“Mom misses you. Sometimes I catch her staring outside the window, like she’s waiting for you to come home.” The bitter sweet voice of my sister touched my heart as she spoke to me.

“You know how it is, Katy. I can’t come back. Other than you and mom, there is no one who wants me back home.” I explained to my kid sister. Ugh…I don’t want to get into the specifics but let’s just say we all have those personal sob stories. Mine is the one where I am the black sheep of the family.

“But it’s been 6 years…and why did you have to go all the way to Korea? I can’t even afford the flight tickets to come visit you.” She sounds as though she is mad at me but it’s the loving mad.

“You know why, Katy. I feel responsible for what happened to the family. If I need to find answers, I need to start here. There is no other way about it. And life here isn’t so bad….you’d love it here. Did I tell you about Myeongdong? It’s the mecca for cosmetics – they literally have every conceivable …”

“I am not a kid anymore, Stan. I know you are trying to change the topic here.” My sister sighed on the other end. “Forget it. Did you find out who kidnapped those gamers?”

Yup, she’s growing up. It used to be easier to fool her before.

“Yes and no….I initially thought it was a person but now I think it might be the game developer – Laureta Inc. It’s not just happening here in Korea but all over the world.” I speak about my work to my sister: it sometimes help with thinking through ideas and sometimes it just helps cope with things.

“Crazy…” Her voice sounded dull and uninterested. “Will this help?”

“I don’t know. I have an interview that firm next week – I think they will hire me given the mess I created for them.”

“You mean by uncovering the ponzi scheme?” My sister curiously asked. “Why would they hire you then?”

“Because it’s better to keep your friends close but enemies closer.” I replied with a smile.

***

The moment a I logged back into Valor, a voice rang in my head. “You’re back?”

“KDrama?” I asked with a bewildered expression on my face. Unlike in game whisper or hearing something in your ear, this was like hearing something in your head. It was such a weird feeling.

“Hai, KDrama Too Much here. Finding it weird?” He asked – I could feel the smugness in his voice.

“A bit.” I honestly replied.

“Don’t worry, you will get used to it. We are back in Aldonisia and brought along your stuff. Just accept the summon and you’ll be instantly teleported here.”

A box popped up in front of me:

KDrama Too Much has summoned you. You can refuse thrice (0/3) before you must accept his summon.

Would you like to accept KDrama Too Much’s summon?

I accepted the request and found my surroundings turn hazier and hazier. At some point everything turned dark: I couldn’t see or feel my body. So Bizzzzaaareeee….. The next thing I knew, I was standing in the centre of a room filled with people staring at me.

I waved at them but got no response.

“He really did lose all his memories….” A small girl facing me was the first to speak. Next to her KDrama nodded his head almost as though he was reaffirming – I told you so. “He’s almost like a different person…”

“Eh? What was I like before?” I asked. Let’s learn something about Juan Lee. Although, his father shared his profile with me, it’s always better to get a first hand impression of him from people.

The girl stared at my face as though she spotted an interesting animal at the zoo. “How do I put it in words…it was like you were fiercer and much colder. You would have never waved back to me.”

“Oh…” That was spot on. Juan Lee was a brat of the first order. He was spoilt sole grandson of a big business tycoon in Korea. Nothing to the order of a chaebol but still very rich. He looked down on people and treated everyone poorly. His grandfather knew about his grandson’s habits but would perpetually over look them. I wouldn’t say $50M is a small amount to his family but to Juan Lee who had been given a final warning to change his ways or lose his inheritance, I’d say it mattered.

“I am TinkerBell.” The little girl introduced herself and then began to introduce others in clockwise, “That’s Heavenly Sword, Lethal Bacon, Evil Monster, Glitter Fart, and SgtMorningWood.”

They all raised their hand slightly as their name was called out.

“….” I think my brains froze. What the fuck is up with these stupid names. Were they all standing in ascending order of hilariously stupid names? Maybe my expression was too obvious because Glitter Fart needed to defend themselves, “We had more normal names when the game initially started…at some point you don’t care and really feel like messing around…never mind…”

I think he gave up once he realized how futile his efforts were. As I quickly stole a glance around the room, I noticed that they all wore different outfits – some wore metal armour, some wore a leather outfit, and one was dressed similar to a mage.

“Anyways….” Tinkerbell interrupted the looming awkwardness. “You won’t find a team like ours for sure! We are the BEST!” She added while striking some weird Japanese anime pose.

I can assure you my seriously gaze, which literally said are you stupid as well, killed her enthusiasm instantly.

“Boooo…I want my old Audicious-Lee back… You always found that pose cutesy.” She replied with a pout.

***

Other than Tinkerbell, no one was particularly chatty. No one asked me what happened or asked how I was doing. They just simply observed me. It was 10 minutes into my summoning, when Heavenly Sword spoke up, “I’m done. I think it’s better we throw him out of our team and than let him drag us.”

Heavenly Sword had a deep voice, he was over six feet talk and beefed up with muscles. What was particularly eye catching was the broadsword, which was nearly as long as him, hanging on his back. He would be what I’d describe as a swordsman. I am guessing that’s where the name Heavenly Sword comes from?

Lethal Bacon and Evil Monster also nodded their heads. “KDrama, you know how intense the competition is. We can’t afford newbie training while others race ahead. Just updating him about all cycles will take forever…moreover somethings need to be experienced and cannot be taught.”

KDrama nodded his head in agreement. “I agree, Sword. However, we all acknowledge that Dancing Daggers was one of the best players of Valor. I don’t know why he hasn’t logged back in…. but till he doesn’t we can only turn to Audicious-Lee and hope he recovers his memories. Furthermore, Tinkerbell has agreed to bring him up to speed. So, it isn’t your responsibility.”

Before Heavenly Sword could say anything else, KDrama added, “This is my final decision as Captain.”

With that being said, the three, who disagreed with me remaining on the team, left the room. I could hear one of them say, “Why call us when you have already decided…”

Oh boy…I am sorry KDrama that you had to make such a tough call because of me. Please forgive me but I am really not Audicious-Lee.