In his previous life, Alan had already reached the pinnacle of level 99, yet he found himself lacking the strength to break free from the confines of the game. This realization made the additional bonus attributes and stats he now acquired all the more valuable, as they offered him a chance to attain greater heights than he had ever managed before.

What he had just achieved by successfully comprehending the first section of the “Beginner’s Guide to Enlightenment” was just the initial step of a journey divided into three distinct sections of the first book. Still lay ahead the potential of learning of the second, intermediate book, and if fortune favored him, even the elusive third book, which the Indian player had never managed to reach.

Despite the knowledge that each of these sections would demand a considerable amount of time to truly grasp, Alan was willing to bide his time and painstakingly work his way toward his ultimate goal.

His train of thought was abruptly halted by a beep from his game link.

[Time left until the second round – 3 hours and 00 minutes]

The notification served as a reminder to all players to be prepared for the upcoming round. Alan recognized the importance of readiness and ensured he was ticking off items on his checklist of tasks within the port town. However, one particular task remained, and it was another motive behind his decision to rent the apartment room.

It was a function that was mostly used by the player to relieve their mental state arguably more important than any other entertainment prepared. A function available within a private space – a small talking box. A telephone.

This seemingly simple device allowed fatigued players to establish a direct connection with their loved ones. Alan picked up the phone, pressed a few buttons, and a mechanical voice emanated.

[Please state the name and number of the person you wish to talk with.]

“Arria D’Angelo, Bellevue Hospital, Room 2603”

The phone rang for two long seconds, each tick feeling like an eternity, until a sound as angelic as the sweetest melody reached Alan’s ears, instantly bringing a warm smile to his face.

“Halloo.. who is this?”

“Hey Chickpea… it’s me.”

A brief moment of silence followed on the other end of the line before a voice, brimming with surprise and disbelief, could be heard. “Daddy!?… Is this you?” The simplicity of those words was enough to ease the weight of all the burdens Alan carried, if only for a short while. A genuine smile played on his lips as he leaned into the telephone.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?”

“Daddy!!” Excitement and joy overflowed in her voice. “I am doing great, Daddy!”

“That’s really good to hear, girl.”

The conversation continued, a stream of fatherly affection and genuine interest flowing from one end of the line to the other. The little girl shared snippets of her life in the hospital, and as the game intended, this connection served as a respite for Alan’s heart, momentarily easing the strains of his reality.

Yet, amidst the conversation, the girl’s voice was overtaken by heavy coughs, her excitement replaced by the worrisome sound of discomfort. Alan’s smile faltered, concern tugging at his features.

“Daddy… when are you getting home?”

A prolonged silence settled between them. Though Alan desperately wished to provide his daughter with the comfort of an immediate reunion, he couldn’t ignore the harsh reality of his situation. However, he couldn’t shatter her hope, so he chose his words with care. “Not for a little while, sweetheart… But don’t worry, I will be back as soon as I can… Okay, sweetpea?”

Despite her attempt to sound cheerful, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of sadness in her voice as she responded, “Okay.. daddy.”

Unfortunately, the constraints of the game dictated that each player was only allotted a mere 10 minutes for an outgoing call. And what further irritates Alan was the intrusion of his in-laws, hijacking the final moments of his conversation with his daughter.

“Alan?! This caller ID… Are you really participating in the game?! What the hell Alan!! This shows how little care you have for your daughter! Such an irresponsible decision! Who do you thin–”

Clink!

The mechanical voice interjected, resolute and unfeeling:

[Your 10 minutes outgoing call is over]

Despite the unexpected intrusion and the abrupt end to the call, Alan found himself surprisingly unfazed by his in-laws’ judgmental words. His focus had shifted, and his priorities crystallized. His determination to emerge victorious in the game and secure a better future for his daughter far outweighed any other matter.

He exhaled slowly, letting go of the residual tension before he rose from his seat with a renewed sense of purpose. He sought solace in a warm shower, letting the water wash away any lingering traces of frustration before he walked out of the apartment with new vigor. 𝗈𝐕𝓵𝐞xt.𝔠𝚘𝓂

#####

With slightly over two hours remaining until the commencement of the next round, Alan retraced his steps to the Training Ground, his curiosity piqued about the progress of his companions.

Contrary to expectations, the training ground was bustling with activity, its space filled with more than a thousand players fervently using these final moments to refine their skills. Everyone was determined to make the most of the impending round, with the hopes of securing the bonus rewards provided by the facility and the US military.

Amidst the organized chaos, Alan spotted the familiar figure of Sergeant Dylan O’Connor. The man was energetically addressing the crowd to finalize the last few slots for players chosen to join the military.

Alan’s gaze swept across the scene, and his attention stopped at the colossal screen prominently displaying the ongoing leaderboard.

[Melee Combat Test]

[Rank 27 – Milo Tagliano]

[Rank 28 – Alan D’Angello]

Alan couldn’t help but acknowledge the subtle surprise that tugged at him. While he had anticipated that his ranking might decrease as more participants entered the competition, he hadn’t quite foreseen Milo Tagliano would surpass his score.

“That’s Great!!”