The bell rang, signaling the start of lunch. Students spilled out of the classroom in noisy clusters, rushing toward the cafeteria.
"Ric!"
A pudgy hand thumped Fenric's shoulder.
Behind him stood a round-faced boy grinning ear to ear—Jitto, one of the original Fenric's few friends.
"Come on, lunch's on me today!"
Fenric raised a brow. "So generous? Did you strike gold overnight?"
"Heh‑heh!" Jitto puffed his chest proudly. "Run a dungeon last night, scored a C‑rating. Got 300 Samsara Points! My dad was so happy he tossed me five thousand jade coins!"
Fenric almost laughed. So that's it—not lunch, just bragging rights.
Still, he played along. "Impressive. Which dungeon?"
"Haha! Charlotte's Troubles. Hey, Ric, want the guide? Call me 'Brother' and I'll tell you every trick!"
He looked so smug it was almost cute.
Fenric ignored the bait and stood. "Didn't you say lunch was on you? Let's go."
Truth was, Fenric already knew Charlotte's Troubles. A low‑tier Safe Zone copy, main quest about building "Prestige." The first‑clear wave had gutted most of the rewards—hardly worth his time.
"Oh, playing hard to get, huh? Let's see how long you can hold out!" Jitto huffed, then shouted loud enough for the whole class: "If you want my guide, you gotta call me 'Brother!'"
Show‑off. Typical teenager moves.
Fenric brushed him off. "Where are we eating?"
Jitto gritted his teeth like a martyr about to bleed money. "Deli Restaurant. Best spot near campus."
The Deli was the priciest joint within walking distance—sleek décor, soft lighting, and dishes that bled wallets dry. Normally a place for the school's rich kids.
Jitto, desperate to flex, went big. As soon as they sat, he rattled off an order worth at least 2 or 3 thousand jade coins.
Fenric didn't stop him. He wasn't one to freeload, and when his twenty‑million deal cleared, he planned to return the favor in spades.
The place buzzed with chatter—packed tables, clinking dishes, students laughing in clusters.
"Holy—the school belle's here!" Jitto suddenly blurted, eyes bulging. He jabbed a finger toward the door. "Ric, look!"
Fenric glanced over.
A group of girls in their school's uniform walked in, sunlight catching on glossy hair and long legs. Leading them was a girl whose presence outshone the rest—a delicate face, porcelain skin, bright eyes framed by long lashes. Every feature was fine enough to sketch, her whole figure radiating youth and vitality.
Isla Wynn.
The name surfaced from memory—the undisputed school flower.
Fenric's gaze lingered for a heartbeat, then slid away. Pretty, sure. But just a kid.
Beside him, Jitto ogled like he'd spotted a rare Pokémon… for about three seconds before regaining composure. Most guys weren't actually drooling idiots outside of dramas.
"Ric," Jitto said, lowering his voice, "you really don't want the Charlotte guide?"
"That dungeon's been farmed dry. Not interested."
"Shame…" He leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. "Did you know there's a school belle NPC in that copy? Not as hot as Isla Wynn, but the body—phew! Only catch is, she likes talented guys. Tough nut to crack."
Fenric's fingers paused on his chopsticks. Of course he knew. He also knew how the original protagonist captured the school belle's favor.
If I went, I could clear that arc easily…
The thought passed as quickly as it came. He wasn't about to burn a dungeon cooldown refresh card for virtual romance. Fenric was a steel‑straight pragmatist.
Jitto kept going, whispering like they were plotting a heist. "Heard someone say Dororo from our class already won her over in that world. Don't know if it's true, but damn… lucky bastard."
Fenric chuckled silently. Hormones everywhere. Physically he was still a teen, but mentally? Worlds apart.
The food arrived fast. Plates clattered down, steam curling.
Jitto's bragging died the instant he started eating, mouth too full for words. Within minutes, several dishes were half‑gone.
"Ric," he mumbled through a stuffed cheek, "you full? Want me to order more?"
"I'm good." Fenric rose with a smile. "Bathroom. Wait for me outside."
"Sure thing." Jitto waved him off, already fishing out his phone. Head‑down tribe, universal species.
—--
Fenric was washing his hands when a voice drifted from just beyond the door—a girl's voice, low but clear.
"Dad, when can you come back? I need to trade tonight. The gold bars have to be ready in advance…
Mm… yeah… no, don't bring food. I already ate with my classmates…
And listen—the twenty million in gold might not be enough. I have to cover half the transaction fee. About twenty‑three point five million in total…
Okay. I'll wait for you at school."
"!!"
Fenric's pulse spiked.
Gold bars. Twenty million. Handling fee.
There was only one deal in Samsara that matched those numbers.
Keeping his expression calm, he dried his hands and stepped out—
Just as the girl who'd been on the phone turned around.