Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 147: Sudden Robbery

"You shouldn't have put me out in front without a warning, Zale..."

I can hear him chuckling under his breath after leaving the bookshop. Because of him, I had a hard time explaining everything about my [Magecrafting] methods to Xiri, Epona, and Leslie. Unfortunately, my way of explaining things is as bad as Wind's acting or Arthur's flirting. If it wasn't for Xiri understanding what I explained and deciphering everything else, things would be even more awkward between us.

"Hey. At least they know you got a recommendation for a good reason," Zale says with a smile and shrug without turning to me. "A young [Insignis] who defeated the legendary [Tempest Frigate] before clearing his [Sign Creation Ceremony] along with a rumor of expelling the plague from the <Tested Wilds>. You should try to be proud of your accomplishments and show off once in a while. Don't you want to be famous in [Isekai]?"

I groan, recalling the time when the [World Notices] Arthur and Razul mentioned posting our names after the <Tested Wilds> incident. "I did that, and I never want to go back in that spotlight again. I'd rather explore and do random [Quests] than be a celebrity."

"Huh... Didn't expect you to be the shy type. Whatever. You do you. If I say anything else, well..." He shudders as if he'd see a ghost. "Your brother is gonna get me."

Knowing Wind, anyone trying to mess with me will earn a beating from him. So good call on holding off... whatever you're gonna do with me.

"But seriously. If becoming the best player isn't your goal here, what is? Having no goal is worse than having too many."

I huff. "Obviously, I want to explore the world!" There is still finding the culprit behind the plague in <Tested Wild> among other story stuff, but that is my long-term goal beyond that.

"True, true. But what about anything game-related? Getting into the rankings, creating the strongest [Guild], creating or looting the strongest equipment, end-game stuff, and more..." Zale explains. "If you don't do all of that, you will be left behind by all of the players."

I hum in thought when he mentions the gap between me and the players he mentioned. "That is true. I did try to get stronger so I could catch up to Wind and his friends. But what's the point of getting stronger all the time if I don't enjoy the little things in life? If I hunt and grind all day, I can't play with the kids here even without any rewards. If I spend money and time on the custom staff I want, I won't be able to afford a delicious banana sundae at <Lucet City's> cafe. I don't know what's normal for video games here. But [Isekai] is all about freedom and expressing myself without weighing myself down with the cliches in life. And I intend to do that as Kazu the Mage."

I take a deep breath after saying all of that. I wish I could say more, though. While I intend to do what the game wants me to, another reason is my Mom's advice to me and Hayate.

"Be yourself."

I joined this game because I wanted to fulfill my fantasy dreams while hanging out with my brother in our free time. If I start just doing some boring gaming stuff without doing the story or exploring <Volo>, it's no fun at all. That's what I'm sticking through till the very end! Or until the game ends in some form...

"Heh... I thought you were waxing poetry back there. But hearing your explanation closely, I feel like I can't change your mind about it." Zale scratches his chin as I see sweat running down from his forehead. "Guess you have the same stubbornness as your brother. Plus, you reminded me a lot of Earth..."

That's a weird way to compare me to my brother...

And hang on a second!

"Earth? As in Earth Dux?!" I shouted. "You knew him?!"