The fading sunlight indicated the advent of nightfall, and Flynn's gaze went upward to the sky, a sense of wonder washing over him. In Goldenleaf, nights were an enchanting spectacle, with three massive orbs radiating varied hues, painting the heavens in vibrant colors. A tapestry of blinking stars resembling countless sparkling gemstones decorated the velvety expanse of the night.
Yet, here on Earth, the night carried a different splendor. A solitary, lesser moon hovered in the sky, giving a soothing, mild light to the surroundings. It had its own comforting presence but couldn't compare to the magic of Goldenleaf's nocturnal canvas. The stars in this world fought to prove their existence, their weak light dulled by the earthy glow.
Nevertheless, Earth enjoyed its own particular beauty. The night here was immensely distinct, with the dazzling lights from buildings and establishments dominating the streets. Although Flynn had grown accustomed to these distinctions, they occasionally sparked a yearning for his motherland.
As Flynn's gaze absorbed the heavens, he caught sight of a figure at the corner of his eye. With a wide grin, he rapidly turned towards the woman, linking their arms together tenderly. "Mom, are you finished yet?"
The woman returned his smile warmly. "Yes, dear," she said, lovingly squeezing his arm. "Let's pick up a few groceries for dinner. You know how much I love cooking for you."
As they went around the bustling city streets, the bright lights from shops and restaurants filled the night, infusing it with energy and life. The city's energetic atmosphere began to weave its enchantment around Flynn, gradually acclimating him to the rhythm of this new existence.
The crowded supermarket with its appealing "50% OFF" sign outside immediately captured Mrs. Han's attention, and her face lit up with surprise and delight. With an unforeseen burst of energy, she sprinted towards the establishment, still linked arm in arm with Flynn.
As they approached closer, a lively scene unfolded before them. Many women, particularly around Mrs. Han's age, were caught in a frenzy, grabbing items from the shelves and sometimes even engaging in minor scuffles over the discounted goods.
Flynn couldn't help but be amused by the sight. Mrs. Han's enthusiasm was infectious, and he found satisfaction in observing her youthful excitement amidst the shopping pandemonium. He, too, tried to partake in the fun, carefully picking out a huge, peeled carrot, only to discover it was already spoiled, leaving his fingers smeared with orange slime.
Smiling at Flynn's endeavor, Mrs. Han gently guided him, imparting her wisdom in navigating the supermarket's deals. "My dear, don't pick the peeled ones. They are often rotten and just peeled to remove the spoiled parts," she warned. "And those unwrapped items may have been discarded for a reason."
Flynn couldn't help but be fascinated by Mrs. Han's meticulous approach to grocery shopping. Considering her initial excitement, he had anticipated her to be swift and efficient. However, to his astonishment, she seemed to be taking her time, carefully contemplating each item.
Glancing at the enormous clock on the supermarket wall, Flynn observed that they had been here for quite a while. The clock's hand had completed practically a full rotation, signaling the passage of time. Flynn's curiosity heightened more as he witnessed Mrs. Han's methodical approach.
He gently withdrew himself from their linked arms, intending to watch from a modest distance. Mrs. Han now had two identical pieces of produce, one in each hand, her eyes gleaming with concentration and delight. It was as if she were conducting some complicated calculation in her mind.
After a while, to Flynn's amazement, she put both items back and proceeded to the next one along her path. This continued as they wandered through the aisles, with Mrs. Han carefully selecting some goods while passing on others.
Flynn's curiosity intensified, and he couldn't help asking, "Mom, what's your secret technique for grocery shopping?"
Mrs. Han chuckled, her eyes flashing with amusement. "Oh, my dear, it's nothing too special. I'm just a seasoned shopper, and over the years, I've learned to pick the freshest and best items. You see, when you know what to look for, it becomes like a game of finding hidden treasures."
Flynn acknowledged her skill with a nod, saying, "Indeed, one must possess seasoned eyes to distinguish between real treasures and mere imitations or traps. Oftentimes, the allure of treasures begets unexpected peril for both monsters and adventurers alike."
The discussion flowed naturally, and Flynn's enthusiasm made it hard for him to notice the subtle shift in Mrs. Han's expression—her forehead wrinkled, and her lips turned slightly downward, signifying growing skepticism.
"But you said you had no recollection of playing games," Mrs. Han remarked, folding her arms tightly across her chest, her intent evident.
Flynn's heart raced as he searched for a response that would keep his secret secure. He answered, "Oh, I might have misspoke. I meant I learned these things from movies. You suggested I watch them to help with my memory, so that's what I did."
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Mrs. Han considered his response, her doubt still clear. "Movies can be informative; that's true. Just be careful not to let them blur the line between fiction and reality."
"Of course, Mom," Flynn said with a nod. Mrs. Han's shopping basket was rather full, and sensing the passing time and the gathering weight of the atmosphere, Flynn took it upon himself to seize the basket from her.
"Let me hold this. Do you have anything else to buy? I'm quite starving," Flynn replied, his palm traveling towards his stomach and resting on his belly circularly.
Unaware of the time, Mrs. Han checked the clock, her face contorting with shock and amazement at the lateness of the hour.
"No way, it's almost 8. Let's get back quickly," Mrs. Han murmured, her footsteps echoing with a small, frantic thud.
The duo exited the supermarket with two paper bags on his left arm and two enormous plastic bags on his right. The lively activity had tapered off, perhaps due to the late hour. Fortunately, their residence was just a few blocks away, and despite the temperature dropping considerably, getting home wouldn't be much of a difficulty.
"It has gotten pretty cold lately, with November just around the corner. In a few months, winter will arrive," Mrs. Han commented, her hands freed from the burden of carrying groceries as Flynn took charge. Restless, she reached for the skies, her palm spread out as if trying to capture an imaginary snowfall.
"As the weather gets colder, people will prefer to stay indoors or find places with heating systems," she said, her voice swiftly turning to a much more mournful tone.
"This marks the fifth year..." Mrs. Han trailed off, her eyes tinged with a trace of grief as she peered into her son. Flynn's eyes had been occupied throughout, leaving Mrs. Han wondering.
"I guess I've been quite chatty, huh? You're probably not even listening," Mrs. Han mused while a tinge of sadness laced her remarks. Her eyes followed her son's gaze, seeking to grasp what had caught his interest. Soon, her sight rested on a peculiar object.
A giant rectangular LED billboard decorated the top of a building. A lone man stood on the screen at the edge of a small, arid, desolate cliff. He sported ebony black hair, and a thick layer of blue-white metal armored his body. The camera then panned down to the bottom of the cliff, exposing a horde of monsters—goblins, harpies, orcs, and even demons—howling loudly as they waited for their prey.
The screen focused back on the lone warrior. Each breath contained mixed emotions, yet the glare in his eyes showed his resolve. He took a deep breath, swallowing the hesitation within him, and then pushed forward, creating a cloud of dust as he plunged from the cliff. With the sword drawn from its sheath, reflecting the blinding brilliance of the sun, he pounced on an unlucky opponent and swiftly slew it. A fascinating sword dance followed, with the blade finding and cutting every opponent crossing his path.
Soon, the man had eliminated every foe before him. He swung his blade in a red arc, cleansing it of the streaks of blood before sheathing it back in its scabbard.
The scenery moved to a deep forest, where sunlight hardly penetrated the lush leaves. A girl with sharp-edged ears ran gracefully away from masked pursuers. Her bright blonde hair flowed in the air as she hopped from one branch to another. She carefully took three arrows from her quiver, each dripping with a violet liquid that sizzled upon contact with the branch's surface.
With malicious glee, she drew her bow, its bright glow adding to the spectacle. Her eyes focused firmly on her targets as she fired the arrows, their lethal accuracy striking down the pursuing enemies. The poison in the arrows took its toll on those who were not killed quickly, leaving them writhing in agony.
The following scene emerged, transitioning to a contrasting location—a somber cathedral. A young boy clad in white with hair as red as blood and eyes as dark as the void sat inside, eyes tightly shut, engrossed in a solemn personal prayer. The camera then revealed a black silhouette on the cathedral's ceiling. It vanished from sight in the next instant, only to emerge behind the vulnerable young man with horns jutting from its head, jaws open, and sharp teeth dripping with saliva.
The devil attempted to devour the kid, but the boy's eyes suddenly opened at that critical moment. A dazzling light surrounded the boy and everything around him, wiping the devil and the cathedral from view. When the light faded, barren land was left behind, devoid of the devil, the cathedral, and everything nearby.
The screen then exhibited the faces of the three adventurers, with their names displayed at the lower half of the screen.
[Second World's 1st World Championship Winners: Lei Yuan
When the announcement concluded, the two fell into silence. Flynn found himself drawn to the world behind the screen, captivated by every detail that reflected his own world. The images and sounds seemed to resonate with a familiarity that tugged at his memory, evoking suppressed emotions and sensations.
Turning to Mrs. Han, he caught her serious gaze. Her expression was a mix of anxiety and dread. He knew his mother wasn't fond of gaming, and they often avoided discussing it. Yet he couldn't ignore his attraction towards navigating this virtual realm, a place that seemed to mimic aspects of his past life.
With a firm voice, Flynn spoke, his commitment clear in his words. "Mom, I have made up my mind."
Mrs. Han's eyes widened in disbelief, her heart thumping with fear. A shudder ran down her spine, and she tightened up, not completely realizing the significance of her son's decision.
"What's the matter, my dear?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty and concern.
"I need to play that game," Flynn said, the earnestness in his tone mirroring the determination that had settled in his heart. He understood that taking this step was vital for his journey ahead.
Tears tried to fill Mrs. Han's eyes. Still, witnessing her son's unflinching determination, she fought back her emotions, hoping to match his commitment with hers. She knew that her son had lost his memory, but watching him so absorbed in this game made her wonder if he had finally recalled his dreadful past.
"Is it because of that woman, Suyeon?" Mrs. Han inquired, her voice weighted with tiredness and worry.
Flynn looked curious, puzzled by the mention of the name. His mind was a maze of missing pieces, and Suyeon Hwan was another conundrum he couldn't unravel.
"What about her?" he queried, seeking some hint to connect the name to his forgotten past.
"You remembered, didn't you? Suyeon Hwan, your girlfriend," Mrs. Han replied, her voice tremulous as the weight of her world seemed to crash down on her once again. She couldn't stand to see her son struggle with his lost memories, yet the thought that he might recall some of his best-buried memories filled her with anguish.