Black Online

Fang Village, outside the Fang Mansion.

"..."

Aizen stood in the yard, his arms folded behind his back, and he was looking at the construction of his new dojo.

A couple weeks ago, there was a fire inside the dojo—nobody knew where it came from—but it was just destroyed.

The fire experts said that it seemed like someone with a laser gun burnt the walls and that it was one of the most obscure things they had seen.

Therefore.

There was a lot needed to fix it all, so Aizen just decided to build a new one, as he had been wanting to do for a couple of years already.

"Father."

In that moment, Fang Raon walked over after being called here by his father, and he looked at the construction of the new dojo.

He felt a little guilty.

After all, it was he who destroyed the previous dojo, but again, it also wasn’t really his fault, he believed.

Shooting fire from his eyes came as a total surprise, and he couldn’t control it at all!

"It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, hasn’t it? You’ve been inside that game from dawn to dusk.

"You should go outside and get some fresh air for a while. You need exercise."

Aizen said.

’I do get a lot of exercise inside the game, but of course, he doesn’t know that what I do inside the game affects me in the real world.’

Fang Raon thought, and then he nodded.

"I will."

He said.

It was ten in the morning, and usually at this time he would already be training with Rock and Maquella.

However.

Since he was summoned by his father, of course he had to skip his training for a moment to go to the meeting.

Rock understood it.

He wasn’t going to stop him from meeting his father.

"Anyway, be prepared to leave. I’ve finally received a call from the Rain Family, and they’re willing to show that game to us now.

"I presume that they’ve spent the last few weeks to do all the necessary preparations, such as fixing the biggest bugs in the game."

Aizen said.

"...Okay."

Fang Raon said.

"You’re the game expert, so I expected you to give your honest opinion on it. Well, I will use Read on you either way, so you cannot lie to me."

Aizen said.

’I’ve learned the basics of shielding my mind against Read abilities, but it’s nowhere strong enough to block someone as powerful as Aizen.

’And besides, he would know if I did that, and then it only means that I am not being truthful with my opinions.

’I am not planning to lie, either way. I’ll be as honest as I can.’

Fang Raon thought.

"I know, Father. I have no intention to lie. When are we leaving?"

He asked.

"Tomorrow. Get your stuff sorted. We’ll be leaving early because we do have a long flight ahead of us."

Aizen said.

"Understood."

...

11 at night, in Fang Raon’s bedroom.

"You’re going to the Rain Region?"

Chaewon, who was on the phone screen, said with a surprised look on her pretty face.

"Yes, the Rain Family is making a game similar to that of Black Online, and I am tasked by my father to go inspect it."

Fang Raon said, holding the phone by his face, as he was FaceTiming Chaewon like he often did before bed.

"What’re you going to do?"

Chaewon asked.

"...I’ll be honest. I cannot fool my father. But I am only afraid that my father doesn’t know much about games, and even if I give him my thoughts, he doesn’t understand the problem with them."

Fang Raon said.

"You’ve said that your father is a smart man. I am sure he will listen to you."

Chaewon said.

"My father is a smart man, but he is also very stubborn. This deal between Fang Family and Rain Family can be very lucrative...

"If that game is good that Rain Family is making, but if it isn’t... I am not sure if Aizen is ready to pull the plug on this relationship.

"I am worried."

Fang Raon said.

"I am sure it will go great, babe. Once you’re back, I want to hear all about that game. I am really curious how it’ll be."

Chaewon said.

"I will. Good night."

Fang Raon said.

"Love you."

Chaewon said, then again kissed the phone screen, and then the call disconnected before he could say anything in response.

"..."

Fang Raon lay on the bed, put the phone down, and sighed heavily.

’What will that game be about...’

...

A day later. Night. At the airport of Rain City.

It was raining heavily. The raindrops splashed against the windows of the airport, creating a soothing sound that drowned out all other noises.

Currently, from one of the terminals, Aizen and Raon walked in with their luggage in hand—with them were also a couple of thick-shouldered bodyguards—and they were all heading for the exit.

In that moment.

They saw a man holding a sign—Fangs!—with large black letters, so it would be impossible to miss it.

"I am Aizen."

Aizen said, and the man replied with a smile and put the sign away and then put two fingers on the chest and bowed.

It was a unique way of greeting someone in the Rain Region.

"I am Rain Family’s driver. I am tasked with taking you straight to the headquarters for the game testing. A few members of the family will also be present there to welcome you."

The driver said.

"Straight to business, huh?"

Aizen said.

He thought that he would be dragged to the Rain Family’s village, for starters, with all the useless formalities.

"Master Nero thought that such useless formalities weren’t needed. This is urgent business, after all."

The driver said with a smile.

"Well, he is correct."

Aizen said.

"Then, follow me."

The driver pulled out an umbrella from inside his coat and opened it above his head before stepping out.

He was also holding it over Aizen and Raon so they wouldn’t be touched by the raindrops, and he took them straight for his car.

It was a black SUV parked in the nearest parking space.

Aizen’s bodyguards stepped into the rain, but none of the raindrops touched them, as they somehow seemed to be repelled by an invisible force field around them.

Then, Aizen and Raon sat at the back, the bodyguards in the middle, and the driver took the front seat.

"It’ll be an hour-long ride. The fastest route there is sadly traffic-packed, so we must take a little detour!"

The driver said, then shifted into the first gear, and started driving off promptly.

"..."

Fang Raon looked at the Rain City through the rain-drenched window and saw fields of grain swaying in the wind, glistening with raindrops.

’Rain Region is popular because of its agriculture and fertile lands. The farmers are rich in here. That’s how the Rain Family came to power in the first place.

’They eventually evolved beyond agriculture into the field of politics and business. Now they’re aiming for the game industry.’

Fang Raon thought.

"Son, Rain Family will probably have someone accompany you inside the game. That person’s goal is to most likely show you only the good parts of the game.

"I need you to find the truth."

Aizen said with a serious tone.

He also kept his voice low enough so that the driver wouldn’t be able to hear him, but Raon could with ease.

"...I’ll do my best."

Fang Raon said.

’It does seem like my father wants the game to be good, but he also doesn’t want to be lied to and wants to know the truth.

’He didn’t reach his current position by being foolish.

’If the game is terrible, I think my father will end the relationship before it also drags him and Fang Family down to the ground.’

He thought.

...

At the highest floor of the Rain Game Company.

"...They’re en route."

Ronin said, looking at the blind man, who was standing by the large windows that showed the entirety of the Rain City.

The sky was dark. It kept raining like it often did.

"Young Raon is with him?"

Nero asked, the scars running over his eyes, and his silver hair still fluffy, with no sign of balding anywhere.

"Yes, Aizen brought him here."

Ronin said.

"It would’ve been easier to fool Aizen. I doubt he is much of a gamer. But Raon, from what I’ve heard, is very into Black Online.

"He is quite a gamer. Several Solo Clears, a member of Rose Records, and even the mastermind behind the second floor’s secret quest."

Nero said.

"Aizen brought him here for a reason. He trusts his son’s judgment."

Ronin said.

"Yes... Raon is a smart boy. Aizen chose his heir wisely. We’ll have Phoebe show him around inside the game.

"Maybe he’ll be distracted by the beautiful girl."

Nero said.

"And if he doesn’t?"

Ronin asked.

"The game is just in early development. I am sure Aizen isn’t a hasty person. He knows the importance of this business deal.

"He will give us more time, I am sure of it. Besides, I don’t believe the game is bad. It’s unpolished, sure, but it will be better."

Nero said.