After having my passport renewed and signing the official documents for the participation in the tournament, I decided to go and pay a visit to mom and Clint.
"How have you been, son?"
Mom asked as she chopped on some veggies that she was going to use for dinner. She looked a lot healthier than before, and her body was slightly fatter than the last time I saw her.
Even her dark circles were now gone and her face had a healthy smile on it. It warmed my heart to finally see her doing well.
"I'm alright mom, don't worry about me one bit. See, I have even shaved. Isn't that proof enough?"
I jested, making her chuckle a bit.
"Big bro, how is your cohabitation with your girlfriend going on?"
Clint asked with a smug smirk, looking at me with a dirty knowing look.
"You little cunt, she's not my girlfriend."
"Offo, language Flynn."
Mom gave me an eye, telling me to watch my mouth in front of my little brother.
"Whatever you say. Do you have a picture of her? Show me, c'mom. I am your little brother, ain't I?"
Clint proceeded with his teasing, and I hit his head with a slap.
"Ouch, ouch. Mom!"
"Aww! Crying to mama, are we? Little clinty."
I said, making a face we make when we handle kids.
Clint just glared at me with a pouty face as he rubbed his head.
Suddenly, my eyes landed on the VR capsule that I had bought for Clint last time.
"Yo, you been using that?"
I asked casually, and mom's expression changed immediately, as Clint started looking for a place to hide.
"Don't get me started! He's been gaming day in and day out and has been neglecting his studies. He doesn't even listen to me."
Mom started complaining about how Clint has been overusing the VR capsule and how he had been neglecting his studies.
"Oi? I thought you were better than that?"
I glared at Clint. He was very good at studies, unlike me. And he was a sensible kid, much more mature than others his age. I never thought I'd have to worry about his game time.
"But, vacations are going on, and I'm already done with all my vacation homework. I've been trying to finish this B grade quest recently...."
Clint murmured quietly, and then I looked at mom.
"What do you want him to do during his vacations? Does he not help around in the housework?"
"...well, he does."
Mom replied quietly.
"Then? What's the problem? It's not a simple game mom, it's the future. If he studies and studies, he will end up in some company that is related to the game and is trying to make money. He's already good in studies and does all the stuff assigned to him, there is no need to ask for more when he's already sensible enough to do everything necessary on his own."
I said sternly. If it was before Mayhem, I'd have minded Clint getting so much into a game, but it was different with Mayhem. It wasn't just a game, it was also a career path as long as one had the skills to back them up.
"But... not like everyone succeeds in the game, right?"
Mom tried to make her point.
"That's no reason to hold someone back. It's true for all fields. Not all scientists become Einstein you know? Doesn't mean that every other scientist should just give up trying to become famous."
"Well said!"
Clint gave me a thumbs up, excited that I was backing him up.
"Don't get carried away you little pipsqueak. Don't you dare to stop focusing on your studies after everything mom and I went through to pay for your tuitions."
"Aye aye sir!"
Clint gave me a tight salute and looked resolutely at me.
This dramatic little....
"What's your level now?"
I asked, curious about how much he had progressed in the short time I was gone for.
"I recently reached level 18. I even made a level 53 friend, he's been carrying me lately."
Reaching level 18 in a week's time was average, I guess he was my brother after all.
'Even he's just average in gaming.'
I didn't say anything though. Even someone like me had gotten an opportunity to get a legendary class, so there was no point being disappointed. After all, Mayhem was all about opportunities.
Even if he doesn't succeed in gaming, he's a top scorer in real life and would always have something to fall back to.
"Alright then, I'll be leaving now. I've to pack up and prepare."
"What? At least eat dinner before going!"
"Nah, even I am tempted to eat your delicious cooking, but I have a flight to board early in the morning."
I was barely able to decline mom's offer for dinner. Going back to Scarlett's apartment, I packed some of my clothes and other relevant stuff before having cup noodles and sleeping.
It was the first time in a long time that I had spent the whole day without entering the capsule even once. And somehow, that was a refreshing feeling on its own.
The next day.
"You ready?"
"I am, let's go."
I met Scarlett on my way out. Both of us had the same flight to New York, since we were both going to the location where the international tournament will be held.
The tickets and such were organised by Kibea corporation, and it was 1st class ticket at that.
We reached the airport in about 10 minutes after sitting in the Desert Scorpion and boarded the flight in the next 20 minutes.
Even though the distance was long, it took us just 1 hour to reach the New York Airport.
***
BNN News
|| Participants from all over the world are currently flying to New York for the first ever International Competition of the world famous game, 'Mayhem Online'. The hoards of fans and media that are eager to meet the famous players of the game have been crowding the airport like bugs.
Heavy security has been deployed to escort the players safely to their designated hotel rooms. On the other hand, it was confirmed that some of the well known players are going to come directly in their private jets and helicopters, to avoid the huge crowd. ||
Mayhem Official News
|| A total of 50+ countries will be participating in the first ever International Competition jointly held by the Kibea International Corp and various other countries' governments, including our own government of the United States. Apart from the rewards by the Kibea corporation itself, the government of each participating country is going to reward their players heftly with a lifetime supply of costly resources. ||
YQ Game News
|| It's been officially announced! The first ever person to get the legendary class is also participating in the International tournament. The rise of the unexpected second legendary class had calmed down the hype related to the first legendary class. But now that hype is back with twice the momentum!
Everyone in the world is aware who the owner of the second legendary class is, but no one has the slightest idea who the first legendary class was! Everyone is excited and hyped to see the revelation of the person who had managed to veil himself so well for such a long time in this era of information!
The question of the year is, will we see a faceoff between both the legendary classes? Only time will tell. ||
"Gosh, these news channels surely know how to benefit from a situation."
Scarlett commented with a scowl as she looked at her skreener device.
"Well, that's how they make a living."
Flynn said calmly, as they both walked out of the aeroplane. He was wearing a pair of black sunglasses, and a hoodie to cover his identity.
Since he had managed to hide his identity for so long, Kibea wanted to make his identity a big element of the event. Heck, most of the news and articles that were about his identity were paid by kibea to do so, and recreate a hype that had been forgotten.
Walking out of the airport, Flynn and Scarlett were immediately covered by a row of bodyguards.
"As you can see, another player had just appeared. His face is hidden and he doesn't seem like someone that we have seen before. Keep watching Loid Reporter to keep track of the latest news related to the Mayhem International Tournament."
Ignoring all the reporters who tried to talk or make assumptions about Flynn's identity, Flynn and Scarlett entered the limousine which was prepared for them.
"Ahh, I am already tired after thinking about all the work that I have."
Scarlett complained as she took off her glasses.
The limousine had black glasses to hide the identity of its passengers.
"What work?"
"You aren't the only player under me, you realise that, right?"
"Ah, yes, obviously. Goodluck with that."
"Thanks, although that wasn't comforting at all."
I just kept my mouth shut after that. After a while, the limousine stopped and Scarlett got out of the car. When I was about to come out, she stopped me.
"I'm going to the office. The driver will take you to the hotel designated for the players and you'll meet someone who'll guide you from there on."
"Alright, bye love."
I said teasingly, keeping our girlfriend-boyfriend act.
"Ha ha, very funny. You don't need to act here, you're a free man sweetheart. Go chase any girl you like at your heart's content."
Scarlett said sarcastically.
"Oh, does this 'any' include you too?"
I asked teasingly, making her blush and run towards the entrance of the building while stomping her feet.
"Let's go, driver."
I said and the limousine started moving again.
***
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