17 Chapter 17: Sleepless night

"Master I think you are stressed. Why don't you come lay down and get some rest." Maria said, feeling worried about her master.

Many thoughts flooded Xander's head as he digested the fact that he was trapped in the game he enjoyed so much.

Whoever did this probably wants to redo Sword art online.

"Don't worry about–"

*Beep*

Xander's words were interrupt by the annoying sound of the system. He turned his gaze back and saw new information on display.

[Life stones are of importance and shall be craved for by other players. It can be used to leave this world, but it only gives you 24 hours on earth before you get forcefully transported back here.

1 life stone from each level up and 2 life stones from killing other players.]

'This...!'

Xander stared at the screen dumbfounded.

Now that the game has become real the system was right to say that these life stones will be sought after by others.

Who wouldn't want to go back to see those they care about?

And it also seems like the system is trying to convince players to kill their kin for these life stones also. As the amount of life stones given to kill others is higher, Xander could predict that people are gonna start dieing very soon.

'My final exams are next week. I need to graduate and leave that damn school for good. I have to leave this place.'

Xander then turned around to Maria who was still standing beside the small bed waiting for him.

'I guess... I do need some rest.' He thought as he walked towards his bed.

Xander raised one of his brows as he saw that he was wearing a black shirt and a track trouser... The clothes he wore at home before logging into the game... Weird.

Xander quietly laid on the bed and rested on his side. He couldn't stop thinking about the situation he was in.

He was very sure that the outside world would even be more chaotic as he imagined people not waking up and how others will take the whole thing.

Xander closed his eyes but he still was uncomfortable. He felt like he has to do something right now but he doesn't know what.

He turned to lay on his back instead of sideways and that's when he noticed Maria silently looking at him.

'Is she waiting for me to sleep so that she can assasinate me?' he thought as his eyes widened in realisation.

"Aren't you going to sleep?" He asked with wide eyes and didn't blink.

"I will... After you do."

Xander immediately shuddered at that statement. He immediately remembered a movie where a man was killed in his sleep... And the Assasin was waiting, just like this.

His eyes were still glued to the smiling Marie as he began to calm down. 'I think you have watched way too many movies Xander... Calm down. The system said your subordinates are loyal.'

[Yes your subordinates are loyal... 100%]

Seeing the screen flash in front of him he got annoyed and quickly willed it to dismiss.

He looked at the older looking girl that was Watching him and kind of pitied her, he knew that sleep was important, not just for the brain, but also for the skin.

'Sleep really makes one healthy. *Scoff* Says the guy that plays games all night.' he smiled.

"No way. I'm not sure that I will be able to sleep tonight. Why don't you come here?" He patted the empty spot beside him and gestured for her to come.

"But it's master's bed." She complained with a look of regret as she held herself from going forward.

Xander was sure that she wanted to sleep with him but something was restricting her.

Thinking of this made him wonder how the people were real, who told them what to do, who taught them how to do what they did.

"Just get over here." Xander said tiredly as he resumed to look towards the ceiling, thinking about everything that has happened today.

Maria didn't argue anymore or retort and just laid down beside him on her side and proceeded to stare at him.

Noticing her stare Xander sighed and asked in a low tone, "What?"

"You seem to have a lot on your mind. Today I saw you angry, worried, cautious, and curious."

Xander turned to her and looked into her beautiful green eyes and felt a sense of ease and his body relaxed a little.

"Well, that's what happens when your dad leaves you for a year, only to come back to tell you that superheroes exist. It's also what happens when you face a monster with ten times more strength than you. It's what happens when you suddenly get transported to what everyone calls another world—"

He stopped talking as he noticed that his voice was getting louder with frustration and rage.

"I've experienced unspeakable and more unexplainable things in just one day, Maria." He sighed.

Maria felt pity for her master, she wanted to help him relieve himself of this stress and she didn't know how except one way but she wasn't sure whether that would even work.

"Alright, let's try to get some sleep." Xander turned to face his side and so did Maria as her face was red thinking about something and she didn't want her master to see her not closing her eyes.

She was still thinking of what she can do when a hand wrapped around her waist and a body pressed against hers.

Maria was quite surprised and then she smiled as she decided to let her master be and get some sleep.

Xander too was somehow confused as to why he grabbed her like this. He normally wouldn't do this as a girl got to have her own space.

But he wasn't seeing anything wrong with him anymore.

Just then a beeping sound reached his ears and he opened his eyes to see a bright screen.

He didn't want to read it so he just thought about reading it later and continued focusing on trying to sleep.

[Saved notification for later!]

A lifeless voice rang out.

"Um... Master you're poking me."

Xander opened his eyes when he heard Maria's voice and quietly said, "My hands are on your waist, I'm very sure I'm not—"

He stopped talking as he noticed something risen within his pants and his eyes widened.