"Guild Leader~" Dongliumeng spotted Mysterious waiting from afar, waving as she jogged over. "Took a while to find parking. Did you wait long?"

"Eight minutes and twenty-three seconds." Mysterious shifted his gaze from his wrist terminal to Dongliumeng.

Though he’d waited eight minutes, they were still early—much earlier than planned. It was a tradition carried over from their old Mercenary Corps days.

"Master should’ve said, ‘I just got here too,’" Isabella chimed in from the terminal screen.

"Haha, that’s more like our Guild Leader." Dongliumeng leaned close, grinning. "I’m borrowing your master for a bit, okay?"

"Mm, take good care of him. Have fun—I’ll guard the home base~" Isabella waved and vanished from the screen.

"Let’s go." Mysterious glanced at Dongliumeng.

"Mhm~"

Today, Dongliumeng wore sunglasses, a black knit sweater, a plaid skirt, and black tights—her usual casual style. A scarf wrapped around her neck, holding back her long, dark hair. Strands escaped, carrying the scent of shampoo… and—

"Whoa, it’s so hot!" Dongliumeng yanked off the scarf, fanning her neck with her hand.

"No need for a scarf today?" Mysterious handed her a tissue from his pocket, using Psychokinesis to stir a cool breeze around her.

"It looked cute, but I didn’t expect this heat." She wiped her neck. "Ahh, much better."

"We’ve got time. No need to rush." Mysterious took her scarf and bag.

"Rare to get the Guild Leader out for fun," Dongliumeng sighed. "Hard to borrow you."

"Just ask."

"Well, you never say no." She smiled. "But you’d rather game at home, right?"

"Yes." Mysterious admitted it bluntly.

"Exactly. So I feel bad inviting you normally."

"Hmm… Happy birthday."

—Today was Dongliumeng’s birthday. She’d used that excuse to drag Mysterious out.

"Thanks~" Dongliumeng beamed, looping her arm through his. "Let’s head in."

Dongliumeng avoided clothing or jewelry stores—they wasted time. "I can shop online," she’d say. "Dates should be fun." So Isabella snagged two tickets to the EndlessHorizon Theme Park.

Though it had run for years, EndlessHorizon—once humanity’s dream of a "second world"—still drew crowds. Beyond the game itself, spin-offs like this park thrived. Alongside standard rides, it featured game-themed cottages and stage shows. Fans craved real-life glimpses of their virtual world.

"Cover your face, Guild Leader." At the entrance, Dongliumeng snatched Mysterious’s scarf, draping it over his lower face.

As a legendary figure since the game’s launch, Nameless One’s face—even ordinary—would attract players.

"Let’s ride the roller coaster! I’ve always wanted to try it!" Inside, Dongliumeng scanned the park map eagerly.

"You’ve never ridden one?" Mysterious was surprised. A lady like her should’ve experienced it.

"My family never took me. Too dangerous," Dongliumeng explained. "Accidents happen with faulty equipment."

"I see."

"But with you here, even if something goes wrong, it’ll be fine."

"…This way." While Dongliumeng searched, Mysterious memorized the map and led her off.

Roller coasters had evolved: 360-degree loops were routine, and this one even plunged underwater.

"Huh? Why so few people?" Seated, Dongliumeng frowned. Only five others joined them—pathetic turnout.

"You’ll see soon enough." Mysterious let her discover for herself.

The coaster launched on schedule. Dongliumeng’s excitement held until it moved, then she nervously gripped Mysterious’s hand.

"Don’t worry…" Mysterious stayed calm.

The ride started tame—gentle turns, a steep climb, a high-speed drop, loops, then a dive underwater. Six minutes later, it halted at the start.

Dongliumeng’s earlier thrill had vanished.

"That’s it?" She stepped off, face unreadable, disappointment clear. No adrenaline rush, no screaming like in stories.

"Now you know." Mysterious wasn’t surprised. Roller coasters were dead here.

EndlessHorizon’s VR tech spoiled players. Flying mounts, aerial combat—they’d built immunity. Game thrills matched reality closely enough to kill coaster appeal.

Undeterred, Dongliumeng tried every thrill ride. Afterward, she sighed, "So boring…" Real rides couldn’t beat her wind magic flights.

"Let’s check other spots." Mysterious remained unfazed. He could fly in reality too—no big deal.

Beyond outdated coasters, the park offered EndlessHorizon-themed theaters, restaurants, and the popular AR Arena. It simulated gear-based "real-life PKs" using AR tech—stats replicated, but not body data.

"Real-life PK?" Dongliumeng perked up instantly.

Unlike the empty coaster line, the arena had a long queue. Screens broadcast matches to ease boredom.

Mysterious didn’t get it. Why play "crippled PKs" when the real game existed? Without in-game stats, melee fighters moved clumsily—slow and stiff. Dongliumeng, though, watched eagerly, itching to join.

After ten minutes, it was her turn. Mysterious sat out.

"Watch me~" Dongliumeng input her character data, grabbed a mock Staff, flashed a victory sign at Mysterious, and bounded onto the stage.

Mages like her had an edge—stand and cast. But her opponent was a warrior on a three-win streak.

The fight began. The warrior charged, clearly fit despite three prior matches.

Dongliumeng calmly aimed her Staff. A barrage of wind blades shot out.

AR meant the blades only drained HP, not harming the body. The warrior charged through, aiming to finish her.

But the system had flaws—it couldn’t perfectly replicate game balance. Dongliumeng’s blades struck, instantly defeating him.

"Huh?" Even upgraded, her damage shouldn’t solo a warrior.

"Design flaw," Isabella popped up on Mysterious’s terminal. "Damage scales by class. Slow-casting mages get high ranges—Dongliumeng’s damage got boosted."

"…I see." Mysterious eyed the screen. "You handle explanations too?"

"Of course!"

"…"

As a popular attraction, Dongliumeng’s win drew a new challenger—a fellow mage.

While he chanted, Dongliumeng unleashed wind blades, one-shotting him.

"…"

Exploiting the glitch, Dongliumeng’s high attack speed secured win after win. Soon, rumors spread: "Invincible mage on Arena 3!" Crowds gathered to challenge her.

Dongliumeng welcomed it.

10 wins. 12. 15… Her streak climbed fast.

Attention grew—until whispers started.

"Isn’t that Dongliumeng?" someone muttered.

Her signature wind magic, female build, height… the theory spread.

"Time to go." Mysterious pulled Dongliumeng down, whispering the situation.

"…Tua… Yeah, let’s bolt~" They slipped away before recognition spread.

Exhausted from running and AR battles, Dongliumeng panted. "Gu… Guild Leader, rest spot… over there?" She pointed.

Mysterious followed her gaze—a Ferris wheel.

"Mm." Quiet and motionless, perfect for resting.

They boarded the giant wheel—a thirty-minute ride.

"Haa…" Dongliumeng slumped against Mysterious, relaxing. "Tired… I’ll nap. Wake me at the top."

Dongliumeng leaned against Mysterious's shoulder, closed her eyes, and spoke to him.

Thinking about going out with Mysterious for her birthday today, she hadn't slept well all last night.

"Mm." Mysterious nodded.

"In a place like this, even if the Guild Leader made a move on me, no one would see it, right~" Dongliumeng joked after closing her eyes. "Just thinking about it makes me a bit nervous."

"No." Mysterious retorted seriously. "You said you wanted to sleep, so he wouldn't do anything."

"If I don't sleep, would the Guild Leader make a move then?" Dongliumeng sat up straight and looked at Mysterious, retorting.

"Do you want that?"

"..."