The announcement by Akamai Kane (creator of VBL) went locally viral. Everyone who was at the HQ told their friends about it. Everyone who was watching the stream sent the video to respective forums and their social media’s. Even the local news channel picked up a story about “The local game tournament offering a quarter million dollars prize pool”. Soon, news sites and influencers in the city were trying to get in contact with Akamai. Which meant more people coming into VBL HQ. All this after happened overnight.

**

Nora and Faith, walk down their school hallway together, students and teachers alike are talking about the VBL announcement. Although Faith notices a few weird looks directed to her, she shrugs it off.

“Kind of wild that everyone is all of sudden talking about VBL. Kind of feels weird.” Nora admits.

“It’s a great game unlike any other in the current gaming industry. It goes past VR goggles. It’s fully immersive. Although honestly, I feel like more people are harping over the prize pool more than the game.” Faith says.

“I see what you mean. I was watching some videos from that content creator Bruce Sonntagg last night and most of the comments were talking about what they would do if they won the tournament. I had no idea VBL was making that type of money.” Nora adds.

“Oh, I remember him back when he worked for NGI. Glad to see him back on his feet after leaving. But you know what this means, right?” Faith asks.

“Yep. More competition! It’s fine. Javier and I will blow away all of the competition... Oh. I’m sorry I meant the three of us.” Nora corrects herself.

“It’s fine. I don’t plan on joining the tournament.” Faith reveals.

“What? But what about the money, and the thrill of competition?” Nora asks.

Faith lets out a playful chuckle.

“I think you and Javier have the whole “thrill of competition” thing covered. As for the money… well. My family is sort of well-off money wise. It feels weird saying that, but money isn’t a problem for us.” Faith explains.

“That explains why you always looks so pretty.” Nora bluntly says.

“Well, I don’t know about that.” Faith says while blushing, and breaking eye contact.

“Come to think of it, Javier’s family might also be well off. He paid the whole bill at that fancy restaurant without hesitation.” Nora remembers.

“You’re right. Didn’t he say his farther owns a few gyms throughout the country? I wonder if that means his dad is always traveling.” Faith says.

“Javier never really talks about his dad. He talks about his sister though. He said she kicked the shit out of him for skipping school the other day until he told her why.” Nora chimes in.

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“… Did he mean that literally?” Faith asks. Concerned.

“I have no idea.” Nora admits.

The bell signaling the start of class rings. A few students quickly scatter through the hallway to their next class.

“We’ll talk after class.” Faith directs.

“Okay, see you!” Nora yells.

Both teens run off to their respective classes.

**

At a café found in the downtown area of Strand city, Takeshi Ohba is sitting at an outside table with his boyfriend. His boyfriend is a tall, toned Black man with a short haircut. A flowered short sleeved button up shirt (yellow) and short black shorts. This is Omar Brown (23) and he’s currently eating a delicious cheesecake. At the same time, Takeshi is looking at all the VBL updates on his phone. Omar taps his fork to his plate, hoping the sound would get Takeshi’s attention. When he realizes it doesn’t, he longingly looks at his lover. Eventually Takeshi notices.

“I’m sorry, I was being rude.” Takeshi admits.

“You were, but it’s okay. What were you looking at?” Omar asks.

“The VBL updates. We got some gold this year. Ms. Akami is cooking up an interesting season.” Takeshi proclaims.

Omar is tired of hearing about VBL. Takeshi sees this on his face and places his phone in his pants pocket.

“But anyway, that’s enough about VBL. How have you been?” Takeshi asks.

“Well did I tell you that Herald knocked the whole gallon of sweet tea over, 5 minutes before we opened the restaurant?” Omar asks.

“What?! No! What happened?” Takeshi asks.

**

In a 2-bedroom apartment, Rem (Nora’s classmate from Ch. 9) is laying in his dark bedroom with the only illumination coming from the light on his pc monitor. He’s scrolling through all the VBL updates. Choosing to stop on the reveal of the Levithan sword. He then opens a separate tab and types in “Leviathan sword stats” on the Boogle search engine. Continuing his research.

“Rem!” a deep voice calls out.

Rem instantly stops what he’s doing and jumps to his bedroom door. When he opens it, he’s startled to see his farther directly on the other side, practically standing in the door frame. His farther is a large 6’2 man. Hints of muscle are still there but overshadowed by a prominent beer gut that’s finally beginning to show itself. His unshaven prickles revealing themselves on his chin. This is Franklin (56)

“What were you doing?” his farther asks.

“Nothing, just reading an article.” Rem answers.

“In the dark?” Franklin pursues.

“My monitor is bright enough.”

“What? Speak up.”

“My monitor is bright enough!”

“Whatever. You need to stop wasting your time with that.” Franklin demands.

Rem inner thoughts: Reading is wasting my time?

“Have you thought about what we talked about?” Franklin questions.

“You mean joining the army right after I graduate high school?” Rem confirms.

“What else would I be talking about?”

Rem can smell beer on his farther breath. Although he wouldn’t dare bring it up. Not again.

“I’m still thinking about it.” Rem claims.

“What’s there to think about? You serve your years, get out, and you collect a check every month. Plus, they pay for your college.” Franklin explains.

“Well, I …” Rem doesn’t have any more words he can muster.

“Whatever. Waste your life if you want to.”

A beat.

“By the way, you have any money I can borrow?” Franklin requests.

Without any protest Rem digs in his pockets and pulls out a $5 bill and 4 quarters. Franklin grabs the $5 and walks away from his son. Making his way down the hallway, passing by family pictures of Remy, and his mother. Then Rem and his father in baseball gear. Smiling.

“Just trust me Rem.” Franklin says.

His father grabs his jacket, which was hanging on the recliner in the living room. Then drunkenly struts out the apartment. Leaving his son standing in the doorway of his own room.