Author Note. đź“ť
Before you dive into Chapter 42, I want to explain something.
Some of you might be surprised — or confused — about why I uploaded two chapters instead of one today.
The reason is simple: I didn't upload anything yesterday, so this is my way of making it up to you.
A little compensation, from me to you.
And… I need to be honest.
If this chapter feels a bit messy, or if you notice any mistakes, please tell me.
Something very unfortunate happened while I was writing.
I had almost finished the entire draft.
A long chapter, full of details.
I put all my energy and focus into it.
And then — for reasons I still don't understand — the whole draft vanished.
Deleted.
Gone.
Zero words left.
For a few seconds I just stared at the blank screen, wondering if my app was glitching or if the universe was playing a prank on me.
It really felt like my brain stopped functioning.
You know that feeling when you pour your heart into something and suddenly it disappears?
Yeah… that one.
I tried to rebuild the chapter again, but it's impossible to recreate the same flow on the second attempt.
Still, I did my best to give you a complete and enjoyable chapter, even if it took a bit more mental strength than usual.
So if something feels off, please forgive me this time.
And thank you, truly, for still reading and supporting my work.
Your comments and patience mean more than you think.
— king_fuzu
———————————————————
Chapter 42 — When Worlds Finally Collide
The moment Haru logged in, the familiar brightness of the starting plaza wrapped around him. Sunlight shimmered over the stone courtyard, NPC merchants yelled about discounted potions, and the world chat was… chaotic as usual.
[World][GuildHunter]: "Is Haru online yet??" [World][ProAddict]: "He logged out yesterday at 20:11. He usually logs around this time." [World][HaruDetective]: "If he's a real boy, I will literally explode."
Haru sighed softly.
"Why does the entire server monitor my login time…?"
He shook his head and opened his menu.
Immediately, a party invitation popped up.
[Moonlight Echo invites you to join their party.]
[Members: LunaShield, AriaSong, NekoBolt]
Haru smiled faintly.
"Already online, huh?"
He accepted.
Light swirled around him—
And the entire plaza gasped.
---
The Crowd Reacts
A circular teleport glyph opened under Haru's feet. Pale blue light shot upward like a ritual beam. People stopped mid-jump, mid-emote, mid-trade.
Chat exploded.
[World][SkyWatcher]: "OMGGG IS THAT—???" [World][HaruFan44]: "HE'S HERE! HE'S HERE! HE'S HERE!" [World][DoubtfulMage]: "Is that really Haru?? LOOK AT THAT AVATAR." [World][NosebleedArcher]: "He looks even prettier in person… wait—YES I MEAN THE AVATAR."
Haru: "Why are they like this…"
A final spark burst—
and Haru vanished.
Teleported straight to Moonlight Echo.
---
POV Shift — Reina (Still in the City)
Reina had just finished buying a beginner shield when the teleport light flashed beside her.
She blinked.
"That effect…? No way."
Then she saw it—
Haru disappearing in front of her.
Her heartbeat kicked up as if she'd been punched.
"That was him. That was HIM."
She opened her notifications immediately.
A small tab blinked:
Friend Request: LunaShield — Pending
(From earlier, when Reina had randomly added the whole Moonlight Echo team so she could track their activity.)
Without thinking, she tapped ACCEPT.
The system happily chimed:
"You have accepted a party-linked invite."
"Teleporting to party location…"
Reina: "Wait. WAIT—"
But too late.
Light swallowed her.
She teleported too.
---
Moonlight Echo's Camp — Reunion Begins
Haru materialized inside a peaceful forest clearing outside the city—Moonlight Echo's usual meeting spot. Ancient ruins rose around them, moss-covered and half glowing with runes.
NekoBolt waved frantically.
[Party][NekoBolt]: "Haru-chan!! Welcome back!!!"
Luna thumped her shield.
[Party][LunaShield]: "Our cute newbie arrives!"
Aria smiled warmly.
[Party][AriaSong]: "We missed you~"
Haru felt his eyebrow twitch.
"I am not cute," he muttered under his breath.
But before he could reply—
FLASH.
Another teleport circle opened.
Luna blinked. "Eh? Did we invite someone else?"
Neko: "No?? I didn't—"
Aria: "Is it a glitch?"
Light burst—
and a familiar avatar stumbled out.
Shield. Heavy armor. Short hair.
Reina.
Her eyes scanned the area rapidly until she spotted Haru.
Her soul visibly left her body and returned.
"H–Haru," she breathed, trying her best not to run to him.
Haru blinked in shock.
"Reina? You… play this game?"
Reina smiled stiffly, like someone pretending they were totally calm even though their heart was doing front flips.
"Y-Yeah. I… like games. I found out you play this one so I just… wanted to meet you. Innocently. Normally."
Haru narrowed his eyes.
"You know you could've just messaged me, right?"
Reina: "…"
Reina (inner thoughts):
Message you?? So you could log out and play with strange women again??
Absolutely not. Over my dead body.
Out loud:
"Hehe… I forgot. Silly me!"
Moonlight Echo watched this interaction with amusement.
NekoBolt whispered loudly:
"Luna-nee, I think newbie-chan's friend is… intense."
LunaShield whispered back:
"Definitely. That aura is… scary."
AriaSong giggled.
"She's cute in a violent way."
Reina snapped her head toward them.
"Hello. I'm Reina. Haru's… friend."
Moonlight Echo froze.
They looked Reina up and down.
Looked at Haru.
Looked back at Reina.
Understanding dawned.
Luna stepped forward.
"I'm Luna. Tank. Team leader."
Neko waved with a teasing grin.
"I'm Neko. Assassin. Professional chaos."
Aria smiled warmly.
"Aria. Healer. Welcome."
Reina bowed slightly—
Perfectly polite.
Reina (inner thoughts): Okay. First step: gain trust.
Second step: keep Haru away from these three overly nice women.
Third step: build digital fortress.
---
Haru Joins the Group
Haru: "So… what are you all doing?"
Luna: "We called you because we're heading for a mid-tier dungeon!"
Neko: "We wanted to see our cute newbie again!"
Reina immediately stepped in front of Haru like a guard dog.
Reina: "Cute??? Excuse me—"
Haru dragged her back by the collar.
"Reina, stop picking fights."
Reina: "I'm not fighting… just correcting."
Moonlight Echo burst into laughter.
---
POV Shift — Saeko
Saeko had just finished adjusting her Light Oracle robe when she saw a teleport flash near the plaza fountain.
She gasped.
"That color… that's Haru-kun's teleport effect!"
Her phone almost slipped from her sweaty hands.
She opened party search.
Haru — Currently in a Dungeon Zone (Party Locked)
She stomped lightly.
"W–why did he go into a dungeon right now?!?"
Just then—
Reina messaged her.
Reina: "Found him. Sending location. COME. NOW."
Saeko squeaked, nearly tripped, then sprinted in-game across the plaza.
Her avatar's robe fluttered like a scared duck.
She reached the entrance of the forest map.
Her heart hammered.
"Calm down Saeko… just walk nicely… don't scream when you see him… don't cling… don't faint—"
Then she saw him.
Haru.
Standing with Moonlight Echo.
Talking with Reina.
Looking calm. Looking gentle. Looking like someone she shouldn't stare at for too long or her soul would leave her body.
Saeko immediately hid behind a tree.
Saeko (inner thoughts):
I am not ready for this.
I am ABSOLUTELY not ready.
My heart is doing gymnastics.
Reina saw her and facepalmed.
Reina (whisper): "Saeko. Move your legs. Approach like a human."
Saeko: "E–ehhhh."
But she slowly walked forward.
Moonlight Echo turned to her.
Reina gestured politely.
"This is Saeko. She's also Haru's… friend."
Haru smiled.
"Hey Saeko. You're playing too? Nice timing."
Saeko melted on the spot.
Literally melted.
Her avatar's idle animation looped as she forgot to move.
"S–sorry… I… wanted to try the game too…"
Her voice shook.
Reina elbowed her.
Saeko regained life.
Luna stepped forward with a warm smile.
"Welcome! I'm Luna."
Aria waved gently.
"Nice to meet you."
Neko grinned.
"Two adorable newbies?? Jackpot."
Reina and Saeko (inner thoughts simultaneously):
Back off. They're not adorable. AND STOP CALLING HIM ADORABLE.
But outwardly:
"Hehe… nice to meet you too…"
---
Moonlight Echo Debate – Haru's Gender
Neko looked between Haru, Reina, and Saeko.
"So… Haru-chan… these two are your… uh… girlfriends?"
Haru choked.
"What?! No!"
Reina and Saeko instantly panicked internally.
Reina (inner thoughts):
NO. DO NOT LET THEM THINK HE'S A BOY. THEY WILL INSPECT HIM LIKE WOLVES.
Saeko (inner thoughts):
They must think he's a girl. A normal girl. A cute newcomer girl. Not an actual boy. Otherwise… they will surround him like predators.
Reina jumped in first.
"No no, Haru is just… Haru. She's fragile. Be nice to her."
Saeko nodded violently.
"Y-yes! She's delicate! Don't bully her!"
Moonlight Echo blinked.
Aria: "A girl…? Really?"
Luna: "Hmm… but her voice is so gentle…"
Neko: "I told you! Cute newbie!"
Reina's eyebrow twitched.
Saeko's soul exited and returned.
Haru: "Why are you two being weird…?"
Reina & Saeko: "No reason!!"
---
Team Ready for Dungeon
Luna clapped her hands.
"Okay! Now that we're all here—"
Neko: "Let's run a mid-tier dungeon and test the new kids!"
Reina (inner thoughts):
Test me? I will destroy your dungeon.
Saeko (inner thoughts):
I will heal. I will not fail. I will protect Haru-kun from behind.
Haru (inner thoughts):
Please don't embarrass me. Please don't embarrass me.
They lined up.
A light breeze blew.
Everything seemed peaceful.
Until—
---
Last Scene — Akari Arrives
Far away, in a quiet beginner zone of the same server—
A new avatar spawned.
Simple robe.
Short black hair.
No accessories.
SilentReader.
Akari adjusted her camera angle slowly… almost tenderly.
Then she whispered:
"Haru… I know you're here."
No one heard it.
But at that exact moment—
Haru shivered.
A cold chill crawled up his spine.
Neko looked at him.
"Haru-chan? Cold?"
Haru frowned.
"…No. Just felt something strange."
Reina and Saeko stiffened.
Like prey sensing a predator far away.
Akari took her first step into the server.
Soft voice echoing:
"Wait for me."
---
— To Be Continued…