It's been a week since the events in [Isekai Online]. Things have simmered down since the potion shortage event and most of the NPC shops in have restocked their whole potion supply. Thanks to some players taking up an [Alchemy Mastery], many have set up their potion stands for everyone to buy more potions, using the same rules that we made for our shop to avoid selling out like the NPC shops. This is good news for me and Kazu as we’ve managed to have extra time hunting while using some of our remaining time there to sell our wares for some extra cash.

However, there is one more event that caused a ripple through the game. And right now, I'm staring right at it.

[Self-Proclaimed Veteran Challenges a Well-Known Isekai Player, Ends Up in a Virtual Hospital]

[Everyone is getting back into the first VRMMO, [Isekai Online] and it's all thanks to this young archer who was caught in a viral clip.

Last week, a viral clip was uploaded on Youtube from the game, [Isekai Online]. There, a player by the name, [Wind] was challenged by another player into the game's first PVP match after an in-game altercation with him and another player, [Kazu]. To everyone's surprise, the archer not only fought back, but he used what everyone considered to be the worst skills or [Masteries] as everyone calls it in [Isekai] to win the fight.

This isn't the only time [Wind] was involved in a publicized incident as he and [Kazu] were the same players who completed the first [Hidden Quest] of the same game.]

Damn it... First, the [Hidden Quest] paparazzi incident, and now this?! No matter where I go, I can't seem to get my in-game face out of the spotlight! I’m even shaking my head after I read the first half of the news article from the gaming site. At least I'm still in the classroom with some of our classmates inside or else, I might not have a reason to not scream in angrish.

After that, I sigh in defeat and ask Zac and Damon who are right in front of me. "Just to be clear, this isn't the only news article about me, right?"

As I say this, I see their expressions turn into worry as they look at each other and frown before they turn back to me.

"If we try to count it, you might end up screaming your head and earn yourself a detention."

I groaned in response. I guess that's Damon's way to say that there are tons of them.

"On the bright side, at least your brother is out of the limelight for now," Zac adds with a hint of panic in his voice. "Besides, if you hadn't step up, the game's status quo didn't change for the better."

"For once, I agree." Well, that's a first. Damon agreeing with Zac on something. "Since we now know that the shops have a chance to sell out due to AI events, many have taken up the same [Mastery] as Kazuki's to try and maintain the economy while providing players with some high-quality potions at the same time. To be honest, your reckless actions did something good for the game."

Heh. Guess that's another first. In fact, it's enough for me to cheer me up a bit.

"You're right. Thankfully, holidays are coming up and we have less time to play in [Isekai] since we have to prepare not only for Christmas but also for Kazuki's birthday."

"Oh, yeah. That's the same day as the maintenance for the upcoming expansion. Yeah, we really have a lot to talk about it after class, huh?"

I agree. Considering [Isekai] has probably become Kazuki's go-to game, it would be wrong for us to exclude him from the discussion.

Huh? Game? Birthday?

!!!

"Oh, shoot! I almost forgot!"

"Almost what?"

I quickly turn to my friends, having realized my mistake. Thankfully, everyone isn’t staring at me as I briefly cover my mouth out of embarrassment. I then sigh and say, "Kazuki's birthday. I promised my Dad I have to buy something in conjunction with his birthday gift for him. Thanks to those events, I almost forgot about it."

"Oh. Why didn't you say so? If you like, we can help you find a gift for you."

"It's not that easy. You see..."

I explain everything regarding our plans as well the chance that we might rent a small space for the party.

"Ooh... I see what you mean. Although we might try to find one at the second-hand stores if possible as long you don't take your brother along to avoid ruining the surprise," Damon says.

"And I'll see if I can find something in some online stores and a couple of my online friends. It's everywhere right now, so it's not hard to find if you search through the right sites," Zac casually adds. "And yes, I'll watch my budget this time when going through them."

I smile at their small gestures. They really are the best when it comes to my situation.

"Thanks, guys. You're lucky you guys get to be the guest of honors for Kaz's party."

"No probs. Speaking of which, what about our online friends?"

Oh, yeah. I did exchange phone numbers with Star and Annie's players, so I'll see if they're available that day. Besides, there's no way Annie will miss Kazuki's birthday once she hears about it. As for Ol' Wally and Azel, I guess I’ll have to consult Star, or rather, Arin since she and her cousin have a close connection to them, and not just in the game as members of [Force Blade].

"I'll see what I can do. Though we can't exactly celebrate it in the game, especially when if it's offline for maintenance."

"Good point," Damon says with a hum. "We might as well do a small early birthday party just in case."

But before we can continue, we hear the bell ring, forcing us to sit at our respective desks.

"Let's continue this on Discourse tonight, okay?" I whisper.

"Okay/10-4."

With that, we start our next class.

A few hours pass and with Zac and Damon in tow, I pick Kazuki up from school and we stopped by at the 2010's cafe to have a little snack for ourselves. As usual, Damon and I order a latte smoothie and a double-sized hamburger for Zac while Kazuki has a chocolate chip banana parfait. We have a small chat about school and our plans for the upcoming winter break.

It isn't until Zac grins at us after we finish our chat. "So now that's school is almost over for this year – well, at least until winter break's over, I guess – Are you guys planning to head over to that new location for the new update?"

I raise my eyebrows when he says this. "Update? You mean that maintenance notice that we saw on the official site, right?"

"Yeah. They just got an official announcement on its expansion a few days ago as well more information that just released today."

"Expansion? What is that?" Kazuki asks, which I'm a bit curious about that term's meaning as well.

"Well, you remember that devs have to put several fixes and updates called a patch during maintenance, right? You can think of the "expansion" not only as a big patch to the game, but it's also a key where you can unlock new stories and adventures for us to explore in !"

I see... I'm not much of an expert on games like Zac, but I feel he might be able to describe it a bit better. Even I still have no clue what that is."

"I just read the announcement about it. It adds new features in the game that may change the experience than we usually have in the previous version." Damon then hands us his smartphone, on which I see the [Isekai Online] website on its internet browser. "You can read more about it here. I’ve also opened a new tab that has today's article about the expansion."

Well, I'm a bit interested right now, so I allow Kazuki to join my side so we can read together what's on the announcement.

[NEWS]

[Greetings, adventurers! The time has come for the kingdom of light to open its gates to you!

On December 20, you will be able to visit the beautiful kingdom of filled with towns and villages you can visit in , the newest location added for the [Monarch of Light] expansion. You will also explore new and unfamiliar dungeons that will reward you with stronger equipment and access to new [Quests]. Along with and , you will now have the ability to form a contract with the fauna and spirits to become your faithful . Details will be added later on as the expansion draws near.

Along with the major updates, we'll be adding new skills to existing [Masteries] as well as the new [Advanced Masteries], which details will be also releasing soon.

Finally, we would like to thank you, the players, for the support and feedback of the game. We promised that we are always listening and we are working alongside the developers and test players to give you a better experience in the world of . So stay tuned for more details and enjoy [Isekai Online]!

And may the spirits guide you to the truth.]

My eyes widen at the familiar word on what I just read.

"?! Isn't that the same place those NPC soldiers and that Dalhia magician live?"

“You mean the ones from the incident which you didn't include me in because of my exams!"

I quickly flinch once Kazuki mentions the reason behind his absence from that incident.

"Ding-dong! That is correct!" Zac grins like an eccentric game show host. "Damon and I tried to go there after the [Quest], but there were random events that didn't allow us to get there.”

"Random events? You mean like the one that caused the potion shortage, right?"

"Yeah. To be honest, I'm more impressed than annoyed at how they managed to hide that to the public until now."

He's right. Ever since we completed the story [Quest], there have been no announcements about it like that [Hidden Quest] that Kazuki and I missed. It only took us to tell him to get him an idea of what we had been through. Regardless, I'm just relieved about this fact.

"Anyways, I would say we have to go there once the [Monarch of Light] expansion has been released..."

"Which I can guess the first thing you will do there is to find your "Lady Dalhia", right?"

I quickly snicker once Damon mentions this. I can also hear Kazuki laughing as I notice Zac's face turn red.

"Hey! You're not the one who protected her back then, you know!" Zac then clears his throat and his expression suddenly turns serious, which actually surprises me. "As I was saying, they also announced the addition of an [Advanced Mastery] feature. Knowing my experience with these kinds of games, it might change the meta of the game. Heck, it might be a bit tougher to get to unless you have high [Masteries] in your belt."

Hearing this, I decided to check the other tab to see what Zac’s talking about, and after a few seconds of reading through the first half, I understand what he means.

"I see... If I'm reading this right, you can evolve or merge [Masteries] into the aforementioned [Advanced Mastery]."

"Bingo! This not only saves up on a free slot if you want to merge them, but you can build an entirely new character with these new toys! You can become a wizard who learns all elements or a warrior mastering all types of weapons! This is why I loved that game with all of my beings!"

Yeesh... I get why he loves [Isekai] so much like it's his girlfriend, but I think he exaggerates those details about that feature a little too much.

"Well, there are still limitations to what [Advanced Masteries] you can learn, so we'll have to wait and see at what that feature offers for us." At least Damon has the logic to know these things. "They did mention we get new skills and some changes to existing ones after all. Not to mention, they are also adding [Familiars] in the game."

Familiars?

"That's right!" Kazuki spoke up in excitement. "That feature is the one I'm excited about! If what they said is true, we might get a pet! A virtual one, too!"

A pet, huh? Now that I think about it, I’ve never thought about having one before. I don't even know if Mom approves of us keeping one.

"Oh, they are more than just pets, Kaz. Not only can they serve as our battle partners like in those monster-collecting games, but they can boost your stats and [Masteries], which can give you an edge on our opponents whether they are monsters or players," Zac explains as most exaggeratedly as he can. "Best of all, new and old players can get them for free in a limited-time event after the maintenance!

I see. So other than the [Advanced Masteries], there is a high chance that the [Familiar] feature will also change the game as well. But...

"R-Really? Cause I only see them as pets and partners to me. I don't really care about that other stuff."

Of course. He is playing to have fun living his fantasy journey after all. Though if the [Familiar] that he befriended links to another crazy [Hidden Quest], I'm going to scream.

"Hey, we won't force you to choose your [Familiar], Kaz. As you said, just have fun and maybe you find one that might annoy your brother for being a party pooper."

Okay, now that's a bit offensive...

"Maybe, but we'll see."

I sigh at this before we continue chatting. Although the information surrounding the expansion has got me thinking: if these features do change our experience in [Isekai], then we might step up our game if we want to get to once it drops in a few weeks.