*Riley's P.O.V.*

Since the announcement almost a week ago saying that the Battle of the Musicians will happen a lot earlier, I did nothing but to level up inside the game and I myself is shocked on how much progress I have made. It's like I doubled my level for just a week and that's just insane! I'm around level 315 now and I've only seen a couple of other players having this high of a level. It actually scared me, it's like I'm not doing anything more but to level up.

"Phoenix, are you sure you're still sleeping and taking a break in the real world? This could possibly kill you." my close friend in the game, MB, told me. He'd been my partner since he got here and I'm honestly way closer with him compared to my other friends in here. I have no idea what this player has, but he's just relaxing and fun to be with. And I also think he feels the same way to me.

We're currently in the main city of the game, just hanging around this pub eating this pixelated and fake food.

"I honestly don't know." I joked and laughed at him, I really think it's cute that he worries about my real life.

"All this will go to waste if your body became weak in the real life. You should take care of yourself there too." he said and I felt bad for teasing him.

"Don't worry, I was just kidding. I'm taking care of myself all the time. I'm a healthy person out there, believe me. Just get the socializing aspect of being healthy, and I'm all good." I said and he chuckled.

"You're really funny, and I don't think you're an introvert outside. Look at you here, you're friendly, popular and kind! Surely you have a lot of companions back in the real world." he told me and I just lowly laughed at him.

"You don't know me, MB. And really let's just leave it like that." I told him with a sad smile.

Over the course of being friends in here, I and this player were always talking about something different...It really feels like we're friends, not just gamers who just met in the game. I think it's safe to say that I somehow know how this guy thinks and what his personality is. Seriously, he's all out in here...just literally making friends like in the real world. I always remember his reason for being in here, make friends, I always find it weird but I think he's saying the truth. I really think he's an amazing person outside this game too, someone who's very friendly and positive for my envious and negative attitude.

"Oh come on, I bet you're an amazing person. I really hope we'll meet someday in the real world." he said with a smiled. "Okay, that sounded a little creepy, I'm sorry." he said then his character blushed and so did mine.

"Yeaaah, a little creepy! But maybe...who knows? I actually trust you more than anyone in here and my instincts tells that what I see here is what I get from you in the real world. Not some creepy old guy down in their basement who's preying on gamers." I joked and we both laughed.

"Well, same here, Phoenix. I really trust you too, and to show that...Maybe I'll tell you my real name and so you can call me with that name too because MB is a little awkward for a name." he said and I can't believe he'll really tell me this.

I always find people around me telling me not to trust anyone in this gaming world and like I said they could be old predators that wants to literally play with us, but somehow I trust my instincts now and I can say that this player infront of me is always telling the truth and I'm up to trust him and risk it.

"Just call me Martin from now on, that's a part of my real name." he said with a cute smile and I nodded at him.

"Nice name, well if you want, call me Riley. That's my real name and you're the only one who knows that here." I told him, totally trusting the guy now.

"So I guess our friendship leveled up?" he playfully asked.

"Hmmm, maybe? If you accompany me to pass my application for the competition, it probably will level up." I teased him and he just chuckled.

"Let's do it, then." he enthusiastically said.

-------------

I and Martin began to walk towards the City Hall to pass my application to enter this Battle of Musicians. I came in second place last year and I promise that I'll win this competition now, I've worked hard for this and I do hope that it all pays off. A lot may say that its only a game, but for me...this is an achievement and I'll not back down.

We finally arrived at the place and there's a lot of people who's passing their application, but the moment I went inside the much noise w and a lot of people stared at me. I gave them a reluctant smile, my name had been going around recently because of the insane amount of levels I am having due to my training. Some of these are fans and some are haters.

"Well, the cheater decided to show up." I suddenly heard and its from this fucking guy that had been bullying me since the moment I got in this game. He emerged from the crowd and he faced me in there while a lot of other players are around us.

I just smiled at him, not letting him taunt me.

"Hey, Kronos. Really living up to your username huh? Always have been the bad guy." I told him sassily and he chuckled at me coldly.

"At least I'm not a cheater, like you. You shouldn't be able to enter this competition, Phoenix Girl. You should be disqualified." he told me.

"Your jealousy is showing, careful Kronos. You're a beta tester too and you know that beta testers CANNOT use any cheat or else their character will be erased." I told him and he just remained silent. "All this, I've gained this with fair and square, so please shut up ---

"Then I challenge you right here, right now, Phoenix Girl. A music battle, BUT...we turn off the game's beat guide. It's just real life." he suddenly said with a smirk and god I would have attacked him if we're not inside the city right now.

I stiffened in there, this guy for some hell's reason knows that I'm only good at music because of this game, but back in the real life I'm nothing but a fail.

"Come on, the all popular Phoenix Girl. A Music battle...a hundred levels on the bet too. You win, I'll give you a hundred level from mine and I win you give a hundred level of yours. What do you say, huh?" he kept on saying. He's around level 249 now, a quite high level to be honest...but it doesn't depend on that now...now it depends on our real life skill which I suck at!

"Have you always been doing this? Funny how you want to boycott the level of another player. Why turn of the game's guide? This isn't the real life, dude. Play by the game's rule and win fair and square just like what she did." suddenly, Martin spoke. He was so sassy while he said that and he's just standing beside me.

Kronos just laughed at him, looking down at him like a little bug which I think is a big mistake.

"Now who's this? Your boyfriend?" he mocked and he looked at Martin's level and laughed loudly again. "Level 57?! What a joke." he continued.

"Well, how about you and me, huh? Since it seems like level is important to you, fine. You and me, music battle right now with the game's guide off. You win, you take every level I have and face the humiliation for challenging someone like you. I win, I take a hundred of your level and you take the embarrassment of having lost against a level 57 character? Deal?" he said with a proud evil smirk and I can't believe he's protecting me.

He diverted Kronos' attention from me and avoided me for being humiliated. He knows I'll still accept the challenge even if I suck at playing, so he just made his move for me to avoid that bad situation. Fortunately, Kronos bite what he was doing and accepted the challenge, looking so prideful in there. But I know Martin, he's a goddamn musician outside and he told me that. He'll kick Kronos' ass in no time and I swear this will be a good battle.

"You really didn't have to do that." I whispered as they began to prepare for the battle.

"I really don't like him calling you a cheater despite everything you did in this game, Riley. I'll show him what he needs to see." he said with a proud smile and I found myself blushing again. "Trust me on this, okay?" he said and I nodded.

"Go own the stage, Mr. Benzedrine." I said with a smirk and with that I saw him blushed.

I stepped back as the music battle began. It's just like the competition itself, no fight, just plain performing. Whoever has the highest score, wins and this time the game's music guide will be turned off. Finally, their instruments appeared in front of them, which is drums.

"Being the challenged one, I'll be the one who'll choose the song to play." Kronos said and he got to the tracks and chose Fall Out Boy's Coffee for Closers. This song has the sickest drum sequence but not that quite popular, but knowing Martin, he's a fan of the band. He definitely know this song.

"Nice song choice." Martin told him with a smirk.

"Stop talking, start playing. Music battle, begin!" Kronos said and he looked pissed and with that the track started.

We all can hear the song and it started with that sick drum sequence and my eyes were fixed on Martin while playing the drums and I swear I felt like my jaw dropped. Perfect. He hits every beat and note perfectly. Kronos turned the difficulty to Music God mode yet all Martin is getting is perfect hit compared to Kronos who just hits the notes great. And I swear if I come to play that game right now, I would miss almost all of the notes.

The song continued and the players around me began to love Martin that instant. He's  natural and the way he just sits calmly in there, firing up with the passion while playing the drums is good in the eyes. He's enjoying playing and kicking Kronos' eyes and honestly I'm beginning to be scared of him, he's a potential competitor.

Finally, after some moments the song stopped and Martin defeated Kronos having over a million score over what Kronos had. People around us cheered and began to chant Martin's username that made Kronos looked pissed.

"You fucker, I'll get you back for that." Kronos whispered as a hundred of his level were transfered to Martin.

"That's an offense, using a curse word. Now you'll also be banned in here for two days. Bye!" Martin said sassily and with that Kronos stormed off. Martin, then, looked at the crowd whos chanting for his name and going to him to congratulate him and with that his expression changed. Yes, he's happy and all that, but suddenly he became uncomfortable.

I made my move and decided to walk over to him then drag him away from the scene.

"Bye, guys! We'll apply for the competition now." I said to the other player as I hold his hand and ran out of the vicinity.

Finally, we reached the exit and we just walked towards the empty park.

"Thank you for dragging me away." he said while he catch his breath and I just stared at him, blushing again.

"You're good with drums. Like seriously good!" I said, also fangirling and then I brushed it off. "I'm sorry, I know you don't want attention but I just have to get that off my chest." I said with a giggle.

"It's okay, I mean, yeah." he said with his character blushing.

"And thank you for saving me back there, I really appreciate it, Martin." I said with a sincere smile and just playfully ruins his hair.

"Again, I don't want them to call you cheater despite your hard work. I know this is all you wanted and it's not fair for someone to take this from you." he said which just made me nod.

"You're right, but really, thanks again. You sure you don't want to enter the competition? You'll be a great competitor in there!" I said, actually feeling excited about this, I really wanted him to join too.

"Naah, I'm not here for that and really I won't take the spot of the well-known Phoenix Girl. Being here beside you to support you is enough." he said and that just made me hug him.

"I was really excited while hoping you'll compete, but if that's your decision, okay then. I'll log out now, see you again soon." I said while hugging and he hugged me back. "Thank you, Martin."

"No, thank you, Riley." he said sincerely and I somehow got the feeling of knowing his voice from somewhere and before I can ask, my character vanished and I awaken in real life.

I sit up and removed the headgear and placed it on the table while I blankly stare into nothingness, not believing what I'm feeling...

.

I'm honestly liking someone who I just met in the virtual world.

{I finally updated this fanfic! Yehey, me!!! I'd be finishing this fanfiction, I promise!! Regularly updating from now on! Thanks for reading guys!!!}