I Don't Need To Log Out

Chapter 69 Selfish

This was the Sunday before the players heading to Kelta passed through the portal in Morealis.

After the members of the Gamers Guild, except Zack who hadn't joined them that day, finished eating at the fast food restaurant, they decided to catch a movie together.

They laughed, shared snacks, and immersed themselves in the film before heading home for the night. It had been an ordinary yet enjoyable day, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits.

However, when Pierre returned home and set his keys down, his phone rang unexpectedly. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw Zack's name.

Why is Zack calling me at this late hour? Pierre thought as he picked up the phone.

"Hello."

"Pierre, are you free right now? I really need to talk. Can we meet?" Zack asked, his voice unusually subdued.

"Huh? Man, I just got home. Is this really urgent?"

"Yes, it is. Please," Zack replied, his calm but pleading tone immediately catching Pierre's attention.

Pierre sighed but could sense the gravity in Zack's voice. As childhood friends and the only two guys in their group, Pierre and Zack shared a deep bond.

He knew Zack wouldn't ask like this unless it was important.

"Alright, where do you want to meet?"

---

The two met at a small park they used to frequent as kids. The familiar surroundings brought back nostalgic memories of their younger days, but Pierre didn't press Zack to speak.

Instead, they chatted casually at first, reminiscing about their childhood and cracking a few jokes.

After a while, silence fell between them. Finally, Zack broke it.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but I like June," Zack admitted quietly.

Pierre blinked but wasn't surprised. "Yeah, I know," he replied, shrugging. Zack was his best friend; it was obvious to him.

"But... June rejected me," Zack confessed, his voice tinged with sadness.

"What? When did this happen?" Pierre asked, now genuinely surprised. He knew Zack and June had talked, but he hadn't expected Zack to confess—or June to reject him.

"Well... I can't really say she rejected me because I didn't exactly confess..."

Pierre groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Sigh... Just tell me the story from the beginning."

Zack proceeded to recount the events of the day, from when they separated to look for the monster to the time June talked to him.

"And that's it," Zack concluded. "I still don't know what I did wrong."

Pierre took a moment to think. He usually avoided meddling in others' relationships, but Zack wasn't just anyone—he was his childhood friend.

Zack, meanwhile, couldn't shake the growing ache in his chest. Carole's avoidance gnawed at him, and for the first time, he began questioning his own feelings.

He had always thought of Carole as a childhood friend, but now, he wasn't so sure. Your journey continues on empire

Despite his confusion, Zack refrained from apologizing just yet. A half-hearted apology wouldn't fix things, and he didn't want to risk making things worse.

Instead, he resolved to take time to reflect, to truly understand his feelings before approaching Carole again.

This was his redemption arc, and though painful, it marked the beginning of a more mature Zack, leaving behind his selfishness.

---

After the Gamers learned that they weren't playing a game but living in a real-world reality, they logged out as Zephyrion had requested.

He wanted them to take time to reflect on their decisions.

Zack logged out like everyone else, but within minutes, Pierre texted the group chat, suggesting they meet.

They needed to talk, and this time Zack joined them at a café with private rooms. Since it was nighttime on Earth, it was hard to find an open café, but they found one.

As they discussed the revelation, Zack couldn't help but glance at Carole, who still refused to look his way.

Then something unexpected happened.

June said "We need to think this through carefully. If we're going to keep playing, we can't half-ass it."

"I've already made my decision! I'm going to keep going!" Carole declared.

Zack was taken aback. It was the first time Carole had taken the initiative in their group discussions. He could feel that she was also changing, growing in a way he hadn't anticipated.

Thinking about her answer, Zack's heart ached much more than normal. He felt as if he would miss something if she changed more.

He felt like Carole would leave him behind. She hadn't looked at him for more than two weeks and now, she was going further and further away.

If he continued to dally...

---

The next day, which is today.

Everyone gathered before Zephyrion to deliver their answers. Each of them had decided, except for Zack.

"Mr. Zack," Zephyrion said, his tone calm yet commanding, "what do you think? Will you join the training?"

Snapped out of his thoughts, Zack looked around. All eyes were on him.

Including Carole's.

"Yes," he said with newfound resolve. "I will be joining. It's time I take responsibility."