Level 3

Dinner was ready, and the family was already seated around the dinner table, eating.

Xiao Yun almost teared up after tasting the food his mother made. He has been longing for this ever since he had joined the military. And because of his circumstances, he was barely able to eat any real food for the past few years.

Xiao Bing was sitting on the opposite side of Xiao Yun, and Xiao Rong sat right next to him, literally. Their chair was so close it was virtually glued together.

"When is dad coming home?" asked Xiao Yun.

"Because of work, he won't be back till midnight," his mother replied.

"Nothing has changed about him, huh."

His father working from morning until midnight, it was not anything unusual because he has been doing it since he can remember.

But now that he is back, that will all change…

"Call me when dad returns. I have a surprise for the both of you," he said.

"A surprise? Since when were you the type to give surprises?" his mother chuckled.

"Did I not tell you just this morning? One's change and only be noticed through---"

His mother interrupted him, "Through time, right? You cheeky one."

Xiao Yun smiled at her words.

"Big Brother, where did you go for the last four years? Mom only told us that you went to school overseas, but not where."

Xiao Rong asked him with curiosity.

"I went to around the world, with most of my time spent in Russia and Japan," he said.

"Wow! So cool!"

"Hmph! Four years and not a single letter, let alone call. What were you learning in school to make you so busy? How to jump dimensions?" Xiao Bing sneered at him.

After a long battle with herself inside her mind, she has decided to continue with her current character.

Making a surprised face, he said, "How did you know?!"

Seeing his obviously fake surprised look, Xiao Bing frowned and continued eating.

Xiao Yun chuckled at her reaction. He really missed this kind of atmosphere.

"I heard you also play Second Life Online?" he suddenly mentioned the game.

Hearing something unexpected coming out of his mouth, her ears twitched. She was clearly interested in where this was going.

"You play too?" she spoke in a low voice. She was unwilling, but her curiosity overtook her emotions.

He nodded.

"What level are you?"

"I just started this morning, so I am only Level 3."

"Pleh, so you're a noob. Go away."

Xian Yun laughed at her words. She was right. He was a noob.

"Then you're a professional player?" he asked.

"Of course--- not. You think I can be a Ranker? Are you stupid?"

"Ranker? What's that?"

"Che. You don't even know what a Ranker is? You are worse than a noob. You are more of a caveman with your knowledge."

Xiao Yun laughed even more. Even though he was being insulted, he did not find it offense. Instead, he actually found it funny.

"Listen up, noob. A Ranker is another name for professional players, and there are only a few thousand of them out of the hundreds of millions of players. If you think someone like me can become a Ranker, then the title Ranker would not be so prestigious and nobody would treat them like gods."

"Gods?"

"Even the weakest Ranker can solo an entire team, let alone the monsters at the top. They are so good at this game that people no longer see them as humans."

"Hmmm… Is that so… Then do you want to become one of those so-called Rankers?"

"Hah? Did you not hear a thing I just said? All Rankers are inhuman, each with strength and abilities that surpasses what a normal human is capable of. You think someone like me can become someone like that?"

"I never asked if you think you could become one. I asked if you want to become one."

Xiao Bing frowned at his words. What kind of question was that? Any player of Second Life Online wished to become a Ranker and stand in a spotlight, so why wouldn't she? Of course, she wanted to become a Ranker.

"Yes, I do," she finally replied, her words filled with yearning.

Xiao Yun smiled at her words and said, "Then I will help you become a Ranker, how about it?"

Xiao Bing was totally dumbfounded this time around. This noob said he was going to make her a Ranker? That sounded so retarded it cannot even be called a joke. Not only was he a noob, he is also far behind those who started two months ago. Hell, even those who started a month ago is already so far ahead there was almost no chance to catch up.

As if he could read her mind, he continued, "Just because I am new does not mean I am incapable of catching up to those so called Rankers, you know? I can make you into a Ranker… If that is what you want."

Xiao Bing frowned upon hearing that.

His voice sounded confident. His eyes showed that he was confident. Even the aura around him said he was confident. Where is he getting his confidence from?!

"Why are you so confident?" she could not help but ask. "Why do you want to go through so much trouble to help me?"

"This is the least I can do for you after leaving without a word. You can call it my apology," he said, "And as your Big Brother, I have the responsibility to make my little sister stand in a spotlight," he showed her a gentle smile, making her blush.

After trying so hard to not to stutter, she said, "Oh yeah? Then if you can become a Ranker and claim a spot in the next SLO Tournament finals, then I will swallow my pride and call you Big Brother for the rest of my life, listening to your every word without arguing back!"

"Acting so cheeky when you used to call me Big Brother? Good! I will accept that challenge. What are Rankers anyways? Nothing but an empty title."

"You dare look down on the title of a Ranker?! Just you wait! I cannot wait to watch you slowly give up and see that devastating face of yours!"

"And I cannot wait to hear the sweet words 'Big Brother is so cool' coming out of your big mouth!"

"In your fucking dreams, you pervert!"

Their mother silently watched them with a smile on her face, 'I have not seen her so pumped up for so long… Ever since he left, maybe?' she thought to herself.

"Big Brother, I also want to play this game!" Xiao Rong interrupted.

"Ah? You are too little," he said.

"Boooo!" she booed and as he laughed.