Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 127: Encouragement

[NOTICE]

[Your familiar has learned a new [Mastery]!

Your [Shadow Doppelganger] has learned [Dagger Mastery].]

Phew... It has taken about a few in-game hours, but it seems like it was all worth it. I would have given him a few more high-level monsters to speed up the process. But knowing how this game works, I would rather rely on care than the heartless training most players might have used since the first day of the expansion release. That and I already don't want to pressure the young [Familiar] with what he had right now.

[I-I did it, Windy! I got another [Horned Rabbit]!] Soma cheered with a smile while holding a dagger, which kinda creeps me out a bit. [Your dagger really helps. Thank you!]

Creepiness aside, at least he's happy with the progress we made. "It's not only your dagger that helped you. If you hadn't followed my lessons carefully and taken better care of yourself, you would have gotten hurt. Training to be strong is good and all, but try to relax every once in a while. Your body will thank you for it."

[R-Really? Is that why you kept telling me to stop hunting for a few minutes to eat?]

I nod. "Yeah. I may be your master, but I'm neither cruel nor power-hungry. And don't say you're only a monster. You're more than that. Besides, you remind me of my younger brother and I have a feeling you two will get along once you meet each other."

[I-Is your brother nice like you?]

"Knowing him, I know he will. Just don't get all hung up once you meet him. Be yourself and get to know him little by little. You will thank me later for it."

I can see a small smile forming on Soma's face. [If you say so. I can't wait to meet your brother soon.]

Well, we're gonna meet each other in a few hours once we get our [Familiars], so it won't be long.

[FAMILIAR CHECK]

[Soma is grateful for your kind words.]

[Your bond with your [Shadow Doppelganger] has gone up significantly.]

I'm glad to see Soma happy. It's only been a while, but I'm starting to see him as my second younger brother. Then again, I have a feeling Kazu might become a bit jealous once he realizes this.

PING!

[You have an incoming whisper voice chat from <Arthur>.]

Huh. I didn't expect him to call at this time. I guess this means it's something urgent outside of his Dahlia daydreams.

<<I hope you have a good reason for calling me at this hour, Arthur.>>

<<Yeah, sorry about your [Familiar] training, Wind. But have you seen the crowds here in <Initio> lately?>>

I raise my eyebrow at the sudden question. <<No? Besides, we were there a few hours ago when we logged in. What about it?>>

<<Well, it looks like the [Familiar] craze has spread throughout the <Peritus> lands in a matter of a few offline hours! I saw battles between them from left and right and they're even offered some food exclusively for [Familiars]. Can't you believe that?! It's like the Poke-craze all over again!>>

Wow, I can't believe it either. Considering how I almost became the only player not to have a [Familiar], it would be more awkward if I came back without learning of my soulstone from the [Hidden Quest]. But hang on... If what Arthur was saying is true, what would happen if everyone saw Soma? Since he came from the soulstone of a big boss from the [Test of Courage], there's a chance he might be one of the rarest [Familiars] in the game so far. It would be a privacy disaster for both of us just like the [World Notice] incident!