Chapter 55: Return Ticket

Few days later.

It was Sunday. Rover City was bursting in excitement because of the upcoming news. An envoy from the Central would be coming. Not only is it a huge honor for the entire city, the envoy would also benefit the city financially. The markets were more active than they were ever before.

Michi yawned and opened her groceries store. She had recently took over the store after her grandfather passed away. She was a simple girl. Coming from a middle-class family, she had no hopes and dreams. All she was interested in is running the store and get her life going. She thought about her future many times and whether this is her fate or not.

'My fate or not. I have to keep moving forward.'

"Ah? Michi, you are up early! You would have a good harvest today." An old man opening up his shop opposite to her waved his hand.

"Why did you not come to my house yesterday? My daughter just came back." A middle-aged woman from another shop asked.

"Aunty, I had customers coming till late." 

"You shouldn't overwork, Michi."

Michi smiled. She was very fond of the neighborhood. Each and every one of them is caring and takes care of each other. 

"Old man, did you hear about the Envoy?" 

"I did. Stop dreaming, the help won't come here."

"How could it be? The Terio Villa is located in our colony."

"How does that matter? We are not part of the main market of the city."

Hearing the conversation, Michi sighed. 'If only there was some way to be a part of the main market.' Her financial condition was stable but she wanted better. She didn't want to hesitate when she saw a pretty but expensive dress. Same goes for other things. She was neither money-hungry nor had any obsession to become rich. She just wanted a more comfortable lifestyle.

"Yo!"

As she was lost in thoughts, a boy suddenly appeared in front of her. He was covered in sweat. The first word that came to her mind was - ugly. Even though she had seen him twice before, she was always taken aback by how ugly a person can get. She heard that he was a guest of the Terio Household and works in the shop of Hase which made her feel a bit envious.

"The usual?" She asked. 

"The usual." The boy nodded.

Michi took out a bag filled with green vegetables and handed it over to the boy. The boy had already paid for two weeks.

"You already prepared?" The boy chuckled.

Michi gave a smile and made a fist. "Fight! Don't give up!" Although the boy was not pleasing to the eyes, she had a good impression of his personality. 'Even though he is so fat, he is still fighting. Just what the hell am I doing? Is this life?'

The boy gave a light laugh. "You too!"

***

Rewen took a shower and laid down on the bed. He woke up in the morning, did heavy exercise for two hours, managed the shop and practiced <<Full-body Channeling>> at night. 

"I'm slowly getting the hang of it but I'm not sure how long it would take for me to fully master this." He currently has a POW of 2.7. A huge increase from his original 1.2 but not enough. Average student in the academy has 4 so he was still on the lower end. "It's also becoming a bit boring. According to the original plot, the next event will happen in two days. Not related to me though but it's pretty sad. I wish I could help."

[You can't even help yourself.]

'Why do you pop-up at random times? Are you bored?'

[I'm not. I just like to spite you.]

'Do you have idea how I learned <<Full-body Channeling>>.'

[It's an unique skill. If I knew, it wouldn't be one.]

'That means, without any explanation I'm given this awesome skill?'

[Technically. Maybe it's due to the fact that you are the main character.]

'I'm not actually.'

[By the way, you might want to take a look at your system interface.]

'What do you mean?'

---

World: #001

Description: Be patient and read the entire thing. Not sure if this would answer all your questions but here's the story. You have successfully transmigrated over to a different world and took over the body of the main character of the world. Rejoice! 

Quest: Find the twelve scattered "Gruer Crystal" fragments (0/12).

<<Storyline>>

[Return Ticket ] (x1)

Alter Points: 17

---

"..."

Because he was so engrossed in the happenings of the world, he completely forgot that he even something called [Return Ticket]. Bitterly sighing, he tapped on the [Return Ticket].

***

Eyes opened. Rewen looked around and found himself in his room. He touched his body and let out a smile. He was very uncomfortable when he was in the body of "Arai Atsushi". After all, he had lived eighteen years on his body and to suddenly adapt to a foreign body needs some time and effort.

"Rewen, are you back?"

He heard Denny's voice and leaped from his bed. Going to the living room, he found her in her uniform looking at him with a frown. 

"Why did you not go to the academy?"

"I was not feeling well. Do you have anything to eat?"

"Eat me. I'm only responsible for dinner. Go to your girlfriend's place." Denny said without any reservations.

Rewen didn't say anything more and checked the refrigerator. "Why is it so empty? Not even eggs? What am I supposed to eat?" He sighed and fell down on the sofa lazily. 

Denny shot him a look. "You can eat in the virtual world, if you have any coins."

"That's a good idea… Right!" He got up as though he remembered something. "Speaking of the virtual world, give me your VA."

"Why do you need my virtual address?" Even though she asked, she took out her smartphone and sent her VA to him.

"I'll show you my family and friends."

"You chose to be an NPC?"

"Yup. Now, hurry up!" Rewen said, then went to his room.

Denny thought about his behaviour for a while. 'He seems to be more cheerful and open. It's a good thing. I should tell this to Aunt.' 

*Ding*

Her phone buzzed. It was Bianca.

"Hello?"

"When are you coming?"

"Coming where?"

"To the virtual world."

"Oh, I'm about to log in. Although I'm not sure if I can play with you guys."

"Why?"

"Rewen told me to play with him. Let's see, I'll come at night."

"When is that assh*le going to pay for my smartphone?"

"I'll talk to him regarding that." Denny wryly smiled. She had heard what happened that day.

"Okay, I'm hanging up."

*Beep*

She hung up and to her room. 'Hm… maybe I should take a shower before going online. Yes, that's for the best.'

With her bathrobe, she entered the bathroom. As she was showering, she noticed bite marks above her chest. 'That guy…' She smiled helplessly. Unbeknownst to everyone, she has a boyfriend which she had told no one about. Not Cal. Not Rewen. Nor Bianca. It's not that she wanted to purposefully hide the fact that she has a boyfriend but rather, the current situation is not favorable for her as well as her boyfriend. 

As top students, they are both under strict supervision from the higher-ups. No, they don't prohibit students to form relations but the reputation of a popular top student is very quick to fall. The second anyone got word that two top students are in a relationship, their private life would be destroyed and unhealthy rumors will fly. As nineteen year olds, this is something they absolutely don't want to happen.

Five minutes later, Denny turned on her PC and logged into the game.

***

She found herself in a forest. She had been leveling yesterday since midnight and forgot to teleport back to the nearest city.

'Ding.'

'Ding.'

'Ding.'

As soon as she got here, she received several notifications.

---

Rewen0624879klofarfuckthisgameanotherwordandillfuckyou: Where are you? Come soon! Here's my coordinates - 146.223.346.127.

Rewen0624879klofarfuckthisgameanotherwordandillfuckyou: How much time are you going to take?

Rewen0624879klofarfuckthisgameanotherwordandillfuckyou: Are you sleeping?

---

Denny was not amused by his name.

---

RoundaboutMageTooLazyToTalkDontDM: What's with the name? Are you trying to be funny or edgy?

Rewen0624879klofarfuckthisgameanotherwordandillfuckyou: Hurry up and come here! There's a problem.

RoundaboutMageTooLazyToTalkDontDM: Okay, I'm coming. Hold on.

---

She tapped on the given coordinates.

'Are you sure you want to teleport to the given coordinates?'

"Yes."

***

Outside Rewen's house.

Sam and Master Kaf were watching the drama unfolding before their eyes.

"Like I said, not today. I will go with you some other day. I give my word for it." Rewen pleaded standing in front of his mother.

"What value does your word have?"