Chapter 8 - Stupid, Fat Ass

The room was suddenly pierced by an unexpected hissing sound as a capsule device sprung into action, its lid retracting to reveal its occupant. Inside lay a 20-year-old man, blond hair framing his face, his piercing blue eyes wide with the shock of abrupt re-entry into reality.

Leon Chambers found himself gasping for breath, his complexion pale, a stark indication of the panic that gripped him. He had remained encased within the virtual reality capsule for four grueling hours, marking his longest dive into the game since the day he had acquired the advanced piece of technology.

With swift movements, he extracted himself from the confines of the capsule, rising to his full height of 1.79 meters (5.88 feet). Despite his slender build, the definition of his muscles spoke volumes about the physical efforts he undertook in the real world, a sharp contrast from the nature often associated with avid gamers.

His room, bare except for the essentials—a bed, a table, and a few chairs—felt alien after the richly detailed world he had just left behind. The simplicity of his surroundings was a cold reminder of the divide between the virtual world and his physical reality.

The rusty door to his room creaked open, breaking the silence. Through it stepped a sixteen-year-old girl of 1.65 meters (5.42 feet), her blonde hair falling just above her shoulders, framing her slender face. Her fair skin and the blue eyes she shared with Leon made her presence all the more striking. This was Lily, Leon's younger sister, whose concern for her brother was evident in her anxious tone.

"Leon," she began, "I've been trying to wake you up... but you were like a dead man, not responding, even after I tickled you repeatedly. Are you okay? You should be heading to work, right?"

"It's okay, Lily," Leon assured her quickly, his movements brisk as he snatched his bag from the desk. "I got caught up in something big inside the game, and it took me until now to sort it out. I've got to head out immediately."

Without a moment's delay, Leon dashed from the room, exiting the modest home nestled on the outskirts of town where he, Lily, and their uncle made their lives. He swiftly mounted his bicycle parked outside and began pedaling towards his destination.

As Leon made his hasty departure, Lily followed him to the door, observing with concern how unusually hurried he seemed, clearly eager to reach his workplace.

"It's not like him to be so absorbed in the game," she whispered to herself, a hint of worry in her voice. "He's always been disciplined, limiting himself to just an hour each day since we got that capsule a year ago. Could it be that he's grown tired of his daily routine?"

Contemplating how she could possibly brighten his mood, a thoughtful idea struck her. "I know. I'll prepare his favorite meal tonight!" she said and giggled.

***

Leon, with his heart racing and breaths coming in quick gasps, hurriedly parked his bicycle outside the convenience store. As he approached the entrance, he noticed Bob, the store manager, storming out. Bob was a man in his early twenties, plump with usually rosy cheeks, which now were contorted in anger, painting a rather intimidating picture. He and Leon had been classmates in high school.

"This is bad," Leon muttered to himself. "It looks like I've triggered something that made him furious."

Bob, catching sight of Leon, flung the door open with a force that reflected his fury.

"You stupid fool," he barked, "do you really think you own this place? That you can just waltz in and out as you please? Discipline should be your priority!"

"I... I had an emergency," Leon stammered, attempting to explain. "I'm really sorry, Bob."

"Do you think I'm a fool, Leon? You're useless to us. For breaking our rules, you're fired. Now, get lost. I can't stand the sight of you."

"You can't be serious about firing me just for being late once, right?" Leon protested.

"Shut up, and rot on the streets, you fool! Poor scum!"

Bob had always been wealthy since their senior high school times. Therefore, someone like Leon never belonged in his circle. Bob had been displeased when Leon started working at the convenience store where Bob was the manager. He had been looking for a way to get rid of him for a long time.

"Give me my salary, Bob!" Leon demanded.

Bob took out his wallet, pulled out a few bills, and threw them at Leon's face. "Here's your pay for the last ten days!"

Bob then turned his back and disappeared inside the store. With a sharp snap, the door shut, sealing Leon's fate.

A wave of frustration washed over Leon, leaving him standing alone. "Damn you, Bob! At least he gave me my salary."

Leon bent down, picked up the scattered bills from the floor, counted them briefly, and shoved them into his pocket.

He made his way to the parking lot of the convenience store, feeling the weight of his recent firing heavy on his shoulders. He slumped down, seeking a moment of escape from the harsh reality he now faced. It was then that the sound of a news broadcast from inside the store floated through the air, its volume cutting through the quiet of the early evening. The topic, "Immortal Legacy," snagged his attention immediately.

"Something big is going to happen..." The voice from the screen was faint but carried a tone of significance that he couldn't ignore.

The screen showed a scene from the virtual world of Yunatea, where a female reporter stood beside a man clad in striking red metal armor. His hair was as fiery as his armor.

"We're broadcasting live from Yunatea, and with us right now is Natsu, a top 100-ranked player," the reporter introduced the man.

"We're here to discuss a major event that has just unfolded in Yunatea. There's startling news about a global achievement—a player has had an actual encounter with a deity and even touched the deity."

"What's your take on this, Mr. Natsu?" she inquired.

Natsu seized the moment with a grin that lit up his face. "Hmm!" he started, his smile broadening. "Before I dive into that, may I take a moment to talk about my guild?" he asked.

The reporter paused, thrown off by the unexpected request. After a brief moment of hesitation, she conceded, "Yes, that's alright."

Natsu leaned into the microphone with confidence. "Alright, everyone," he began, his voice carrying a blend of charisma and assurance, "I know you're all looking for a guild that values professionalism and dedication. At the Mirajane guild, we're opening up five new spots. For those of you craving an unparalleled adventure in the world of Yunatea, look no further! Our members come from a wide array of classes, ready and able to tackle any challenge that comes our way."

The reporter interjected, "Sorry… Mr. Natsu... we need your answer for this phenomenon," her words trailing off as Natsu continued his enthusiastic promotion.

"You guys will never regret it, hahaha," Natsu chuckled. Turning back to the reporter with a cheeky grin, he asked, "Is that all clear to you?"

"That's really clear, Mr. Natsu," the reporter confirmed. "Now, could you please share your thoughts on the current global phenomenon?"

Natsu responded with a hearty laugh. "I'm sure we'll see more player-deity encounters following this event," he said. "And I'm certain the Mirajane guild is home to many skilled players ready for such encounters. So, joining us is a decision you won't regret."

"Alright…" she interjected with a professional smile.

She took over the microphone. "In light of that ambition, we're all eagerly awaiting the incredible developments following a player's direct encounter with the goddess of Sloth, Akidia. Her legendary beauty has been a topic of many discussions, but this marks the first occasion her physical form will be revealed in Immortal Legacy. This event is a historical milestone for Yunatea, and we're diligently working to uncover the identity of the mysterious player."

She continued, "This suggests that the champion of Sloth may have been chosen. This development is significant, especially considering that champions representing the other sins have reached top rankings within Immortal Legacy. We're all on the edge of our seats, anticipating the major updates and changes the game will undergo following this event. Stay tuned for our next live report for more updates!"

Leon, who had been watching the report, finally picked up his bike and continued his journey home, his mind still swirling with thoughts of the game and the harsh reality of his recent job loss.

"You'd better watch your mouth next time, you stupid, fat ass," he grumbled under his breath.

Upon reaching home, Leon quickly parked his bicycle and rushed inside, instantly greeted by the comforting aroma of food.

"Ah, it looks like Uncle is home tonight. Thank goodness, Lily's cooking smells amazing!" he exclaimed.

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