After waking up, he was quick to take care of himself, rushing his hygiene. He then headed to the kitchen to make himself food.
The eggs were barely finished cooking when he heard footsteps. His mother, Renatta, shuffled into the kitchen, still rubbing sleep from her eyes.
"Morning, Ma." Renan said, sliding three of the eggs onto a plate for her. Though he hated to think of time with family like this, it was a calculated gesture. Sharing food created connection, showed care, and required minimal time.
"You're up early again," she observed, accepting the plate with a small smile. "Thank you, sweetheart."
"I've got a lot to do today." Renan replied, already eating his portion standing up. Between bites, he pulled out his phone and showed her his bank app. "Also, this is for you."
Renatta's eyes widened at the number. "Seven hundred dollars? From what?"
"People liked my guide. They gave awards that convert to cash." He initiated the transfer while she watched. "It's not much, but it'll help with groceries."
"Renan, you don't have to-"
"I want to," he interrupted gently. "You've supported me while I figure this out. Least I can do is contribute when I can."
She looked at him with an expression he couldn't quite read. Pride? Concern? Both? "You've really changed these past few days."
"Just trying to be better." he said, finishing the last of his eggs which he consumed at confusingly high speeds. He moved to wash his plate, working as he talked. "For you and Randy."
As if summoned by his name, his brother appeared in the doorway. "Yo, early bird. Since when do you wake up at 6 am? You didn't pull an all nighter, did you?"
"I would have liked to." Renan replied with surprising honesty, "But it's not feasible. Game limits playtime to eight hours a day."
He then pointed over. "I left your plate on the counter," Renan said, already moving past him. "I made you eggs."
"Oh?" Randy checked and found his plate. "Thanks bro!"
Renan paused at the kitchen entrance. "In truth, Ma, that money was more incidental than anything. The real big bucks will come soon once I actually start selling a service."
"Money?" Randy replied, interested. "Already? Nice, how much?"
Renatta answered for Renan. "A bit over seven hundred."
"Gh-" Randy immediately started choking, going into a coughing spree. "W-what? You said seven hundred. Did you misspeak?" He looked between his mother and his brother. Seeing his mother's proud expression of Renan, he knew it was true.
Randy set his fork down, eyes wide. "Damn! Nice job!"
"That's because you post clips of you screaming into the mic over killcams," Renan said with a small chuckle. "Honestly, I didn't expect this much either. Or rather, anything." He then waved his hand, "Though I should return to it. I have big plans in the works."
But before he left, he went over to his mother and hugged her. "I love you, Ma."
"Love you too." Renatta said softly. She raised her hands and held his cheeks and stared into her son's eyes. She was silent for a bit.
"Ma?" Renan asked out, awkwardly.
"Good job." She finally spoke. "I hope it keeps going well for you. And don't burn yourself out, baby."
Renan gave a grin, pretending everything was alright. "Don't worry. How stressful could a game be?"
…
Back in his room, Renan's mind shifted to Masteria as he prepared. He grabbed a two liter water bottle, filled to the brim. He set it within arm's reach of the pod. Though he wanted as little bathroom breaks as possible if he could help it.
As he settled into the pod, his thoughts turned to future updates. The game would be patched soon. Not with balance changes or new content, since those didn't exist, fundamentally. Instead, it's fixes to the fundamental disconnect between player behavior and world coherence.
Specifically, logging off. In a few days, the forces behind the system would realize their mistake. Players vanishing into thin air was too jarring, too obviously suspicious and unexplainable.
The system did make the natives ignore or rationalize the disappearances, but the amount of energy required was unsustainable.
The solution would be rather rough and simple, yet effective. Improper logout penalties. Log off in front of NPCs without proper excuses? Receive temporary debuffs. The more suspicious the logout, the harsher the punishment.
It was brilliant in a small way, really. Frame it as a gameplay mechanic to encourage immersion, when really it was the system conserving resources. Less energy spent maintaining the illusion meant more energy for other purposes.
"Sloppy." Renan muttered as the pod initialized. The whole operation was sloppy when examined closely. It felt rushed and improvised. As if the Dark One's forces had moved before they were fully prepared.
And yet…
It had worked. In his previous timeline, despite all the rough edges, despite the obvious flaws, the plan had succeeded. Earth fell. Masteria was consumed. Everyone died.
"Not this time." he whispered as his consciousness began to transfer.
The familiar sensation of shifting between worlds washed over him. One moment Renan, the next Lumi. One moment in his room, the next standing in luxurious quarters aboard a Herene airship.
He was alone. The others hadn't logged in yet, though he knew they would soon. He had coordinated it after all.
Lumi took a breath, centering himself. Today's primary goal was ambitious. He needed to leave a lasting impression on the Empress, the Princess, and all the Chief Knights. He needed them to see him not as some lucky low level adventurer, but as someone worth listening to. Someone whose warnings about 'his people' would be taken seriously.
It was a tall order. Sure, he had a certain quality to him, being part of these 'immortal' people. Though even the gravity of that was forcefully downplayed by the system. And what could a Level 20 mage say to impress people who had lived for centuries and commanded powers he couldn't yet imagine?
But he had advantages. His connection to Merath. His knowledge of future events. His understanding of the player threat.
He just had to leverage them carefully.
He left the bedroom, making his way out of the airship and onto Herene itself.
Herene.
A majestic floating island where the Empress of all of Masteria lived. The air was fresh, clean, brimming with energy and a pure quality. Despite the limited area, there were open plains of barely touched land, free for animals to roam.
He soon caught the attention of the Knights around the airship ports, in which one of them walked up and spoke. "Lumi. Chief Knight Divan is waiting for you."
"Lead the way." Lumi replied, following the knight through the land, eventually leading into a white and gold building, the palace. Once inside, the very corridors shimmered with embedded magic. Every surface was a work of art, every detail speaking to the sheer care put into the place. This was the prosperity of Herene. He loved this place, even if he didn't spend much time in it in his past life.
They found Divan in what appeared to be a tactical planning room. Maps covered the walls, not just of Herene, but of the entire globe. The Chief Knight looked up from a report he was reading.
"Ah, Lumi. I trust you rested well?"
"Very well, thank you." Lumi inclined his head respectfully. "The accommodations are beyond generous."
"The Empress insists all guests be treated with utmost hospitality." Divan replied, though his eyes held questions. "Your companions have not yet appeared?"
"They'll return soon." Lumi said carefully, "They aren't here yet."
"Understood." Divan replied, then he set aside his report. "The Empress will receive your group this afternoon. Until then, you're free to explore Herene, within reason. The public districts, training grounds, libraries, all are open to you."
Lumi saw his opportunity. "Actually, I was hoping to make use of the training grounds. Specifically, the magical combat facilities. My growth has been rapid, but experience has been limited to my own ideas. Being alongside proper instruction would be invaluable."
Divan raised an eyebrow. "You wish to train with the Knights? That's unusual for a visitor."
"I'm an unusual visitor," Lumi replied with a slight smile, "Besides, if I'm to help protect this world from threats, shouldn't I be as prepared as possible?"
The Chief Knight studied him for a long moment. "Protect this world is interesting phrasing. You speak as if you know of specific threats."
"Your insight is unmatched. And, I know my people." Lumi said carefully. "I know what some of them are capable of when unchecked. And I know that strength recognizes strength. If I'm to be taken seriously when I warn of dangers, I need to prove I'm worth listening to."
"Hmm." Divan stood, decision made. "Very well. Chief Knight Alice oversees our magical combat training. I'll introduce you." He paused. "A word of warning. Alice does not suffer fools. I know you are not foolish, I do not mean to insult, but she can see things her way. She's a stubborn one. If you waste her time, she'll let you know. Forcefully."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from a Chief Knight."