Episode 2 - Get unsick soon!

Kana heaved a sigh.

She had been staring at the screen for the past 2 hours straight. And the project was nowhere near being completed.

Oh man, I can't let Mr Simons down! I gotta work harder!

But no matter how much she tried to psych herself up to finish up, the words just didn't come to her. The data on the sheet made total sense to her - it showed clear patterns only a fool would have problem noticing, let alone using as an effective tool. She brought up her knees to her chest and stuck the pencil in her messy hair bun, thinking.

I really do wonder why Mr Simons decided to let me go earlier today...

She fished out a new pencil from the desk drawer and balanced it between her nose and her lip, making it seem like a fake moustache.

"HON HON HON, IMAH MISSTER LEE, UND I..." wait no, I don't think Mr Lee has an accent... Has that man even stepped out of his office, like ever? None of the employees even seen his face, unless it was to receive their dismissal letter... He always arrives before anyone else and leaves last...

Kana tipped her head back and stared at her ceiling. In the dark room, it glittered with little neon stars she painted on, each star connected with the other in form of constellations. You could see the swirls of black, blue, and purples surrounding the bursts of stars.

OH I KNOW! I JUST NEED TO MAKE A DIAGRAM OF THE DATA! Literally connect the dots! Then I wont need to write up a lengthy explanation to accompany it! Infographics, here I come~!

As she began typing on the work laptop, the gaming computer pinged a notification.

Looking up from her hunched up position over the laptop, she saw a private message pop up from one of the players. Squinting in the dark, she tried to make out the name of the player, but before she could focus, the chat immediately pinged again. And again. And again.

Gosh, who could possibly be this keen to talk to the Weaver Goddess Xueluan? I guess someone wants to request a craft...shouldn't be a problem, if they have the materials needed...

She shifted closer to the computer, keen to read why her private messages exploded in such a short amount of time.

BN: hey

BN: HEY, DONT IGNORE ME

BN: I KNOW YOU'RE STILL ONLINE, YOUR CHARACTER MOVED SLIGHTLY FROM IDLE POSE TO ACTIVE POSE.

Kana rolled her eyes and began typing out the response.

XL: I was busy... BUSY strategising how to kick your butt next raid!

BN: You said you lived in Kao City, right? I've got surgery there in 2 weeks, and wanted to meet you with your guild before it...

XL: That ugly, huh?... My dear nemesis, you must understand the true value of beauty - and its within. Which you still lack 😂

BN: HEY, WHO SAID IT WAS PLASTIC SURGERY??

Kana shifted again. It was one thing to playfully scold the younger player and pretend to tease each other... but to actually meet outside of the game...

Xueluan was a goddess. She was popular, witty, and always one step ahead of others. When she spoke, each word came with solid wisdom.

Because I know what I'm talking about in terms of the game! Socially, I'm pretty much a cucumber. Inept and green, with bumpy texture. Here I can just shut down my computer and go offline if I start to feel awkward, but irl meeting will be... Difficult to manage.

She scrunched up eye eyebrows, thinking of possible answers to look cool and still escape from the social gathering.

XL: Wait, what do you mean you've got a surgery? I don't wanna compete against a sick person! So you should alway stay healthy! Is there anything I can help you with?

Kana pressed Send before she could register what she actually typed.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, I WAS JUST THINKING OF WAYS TO DODGE THE MEETING. XUELUAN WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS?

She opened her eyes just a crack to see the inevitable death of her weekend freedom on the screen. Instead, Blackest Night's reply was... Unexpected.

BN: Actually, never mind. I suggested to meet, because I've always viewed you as my big brother. Which is why I rose up the ranks to quickly catch up with you and feel like your equal. Don't expect me to be this sincere in the future though! I just got sentimental for a sec here... Probably because you lost your number 1 Rank to me 😜

Wait wait wait wait. He thinks I'm a guy? But Wh- Oh. Oooh. My combat class is Diviner. Which is gender locked. So he assumed that I'm probably an unfit guy with hygiene issues behind the screen, who likes to ogle pretty 2d women. Wow, I'm not a guy, yet I feel thoroughly insulted!

XL: Hey, I hope your surgery goes well. I might not be able to meet with the guild, but if you need help getting around Kao City, you can always message me. I'll see what I can do! ^^

OH SHOOT, TOO CUTE, GOTTA UP-PLAY THE BROSHIP

XL: lmaaaaooo get unsick soon

There, perfect.

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XL: lmaaaaooo, get unsick soon

The screen flickered for a moment, before the computer shut down.

With the sound of the computer fans gone, a lithe black cat jumped on top of the table and stepped on the keyboard, to get to her companion.

"Well, she didn't say no. I didn't think she'd be willing to help to begin with," her companion said, while gently petting her.

"Are you sure it's her?" the cat's neon green eyes glowed in the darkness.

"Absolutely. And I cannot wait until she Awakens."

"Hmph. You waited and wasted last lifetime. I'm not sparing you with any more."

"i know, I know... Just a little bit longer..."