As the players stepped through the gates of Istarra, a sense of familiarity washed over them.
The streets were lively, filled with both locals and players, their chatter blending with the distant sound of rchants calling out their wares.
The evening light bathed the town in a soft glow, casting long shadows over the cobblestone paths.
For so, returning to Istarra felt like coming ho.
For others, it was their first ti seeing the place for themselves.
Arlon walked with the group for a while before subtly breaking away into a quiet alleyway.
It was ti to switch places.
A faint shimr surrounded him as his doppelganger took his place.
His real self faded from view, slipping into the shadows while Arlon the Guide erged from the alley, walking out confidently to rejoin the others.
Of course, the copy also changed his face to beco Arlon the player.
None of the players—not even June—noticed the switch.
As far as they were concerned, Arlon had been here all along.
***
Their destination was clear:
Charon's Moonlight Potion Store.
The scent of herbs and alchemical ingredients filled the air as they stepped inside. Shelves lined the walls, stocked with glowing vials, dried plants, and rare elixirs. The soft hum of bubbling cauldrons created an almost tranquil atmosphere.
The mont they entered, a familiar voice rang out.
"Oh! You're here!"
A young woman rushed toward them, her face lighting up.
It was Shirl.
Dressed in a modest shop uniform, she looked much different from the administrator she once was. But her expression—warm and full of energy—was the sa as ever.
She was happy to see them.
She greeted the players she recognized with enthusiasm before her gaze landed on Arlon the Guide.
Her expression shifted slightly—still joyful, but filled with sothing deeper. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
"Sir Arlon... You are also here."
Arlon simply nodded. "It's been a while."
Shirl clasped her hands together. "It really has! I know you told to stop thanking you, but… well, I guess you can see for yourself—I'm doing okay now!"
She gestured around the shop.
After her trial and expulsion from being an administrator, she had started working here.
It wasn't a position of power. It wasn't anything grand.
But she seed genuinely happy.
She was not in her administrator clothes that looked cool. She was wearing what normal girls her age were wearing now.
The best part was that Charon was one of the strongest Maguses, so he helped Shirl with magic if needed.
"I want to hear everything!" Shirl said suddenly. "You've all been through so much, right? I heard your nas from other saviors yesterday. Let's go sowhere and catch up properly!"
The players exchanged glances.
"That's not a bad idea," June said. "Istarra is new for so of us. We might as well explore while we talk."
Zack nodded. "Yeah, I wouldn't mind checking out the town."
Even those who had been here before agreed—it had been a long ti since they'd walked through Istarra freely.
"Alright, let's go," Shirl said with a grin. "I know a few good spots!"
But before anyone could step outside, Arlon the Guide spoke.
"You all go ahead."
They turned to look at him.
"I have sothing to discuss with Sir Charon," he explained. "I'll catch up later."
Arlon the player was going anyway.
June looked at Arlon the guide and tilted her head, but didn't say anything.
Shirl tilted her head. "Oh? Well, I won't force you to co, but don't take too long! We've got a lot to talk about!"
With that, the group exited the shop, chatting amongst themselves.
As the door swung shut behind them, Arlon the Guide turned toward the mirror.
Arlon knew that behind the mirror was Charon.
"Sir Charon, long ti no see."
The mirror opened and the sa Charon with a long beard ca out. Even though his appearance was old, his aura scread powerful.
And Alron could read it much more clearly now.
"You haven't beco much stronger even though that much ti passed..."
---
"So… which one of you is the real one?" June whispered to Arlon, keeping her voice low so the others wouldn't hear.
She had already suspected he had done sothing, but she wasn't entirely sure what just yet.
Arlon smirked. "Didn't you figure out which one was real last ti?"
June frowned slightly. "That's the weird part… I could tell back then. But now? I can't see any difference."
She didn't like this situation that felt like a trap.
Arlon's smirk widened. "That's because I fixed it. It was too easy to see through before. If soone could tell which one was fake at a glance, that could be dangerous."
His tone was casual, but June could tell he had put serious thought into this.
"Of course," he added, "anyone who knows I use copies should always double-check. But still, I couldn't leave such an obvious flaw alone."
June nodded slowly, thinking it over. "I see… So, are you the real Arlon?"
Arlon's expression didn't change. "There is no 'real' or 'fake.'
We both share the sa thoughts, the sa mind, the sa awareness. Even now, I see what he's doing, and he sees what I'm doing.
But even if we didn't, it wouldn't matter.
We're made from the sa brain, so we think alike. We would act the sa way, make the sa choices. Whether it's him or standing here, the result wouldn't change."
June stared at him for a long mont, then nodded.
"I see."
She took a step closer and lowered her voice even more.
"You're the fake one, then."
Arlon's confident smirk froze.
"Wha—" He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Sigh… Yes, fine. I'm the doppelganger."
June grinned. "Thought so."
In the anti, Shirl was asking her own questions. "Since when did they get so close?"
Maria glanced at June and Arlon, then shrugged. "No idea. But June's the only one he seems to be talking to nowadays."
Shirl giggled. "I guess even Arlon isn't untouchable, huh?"
Pierre smirked. "Trust , we're still figuring that out."
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