Roselle stood frozen for a moment. It couldn't be her sister, Risebell, yet, the resemblance was undeniable.

Michigo, noticing Roselle looking off in the distance, asked, "Hey, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Roselle shook her head, "I... I thought I saw someone who looked like my sister. It can't be her, but... the resemblance was uncanny."

Michigo frowned and placed her hands on her sides. "Wait, what are you talking about? You're an only child, Roselle. I've known you for a while, and you've never mentioned a sister."

"Oh, sorry, Michigo," Roselle stammered with a low chuckle. "I must have misspoken. It was just a girl who looked similar to someone I used to know, but she's not my sister. My bad."

Michigo, though still somewhat puzzled, nodded. "No problem, Roselle. It happens to the best of us. Anyway, let's get back to our mission and find this mystery guy. We can't afford any more distractions."

Roselle and Michigo had been making their way through the school, asking about the mysterious boy with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Most of the students they approached seemed either genuinely clueless or oddly fearful, reacting as if they had heard about him but didn't want to discuss him.

Frustration was starting to set in when they came across a girl whose appearance immediately marked her as a gaming enthusiast. Her customized school uniform bore the insignia of various games. She wore knee-high socks and sneakers, clearly ready for both school and virtual adventures.

Michigo approached her. "Hey, excuse me. We're looking for someone, a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes. He's been described as a bit of a 'bad boy' type. Have you heard of him?"

The gaming addict raised an eyebrow. She darted her eyes between Roselle and Michigo.

"A bad boy type in this school? You've got my attention," she remarked, then raised one finger. “Your gamer’s right? Then I think you might actually be talking about a character from Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows. It's this epic fantasy RPG where you go on quests, battle monsters, and uncover mysteries. There's even a storyline with shape-shifting villains who try to deceive the heroes. It's got a huge following, and there's even an MMO game about to launch with the same concept."

.

Roselle and Michigo exchanged puzzled glances. Michigo scratched her head and asked, “Wait, so you’re saying the guy we’re looking for is in a game?”

The gaming enthusiast nodded enthusiastically. “Yep, Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows. It’s where you’ll find characters like the one you’re describing. Trust me, it’s got everything: quests, mysteries, and even shape-shifting villains. It's practically a fantasy world all on its own.”

Roselle furrowed her brow. “No, no, we’re not talking about a game character. We’re looking for an actual student here at school.”

The girl’s eyes widened. “Oh, sorry! I thought you meant you were on a quest for a game-related character. My bad. But if you’re looking for someone who fits that description, I think I can still help.”

Michigo looking more curious replied. “Okay, so what does this game have to do with finding our student?”

The gaming enthusiast leaned in, lowering her speech to a whisper. “Well, the game's not officially out yet. There were some beta tests a while back, but the coders are working on it in the gamers club tonight. You might find some answers there. They’ve been known to get a little carried away with their game-related gossip.”

Roselle’s eyes widened with realization. “So, if we go to the gamers club tonight, we might find out more about this student?”

The girl nodded eagerly. “Exactly. It’s your best shot. The game's supposed to be a mix of fantasy and real life, so maybe they’ve picked up something about your student while developing it.”

Michigo shrugged. “Ahhh what the hell... Let’s see if we can uncover anything useful.”

With this promising lead, Roselle and Michigo made a mental note to attend the gamer club meeting after school.

When the day came to a close, the two friends made their way to the exit of the school building. The chatter of students filled the hallways, and the anticipation for the upcoming gamer club meeting.

Michigo turned to Roselle with a grin on her face, "This is it, Roselle. Our chance to get some answers and maybe find out more about this 'bad boy' hot guy and the strange happenings around us."

Roselle gave her a smile. "I can't believe we might find some answers in a video game of all places. But at this point, I'm willing to try anything."

Roselle suddenly gasped. Her face seemed troubled when looking towards Michigo. "I need to make a phone call, Michigo. It's important. Can I borrow your phone for a moment? I kind of…forgot mine…"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Michigo handed her phone to Roselle without hesitation. "No prob, Roselle. Take all the time you need."

With Michigo's phone in hand, Roselle stepped away. She dialed up Harty's number.

"Hey, Harty," she began. "I'm sorry, but I can't make it to the detective club today. Something... something came up, and I can't explain right now. I'll fill you in later."

She could sense Harty's concern through the phone. He pressed for more information. Roselle wanted to tell him everything, but she knew it was too risky at the moment.

“Sorry… Can you wait until the next meeting? I’ll tell you what I find then.”

"Alright, Roselle. Just take care of yourself, okay? We'll catch up later," Harty replied.

Roselle hung up the phone and returned it to Michigo.

Michigo flashed a mischievous grin at Roselle. "So, was that your boyfriend on the phone or something?"

Roselle shot Michigo an evil glare. Her cheeks were burning red. "Michigo, stop it," she scolded.

Michigo laughed in response, "Okay, okay, I'll stop!"

Roselle’s face was still flushed from the phone call.

"Seriously, though," Michigo said with a grin, "if that Harty guy was your boyfriend, you’d be a lot cooler in my book. I mean, he’s in the detective club, right? That’s pretty impressive!"

Roselle tried hard but she couldn’t stop a smile from coming to her face. "Michigo, stop making assumptions. It’s just a phone call. He’s a friend, and that’s all there is to it."

"Uh-huh, sure. If you say so. Just remember, if you ever need to spy on him, I’m your girl. I’m excellent at sneaking around."

Roselle lowered her eyes and held a smile. “If that was true, you’d probably be better off joining a spy agency than a karate club…"

----------------------------------------

The Gamer's Club was a haven for students who lived for the thrill of video games. As Roselle and Michigo entered the room, they were immediately hit by the cacophony of sounds and the atmosphere. The walls were adorned with posters of legendary video games, and the large monitors displayed epic battles and stunning game worlds.

At the center of the room, they spotted the gamer-girl they had spoken to earlier. She was hunched over a high-end gaming computer. Her nimble fingers danced across the keyboard in a fast-paced first-person shooter.

The girl’s fiery red hair framed her face, and she had a fierce intensity while playing. There were shouts and cheers from the other club members, who were engrossed in their own digital adventures.

When the girl finished her game, she turned to Roselle and Michigo, offering a friendly smile. "Hey, you two newbies made it! Welcome to the Gamer's Club. I'm Angie, by the way."

Roselle and Michigo exchanged introductions with Angie, and the gamer-girl seemed genuinely excited to show them around. She led them to a quieter corner of the room where they could talk without shouting over the noise.

Angie gestured to the array of gaming setups. "We have all sorts of games here, from epic fantasy RPGs to intense shooters. It's a gamer's paradise.”

Angie continued, "Now, about the guy you're looking for, he's usually right over there." She pointed to a corner where a group of students were gathered around a computer, engrossed in an intense battle in Epic Quest: Realm of Shadows’ beta multiplayer mode.

The guy in question, with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, was taking on a girl who wore a top hat and had a mystic-like cloak. The battle was fierce, and the tension was in the room. They clashed swords, cast spells, and summoned mystical creatures.

When the duel came to an end, Alex emerged victorious. His character stood tall and the opponent's character fell to the virtual ground. The girl in the top hat sighed and said, "My magic failed me today. You're good, Alex."

Roselle, Michigo, and Angie observed this from a distance, noting the guy's impressive gaming skills and charismatic presence. It was clear that he was well-known in the Gamer's Club.

Angie whispered to Roselle and Michigo, "That's Alex. He is a popular pro-gamer here.”

Alex leaned back in his chair and looked around the room. "Who's the next victim?"

Roselle took a bold step forward and moved to stand beside Alex. Angie let out a soft gasp before approaching Roselle and whispering urgently, "Roselle, that's a dangerous move! Alex is not someone you want to mess with in a game, especially when you don’t know how to play the game!"

Michigo quickly followed Roselle. She kept a close eye on Alex.

Alex raised an eyebrow when he saw Roselle standing beside him. "Hey, someone like you wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this, would you?"

Roselle hesitated for a moment before responding, "Look, I need to talk to you about something important."

Alex looked at Roselle with a hint of amusement." Interesting… You want to talk to me, but you're not even a gamer, are you? Well, I might entertain the idea if you're willing to play a game with me… but I don’t like boring matches with newbies. You have to make it interesting."

Roselle considered her options. She wasn't a gamer, but her desire to find Tina pushed her forward. She met Alex's gaze and said, "I'll play, but only if there are stakes involved. I want information, and I'm willing to wager something in return."

Roselle squared her shoulders. “Fine... How about a stake?"

Alex's eyes lit up with interest. "Ah, now we're talking! I only play for stakes that are worth my time. So… hit me.”

Roselle took a deep breath. "If I win, you give me information about Tina. But if I lose, I'll owe you a favor. Deal?"

Alex's eyes widened in shock. "Tina?! Y-You know her?"

Roselle nodded firmly. "Yes, I do. So, are you in or not?"

Michigo pulled Roselle aside. "Nice plan, Roselle, Very well thought out, 10/10..." Michigo said started in a sweet tone. Then she nearly shouted, "Have you lost your damn mind?!"

Roselle looked at her friend, slightly taken aback. "Michigo, I know it’s a risk, but—"

"No 'but's," Michigo interrupted. "You’re seriously throwing yourself into danger here! We don’t even know what this guy could do. He’s a pro at this game, and you’ve barely touched a console in your life in comparison to him. You’re setting yourself up for failure."

Roselle stood firm. "Look, Michigo, I’ve been practicing. I’ve spent alot of time with Hashta, learning the basics and getting better. I can’t let this chance slip away."

Michigo’s eyes narrowed. “Roselle, playing a game and mastering it are two different things. You’re talking about a high-stakes match against someone who’s probably been gaming since before you knew what a controller was!”

Before Roselle could respond, Angie, who had been listening in, stepped forward. “She’s right, you know. Alex is known for being not just good, but exceptionally skilled. He’s taken on and beaten some of the best players. If you’re not prepared, this could end badly.”

"I'll be fine, really. I need to find out about Tina, and this is the only lead we have. I can do this," Roselle declared.

Roselle took a deep breath and forced a confident smile, though her mind was racing. ‘Why did I just declare that so boldly?’