THE ILLUSION

Deal

When the camera was turned off…

"Please welcome, Merin Noella Amyra from A-Class!" The female voice inside the speaker filled the hall ceiling. Unexpectedly, it turns out that Merin is already in it. Abandoning the drone which she considers a stupid object.

   

The calculation is right on target. If Eldric was about to launch a mission just as her name was called, she would have made her move five minutes earlier. Of course, Eldric wouldn't let Iron and Scarlett run over her half naked. Merin was sure she would turn off their holographic warden's function.

   

The drone will stop detecting its presence when in the toilet. That's when Merin switched roles with her paid person. She will ask the person to hold on until a drone comes at her.

   

Merin came out in denim, jeans, and hair tucked into a black hat. The girl squealed as she managed to get past the drone.

   

She felt proud that she had taken over just because of constipation.

"Check inside!" Eldric ordered.

The corners of Olivia's lips were pulled up. "Are you sure?"

"We have to check it out! What if something happened to Merin?" Eldric ordered again with a rising voice. It was quite surprising for the three members. Eldric's attitude suddenly became sensitive after learning about Isabella's autopsy results.

   

Loey moves the drone. Eldric leaned towards the screen with a furrowed brow. His gaze followed as the drone moved upwards, through the toilet cubicle that Merin had entered. Finally, his eyelids widened when he saw someone else waving and smiling at the camera.

"She ran away? Since when?" Jasper asked still gasping.

Eldric made a terrible chuckle. He lowered his head, gripping the surface of the table tightly.

"My careless habits are the trouble!" Eldric's angry expression was the exact opposite of his chuckle. Make the three members look at each other.

"Eldric, it's nothing. She only made a small delay to the mission," Olivia said cautiously.

   

"THAT SMALL DELAY GETS HER OUT OF OUR OVERVIEW!!!"

   

Olivia gaped after receiving a shout from her leader. It was the first time for that blonde girl to get it. Eldric turned around, pressing his forehead hard. This time, he tried to lower his voice even though there was still some tension in it.

   

"We can't let anything happen to her while we're off guard." After making a warning, Eldric grabbed his coat and tried to walk out. His hands were clenched. Various negative thoughts began to struggle, this was because he could not predict what the invisible enemy would do.

   

"Eldric, where are you going?" Olivia try to stop him before Eldric opens the headquarters door.

   

"You're not going to see her, aren't you?" Olivia pleaded with Eldric for clarity through her eyes. She begged Eldric to not say yes. However, Eldric did not budge. He couldn't even explain what was going on in his heart. About his worries. For him, the only way to quell all of that was to be by Merin's side.

***

Merin took off her hat. Let every strand of hair fall loose. The girl went up the stage holding the laptop. Her smile was matched by the resolute gaze that was fixed on the councilors. Her energy seemed to have caught their eye. This can be seen in gestures of their enthusiasm. Their gazes were so focused on the girl. One of them rubbed the back of his hand, a sign of impatience.

   

The operator signals that the device is connected to the big screen. Merin nodded. Her body began to sway in all directions, trying to dominate the stage while explaining the concept design of the RealGame—Merin's project—that she wanted to create. Many people were amazed by her straightforward delivery. Not to mention the information displayed on the big screen. Nods and smiles often appear on the faces of the council.

   

Merin almost concluded. According to her plan, she would descend carefreely. Then, carry out her fantasy mission with success. Merin clasped her hands together, she was determined to make the image in her mind 100% real.

   

"Would be awesome, wouldn't it? If we can play without physical aids, but directly execute in the game itself," said Merin. The large screen behind her displayed an illustration of someone running a battle in a virtual world.

   

"I will try my best to show the details of progress in the next trial. For that, I hope the RealGame concept can pass the trial this time."

   

One of the councilors who occupied the middle position turned on the mic. "Okay, let's see if any company will accept your concept. Thank you for the presentation."

Merin was greeted by loud applause from the audience. Succeed. She managed to get through one of the most important things in her life without getting scratched. Even though that girl has grown up with people's applause. This time it sounded different, clapping them seemed to make endorphins skyrocket.

   

Unfortunately, bad luck always comes to hit happiness. We are commanded to endure hardship for a long time, but too short to enjoy happiness.

   

As soon as she put down the wireless mic, the girl's gaze instantly stiffened. A drone shot in at full speed. She swallowed. Not now, let me get out of here first, She thought. Without thinking, Merin intended to run from that place. Herd drone away from there. However, something happened. She couldn't move. Her feet seemed to stick to the tiles. Her body froze. Every word stuck in her throat with pursed lips.

   

Oh, come on! What happens? Her mind panicked. Merin looked up, making eye contact with the drone. Don't... now. She pleaded in her heart. Hoping that the little twinkle in her pupil could send the signal of the request. However, in vain. In her confusion, Merin's eardrums still caught the audience. Again and again, the council turned on the mic and asked if she was okay.

   

The drone is back in action.

   

A tremor was felt in Merin's blue eyes. Popping a notification that something will come out, either a mission or something she couldn't predict.

Loading all new characters . . .

   

Merin furrowed her brows. Looks like this time's mission will be completely different. Why did she have to be made into a statue? What are they planning? Cold sweat dripped down Merin's body.

-SUCCEED-

   

The drone move around her. The device repeatedly showered the tiles with black smoke. Steaming upwards and forming several black-robed humans. At the same time, the big screen announced to everyone.

-PART OF THE GAME SIMULATION-

All successful people thought it was a surprise. The only person who looked stupid was Merin herself. She couldn't understand the expressions of people suddenly nodding and smiling, then looking enthusiastic again. What does all this mean? The presentation has ended, why are they still waiting for it?

   

A slide of big screen changes. Everyone looked amazed. The world of holograms that Merin could see through a smart lens could now be seen by everyone. Including the humans in black robes. Another black-robed human slipped from behind the stage, and just at that moment, Eldric dashed in. He had no time to be surprised, to ask, or to think.

   

The sneaker hid the dagger under the sleeves of his long robe. He mingles with the other holographic characters. Taking a step towards Merin.

One more step, the dagger would stab into her chest.

   

Eldric pulled Merin's body in his arms. The man's hand slipped, causing the knife to only graze Eldric's shoulder. Perhaps the sneaker didn't think his plan would fail either. He immediately stuttered and disappeared behind the stage.

   

At this moment, the council and the audience were staring at the man in the black hat on the stage. Eldric buried his face in Merin's shoulder so that his disguise would not be exposed. Merin was still panting. Eldric's ears could hear her heartbeat.

   

"It's okay, close your eyes slowly." Eldric whispered. He pressed the earphone to his ear and spoke firmly.

   

"Shut down the whole system. All of them."

***

The wall of the heart already stands majestically in Merin's soul. Timeless, even stronger. Countless thousands of arrows have been broken. However, with just one hug, the blue-eyed girl felt an unusual ruin. She didn't know it, tears started to well up in her eyes. She wanted to stop time. Feel longer the warmth that has been waiting for half of her life.

For a second, she really enjoyed it. However, at another second, she felt scared. For the first time, her fears surfaced. Afraid of being thrown back by the fact that this man in her arms only saw her as a monster.

   

The system has been shut down. Merin felt her vision shrink, indicating that her original eyeball function had returned. Meanwhile, the smartphone is still there. Sliding behind her shiny black eyes.

   

The girl's shoulders finally relaxed. Her hand gently squeezed Eldric's coat, an attempt to prove her body was in control. Merin chuckled, very thinly. So only Eldric could hear it.

   

"In the end… you met me."

   

Merin could hear the man's gulping of saliva.

   

"Finish your show." Eldric ordered. He immediately turned Merin's body.

   

The silence in the hall was about to end. Following Merin who came back with the best smile. Calming hundreds of people in front of her. They had been waiting for how the simulation game would end. The game that almost took the girl's life.

   

"Every game must have a hero. I'm sure RealGame will have heroes —just like the one you've seen before."

***   

   

The roar of the motorbike raced with the horns of other drivers. Eldric almost broke the traffic rules. Overtake anything that gets in its way.

   

If only Merin hadn't hit him on the back, Eldric would still have been going at full speed.

   

Taking a break is the best way to calm yourself down.

   

"Control yourself, Professor." Merin glanced briefly at Eldric's shoulder. The coat was torn, not sure if it penetrated deep.

   

Eldric seemed fine and Merin didn't want to seem too concerned.

   

"I don't want to die twice," Merin snarled. She tried to hide her worries.

   

"This is not true. What kind of person would dare to hack into our system and harm you?" Eldric growled as he hit the motorcycle handlebar.

   

Merin bit her lip, her eyeballs moving to all sides. Many things could be possibilities. Eldric's rival, someone who hates projects, enemies in a blanket, or maybe just a prankster. However, Merin was too hesitant to speak. What's more, she doesn't have any alibi yet.

   

Eldric snorted again.

   

"While I'm dealing with the chaos at headquarters, I'll take you to a safe house. Hang in there. I'm the only one you can call, only I can—" He didn't know what else to say.

   

Merin frowned with her fingers twisting her hair.

   

"Why should I let you break the rules? Vain yesterday I was electrocuted—"

   

"Because from the start you were my treasure!" Eldric shouted, "I won't let anyone touch it."

   

Suddenly, Merin dropped her hand and silent like a cold cat.

   

"Trust me if you don't want to be the victim of the project." Eldric was again darting on the streets that began to swing.