AN: Hello, dear readers. I'm sorry I haven't updated much over the course of the year as my undergrad course took up most of my free time. Anyways, this story was the result of reading too much VR themed web novel. I hope you enjoy it :D

"Hey, message me when you can. – H"

Astrid was shocked as she arrived home after her track practice and was looking forward to a weekend of rest and relaxation when she read the text. What in Thor's name was that message supposed to mean? She calmed herself and assessed the situation.

When was the last time she was in a party? Did she even give anyone her number? Damn it, it must have been Rachel. She quickly thought of an excuse, not even knowing why she needed to have an excuse in the first place. She quickly typed it and sent it.

"I have a boyfriend."

After reading it once more, she felt stupid. Astrid Hofferson does not screw up, but this time she did. Wow, the training must have been more tiresome than she thought.

Ding

She opened the message and felt her face burn red. At first it was shame, then anger.

"Congratulations. Which part of the power point should I do? - H"

Then she realized what the whole thing was all about. They were tasked to report about a certain topic in class to be reported on Monday and it supposed to be done in pairs. This report was considered as a requirement for them to proceed to their senior year. Now, who was she paired up with again? She then remembered the frail, green-eyed boy who approached her after the last class of the day.

Adjusting his thick-framed glasses, he asked her, "Hey, about that report-"

"Sorry, I'm running late for my track practice. Let's talk about it some other time."

She was really in a hurry as being late today meant extra practices this weekend. Which she was something she wanted off her schedule for a special event. She caught a small smirk on his face. She frowned, what was so funny about what she just said? Never mind, she quickly dashed out of the room, not paying him any mind as he called her. And that brought her to her current situation. She felt a bit embarrassed but that turned to anger. She could almost hear Rachel say, 'Typical Astrid' to which she would reply with a glare.

Ding

"That was a joke, Hofferson. Anyways, if you're free tomorrow, let's meet in the park at 9 AM. - H"

This brought her over the edge. That guy was laughing at her expense. He clearly have a death wish trying to mess with her. The guy, Henry Haddock, was not always like this. He would fight off bullies with his sarcasm during their first year but it quickly changed to someone trying to blend in to the background. Rachel's twin brother, Thomas, even mentioned that Hiccup lost his 'sarcasm' through the years but it was hard to find proof as he doesn't speak with anyone in school, save for Francis Ingerman, their class representative.

"Sure. Just don't be late, Haddock."

She didn't particularly mind doing the report tomorrow, as long as it didn't take long. She quickly replied as she sat on her bed.

Ding

Thinking that it was Hiccup again, she opened her phone with a slight frown. But as soon as she read the text, it instantly vanished.

"Hey, Astrid. I just got home and look what I found on my room."

Attached was a photo of a helmet looking gear. Astrid smiled, as she took a similar device from her desk. It was the newest model of the virtual reality gaming console EVE.

Being a gamer in this age meant an easy ticket to fame. Ever since the release of the EVE, people slowly considered being a gamer as a real profession rather than a mere obsession. The first games allowed virtual currency-real currency exchange which became the epitome of doing what you love and making money out of it.

Astrid liked being in the real world more and even thought that VR players only play because they can do things in that world the things that they can't do in the real world. She was proud of her accomplishments that she achieved without the help of an AI or a code in the system.

But that didn't mean that she was not interested in playing VR games. As a matter of fact, she was planning on playing Vikings of the North, a VR game that is going to be released tomorrow at 12 noon. She, Rachel and Thomas was planning on meeting up inside the game to level. Thinking about this, she can't help but feel excited.

In a certain café in Berk,

"Fish, are we really going to do this?"

A lanky boy said, his voice a bit faint as if in pain. Across the table, a huge, blonde boy sat, a firm expression on his face.

"We've been through this Hic. I need the Night Fury, Dragon's Edge needs the Night Fury."

Hiccup stiffened hearing the name. He glared venomously at Fishlegs, known in school as Francis. Dragon's Edge, a small guild that Francis founded during the release of the third server of the game, Viking's in the North. Technically speaking, it was the youngest guild to enter the Race, a server-wide tournament which was covered even by the media. Last year, they made a huge splash, destroying team after team and entered the Winter Cup. The main reason was their star wizard, Night Fury, which was piloted by Hiccup.

He was considered a prodigy in the game. A genius in controlling the battlefield with his large scale lightning blasts and also finishing pros with his accurate spells. He utilized the near non-existent mobility of a wizard class character and created maneuvers that allowed him to dodge almost anything as if he disappeared through thin air. Even pros admitted that they would have a hard time pulling off half the moves that he was doing.

But during their Winter Cup run, lack of talent across the Dragon's Edge roster became imminent. The invincible team fell at the hands of the team that later became the champions, Berserkers.

This was a huge blow to Hiccup's pride, but what broke him was what happened afterwards. All of the guild members were hunted by the Berseker guild and were continuously PK-ed or killed in game. This only stopped when everyone, save for Francis and Hiccup were left as everyone else left the guild.

Remembering the events of that day made him very angry. But the look of determination and a hint of coldness was seen on Francis's face, no sign of dejection. The same look that he was wearing right now as he spoke to Hiccup. With this in mind, Hiccup made his choice.