章 8: Chapter 8 - Stupid, Fat Ass

The room was suddenly filled with a hissing sound as a capsule device sprung into action, its lid retracting to reveal its occupant. Inside lay a 20-year-old man, his blond hair framing his face, and 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 hours, marking this as his longest dive into the game since the day he had played it.

He extracted himself from the confines of the capsule, standing to his full height of 182 cm (6'0").

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 served as a cold reminder of the divide between the virtual world and his physical reality.

The rusty door to his room creaked open. Through it stepped a sixteen-year-old girl, standing at 167 cm (5'6"), her blonde hair falling just above her shoulders and framing her slender face. This was Lily, Leon's younger sister.

"Leon, 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 said as he grabbed 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."

Leon dashed from the room, exiting his modest home that nestled on the outskirts of town where he, Lily, and their uncle lived. He mounted his bicycle parked outside and began pedaling towards his destination.

As Leon made his hasty departure, Lily followed him to the door.

"It's not like him to be so absorbed in the game," she whispered to herself. "He's always been 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?"

"I know. I'll prepare his favorite meal tonight!" she said, giggling to herself.

Leon hurriedly parked his bicycle outside the convenience store. And as he approached the entrance, he noticed Bob, the store manager, storming out.

Bob, a man in his early twenties, plump with usually rosy cheeks. The two were actually classmates in high school.

"This is bad," Leon muttered to himself.

Bob, catching sight of Leon, flung the door open.

"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, trying 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?"

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

Bob had always been wealthy, even back in their senior high school days, which meant someone like Leon never really fit into his circle. When Leon started working at the convenience store where Bob was the manager, it didn't sit well with him. Bob had been quietly displeased from the start and was always looking for an excuse to get rid of him.

"Give me my salary, Bob!"

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.

"Damn you, Bob!"

Leon squatted down, picked up the scattered bills from the floor, and counted them briefly before shoving them into his pocket.

He made his way to the parking lot of the convenience store, feeling the weight of his recent job loss 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 screen displayed a scene from the virtual world of Yunatea, where a female reporter stood beside a man clad in striking red metal armor, his hair as fiery as his armor.

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

"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 made physical contact with 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 began. "Before I dive into that, may I take a moment to talk about my guild?" he asked.

"Yes, that's alright." The reporter said.

Natsu leaned into the microphone with confidence. "Alright, everyone. I know you're all looking for a guild that values professionalism and dedication."

He paused before continuing, "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."

"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 crystal 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 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 where 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 added, "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 unforeseen 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."

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

"Ah, it looks like Uncle is home tonight. Lily's cooking smells amazing!" he couldn't help but exclaim.