“C-Can you actually log out?”
“Oh, come to think of it, I hadn't tried yet.”
“Isn’t that the most important part?! Wait, you’re kidding, right? You’re just pulling my leg? This is a prank, isn’t it?”
I really should have worried about that before thinking about the Red-light District. I’d completely forgotten.
“That’s right! If I can’t log out, my real-world job is going to be a total disaster!”
“Well, I’ll try deactivating the VR Display for a second. Just wait a bit.”
“Wait! Is there a chance you won't be able to come back to this world?!”
“...I honestly don't know. I don't even know how or why I'm entering the game like this in the first place.”
“...Ugh, I have no choice but to pray you can return and head back for now...!”
I opened the Config. Now that I thought about it, the way this menu operated naturally just by me thinking about it was incredible.
I switched from VR Display back to 3D Display.
『Returning to 3D Display in 5 seconds. 4... 3... 2...』
My vision was enveloped in light, followed immediately by a total blackout.
Suddenly, I was back to sitting in my chair with my mobile device in hand, exactly as I had been right before activating the VR Display.
“Oh, I'm back. ...I actually made it back safely. Ah, I'm hungry...”
My stomach growled with a sense of sudden loss as the feeling of fullness vanished in an instant.
Looking at the screen of my device, I saw the Guild Cafeteria where Tria, Alto, and Penpen were sitting around a table with a map spread out.
The conversation we were having in VR just a moment ago was properly recorded in the Message Log.
“...I guess that means it wasn't a dream?”
“Tria-shi, did you switch the display back?”
“Yeah. I made it back to the real world safely. ...This is just too incredible. But what kind of technology is this? I wish someone could explain it with science...”
“Haha! I switched back safely too, so I’m going straight back to VR!”
“That was a fast decision!”
“I can feel it in my bones now why illegal VR never dies out in the underground.”
She was already hooked on the VR—or whatever this was. I couldn't blame her; I understood the feeling perfectly.
“Anyway, I’m going to finish my meal over here before I head back. Man, I’ve learned the taste of natural meat now...”
Compared to that, this instant hamburger steak was nothing more than salted modeling clay. I had a feeling this was going to have a massive impact on my lifestyle from here on out.
The sauce and the oil felt too artificial, almost harsh. The aroma might have been more refined, but that wild, rowdy scent of the lizardman meat was far more appetizing. Was it intentional? Was this food designed to have a suppressed scent just so people wouldn't overeat?
“Sigh. It’s not enough. Not enough at all.”
It used to be my favorite... hamburger steak.
I guess this was what they called a pampered palate.
...Yeah, if this game ‘Kite a Lise’ ever got shut down for being an illegal game, I felt like I wouldn’t hesitate to blow my savings on cyberization just to go hunting for underground illegal games.
The thought of viruses was terrifying... but there was no doubt I’d never be able to forget the moment I bit into that natural meat steak.
“I definitely can’t write about this VR Mode on the Wiki.”
There might have been others who had reached Level 30, but I was sure they were keeping their mouths shut too. That world was just that captivating. The wind, the air, the sky—everything was fresh. It wasn't polluted; it was the real deal.
And the Wiki reminded me of something else.
Now that I thought about it, among the items exchangeable with SP, there were things like the ‘Reward Pancake’ and ‘Delicious Steak.’
...If the meat of a common Lizardman was that good, then what about the ‘Delicious Steak’? I could only imagine.
I had thought they were just flavor text, nothing more than items to increase Affection Level, but they suddenly took on a whole new meaning. Especially since I could taste them myself.
Yeah. I should get back soon too. It was already a given that I’d put it back into VR Mode on my mobile device.
Ah, but I should probably finish up in the bathroom first.
“...Anyway, so I'm back, but it feels gross to suddenly be this full again. I feel all lethargic from overeating.”
“I thought the same thing!”
As soon as I returned, I was hit with a sense of fullness that went beyond just being stuffed. I slumped onto the table while Alto leaned back in her chair.
“Whoa. ...It makes me want to reach Level 30 soon too, but it’s definitely illegal, right? Were the side effects and stuff okay?”
“I did a security check when I went back, and there were zero abnormalities in the firewall. I’ll have you know, because of my line of work, my security software is a top-tier, reliable product. Plus, the body check was all green. My physical state was fine too.”
“Alto, you checked that far?”
“Well, I’m in the service industry, after all.”
“You work in the service industry, Alto-san? Thanks for all your hard work.”
“Sure, sure.”
Alto waved her hand flippantly.
“Now, then! I want to go to the Red-light District! With this body, I’m going to live it up!”
“...Personally, I'm not that into lewd stuff, but... well, let's try asking a merchant. Oh, if we’re going to another town like Wantos, I have to say something to my creditor as a debtor.”
“Actually, let's just pay it off right now! I’ll put up as much money as you need, so just make me some equipment and items in the future!”
And so, the three of us headed to see the merchant who had lent Penpen money.
Penpen paid back her debt and was officially cleared to travel to Wantos with us.