Reunions and new encounters

Hello everyone!!

Since I started my search on the way home, many things have happened (not really), I've overcome many challenges, and I've grown as a person. So, only one question remains:

Why am I getting further and further away?!

<"Do you want to give up?">

"Not yet!!"

That's right, I'm currently in a sparsely traveled area of Central City I've never seen before, and it's getting later and later.

The worst part is that Echidna keeps whispering temptations for me to give in and call Mom (possessed) once and for all to get home fast.

But I won't fall!!

My will is as strong (perhaps?) as a mountain!

I must ignore the "temptation" that tries to corrupt my noble spirit, leading me down the easy path of returning to my (possessed) mother's skirts for help.

<"You're aware that it's getting dark, right?">

"We have to have faith, Echidna, I'm sure I'll make it."

<"Ha... alright, let's try to believe your meager possibility...">

Even though I detected a lot of sarcasm and weariness in Echidna's voice, I decided to take that vote of confidence to continue my journey.

"Huh? Wait a minute! Is that?!"

But I stopped immediately when I saw a familiar store.

"It really is here!!"

That's right, before my eyes was the same store where I got the game "Virtual Dimension," which I've been quite addicted to lately.

A small question arises, though: was the store always here? I mean, I know I didn't pay attention to the path last time, but I'm at least sure I'd never passed through this place until now.

How can I be so sure?

That's easy: by noticing that gigantic statue made of solid gold, made to represent Central City, in the center of the park that can be seen from here thanks to its enormous size.

But maybe it's just my mistake!!

So I happily decided to enter the store, where the same kind salesman from last time, who gave me the game at a discount, was waiting for me.

Why such a positive opinion?

Well, dear reader, that's due to two factors!

The first is that thanks to the game he gave me, I got Raina as a playable character, whom I've grown quite fond of, even if we ignore the terrible state they left her in at first.

After all, now Raina and I are at the top of the best!!

Besides, after thinking about it, he only sold me the game and wasn't the player responsible for the state the game was in when he gave it to me, so I only feel a certain degree of gratitude towards him.

And the second factor?

Well, that's because of his emotional treatment of customers. I mean, as soon as he saw me come in, he got so happy he made an incredible expression, smiling with tears in his eyes while trembling.

He even had a slightly broken voice from emotion!!

So, moved by his devotion, I energetically approached to ask if he had other games as good as "Virtual Dimension," and after seriously listening to my question, he handed me a new game to play.

Although this time, sadly, the game seemed to be for a single player only, but seeing how desperately he tried to sell it to me and how much he seemed to care about my safety getting home, I decided to buy it while saying goodbye.

So, having obtained this new game, that's how I regained my confidence to continue, believing that nothing could go wrong...

"Bzzz♡Bzzz♡Bzzz♡Slurpppppp♡"

"Huh?!"

Until a mysterious naked woman crawled out on all fours and tried to violateme... I've said this several times today already... However... Why does this keep happening?!!

What have I ever done to you, world?!

You know what?

This isn't going to stop me!!

Did you hear me?!