New Game Plus: I crave challenges

While Silver Blade and Cyclone talked to Zeygnar, Liam circled the house. Standing before the fence he listened closely.

The air was clear!

Liam jumped, climbing over the fence.

He stopped for a moment.

No footsteps!

Letting out a relieved smile, Liam approached the box and began searching.

It took him three attempts, but he finally retrieved the last message in a bottle!

A feeling of satisfaction crept into his mind as he managed to achieve his goal despite the changes compared to his past life.

Subsequently Liam left, meeting up with Silver Blade and Cyclone.

At this moment a person suddenly revealed themselves from the shadow of a nearby building.

Tiny eyes stared at Liam's back in surprise.

Why didn't I think of this?

The player who had observed Liam's actions was another renowned thief in other games, Black Rat.

However, Black Rat didn't get his reputation through fighting but by being able to steal from anyone. Although this was naturally boasting, he was indeed quite famous for his skills.

So far Black Rat had already started robbing a few common NPCs in Fate of Crunaboul.

But watching Liam, he suddenly felt as if a new world opened up before his eyes.

Right, I don't need to steal out of NPC's pockets. This game clearly offers so much freedom. I can steal from everywhere!

The famous thief was excited. Entering his stealth, he sneaked up to Zeygnar's house and jumped over the fence.

Looking around in excitement, Black Rat didn't find anything worthy of this reputation. Thus, he opened the back door and sneaked into the house.

At this moment, footsteps echoed on the wooden floor.

Black Rat hid below a table, remaining perfectly still. Quickly, the dark-skinned Zeygnar entered his vision.

The merchant murmured something as he walked towards the backyard with a frown on his face.

Suddenly Zeygnar stopped in place.

Black Rat felt a hint of doubt.

He couldn't have seen me, right?

If this was really the house of a common NPC, Black Rat might be able to stay hidden. But Zeygnar, albeit not powerful in the context of this world, was still a few levels above the player.

Thus, with a quick glance he spotted the thief hiding below his table.

"You dare, little thief?! What do you take me for, entering my house as you please?!"

Black Rat felt his throat drying up as heavy footsteps approached him.

Meanwhile Liam had already gathered with his friends. He looked at the street in surprise as two heavily armored guards entered Zeygnar's house.

Silver Blade was confused as well:

"This doesn't have anything to do with us, right?"

"I don't think so."

"Hopefully they don't arrest the merchant.", worried Cyclone. "Where should we go for Silver Blade's new quest if that guy goes to jail?"

"You received another quest?"

Liam looked at Silver Blade in disbelief, still surprised by her charisma stat.

"Yes. But I don't know if I can accomplish it yet."

"Why? What are you supposed to do?"

"Apparently Zeygnar was attacked while crossing the ocean, leading to some of his wares falling into the water.

Now we have to get them from a place called Red'or island."

"Ahh, this will take some time."

Red'or island was one of the myriad islands located withing the vast Deavin Ocean. The original nephilim lived mostly on the several bigger islands, like the volcanic island Ventarra, which Liam was on right now.

Many quests would eventually guide the players to explore the islands, but this was only possible at higher levels.

The friends conversed a bit longer.

Eventually Liam asked a question in his head.

C? Can you tell me what time it is?

[It is 17:26, player.]

Oh, I thought more time had passed.

[The time flow between the virtual world and the real world is 3:1.]

Are there any limitations on game time?

[Right now, the virtual world is accessible from 9:00 to 19:00.]

Liam nodded his head. In his past life the virtual world followed a similar pattern, changing its schedule after a while.

But it's already getting late. I should go home to Serena.

Thus, Liam addressed his friends.

"Sorry guys but I have to end here for today."

"What? You're leaving, expert?"

"Yeah. I have some responsibilities at home."

"Ahh, a pity."

Silver Blade and Cyclone accepted reluctantly.

"Are you back tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"Great, then we can solve some more quests!", chuckled Cyclone.

"Yeah, let's work together again.", added Silver Blade.

"You guys can do some quests on your own as well. Here in the town are a lot of easy quests."

"Hmm, we will see.", answered Cyclone noncommittal.

"Well, play at your own pace. I'm off now. Bye!"

"Bye."

"Bye, bye expert."

Silver Blade and Cyclone waved at Liam as he suddenly disappeared.

A few seconds later the young man woke up within the training room. He moved carefully, his body sore from all the sitting.

I wonder if they will provide VR capsules in the future…

Liam carefully stood up, moving his body. But suddenly he froze in place.

What's going on?

Liam did a few exercises, finding them a lot easier all of a sudden. His thoughts spun as he stared at the console around his upper body.

Are those rumors true? Our strength in the virtual world can be brought to the real world?!

Liam was frozen in disbelief. He concentrated on his body, feeling a faint trace of warmth spreading form the console through his body.

With trembling hands he grabbed the console, carefully lifting it up. Suddenly a feeling of weakness assaulted him. His mind felt dizzy as an invisible connection was interrupted.

How can this be…

At this moment a commotion reached Liam's room from outside. The young man shelved his doubts. Putting the console back on he left the room.

Near the entrance Liam spotted Master Baker. A fist like a proud dragon smashed into a young man's stomach, lifting him up and throwing him outside.

"Hmpf. Good-for-nothings! Found a tiny bit of strength and think you're some kings?

Relying on external strength. What a disgrace. This is exactly the reason why I didn't take you in back then!"

A few youngsters sat outside the dojo, obviously having received a fierce beating. One of them dragged his injured body up.

"You will pay for this, old man!"

Leaving behind these words he helped up his friends and left.

Liam approached the master from behind, bowing lightly.

"Master, what was that about?"

"Just some arrogant guys I refused in the past. Now they got their hands on a VR console. With their little bit of strength, they already think about taking revenge.

Don't learn from them, boy. I have some hope for you but if you only rely on external forces, you will lose yourself!"

Master Baker eyed Liam with a sharp gaze, obviously able to tell something despite Liam's shirt hiding the console.

Liam took a sharp breath as he bowed deeply.

"I will remember your words, master."

"Mhm."

"Are there more people causing chaos?"

"Sure. Today will be quite chaotic, with the army distracted by the virtual world and too many people suddenly growing stronger. Many egos are going through the roofs."

Eyes shooting wide open, a shiver ran down Liam's spine.

Oh no, Serena!

"Sorry, master, I have to leave."

Liam didn't explain more as he dashed out of the dojo. He made his way through the lower city. Ironically it was relatively peaceful as no one in the lower city could afford a console.

The middle-class citizens were hit the hardest, with many stores looted and fights happening on the open street.

But as the army was slow to quell the chaos, it slowly began to engulf the city, with many troublemakers feeling that their chance had come.

Meanwhile Doctor Hearley had closed her clinic as soon as the first wounded arrived.

Although as a doctor she felt guilty, but the people coming didn't stop their fight even within the clinic, making it impossible for the doctor to continue doing her job.

Thus, she gathered all her employees, naturally including Serena, and hid in her apartment.

For a while nothing happened but eventually a commotion could be heard throughout the entire building. When a banging came from the solid door, poor Serena hugged her stuffed animal and pressed her body against the wall.

Kathrin calmly caressed her head.

"Don't worry, Serena. Nothing will happen. The army will arrive soon."

Serena's body trembled. Kathrin naturally didn't know that the poor girl was reminded of the time when people tried to get her and Liam out of their old home.

Brother, where are you? Are you safe?

A door opened, letting everyone flinch. But it was only Merida who came out of the bathroom. Small pouches were in her hand.

"Guys."

Six pairs of eyes turned towards the doctor.

"Don't be afraid. Those are just some people making use of the chaos. They aren't strong!

Here, take these and throw them if the door should open!"