Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 111: Mirror Match

"Meanie! Traitor! You evil Dungeon Master!"

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Hey, easy on the robe, Kazu! You will pull out one of the tassels by accident!"

I keep hitting on my Dad's chest while ignoring his pleas. How could I? I've just seen my brother facing off against a doppelganger monster and judging from his expression and injuries, he's not having a good time.

"I will if you start talking! What kind of crazy monster did you and the Sages unleash on him?!" I demanded.

"Alright! I will tell you if you stop hitting me like a punching bag!" I stop hitting him as he asks. But I'm ready to raise my staff in case he's lying again. "What Wind is experiencing right now is the [Test of Courage]. It's a rite where [Half-Signs] prove themselves that they are part of [Insignis] by facing their fears. It often occurs at the same time as the [Sign Creation Ceremony] and this one only features Wind as its only participant."

"So you're saying I spent the whole time acing the ceremony with little difficulty while Wind ends up facing his own monsters?! ARGH!!! I knew you were an evil DM!" I scream.

"Geez, can't you call me by something else?!"

No way. He deserves it! I know Dad and he often played RPGs with us as the DM. He once ran an adventure where we faced our doppelgangers and it's not a pretty fight if it wasn't for those critical rolls. And I thought he was supposed to be in charge of the game's AI only!

Still, all I can do is sigh and turn to Dad again. "Look, I have a feeling Wind will win against his copycat. But whether you're an Awakened Sage or not, you can't just throw him in a dangerous fight without a warning! Sure, it ruins the surprise, but playing [Isekai Online] isn't about risking our lives for real to win! Plus, Mom will be mad if I tell her about all of this."

"No, no! Anything but that! I...uh...have an NDA about leaking this [Hidden Quest] to the public and it would be bad if you tell her right now."

"I don't think NDA counts for a [Hidden Quest], Dad." I've checked it twice with Wind's friends and they said [Hidden Quests] are simply [Quests] that were hidden for the player to find. He's saying all of that to save his hide.

"Ugh... You got me," he says while pinching the bridge of his nose. "Look, I'll make it up to you two once the ceremony is over. How about a twin choco sundae tomorrow after school?"

A sundae would be nice, but that's not enough to forgive Wind for dragging him into a dangerous fight. I know him and I know he will not accept a simple sundae.

"No, you need something big to forgive Wind!" I demand. "And no, giving me a big birthday present doesn't count!"

"Ugh... You know my budget this month! What am I supposed to give you bigger than that?"

I hum for a while until I get an evil thought and a grin to match. "How about you show us where [Isekai Online] was made? You know, the very same one that your company is working with right now?"

"What?! Do you mean that place?!" I can see Dad twiddling his thumbs with sweat on his face. "Um... That might be impossible since their studio is in Silicon Valley..."

And I chip his [HP] again by smacking him with my staff. "Liar! You said before their main studio is in New York and their branch is in California!"

"ARGH! Okay, okay! I'll discuss it with the developers afterward! Just stop hitting me with you [Crystal Staff]! Please!"

Hmph... I'm excited that he said yes, but I'm still not happy about Wind's situation. Oh, I hope he can get out of the fight alive...