I Don't Need To Log Out

Arlon and June walked beside the river, the sound of rushing water blending with the chatter of nearby players.

Many players were scattered along the banks, some searching the river's surface while others had already plunged in, hoping to find something hidden beneath.

Every so often, June activated her Arcane Perception skill, her eyes glowing faintly as she searched for any cavities beneath the riverbed.

"Mr. Arlon," June began, breaking the silence. "We've all received Lady Rael's offer. How did you manage that? I mean... Carole didn't even participate, and Zack... well, you know what he did."

"You don't have to worry about that," Arlon replied simply. "Did you all accept, as agreed?"

"Yes, we did," June said, her curiosity clear in her tone. "But I'm really curious about what you plan to tell me in Kelta."

Arlon shook his head, speaking a little more than usual to ensure there were no misunderstandings. "I think there's a slight misunderstanding. It's not something just for you—it's for your entire group. We'll talk about it when we're there."

"I see," June said, nodding. "I believe it must be important then. By the way, what was that skill you used against me in the finals?"

"It's called Blink," Arlon answered without hesitation. He didn't mind sharing some of his skills, knowing they were nearly impossible to imitate. Even Teleport, a related ability, was considered legendary in Trion.

But Arlon had underestimated June's enthusiasm.

"Wow, really? A Blink skill? Where did you find it? How far can you blink? How many times can you use it?"

Her excitement caught Arlon off guard. Blink was a common skill in many games, and it was evidently one of her favorites.

As a mage enthusiast, June seemed to relish mastering the skill to outmaneuver stronger enemies.

Feeling overwhelmed by her rapid-fire questions, Arlon cut the conversation short. "I'll tell you about it in Kelta."

Silence followed, and Arlon inwardly cringed.

Ahh, this is so awkward. I need to say something.

Grasping for a topic, he asked the first thing that came to mind. "Your group seems really balanced. How did you all find each other?"

June blinked, surprised by his sudden interest, but quickly answered. "Hmm... Carole, Zack, and Pierre are childhood friends. Lei joined them in high school, and I met them last year in college. Since we all loved gaming, we formed the Gamers Guild."

"I see," Arlon said. "I was wondering how Zack ended up with your group. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but... he doesn't seem like he's on the same wavelength."

June's mood dropped slightly. Just as Arlon was about to apologize for the comment, she spoke softly. "He's actually a good person. But he's chasing something he can't have."

"Ah, you mean you," Arlon said before he could stop himself. Feeling briefly satisfied at understanding her implication, he quickly realized he'd overstepped.

June's cheeks flushed red, and an awkward silence lingered between them until she suddenly raised her head, her expression turning serious.

"Pierre contacted me," she said. "They found a secret passage, but they're not sure if the monster is there."

"Hmm," Arlon said thoughtfully. "I think we should wait until they confirm it's there. What do you think?"

"Won't that be too late?" June countered. "What if another group finds them first and kills Pierre and Lei to take the reward?"

Arlon's calm demeanor didn't waver. "Don't worry," he said. "That won't be an issue."

---

Pierre and Lei stood before the wall where their search had led them, their lantern casting long, flickering shadows.

The passage they'd uncovered was narrow and uneven, tucked behind a cluster of crumbling stone and overgrown ivy.

"Wait here, I will be back," said Pierre and went back to the town. Five minutes later he came back with a lantern.

"Well," Pierre said, holding up the lantern to examine the entrance, "it's definitely a secret passage. If this isn't it, I'll eat my sword."

"You're not the one carrying a giant blade," Lei quipped, gesturing to her bastard sword strapped to her back. "Let's just hope this doesn't lead to some abandoned cellar full of rats."

"Rats, I can handle," Pierre replied with a faint grin. "It's anything bigger I'd like to avoid."

Despite the humor, the tension between them was palpable. Both knew this could very well be the path to the monster they were tasked to find—or worse, a trap.

Lei placed her hand on Pierre's shoulder, her expression serious. "Stay close. We don't know what's waiting for us down there."

"Close is good," Pierre muttered, his voice softer than he intended. Lei's hand lingered for a moment before she let it drop, and they both turned their attention back to the passage.

They stepped inside, Pierre holding the lantern high while Lei unsheathed her sword.

The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of mildew and decay. Their footsteps echoed faintly, the sound swallowed by the dark, narrowing corridor.

The walls were rough, made of worn stone that seemed centuries old.

Strange markings etched into the surface caught their eyes, some resembling faded runes, others claw marks that made Pierre's skin crawl.

"Do you think these runes mean something?" Pierre asked, lowering the lantern to get a closer look.

"Could be protective wards. Or directions. Or warnings," Lei replied, keeping her voice low. "Either way, we keep moving. I don't think this place was built for sightseers."

Pierre swallowed hard, nodding. The tunnel twisted and turned, forcing them to duck beneath low-hanging roots and squeeze through narrow gaps.

Every so often, the sound of dripping water echoed from somewhere unseen, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

Lei paused suddenly, holding up a hand to signal Pierre to stop.

Her eyes scanned the ground ahead where the stone floor was cracked and uneven with the skill, Hawkeye. "Watch your step. Could be traps."

"Traps? Great. Just what we need," Pierre muttered, carefully mimicking Lei's movements as they navigated the treacherous terrain.

The air grew colder the farther they ventured. Their breaths were visible in the dim light of the lantern. Lei's grip on her sword tightened and her senses were on high alert.

Finally, the passage widened into a cavernous chamber.

At the center was a hulking form coiled on the ground—a creature with glistening scales and an array of snake-like heads that seemed to shimmer faintly in the lantern's light.

The monster let out a low, guttural hiss in its sleep. It was a small Hydra with 3 heads instead of 7 or 9.

Pierre's breath caught. "Is that—"

"The monster," Lei finished grimly, her voice barely above a whisper.

The creature stirred, one of its heads lifting to taste the air with a forked tongue.

Pierre and Lei exchanged a glance, the weight of what they'd found settling heavily between them.

"Looks like the rats would've been a better deal," Pierre joked weakly, though his hand trembled as it gripped the lantern.

"Focus, Pierre," Lei said, her voice steely. She shifted her stance, raising her sword just in case. "This isn't going to be easy. We should contact the others."

The monster uncoiled slightly, its movements slow but deliberate, as if testing their reactions.

"Got a plan?" Pierre whispered, sweat beading on his brow.

"Not yet," Lei admitted, her gaze never leaving the beast. "But I'm open to suggestions."

"Uh, run?"

"Not an option."

---

Arlon and June were still near the river when they received another message from Pierre.

"They found the monster," June read aloud, her brow furrowing. "Pierre says it's really strong. And apparently, Carole and Zack turned back when Pierre and Lei found the hidden door."

She looked up at Arlon, concern flickering in her eyes. "If we don't move now, we might be too late."

Arlon considered this for a moment, his mind already calculating the most efficient course of action.

"The distance should be fine," he said calmly, extending his hand toward her. "Give me your hand," Arlon said, trying to keep his face neutral to signal he wasn't after anything.

June obeyed, taking Arlon's hand. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil riverside vanished, replaced by the cold surroundings outside the secret passage.

Arlon quickly used Teleport to cover the distance.

But as they arrived, they found something far more dangerous than the monster waiting for them.

---

Zack paced impatiently as Carole adjusted her satchel, the weight of her priestly tools were slowing her movements. A message from Pierre had just come through:

- We found a secret passage. Not sure if the monster's inside, but it's worth checking. Be careful if you come this way.

Zack's jaw tightened as he reread the message. "We can't just sit around, Carole. Pierre and Lei could run into trouble. We need to get there now."

Carole hesitated. "Zack, rushing in without thinking isn't going to help them. What if the monster isn't there? We need to find the real location then."

"But what if the monster is there and some other groups come before us? Look, I know Pierre and Lei can handle themselves, but two people against a few groups? They will need us."

Zack's voice was urgent; he actually wanted to make sure he killed the monster before Arlon arrived.

Carole sighed, nodding. "Alright, let's go."

They made their way through the forest, the dense underbrush slowing their progress. They quickly found the path they'd opened earlier and followed it back to the town.

When they reached the town, they immediately headed for the alley. But, when they turned the corner heading toward the alley, they saw Arlon and June, holding hands.