The clinking of plates and soft murmurs of conversation filled the modest dining room as Adam sat down to have his last meal at home.
His mother, Rachel, moved around the table, placing a bowl of steaming vegetables in front of him while his father, Ricky, leaned back in his chair, sipping coffee.
The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, but Adam’s mind was elsewhere.
He ate quietly, his thoughts already drifting toward the journey ahead. The weight of his decision pressed on him, but he knew there was no turning back now.
The clock struck noon, its chime echoing faintly through the house. Adam pushed back his chair and joined his parents in the living room.
For a while, they talked, the conversation meandering between lighthearted anecdotes and gentle advice.
His parents didn’t know the full extent of his plans, but their faith in him was palpable, a constant source of both comfort and guilt.
Rachel’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she spoke, her voice trembling slightly. "Just promise us you’ll take care of yourself, Adam. That’s all we ask."
Adam nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I will, Mom. I promise."
Ricky, ever the practical one, leaned forward, his expression serious. "Remember, son, life isn’t just about chasing dreams. Sometimes, you have to make tough choices. But no matter what, we’re proud of you."
Adam smiled faintly, though his heart ached. He wished he could tell them everything—about the mistakes he had made in his past life, about the second chance he had been given. But he couldn’t. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Soon, it was time to leave. Adam headed upstairs to grab his suitcase. The room felt emptier now, as if it already knew he wouldn’t be returning for a long time.
With his belongings in tow, he stood at the front door, his heart heavy yet determined. Turning to his parents, he said, "Take care of Eric while I’m gone, will you?"
Ricky chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Don’t worry about him. He’s smarter than you," he teased.
Adam laughed softly, his tension easing slightly. Eric, his younger brother, was still at school, and Adam regretted not being able to say goodbye to him in person.
But he knew Eric would understand. With a final wave, he stepped out of the house and began his journey.
The train station was bustling with activity. The distant rumble of an approaching train mingled with the chatter of passengers and the occasional announcement crackling over the speakers.
Adam found his seat in a crowded compartment and settled in. As the train began to move, he gazed out the window, watching the familiar scenery of his hometown fade into the distance.
Memories from his past life flooded his mind. His father had given him $38,000 for university admission fees.
But this time, Adam had no intention of using it for that purpose. Instead, he planned to invest in a VR set, the most affordable one costing over $40,000. It was a risky move, but Adam knew it was his only chance to change the course of his life.
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“I’ll need to find a part-time job as soon as I get to the city,” Adam thought, his resolve firm. With only two months until the game’s release, every minute counted. He couldn’t afford to waste any time.
The train rolled into Feku City as the evening sky bathed the bustling streets in a golden glow. It was 5:00 p.m. when Adam stepped off the train, his suitcase in hand.
The station was a whirlwind of people—commuters hurrying home, street vendors calling out their wares, and the occasional musician playing for spare change.
The city was alive with energy, a stark contrast to the quiet life he had left behind.
Adam made his way through the crowd, navigating the maze of streets until he reached the apartment his father had booked in advance.
It was a modest space, functional but unadorned, with the faint smell of fresh paint lingering in the air. He unpacked quickly, placing his belongings in neat piles before collapsing onto the bed.
Staring at the ceiling, Adam whispered to himself, "I have two months to save as much money as I can." The weight of his plans pressed heavily on his chest, but he couldn’t afford to falter. He had come too far to give up now.
The next morning, Adam began his search for part-time jobs. He started with the local cafés and restaurants, handing out resumes and filling out applications.
By the end of the day, he had secured two jobs—one as a barista at a small coffee shop and another as a delivery boy for a nearby restaurant. A few days later, he added a third job to his schedule, working as a night stocker at a grocery store.
Time flew by. Days blurred into nights as Adam juggled his three part-time jobs.
His mornings began early and ended late, leaving him with little time for anything other than work. He barely had time to eat, often grabbing quick meals between shifts.
Sleep became a luxury, and his body ached from the constant physical labor. But Adam pushed through, driven by the knowledge that every dollar he earned brought him closer to his goal.
By the end of February, he had saved $12,000, just enough to make his dream a reality. It wasn’t easy, and there were moments when he doubted himself, when the exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him.
But he reminded himself of why he was doing this—of the mistakes he had made in his past life and the second chance he had been given. He couldn’t afford to fail.
It was March 1, 2025. The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Adam stepped out of his apartment.
The streets were already alive with activity—bakers setting out fresh loaves, cyclists weaving through traffic, and the distant hum of construction work. The city was waking up, and so was Adam.
He walked to a small electronics store nestled between a café and a hardware shop. The shop’s sign read, TechHub: Tomorrow’s Technology Today.
The interior was crammed with gadgets, their gleaming surfaces reflecting the overhead lights.
Adam’s eyes immediately fell on the VR set, displayed prominently in a glass case. It was sleek and futuristic, a symbol of the new life he was about to embark on.
The sales assistant, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a friendly smile, greeted him. "Looking for something specific?"
Adam nodded. "The basic VR set," he said, pointing to the display."Good choice," the assistant replied. "That one’s $42,000, including installation fee."
Adam handed over the money, his heart racing as the transaction finalized. He watched as the man carefully packed the equipment, promising to send an installer to Adam’s apartment later that day.
Back home, Adam waited anxiously. By evening, the technician arrived, setting up the VR set with practiced efficiency.
The sleek device gleamed on Adam’s desk, its futuristic design a stark contrast to the simplicity of the room. As the technician left, Adam stood in front of the VR set, his heart pounding with anticipation.
With $8,000 left in his savings, Adam knew he couldn’t abandon work entirely.
He decided to keep one part-time job to cover his living expenses while dedicating the rest of his time to preparation. The game’s release was just around the corner, and he needed to be ready.
The clock struck 9:00 p.m. Adam’s heart pounded as he strapped on the VR set. The headgear fit snugly, accompanied by special gloves that responded to the slightest movement of his fingers.
Lying back on his bed, he took a deep breath, his mind racing with anticipation.
“This time, I’ll fix my mistakes,” he thought, determination blazing in his eyes.
Adam sees the story in the VR set, there he sees ROW online, Adam installs it.
As the world of Row Online began to load, the chapter ended with Adam ready to embark on his journey to rewrite his fate.
The screen flickered to life, and Adam felt a surge of excitement and fear. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but he was ready. This was his chance to start over, to make things right. And he wasn’t going to waste it.