“And it hit! It hit! Pale Dream falls!”

“Unbelievable! Are we, at this very moment, witnessing history?!”

“Only Bleary Mirage is left! One against two!”

“If not now then it will never happen!”

“Will the untouchable champion face defeat today?!”

“Is it time for the next generation to take over after so many years?!”

Bleary Mirage couldn’t hear the caster’s voices. Even he had to concentrate on this final match.

However, his eyes showed his characteristically confident look as if anything was in his grasp.

“Liam! This is it! Today I, Burning Lion, will take what belongs to me!”

Bleary Mirage – or Liam Varsmith, as he was named in the real world – smirked.

“Don’t get cocky. As long as I still play this game, no one can take the championship away from me!”

“Mirage! Just give up! We are one against two! Tank and mage against a single hunter! You don’t stand a chance!”

“Hah! Delusional!”

At this moment the brawny man facing Bleary Mirage jumped backwards, letting out a mocking laugh.

“Arrogant as always Liam! Bye bye!”

“I knew you were buying time. But I couldn’t be happier about it!”

Suddenly Liam smiled at the mage in the distance, who was in the process of casting a spell to end the game.

He raised his graceful divine bow at inhuman speeds. A skill was cast. An arrow shot out.

The tank sneered, ready to block Liam’s last struggle. But to his surprise… the arrow missed!

Boom!

An explosion went off as the arrow crashed into the ground. The gorge around them rumbled. Rocks began to fall from both sides.

The mage trembled; his casting time delayed.

A heavy impact shook the earth as the rocks landed. Millions of spectators cried out in alarm as they watched cracks spread on the ground.

Dust rose. Dangerous sounds echoed.

Suddenly!

The ground cracked open. A deep black abyss was revealed.

Burning Lion and his teammate could only watch in shock as the ground disappeared below their feet.

A screech rang through the air. A majestic hawk descended, grabbing Bleary Mirage by his shoulders.

The man’s hood came off, revealing his short black hair and well-defined face. Bright blue eyes watched as his enemies fell into the darkness.

Bleary Mirage waved his hand, letting out a chuckle as the world around him gradually vanished.

Thunderous applause reached Liam’s ears as he climbed out of his VR capsule. His teammates stared at him in awe. His enemies reluctantly congratulated him.

The caster’s frantic voice shook the stadium, explaining what happened to millions of spectators around the world.

“Bleary Mirage! He did it again!”

“I don’t have words for this! Indescribable!”

“This planning! This genius!”

“He must’ve known the HP of the surrounding terrain, even calculating the damage done during the fight!”

“It’s inhuman! As expected from mister perfect! No one knows Fate of Crunaboul like him!”

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“This is what it takes to stay undefeated, winning five championships in a row!”

“The undisputed best no matter which game!”

Light flashed and celebratory music played as the championship team hoisted their trophy. Liam wore a bright smile.

However, if someone would look into his eyes at this moment, they would find a hint of something else but joy there.

Interviews followed quickly after. A pretty female anchor took their time to celebrate every single teammate.

Soon, she reached Liam:

“Bleary Mirage! Your fifth championship! Many doubted if it would be enough this year! Do you have anything to say to your critics?”

“I guess those people just like to be proven wrong. And I’m not one to deprive them of this joy.”

Chuckles and screams sounded from the audience. Everyone hung on Liam’s lips, soaking up every single word.

“Altruistic as always. But during the last fight the situation looked dire. Was this your most difficult final?”

“Of course it was!”

People were surprised by this reply. Bleary Mirage was not known as one to praise his opponents.

Sadly no one could hear the thoughts in Liam’s mind.

Of course it was close. I did everything I could to make it so. And still Burning Lion almost failed.

Liam let out a sigh as the anchor finally went on to interview other teammates.

***

A heavy iron gate opened slowly, allowing a luxurious limousine to enter a vast estate.

Multiple manors proved the incredible wealth of their owners.

The limousine drove towards a manor to the right, stopping in front of the entrance.

A car door opened, revealing a young man in a tidy white suit. He stepped out with a straight back, approaching the door in the back.

With a light bow the young man opened the car.

Liam stood up, thanking his driver with a nod. His pricey modern shoes made low sounds as he walked up smooth white stairs.

The large entrance opened before him. Liam took it for granted as he entered.

“Welcome home, young master.”

“Thanks Charles.”

An elegant older man closed the doors, following behind Liam with a respectful stride.

At this moment a young woman approached form the side.

Liam took off his olive-green sports jacket, handing it to his trusty maid with a polite smile.

The young woman blushed faintly but she was still a new employee, not even daring to talk to the handsome young master.

Not bothering with others Liam took large steps, entering his dining room.

Large windows let in bright sunlight. They revealed a vast garden with perfectly trimmed plants and a clear pool.

Liam was used to the sight as he sat down on a table large enough for a dozen people. A strange light flickered through his eyes subconsciously.

“Young master, your dinner for today.”

The trusty steward walked in, presenting perfectly fried meat and various exotic vegetables. A three-star cook worked for the family, making sure to present his best works every day.

“Young master, should I bring something else for you to wear?”

Liam raised his sharp brow as he looked down on his shirt. It was a golden jersey produced by his team to celebrate their championship.

A moment of silence ensued.

“No. It’s ok.”

Charles didn’t show any emotion as he bowed and retreated to the side.

The sound of cutlery echoed in the empty room. Liam felt the meat melt on his tongue, but it didn’t particularly excite him.

As he ate the young man gradually relaxed. The tension fell of, slowly revealing a side of him he didn’t show in public.

Liam slowly slacked in his comfortable chair, his shoulders dropping. The day’s happenings ran through his mind.

Liam’s eyes involuntarily swayed to the side. It appeared as if he could see through the wall, his gaze falling on a massive cabinet.

Multiple trophies and medals were contained in the cabinet. World championships in three different games, national championships in swimming and archery, a world record in sprinting…

To the outside world it looked as if Liam was perfect in everything he did. He was handsome, wealthy, athletic. Whatever he touched turned to gold.

Liam had everything one could wish for.

“Then why is it so… boring?”

“Excuse me, young master?”

Charles took a step forward, not understanding Liam’s murmur.

“Charles. Would you say your life is boring?”

“I don’t understand, young master?”

“I mean it.”

The older man coughed faintly. He sighed inwardly, noticing a look in Liam’s eyes, which the young man showed more and more often in the recent past.

“I wouldn’t consider my life boring, young master.”

“Why?”

“Well, my job allows me to solve many challenging tasks. I met interesting people and have seen much of the world.”

“Challenge…

And what is outside your job? What do you do for fun?”

“Sometimes I meet with my old friends to play chess or just to talk.”

“Friends, hmm. Must be nice. Maybe I should also try to find friends.”

“What about your teammates, young master?”

“They are alright but the way they treat me…

It’s always respectful. Like a superior. Even you treat me more like a person.”

“I have seen you growing up, young master.”

“Yes…”

Liam let out a sigh. As his food was finished, Charles immediately stepped forward to clean the table.

“Thanks.”

In a strange mood the young master stood up, leaving the room. He walked through luxurious corridors until he reached his gaming room.

It contained everything one might need from training equipment to PCs to its centerpiece, a large VR cabin, a marvel of current technology.

Liam stared at it with a complicated gaze before turning it on. A blue glass door opened with a smooth sound.

Padded interior invited the young master to lay down.

“Let’s hope that you can come up with some new challenges.”

Liam entered the device, watching the glass door closing slowly. A helmet embraced his head comfortably. A signal sounded out.

Liam counted down from ten. His vision gradually darkened.

The young man expected to enter the familiar virtual world of Crunaboul.

However, this didn’t happen!

Liam found himself in a vast black space. His mind was somewhat groggy.

Suddenly a bright text appeared before his eyes, read by a mechanical voice:

“Do you want to start New Game Plus?”

[Yes]

[No]

Liam instinctively pressed [Yes].