After returning to the Plaza of Memories, Braeden picks a random inn that happens to use most of our savings pooled together. He says it's a necessary means of protection, so that we won't get PK-ed in our sleep. Although it should be at the top of my list of worries, my fatigue is taking precedence. I know the moment my head touches the pillow, I’ll be out like a light.

Yumi, Serafina, and I stay in one room, while Braeden and Mist are in the one next door to us. Although we’ve gone through four floors together, I still wasn’t completely comfortable around Serafina. Based on the limited interactions we have had, she seems like a genuinely kind person, who would stop at nothing to help her friends. For me, it’s enough for me to trust her, but that doesn’t mean I’m completely comfortable around her and ready to tell her all my deepest, darkest secrets.

“Doesn’t it make you guys feel a little awkward?” Serafina asks suddenly. She is standing by the window in a pink nightgown, staring at the full moon hanging high in the sky. Her lilac hair is not longer in two braids, as it now hangs loosely around her body, falling past her waist. Her glasses sit on the nightstand next to her bed.

“What does?” Yumi replies, joining her. Her blue nightgown flutters from the breeze of the slightly ajar window.

“The emptiness. Maybe it’s from being separated from our body, but I can’t help but feel a sense of doom looming over me. I know we’ve only been in the game for a few days, but I can’t get over this dread I’m feeling,” Serafina explains. “I used to think it would be cool if I could live in video games, but now that I’m trapped in one, all I can think about is all the regrets I’ll have if something happens to me while I’m here.”

“Our bodies in real life must be suffering from being under for so long. Imagine how coma patients must feel. Unable to eat, unable to drink, unable to speak to your loved ones before you potentially go off into what could be the last battle for your life,” Yumi tries to reassure her, patting her shoulder gently. “Sometimes we don’t realize just how good we have it until we lose it all. The only we can do is keep our head up and fight.”

“What happens if we’re stuck in this game forever?”

“We won’t be. Even if we aren’t the first to reach the ending of the game, there are millions of players here who have an equal chance of freeing us.”

I ball my hands into fists at my sides, annoyed with where the conversation has taken a turn. I hate the idea of waiting for someone to save me. If it’s one thing Maê ever taught me, it’s to never depend on anyone but myself. If I have the strength to get us out of here, then I’ll do it. If I don’t, then I’ll train harder to become stronger. Will Maê finally give me the recognition I desired from her if she finds out I’m one of the few people to help save millions of lives, all through a video game?

“I’m going to bed, and you two should probably do the same,” I say suddenly, curling into a ball under the bedsheets after pulling the covers over my head. “No sense worrying over something that may or may not happen,” I mutter.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Serafina begins to explain, but I hear Yumi cut her off.

“Don’t mind Mai. I know she comes off as harsh sometimes, but she’s been through a lot. All she wants is for us is to get some rest, and she’s right. It is getting late and we won’t be of use to the guild if we’re tired. If you ever need someone to talk to, we’ll always be here for you,” Yumi says in a low voice, even though I can still hear her.

I should agree with her, but I can’t bring myself to utter those words. How could I help someone when I couldn’t even help myself?

After a strangely restful night, we meet again in the Plaza of Memories, dressed and ready to take on the day’s challenges. Serafina runs towards us with Mist staggering closely behind, small brown bags of food carried carefully in their arms. Based on the buttery smell, I assumed they stopped by the bakery to pick up breakfast. My stomach rumbles on cue and all I can think of is tearing into the mystery food they’ve brought us.

“This was all we could afford,” Serafina says, handing a bag to each of us. “This one’s for you, Mai. It’s got mozzarella inside it,” she adds, noticing I’m watching it suspiciously. “Yumi mentioned you’re lactose intolerant. We can’t have our only mage getting sick.”

“Thanks,” I reply, taking the food she’s offering. Despite it being bread with cheese, the flavor is heavenly. When I take my first bite, I’m met with a soft, cloud-like texture. Ribbons of melted mozzarella are spread throughout the bread, revealing hidden flavors of garlic, parsley, and a subtle tomato sauce that reminds me of my favorite food, a caprese sandwich. Instinctively, I start humming to myself, as it’s something I always can’t help but do whenever I taste something breathtaking delicious. No words can describe how overjoyed I am.

I catch myself when I see Yumi snickering at me, having known all my habits. I glance at Serafina, who appears like she’s just seen something phenomenal. Braeden’s jaw nearly drops to the ground in shock, while Mist stares in amusement.

“Do you like it that much?” Serafina asks, her eyes watering.

I clear my throat, uncomfortable with all eyes on me. “It’s okay,” I lied, hoping it would get them to stop watching me so intently. “The bread could be a little firmer.”

“Oh, stop it!” Yumi exclaims, facing the others. “Mai does this all the time when she thinks something tastes good. You’re just lucky she’s not doing her little happy dance.”

“There’s a dance?” Braeden asks, bewildered. He turns around towards the bakery and adds, “Maybe we should get more. I could always kill more creeps before we go to the fifth floor.”

I glare at Yumi, sending her a single thought with my murderous stare: traitor. “No, this is more than enough,” I reply before anyone else gets any other bright ideas.

Braeden lets out a loud groan as he stretches his arms as far as he can. It’s annoyingly loud, but I’m noticing he does it every couple of hours. Every time, he stumbles back and Mist is there to catch him.

“Should we get new equipment for this new floor?” Yumi asks.

“With what money? Serafina probably spent the rest of what little we had on food,” I retort. She shrinks back at my words, so I explain, “What I mean is we’re low on money after spending it on what we need. There’s nothing to prepare at this point until we can get more gold, unless you want to find some secret dungeons to fight in.”

“Mai is right. The next floor is relatively easy and is a great place to pick up new gear for free, granted we win the competition. The drops have been pretty cruddy for most players, but I have a feeling the RNG will work in our favor,” Braeden chimes in. “Is anyone good at weaving? If not, we’re totally screwed.”

No one raises their hand, and for the first time, I worry that we’ve met our match. It’s not a strong boss or PK-ers, it’s the lack of life skills that may just be our undoing.