Time: April 16, 2032. 13:15.
Location: "White Tiger" Guild, Top Floor — President's Office.
As the gold-plated elevator ascended to the 50th floor, Laylo looked at her reflection in the window and pinched herself.
"Big brother, look," she said, spinning around and twirling her skirt. "Don't I look like a character from a 'Magical Girls' anime? This fabric is so soft, it's like wearing a cloud!"
Kenji leaned against the elevator wall, spinning his "F-Rank" card between his fingers.
"Yes, you're very beautiful. Just be careful—if you sneeze too hard, this outfit's price might exceed our debt."
Laylo stuck out her tongue mockingly:
"Ugh, you're boring! What's wrong with you anyway? You talk like an 80-year-old man!" (She didn't know how close to the truth she was). "And congratulations, Mr. 'F-minus.' Now you can officially be my luggage carrier."
Kenji laughed. He'd missed Laylo's playfulness.
"Alright, alright, Your Majesty. It's an honor for me to carry your luggage."
Ding!
The elevator doors opened.
Kaori was waiting to receive them. Her face was even more serious than before.
"Mr. Kenji, President Sato is personally waiting for you. Please be respectful. He is very... demanding."
They walked down a long red-carpeted corridor and came to a massive oak door. Kaori opened the door.
The room didn't resemble a president's office but rather a museum. On the walls hung ancient swords, creature heads, and... a collection of old game consoles (PS5, VR helmets).
At the head of the room, behind a massive desk, sat a sturdy man with graying hair, approximately in his 50s. He had a deep scar on his face, but his eyes were kind and weary.
This was Daigo Sato—leader of "White Tiger" and one of Japan's most powerful Tanks.
"Welcome," Sato said, standing up. His voice was like the rumbling of mountain rocks. "So you're the young man who sold the stone that might save my daughter's life?"
Kenji recognized him at a glance.
His face had changed, aged nearly 20 years, but that "Essence"... that unique aura hadn't changed.
An involuntary smile crossed Kenji's face. Not sarcastic, but sincere.
"Hello, 'IronBarrel,'" Kenji said unexpectedly.
Dead silence filled the room.
Kaori's breath caught in her throat. "IronBarrel"? That was the President's youthful, slightly embarrassing game nickname that he never told anyone!
Laylo's eyes widened as if to say "Big brother, what are you saying?!"
Sato froze. His eyebrows furrowed.
"You... how do you know that name? Only my friends from the old server knew that."
Kenji put his hands in his pockets and continued calmly:
"Do you remember, 2028. 'Flaming Dragon' raid. You were the tank, but because you held the shield wrong, the Dragon 'wiped' you three times. That's when a young man and his girlfriend taught you how to hold 'Aggro.' And they gifted you the rare **'Titan Shield'** that day."
Sato's eyes widened. His memories came alive. At that time, he was a 40-year-old "noob" uncle who didn't understand the game. Everyone laughed at him. Only one couple—the legendary Shadow and Light—had helped him.
Sato walked around the desk and approached Kenji. He stared into Kenji's eyes.
"Shadow..?" he said in a trembling voice. "Could it be... could you be that boy? Kenji?!"
Kenji shrugged.
"It's been a long time, uncle. Your hair has grayed, but you're still the same old 'Barrel.'"
Sato suddenly burst out laughing. He laughed so hard the room walls trembled. Then he bear-hugged Kenji.
Kenji's bones creaked.
"Be careful!" Kenji wheezed. "My bones are still F-rank!"
Sato released him and wiped his eyes.
"I can't believe it! You're alive! Everyone thought you were dead! You didn't log out when the game shut down, did you?"
"Yes, I got a bit... stuck," Kenji said vaguely. "For about 80 years."
"80 years?!" Sato and Laylo shouted in unison.
"I'm joking," Kenji said quickly (though it was the truth). "I was just in a long coma."
Sato became serious and looked at Kaori.
"Kaori, give this young man and his sister the highest level guest status. From now on, they are family members of 'White Tiger.' Anyone who touches them will answer to me personally!"
Laylo's mouth hung open. She looked at her brother. "Big brother... who is he? Why is the President treating him like a friend?"
"Thank you, Sato," Kenji said. "But I came here for business. Where's your daughter? It's time to use the stone."
Sato nodded and pointed to a special ward at the back of the room.
"Yuki is here. Her illness... 'Ice Curse.' Her body can't control its own mana and is freezing."
They went inside.
On a white bed lay a girl around 18 years old with silvery hair, a face beautiful as an angel, but very pale. The air around her was so cold that Laylo wrapped herself in her new clothes.
This was Yuki Sato—the sole heir of "White Tiger."
Kenji signaled to Laylo. Laylo handed over the famous Blue Stone (Slime Core).
Sato took the stone and placed it in a special elixir-creating apparatus.
Within a few minutes, the stone turned to liquid and was given to Yuki to drink.
A miracle occurred.
Color returned to Yuki's face. The cold air around her dispersed. Her eyelashes fluttered and she opened her eyes.
Her eyes were blue, clear, and deep.
"Papa?" Yuki said in a weak voice.
Sato held his daughter's hand and burst into tears. This time they were tears of joy.
"I'm here, my daughter. You're healed. Everything's fine."
Watching this scene, Laylo remembered when her own brother had awakened, and her heart softened.
Kenji leaned against the wall, watching them. His mission was complete.
When Yuki recovered a bit, she looked over her father's shoulder and saw Kenji.
"Who is this?" she asked.
"This is the hero who saved you," Sato said. "His name is Kenji."
Yuki looked at Kenji, blushed slightly, and bowed her head.
"Thank you... Kenji-san."
Seeing this, Laylo suddenly frowned. A strange, unfamiliar feeling sparked inside her—Jealousy.
She immediately went and firmly grabbed Kenji's arm.
"It's nothing! My brother is always this kind!" she said loudly, as if to say "This is my brother, don't you dare look at him."
Kenji was surprised by Laylo's behavior but said nothing.
Later, when they returned to the office, Kenji turned to Sato.
"Sato, I want to ask you a question. It's very important."
Sato became serious.
"Ask, my friend. Whatever you need."
Kenji took a deep breath.
"Aira. (Her in-game name: Light). Do you know anything about her? She must have logged out of the game too."
Sato was silent for a moment. He looked out the window, lost in thought.
"Light... That legendary mage girl. Yes, there's information about her. But this news might not make you happy."
Kenji's heart beat faster.
"Is she alive?"
"Alive," Sato said. "But she's not an ordinary person. Now she's considered the most powerful healer and 'Saintess' in Japan, perhaps all of Asia. She's the leader of the 'Temple of Light' guild."
Kenji relaxed slightly. Alive! And in her element again.
"Then what's the problem?"
"The problem is..." Sato looked at Kenji with pity. "She lost her memory, Kenji. When she logged out of the game, due to 'Logout syndrome,' she lost 5 years of her memory. She doesn't remember you, the game, us... no one. She's now a completely different person."
Kenji froze.
So Second Shadow was partially right. He had been forgotten.
But Kenji didn't fall into despair. On the contrary, fire burned in his eyes.
"So what if she lost her memory?" he said with his characteristic determination, smiling. "That means I just have to make her fall in love with me again. This is another 'Quest.' And I love completing Quests."
Hearing her brother's words, Laylo let out a light "Pff" and turned her face away.
But Sato laughed.
"You haven't changed, Shadow. Welcome. To the New Game."