I Don't Need To Log Out-Chapter 313: Earth (6)

Another Zeno capsule opened with a hiss, like a machine sighing in defeat.

June's eyes remained closed for a moment longer. She felt the air on her skin—thicker, heavier, real.

Then she sat up.

Her limbs moved with difficulty, like they were made of stone. Like every joint had to remember how to bend again. Her breath felt shallow, her heart strangely loud in her ears.

She gritted her teeth.

This was the part she hated.

In Trion, she was a spellcaster of unmatched caliber—one of the fastest minds on the battlefield, a genius who could process dozens of variables and predict outcomes mid-fight.

Her physical stats weren't neglected either; high vitality and speed meant she could dodge, reposition, and react in ways most couldn't even see.

But now?

Now, she was just June.

Just a girl in a body that felt sluggish and awkward.

Her fingers curled tightly around the edge of the capsule as she slowly swung her legs out. Even that made her feel like a newborn deer—wobbly, uncertain.

Her brain felt foggy. Not tired, but limited.

This was the price of strength.

Logging in and out was no good for high-level players.

Especially ones like her.

Arlon would feel about the same if he logged out.

She trained her real-world body regularly—strength, cardio, diet. All of it. Her health was excellent… if compared to other humans.

But nothing could match the way she moved in Trion.

On Earth, she felt like someone had chained weights to her limbs.

It wasn't just physical. Her thoughts were slower, like her mind had been dulled. Not less intelligent, just... restrained.

Limited by what Earth allowed.

In Trion, she could think in layers, in sequences, in abstract shapes that moved through time and space with ease.

She could cast a multi-layered spell in less than a second. She could predict and plan and simulate faster than most people could blink.

Here?

She had to breathe before she finished a thought.

June stood, her bare feet sinking slightly into the carpet. She stretched her arms above her head, her joints cracking softly.

A routine motion—but today, it made her frown.

"I feel like a rock," she muttered.

It wasn't the first time she'd said it. It probably wouldn't be the last.

Sometimes, she wished the powers of EVR would carry over to Earth. That magic would just… manifest one day.

That the rules between the worlds would shatter, and she'd get to keep even a fraction of what she had over there.

But she knew that wouldn't happen.

Or maybe it could?

Agema had once said something while they waited for Arlon—something vague, wrapped in her usual mix of mystery and indifference.

Something about the "rules being different, but not impossible."

Was there magic in this world? Or... was there a way to bring magic here?

Was there a gate like the one that had brought the ascended existence's soul fragment through?

She didn't know.

And honestly, she didn't want to go down that rabbit hole now.

Instead, she picked up her phone from the table beside her bed and unlocked the screen.

The chat group—Gamers Guild (Earth Realm)—had several new messages.

Unsurprising.

The three who had died yesterday—Zack, Evan, and Carmen—had all messaged earlier in the morning.

They'd written about their Zenos not working anymore.

One by one, their messages came in:

Zack: "I tried logging in again. Capsule's fried. Think this is the end for me. Was fun while it lasted."

Evan: "Same. It's dead. Couldn't even get the interface to respond."

Carmen: "Guess we're benched. Permanently. If anyone else joins the club, bring snacks."

The timestamps were from just after 5:00 a.m.

June scrolled down further and found Carole's message—sent about an hour after the others.

Carole: "My Zeno's done too. Not surprising, I guess. Hope you guys made it through. Let me know when you're out."

June swallowed.

Now that the other four—herself, Pierre, Lei, and Maria—had logged out as well, the group chat had exploded with activity.

She added her own message quickly:

June: "Out. Still functional. Glad to see your messages."

Then, she sat on the edge of her bed, reading through the rest of the thread as it grew.

Maria: "We made it. Alive and sore. God, I forgot how much gravity hurts."

Pierre: "Back to reality. Anyone else feel like their soul's trapped in molasses?"

Lei: "Just woke up. Already want to go back. Someone punch reality for me."

Zack: "At least you will get to go back!"

The others were the same. Even though it wasn't as much as it was for June, they still felt real life was slower.

Carole: "You're all lucky. I went out like a sunbeam."

Carmen: "She's flexing."

Zack: "She's allowed."

They talked about what had happened. About the battle. About Reeb. About how Asef ran away. And about the silence afterward.

Nothing Carole said contradicted what June or the others experienced.

The story held true across all their perspectives.

And now, only one of them would return.

June read the final message Zack had sent:

Zack: "You're the only one left now, June. Make it count."

June set her phone down on the table and leaned back against the wall.

It was strange.

For the last year, they had all gone in together—at night, just before bed. Every evening, they'd entered their capsules and woken up in Trion like it was second nature.

A second life.

And now, it was just her.

Only June would log in tomorrow.

Maybe for the last time.

She didn't know what would happen when Arlon fought Asef.

Did anyone?

But one thing was certain.

This time, when she entered the capsule… she wouldn't expect to come out again.

Not until it was truly over.

And whatever came after that…

Well.

She'd deal with it when she got there.

The morning sun crept higher across her windowpane, but she didn't move.

She just sat there, quiet and still.

Waiting.

Preparing.

For one more day.