"Have you checked the refrigerator in your room yet?"
Aaron asked.
"No, what’s in there?"
Devon curiously looked towards the small kitchen, and then Aaron said, "Follow me," and he walked back inside his own room.
Devon crossed the hallway. It was just one small stride to cross it. And then walked to the kitchen in Aaron’s room.
This room had basically the exact same outline as in his own room.
Aaron opened the refrigerator and took out two soda drinks and handed one of them to Devon.
"Some refreshments. I’ve already drank one. It’s quite tasty."
Aaron said, then popped the can open and drank it while he sat down on the table by the window.
Devon sat across from him, opened the can, and took a sip, and it was really cold, but he liked it that way.
The bedroom at the back opened.
"Who did you bring?"
Jackson asked, as he saw somebody else sitting on the table, and then Devon turned his head around.
He recognized that face immediately—especially after seeing the gold watch on his wrist—it was one of the Gold Rankers, Devon Levi.
Jackson’s eyes widened in recognition.
"This here is Jackson Bullet, my roommate. Grab a drink, buddy. Let’s have a chat with our Gold-Ranker here!"
Aaron smirked.
Jackson just shrugged his shoulders, grabbed a soda from the fridge, and then sat next to Aaron on the table.
"You’re so good at making friends, Aaron. Even Gold-Ranker, whoah, I am honored to be in your presence, your highness."
Jackson sarcastically bowed.
But it came off as kind of rude—like he didn’t respect Devon nor the gold watch on his wrist—even though Jackson only had a bronze watch.
"And you aren’t."
Aaron mumbled.
"Yeah, yeah. I just think these ranks are bullshit. How can they even know how talented I am when they haven’t even seen me in action!"
Jackson asked angrily.
"Thomas himself insinuated that just take the ranks as grain of salt... The only thing that matters is how hard you work."
Devon said and took a sip of the soda.
"Easy for you to say. You’re already Gold-Ranked, and with that you can easily make friends—and making friends is really important here."
Jackson said.
"What do you mean?"
Devon asked.
"You saw them all outside in the hallway, making friends, and stuff. They are not just doing that for fun.
"If you plan on playing solo, you will not make it very far, I will guarantee that. That’s why everyone is already outside, forming alliances and building connections."
Jackson said.
"And I thought you approached me for my charming personality, Aaron. Let me guess, you’re doing the same?"
Devon asked.
"Hehe, guilty as charged."
Aaron chuckled and raised his arms in surrender, but then he lowered his arms, and his smile disappeared.
It was replaced with a somewhat serious expression.
"I want to join you. Jackson as well. From tomorrow onwards, we will all be fighting for points—and one thing you don’t want to do is die.
"In Innerworld, if you die, there is a one-day death penalty. Which means you cannot play for one whole day.
"And since the worst students get kicked out at the end of the week, if you miss even one day, you’re as good as gone."
Aaron said.
"I am Gold Rank. I can easily get Silver Ranks to join me. So why would I join the two of you... since you already tried to manipulate me, and Jackson... well, is just rude."
Devon asked.
"Heh."
Jackson grinned and drank the rest of the soda, and then he smashed against the table with a loud clang.
"You’re right. I think we got off on the wrong foot. It wasn’t right to trick you like this, and that’s why I am sorry.
"I am very desperate. If I want to be completely honest, I don’t know why I was chosen to be part of this draft.
"I’ve never been a great gamer. At Innerworld, I am average at best. However, I am a really hard worker."
Aaron said.
"Not exactly great sale pitch."
Devon chuckled.
"But at least I am honest. The others will try to kiss your shoes and keep telling about how great you are... but can you really trust them?"
Aaron asked.
"I don’t know whether I can trust you."
Devon said, and then he stood up from the desk and looked at the two young men—who looked back at him.
"I’ll have to think about it."
"Please do."
Aaron said.
Devon left the room and walked back to his, and he looked back and saw Aaron and Jackson talking.
It looked like they were arguing.
’Aaron is not wrong. It’d be best for everyone if I got knocked out after the first week. Less competition.
’Going solo is also extremely risky. What if they target me and try to kill me? It’s really bothersome.’
Devon thought.
"H-hey!"
In that moment, he heard a timid voice coming from the doorway—he turned his body around—a girl was standing in the doorway.
It was the blond-haired girl, Kate Sinclair, who was staring at him just a moment ago.
"Hello."
Devon said, and Kate’s nervousness almost radiated off her body as she was trying to form words and touching her hair nervously.
"I-I am not sure if you remember me... I-I met you once in the Lords of the Mythic Legends..."
Kate said shyly.
"What is your in-game name?"
Devon asked curiously.
"Goodsoul... I-I am not sure if you r-remember..."
"Goodsoul? Yes, I do. You were Valeria’s friend, and you helped us in that raid against Dragon King Ragnarok. You were an amazing healer.
"I think you saved me from dying once."
A genuine smile spread across Devon’s smile, as he remembered her very well, and memories of those days flooded into his mind.
He remembered how he always stayed up late, doing raids with his friends and sometimes with some outsiders as well.
Those times were the best moments of his life.
"Y-You remember me? I am glad..."
Kate lowered her head, but there was an obvious smile on her face, as if she was really, really happy.