The boxes of clothes arrived later that afternoon. Before long, Lina and Zetia were busy opening every package, trying on one outfit after another together. The two of them became surprisingly close in no time.
Maybe that was a good thing. At least Zetia would have someone to talk to while she adjusted to this unfamiliar world. After all, she had come from the Heavenly Realm of Yunatea. That had to be the reason... right?
There was one thing Toma had wanted to ask ever since he got home, but he hadn't found the chance because of everything that had happened.
The game capsule.
Why had it already been moved? And why had it even been unpacked?
It was no longer where he had left it. Instead, it had been carefully set up in a neat corner of the living room, as though someone had taken the time to arrange it there.
"Are you sure about keeping the game capsule here, Lina? You said we'd get into trouble because of it."
"Nah, that thing isn't going to break that easily. We're just using it normally, not throwing it around or anything. Just ignore that jerk of a manager," she replied. "Besides, the only reason you got into trouble last night was because you'd just come back from the game center."
"You knew about that?"
"Of course. I have eyes everywhere."
"That's exactly the kind of thing I don't like hearing from you. Since you know so much, maybe you can tell me who this girl from the Heavenly Realm really is."
"Sure." Lina glanced at Zetia before flashing him a teasing smile. "Maybe the gods really did send her to you. You should be happy about it. Just let her stay here. We can even make your marriage official later. It's actually pretty easy. I can speed up the whole process if you want."
"Yeah... let's not talk about that."
Toma ended the conversation there before walking over to the game capsule once again.
He rested a hand against its smooth surface.
He wanted to log back into the game. There were too many questions he still needed answers to. Zetia's sudden appearance, and everything that had happened since last night. Somewhere inside that world, there had to be clues connecting all of it.
The game allowed each player to remain logged in for up to eighteen hours a day. Thanks to its advanced full-dive technology, players could even sleep naturally while staying connected, allowing their minds to rest without ever leaving the virtual world.
"I'm going to sleep in the game capsule tonight," he said. "I'll see you both tomorrow."
He climbed inside, settling into the noticeably softer interior of the newest generation capsule.
The lid slowly slid shut above him. A soft mechanical hum filled the chamber as the system activated, and moments later, his consciousness quietly faded into the world beyond.
[Connection Established.]
[Welcome back, Jester.]
[Entering Yunatea...]
Jester regained his vision the moment he returned to Yunatea.
He found himself standing on the roadside leading toward the Capital City. Rolling fields stretched across both sides of the road, covered in tall grass and countless wildflowers that swayed under the breeze. A few lone trees stood here and there, breaking up the endless green landscape.
"Fang, come out," he said.
A swirling vortex of energy formed around him, streams of white and darkness twisting together in elegant patterns before slowly taking shape. Within seconds, the energy faded, revealing a massive dire wolf standing proudly before him.
"You must've been lonely while I was gone," he said with a small smile as he gently rubbed the beast's neck.
A moment later, Jester jumped onto Fang's back, and the giant wolf resumed its journey toward the Capital City.
"You know... you could hunt monsters while I'm logged out," he said.
Even so, the idea didn't sit well with him. He couldn't help worrying that something might happen to Fang if he allowed the beast to hunt by itself.
"Okay, let's just wait a little longer. You'll have plenty of time to hunt later. Besides, we'll have lots of time from now on. I'm going to be logging into the game much more often."
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If everything went according to plan, he could stay in the game for the next two days before reaching his daily login limit.
Not long afterward, Jester suddenly pulled Fang to a stop.
Several players were approaching from the opposite direction. Each of them rode a sleek Silverwing Stag. A swift four-legged mount with a muscular build, silver-white fur, and a pair of long antlers that gleamed like polished steel.
Leading the group was a young man with short blond hair, wearing a blue robe beneath a long matching cape.
"Justhole?" Jester muttered.
Within moments, more than a dozen players had surrounded him. Jester remained seated atop Fang as the dire wolf slowly swept its gaze across the group, a low, threatening growl rumbling deep in its throat.
Jester calmly raised both hands.
"Oh my, what perfect timing!" he said with a grin. "This humble clown is on his way to the Capital City. I have a very important birthday performance waiting for a group of adorable little children. You know how heartbreaking it would be if those precious smiles disappeared because their favorite clown never arrived."
He let out a dramatic sigh before placing a hand over his chest.
"So... is there something I can help you with?"
His smile grew even wider.
"Of course, if you're offering a better-paying job, I suppose those naughty little brats will have to learn the valuable lesson that life is full of disappointment."
Jester spread his arms theatrically.
"Now then... unless this happens to be an invitation to perform for the great Silverwings Guild, one of the most famous guilds in the entire kingdom, I'm afraid it'll take quite a generous offer to steal me away from my loyal young audience."
Jester could see their reactions even through their silence. Some of the guild members kept blank expressions, while others openly looked at him with suspicion.
"That wolf is the same one the prince was riding," one of them said.
"I'm sure of it. The fur's a different color, but it's definitely the same species."
"Maybe he stole it from the prince... or from one of the prince's followers. Either way, he must've been involved in stealing the last hit on that raid monster."
"But he doesn't look dangerous."
"Looks can be deceiving."
The speaker narrowed his eyes at Jester.
"He's just a useless clown."
Justhole guided his mount a few steps closer.
"I've never seen you before. Who are you?"
Jester placed a hand against his chest and gave a theatrical bow.
"Just a humble traveling clown for hire!" he said "I wander wherever the road takes me, chasing laughter and the occasional paycheck. If an interesting job appears out of nowhere, who am I to reject destiny?"
He shrugged dramatically.
"I don't ask who my clients are. A prince, a guild that somehow gets lost on its own journey, or even a guild master who desperately needs someone to laugh at his jokes. As long as the payment smiles at me, I'll smile right back."
A few of the guild members immediately frowned.
"He's provoking us."
"I'm telling you, he's the one who killed the raid monster."
Jester quickly raised both hands, looking genuinely startled.
"Oh? A raid monster?" he asked. "I'm only familiar with birthday raids."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a limp balloon.
"Please, give this clown just a moment."
He brought it to his lips and blew as hard as he could. Instead of inflating, the air escaped from a tiny hole in the side with an embarrassingly loud hiss.
Jester frowned at the balloon, turned it over, and tried again. The exact same thing happened.
"Oh dear... this balloon appears to have resigned from ballooning."
He sighed dramatically before holding it up for everyone to see.
"I was going to make a lovely balloon animal for your guild master. He looks like he could really use something to help those serious facial muscles relax."
He tried blowing into it a third time. Once again, all the air leaked out the side while the balloon remained completely flat.
"Just kill him already."
"I know he's hiding something."
"Enough with this nonsense."
Justhole raised one hand, and the surrounding players immediately fell silent.
"I'll admit one thing," he said coldly. "You've got more courage than most, acting like this in front of the esteemed Master of the Silverwings Guild. You clearly don't know who you're dealing with. You've been making a mockery of us from the moment we arrived."
Jester casually placed a hand over his chest again.
"But that's what clowns do," he replied. "Making people laugh is literally in the job description. I'm delighted you've been enjoying the performance."
He tilted his head.
"Although... Do you happen to have a different job for me? I'm a little short on coins. A tiny donation is perfectly acceptable too."
His grin widened. "By the way, you mentioned a prince earlier. Which prince would that be?"
He glanced sideways at the guild master, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly behind the mask.
"The prince of Valtherion who's currently hunting a raid monster?"
Hearing Jester's final remark, Justhole urged his mount forward once more. He then raised a hand, signaling the others.
"Secure the nearest Resurrection Temple," he ordered. "Keep killing this ridiculous clown. Every death gives him a chance to drop an item from his inventory. We'll keep going until the one we're after finally falls."
Jester's eyes widened as he stiffened atop Fang.
"Wait, wait, wait!" he blurted, waving both hands frantically. "Let's not make life-changing decisions while everyone's still in such a wonderful mood! We can settle this like civilized people. I tell jokes, you laugh, I leave, and everyone gets to keep all their important body parts!"
He pointed at himself with exaggerated panic.
"Do you know how much it costs to keep a clown looking this magnificent? My costume isn't covered by insurance!"
Several guild members drew their bows, aiming their arrows straight at him.
"Now," Justhole said with a cold smile, "let's see whether your courage is as impressive as that mouth of yours."
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