61 Leon (2/2)

The same round eyes, the same dark pupils, the same short black hair.

”Ryan, you really didn't change anything.”

”Hehe,” Ryan scratched his head. ”I was too excited to play, so I just left everything as default.”

Ryan then took a more dignified pose and coughed in his hand.

”Also, my name is not Ryan in game. I'm DepressedRyan since I'm permanently depressed.”

”Hahaha, you? Depressed? What kind of joke is that?”

”Haha! But forget about me. Where were you going? I saw you tunnel visioning on something.”

”Ah, I think I just saw a pro,” answered Leo, his face turning serious.

”A pro?”

Leo looked sideways, remembering his encounter with the shadowy figure. ”Yeah, I know. How can there be a pro this early in the game? But believe me, his movements were just so clean, and he was able to activate those skills so much earlier than everyone else.” Leo looked at DepressedRyan in the eyes this time. ”Which reminds me, how many tries did it take you to get them down?”

”Oh, yeah, those were pretty weird. It took me like two to three tries to fully activate them, other than Dash which I did instantly.”

”Yeah, it also took me very long. Wait-” Realisation dawned on Leo for a second as he finally registered DepressedRyan's answer. ”Two to three times?!”

”Hmm? Yeah...?” DepressedRyan tilted his head.

”Are you for real?! It took me like a dozen tries or so!”

Remembering this discussion, Leon chuckled. Even this early on in the game, Ryan showed his massive potential. We really are two very different beings, Ryan. Leon was out of his reverie by the time he reached the main entrance of the mansion he lived in. All around him, decorations and paintings of his ancestors covered the walls.

”Where are you going, young man?”

Hearing the familiar, high pitched feminine voice, Leon grumbled and turned around.

”Mom, I'm going to Ryan's house.”

”I haven't seen you since yesterday morning. Were you playing games for all that time?!” Leon's mom's voice turned into an even higher pitch at the end, showcasing her erupting anger.

However, Leon didn't let her words affect his emotional state. He just looked at her calmly, even apathetically, but said nothing.

Leon's mom stomped her right foot in anger, looked up to the ceiling and raised her voice even higher.

”Ah! I just wish you were like your brother. Look at him! He is already a senior executive at Omega9. He is selling those games that you like so much to you and people like you. While you stay here wasting time, he is out there making money!”

At the mention of his brother, Leon bit his lips and looked down. He then looked up at his mother, his eyes resolute.

”My brother has nothing do with anything I do. He is his own person. Mom, I'm going to Ryan's house now. Take care of yourself.”

Leon's mom didn't respond, and he didn't expect a response either. Once she enters her naggy state, there is no reasoning with her. Understanding that Leon just walked off the main entrance and closed the door behind him. Standing next to the entrance of the garden, an old man welcomed him with a bow.

”Albert, we're going to Ryan's house.”

”As you wish, young master,” the thin old man replied. He was dressed in a black butler suit. His hair was grey and his face was gentle. Whenever Leon would look at him, his worries would dissipate. Albert just had that kind of healing aura around him.

”Oh, you're not putting your Raveons on today, Albert?” Leon asked in surprise.

”Ah, I just took them off for a moment, young master. They're in the car. Sometimes, they make my eyes itchy so I have to take them off,” Albert answered with a smile.

”I understand. Your health first, Albert.”

The two then made their way to the mansion's parking lot where a stylized sports car stood. Violet, purple and sky blue were the main ingredients of this masterpiece. An aerodynamic design, a slick looking front to back, and doors that open vertically. This car was a feast for the eyes; a gift from his late father.

”Young master.”

Albert bowed in front of Leon, waiting for him to enter. Leon swiftly complied. Albert entered right after and with that, they took off.

”Albert, I also left my Raveons in the car last time. Do you have them?”

”Yes, young master.”

With a dull ”clitch” went out of the back of the front seat. Glasses that shone with a green neon light stood on top of it. Leo picked them up and wore them, but the view in front of him didn't change.

Leon moved next to the window and watched the scenery outside. They quickly entered the city and with it, a futuristic outlandish view greeted them. Tall skyscrapers, robots everywhere, and cars entering underground tunnels like wormholes. However, most surprising of all were the people walking around in the streets. More precisely, what was surrounding them.

Stylized clouds raining torrents, faces with hearts instead of eyes, and a myriad of different emoji-like caricature stood next to each and every person. Shops had mermaids flying from their doors to the open sky, showcasing their clothing fashion; anime characters eating a thousand different food in front of restaurants and a thousand other fantasy-like view filled the city.

Leon looked at all of this with cold eyes. He was already used to it. This culture of extreme extravagance. However, maybe out of curiosity, he asked Albert.

”Hey, Albert. What do you think of Augmented Reality, and the Raveons that boosted it? It must feel weird, living in this world where everyone shares everything to everyone.”

”Haha, young master. While I did live in a world where none of this new stuff existed, it doesn't mean that I can't accept it. But, what do you think young master?”

”I think it's fake,” Leon replied bluntly.

”Haha, young master.” Albert smiled gently. ”Sometimes, people like to have those lies surround them. It makes them feel more secure.”

The rest of the journey was uneventful. Leon didn't speak much, he just looked at the window lost in his thoughts, while Albert kept silently driving.