Back in Deserted Valley, Ren met up with Leonel. It was easy now to see each other since Leonel had his own pod. No more rushing or waiting for schedules to align—they could log in anytime they wanted.
"Uncle and Auntie arrived today?" Leonel asked while they walked through the familiar rocky paths of Deserted Valley.
Ren nodded, recounting what had happened earlier.
"Man," Leonel said with a long sigh, "I wish my parents were as kind and understanding as yours." His expression darkened. "I bet if I told my parents I became a millionaire, they'd call the cops on me. They'd think I was part of some syndicate or selling drugs or something."
Ren chuckled. "You'll still have to tell them at some point. Those lands back home aren't ours. The government could take them anytime."
