20: "I'm logging out."

The city of Geminus had never felt so alive, and yet so suffocating. The twin spires gleamed in the dusk, their crystalline cores pulsing with light, but the usual bustle of trade and chatter had shifted into something sharper. Every plaza, every tavern, every guild hall hummed with the same topic: the duel.

Tanuki could feel it in the way conversations hushed when he passed. Players glanced at him, avatars pausing mid‑gesture, whispers trailing in his wake. His name wasn’t just another tag floating above a character anymore. It was a marker, a spotlight, a countdown.

Atlas noticed it too. He leaned against a railing overlooking the Grand Market, arms crossed, watching the flow of players. “Some of Arsenyx’s guild members are already setting up streams. You’re practically famous now. Half these people are betting you won’t even show.”

“Yay me,” Tanuki muttered, sarcasm his only shield.

NV stood nearby, her claws clicking in and out, betraying the tension beneath her calm. “It’s not just rumor anymore. Arsenyx is here. He’s been seen in the outer districts. He’s waiting.”

The sealed bet weighed heavier than his armor. Weeks ago, in a reckless moment of pride, he had challenged Arsenyx. A handshake, a promise, a deal that carried more weight in this world than in the real one. Now, with his new daggers and legendary armor, there was no excuse left.

That night, the three of them sat in the Player’s Rest. The tavern was subdued, the usual rowdy laughter replaced by a low murmur. Even the NPC bard strummed softer, as though the whole city was holding its breath.

Atlas slammed his mug down, foam spilling over the rim, but he didn’t speak. NV studied Tanuki for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, Atlas broke the silence. “Make sure you win. If that Tarot turns out to be anything… ten million dollars. Just what the hell was Rainforest thinking?”

“It’s a drop in the bucket to them,” NV said flatly.

Before Tanuki could reply, the tavern shifted. A presence entered, chilling and magnetic. Conversations faltered. Heads turned.

“Ah, Tanuki,” a voice rang out.

Arsenyx. Tall, armored in black and crimson, his glaive strapped across his back. And behind him, Celeste.

Tanuki’s stomach dropped.

“I assume you know why I’m here,” Arsenyx said, his tone calm, almost polite.

“To congratulate me?” Tanuki forced out.

“Yes. Congratulations on leveling faster than I expected. Not that my expectations were very high.” His smile was thin, sharp. “What do you say we have our battle tomorrow? That should give you enough time to sleep and prepare your gear and Tarots.”

“Fine with me,” Tanuki said, though his voice felt distant in his own ears.

Arsenyx gave a chilling smile and turned to leave. Celeste lingered for a heartbeat, her eyes flickering with something unspoken, then followed him out.

NV’s eyes widened. “So that’s how he knew where we were.”

Atlas and Tanuki both turned to her. “What?”

“It makes sense now. Arsenyx has been keeping an eye on you. Through Celeste. His little informant.”

Tanuki’s glass slipped from his hand, shattering into pixels before respawning on the table. “No… was that really what was going on the entire time? Why she kept following me around?”

Atlas and NV said nothing, their silence louder than words.

“I have to go,” Tanuki muttered. “I’m logging out.”

Back in his room, the glow of the headset still burned in his eyes. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, tears threatening. He messaged Celeste.

“Is it true? Were you keeping tabs on me this whole time, spying for Arsenyx?”

Minutes dragged like hours before her reply came.

“Yes. But please let me explain. It’s true Arsenyx wanted someone to keep tabs on you. But I volunteered. I did it because I also wanted to help you. To protect you.”

“Protect me? You were lying to me all this time. Is anything you’ve said true? Do you actually care about me?”

“I do.”

“Then why are you still Arsenyx’s partner? Why won’t you join me instead? Why won’t you ever meet me offline? Why do you feel so… far away from me?”

“Tanuki, it doesn’t totally make sense to me either. Things I used to believe… things I had no choice but to believe… I feel something in me has been changing. I can’t explain it, not yet. But one thing I do know is that I care about you very deeply.”

Tanuki sighed, fingers trembling over the keyboard. “Celeste, I want to believe you, but I don’t know if I can. I care about you too, but I need time. I have to get ready for my fight with Arsenyx tomorrow. I’ll talk to you later.”

“All right. I’ll be here when you want to talk. And also… I’ll be rooting for you.”

He shut his phone off, rolled onto his side, and finally let exhaustion drag him under.