Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 132: Saphi

A few minutes have passed since our battle against the [Great Ruby Dragon]. We're back at Bai Hu's clearing in the <Tested Wilds>, spending our free time resting from our long battle. We also take our time to enjoy Wind's meals and get to know each other's [Familiars]. Of course, I told them about my Soul Stone failure now that cat's out of the bag. But I'm surprised that Wind also failed with his soul stone and got Soma through other means. Who knew that reward he mentioned back at my [Sign Creation Ceremony] ended up his second chance of getting his [Familiar]?

"But still, I'm surprised you haven't made a bond with that baby [Sapphire Dragon]," Razul said. "We thought you got yourself a rare [Familiar] like Wind's [Shadow Doppelganger]."

I smile and sigh. "I wish I could've. But he's still got his family and I'm not the type to separate family over my desire of getting my own [Familiar]."

"Still, you'll be a sitting duck against other players with their [Familiars]," Arthur said. "With your brother done being your [Guardian Player], you'll be at a big disadvantage if he's unavailable."

"Geez... Way to bring down the mood, Arthur," Wind sighs.

"Eh-he... Sorry." Arthur turns back to me next. "Besides, they're only NPCs. You'll be missing out on a lot of stuff."

"NPC or not, no means no." I turn to the baby dragon while he's eating Wind's roasted boar meat. "I don't want to force my wants on this guy. Like I said, he still got his Mom and I'm happy that he got reunited regardless. [Familiars] and items can be replaced, but family isn't. I'll get my [Familiar] somewhere else."

Wind chuckles in response. "You heard my brother. We can play the game we want. But if there's one thing neither of us will do, it's upending others' lives for our goals. That's the way we want to play <Isekai Online>."

He's right. Fiction or not, I have to respect others' boundaries over our goals sometimes. It's not just a family rule. It's what Mom and Dad call "moral standards".

"Yeah, I guess so." Arthur grins. "Looks like you two are starting to shape up to be the "goodie-two-shoes" of [Isekai]!"

I tilt my head. "Goodie... two shoes?"

"Ignore him, Kazu. All you know is that we'll respect your wishes no matter how ridiculous you decide." Wind hums in thought. "Now what should we do next?"

I turned around and saw the great dragons. Rudra seems like he lost most of his bravado after his "punishment" as I noticed his scars and bruises around his scaly body along with his [HP].

[HP: 283/1450]

As for the blue dragon, she's enjoying a pile of meat Bai Hu gave them as if nothing happened. I guess out of both of them, the blue one seems to be the strongest. I'm surprised she was more lenient with her "punishment" and healed him afterward. I guess we shouldn't make her mad for the baby dragon's sake. Other than that, I should finish what I started.

"Um... Ms. Sapphire Dragon?" I call out.

[Call me <Sephina>, young [Insignis],] the great dragon says as she introduces herself. [My child told me how you taught him how to fly and challenged Rudra in an attempt to protect him. Normally, I would have scolded you and your friends for putting him in danger. But since this is Rudra we're talking about, I knew you did nothing to drag him against his will.]

"Uh... Yeah..." Arthur responds. "Sorry, I'm still having trouble adjusting to the fact we can understand monster speak."

Wind and I chuckle. While they didn't mean to take one of my [Hidden Quests] as an urgent type, I'm surprised Bai Hu has gifted them the same charms that we got from our first encounter with him.