I Don't Need To Log Out

The bus rolled to a slow stop, its brakes hissing as the doors slid open.

June stepped off, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder as she glanced around.

The familiar outdoor mall stretched out before her, the late morning sun casting warm light over the rows of shops, restaurants, and open seating areas.

She had been here countless times before, but today, it felt… different.

It's only been three days since I last saw them, she reminded herself.

But to her, it had been months.

Months spent inside the Tower, fighting, leveling up, living an entirely different life from the one she had on Earth.

The contrast was strange.

Walking these streets, surrounded by people casually shopping and eating, made the intensity of her other life feel almost distant—almost like a dream.

But it's not a dream.

She took a deep breath and pushed forward, weaving her way through the light crowd.

The fast-food restaurant they always met at was just ahead, located in the middle of the open-air section of the mall. She spotted the group before they spotted her.

At a table outside, the members of the Gamers Guild—Pierre, Zack, Carole, and Lei—were gathered as usual.

They were already engaged in conversation, their expressions animated as they spoke.

Across from them, Maria, Carmen, and Evan sat as well, looking just as involved in whatever they were discussing.

The moment she stepped into their line of sight, Pierre's eyes landed on her.

"June!"

At his call, the others turned, their faces lighting up with recognition.

Zack was the first to get up, waving enthusiastically. "Finally, the missing person returns!"

Carole and Lei followed, and seeing them rise, Maria, Carmen, and Evan also stood to greet her.

June smiled as she approached. "It's been so long. I missed you all!"

Lei gave her a weird look, tilting her head. "Hasn't it only been three days since we last met?"

June's body stiffened for half a second.

Of course, for them, it had only been three days.

But for her, it had been months—longer than she wanted to count.

She quickly adjusted her expression, forcing a casual chuckle. "I meant Carmen, Evan, and Maria. It's been more than four months since I last saw them."

That much was true.

In Trion and Earth's time, it really had been four months since their last meetup.

For her, though?

She didn't even want to calculate how long it had felt.

Fortunately, the others didn't question it. Maria let out an exaggerated sigh, throwing her hands up. "And here I thought you were going to say you missed me more than them!"

June smirked. "I did, obviously. But you don't need me to tell you that."

Maria placed a hand over her heart, pretending to be touched. "Ah, finally, some appreciation!"

Pierre chuckled and gestured to the table. "Come on, sit. We already ordered for you since you were close by."

June raised an eyebrow as she pulled out a chair. "You already ordered for me?"

Zack grinned. "Well, we knew you'd get the same thing anyway."

He wasn't wrong.

June smiled. "Thanks."

As she settled in, she noticed that the conversation picked up immediately from where they had left off before she arrived.

Evan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "It wasn't easy killing her. But the treasury was full to the brim. Arlon was right about the best part of Demon hunting."

Carmen sighed, shaking her head. "Even if that world is real, it won't help you on Earth no matter how much money you have there."

Zack cut in with a grin. "Actually, that's not correct. I heard there are already people selling and buying coins in-game.

Though there aren't proper channels yet, there should be soon. And since we're rich in EVR, we can be rich on Earth too."

June frowned slightly. "Actually, I think you shouldn't do that."

All eyes turned to her.

"Why?" Pierre asked.

June hesitated for a second, then said, "Because Arlon told me to keep the money when I told him that I didn't need more after we killed the twin demons."

Carole tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I wonder if its value will rise."

June nodded. "I think that will happen, but I don't think that's why he said that. I think there's something more serious since he was serious at the time."

There was a brief silence before Zack scoffed. "Arlon? Serious? Who would've guessed?"

The others laughed.

June smirked but didn't comment.

Even though Arlon was always serious, she knew this was different.

He didn't just mean that the value of money would rise—there was something else behind his reasoning.

Something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Anyway," she said, changing the subject, "how's leveling up and Demon hunting going for you guys?"

She expected normal responses.

Instead—

"Are you seriously asking us that?!" Zack threw his hands up, exasperated.

Carmen leaned forward, glaring playfully. "You're leveling up so fast it's not even funny. We're trying to keep up, but it's impossible."

Maria smirked. "You and Arlon are so broken that everyone outside this table is convinced you two are cheating."

June blinked. "…That bad?"

Pierre nodded. "Yep. They think you found some secret leveling method and refuse to share it."

June laughed nervously. "I mean, technically, they're not wrong."

The Tower was the best place for leveling. But it wasn't like they could just invite people in.

It wasn't even her secret to tell.

Evan sighed. "We killed a Demon while you were in the Tower, you know. And we thought we were doing well."

"You are doing well," June pointed out. "Killing a Demon isn't easy."

Carole shrugged. "Yeah, but compared to you? We look like we're standing still."

June didn't argue. In the end, she was already level 199.

Instead, she just smiled, glad to be sitting with her friends again.

Even if it had only been a few days for them—this felt long overdue for her.

And she was going to enjoy every second of it.

---

After that, the conversation drifted toward more casual topics—the kind of things people their age usually talked about.

They joked around, shared stories, and teased each other relentlessly.

Laughter filled the air, blending with the hum of the busy food court.

Maria, as expected, was the most merciless of them all. She had a special talent for putting Evan and Carmen on the spot, and today was no exception.

"So, Carmen," Maria said, leaning forward with a wicked grin. "Did you finally get over the fact that you blurted out your confession mid-battle?"

Carmen groaned, covering her face with both hands. "I was under pressure! We were fighting a freaking Demon!"

Maria cackled. "And yet, somehow, that was the moment you decided to say, 'Evan, I like you'—while dodging fireballs!"

The others burst into laughter, and Evan, who had been quietly sipping his drink, choked a little.

He set his cup down, clearing his throat. "I mean… yeah, I was kinda shocked. That was not the time or place, you know?"

Maria wasn't done. "And yet, what did you do, dear Evan? You just stood there, blinking like a clueless idiot!"

Evan sighed, shaking his head. "I was processing!"

"Processing?!" Maria leaned back dramatically. "Carmen literally said 'Forget I said that' and kept fighting while you just… stood there!"

Carmen let out a defeated groan. "Why did it have to happen in front of her?"

Maria grinned proudly. "Because fate loves me."

Even though Maria's teasing was relentless, Evan and Carmen had clearly gotten used to it. They just sighed and let her continue, knowing there was no escape.

And of course, Maria didn't miss a single opportunity to make fun of Evan's usual slowness—whether it was about relationships or something as simple as the automatic door failing to open for him.

"See?!" she pointed dramatically when Evan had to wave his hand twice for the sensor to register him. "Even doors think you're slow!"

The entire group was wheezing with laughter as Evan sighed in defeat. "I hate you all."

But Carmen, despite being the main subject of Maria's teasing, was smiling.

They weren't the only ones who had become a couple recently.

Lei and Pierre, the ever-reliable duo of the Gamers Guild, had also started dating.

Of course, June already knew.

Unlike Carmen and Evan, they had been far more subtle about their relationship, but to someone who had spent years with them, it was obvious.

Lei was more reserved, and Pierre was naturally composed, so they weren't as flashy about their feelings. But it showed in the little things.

How Pierre always made sure Lei's drink was filled before his own.

How Lei casually adjusted Pierre's collar or fixed his equipment without saying a word.

The small glances they shared when they thought no one was looking.

Yeah, June had noticed.

But she didn't say anything. She figured they'd tell the group when they were ready.

As the day wound down, they eventually parted ways, each heading back to their respective homes.

For June, though, this wasn't just another day.

This was a rare moment of normalcy.

A reminder of what life outside the Tower felt like.

But even as she waved goodbye and walked toward her bus stop, she knew exactly where she belonged now.

She had made her decision the moment she stepped into the Tower.

And she didn't regret it.

Tomorrow, she would return to Trion.

And this time, she would stay even longer.