MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 309: Monday Routine

The first light of Monday dawned with a gentle radiance, casting its golden hues across the horizon and signaling the beginning of a new week.

The sun’s warm embrace gradually enveloped the city, dispelling the remnants of the weekend and stirring the world into motion.

As the first rays illuminated the buildings and streets, a vibrant energy filled the air. The students, donned in their uniforms, poured into the streets, their backpacks slung over their shoulders, and the chatter of excitement echoed through the morning breeze.

However, this Monday held a distinct atmosphere. It wasn’t just any ordinary start to the week. The events that transpired over the weekend in Guildbane with Brotherhood Legion, Doombringers, Phoenix Rising, and Shadowblade had left an indelible mark on everyone’s minds.

Whispers of the successful clearing of the Castle of Doom circulated like wildfire among the students, becoming the focal point of conversations and discussions.

Brotherhood Legion, Doombringers, Phoenix Rising, and Shadowblade had emerged victorious, and the news had spread far and wide.

The achievement was nothing short of legendary, a triumph that elevated the guilds to a new level of prestige within the gaming community.

The students couldn’t get enough of discussing the strategies, the heroic moments, and the sheer thrill of the Castle of Doom conquest.

In classrooms, hallways, and even during breaks, the buzz of excitement lingered. Faces lit up with awe and admiration as students theorized their own version of battle that transpired, each story more exaggerated than the last.

Brotherhood Legion, Doombringers, Phoenix Rising, and Shadowblade were now names synonymous with triumph and glory.

Amidst the enthusiastic discussions, Xin couldn’t help but observe the fervor around him.

While the unexpected victory held little interest for him, he understood the magnitude of the accomplishment. It was as if the Castle of Doom had become a beacon of inspiration, capturing the collective imagination of everyone.

Despite the pervasive excitement, Xin maintained his usual routine. The jubilant chatter of his peers didn’t sway him from his academic pursuits.

The Castle of Doom and its conquest belonged to the gaming world, not to the realm of textbooks and lectures. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

As he resumed school like any other day, Xin couldn’t escape the realization that, for many, this Monday would be etched in their memories for weeks to come.

The victory of Brotherhood Legion, Doombringers, Phoenix Rising, and Shadowblades triumph might even find its place in the annals of history –– a captivating Chapter in the collective gaming saga.

Yet, for Xin, it remained a distant narrative, a story in which he played no part, at least for now.

"Hey, Xin."

Xin gazed at Victor, who looked at him intently.

"Yeah?" Xin asked, sensing what Victor might bring ’that’ up.

"I found out from Ragnarok Reaper that the real identity of X is you, Lord Schrödinger. Be honest with me . . . did you come with us to the Castle of Doom disguised as X?"

Xin met Victor’s serious gaze for a moment. Lying was easy, but deceiving a friend like Victor wasn’t.

Despite their relatively short time knowing each other, Xin considered Victor to be a good person.

Moreover, he had already entrusted Victor with the secret of being Lord Schrödinger during their time in the Abandon Fortress.

Xin felt he owed Victor during that time and trusted him enough to reveal the truth, so he nodded.

Victor took a deep breath, slumping back in his seat. "I knew it." He then chuckled a little and offered Xin a smile. "I won’t ask for the specifics on how you did it since you probably won’t tell me, and it’s good enough for me to know that it really is you. Rest assured, I won’t tell anyone."

Xin maintained his smile until Victor added, "However, you owe me one for deceiving me in the Castle of Doom. Although I’m grateful that we won because of you, I can’t let the fact slip by that you deceived me there."

He then dramatically clutched his heart and said exasperatedly, "I’m hurt, you know. You didn’t trust me enough to share your plans."

Xin chuckled. "Sure, I’ll make it up to you in the game."

Xin was aware that Victor liked to collect favors in Guildbane. Maybe he would that too, and expand his connections.

Victor grinned. "I’ll hold you to that."

When the teacher arrived, the lecture commenced, and the first topic was about the upcoming auction and the students’ final projects before the end of the year.

"Crap . . . I forgot about that," Victor lamented.

"You haven’t started?" Xin asked him.

"I did, but . . . I’m still in the draft stage," Victor admitted.

"You still have enough time. The auction is still a month away," said Xin.

"Hmp, what a loser."

The two of them glanced at the front and found that Vivienne was staring at them with contempt in her eyes.

"If you stop playing that game and focus on your projects, you would have progressed by half right now," she stated.

Victor only grinned. "And I fail to understand how that is your problem, Vivi."

Vivienne batted her eyelids. "It’s because guys like you, who only entered this course halfheartedly, make art look bad. If you can’t produce output worthy of the auction, then you better drop out now. Your work would only stain the prestigious event. And it’s Vivi, not Vivienne, you uncultured swine."

Victor and Xin only stared at Vivienne with dead set eyes.

Xin understood that Vivienne only wanted perfection and loved and respected art from the bottom of her heart, but she really needed to mind her own business and leave others alone.

"You know what, Vivi? I haven’t decided on a theme yet, but now I do, thanks to you. Maybe I will paint a nude portrait, life-size and complete with details. What do you think?" Victor said with a sweet mocking smile.

Vivienne’s face went red, and she gritted her teeth. "That’s indecent!"

"Indecent?" Victor asked surprised. "It’s art, and many painters have painted nudes. Or perhaps you want me to paint you?"

"Don’t you dare," Vivienne growled.

"Keep bothering us, and you will find your portrait hanging on the wall of that boat in a 100 x 100 canvas –– nude and all," he said with a smile but threatening eyes.

Vivienne bit her tongue, harrumphed, and finally ignored them.

"You’re not really going to paint her nude, are you?" Xin asked Victor.

Victor shrugged. "Depends on her. If she’s going to be a bitch, I really might. Though just thinking about her while painting makes me sick, I’m happy to do it if it meant embarrassing her for life. Eheeheehee."

Xin only shook his head with a small smile on his face.