"So… what did you tell them?" Bao asked, leaning casually against the fence in front of his home.
Ning stood next to him, hands in his pockets, looking unusually relaxed.
"It wasn't that hard," he said with a small shrug. "Your workplace was exposed as a hideout for illegal VR users. The police assumed you were part of it."
Bao raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
"And after investigating, they concluded you were just an employee who didn't know anything." Ning smirked. "Clean record. No charges."
Bao let out a short laugh.
"Sounds almost too convenient."
"Well…" Ning scratched the back of his head. "Money helps. A lot of money."
Bao chuckled.
"Of course it does."
"And as a bonus," Ning added, "you all received compensation. Quite a generous one, actually."
"Sponsored by your father, I assume?"
Ning grinned.
"Who else?"
For a moment, they just stood there.
Laughing.
Like nothing had ever happened.
Like they were just two normal friends again.
Then—
Ning lightly punched Bao's shoulder.
"I'll get going," he said. "Would be awkward if I crashed your family reunion."
Bao nodded.
"…Yeah. Probably for the best."
A small pause.
"Hey," Bao added, "tell the others I'll be there tomorrow. Coffee. Like always."
Ning smiled.
"Wouldn't miss it."
And just like that—
He turned and walked away.
Step by step, disappearing down the quiet street until he was gone.
Bao watched for a while.
Then sighed.
And turned toward the house.
The door stood there.
Simple.
Familiar.
Yet somehow… heavier than anything he had faced before.
His hand trembled slightly as he reached for the handle.
Before opening it—
He glanced up.
At the night sky.
Dark.
Endless.
His eyes drifted to a small, empty patch beside the brightest star.
"…Elincia," he whispered.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"I hope… you're happy."
A quiet breath.
Then—
He opened the door.
It was late that night.
Bao lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Everything felt… normal.
Too normal.
His family hadn't asked too many questions. No shouting. No drama. Just quiet relief that he was back.
It should have felt comforting.
And yet—
Something was missing.
A world.
A voice.
A presence.
"…Guess that's it, huh," he muttered.
A small laugh escaped him.
"Kind of a shame… those abilities were actually pretty useful."
For a moment, he hesitated.
Then, half-joking—
"Status."
Silence.
He smirked.
"Yeah, figured—"
Bao froze.
His heart skipped a beat.
That voice.
Cold.
Familiar.
Impossible.
[David - Level 15]HP: 70/70MP: 0/0
The blue window flickered into existence.
Right in front of his eyes.
Just like before.
"…No way…" Bao whispered.
The voice rang again.
But this time—
It felt different.
Softer.
Warmer.
Almost…
Human.
Bao's eyes widened.
His breath caught in his throat.
"…Elincia…?"
<…No>
The screen flickered.
For just a fraction of a second—
A silhouette appeared.
Faint.
Familiar.
Gone before he could grasp it.
Bao slowly sat up.
His pulse racing.
His mind spinning.
The game was over.
The system destroyed.
Orbisterra… gone.
And yet—
"…This isn't over, is it?"
The blue light reflected in his eyes.
Alive.
Bao exhaled slowly.
Then—
For the first time since everything ended—
He smiled.
------ END ------