Shyri stood up from the table abruptly, her mind racing with everything Kame had just told her. The cafeteria buzzed around her, but all she could think about was finding Kalem. She slung her backpack over one shoulder, grabbing her phone and stuffing it in her pocket before Kame gave her a questioning look.

"Where are you going?" Kame asked, surprised at her sudden movement.

"I have to find Kalem," Shyri replied, her voice steady but urgent. "He needs to know about this.”

Kame nodded in understanding, but a slight worry crossed her face. "Be careful, Shyri. If this is as big as it sounds, you might be walking into something serious."

"I’ll be fine. Thanks for the heads up," Shyri said as she adjusted the strap of her bag, mentally preparing herself. She offered Kame a quick smile before turning and heading for the cafeteria exit.

The moment she stepped outside, the crisp afternoon air hit her, waking her senses. The campus was bustling with students, but Shyri moved with purpose, weaving through the crowds as she made her way across the university grounds. She had a vague idea of where to find Kalem — the building for oceanography students was on the other side of the campus, and she wasted no time heading in that direction.

As she walked, her mind kept circling back to the game. The Sinner title, the dungeon, the corrupted city — everything was connected, and now she and Kalem were caught up in something far bigger than just a simple quest. Her steps quickened, anxiety gnawing at her, but she pushed it down. Kalem needed to know. They needed to figure out a plan.

Finally, she reached the large building where most of the oceanography students had their classes. Its modern, glass façade glinted in the sunlight, and Shyri could see groups of students milling about inside, chatting and studying. Without hesitation, she walked inside, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of Kalem.

It didn’t take long to spot him. Kalem was sitting at a table near the back, his dreads neatly twisted, his broad frame hunched over a thick textbook. He looked completely focused, but there was a calmness about him, a contrast to Shyri’s rising sense of urgency.

She approached him quickly, weaving between tables and students until she stood right next to him. Kalem looked up, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw her.

"Shyri?" he asked, sitting up straighter. "What’s going on? You look like you ran here."

She dropped her bag onto the floor and sat down next to him, trying to catch her breath. "I just found out something important — something we need to talk about. It’s about the game, and it’s bad."

Kalem’s expression shifted, his brow furrowing in concern as he leaned in closer. "What is it? Tell me."

Shyri took a deep breath, her eyes locking with his. "There’s a manhunt going on in Fireguard — for players with the Sinner title. They’re after us, Kalem. Kame’s guild found out that the city is corrupt, and whatever we did in that dungeon... it triggered something. We’re not safe in Fireguard. We’re wanted."

Kalem sat back in his chair, a surprising calmness settling over his features as Shyri finished speaking. His eyes flickered with a quiet understanding, not the panic or anxiety she expected after delivering the news. He nodded thoughtfully, letting out a slow breath.

"So, they’re hunting us," he said softly, his tone steady and almost peaceful. He closed the textbook in front of him with a deliberate motion and began packing his bag without a hint of urgency. "Makes sense, I guess. We knew this was coming eventually."

Shyri blinked, caught off guard by how at ease he seemed. "You’re not worried?" she asked, watching him carefully as he zipped up his bag.

Kalem slung his bag over his shoulder, standing up calmly. "Not really," he replied, offering her a small smile. "We’ll figure it out." He glanced at her, the calmness in his eyes reassuring her in a way she hadn’t expected. "Besides, worrying won’t help us right now. We need a plan, and we’ll come up with one."

Shyri couldn’t help but admire how steady he was in the face of everything. She nodded, her shoulders relaxing a little, and stood up to follow him.

As Kalem adjusted his bag, he looked down at her with a thoughtful expression. "Hey, if you’re not busy, do you want to come back to my room?" he asked casually, his voice gentle. "I stay on campus, and it’s quiet. We can figure out our next move there."

Shyri felt her heart skip a beat. The offer seemed so natural, yet it caught her off guard. She considered it for a moment, weighing her options. The idea of being in a quiet space with Kalem, away from the noise and tension, was appealing. Plus, they needed to talk strategy, and it would be better to do that somewhere private.

"Yeah," she said, giving him a soft smile. "That sounds like a good idea."

Kalem’s smile widened a bit as he nodded. "Great. Let’s go, then."

Together, they made their way out of the building and into the cool afternoon air. Kalem led the way across the campus, his pace unhurried as if they were just taking a casual stroll. Shyri walked beside him, her mind still buzzing with everything that was happening, but his calm presence helped keep her grounded. The world felt a little less chaotic with him by her side.

As they headed toward the campus dorms, she couldn’t help but glance at him, wondering how he managed to stay so composed. There was something about Kalem that drew her in — not just his confidence, but the way he seemed to embrace whatever challenges came his way, no matter how difficult.

For now, she let herself relax, trusting that they’d figure things out together.

As Kalem and Shyri approached his dorm building, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the campus. They walked in comfortable silence, their footsteps quiet against the path, neither of them rushing as they reached the door to his room. Kalem unlocked it, pushing it open with a smooth motion before gesturing for Shyri to enter first.

Inside, Shyri was immediately struck by the calming atmosphere. The walls were adorned with ocean-themed posters and artwork, depicting tranquil seas and majestic creatures like whales and sea turtles gliding through deep blue waters. One of the posters showed an impressive coral reef, vibrant with color, while another featured a stormy ocean at sunset, with waves crashing dramatically against a rocky shore. It was clear how much the ocean meant to Kalem, a connection to his studies and perhaps even his way of keeping calm in the midst of chaos.

The room itself was small but cozy. One corner was dedicated to his gaming setup — a sleek, modern desk with multiple monitors, headsets hanging neatly on a hook, and a VR set resting on a stand. A well-used gaming chair sat in front of it, and the screensaver on his main monitor was of a serene underwater scene, bubbles rising from the depths.

Against the opposite wall, a narrow bed was tucked into the corner. It was clear that it wasn’t used much — the way the blanket was haphazardly tossed across it suggested that sleep wasn’t a frequent priority for Kalem. Above the bed hung a single shelf lined with textbooks, small trinkets, and a few gaming collectibles.

“Welcome to my little sanctuary,” Kalem said with a grin, stepping in behind her and tossing his bag onto the bed.

Shyri took it all in, appreciating the soothing vibe of the ocean decor. The cool blues and greens of the room had a calming effect, almost like stepping into a peaceful underwater world, a stark contrast to the intensity of their current situation in the game. She was drawn to the gaming setup, marveling at how well-organized it was, yet her mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Fireguard.

Kalem gestured toward his desk chair, and she sat down as he pulled up another chair beside her. He powered up his monitors, bringing up the map of the game on one of them as they prepared to strategize.

“So, we logged off in Fireguard,” Kalem began, his voice steady and focused as he navigated through the game’s interface. "At that shady inn on the outskirts, near the alley."

Shyri nodded, recalling the moment they’d logged off, exhausted after their grueling dungeon crawl. "Yeah, we snuck in without getting noticed, but it sounds like that’s not going to be an option anymore with this manhunt. Fireguard’s crawling with guards, and we’re going to be targets as soon as we log back in."

Kalem leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "True, but the inn was in a part of the city where there aren’t a lot of guards. That gives us a bit of an advantage. If we time it right, we might be able to sneak out before they catch on."

"But where do we go?" Shyri asked, her brow furrowing. "No nation will trust us now, and every major city will be on high alert for players with the Sinner title. We can’t just walk out the front gate."

Kalem smirked, clearly having thought this through. "We don’t have to. There’s an old sewer system beneath Fireguard that connects to the outskirts of the city. It’s not on the map, but I’ve heard rumors from other players in the guild who’ve used it to escape the city during raids. It’s risky, but I think it’s our best bet."

Shyri looked at him, impressed by how quickly he had a plan. "Sewers, huh? Not exactly glamorous, but it could work. We’d have to be careful, though — if the guards are aware of it, they might have stationed patrols down there."

Kalem nodded, bringing up a sketch of the city layout on one of the screens. "That’s true, but if we time it right, we can get out without drawing too much attention. We just need to move quickly and quietly. And once we’re out, we’ll need to lay low for a while, maybe head to a smaller village or find a hidden camp in the wilderness to regroup."

Shyri sighed softly, leaning forward as she studied the map. "This is going to be tricky. We can’t trust anyone now, not even NPCs. They’ll report us the moment they see our titles."

Kalem’s gaze shifted toward her, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Looks like it’s just you and me, then."

Shyri met his eyes, feeling the weight of the situation but also an odd sense of relief that they were in this together. "Yeah," she said softly. "Just us."

Shyri let out a long, quiet sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly as she stared at the game map on Kalem's monitor. The realization of how much the Sinner title had changed the game for her weighed heavily. What started as an exciting adventure had suddenly become something much harder than she’d anticipated. Being marked as a Sinner meant she could no longer experience the game like everyone else — no friendly NPCs, no sanctuary in cities, no joining in on casual quests. Every step was shadowed by suspicion, hostility, and the knowledge that any mistake could lead to her being hunted.

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"This title," she muttered, mostly to herself, "it's made everything so much harder. I didn’t expect the game to get this difficult so soon. I can’t even enjoy exploring without constantly watching my back." She shook her head slightly, her fingers running through her hair in frustration. "It’s like... we’re not even regular players anymore. We’re outcasts, targets."

Kalem noticed her expression darkening and immediately leaned in, resting a hand on her shoulder. His grip was firm but gentle, meant to ground her. "Hey," he said, his voice calm but carrying a strength that drew her attention. "I get it. The Sinner title makes things tough, but it’s not a curse, Shyri. It’s a challenge."

She glanced over at him, her expression softening slightly but still uncertain. "But what if we can’t—"

Kalem cut her off before she could spiral further. "We can," he said with a conviction that left no room for doubt. "Think about it — yeah, the game’s harder now, but that also means we’ve got something no one else has. We’re not just any players. We’re stronger because of this. Every fight we win, every obstacle we get past, it’s twice the experience, twice the growth. No one’s going to expect us to survive, but we will. Together."

His words hung in the air, and slowly, Shyri felt her frustration begin to ease. Kalem had a way of flipping things, of turning a burden into an opportunity. Where she saw difficulty, he saw a chance to grow, to prove themselves.

"Besides," Kalem added with a half-smile, "we’ve already gotten this far. And look at how far you’ve come in just a couple of days. If anyone can handle this, it’s you."

Shyri’s lips curved into a small smile, despite herself. He was right. The challenge was part of what made the game thrilling, and even though it was tough, she wasn’t in it alone. Kalem was here with her, and they’d already faced monsters and dungeons together. Maybe this was just the next big step.

"Okay," she said softly, nodding. "You’re right. We’ve got this."

Kalem smiled back, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before leaning back in his chair. "That’s the spirit. Let’s show this game what we’re made of."

As Shyri sat across from Kalem at his desk, her thoughts drifted back to the earlier conversation she’d had with the other girls. The way they had approached her, curious yet cautious, still lingered in her mind.

She could hear their voices clearly in her head. “So, what’s your relationship with Kalem? He doesn’t talk to other girls much, you know…” Their tone wasn’t harsh, but it was laced with curiosity, like they couldn’t quite understand why someone like him would pay attention to her.

Shyri shifted in her seat, biting her lip slightly. The question had been eating at her since lunchtime, and now, sitting in Kalem’s room, it felt like the right moment to ask. She glanced over at him, still busy packing away his oceanography notes, completely at ease. For a moment, she hesitated, unsure if she really wanted to know the answer. But the curiosity won out.

"Kalem?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

He glanced up from his desk, eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Yeah?"

Taking a deep breath, Shyri carefully chose her words, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress. "Earlier, some girls came up to me asking about... us." She paused, unsure of how to phrase the next part. "They said you don’t really talk to other girls much, but… you’re talking to me. You even invited me here, to your room. Why?"

Kalem looked surprised at the question, as if he hadn’t realized it would even cross her mind. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and thinking for a moment before answering. "Honestly, I don’t really pay much attention to that kind of stuff. I’m not the type to care about being popular, or who’s interested in me. I just... do my own thing, you know?"

He shrugged, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. But then his eyes softened as he looked at her. "But with you, it’s different."

Shyri’s heart skipped a beat at his words, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Different how?"

Kalem leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he met her gaze. "I don’t know, I guess you’re just easy to talk to. It feels natural. I don’t have to pretend or act a certain way around you. When we first met at the library, I felt I could just be myself." He gave a small smile. "And in the game, we’ve got this connection. We both have the Sinner title, and we’ve already fought side by side. It’s like… we’re on the same wavelength, you know?"

Shyri blinked, surprised by how sincere he was. His words hit her harder than she expected. She hadn’t realized he saw her like that — someone he could be comfortable with, someone who didn’t expect anything from him. It made her feel special in a way that she hadn’t felt before.

"I… I guess I didn’t think of it like that," she admitted quietly, feeling her face grow warm. "It’s just… those girls made me wonder. They seemed surprised that you were even talking to me."

Kalem chuckled softly, shaking his head. "People are always going to wonder, but I don’t really care what they think. I talk to who I want to talk to. And right now, that’s you."

Shyri couldn’t help but smile at his words, her chest feeling lighter. The unease that had settled there since lunch began to fade, replaced by a quiet warmth. Maybe the other girls were surprised, but in this moment, she realized it didn’t matter.

"Thanks for telling me," she said softly, her smile growing a little wider.

Kalem nodded, his expression warm and genuine. "Anytime."

As Shyri glanced at the clock on the wall, she felt a rush of urgency. They had spent a good amount of time chatting, and she knew they needed to log in to New Life Online if they wanted to make any progress before nightfall. Excitement bubbled within her at the thought of teaming up with Kalem again, but as she stood up to gather her things, he called out to her.

“Wait!” Kalem said, a hint of eagerness in his voice. “I actually have another headset you can use. If you want to stay and play together, that is.”

Her heart raced at the idea. “Really? You have an extra one?”

“Yeah! It’s a good one too. Let me grab it.” He moved quickly to a nearby shelf and pulled out a sleek, high-quality headset.

Shyri's eyes lit up. “Thanks, Kalem! That’d be great!”

He handed it to her, and she took a moment to admire the design before slipping it on. As she adjusted the fit, Kalem gestured toward his bed. “You can just lay back there to get comfortable. I’ll be right in my chair.”

With a smile, Shyri made her way to his bed and settled down, feeling a bit giddy at the intimacy of the moment. The soft mattress felt inviting, and she couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting the anticipation wash over her.

Kalem reclined in his gaming chair, a relaxed posture that mirrored the atmosphere of the room. “Ready?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

“Ready!” Shyri replied, a sense of exhilaration bubbling within her.

With a few swift movements, she logged into the game, the familiar loading screen bringing her back to the vibrant world of New Life Online. As she materialized back in her character’s form, she felt a rush of excitement.

Shyri adjusted the straps of her dark armor, the fabric hugging her form comfortably while allowing for swift movement. She tested her scythe, feeling its weight balance perfectly in her hands. Kalem, beside her, donned his heavy paladin armor, making sure each piece was secure, his expression serious and focused.

“Okay, remember,” Kalem said, his tone low and urgent. “We need to stay cloaked to avoid any guards. The last thing we want is to be spotted.”

Shyri nodded, activating her stealth ability, a shimmering veil enveloping her. She watched as Kalem did the same, the aura of his light magic blending seamlessly with the shadows around them. They both looked ready for a heist.

“Let’s go,” Kalem whispered, leading the way toward the inn’s exit. They moved silently, careful to avoid creaking floorboards and the curious eyes of any lingering patrons.

As they stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, Shyri felt a thrill of adrenaline. The inn was bustling with players, some laughing and chatting, oblivious to the danger lurking outside. They slipped through the back door, emerging into the alleyway behind the inn. The air was cooler here, and the sounds of the bustling city faded into a distant murmur.

“We need to find the entrance to the sewer system,” Kalem said, scanning their surroundings. “It should be just past the market square, near the old well.”

“Right,” Shyri replied, her heart racing as they moved together, staying close to the walls. Shadows danced around them as they crept forward, alert for any signs of guards.

Navigating through the narrow streets, they ducked into alcoves whenever they heard footsteps, their stealth abilities helping them blend into the darkness. The streets were eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the usual vibrancy of Fireguard.

Finally, they reached the market square, a few stalls abandoned and shrouded in shadows. In the center stood the old well, a stone structure draped in creeping vines. Kalem approached it cautiously, examining the area for any signs of danger.

“This must be it,” he said, pointing to a small, hidden trapdoor nearby that led down into the depths below. “Let’s hope it’s not too crowded.”

Shyri nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. Together, they lifted the trapdoor and descended into the darkness, ready to navigate the rumored sewer system and make their escape from Fireguard.

As Shyri and Kalem descended into the sewer, the damp air enveloped them, the faint scent of moss and stale water filling their lungs. The sound of dripping water echoed off the stone walls, creating a rhythmic backdrop that was both eerie and oddly comforting. The narrow passageway was dimly lit, with the only illumination coming from the occasional flicker of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the walls.

Shyri moved cautiously, her senses heightened. The murmur of guards above them grew louder, the clanging of armor and the shouts of commands resonating in the air. She glanced at Kalem, whose expression was serious, determination etched across his face.

“Just a little further,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of rushing water. They followed the current, hoping it would lead them away from the city and the danger that lay above.

After navigating a series of twists and turns, they finally approached a faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. As they emerged from the dark, they were met with an unexpected sight: a large guard camp sprawled out around the sewer exit.

Panic surged through Shyri, and she instinctively grabbed Kalem’s arm, pulling him back into the shadows. They crouched low, peering out at the scene before them.

The camp was bustling with activity, guards moving about and talking in low voices, their weapons glinting in the sunlight. But the focal point of their attention was a massive, burly man seated casually beside the sewer exit, his enormous bow resting against his shoulder. He had a crooked grin, as if he was expecting trouble and enjoying the anticipation of a challenge.

Kalem exchanged a worried glance with Shyri. “We can’t go out there,” he murmured, assessing their options. “We need to find another way.”

Shyri nodded, her mind racing. “What if we create a distraction?” she suggested, her thoughts swirling with possibilities. “I could use one of my elemental skills to draw them away.”

Kalem considered this, his gaze shifting back to the guards. “It’s risky, but it might work. We need to act fast.”

Shyri felt the air shift around her as she gathered her dark energy, channeling it into a swirling mass of shadows that danced at her fingertips. She focused intently, her mind clear as she prepared to send the spell down the tunnel to create a diversion. But just as she felt the power coalesce, a sudden thwack shattered her concentration.

An arrow embedded itself into the stonewall mere inches from her face, the force of it causing dust to cascade down. The large burly man, his grin now even more menacing, stood up with an ease that belied his size. He rested his massive bow on the ground, one hand gripping the string taut as he loomed over them, his presence both imposing and intimidating.

“Come out, little ones,” he called out, his voice booming yet oddly playful. “I’d prefer to fight you fairly, in the open. After all, it wouldn’t be right to catch you off guard.” His smile revealed a row of sharp teeth, giving him an almost predatory look.

Kalem instinctively shifted closer to Shyri, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. “This guy’s not just a simple guard,” he whispered, his voice low. “He’s toying with us.”

Shyri’s heart raced, the initial thrill of battle now laced with fear. She could sense the vile energy radiating from the man, a dark aura that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. This wasn’t a mere challenge; it felt like a trap, designed to lure them into the open.

“Do you really think you stand a chance against me?” the burly man continued, stepping forward, the ground trembling slightly under his weight. “I can already smell your fear. It’ll make this fight all the more satisfying.”

Kalem shot a glance at Shyri, and she could see the gears turning in his mind. “We can’t let him provoke us,” he said firmly. “We have to play this smart.”

Shyri nodded, determination igniting within her. “I can still cast my spell,” she whispered, feeling the magic still lingering at her fingertips. “If we can distract him just long enough…”

With her resolve solidified, she took a deep breath and prepared to unleash her spell, but she knew they would have to act quickly before the man grew impatient or suspicious. They had to outsmart him, even if it meant taking a leap of faith into the unknown.