I looked up at the ceiling, my mind a whirlwind of ideas.

It's been a month since I'd come back to my original world. A month since I left the realm of magic and monsters, violence and demise. The world in which I had been the "Crimson Reaper" for ten grueling years.

A decade.

Time had continued here in this world the same while I was away. Ten years had also gone by in this world.

However, everything was totally different. So much had evolved.

The world had advanced in ways I could hardly believe over those ten years. Humans discovered a new mineral called Arcinium, which allowed science and technology to advance at an astounding rate.

Flying cars now crowded the cities, and skyscrapers reached the clouds. Robots moved among people as if they were part of the human race, and holographic displays were the norm.

The world had turned into something straight out of a science fiction book, nearly as strange as the one I had left behind. I thought I was at the wrong world when I first got here.

I turned my head slightly, my gaze landing on the TV that was propped up on the stand next to my bed.

The screen flickered, showing a commercial that seemed to be playing on every channel lately.

["Get ready for the ultimate gaming experience! Coming soon: 'Ascend'—the first fully immersive virtual reality game that takes gaming to a whole new level."]

The voice of the announcer was excited, almost feverish.

["Ascend is not just a game—it's a world of its own. Conquer the 100-floor tower and achieve greatness. But beware! Only 100,000 copies of the game will be available, so make sure you're one of the lucky few!"]

The screen switched to show sleek, futuristic capsules—large enough to fit a person, with wires and lights running along their surface.

["With our Total Immersion Technology, players will experience the game as if it were real life. Feel the wind on your skin, the taste of victory, the sting of defeat. You'll experience hunger, pain, exhaustion... everything. The stakes have never been higher."]

The commercial ended with a dramatic shot of the tower—a massive, ominous structure that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. The name "Ascend" flashed across the screen in bold letters.

With a detached curiosity, I watched the screen. An immersive game that promises it all. a hundred-story tower. A virtual reality that has the appearance of reality.

It made me feel something, for whatever reason, that I hadn't felt since coming back. Perhaps it was the allure of a challenge, or perhaps it was just ridiculousness all around.

"Maybe I should try it...", I whispered to myself. It felt like the idea had always been there, waiting for the right moment to be revealed.

A video game that says it feels realistic...

I was not sure if I was interested or just desperate to escape the boredom that had set in since I got back. Maybe both.

I closed my eyes with that thought in mind, listening to the low hum of the city outside. As sleep took hold, a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I fell asleep.

Perhaps this is the getaway I've been searching for.

* * *

In the midst of a busy street, I stood with the crowd of people surrounding me like a tidal wave.

People were moving in all directions, all heading toward the enormous stadium that was directly in front of us.

After taking out my phone to see the time, I looked up at the imposing building in front of me.

"Is this it?" I muttered something to myself.

Ascend.

The game that had taken the world by storm.

It was all anyone would talk about for the past few weeks, and today was the grand opening.

All 100,000 players had been called to stadiums nearest to their locations for their first trial, and the entire event would be broadcasted live. A spectacle for the entire world to see.

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Gathering near the stadium's entrance, the crowd was dense, a sea of anticipatory faces buzzing with energy.

The Ascend logo was projected in large, glowing letters on giant screens outside the building, and announcements and music could be heard all around.

"I guess I should head in."

I pushed my way through the crush of people and went toward the enterance.

The stadium was directly accessible through a red carpet that had been set up.

As the players entered, they were met with a flurry of flashing lights, reporters, and cameras that were broadcasting this event.

Just as I was taking a step onto the carpet, the audience went into a frenzy, all cameras flashing and excited whispers. I looked around to see why there was such a commotion.

A guy with white hair and a girl with jet-black hair had just stepped onto the carpet. The photographers went wild, snapping pictures as fast as their shutters could fire. Reporters shoved microphones toward them, their voices raised in excitement.

"Look! It's the pro gaming legend, Kurita! Stardus is here as well!" one of the reporters shouted, and the crowd buzzed even louder.

I knew who they were right away. All those who enjoyed playing games did.

The man with the white hair, Kurita, was a renowned professional gamer who held the top spot in several competitive games, including League of Heroes and BattleRounds.

While Stardus, the girl next to him, was also a professional gamer with a strong resume, she was never able to overtake Kurita.

They were famous rivals, the subject of endless speculation and debate in the gaming community.

I watched as they smiled and waved at the cameras, answering questions with practiced ease. Their presence here confirmed what I'd read in the news: they were both going to be playing Ascend as well.

A grin pulled at the edge of my mouth. I thought, "This is going to be fun."

I moved onto the red carpet, slipping past the flashing lights and rushing reporters, and entered the stadium while the crowd's attention was still on the two gaming legends.

* * *

I was met with an impressive sight as soon as I entered the stadium.

The large room was packed with hundreds, perhaps a thousand, of sleek, futuristic capsules.

Every one of them was a work of art, made entirely of glass and shiny metal, with glowing lights inside that gave away the sophisticated technology.

I couldn't help but smirk. The grandeur of the scene was hard to ignore, but it didn't change the fact that I'd seen more than my fair share of extraordinary sights.

A voice crackled through the stadium's sound system, its tone smooth and authoritative.

["Attention, players! There's a pre-launch feast on the second floor, so please make your way there. Once you get to the second floor, there will be tables ready for you to eat and drink before the game launch takes place. Thank you. ]

The crowd started to move toward the escalators as soon as the announcement was made, and there was a wave of murmurs and shuffling of feet.

I went with the flow, blending in with those making their way to the second floor.

The second floor was bustling with activity.

There was a large stage in front of the room, and hundreds of tables with an amazing array of food and drink were arranged.

Those who had arrived before us were seated, merrily chatting and taking pleasure in their food.

With well-honed efficiency, staff members guided us to our tables, but I chose to slip away.

I pushed my way through the crowd to the back of the room, where there were less lights and a calmer atmosphere.

I leaned against the cool wall and took a glass of wine from a passing server.

Around a thousand people were gathered here, and a mix of excited chatter and the occasional flash of lights created a lively atmosphere.

With neon accents and holographic displays creating an ever-changing glow throughout the space, the decor was an extravagant yet futuristic combination.

It was Kurita and Stardus who were occupying a table in the middle of the room that caught my eye.

There were fans all around them, taking excited pictures and chatting away.

The pair of gaming icons effortlessly managed the attention, their well-practiced routine conveyed through their smiles and gestures.

My thoughts refocused on the stage as I watched them from the shadows.

Elevating the electric energy in the room was the large screen behind it, flickering with countdown timers and promotional images.

Before the game started, there was probably going to be a speech or some kind of opening ceremony on stage.

I grabbed another sip of wine and let my gaze wander across the room, waiting for whatever came next.

* * *

In the middle of a small gathering around her table, Stardus was momentarily blinded by the flashing lights of the cameras.

She had become used to the steady stream of fans requesting selfies and autographs, but occasionally it still felt a little strange.

With a smile, she nodded and posed while the camera shutters clicked all around her.

She turned slightly and saw Kurita sitting next to her, his white hair and self-assured smile clearly visible. He was her rival. The one player who had almost always been able to hold an advantage over her in their games.

'Not for long.' she thought, determination tightening her grip on the edge of the table. Ascend was going to be her game.

Of course, he was more experienced, but she had quickly caught up. It was just a matter of time until she overtook him.

She kept grinning and interacting with the crowd when she noticed something, or rather, someone.

A lone figure stood at the very back of the room, where the lights were the dimmest. A man with striking red eyes and black hair was resting carelessly against the wall while clutching a glass of wine.

And he was looking straight at her.

Stardus experienced a brief, unexplained chill down her spine. Something about his serene, almost emotionless expression unnerved her.

Despite her knack for reading people and discerning their intentions, she felt nothing when she met this guy's gaze.

His eyes were empty of all she could comprehend, as if they were gazing into space.

As if he wasn't human.

The discomfort lingered in the back of her mind as she forced herself to look away. Her gaze returned to the front of the room as the stage lights flickered.

She had to concentrate because it looked like the pre-launch ceremony was about to start.

However, as she fixed her eyes on the stage, the sight of those red eyes didn't leave her mind.

Who was that person?