I Don't Need To Log Out

Chapter 31 Tournament (2)

The tournament would start in one week.

Arlon didn't know the true purpose behind the tournament, but he suspected it wasn't just about competition.

In the past timeline, Arlon hadn't placed first. There were several reasons for that.

For one, he wasn't at the top of the leaderboard during the first two months. Without an outlier like himself, the players with natural fighting instincts—like boxers, martial artists, or fencers—had the upper hand.

Their skills in real combat often allowed them to win even against higher-level opponents.

The level gaps were also too small to provide significant advantages.

This time, however, Arlon was certain of his victory—and everyone else likely knew it too.

What puzzled him was the location. The tournament was being held in Istarra, while in the past timeline, it had taken place in Morealis. Had his intervention altered the timeline and caused the event to move?

He had intended to visit Morealis, as he had business there, but that would have to wait.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Arlon decided to check the last notification he'd received upon reaching level 100, hoping it was some kind of reward.

But to his disappointment, it wasn't:

"Congratulations! Your existence increased."

Only then did Arlon remember seeing this message before. In his past life, he'd reached level 100—and far beyond—but had never understood what this notification meant.

Back then, players received this message every 50 levels after reaching level 100. Like everyone else, he had dismissed it as meaningless fluff, since no one could explain its significance.

This time, however, he understood. He had become a C-grade existence.

He wondered why players hadn't been given this information in his previous timeline. Surely, many must have asked the Trionians about it, especially after learning this wasn't just a game.

But the Trionians had given no answers. Now, however, he had learned about it almost casually. Even Shirl, who was only level 85, knew about existence grades.

Arlon concluded that this wasn't something the Trionians were meant to share with players.

He decided it was time to learn more about the Trionians—if not for answers, then at least to understand them better.

While he was lost in thought, Charon entered the room. Judging by his calm demeanor, Shirl had likely taken over selling potions outside.

"You okay, kid?" Charon asked.

"Thanks to you, Sir!" Arlon replied.

"Stop it. Tell me what happened."

Arlon hesitated. He had planned to keep some things to himself, but that being had specifically asked him to greet Charon. That meant he'd have to share more than he was comfortable with.

He recounted everything: the buzzing sound, the pain, and the endless dark place he'd seen before fainting. However, he didn't mention the nagging feeling that he'd forgotten something—like the remnants of a dream slipping away. He dismissed it as a side effect of the strange realm.

When he finished, he asked, "Sir, do you know that being? And what happened to me?"

"I used to know him," Charon admitted, "but don't worry about him. Like he said, it's too early for you to know. As for what happened to you, I can't say for sure. It seems some force intervened—protecting something you're not ready to understand yet."

Arlon muttered to himself, "Protecting me from knowing it or protecting itself from me?"@@@@

"Both, probably," Charon said gruffly. "Some truths are dangerous to unprepared minds. But one thing is clear—you're more involved in this world's fate than you realize."

Arlon felt a strange mix of unease and determination. He already knew he had a role to play; EVR's granting him the ability to stay logged in indefinitely was proof of that.

"Anyway," Charon said, waving him off, "rest a bit more. You seem fine now. Then get back to your job. Aren't you the guide? Oh, and don't forget to reward those kids who brought Shirl here."

Arlon realized he'd completely forgotten about the Gamers. He had plenty of things he could give them as rewards.

"Are you writing an email? What's with that formal tone?" Zack asked, grinning. "Can't you just say, 'How are you?' I don't think we need to roleplay that much!"

Though the banter was amusing, Arlon didn't laugh or react, knowing Pierre was always the most respectful toward him.

"It was fine. I hope yours was good as well," he replied evenly.

The group fell silent for a moment. Arlon's stoic demeanor made him intimidating. They assumed his stern expression meant he didn't have many friends.

Though their reasoning was wrong, they weren't entirely off the mark.

"Thank you, Sir Arlon! Only you understand me!" Pierre said dramatically, earning chuckles from the group.

Despite their curiosity, they didn't bring up the reward immediately and instead continued chatting.

"Sir Arlon, what's your level?" June asked suddenly.

Arlon realized she was trying to confirm whether he was the same Arlon at the top of the leaderboard.

"It's rude to ask someone's level. If you can't see it with your own eyes, it means you're weaker," he said, his tone sharp but calm.

"What do you mean, 'see it with your own eyes'?" June pressed, confused.

Even though Arlon had only recently learned about Trionians' ability to see levels, he decided to use it to sound cryptic.

"Saviors can't see others' levels. Don't worry about it," he said, adopting the air of a mysterious old mentor from the movies.

As they continued talking, three kids came running toward them: Lodi, Sar, and Vers. They hadn't changed at all.

"Sir Arlon! Uncle Charon is looking for you!" Lodi shouted breathlessly as she ran up.

Why are you shouting if you're going to be right next to me anyway? Arlon thought, feeling a bit awkward about being seen with kids.

Of course, the girls in the group immediately fawned over the children.

Players rarely got to interact with Trionian children since they typically avoided the saviors. Most Trionians were wary of the players; even though they were weak now, their immortality meant they would eventually grow stronger. Revenge was inevitable if a player felt wronged.

Children didn't understand this fully, but they were warned to keep their distance.

However, since these kids had come for Arlon, the group assumed he could introduce them.

Two Beastmen and a Fairy, the children's puppy eyes and innocent demeanor melted most hearts. But there was nothing innocent about them.

Arlon introduced them reluctantly, adding, "They're free to do anything you want to do."

Lodi, the unruly Beastman girl, lit up at his words. Mischief was clearly brewing in her mind. So these saviors would do anything they wanted... She planned to want many things.

Meanwhile, Arlon turned back to Pierre. He needed to hand over their reward quickly if Charon was summoning him. The server closing time was also near.

He had already prepared earlier by checking his inventory.

Arlon pulled out a towering shield, perfect for level 30 tanks. He had found it while leveling up the previous week.

The Gamers had surpassed level 30, so this shield would be incredibly useful.

Pierre froze as soon as he saw it. Even without being a blacksmith, he could tell it was a remarkable item.

And he was right. The shield's orange hue indicated fire resistance, and its stats were exceptional.

But Arlon wasn't done. Since the group had completed their quest perfectly, he decided they deserved a little extra recognition.

He handed out individual items: a bastard sword for Lei, a pair of dual swords for Zack, and a staff for Carole and June.

Though the girls had wandered off to play with the kids, Arlon gave their items to Pierre and Zack for safekeeping.

With that, Arlon turned and headed back to the Moonlight Potion Store. He had a lot of things to do this week.