C002—What was so crazy, huh?

The blue taxi was moving under the pouring rain. Archie was still fascinated by staring at the hologram screen that showed the 'OP on Construction' chat. The group grew busier after Archie said that, but unlike what he had imagined being, the people inside were more likely to become ...

{[OP on Construction (10)]

...

[Yu: @Archie you reading this?]

[Archie: Hi, I'm back...]

[Yu: I think I'm hungry...]

[Kanna-chan: Don't wake me up...]

[Kazzzzzuki: Jay, next time we grind]

[Jay: Actually, good idea]

[Kim: ....]

[Larisa: brb, need some air]

[Arduino Pardi: Me too @Yu, let's eat some pizza?]

[Sayyid: Can I have one? I mean one box...]

[Arduino Pardi: I'll give u 10 boxes for sure!!! Let's get some calories guys, bread from there isn't enough!]

They all couldn't believe what they saw, Archie's 'I'm back' message was like an impossibility in their eyes, even Yu who asked the question felt herself hallucinating at this time.

All of that comes with a reason because Archie never told people in the 'OP on Construction' group about his return to society,

News from News Gate also convinced themselves that the message was just a hallucination that can occur because of an instant's suggestion. None of them thought it was a genuine message.

'OP on Construction' is a group chat of the Ordinary People squad—abbreviated as OP. Since the elimination of VRFPS Battle Strike from the world, they added 'on Construction' as an early step to face the changing world of virtual reality games.

The squad consists of 7 men and 3 women.

The founders were Archie and Yu.

Its members come from various parts of the world, besides Kazuki who became the leader of the squad due to his old age, Yu was an advisor to them. Often times Yu's words always put them in a favorable condition.

Therefore, while Archie went missing without a word, Yu became someone who insisted on keeping the squad intact. They still survived until now only because Yu said, "I have had a good feeling since the birth of our squad. Don't decide now! At least wait until Archie comes back!"

Since Yu's words, they rarely play together anymore. Just hang on in while hoping Archie comes back soon enough to get what he says about the squad prospect. All of this was done in the name of friendship.

Now, watching Archie's 'I'm back' message, they didn't know what to say other than reject him with a strange reply.

Before, Yu was the one who let out 'At least wait until Archie comes back' and now they saw Archie say it ...

He's back, what should we do? Nobody thought of that before. Because 365 days were so long, and make them feel hopeless.

Not intending to help the confused people, with a slight smile on his face, Archie closed the hologram screen. He looked out the window to enjoy the view of the metropolis whose sky was dotted with tall buildings and dark clouds. The weather really helped him to build all of his wild thoughts. However ...

—Ping!

The notification came again, breaking the wild thoughts that were occupying his soul. When Archie saw it, it turned out that there was one member left who had not followed the commotion before and had just appeared. She's even dared to make a new turmoil …

{[OP on Construction (10)]

<New Message (2)>

[Viana: What's wrong with you guys?]

[Viana: Did Universe Return drive y'all crazy?]

"This girl ..," Archie said when he saw the name 'Viana'.

[Yu: No.. can you see him? Archie...]

[Viana: OH?! HAS HE ARRIVED ALREADY?]

Archie read the message, and a faint smile appeared on his face before a blank stare entered him unsolicited. Suddenly his mind recalled a memory from a week ago before he returned to Indonesia.

At that time...

The sunny morning woke me up a little from my slump, after breakfast at the hotel I felt I had to make a rebellion against myself, I don't know where that thought came from.

After holding back for a year, I suddenly felt compelled to contact someone and say something about my return to society.

Walking out of the hotel, I headed for Melbourne's main street–where a red payphone box was located. Many people walked past me in clean and nice clothes, while I was simply in long sleeves and white shorts.

Entering the box, I immediately entered the coin to use it. Without thinking, I just used my Hyperthymesia to write down any number that popped into my brain.

The ringing telephone rang along with the roar of the wind and the sound of vehicles on the road.

After that, I'm waiting-waiting-and-waiting for the owner of the number to finally pick it up

...

["Hello?"]

So my Hyperthymesia called her?

Now Archie remembered that the person who picked up the called from him was Viana, a member of the Ordinary People squad who has the same nationality as him.

For no apparent reason, that's when Archie announced he would be back soon. What was even more confusing to him than the number he called is how the girl's answer...

"... In a few days, I will return to Indonesia..."

["Oh?! Come to my house first, at the Grandville Residence, Jakarta!"]

Previously, when he got off the plane and walked out of the airport, Archie only relied on his subconscious to order a taxi, even when he got into the taxi he didn't think at all about where he was going and let his brain speak.

Since secluded himself for a year, Archie more often uses his subconscious in action. Just as it now he feels complete control over himself. The void just disappeared after seeing messages from the 'OP on Construction' group chat.

Archie also instantly asked the driver about the direction he was going, and sure enough. Despite getting a strange look, he got an answer that this taxi was heading to the Grandville Residence, Jakarta.

[Viana: @Archie COME OUT!!!]

"You— did she just scroll up?" said Archie who understood the girl's habits, Always act regardless of the situation, he thought to Viana who often died in matches because she did not follow the strategy. Although the results are sometimes good, the girl's way of playing is somewhat reckless, then she gets the nickname from it...

[Archie: Hi @Viana, the Sloppy Goddess of War~]

Silence...

[Archie: Hi, I'm back... (Season 2)]

Archie tilted his head, no one there...

Am I wrong? no one literally returned the greeting, Viana who told him to do so just disappeared like she was being swallowed by the Earth, Let's give a raise for my level of humor, may he do a good job next.

Although he's clearly not a comedian, Archie still took a deep sigh after finding out how unfunny he was.

—Ping!

A notification came after a few minutes had passed, and for no apparent reason, "*HISS*..." Archie just took another breath after getting the notification, even the taxi driver had to ignore the road just to see how strange of the passengers behaviour behind him...

Ignoring the strange look from the driver, Archie opened the message...

{[Viana]

...

<New Message (1)>

— 30nd June 2155 —

< 3:55 p.m.>

[Viana: DON'T APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR, anserine!]

[Viana: Your missing has dealt a heavy blow to the morale of the squad. No one is ignoring you, better explain how fine you are...]}

Archie smiled because Viana said that, it had been a long time since he had been insulted by a cold girl.

Smiling and laughter were just Archie's escape from the chaos inside his brain. The more sad fact was this was caused by an article about himself.

Reality slapped him so hard this time, that Archie was defeated with a single hit.

When It was not too confusing for his brain, Archie started to focus on the chat, 'Viana has a point, I have to start from here,' he thought about a meeting that might be held in the imminent time...

—CRACK- CRA- CRACK

The sound came from Archie's fingers.

The taxi driver who also heard it decided to pull over from the road and stopped the blue taxi just to ask, "Sir? Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm doing okay."

The taxi driver narrowed his eyes, "Are you sure?"

Archie immediately gave him a smile and a single nod before focusing on the android in his arm again.

Not wanting to disturb the passengers any further, the taxi driver accepted the answer without asking any questions. Now just he wants to take this passenger to the destination.

***

[Archie: That's how the short story goes, I just went on vacation… without any information. Sorry.]

After sending the message, Archie hugged his knees and leaned his head on the right elbow of the white sofa he was currently sitting on. It turned out that the trip to Grandville—where Viana's house was—almost took 30 minutes from the airport, and half of his time was spent telling where he had been.

Meanwhile, on his left sat a girl, it was Viana. The girl had just welcomed Archie to her house a few moments ago. With the cold weather outside, the girl was drinking hot chocolate from under the warm blanket which was the color of the morning sky, and it was very similar to the color of her eyeballs, a bright blue color.

"Is storytelling extremely tiring?" Viana said to Archie who looked so leaden, the fact that she only saw him sitting down after walking in. What a show by the Top 1 VRFPS Player doing right now, he become so dull~

A few moments passed, and Viana's question was ignored. She looked strangely at the behavior of this nearby human, then she immediately handed out a deadly strike for him, namely curiosity.

"Aren't you curious about 'that'?" Viana hooked words for Archie who was almost falling asleep next to her.

Viana even showed a smile on her lips after saying that, she knew that Archie had been holding back his curiosity all along the way.

Truth shall come to the right place.

Archie suddenly woke up from his sleep and stated a straightforward question, "Right— what is Universe Return?!"

Viana is still engaged with hot chocolate in her hands, "*Siiip*.. just a VRMMORPG currently on CBT, and we were playing it."

"Then? Why did you say 'crazy' in that message? What was so great about the game to be stressed out?" Archie had been holding back his curiosity since Viana sent the message, he did it for fear of making the atmosphere more awkward in chat.

So, when Viana was nearby and even offered herself, Archie wouldn't pass up the opportunity.

Archie's question made Viana put the hot cup on the table in front of the sofa. Then the two of them looked at each other, Archie with his curious brown eyes, while Viana with his bright blue eyes.

Archie only knew one thing as he looked into those blue eyes, This is going to be interesting, I know that! he couldn't wait for the information to be conveyed.

As if the intense gaze was enough, Viana closed her eyes; took a deep breath, then opened her eyes again, "Universe Return— it seems like the game was created to determine the future."

Archie was surprised by the answer, maybe it was the year 2155, but what absurd thing did Viana mean by her words make him more excited, "The future? What future are we discussing?" he asked while tilting his head 15 degrees.

"Human future, on a different planet..."

Those beautiful eyes never lie, Archie can feel how tough the words are.