Yuki and Chi walked for an hour before finally exiting the forest. All monsters along the way were killed by Yuki, effectively leveling up Chi from Level 0 to Level 1. “We are finally out!” Chi said happily. She hated that forest after what had happened to her. But at the same time, she liked it due to being able to meet the first friend she ever had there.

“Now, we just need to find the closest settlement.” Yuki looked at the vast pains in front of her and smiled. “Such a beautiful place.”

Chi, who was standing next to Yuki, had her hands behind her back, looking out over the plains as well. “It is.”

Yuki looked up at the clock on her HUD and frowned. She did not realize it was almost time to stop playing. It was the first time in a while that she felt that time went by way too fast. “I have to log off in an hour, real world time. What do you want to do? We can make camp here and talk a bit, or we can continue fighting until I need to go.”

“Let’s make camp here. I also need to get up soon as well.” Chi replied. She then ran over to a flat area and began clearing a spot out.

“Alright, I will get a fire going then.” Yuki went right to work and began collecting rocks and sticks. She had picked up a few pieces of flint while she was digging earlier. Even while digging a hole to bury someone, Yuki was always looking for materials. In no time at all, Yuki had created a campfire as the setting sun began to hide behind the horizon.

When Yuki sat down, Chi sat right next to her and pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her chin on her knees. “I wish I never had to leave this game…” Chi said suddenly.

“The real world can be hard, that is for sure. It’s either you are born to have an easy life, or you are born to have a hard life.” Yuki let out a sigh as she said this.

“If I were to be able to choose, I am not sure which I could pick. Because even an easy life can be lonely.” Chi also said as she watched the flickering of the flames in the campfire.

Yuki was also not sure which she would choose either. Yuki looked over at Chi, who seemed to be lost in her own thoughts, reached over, and placed her hand on top of Chi’s head. Chi blushed slightly but did not pull away. Yuki ruffled Chi’s hair as she said: “Whether the world around us in real life is hard or not, at least in game we are not alone. So if you ever need to talk, let me know. We are friends now, so I will do what I can to help.”

Chi lowered her head into her knees. She wondered if Ryu knew that his words just now meant a lot to her. The two sat in front of the fire in silence. It was a peaceful time for the two of them. Sometimes even silence can be nice.

“It’s time for me to log out. It’s around 6 in the morning for me. What time do you want to meet up tonight?” Yuki asked as she stood up and stretched.

“Our times are the same, and I can get home around 4:30 in the afternoon. So 6 this evening?” Chi really did not want to log off. She hated going out to deal with those fake people. But because she could not sleep forever and play games, she had no choice but to log off.

“Let’s make it 8 tonight then. I have a few things I need to handle before then.” Yuki replied. She decided she would go to Gamer Heaven when she got out of class today and see if she can get a new headset. She would not do this if it was not for the fact that she had almost 500,000 crowns to her name. Because she had met Chi, she now had another reason to play this game besides just making money. She could now enjoy the game and play it with her new friend.

“Okay, 8 tonight then!” Chi said happily. “I will log off first. Bye, bye, Ryu! And thank you!”

Yuki watched as Chi vanished. Yuki smiled and then reached up and patted Nergals’s head: “I will come back on in a while. You rest up good, okay?”

“Meow!” Nergal let out a cry and snuggled back into Yuki’s hair. It spent more time sleeping than anything else.

Yuki logged off and then pulled the helmet off her head. When the view of her new home came into view, Yuki smiled and stretched her limbs. “Time to wash up and eat something then! I also need to get my things together and head to the showers at college. Hopefully, the day will go by quickly. Besides helping Chi learn my martial arts, I need to level up and make my way to the Forgotten Gorge to kill Droggers. But before I can log in, I need to look up Silver Springs and find out where that is for my other chain quest. I should also look into how to tell who has quests. I can not just hope to get lucky every time as I have been. I should probably make some more potions as well.”

Stretching her arms once more as she got up out of bed, Yuki went to do her morning tasks. After washing up, eating, then brushing her teeth. Yuki donned her clothes from yesterday and packed a fresh pair along with what she needed for her classes. When she was all set, she wore her trademark hat and mask and headed to college. Because she was right down the street, it did not take long for Yuki to arrive.

Yuki went right to the showers and entered the dressing room. She took off her hat and mask and frowned, seeing her battered face. But this action caused her to wince since her nose and eye still hurt like hell. “I need to train more…” Yuki mumbled.

Yuki undid her bun and ran her fingers through her shoulder length black hair. As she stripped down to her bra and panties, she heard the door to the dressing room open. She instantly went on guard and looked over to see who it was. But to her surprise, the one walking in was the college Princess, Trisha. Only when she saw who it was did she strip down fully before putting her things onto the shelf in front of her. She flipped her towel over her shoulder and began walking over towards the shower room door.

“Wait!” Trisha’s voice called out from behind Yuki.

Yuki paused her steps and turned around. “What can I do for you, Princess? Did you wish for me to wash your back? Or wait on your hand and foot? Since this commoner has no way to refuse, just state your demand, and I will do my best to assist.”

Trisha clearly heard the disdain and sarcasm in Yuki’s voice, but she ignored it as she took a deep breath and said: “Last time, sorry for my rudeness…”

“I do not dare take a Princess’s apology. Anyway, it is rather cold in here, and with the way I am dressed right now, it is not a good idea for me to be standing here too long. So if you will excuse me, Princess.” Yuki did not wait for Trisha to answer as she turned around and walked into the shower room.

Trisha bit her lip and clenched her fist. “No… I won’t give up. I made a friend last night in game. I can make a friend in real life too. Not a fake friend who is only following me in hopes of meeting my brothers and sisters, but a real one who will want to be with me because they like me for me. Out of everyone in this college, only she treats me indifferently. If I meet up with her more, maybe she will get to know the real me… If only Ryu… No! I can’t rely on him for my real world matters!”