I decided to log out after the quest since it is about to hit to 3 am already and I don't want to have lesser time to sleep this time around. Since it's pretty late, I decided to see the siblings if they already logged out of the game. Entering the room, they already have logged out of the game and I think it was still recent since the two are still trying to adapt again to their surroundings after experiencing the Alternate World. When Akira noticed me enter the room, he smiled and rush towards me like a little kid.
"Big brother! That game is awesome! Everything looked so real and every action we do seems like we really do move around the real world!" Akira excitedly said.
"Is that big brother, brother?" Sora asked as she tries to walk slowly and trace her surroundings.
"Yeah! It's Big brother!" Akira said and helped Sora come near to me.
"How are the things back in the game? Did the two of you enjoyed it?" I asked.
"Big brother! This is the best present you ever gave to us. Even though we are not your siblings or even a relative, you helped us and even gave us access to a game. Due to this game, I gained the chance to experience to see things I didn't have a chance to see during my childhood. I am truly grateful and we will be in your debt. We will work hard to repay you for your kindness," Sora kneels on the ground and started shedding tears from her closed eyes.
"Oy, oy! Don't kneel, please. You don't need to repay me at all. Guarding this mansion and cleaning it is enough and those gaming tattoos I bought for the two of you are for free. As for paying me, don't worry too much about it. It is not even necessary. Anyways, I am just checking if you two have logged out from the game. It is time to sleep. Good night to both of you. Tell me if you two have arrived in the Capital alright?"
"Okay! Good night big brother!"
...
After closing the door, I sighed and wiped off the sweat on my forehead. Getting called "big brother" all of a sudden is just making me nervous since I am an only child and dealing with children is not something I am good at, but it feels good to be called like that though.
Since it is pretty late, I decided to return to my room, not to sleep but to control my own mana in my body. Once the first expansion comes in, sleeping for real will be harder to do so since you will have to compete for first clears and bosses left and right in the new continent. If you want to gain more chances to get them all, sleeping will be a lesser priority.
Of course, I am not saying that sleeping is useless. It is necessary but to make sure your body remains healthy, getting your mana flow better will allow you to stop worrying about sleep because the mana will just rejuvenate your body better than sleeping. Practicing it in advance will allow me to survive sleepless nights without getting any fatigue. I spent the night controlling my mana and made my body accustomed to the flowing mana.
The next day, my body felt refreshed despite not sleeping that night. If I keep it up, sleeping would be an optional action for me in the future. I made breakfast which made the two sleepyheads awaken and rush to the kitchen. While eating, we started to discuss things in the game that they have little to no understanding. I also gave them advice on getting a faster way to level up and to also avoid joining a guild so early.
Since I have to go back to my old home, I instruct them to just clean the house and do some chores before going back to play. I also gave them some money for expenses and if they have something to buy, they won't have a problem with it.
Leaving the mansion, I sighed at the weather. Since 2 in the morning, the rain is still pouring down from the sky, creating the gloomy and cold morning. I rarely see any taxi passing by and if there is one, it would be either they are full or they are not taking passengers since they have to go back home. I made a little jog towards the nearest convenience store to buy an umbrella since I didn't bring one with me and the mansion lacks it.
Entering the convenience store's door, I was welcomed with a familiar slang on his Japanese.
"Welcome! Ah..." the person on the counter said and was stunned to see who came in. Likewise, I was surprised who it was.
"Janus?"
"Manato, my man! It's been a while! How are you? You are out of contact for a few months man and Riko is trying to call you for a while so that we get to hang out!"
"Sorry about that bro, I just wanted to take a break from things which made me a bit disconnected to you guys. But don't worry too much, we will be hanging out again this new term," I said.
Janus Mcgrey, one of my few friends and also an American student who just transferred last year. He was an exchange student here at first but after having a few classes, he decided that he will continue his studies here instead of going back to America after three months. Although he was an American, he has less masculinity than what I always imagine American students look. He might be a bit masculine but that was due to the time to time workout he does every morning.
"Are you going to buy something Manato? I can't really go in idle talking while working ya' know?"
"Ah, right. Give me an umbrella please."
"One umbrella, alright please wait a bit."
Janus didn't go to the rack behind him to get an umbrella, but go directly to the coffee dispenser and pour a cup of coffee before going back to the rack and take one umbrella.
"One umbrella and a cup of coffee."
"Uh... I didn't order coffee."
"No worries man, its on the house. Just pay for the umbrella though."
As I took out my money, I started asking questions on him since there are no people lining up and it isn't busy since most people inside the convenience store are just chilling in there or just waiting for the rain to stop.
"It's rare for you to be working in the convenience store. You have lots of money to use, why work?"
"Haha, indeed, I shouldn't be working here but because I am bored and I want some new experiences to occur in my life, I am here trying out the life of a worker in a convenience store. Though I would rather have to work somewhere less stressful like an internet cafe or something," Janus said.
"Is that so? Why are you not going to work on one? You can play games while working and that is much better you know?"
"Nah, computers are slowly getting phased out due to the new gaming cabin, the Reality Verse now usually getting the popularity. Also, its much better for me to work with the people for the future and to increase my ability to socialize to others."
"That is your choice though."
"Alright man, here is the umbrella, I can't talk now but be sure to chat later. Be sure to also respond to Riko. She will be pissed a lot with you if you keep on ignoring her messages."
...
Leaving the convenience store, I sighed in relief to see Janus again. Since Janus died in the past timeline after Riko died in an accident, I have to make sure that he will survive and also get to enjoy life rather than die. Maybe its time to establish contact with Riko again. I already have a connection with her via her avatar in the game, "Dolly" and strengthening my bond with her might allow me to alter the future.
The rain is getting heavier and from the looks of it, this heavy rain is not going to stop anytime soon.
"What a gloomy day it is today..."
....
On the other hand, while Manato is complaining about the rain, Kazuki is now being scolded by his dad.
"You said you will be able to obtain dominance in this new game and invest our money in a bigger market. You also said that you can monopolize the supply of rare materials since you are certain that you will be able to establish your guild first and get most of the players to go to your guild. But what is happening now?! From what I can see in the forums, your guild is now in an intense competition against two other guilds! Now where is this thing you promised that you will be monopolizing all of the supplies?!" a stern man in a business coat shouted to Kazuki who was standing in front of his table. You can see on this man that he has the air of being greedy.
"It is just a mishap in my plan, father. The two guilds are not as popular as my guild's popularity due to the fact that I managed to obtain the first guild title and was announced to the whole world. They might have obtained guild tokens too but they still a bit late to establish their dominance. In no time, the Burning Dragon Guild will be crushing those guilds down, " Kazuki said.
"Don't just give empty words, make actions too. You even failed to acquire a first clear on a simple dungeon and was even taken by an unknown individual! If you want me to get me to acknowledge you, be sure to show results!"
"...Yes, father," Kazuki said before he left the room.
Kazuki might be calm in front of his father but after he left his sight, he grits his teeth and bite his nails in frustration.
"Just you wait, old man. I will make you eat your words. You will definitely acknowledge me. And if I do, I will make sure that you will not be able to stop me."