章 22: Man vs Society

"You brought your Headgear with you?!" Yui excitedly exclaimed.

After dinner, Yuuta went to his room, along with Miki and his younger sister. Miki made it plain to him that he needs to complete the last two sets and start the game as soon as he can. When Yuuta asked why, Miki said that he was better off knowing by himself, rather than knowing it from someone else.

Yuuta also goes by that idea so he didn't ask any more questions. As someone who has survived the past two years being blind, he knew that finding it out for himself would be more rewarding than hearing it from someone else. It's like how you get embarrassed having someone spoonfeed you and you would rather spoonfeed yourself.

"Well, I could tell you this. Do you remember that you were the only one who managed to finish the hidden level on the first test?" Miki asked. For some reason, she managed to comfortably include herself in Yuuta's life and Yuuta couldn't control her.

"Yes, why?"

"Because of that, new data was gathered for the future players of Lucid Dream Server and some guides were updated. After examining hundreds of thousands of levels heard from the other beta testers. It was concluded that these three tests are part of one whole. And that one whole makes up the desire of the player. That desire will then be manifested into a skill that would either fulfill or help fulfill that desire."

"I see, so just like in a lucid dream where you have to clearly picture the object or the scenery in your mind for it to happen," Yuuta responded. "If the three tests are part of the whole, then, are you saying that there's some sort of pattern? From what I can remember, all tests are randomly generated."

"That's true. But even though all tests are randomly generated, they follow a certain rule. Have you heard of the term 'Conflict In Literature' ?"

"You mean, the man versus man, man versus nature— things like that?"

"Yes,"

Miki hesitantly put her headgear on the floor as she sat beside Yuuta, who was sitting by the edge of his bed. An uncomfortable and awkward atmosphere descended upon them but since Yuuta was adept in making a poker face (he's blind, after all), Miki decided to not show her uneasiness.

"Lucid Dream Server uses these conflicts just like how a novel uses them. Not only would it gauge the skill you desire the most, but it would also judge the growth of your character based on your personality. This has been proven since some Dreamers didn't start at level one when they first entered the Lucid Dream Server." Miki softly continued. "You've already finished one of the three conflicts, man versus man. And now, you're on the second conflict, which is man versus society."

Something clicked in Yuuta's mind as he internalized what Miki just stated. If it was true, then the reason why he was working at a fast-food joint was to defeat society. As crazy as it may sound, that was the only possible explanation. Nevertheless, Yuuta had no idea how he'll go about it. How would someone go against society by being at a fast-food joint?

It's almost a week since he started the second test and he still hasn't moved forward. The only thing he was able to gain from the test was the friendship between him and Kirisaki-senpai— the NPC in the game who was supposed to guide him through the second test; or so, that's what Yuuta thought. '

Well, he also managed to get Kirisaki's first name and has been calling her by that ever since.

"That aside, I should really finish this test and move on to the third test," Yuuta muttered. "I guess I'll be logging in now. I have a vague idea on what to do."

<Welcome, Sakurai Yuuta [DareDevil] [Dark Flame Master]>

Miki, who was left behind with Yui, decided to play her game as well. She figured that she should just wait for Yuuta to finish his tests so she could guide her inside the actual Lucid Dream Server. Although she still hasn't mentioned why she befriended Yuuta, she was glad that he accepted her without doubting her. Because of that, she made up her mind to tell him as soon as he logs out of the game.

"What level are you in now, Miki-san?" Yui asked out of the blue.

"Level thirty-five" Miki responded with a smile.

.....

As soon as he logged in, Yuuta was greeted by Kirisaki outside her house. From time to time, Yuuta needed to remind himself that he was, in fact, inside a virtual game and not in real life. No matter how life-like a character would be, they're all just a small part of the simulation. Or in this situation, a part of a dream, a lucid dream.

With this in mind, Yuuta forced himself to smile as he cordially waved his hand towards Kirisaki in return. "Maya, you're here," Yuuta said in greeting.

Kirisaki's first name was Maya. Since they've known each other for almost a week now, Yuuta and Maya were already on a first-name basis. Together, the two of them headed towards DcMonalds for another day at work.

'This was supposed to be a game, and yet, I feel like I'm really working at a part-time job.' Yuuta thought to himself as he wracked his brain to figure out the next step on his job.

"Yuuta, I guess I should tell you somethi— you know what, never mind. You'll find out soon enough." Maya gleefully said as she walked faster.

Since DcMonalds was only a few minutes' walk from Maya's place, it didn't take long before they arrived in front of it. Compared to other fast-food joints around the place, DcMonalds still seemed to stand out. Because of that, Yuuta reminded himself that he was really playing in the Lucid Dream Server.

With bated breaths, Yuuta nervously stood still in front of the restaurant. There was something in Maya's voice that made him eagerly want to step foot inside the place as soon as possible. And yet, deep inside, nervousness was starting to creep in. He couldn't explain it, and as such, decided to mentally prepare himself before entering the place. Who knows what awaited him inside?

"What are you waiting for? Go in." Maya enthusiastically let out, pushing Yuuta from the back.

Swish~

As soon as the sliding door to the DcMonalds opened, an explosion of confetti hit Yuuta straight on the face, making him hold his breath and close his eyes in shock. As a blind person, Yuuta usually flinches when something surprising shows up in front of him. It wasn't because he was cowardly or anything, but it was the impulsive motor function or reaction of the nervous system since Yuuta's mind was still getting used to his eyes.

"Congratulations on being promoted to the manager position!" Every employee said in unison.

Cheers erupted from both the customers and employees as Yuuta was put on an imaginary pedestal in the middle of the restaurant. He didn't know what to say, so, instead of giving a cringeworthy speech in front of everyone, he decided to just bow down. "It's a pleasure to be working with you. I'll work harder from now on."

<Congratulations, you have finished the second test!>

<Notice: Creative Mode is now enabled>

"Finally. Who would've thought that my hunch was right. Working well for an unspecified amount of time is the right way to finish the second test. So this is what man vs society is all about." Yuuta muttered to himself as he looked up and greeted everyone once again. It was only fitting that he does so since it was his first day being the manager in DcMonalds.

<Notice: 123,646 beta testers have completed the second test.>

Yuuta was almost shocked when he heard the same notification in his mind. Back when he had finished the first test, he also heard the very same notification, asking him if he would stay in the area or not. At that time, he was able to unlock the hidden quest when he stayed so he figured that doing so would make him unlock the hidden quest— if there was one, of course.

"No," Yuuta finally decided as he headed towards the staff room of DcMonalds.

Now that he had completed the second test, a few thoughts entered his mind as he comfortably sat down on one of the chairs. 'If man vs society means I'm up against society itself... then why did I complete the test just by getting the managerial position? Shouldn't it be harder than that?'

Slam!

In the middle of his thinking, Kirisaki Maya enthusiastically entered the room, grinning from ear to ear. Her accelerated approach made Yuuta flinch as he impulsively stood up from where he was sitting.

Before he knew it, he received a tackle hug from Maya, making him redden a little bit. A split second later, he wanted to slap himself since his heart skipped a beat because of an NPC. To Yuuta, it was probably the most embarrassing moment in his life.

"Congratulations on your promotion. I will be transferred as the head manager to the other branch in this city so I wouldn't see you as much. But I know you'll do fine. I taught you everything I can." Maya said, burying her face on Yuuta's chest.

Suddenly, a panel appeared in front of Yuuta.

[Name: Kirisaki Maya

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Class: DcMonalds Worker

Level:0

Stats: N/A

Description: The new head manager of DcMonalds, second Lucid branch. Has taken a liking to her kouhai, but she couldn't tell him her feelings. Albeit being overly enthusiastic, she suffers greatly due to pressure from work and school. Her kouhai is her only saving grace from this cruel world]

"What on Lucid is this— " Yuuta muttered. Ever since he entered the game, it was his first time seeing panels open up in front of him.