I Don't Need To Log Out

This was the Sunday before the players heading to Kelta passed through the portal in Morealis.

After the members of the Gamers Guild, except Zack who hadn't joined them that day, finished eating at the fast food restaurant, they decided to catch a movie together.@@novelbin@@

They laughed, shared snacks, and immersed themselves in the film before heading home for the night. It had been an ordinary yet enjoyable day, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits.

However, when Pierre returned home and set his keys down, his phone rang unexpectedly. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw Zack's name.

Why is Zack calling me at this late hour? Pierre thought as he picked up the phone.

"Hello."

"Pierre, are you free right now? I really need to talk. Can we meet?" Zack asked, his voice unusually subdued.

"Huh? Man, I just got home. Is this really urgent?"

"Yes, it is. Please," Zack replied, his calm but pleading tone immediately catching Pierre's attention.

Pierre sighed but could sense the gravity in Zack's voice. As childhood friends and the only two guys in their group, Pierre and Zack shared a deep bond.

He knew Zack wouldn't ask like this unless it was important.

"Alright, where do you want to meet?"

---

The two met at a small park they used to frequent as kids. The familiar surroundings brought back nostalgic memories of their younger days, but Pierre didn't press Zack to speak.

Instead, they chatted casually at first, reminiscing about their childhood and cracking a few jokes.

After a while, silence fell between them. Finally, Zack broke it.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but I like June," Zack admitted quietly.

Pierre blinked but wasn't surprised. "Yeah, I know," he replied, shrugging. Zack was his best friend; it was obvious to him.

"But… June rejected me," Zack confessed, his voice tinged with sadness.

"What? When did this happen?" Pierre asked, now genuinely surprised. He knew Zack and June had talked, but he hadn't expected Zack to confess—or June to reject him.

"Well… I can't really say she rejected me because I didn't exactly confess…"

Pierre groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Sigh… Just tell me the story from the beginning."

Zack proceeded to recount the events of the day, from when they separated to look for the monster to the time June talked to him.

"And that's it," Zack concluded. "I still don't know what I did wrong."

Pierre took a moment to think. He usually avoided meddling in others' relationships, but Zack wasn't just anyone—he was his childhood friend.

And besides, Zack wasn't his only childhood friend.

"You're seriously dense, you know that?" Pierre said, shaking his head.

"What? Why? I don't get it," Zack replied, genuinely confused.

Pierre sighed again. "You can't tell anyone I told you this, especially not Lei. She'll kill me."

"Okay, fine. What is it?"

"Carole likes you."

Zack's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? No way. We're childhood friends!"

"You idiot," Pierre said, rolling his eyes. "She's liked you since we were kids. And it's not exactly a secret. Everyone knows—even June knows. Honestly, even that Arlon guy probably knows. You're just too dense to see it."

Zack's mind raced as he replayed memories of Carole, her behavior, and moments they shared but all he saw was him making Carole sad.

A wave of guilt washed over Zack. He had always cared for Carole as a friend, but now he realized he might have been unintentionally hurting her all these years.

Zack felt his heart ache at this moment, more than when June rejected his non-confession.

This wouldn't change anything for Zack, though. He liked June and only cared for Carole as a childhood friend.

Or that was what he thought.

---

The next day, the players logged in as planned to pass through the portal. Zack had ghosted everyone on Saturday and Sunday, except for his conversation with Pierre.

Despite this, the others didn't treat him any differently. June had reassured the group that Zack would be fine.

Zack, however, was far from fine. His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, guilt, and unresolved feelings about Carole.

To make matters worse, Carole didn't look at him even once the entire day. It was a subtle but deliberate action that Zack couldn't ignore.

When they passed through the portal, Zack momentarily found himself distracted by the experience.

The swirling mana and the sensation of traveling to another city were incredible. But once they left Termia for Kelta, his thoughts drifted back to Carole.

---

Upon arriving in Kelta, the group spent a week exploring the city during their free time. They visited various sites and hung out at their favorite café daily, trying to make the most of their downtime.

But throughout the week, Carole continued to avoid Zack. She barely acknowledged his presence, and Zack noticed every cold shoulder and a sidelong glance.

It was obvious now—Carole was upset with him.

For Carole, this was different. She wasn't just upset. She was genuinely heartbroken. All she wanted was for Zack to be safe, even if it meant sacrificing her feelings.

But Zack, oblivious as ever, had only hurt her repeatedly without realizing it. This time, she couldn't brush it off.

Zack, meanwhile, couldn't shake the growing ache in his chest. Carole's avoidance gnawed at him, and for the first time, he began questioning his own feelings.

He had always thought of Carole as a childhood friend, but now, he wasn't so sure. Your journey continues on empire

Despite his confusion, Zack refrained from apologizing just yet. A half-hearted apology wouldn't fix things, and he didn't want to risk making things worse.

Instead, he resolved to take time to reflect, to truly understand his feelings before approaching Carole again.

This was his redemption arc, and though painful, it marked the beginning of a more mature Zack, leaving behind his selfishness.

---

After the Gamers learned that they weren't playing a game but living in a real-world reality, they logged out as Zephyrion had requested.

He wanted them to take time to reflect on their decisions.

Zack logged out like everyone else, but within minutes, Pierre texted the group chat, suggesting they meet.

They needed to talk, and this time Zack joined them at a café with private rooms. Since it was nighttime on Earth, it was hard to find an open café, but they found one.

As they discussed the revelation, Zack couldn't help but glance at Carole, who still refused to look his way.

Then something unexpected happened.

June said "We need to think this through carefully. If we're going to keep playing, we can't half-ass it."

"I've already made my decision! I'm going to keep going!" Carole declared.

Zack was taken aback. It was the first time Carole had taken the initiative in their group discussions. He could feel that she was also changing, growing in a way he hadn't anticipated.

Thinking about her answer, Zack's heart ached much more than normal. He felt as if he would miss something if she changed more.

He felt like Carole would leave him behind. She hadn't looked at him for more than two weeks and now, she was going further and further away.

If he continued to dally...

---

The next day, which is today.

Everyone gathered before Zephyrion to deliver their answers. Each of them had decided, except for Zack.

"Mr. Zack," Zephyrion said, his tone calm yet commanding, "what do you think? Will you join the training?"

Snapped out of his thoughts, Zack looked around. All eyes were on him.

Including Carole's.

"Yes," he said with newfound resolve. "I will be joining. It's time I take responsibility."