A Flicker of Worry

"Phew."

Travis took a deep breath and relaxed. He had sprinted through the trials for his skills without any breaks. It exhausted him mentally, so he needed a small break.

He obtained a number of skills, many he may never use. Mostly because they were required. He looked at the time and decided he should log off.

Travis took off the headset and sat up, he felt tired and sluggish. After doing a few basic exercises his blood started pumping and the tiredness began to fade. He swore after this Champion situation sorted out he would slow down on his progression. He already achieved strength that would take several months to become close to obtaining. There is no longer a need to race further ahead.

He wasn't taking care of his body properly, he only recently started eating healthier meals. However he wasn't getting proper rest, this may cause issues in the future if not handled. Luckily he was in the prime of his youth, so such actions are affordable.

He made a meal and ate. Looking at his watch he considered going out for a jog. However the thought of being late to Dimitrin's training session sent a chill down his spine. Instead he opted for a quick nap before heading back into the game.

~ ~ ~

Akiol sat on the couch, staring at the ceiling. He had been spending most of his time in-game in this position. In short, he felt bored. The game had turned into constant dungeon grinding, he hated fighting constantly for levels. Since he didn't need gear Quests became inefficient to do.

In his spare time he socialized with the NPCs, he helped out whenever he could. He gained such a positive reputation in Chalkworth that he was constantly greeted as he walked down the street. Yet he did so much help that there wasn't much left to do, so he continued to mindlessly stare at the ceiling.

Yielya walked through the door and saw Akiol. She walked over and waved a hand in front of Akiol's eyes. Seeing him not react she poked him with her staff. Yet Akiol did not react.

With a sigh she stabbed the staff into the chest of Akiol and poked his core. This startled him with a jolt, "What did you do that for?"

Yielya healed the little damage she did as she explained, "You looked and acted like a zombie. I wanted to make sure you weren't dead."

"Can't you diagnose me?"

"That wouldn't be fun."

". . ."

Yielya poked him again, "Why you looking dead?"

Akiol batted the staff away as he answered, "Bored really, thinking of taking a break from this game."

Yielya scoffed, "You're bored? I sit in the back and barely do anything most of the events. You shall suffer with me."

"Ha, bringing me down with you. That's not very priest like."

"Nonsense, I am clearly the pillar of the group. If I fall everyone falls."

"The existence of disease was different though. We all fell before you."

"Then, I am the foundation. If I fall you all fall, but if you fall I shall remain to rebuild."

Akiol rolled his eyes, "Rebuild with what?"

Yielya grinned, "I just have to find another set of heroes."

"Ah! We are just expendables I see. A set of batteries meant to be exchanged once worn out."

"I didn't say all that, just don't fall. As long as you all remain standing I shall support you."

Akiol looked at Yielya with squinted eyes, "Somehow you managed to make it look like your the good guy. Even though all you said before sounded villainous."

"I was never villainous, you simply mistook it."

"Sure."

Yielya changed the subject, "So why are you bored?"

Akiol extended his hands, "We are doing what we spent our lives doing, fighting. Normally people might be addicted to this, because it's new to them. However it's merely another world for us, minus the threat of death."

"Okay, and how do you think you could fix this?"

"I don't think there is fixing, this whole game is built on fighting."

Yielya raised a finger, "But wait, you said there is a difference right?"

"Yeah, just another world."

Yielya nodded, "Exactly, another world filled with magical sights and new things. So why chain yourself to the couch staring at the same piece of ceiling? Why not explore the other cities? Check out popular locations?"

"Didn't we agree to hold off exploration until we reach a new realm of strength?"

"I said other cities, popular locations, not go out in the wild and hope for the best. Moreover, why not do the same outside of the game?"

Akiol snapped his fingers, "That's it, we should all meet up and go on a trip."

A flash of worry crossed Yielya's face, but she quickly hid it. She shook her head, "Why all of us?"

Akiol looked at her strangely, "Do you not? I figured it be fun if we go and explore the world we haven't."

"Yeah, well. . . it sounds a bit troublesome. Besides it's not like we are rich."

". . . Tilia and Wrock are."

"What?!"

"Tilia owns a popular business, remember? Wrock was a once popular content creator. He has enough money to live in luxury for the rest of his life. I myself have a decent amount of money. Getting the money for us to meet isn't an issue at all, I personally don't mind footing the bill myself."

Yielya was silent for a while before responding, "If you can get the others to agree I shall consider it."

She then walked to her own room, not waiting for Akiol to respond. His face frowned with worry, she had never acted like this. Yielya was always the one to rile up a party member. Was always quick to gather everyone for some small adventure. Perhaps it was a way to cure boredom, but she never once turned down an opportunity to have fun and pass time. Yet she seemed so unwilling.

Akiol opened the group chat and typed a message. However he hesitated before sending. He then deleted it and chose to send everyone a message individually, except Yielya. The message was simple:

-I have an idea that should be discussed, we should meet up as soon as possible. You will find me in my room.-

Half an hour later. . .

Most of the party stood in Akiol's room. His room was mostly empty, he chose to have a hammock instead of a bed hanging high above the ground. On the floor was only a small table, it was really empty and sad looking.

Akiol sat on the table. He sent a message to Kan'na and waited. Kan'na received the message and frowned, a few magic circles formed at her finger tips and headed in each corner of the room, "It's done Akiol, why did you want me to do this though?"

Akiol had asked to make sure no-one could hear through the walls, "I shall explain why I have gathered you here today. To put it simply, I am extremely bored."

Wrock snickered, "Sorry, go on."

"To cure this boredom I wanted to propose an idea. We could meet up outside the game and go traveling, spending time exploring what the world we were sent to has to offer. Of course you can turn down the invitation, I figured I would offer."

Wrock was the first to agree, "We already met up, so I don't mind the rest. It sounds like a good break to be honest."

The rest followed, they have been adventuring for years together. Forming close bonds possible only by fighting with their lives constantly at stake. At most they would crack jokes about each other's new appearance, much like Akiol and Wrock did.

After they all agreed Akiol continued, "However, Yielya seems to have an issue about this. You know how she acts, but this time she seemed hesitant at the idea."

Tilia was first to ask, "Perhaps she is self conscious about her new appearance?"

"Does she seem to really care about that though? I may not be a girl, but she never seemed to care how she looked."

Tilia had to agree, Yielya never once put a thought into her appearance. She put on clothes that felt comfortable. No matter how unstylish or strange she looked. For her to suddenly care about appearance was out of character.

Jarvis asked, "Is it something more then?"

Akiol nodded, "I believe so, I mean think about it. Every time we pulled up the topic of the individuals we took over, she always dodged the question. In fact the only thing I know is that the individual she took over was into house design or something similar. I'm worried something might be happening she isn't speaking up about."

The room grew silent. They looked at each other before Tilia spoke up, "I'll talk to her, if she needs help we know what to do. Meanwhile you guys figure out the fine details of us meeting up."

Everyone nodded. Tilia left the room to speak to Yielya and the rest of the party began to plan.

As they finally chose a gathering point Wrock offered, "I can pay for our expenses."

Kan'na rejected, "We should pool in our money instead. The costs of all of us would be too much for one person."

Wrock gave a light laugh, "I never told you all how much money I have. The amount of contracts the previous owner signed that were forcefully ended gave me a load of contract cut fees. I could probably buy us all a mansion each and support the costs for the rest of our lives."

Kan'na looked at him suspiciously, "That sounds like a lie."

"You caught me, it was exaggerated. I wouldn't buy us all a mansion each. But I could buy a mansion, and live for the rest of my life. In short, I'm rich. Richer than I should be. The costs of this trip won't be much for me. So let me be generous."

Kan'na squinted at Wrock for a moment before giving in, "Fine, don't complain if you lose too much money."

"Ha, we will see about that."

Akiol interrupted the bickering, "So we meet up next Friday?"

Everyone nodded, it was agreed!