Hail_The_loli

"Ah... Finally done,"
Renji leaned back in his chair as the game he had been playing for many years reached 100% cleranse, with all achievement and none of his waifus or people dying.
"Hm... there is still one final scene left. Is it my victory ccg or smt like that!?"
"I'll check that later,"
He stretched, feeling his stiff muscles craking. and shut down his computer.
"Guess I should go get some snaks ... Or at least a drink."
Without changing out of his t-shirt and sweatpants, Renji headed out. He slipped on his sneakers and stepped into the evening air.
The setting sun caught him by surprise. 
"... Wait... how long did i play this time!? Sigh... i need to stop playing that hard or my death will be on that chair." 
Renji walked towards the convenience store while his mind was still half in the game world. Halfway there, he noticed a woman standing on the sidewalk. Something about her made him stop and stare for a long time. Her golden hair seemed to shimmer in the fading light, and her eyes... there was something familiar about them... 'Heh!? is that elves ears!?'
The Woman came closer to him and before passing him, she said in a sweet voice, *Good luck Ash...*
Renji: "?_?"
Before Renji could process what was happening, she was gone. He blinked and rubbed his eyes
"Am I seeing things?" he mumbled to himself. "Ah... they say gaming for too long drives you crazy... i need to lessen them..."
After sighing helplessly, he continued to the store. In the brightly lit store, Renji grabbed an energy drink and paid without a word.
As he walked back to his apartment, he couldn't shake the strange encounter from his mind. 
Back in his room, Renji paused. His computer screen was still on, and the game was still running.
"That's weird," he said. "I thought I closed it."
*Thanks for Playing!*
As Renji looked at the screen showing a "congrats" message with fireworks, and a side note near the inbox, icon, 
"Hmm!? a gift for finishing the game!?"
[Congratulations, You have fulfilled the requirements to unlock *******  Would you like to proceed?]
Renji: "?_?"
----

Fallen Chronicles

This chapter might seem a bit confusing, but it will become clearer with the next two chapters.

"Thank you for your diligence. If you're tired, you're welcome to rest in my carriage."

"No, no, Lord Charl, your kindness to us is as heavy as a mountain. Now is our time to repay. Until you are completely safe, we cannot afford any slack."

"You... sigh! You really don't have to do this. As Relic Users, you all have bright futures ahead, no need to hang your hopes on me. If we encounter an insurmountable enemy, forget about me and save yourselves."

Charl faked a helpless sigh, and as expected, his words only stoked the loyalty of the six guards outside the carriage.

"If Lord Charl is gone, what purpose do we have left?"

"Whoever dares abandon Lord Charl, I will be the first to slay them!"

"And Lord Charl, please don't say such things again!"

Chapter 173: The Unexpected Encounter