"It's not an illusion. The text is really floating in front of my eyes. If I take off the helmet, I can't see it anymore."
"But why? This helmet doesn't even have a visor or goggles. How is this countdown appearing? Projection technology? But I don't see any projection devices either."
Ethan Carter inspected the helmet over and over but still couldn't figure it out. It was driving him crazy.
"No, I can't be the only one suffering like this."
Thinking this, Ethan immediately called his best friend, Dylan, saying he had an urgent matter and needed his help right away.
Dylan didn't suspect anything and quickly arrived at Ethan's house.
"What's so urgent that you had to drag me over here? I didn't even have time to fix my hair before coming."
The moment he stepped inside, Dylan started complaining. He was extremely vain, and going out without styling his hair was torture for him.
"Well, it's not really a big deal… No, it is a big deal! A huge deal!"
Seeing Dylan rolling up his sleeves, Ethan quickly corrected himself.
Then, he explained everything from start to finish.
"So you clicked a game beta sign-up link, then a helmet got delivered to your doorstep, and when you put it on, it showed a countdown for the beta?" Dylan summarized.
"Yeah, and the game claims to be a virtual reality experience," Ethan nodded.
"Are you sure you're not filming some prank video?"
Dylan looked around, trying to spot hidden cameras.
"I'm sure. If I'm lying, I'll never marry Miku in this lifetime!"
"Uh… okay, I'll believe you for now."
He knew how much Miku meant to Ethan, so he was mostly convinced.
"Where's the helmet? I want to try it on."
"Hold on, I'll get it for you." Ethan went inside and brought out the helmet, handing it to Dylan, who put it on.
"You're sure you see a countdown when you wear it? I don't see anything." Dylan took it off, confused.
"What? No way, I can definitely see it." Ethan snatched the helmet back and put it on himself. Once again, the text and countdown appeared before his eyes.
"Looks like the helmet is personally bound. Only the owner can see it. But how did the manufacturer get your biometric data?" Dylan was puzzled.
"How should I know? The address part can be explained by tracking my IP from the link, but the personal binding is really hard to explain."
"So what are you gonna do? Call the cops?"
"And tell them what? That I clicked a game beta link, got a free helmet, and nothing bad happened?" Ethan rolled his eyes.
"Fair point. And since the helmet is personally bound, no one else can see anything when they wear it, so they'd never believe you."
"Whatever. I'll just wait until tomorrow to see what this game is all about." Ethan sounded resigned.
"That's all we can do for now. If there's nothing else, I'll head back. Send me the link too—I'll sign up and see what happens."
"Sure. And since you have a doorbell camera, maybe you can catch who delivers the package."
After seeing Dylan off, Ethan picked up the game helmet again.
"I hope you'll surprise me tomorrow."
"Munch munch!" (So tasty!)
"Slow down, no one's fighting you for it."
Leon lifted Bounsweet slightly—it was practically diving face-first into its food bowl.
"Look how much Bounsweet is enjoying the food. Seems like it tastes pretty good. You sure you don't want to try some?" Leon turned to Scyther.
"Scy!" Scyther scoffed and turned its head away.
"I know you're upset. Back then, Father only took Nidoking to fight off the stampede and left you behind in the territory. You feel abandoned, don't you?"
"Scy!" (Not at all!)
"Then you know you weren't abandoned. Father left you in the territory to deal with any stragglers. Some Pokémon always slip past the front lines."
Leon slowly moved closer to Scyther as he spoke.
"And he was right. Without you, the damage to our territory wouldn't have been just a few destroyed houses."
"Scy?" Scyther looked at Leon in confusion.
In its memory, the young master had always been afraid of them, never daring to get this close.
"Father is missing. Everyone is heartbroken, but that's no excuse to give up. Father left you here because he trusted you to protect this land—the land he poured his heart into."
Leon tried to make his voice sound more passionate.
"But the way you are now, you can't even protect the territory. You're barely keeping it from falling apart. Is this how you repay Father's trust? Or did the stampede scare you so much that you'd rather waste away here?"
"Scy!" Scyther angrily raised its head, glaring at Leon.
Leon didn't back down. Instead, he stepped even closer.
"What? Isn't that the truth? You won't even eat—are you trying to starve yourself to death just to escape reality?"
Leon placed a hand on Scyther's shoulder.
"Even a coward like me, who's been scared of you all my life, can pull myself together for the sake of the territory. I'm even touching you now. What's your excuse?"
Scyther looked at the hand on its shoulder, its anger slowly fading.
Though it hadn't watched Leon grow up like Nidoking had, they had still spent years together. It knew how deeply Leon had feared them.
Yet now, for the sake of the territory, Leon was willing to make contact. That shook Scyther to its core.
"Besides, Father is only missing. If he comes back one day and sees you like this, how disappointed would he be?" Leon softened his tone.
"Don't betray Father's trust. Pull yourself together. Help me protect this land, okay?"
He pushed the food closer.
Scyther looked at the food, then at Leon's face—so much like his father's—and finally lowered its head to eat.
Leon watched Scyther eating, feeling a pang of guilt.
His words had been harsh, even a little manipulative.
But he had no choice. The territory was in ruins, and they desperately needed Scyther's strength.
Yet Scyther was too proud. No amount of gentle persuasion would work. He had to provoke its fighting spirit.
"Young Master, Sir Walter has something to report. He's waiting in the study."
"Understood. Come on, Bounsweet. Let's give Scyther some space."
Leon carried Bounsweet back to the study.
"Master Leon, the damage assessment is complete. Twenty-eight houses are severely destroyed—basically uninhabitable. Nearly a hundred more need repairs. But we don't have enough lumber in the territory."
Walter launched into his report the moment Leon entered.
"And during the stampede, to secure better visibility and build defenses, Lord Nord ordered all trees near the territory to be cut down. Now, if we want lumber, we have to go into Glowfern Forest. But the loggers refuse to go, too afraid of the wild Pokémon. They'd rather take punishment than risk it. What should we do?"
"If they won't go, we can't force them. The stampede just ended—people are still shaken. Pushing too hard would backfire. Forget the punishment. Once we get lumber, have them help with repairs."
"As for the lumber issue, I'll handle it. Prepare some transport carts for tomorrow." Leon ordered.
"Understood! I'll arrange it immediately."
Once Walter left, Leon looked at the mark on his hand.
"Perfect first quest for the players. The locals fear Pokémon, but the players won't. Let them see how amazing Pokémon can be."
"Everything's ready. Now we just need the players. I hope everyone who signed up logs in tomorrow."
Leon was full of anticipation for the next day.