I Don't Need To Log Out

It was another lazy Sunday afternoon on Earth, the kind of day when time seemed to stretch out endlessly.

The Gamers, minus Zack, were sitting outside a fast food restaurant, the aroma of sizzling burgers and salty fries wafting through the air.

They had chosen this spot out of habit. Back in college, they had spent countless hours at places like this, bonding over greasy food and easy banter.

Even now, after graduating and venturing into the world of work and adult responsibilities, the tradition endured.

But today felt different.

When they had called Zack to join them, he had refused without offering much of an explanation.

"Wonder what's up with Zack," Pierre muttered, taking a bite of his double cheeseburger.

"Don't act like you're worried," Lei teased, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "Aren't you secretly enjoying your little harem time? Three beautiful ladies and just you. Sounds like a dream come true, huh?"

Pierre sighed, shaking his head. "Come on, Lei, I'm serious. June, you talked to him privately last time. Did he say anything about why he's acting like this?"

June hesitated, her hands wrapped around her soda cup. She stared at the ice bobbing in her drink for a moment before looking up. "I don't think I can share that. It's personal. But don't worry about Zack—he'll be fine. He just needs some time."

Her gaze shifted toward Carole, who had been silent for most of the meal. Carole was absentmindedly stirring ketchup with a fry, her expression distant.

"Carole, are you okay?" June asked softly.

Carole blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Me? Yeah, I'm fine." She forced a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Let's just finish up here. It's getting crowded."

The others exchanged glances but didn't press her further.

The outdoor seating area was starting to fill with families, couples, and groups of friends. The lively chatter around them grew louder, mingling with the hum of cars from the street.

"I don't know," Pierre said, leaning back in his chair. "I feel like things have been… tense lately. Maybe it's just me."

"It's not just you," June replied. "But sometimes, people need space to work through their stuff. Let's give Zack that space for now."

Lei raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Instead, she changed the subject, steering the conversation toward lighter topics.

Carole, however, remained quiet, her mind somewhere far away.

---

Sunday passed quickly, and before anyone realized it, Monday morning had arrived.

The administrators, Lady Rael, Shirl, and Arlon were already prepared, waiting patiently for the players to log back in.

The cool morning air carried a faint hint of dew, and the bustling sounds of Morealis' streets began to pick up as the city awoke.

When the designated log-in time arrived, each of the eight players—the Gamers along with Evan, Carmen, and Maria—reappeared in the game world without delay.

After exchanging brief greetings, everyone moved toward the carriage that had been prepared for their journey.

The atmosphere felt lighter than it had in days, perhaps because the players were starting to grow accustomed to one another.

Even Zack, who had been distant before, gave a half-hearted nod to the group before boarding.

The journey resumed smoothly, with their first destination being the portal in Morealis.

From the Traveler's Quarter, they would make their way to the Portal Plaza, a hub of activity and one of the city's most vital features.

The carriages were as luxurious as ever, their soft cushions and elegant interiors providing a stark contrast to the bustling, practical streets of Morealis.

Despite their comfort, they weren't granted any special treatment when it came to Trion's strict procedures.

Passing through the portal required paperwork and clearance like any other traveler.

Fortunately, soldiers had been sent ahead to handle the necessary documents at the administrative building near the portal.

As this journey had been authorized by Zephyrion himself, the group was allowed to bypass the usual long queues and inspections.

Under normal circumstances, it could have taken two to three hours just to pass through the portal.

Could this also be called corruption? Who knows. Lady Rael wasn't an administrator but still had many guards around her. It was a mystery Arlon intended to solve eventually.

The group arrived at the portal after an uneventful ride. The towering metal ring loomed ahead, its swirling mana a mesmerizing blend of blues, purples, and whites.

It was massive—large enough to fit three carriages stacked on top of each other and placed side by side.

Despite its imposing size, the portal had an ethereal quality, its mana swirling in perfect, silent harmony.

For most of the players, this was their first time seeing such a structure up close, let alone traveling through one.

"This is going to be an interesting experience," Maria said, her voice tinged with awe.

None of the players, aside from Arlon and June, had ever used teleportation.

The others leaned out of their seats slightly, trying to take in every detail of the enormous structure as they approached.

The horses pulling the carriages, however, had no such curiosity. They neighed nervously, their instincts urging them to avoid the strange energy.

Thankfully, the solution was simple: their handlers placed blinds over their eyes and led them forward slowly.

Lady Rael, seated calmly at the center of the carriage, remained unfazed. She had traveled through portals countless times before.

Her composure was a stark contrast to the players, who acted like they were children in a car going through an automatic car wash.

Pierre and Lei couldn't resist leaning toward the carriage windows, their faces pressed slightly against the glass. "It's like something out of a sci-fi movie," Pierre muttered, his voice low with amazement.

"It's magic," Lei corrected with a grin. "Not sci-fi. Completely different genre."

Arlon, meanwhile, sat quietly, watching the swirling mana with disinterest. He had seen this many times in the past timeline and knew what to expect.

The wagon slowed as it neared the portal.

The swirling mana seemed to shimmer more brightly as the horses reluctantly stepped forward, their hooves clinking against the cobblestone path.

"It's so quiet," Carmen whispered, her voice barely audible.

Evan nodded, his eyes wide. "I thought it'd be noisier. It's kind of… eerie."

The moment the carriage began to pass through, the group tensed slightly.

There was no physical sensation—no nausea, no jolt, nothing to suggest they were moving between dimensions.

Yet their minds rebelled against the unnatural experience, struggling to process what their bodies were going through.

A second later, the carriage emerged on the other side.

The group collectively exhaled as their surroundings came into focus. They were no longer in Morealis. Instead, they found themselves in Termia, the closest portal town to Kelta.

"Whoa," Zack said, breaking his silence for the first time that day. "That wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be."

"Speak for yourself," Carmen muttered, holding her head. "I feel like my brain's still catching up."

"Give it a second," Arlon said calmly. "The first time's always disorienting. You'll get used to it."

Lady Rael gave a polite smile. "Termia," she announced, gesturing to the town outside the carriage. "It's not as large as Morealis, but it serves its purpose as a portal hub. We won't be staying here long. Our destination is still Kelta."

The group nodded, some still recovering from the brief teleportation.

Termia was a quaint town, much smaller than Morealis but still bustling with activity.

The streets were lined with modest shops and inns, and the portal plaza, though smaller than the one in Morealis, was still an impressive sight.

The carriages didn't stop. With the portal behind them, they continued their journey toward Kelta, leaving Termia behind as the afternoon sun began its slow descent.

For the players, the portal travel was a thrilling experience—something to talk about and remember. But for Arlon, it was just another step in the long road ahead.