"Dad! Dad! You have to check this out!" Yui exclaimed.
As it turned out, the youtube channel of Lucid Dream Corporation went live. Since a lot of people were eagerly waiting for the game's release, they immediately clicked the live broadcast being shown on the channel.
In just five minutes into the broadcast, the number of people watching ballooned to the tens of millions. And because of its popularity, youtube recommended it to everyone's feed.
This was how Yui managed to see the video and decided to click on it. She wasn't doing anything particular that night, and although she wanted to spend time with her brother, she knew that he was busy trying out the new game he accidentally got from a stranger.
Meanwhile, Rin was busily typing away at his computer. He was busily managing his team even at night for some overtime work. "Yui, just send me the link and I'll check it out," Rin said, realizing that his daughter was watching a video.
"Oh, okay!" Yui answered. Judging from the expression that her dad was wearing, she ascertained that he couldn't leave his computer. In the end, she just pouted her lips and sent the link to his dad. After all, she wanted her dad to watch it with her but she can't afford to disturb him.
Sip.
Rin mindlessly clicked the link that his daughter sent him while sipping on his coffee. At that moment, he almost spat out the bitter latte he was partaking. Fortunately, he was able to swallow it just in time.
[Ahahaha, he passed the first test with flying colors!]
[Wait, isn't he the only one who passed the first test? Also, what does it mean to completely subdue that Lav Kravia?]
[You know exactly what it means ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]
[( ✧≖ ͜ʖ≖) No, I don't]
[I heard that the others got a different test for their first test]
[Hot dang, dem abs tho!]
[Yeah, they did. But nobody passed it. He's the first one.]
[Isn't this kid the blind beta tester? ]
[Yeah, I heard about him. Turns out, he's really blind, girl!]
[Whoa, and he could still play this game?! That's awesome O.0]
[Lololol ]
[Hahah, Dark Flame Master lmao!]
[Ah, I see, you're a man of culture as well. ]
Scrolling through the live chat, Rin couldn't believe that his son was actually being broadcasted on youtube. He became too engrossed with the live feed that he completely forgot about his work. In the end, he decided to leave his tasks for the next day. After all, he was also curious as to what the game's all about.
Drip. drip.
Before Rin noticed it, a couple of stray tears left his eyes as he watched his son enjoy the game. From the broadcast alone, he could tell that his son was genuinely enjoying the game. It's been so long since he saw his son smile like that. A mixture of emotions welled up inside him as he found delight in every second of the live stream.
.....
The options were crystal clear but there was great confusion written on Yuuta's face while he looked at the pleased face of Lav Kravia. Although her eyes were just molten magma and her skin resembled that of molten rocks, she was still prepossessing due to her attractive proportions. If she were a regular human, then she might've easily defeated every woman in town in terms of beauty.
"Well, I don't really have that much of a choice, right?" Yuuta scratched his head as he hovered his hand over the tab in front of him. There were three words written on it, specifically, three yes's.
After much consideration, Yuuta gave up on choosing and he pressed the 'yes' on the right.
The moment Yuuta pressed the button, Lav Kravia wore an even happier face as she 'lovingly' approached Yuuta. "Thank you so much, new master! I would love to be with you as well."
Twiddling her thumbs, and bashfully shaking her wide hips, she continued. "You see, the demon lord never really treat us that well. The only thing he does is give us orders and if we don't comply, then down the throes of death we go. BUT! You, young hero! Um... no one's ever thrown me into the ground like that before. As one of the strongest subordinates of the demon lord, no one had the strength to make me submit like that. That's why I admit defeat and will follow master to the ends of Lucid!"
It's been so long since Yuuta read without using the braille. That's why, for every notification he receives, he takes his time to read it. Just like now, it took him another one or two minutes to reread the notifications once again.
"Well, that means I can stay here for as long as I want, right?"
"Yeah, I'd like to stay."
Since Lucid Dream Server is a new game and he's one of the beta testers, Yuuta concluded that checking out every nook and cranny of the game is what he's supposed to do. Even though it would put him at a disadvantage against those who're already advancing in the Lucid Dream/VRMMORPG, he knew that he won't lose anything if he came prepared for the next tests. That's why he decided to stay in the beginner village.
"Master! Where are we heading next?" Lav Kravia's eyes twinkled as she pressed her face on Yuuta's, almost making him back away. For some odd reason, Yuuta didn't feel any heat coming from Lav Kravia at all.
"Look, you said you're a subordinate of the demon lord, right?" Yuuta asked. "And the demon lord is more or less the last boss of this game, right?"
"Mmm... not really. He's just the ruler of this stage. He's actually the first boss of the first test." Lav Kravia pointed out. "That's why it's so boring here. After all, I was told that there are at least a million other first-stage bosses like us."
Yuuta was taken aback.
Since no one had considered the fact that the first test was in fact a hidden stage, no one probably knew that the demon lord is the last boss of the first test. He just so happened to ask Lav Kravia about it, and that's how he knew about it.
"And so," Yuuta remained unfazed although he was just bombarded with critical information about the first test, or rather, hidden stage in the first test. "And so, what made you switch over to my side so easily like that? Are you planning to betray me?"
Lav Kravia furiously shook her head like a little girl vehemently denying that she stole the last cookie in the jar. Without further ado, she pressed her thumbs on her lips and bit on it. A droplet of orange blood escaped it.
Yuuta didn't know what's going to happen next so he wasn't able to react to what Lav Kravia did next. Lav Kravia then approached him and pressed the same thumb on his lips. "I'm of the Lavian Race, a direct descendant of our clan leader, Lav Kranos. This custom is called a blood pact in our place. Once you've partaken of my blood and I've willingly submitted to you, nothing can overrule the fact that you're my master."
Ah- eh?! Yuuta was speechless. He was surprised that he just received his first indirect kiss from an NPC. "T-then, you said you were under the demon lord, right? That means you formed a blood pact with him as well, right? So I wasn't your first master?"
"N-no! I'd never do such a thing! A blood pact can only be done once. And once done, the effect is permanent and everlasting. That's why I was saving it up for a moment like this." Lav Kravia blushed as she explained how the blood pact works. "Since master is strong-willed, I know that it's the right decision to submit to you. Blood pact is basically... wholly surrendering your life and soul to that special someone."
"Yeah, right." Yuuta was not surprised. Although the intricacies of Lav Kravia's character set up were interesting, he knew that everything he sees around him is just a figment of his imagination. And that everything is just a part of the lucid dream he was being forced to go through, all thanks to the VR Headgear he's wearing at the moment.
"Then, tell me everything about this place. Leave no stones unturned, and I will consider taking you in as my subordinate." Yuuta offered.
Lav Kravia's eyes widened in delight as she clasped her hands and furiously nodded her head in enthusiasm. "If master wills it, then I will too!"