Ron slumped behind Horace, feeling the weight of exhaustion pull at his bones. The young squire had recovered completely and was now the acting horse rider for Ron, heading back to the high-altitude fortress, Foghaven.

Ron’s first day in this strange new world had been a whirlwind of excitement and danger. From dining with the knights in the mess hall to facing off against the fierce goblins in battle, Ron had experienced more adventure in a single day than most people did in a lifetime.

As they rode back to Foghaven, Ron's mind raced with memories of the day's events. He couldn't shake the images of the terrified prisoners, caged and helpless, or the sounds of battle ringing in his ears. But there was also a sense of pride and accomplishment that swelled within him. He had fought bravely alongside the knights, saved innocent lives, and proved his worth as a warrior. Ron even wondered whether this was how the Heroes had felt when they saved people against the threats of the portal invaders.

Heroes. The reason he was here in the first place. Andrew promised him that this ‘game’ would evoke an awakening to his potential. A way of becoming a Hero without the intervention of the National Bureau of Heroes. He then opened the Log Out screen.

[Would you like to Log Out?]

[Yes] [No]

He was now able to go back home. A day's worth of waiting and now he could go back. But rather than answering yes, he opened his status window.

[Status]

[Name: Sauron Greylock(Sauron Williams)]

[Level: 13]

[Class: 2-Star Knight, Mage In-Training]

[Title: 1. Descendant of Greylock 2. Curse of the Envious Serpent 3. Blacksheep of Greylock 4. Might of the Dark Horse]

[Strength: 50]

[Agility: 53]

[Vitality: 35]

[Intelligence: 26]

[Spirit: 24]

[Charisma: 29]

[Mana: 21]

[Available points: 80]

The sight astounded him. His one-day effort had brought his level up to thirteen with his stats incredibly heightened by other means beyond distributing points. Yet what drew his eyes immediately was a change in his class. He was no longer a 1-Star Knight as the number turned to two. He didn’t know how or why it happened as to his knowledge, usually, there was a need to undergo a test of some sort for job advancement. But it seemed this ‘game’ had a different idea of how the job progressed.

Ron gazed at his numbers from up to down, satisfied with what he saw. Yet for the sake of awakening his potential, he felt the need to distribute his points. It was just an idea of course, considering he still didn’t know how to awaken his potential back on Earth. But he still had to try. Ron focused on the physical qualities and distributed his points evenly between Strength, Agility, and Vitality.

The world around him seemed to slow down as he felt the rush of energy surging through his veins. It was as if every fiber of his being was being infused with a potent elixir, granting him strength beyond what he had ever felt before. He closed his eyes, savoring the sensation as it pulsed through him, amplifying his senses and honing his reflexes to a razor's edge.

This was power, raw and untamed. It was the kind of power that only came from years of grueling training and hard-won experience. And yet, it felt more tangible, more real, than any amount of practice or discipline ever could. It was a rush of adrenaline, a burst of primal energy that coursed through his body, leaving him feeling invincible.

But even as he reveled in this newfound strength, he knew that it was only possible because of the long and arduous journey that had brought him here. It was the culmination of years of hard work, sweat, and sacrifice. He had pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion time and time again, honing his body and mind until they were finely tuned weapons, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.

And now, as he stood there, feeling the surge of power coursing through him, he knew that all of that hard work had been worth it.

As Ron perused through his class list, his gaze lingered on the enigmatic Mage In-Training class. He couldn't help but ponder why it even existed. Despite his numerous battles, he had yet to uncover any spell or magic that was specific to mages. It seemed to be a perplexing and enigmatic conundrum that Ron couldn't unravel.

But even with all those questions he had, Ron was determined to leave. He had to see whether this potential awakening was true or not. The log-out screen opened once more and he answered.

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“Yes,” Ron said.

His vision immediately darkened and he was out.

* * *

Ron was back. The air was cold and musty, sending chills down his spine as he shivered involuntarily. His fingers traced over his arms, feeling the prickling sensation of goosebumps rising on his flesh.

He surveyed his surroundings, taking in the familiar equipment and machines that lined the walls. Ron flexed his fingers, feeling the strength pulsing through his body. Was it just his imagination or had he become stronger?

Ron's mind raced with questions. His eyes landed on one particular area of the lab, the lounge area and he walked over. He reached out to grab the sofa and thought to lift it only with his one hand.

But he failed. The sweat poured down his face as he strained against the couch, his muscles bulging with effort. But it was as immovable as a mountain, refusing to budge even an inch. He tried everything he could think of, pushing and pulling, heaving and grunting, but it was all for naught. Slowly, his efforts began to falter, his breathing ragged and his heart pounding like a drum. The bitter taste of failure rose in his mouth, and he felt a sharp pang of disappointment and frustration.

He thought the ‘game’ would work. Ron had been so sure that this time, things would be different. That all the points he had earned would finally manifest themselves in his strength and prowess. But the cruel reality was that he was still weak, still powerless to move the couch.

The crushing weight of despair settled on his shoulders like a leaden cloak, and he slumped forward, his head in his hands. The dream of being strong, of being able to stand up to anything and anyone, felt impossibly far away.

“Fuck,” he cursed. Ron looked back at the old PC. His only hope had failed him, but he wasn’t mad. In a way, he felt grateful to his friend for giving him one last opportunity to dream and feel how it was to become strong.

Ron left the lab. Leaving the metal door to shut behind him. Meanwhile, the bit-image of Andrew emerged on the screen, and Android’s voice came alive once more.

“Sauron Williams’ presence cannot be found,” Android said. “Need to inform Interdimensional Harmonization will be completed in forty…”

* * *

The man who yearned for power slid into his car and drove away, his thoughts a tumultuous whirlwind. As he cruised down the road, heading back to his so-called home, his mind remained firmly rooted in the world of Elder Dragon Fantasy.

He couldn't shake the feeling of power that had coursed through his veins as he battled his way through hordes of monsters, feeling his muscles bulge with otherworldly strength. But even as he basked in the afterglow of his victory, the man knew the strength he wielded was all just a figment of his imagination.

* * *

Ron's eyes drooped with exhaustion as he stumbled through the door of his New Haven apartment. The long drive had taken its toll on him, the occasional pit stops did nothing to ease his growing fatigue. He could barely keep his eyes open as he stumbled towards his bedroom, his steps faltering as he fought to stay conscious.

Finally, he collapsed onto the bed, feeling its soft embrace as sleep slowly claimed him. But even in his slumber, his mind was restless, filled with a hundred thoughts and worries that refused to leave him be. He dreamed of lost hope and missed opportunities, of a life that had somehow slipped through his fingers like sand.

As the moonlight slowly crept into his room, Ron stirred, feeling the weight of his fatigue still clinging to him. He groaned, rubbing his eyes as he struggled to wake up. He had slept throughout the whole day, but he couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment he felt. The unfulfilled dreams he had weighed on him heavily like balls of iron shackled to his ankles.

The hunger gnawed at his insides, demanding to be satiated. His lethargic hand groped for his phone, dialing the number for his favorite pizzeria. His mind could already taste the greasy cheese and savory tomato sauce as he placed his order for two large pizzas, adding a side of garlic knots for good measure.

As he waited for the food to arrive, his gaze drifted lazily outside, taking in the city skyline. A faint scent of his own unwashed body caught his attention, a reminder of his neglect of personal hygiene in his quest for comfort.

With a scowl, he dragged himself to the bathroom and forced himself to take a shower. The hot water pounded against his skin, washing away the grime and sweat of the day. As he emerged, toweling his hair dry, he gazed out the window once more, taking in the twinkling lights of the city.

Beyond the usual skyline of New Haven, he saw the towering structures of newly-built skyscrapers, their gleaming glass facades a symbol of hope in a world ravaged by disaster. After the decimation of New York seven years ago, the surviving capitalists had turned their attention to the nearby city of New Haven, and the influx of resources had transformed it into a thriving metropolis.

Some might wonder why he chose to live here, a survivor of the tragedy that befell the great city. But for him, the answer was clear. He was driven by a fierce desire for revenge, a need to find the bastard who had killed his wife and unborn son. New Haven was close to New York City and every night he would peer through his Hero-tech binoculars(which cost him a fortune) and search for any sight of that fucking lizard.

Usually from his balcony, he could see the darkness that had consumed the once-bustling metropolis. No lights shone in the ruins, no sign of life or hope. The streets were silent and empty, a testament to the devastation wrought upon the city.

But every now and then, he would catch a glimpse of it. The dragon. The fucking lizard. Flying high above the empty streets of New York, bellowing the fury of its flames for all to hear. Its fiery breath scorched the desolate landscape, a constant reminder of the chaos and destruction that had befallen the world.

Yet tonight, he found no solace in the dragon's presence. His motivation for revenge had waned, replaced by a sense of emptiness that he could not shake.

The doorbell echoed through Ron's small apartment, interrupting his thoughts. He sighed and dragged himself off the couch, his hunger piqued by the thought of the two large pizzas he had ordered. The scent of cheese and tomato hit him as he opened the door to the delivery man, his stomach growling in anticipation.

Ron grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza and stepped out onto his balcony, the city of New Haven spread out before him. The lights glittered like stars, a tapestry of colors and shapes that he had grown used to over the years. But tonight, something felt different. The flavors of the pizza were delicious as always, but Ron found no happiness in his favorite meal. He felt restless like something was missing.

He finished the slice and took one last look at the city below. It was safe and peaceful as usual. His feet brought him back to his apartment. The sliding door shut tight behind him. But he didn’t realize he missed something while skimming through the view. On the rooftop of an apartment that was far below his own, a tiny bright circle was forming in mid-air.