Chapter 142 - Onwards!

Days later, I had finally run out of bottles. All 1400 of them were used for bouncy potions. And honestly, my closet was filling up fast. I might have to start keeping the boxes just outside the door or something.

There was a few days left until Adam sends over the next supply of bottles, so, I was left with nothing to do.

Of course, I had the option of using the old bottles, but, I felt like the rest of my bouncy potions should be in the new bottle. This was the start of my new brand after all; I wanted people to associate those bottles with my potions.

It’s unfortunate that a good chunk of them are made using the old bottles. There’s a reality where I just keep those and not sell them if I didn’t need money for the house. Sadly, that reality isn’t this one.

Now I was left with a problem.

What do I do?

Until Adam sends over some more bottles, I have nothing but free time; I mean, I guess I could brew more mana potions to sell.

Eh…

You know what? I’ll just spend time with Luna! She’s preparing for her gate clear anyways. It’s time to be teacher Stella!

…

“So!” I pushed up my glasses, “Student Mouse, what is the weakness of a horned boar?”

“When they charge, they can’t easily change directions.” Luna answered.

“Good!” I handed her a star sticker, “And what is the most valuable part?”

“Their meat.” Luna said, wiping her mouth.

Pfft! This foodie is drooling over the thought of eating horned boar meat! Well, to be fair, I do hear that it’s on the same level as steak if not better.

We definitely have to reserve a bunch. As for why we don’t just buy it on the exchange? Don’t wanna! Bleh!

“Correct!” I gave her another golden star sticker, “Good job.”

Luna stuck it to her notebook and took a picture.

“Anything else?” I asked, reading through the list.

“I think that’s all?” Luna said uncertainly.

Teacher Stella—Or in other words, I—had gone over all the monsters in Luna’s gate and the terrain.

Even though it was a low-tier gate with ‘weak’ monsters, I was still concerned for Luna’s safety. You never know what could happen in battle after all.

So, was it a little excessive to give her another set of C- grade potions? Maybe. But, I’d rather it be excessive than not enough.

Some good news was that a lot of Luna’s party members are the same from her last gate. So, I knew they were trustworthy. According to Luna, it’s common for the association to group the same people together.

I heard that one of them was even planning to test the bouncy potion in the gate. So, I’m excited to hear how that goes.

“The gate’s tomorrow, right?” I asked.

“Yep,” Luna nodded, “I’m leaving in the morning and will likely be back around six P.M.”

“Mm.” I nodded, “Jean’s the party leader again, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I noticed that the party leader makes more money, is it hard?”

“Eh, it’s mainly more tedious than anything.” Luna shrugged, “With low-tier and lower mid-tier gates, it’s just about knowing what not to do. Past that is probably way more stressful.”

“Hm? Then are you uninterested in being one yourself?”

“Mhm,” Luna nodded, “Too much effort and work. I’d rather just do my job, get paid, and do it again for the next gate.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Aw, that’s a little bit of a shame. Imagining Luna standing on the back lines with crossed arms, sunglasses, a beret, and a lollipop in her mouth—since, I’d rather not see her with a cigar—calmly and coolly giving orders like some general would’ve been fun. But, to be fair, I wouldn’t want to lead a party either.

Let someone else more suited do that. From the knowledge I have of leading a party in games, it’s a huge hassle and annoyance. Plus, aren’t there actual skills or classes related to leadership? I’m not sure if Jean has one of those, but, it only makes sense to have those people lead.

“Fair.” I nodded.

“On a similar topic,” Luna started, “When are you going to continue climbing?” She asked.

“Next year,” I replied, “I’m busy with the bouncy potions at the moment, plus, I want drug mister to make me custom bottles when he moves to Florida.”

“Makes sense.” She nodded, “Custom bottles?” She asked.

“Hehe,” I giggled, “Secret~”

Luna rolled her eyes.

…

The next day, I hugged Luna as she prepared to leave.

“Stay safe, okay?” I said.

“I will.” Luna nodded.

“I have another reward for you if you come back uninjured.”

Luna perked up, looking slightly more excited.

“What is it?” She asked.

“Secret~” I whispered, putting my index finger to my lips.

“Hmph…Fine, keep your secrets.” Luna pouted.

“Hehe, just be excited for later.” I giggled, “Well, of course, unless you get injured, then you’ll be punished instead!”

“Just prepare the reward, I’ll see you later.” Luna said confidently with a smile.

“Alrighty then.” I smiled and we kissed.

Luna left and I was left alone in the house.

I stared at the door for a moment before stretching and heading to the bedroom. Come to think of it, I haven’t had much time to relax recently. And by relax, I mean playing games.

It’s been a while since I last booted up the computer myself, it’s usually Luna on it.

Taking a seat, I turned on the computer and paused.

Hm…What do I want to play? I haven’t played farming simulator in a while. That could be fun…

My eyes locked onto the ALG Royale application.

Well…I am getting a skin in the game soon, I should get more familiar with it. I wonder if Rumi’s on.

To check, I opened her stream and…

[GOD DAMN IT!!!]

[This is unplayable! Every single match I just get one hit! This ambushing meta sucks ass!] Rumi screamed.

On the screen was a large ‘You Died!’

The chat was spamming laughing emojis and teasing Rumi.

- LOLOLOL

- SO BAD

- LOLOLOL

- Back home, huh?

- I thought it was odd that the screen was in color for so long.

[Shut up!!!] Rumi yelled.

[It’s this stupid ambusher meta! They’re all hiding!!]

- Cope

- Cope

- LOLOLOL SO BAD

Pfft! Ambusher meta, huh? I wonder when the Little Bomber meta fell off. Well, no worries, I’ll be bringing it back. Hehe.

I sent Rumi a DM.

[BinLover: Games?]

I watched as Rumi stopped queuing for her next match, look over to the right, and raised her brows. An excited smile appeared on her VTuber’s model as she started typing a reply.

Throughout this, the chat noticed she was messaging someone and started being nosey.

- Hey! Who’re you messaging!?

- Tell us too, streamer!

- Don’t leave us out!

- She got a message and smiled! OMG it’s her boyfriend!

- Who is it!!!

[RumiVT: I’m on stream right now!]

[RumiVT: If you’re okay with that, let’s play!]

[RumiVT: It’s been so long! Mouse has been telling me you’ve been really busy recently!]

[BinLover: Yep! Super duper busy! Found myself some free time though! (happy raccoon icon)]

[RumiVT has started a call!]

When I joined the call, Rumi was talking to the viewers.

[Everyone! Slight change of plans! Today, we have a special guest!] Rumi said,

[Someone who hasn’t appeared on stream in so very long, is finally back!]

- ??

- Who is it?

- Special guest!

- Woo! Special guest!

- Duo queue ranked?

[I think you’ll all be excited to see her again, so, allow-]

“It’s me! It’s me!” I cut in, “Hi, chat!!”

[HEY! BIN! You can’t just ruin the surprise!]

“Bleh! Hehe!”

- Bin!

- It’s Bin!

- OMG Bin! Yay!!

- It’s been so long!

- Creator of the Little Bomber meta herself!

- The rich B-grade alchemist!

“How’s everyone doing?” I asked.

[I’m doing-] Rumi started,

“Not you! I was talking to chat!”

- So rude, to cut into our conversation like that, Rumi!

- I’m doing great! What about you, Bin?

- >Returns >Bullies Rumi >We’re so back. I missed you, Bin!

[What do you mean you were talking to chat?! Where’s my greetings!?] Rumi shouted.

“Oh, it’s you, Rumi.” I said with a tone that sounded like I was brushing her off.

[HEY!]

- LOLOLOL

- Rumi, the forever bully-able streamer!

- God, I missed Bin so much.

“I’m joking!” I giggled, “Hi, Rumi!! It’s been so long since we’ve last talked! It’s great to see you again!” I said excitedly.

[You haven’t changed at all!] Rumi laughed, [It’s good to see you again.]

“Oh? Only ‘good’? I see that I’m the only one excited…It’s okay, I don’t mind.” I said sadly.

- Poor Bin…

- Wow, Rumi is so mean.

- My day’s been good, thank you for asking. I think it’s FANTASTIC to see you again, Bin!

- Rumi is a bully :(

[NO! I mean, it’s obviously great to see you! I didn’t mean it like that!]

“No, no, I get it, I’m just not a great person to see, it’s fine.”

[Bin! Don’t do this to me!] Rumi pleaded.

“Bahahaha!” I laughed, “I’m kidding! Kidding!”

[Ah!!]

- LOLOLOL

- LOLOLOL

- LOLOLOL

[You’re so mean!] Rumi shouted as if she was upset, but her VTuber model was smiling.

“Sorry~ How about we play together to make it up?”

[You stole the words right of my mouth! I’ll invite you.]

I joined her lobby a few moments later.

Compared to her level 140, I was a measly level 8.

[Darn, we can’t play ranked. You really haven’t touched the game since we last played, huh?]

“Yeah, haha,” I scratched the back of my head, “What level do you need for ranked?”

[20.] She answered, [Probably about 10 hours of normal play?]

“Gotcha, gotcha.” I said, “Oh! By the way,”

[Yes?]

“Did you watch that new teaser posted?” I asked.

[Chaotic Christmas? I did!]

“What’d you think?”

[That the new season is going to be extremely chaotic! It’s gonna be a blast, it’s unconfirmed, but, I’m pretty sure they’re overhauling the production system in the game. I can’t wait to try it!] Rumi said excitedly. She really was passionate about this game.

“Me too, me too,” I nodded, “I really hope the alchemy system gets super detailed!”

[I hope they cater to both. I want an advanced system and a simple system. I think having the ability to switch between the two would be amazing]

“I don’t mind either way as long as I can blow things up! Hehe!”

- Hm…

- Little Bomber meta coming back?

- Oh no…We won’t be able to walk anywhere safely anymore!

[Such an explosion maniac, you and the Little Bomber seem similar in that regard.]

- Sus!

- Very suspicious…

“I mean, who doesn’t love explosions?” I chuckled.

[True, true,] Rumi’s model nodded, [By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, what have you been up to recently? All I’ve heard from Mouse is that you’ve been very busy.]

“I’ve been preparing to move!” I said, “Mouse and I are trying to get a house built, so, we’ve been very busy with that.”

[Oh my goodness! Congratulations!] Rumi clapped, [That’s so exciting! Hey, invite me to the housewarming party!] She joked.

“Of course! You’re invited!”

[Wait, I was joking!]

“Too late! Hehe, if you don’t come, you’re a bad guest!”

[Ahh! Fine! I’ll be there for sure!]

“No, no, you don’t have too, haha,” I chuckled, “I know you VTubers like anonymity and stuff like that.”

[Well, I think we’re close enough for it to be fine. Actually, I’d like to meet you and Mouse some day, I think the housewarming would be a perfect time for it.] Rumi said.

“Oh shucks, you’re gonna make me blush, hehe!” I giggled, “Alright! Onwards! Send us in!”

[Sending it!]

- Wait! We’re skipping past the part where Bin said that her and Mouse are building a house TOGETHER?

- OMG Is it canon!?

- Yuri!???!

- Confirmed??

- They’ve obviously been dating since the last time we saw Bin, lol.

- Hold on! Streamer! Bin! Spill the tea!! I need to know everything!!