I Don't Need To Log Out

Chapter 183 Syme

In the past timeline, people didn't know how Zeno worked at first.

So, when the players started switching to the other side, they started their complaints about their Zeno not working.

Since no Demon had been killed yet, or no player was killed by a Demon, they didn't know the rules.

But when the players switched, they became Demons in name.

As per the rules, when a player killed a Demon or a Demon killed a player, the one that was killed couldn't enter the game ever again and their Zeno would die.

This was the first spark that helped people on Earth realize that this was not a game.

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Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire

Arlon and Syme sat across from each other, the faint crackling of torches the only sound besides the steady tapping of chess pieces against the board.

"I didn't know any other race would know about our game," Syme said, studying the board with mild curiosity.

"Well, we also have this game in our world," Arlon replied, moving a knight forward.

Neither of them acted as if this was unusual. They played chess like two old acquaintances rather than enemies meeting in the midst of a battlefield.

"Do you trust your friends to win the fight outside?" Syme asked, her crimson eyes flickering toward him.

"Yes." Arlon barely hesitated. "I don't know if they all will survive, but I am sure that they will win."

Syme leaned back slightly, folding her arms. "I see. You don't seem afraid of me. Is there a reason? I am the second strongest Demon, after all."

Arlon placed a pawn forward and met her gaze without hesitation. "I'll be honest with you—I came from the future."

A brief silence stretched between them before Syme chuckled. "What? Do you actually think anyone would believe that?"

"You will." His tone was steady, unwavering. "Because I know that you won't fight me."

Syme arched an eyebrow. "And what makes you so sure?"

"Because even if you don't believe me now, I know you, Syme. I've fought you before. No... that's not quite right. It's more accurate to say that I never actually fought you."

Syme's smirk faltered.

Unlike Asef, the leader of the Keldars, she wasn't driven by blind destruction. Unlike the other Demons, she wasn't fully committed to their cause.

She wanted to help her race.

But she hated how they were going about it.

Arlon knew this.

But she could never say it aloud.

Sparks crackled in the air as a series of ice shards materialized above her. With a flick of her wrist, they shot forward.

Arn dashed sideways, dodging the first wave, but Zack was already closing in again, his swords flashing under the moonlight.

Arn caught one of Zack's blades with his own and knocked it aside, but the second sword came from below, slicing toward his side.

Before he could block it, a golden light surged from behind Zack.

Carole.

Her healing spell wrapped around Zack, reinforcing his body mid-strike. But Arn wasn't surprised.

Instead of blocking, he twisted his body just enough to let the blade pass by him, feeling the edge scrape his armor.

Using Zack's momentum against him, Arn delivered a swift counterattack, slamming the hilt of his sword into Zack's ribs.

Zack staggered, coughing, but Arn didn't have time to follow up.

June's ice shards struck the ground near his feet, spreading a thin layer of frost. Arn's foot slipped slightly, and at that moment, a golden blur rushed at him.

Carole.

She wasn't holding back.

Arn's sword clashed against her staff as she swung with surprising force. He pushed back, but her determination burned in her eyes.

She struck again, not stopping even as she lost ground.

She's not hesitating at all.

Arn parried her last strike, but at that moment, another blast came from behind her.

A pillar of flame erupted from June's hand, forcing Arn to leap back before it could consume him. The second his feet touched the ground, Zack lunged again, pressing the attack.

Arn blocked the first sword. The second scraped against his shoulder.

He grimaced but didn't falter.

His sword swung in a wide arc, forcing Zack back, but just as he was about to regain his stance, golden chains erupted from the ground.

Carole.

The magic-bound chains coiled around his legs, locking him in place.

June finished her next spell.

The temperature dropped instantly, frost forming in the air as an enormous ice spear materialized above her.

Zack smirked. "Nowhere to run."

Arn exhaled slowly.

Then, as the ice spear descended, he moved.