9 He who wears the crown must bear its weight

Haon was speechless, I thought Wolf was just going to take me into like Mcdonalds, if it still existed or something similar to that, he didn't know what the hell Wolf was thinking, Haon wasn't even dressed for the occasion, he was only wearing a white shirt and jeans that the laboratory provided, whereas Wolf was wearing a full blown tuxedo accompanied with a cane, he looked like a proper oligarch of some sort, Wolf began heading inside, Haon had no choice but to follow, as they entered inside the place Haon couldn't stop being amazed, this was more like a palace than a restaurant, the inside was fully made out of white marble supported by 9 marble pillars in different places which were sculpted to form what looks like a generic looking [Avatar] from [Avalon] except they all were different the 9 different[Races] there were 50 or so tables dotted around the place and near the back was a massive staircase leading up to somewhere, Wolf began to head to those said stairs, as they walked by the people, Haon couldn't help but hear the whispers of the other customers, "Is that Wolf?", "Can't believe Wolf actually is here", "Isn't he the top [Ranker]", "He isn't anymore after the reset", all kinds of different conversation were taking place, but it was mainly towards Wolf, Haon couldn't help but frown when he kept hearing that Wolf is currently the top [Ranker], but won't be after the [Reset], Wolf saw his sad look again and said "Don't mind what they are saying" Wolf looked at Haon with a calming smile, which calmed him down, as they reached the top of the stairs, Wolf turned left immediately and entered a room which an employee has opened, he and Wolf sat down on the opposite side of the table and the employee said "beverages will be served in 20 minutes sir and food will be ready, along with it" Wolf acknowledged the employee and the employee bowed and left the room closing the door behind her.

Another round of awkward silence filled the room, Haon couldn't look Wolf in the eyes due to the things he heard downstairs... after a few minutes Haon finally spoke, he uttered " I'm sorry", Wolf didn't reply for a bit and then said curtly "sorry for what Mr. Haon?"

Haon looked at him nervously his emotions welling up inside him and he shouted "I'm sorry for existing!, I'm sorry for ruining your hard work!, I'm sorry for waking up", Haon tried to hold his tears but it just kept flowing out, Wolf didn't say anything and just waited until Haon stopped crying, he then passed him a box of tissues for him to wipe his tears and then said "have you calmed down?", Haon weakly nodded, "remember when I said that do not consider yourself a saviour?"Wolf asked, Haon didn't respond, but only nodded again, "I said that because to many people getting their progress reset is heartbreaking, you have to imagine that many of those people made a living out of their likeness, so you waking up pretty much ruined their livelihood" Wolf said, Haon's demeanour continued to worsen after hearing that fact, Wolf continued to smile at him "But remember you waking up is an absolute necessary, because if not you waking up those people will also be in the same situation in a few years time except with no solution, remember you waking up ensured that [Avalon] can continue and will continue longer than our lifetime, and if those people are good they will make way to gain their standings back" he reassured, hearing that gave Haon some happiness back, because even though what he did was evil, it was a necessary evil, for the sake of the people even those who hated him, Wolf saw the little smile in Haon's face and continued "As you heard I am currently the top [Ranker] in [Avalon], but do you know what that means?"

Haon shook his head in confusion, he imagined that being the top [Ranker] would bring in fame, glory and honour to the person, but why is he thinking otherwise when he looks at Wolf, "I have been the top [Ranker] for the past 20 years... that meant that during those times I was at the forefront of all the new updates that was coming every year, so much pressure was on me everyday to complete the updates and bring glory to the EFC, but not only that I was used to be break all kinds of record to continue and maintain the glory of our collective, it became a tiring time for me, [Avalon] felt like torture, so when [Avalon] couldn't stop produce anymore content, I was elated, I could finally stop with my high pressure life, or so I thought, around the time the world figured out that they didn't need [Avalon] to produce anymore content, I was again called, but this time as a political piece, as I was the top [Ranker] I was used as firepower during wars, for years I did our government's bidding, putting my body on the line everyday, imagine coming face to face with death everyday, [Avalon] even though it was just a game, my body remembered the fear of death everyday, my body was pushed to its limit everyday for years, it took a toll on me, but when [Avalon] told the world that it needed you to continue, but the world will [Reset], I was more than elated, to me it was an escape to the viscous never ending battle, I could retire and not enter [Avalon] anymore if so I so choose..."

Wolf stood up and gave Haon a pat on the shoulder and continued "So Haon to me you are a saviour, you saved me from an endless cycle of fighting and death so thank you" Wolf gave Haon the most sincerest smile he has given anyone, suddenly the door was pushed open loudly and a lady came running in screaming "Brother Wolf I hear you are here!!!" She suddenly stop to halt when she saw us "ehh... am I disturbing something" she asked in confusion, as Haon turned his head to see her, his eyes widened in shock, YUNA?!!!!