxicity and manipulating others for their own gain and entertainment. Just be careful who you meet and choose to trust in the game."

"Trust me, I'm trying my best... But those people from yesterday made me afraid of just being taken away from Kaz just to cook them some food for several hours." I groaned, knowing that I could get caught by those hungry players again. I doubted that some of them even cared that I was keeping an eye on my 12-year-old brother who just wanted to play the game with me in peace. "But I don't know if I go back in the game later. We still have homework to do and we only have a limited time if we do."

"Well, can't you try listening to people's request? Besides, you can make a quick buck if you and Kaz start up an in-game business together and you might able to buy some strong equipment to take on high-level monsters and [Quests]."