"It's not an illusion. The text is really floating right in front of me, but when I take off the helmet, I can't see it anymore."
"But why is this happening? The helmet doesn't even have a visor or protective glasses. How can this countdown appear? Is it some projection technology? But I don't see any projection device either."
Vrix checked the helmet several times but still couldn't make sense of it. His confusion gnawed at him like an itch he couldn't scratch.
"I can't be the only one stuck in this mess."
With that thought, Vrix immediately called his good friend Bryan, telling him there was something urgent and that he needed help right away.
Bryan, trusting his friend, arrived at Vrix's house soon after.
"What's up? You called me over so urgently, I didn't even have time to fix my hair," Bryan grumbled as he entered, clearly bothered. He was someone who always took pride in his appearance, so leaving without styling his hair was torture.
"It's not really a big deal. No, it is a big deal!" Vrix quickly corrected himself, seeing Bryan rolling up his sleeves, ready for action.
He then recounted everything that had happened.
"So, you clicked on a game pre-order link, and then a helmet got delivered to your door, and now it's showing a beta test countdown?" Bryan summarized.
"Exactly, and the game claims to be a virtual reality one," Vrix nodded.
"Are you sure you're not filming some kind of prank video?" Bryan glanced around the room, looking for hidden cameras.
"I swear! If I'm lying, I'll never marry Miku!" Vrix said solemnly.
"Alright, fine, I believe you," Bryan said, knowing how much Miku meant to Vrix.
"Can I try the helmet?" Bryan asked.
"Sure, let me grab it for you." Vrix went into the other room, retrieved the helmet, and handed it to Bryan, watching as he put it on.
"Are you sure I'm supposed to see a countdown? Because I don't see anything," Bryan said, taking the helmet off in confusion.
"How can that be? I definitely saw it," Vrix said, snatching the helmet back and putting it on. Sure enough, the countdown and text reappeared.
"It seems like the helmet is somehow bound to you personally. But how could the manufacturer have your personal data?" Bryan was puzzled.
"How should I know? They could've gotten my address from my IP when I clicked the link, but the personal binding part is a bit too much to explain."
"So what are you going to do? Report it to the police?"
"And tell them what? That I clicked a game pre-order link, got a free helmet, and my life's not in danger or anything?" Vrix rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, not a great idea. And since it's personally bound, no one else can see the countdown, so they definitely won't believe you."
"Let's just leave it for now. Anyway, I'll find out what's going on with the game tomorrow." Vrix resigned himself.
"Guess that's the best you can do. Send me the link; I'll pre-order it too and see what happens," Bryan said as he got ready to leave.
"No problem. You've got cameras outside your place, right? Maybe we can check who delivered the package."
After seeing Bryan off, Vrix picked up the game helmet again.
"Let's hope you give me a pleasant surprise tomorrow."
---
"Nom nom nom! (So tasty!)"
"Slow down, no one's fighting you for it," Ryan said, lifting up Bounsweet, whose body was almost falling into the food bowl.
"Look how happily Bounsweet's eating. The food must be good. Are you sure you don't want to try some?" Ryan asked Scyther.
"Shah!" Scyther turned away disdainfully.
"I know you're upset. When Father went to fight the beast tide, he only took Nidoking and left you behind. You feel abandoned, don't you?"
"Shah!" (That's not true!)
"But you know you weren't abandoned. Father left you to guard the territory. Some of the wild Pokémon always get past the defense lines."
Ryan moved closer to Scyther as he spoke.
"And it turns out he was right. Without you, it wouldn't have just been a few damaged houses."
"Shah?" Scyther looked at Ryan in confusion.
In Scyther's memory, this young master had always been afraid of them, never daring to get close.
"Father is missing, and everyone's sad. But that's not a reason for us to give up. Father left you here to protect this land, which he poured his heart and soul into."
Ryan tried to make his voice more impassioned.
"Yet here you are, acting like this. You're not protecting anything—if anything, you're dragging us down. Do you think you're living up to Father's trust? Or are you so scared of the beast tide that you're ready to starve yourself to death?"
"Shah!" Scyther lifted its head in anger, glaring at Ryan.
But Ryan didn't back down. Instead, he moved even closer.
"What? Am I not telling the truth? You've even stopped eating, trying to starve yourself as a way out."
Ryan placed a hand on Scyther's shoulder.
"Even I, someone who's been afraid of you for as long as I can remember, have pulled myself together for the sake of this territory and dared to approach you. What are you running from?"
Scyther looked at the hand on its shoulder. The anger in its eyes slowly faded.
Although Scyther hadn't been raised alongside Ryan like Nidoking, it had known him for many years. It knew how terrified Ryan was of Pokémon like it.
But now, Ryan was willing to approach it for the sake of the territory. That had a big impact on Scyther.
"And besides, Father's only missing. If he comes back one day and sees you like this, how disappointed do you think he'll be?" Ryan softened his tone.
"Don't waste Father's trust in you. Get yourself together and help me protect this land, okay?"
Ryan pushed the food closer.
Scyther looked at the food, then at Ryan's face, which resembled his father's. Finally, it lowered its head and began to eat.
Ryan felt a little guilty watching Scyther eat.
His words had been harsh, even manipulative, but the territory needed Scyther's strength now more than ever.
Scyther was too proud to respond to kind words, so Ryan had to push its buttons to ignite its fighting spirit.
"Young master, Lord White says he has something to report to you. He's waiting in the study."
"I'll be right there. Come on, Bounsweet, let's leave Scyther alone for a bit."
Ryan picked up Bounsweet and headed to the study.
"Young Master Ryan, the damage to the houses has been tallied. Twenty-eight houses were severely damaged and are uninhabitable. Nearly a hundred more need repairs, but we don't have enough wood in the territory."
White immediately began his report as soon as Ryan walked in.
"During the beast tide, Lord Nord ordered all the surrounding trees to be cut down for better visibility and to build defenses. Now, the only place we can get wood is in the Firefly Forest, but the lumberjacks are too afraid of the wild Pokémon to go, even under threat of punishment. What should we do?"
"We can't push them too hard right now. The beast tide just ended, and people are still scared. Forget the punishment, just let them help repair the houses once the wood arrives."
"As for the wood, I'll handle that. Prepare some carts to transport the logs. I'll need them tomorrow," Ryan instructed.
"Understood! I'll get right on it."
After White left, Ryan looked at the markings on the back of his hand.
"This is the perfect beginner's quest for the players. The locals are afraid of wild Pokémon, but the players won't be. Let them experience the wonders of Pokémon."
"Everything's ready. Now we just need the players to log in. Hopefully, all those who pre-registered will show up tomorrow."
Ryan was filled with anticipation for what was to come.