The Isekai Game

On This Trail

Jeff and Jaivva checked to find that they were ironically assigned to the same entrance. They took a moment, staring at the door before Jaivva cheerfully opened it to get the theme going. Jeff smiled, watching as a light traveled on his body to change his outfit to a black button-down silk shirt with a flashy pattern and slacks. It contrasted Jaivva's semi-revealing black ninja attire.

Jaivva looked over, "You're not gonna wear any real armor"? 

"I am wearing armor". 

Jaivva began speaking with her hands, "Yeah but, you don't have armor skin... So you have the resistance, but not the effects". 

"Yeah, but..." he smirked, holding his g*n on his shoulder, "The resistance is what matters. Like-".

Jaivva shook her head as she began stepping forward on the dirt trail, "I mean they both matter. If something spits acid on you like in September and you don't have the armor skin, then you're f****d". 

"I mean-".

"Hey," she smiled looking around, "You've been playing this a lot longer than me. You know what you're doing. I was just asking". 

He shook his head, "Nah. You aight". 

Jaivva was already checking her map, "Where does your map want you to go to"? 

Jeff took a minute to fumble around for his as Jaivva comforted him to take his time. The path itself was pretty clear. The sun was looking nice as well. Completely normal with a few trees out in the grassy plains. Nothing was coming at them which is more than one could say for the rabbit being chased by a coyote. 

Jeff was barely able to make out the map, "I think I have to go to a mountain way up North. It looks far". 

Jaivva peaked at it, "Oh yeah, we have the same destination. Wow, that's so cool... So we'll actually be able to knock out three birds with one stone this month. Let's do it". 

"Nice... But we need to get a car". 

"Right. Like they need to just give us a train or something like they did in December". 

"They're supposed to. I am the team leader and an artificer". 

"What does that mean?" asked Jaivva.

"Team leaders carry perks for their team. Dani is magic enhancement when she takes over. Teddy is a freelancer boost. So his guys can basically use whatever. I forgot Pattie's".

Jaivva nodded, keeping alert, "So what is an artificer"?

"I'm good with machines... Cars, robots, technology, any type of hard wire". 

"So what does that do for us"? 

"It apparently let Logan drive a car last month and nearly kill a few people". 

Jaivva burst out laughing. 

Jeff chuckled, "Yo, dead a*s, it's a good thing these cars are all electrical and are overridden by computers otherwise he would've killed somebody. He can do a lot. But he sucks at shooting and cars". 

Jaivva managed to hold herself together, "Wait, wait, he got better at shooting once we made him study his courses. He knocked them out pretty quick too". 

"Okay..." Jeff bobbled his head, "He still sucks at driving".

Jaivva laughed, "So what does you being an artificer do though"?

"It let's us use vehicles and get vehicle usage in each theme. We got taxi discounts and carriage flares in November. We got the train in December. Most players couldn't use the cars last month at all unless they were licensed... Yet they let Logan of all people try to drive".

"Oh, so have you thought about doing anything with that? I haven't seen anybody with a g*n like yours. So you must be really good". 

Jeff looked up, "Oh yeah. I'm really good. I've actually helped a few people actually put together their cars as a side hustle". 

"Really"?

Jeff nodded, "Yeah. Really easy". 

Jaivva was a little thrown off, "Then why don't you start looking at a career being a mechanic? Like an apprenticeship or something". 

Jeff stumbled a bit, smirking, "Well-, that's a funny thing. You see, I know I can make good money doing that". 

Jaivva stared at him a little suspiciously, "Okay"?

"But, like... look at Logan. That kid makes bank and he is not even a pro yet. Can you imagine how much money he's gonna make in the pro leagues. Like easy racks. All these people and teams you see getting 'pro' status will be getting thousands of dollars in cash and in scholarships just because".

"I'm listening".

Jeff's hands started jumping, ignoring the city in plain view, "Right, so if we make it to the pro leagues, or at least get the status, that's it yo. We'll get some racks and be straight". 

"Right..." Jaivva remained aware of her surroundings along with Jeff's ideology, "I mean... I think you should probably think about that. You don't want to go into something like this half-hearted". 

Jeff was a little taken by the remark, "Nothing's half-hearted. I like the game. I've been playing for about two years now. I've played the June event twice already. I like the game. I also have to think about my sister, ya know"?

Jaivva nodded, "I feel you". 

"Right, like, at the end of the day, I need to take care of her. If I can come out here, have fun, and take care of her, then it's a win-win. But I have to keep both in mind. That's why I used to play the way I did". 

Jaivva nodded, "True". 

"The boys know this. That's why Andres will defend me when Logan gets a little crazy". 

She laughed, "That's also true". She calmed down, "You have strong ethics and morals... And I think a lot of people around here just doesn't get that". 

Jeff's eyes widened as he stretched out, "Thank you". 

"Like, I like Logan. But, he's an only child and can't even buy his momma groceries. Andres is never there for his momma either. Like, how do y'all not even take care of y'all's mommas but y'all want to come out here all the time and play this game? Y'alls heads not even in the right place". 

"Exactly. Like, I'm not gonna dog out my boys or nothin, but it's true. They aren't thinking about their families". 

"Right. Like, I really like this. It's so cool and otaku. It's fun. I can do cool s**t every day and kill things. I can compete and beat people up. It's fun. And I'm thankful Logan seems to be understanding of that. Cuz like, when one of my relatives get sick, that's it, I'm over there taking care of them. And at the end of the day, if I wasn't making so much money from this, I would not be here with Logan every weekend. So that's good". 

Jeff had a small frown, stepping into the busy city, "So, how do you think Logan is understanding"? 

Jaivva looked around, analyzing the different people walking. Their faces, hands, which ones were people and which were NPCs. Not a single movement in the crowd was taken without her notice. Eye contacted was made with everyone, near and far. 

"Well, its happened before. I one time had to take care of my momma and he just texted me to check-in. I think that was in November when he wanted me to get my ninja job class quickly". 

Jeff nodded, "Interesting. He doesn't seem that way with me". 

"True," said Jaivva, noticing an Oaka merchant riding a donkey-pulled carriage coming nearby.