Jaeden recalls the one time he topped the gaming charts, even outscoring his fiancée, Verity. Surprised, she asked how he managed it, and he admitted it was just luck. They joked about how they complement each other’s skills, with Jaeden focusing on MMO quests and Vee excelling at fast-paced shooters. Together, they imagined being an unstoppable team.

During his break, Jaeden retreats to his favorite rooftop spot overlooking the city and mountains. He writes story ideas in a cherished notebook, preferring analog to digital for its sense of permanence. His notes capture concepts he’s developing, like a world called “Elsewhere,” a land of boundless imagination. Writing by hand helps him focus, filtering his endless ideas into meaningful fragments.

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Returning to work, Jaeden encounters his office rival, Derek, who often mocks him but secretly admires his talents. Derek dismissively teases Jaeden about his notebooks, unaware of the deep creative worlds they contain. After their brief exchange, Jaeden notices a glitch in his data system. Using custom repair algorithms he designed, he sets up a fix and decides to take a half day off.

Before leaving, Jaeden catches a grim news update about mysterious “grid-shock” incidents that have left victims in irreversible comas. Concerned but determined to enjoy his evening, he arranges dinner plans with Vee. Jaeden heads home, logs into Endless Worlds Online, and unwinds with a gaming session. When his brother Xander arrives, they prepare for their weekly gaming tournament, eager to strategize and spend some quality time together.