*10 Days Until Release...*
Anko's footsteps echoed in the narrow alleyway, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the hum of neon lights filling the air. He had heard whispers about the *Faye Rift* VR system for months now—rumors, speculation, and finally, the announcement. Now, it was almost time. A bold new experience, they said. A world you could truly lose yourself in, where your choices would shape everything.
Today, he was finally here to take the plunge. To buy the device. To become *Dusk*.
The shop he entered was small, tucked away between two larger buildings. The windows were dark, but the faint glow of artificial lights inside caught his attention as he pushed the door open. The bell above the door rang faintly, and the air was thick with the scent of plastic and electronics.
Anko stepped in, adjusting his jacket as his eyes scanned the interior. There were rows of sleek, futuristic-looking headsets on display, but his gaze quickly landed on the counter. Behind it stood four people—two men and two women, each of them talking animatedly about *Faye Rift* and the upcoming game release.
The first guy, tall and lanky with messy hair, was speaking loudly, a wide grin plastered across his face. "Man, I'm telling you, *Faye Rift* is gonna be the next big thing. I've been reading up on the game's mechanics and the world-building—it's insane. I can already picture myself dominating the arena with my character, no question."
The second guy, shorter with a more reserved demeanor, gave a small nod. "Yeah, it looks great. But it's gonna be tough. A lot of people are gonna be hunting for that top spot. It's not gonna be just about combat—it's gonna be about strategy. I mean, imagine starting a guild, setting up trade routes, or being one of the top thieves in the city. You really need to think about your role in the world."
One of the women, a tall brunette with a sharp gaze, leaned over the counter, catching Anko's eye. She raised an eyebrow, clearly sizing him up. "You know, the game's not just about what you want to *do*, it's about who you align with. Gotta make sure you're on the right side, with the right people. Especially in a world where factions are so divided."
The other woman, a petite blonde with an overly bright smile, chimed in enthusiastically. "Right, right! You can't just be a lone wolf. Well, I mean, you *could*, but good luck taking on that demon invasion by yourself, you know? Especially if you're not one of the strong races. I've already decided—I'm gonna be an elf, and I'll make sure I get into the Moonshadow family. They're gonna be the best. Imagine the power!"
Anko stood awkwardly by the door, observing their conversation. They seemed... knowledgeable, enthusiastic even, but there was something off about the way they spoke. A little too much confidence. A little too much emphasis on power and alliances. He shifted on his feet and cleared his throat, drawing their attention.
The lanky guy, the one who'd been talking about dominating the arena, smiled at him. "Oh, you here for the *Faye Rift* too? You look like you're just about ready to take the dive."
Anko nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah, I'm here to buy the VR device. Heard a lot about it. Looks incredible."
"Good call!" The blonde woman leaned in, her eyes glinting with excitement. "It's the future of gaming, for sure. I've been waiting for this moment for so long. The world, the races... You can literally be anyone, do anything. You've got your role, your class. It's all about what you want to be, you know?"
The short guy looked him over with a barely concealed smirk. "Yeah, man. Everyone's got their own dream. Some of us want to be kings, some want to be thieves, and some just want to... well, disappear into the shadows."
Anko raised an eyebrow, unsure if it was a joke or something else entirely. "Thieves, huh?"
"Oh, you didn't hear?" The brunette woman spoke now, her voice smooth as silk, though it carried a hidden sharpness. "The thieves in *Faye Rift* are some of the most interesting people. It's a whole different world—stealth, strategy, breaking into places you're not supposed to be. But you've gotta be careful. The city's a maze, and not all thieves play fair."
Anko couldn't help but laugh nervously. "That sounds... pretty intense. But, yeah, sounds like a good challenge."
The lanky guy gave a subtle nod, but Anko could swear there was something behind his smile. "Oh, you're gonna fit right in. If you've got the guts, that is. Everyone thinks they can just pick up the game and dominate right away. But it's more than just grinding levels, you know? It's about making alliances, building power, and even more about *who* you trust." He paused, glancing over at the others for a brief moment. "Sometimes, people you trust... aren't the ones who have your best interest at heart."
Anko blinked, unsure of what to make of the cryptic words. The blonde woman caught his gaze again, leaning forward with an overly sweet expression. "So, what's your plan? You already know what class you're going for?"
Anko hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yeah, I think I'm going to go with thief. It just feels like my kind of playstyle."
The brunette's lips curled into a knowing smile. "A thief, huh? You're gonna need a lot of skill for that one. And be careful—you might find yourself in a *team* situation, even if you didn't plan for it. Sometimes the game puts you with people you don't expect. Not everyone's going to want to play fair, you know?"
Anko furrowed his brow, but before he could ask for clarification, the shorter guy spoke up again, his tone casual but laced with something that felt almost... predatory. "Yeah, thief, huh? You've got some good qualities for it, but you'll definitely want to watch your back. Not everyone's as nice as they seem, especially when the game starts getting real."
The tension in the air was palpable, but Anko forced a smile, trying to push away the unease that was creeping into his chest. "Well, I guess we'll see how it all turns out. I'm just here to enjoy the experience, you know?"
The blonde woman let out a short, almost dismissive laugh. "Oh, I'm sure you will. But in *Faye Rift*, it's all about *making it*. And if you're gonna make it, you better be careful who you trust." Her eyes flickered over to the lanky guy for a moment, and then back to Anko. "You know what they say, right? It's not the world that's dangerous... it's the people in it."
Anko was left standing there, feeling a little more unsure than when he'd walked in, but he pushed the thoughts aside. He was here to buy the device, not to get caught up in cryptic conversations.
As the group continued to chatter among themselves, Anko couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. But, in the end, it didn't matter—he was ready for the game. He was ready to dive into *Faye Rift*.
The shop is quiet for a moment, the faint hum of the lights the only sound in the air. Anko stands awkwardly, still processing the strange interaction with the group of players. They don't seem like *bad* people... but something about their energy feels off, like they have a hidden agenda.
The lanky guy, the one who'd been talking about dominating the arena earlier, flashes him a grin as he stands up. "Hey, since we're all diving in soon, how about we grab some dinner together? You know, just to... talk strategy. Get to know each other, figure out where we're all at."
The shorter guy chimes in, nodding thoughtfully. "Yeah, we should definitely plan out our roles. You know, if you're serious about being a thief, you might want to rethink your strategy. Maybe it's not the best idea to go it alone in a world like this." He pauses, eyes glinting with something darker, a smile barely visible on his lips. "You could use a solid crew, someone who's got your back."
Anko hesitates, the words feeling like an underhanded suggestion. But before he can answer, the brunette woman steps forward, her expression suddenly more inviting than before. "We've got a solid group—me, him," she points at the lanky guy, "and the others. We've been talking about forming a party. You could fit in perfectly. We need a tank, someone to take the hits while we dish out the damage."
The blonde woman, who had been quieter up until now, shoots a glance at the brunette, and then back to Anko, her voice suddenly a little more playful. "Yeah, you don't *really* want to play a thief. It's dangerous, you know? You'll have to sneak around all the time, and that can get old fast. Why not join us? We'll make sure you're safe. You can be the shield. Take the hits for us. Think of it as... a little fun. We'll need someone who can take a beating."
Her words hang in the air for a moment, dripping with an unsettling sweetness. The lanky guy nods slowly, clearly not thinking about the suggestion with the same warmth. "Yeah... you know, it'd be better if you joined us. You wouldn't have to worry about getting stabbed in the back. With us, you'll be protected."
Anko doesn't know what to say. Part of him wants to politely decline, to stick to his decision to go it alone as a thief. But the idea of being part of a team, being protected, it *sounds* appealing. The thought lingers in his mind, making him wonder if maybe he's just overthinking it.
Then, without warning, the brunette woman steps closer, her voice soft, almost seductive. "You know, we're all going to be in the game together soon... Maybe we should *celebrate* before we dive in, just the five of us. You look like you could use a good time before everything gets serious, don't you think?"
Anko looks down at the counter, feeling a sudden rush of uncertainty. He can sense the tension rising in the air—the blonde woman's playful expression, the way the lanky guy's eyes narrow slightly. One of the men, the quieter one, shifts uncomfortably as if he's not happy with the direction the conversation is heading. His hand clenches into a fist, knuckles white, and Anko gets the feeling he's not the only one who's uncomfortable with how things are playing out.
The brunette woman steps in closer, her hand brushing against his arm. "You know, Anko, I think you're going to be *great* with us. Just... trust us. We'll take care of you. You just need to let us handle the *rest*. I'm sure you've got the potential... we'll make you feel right at home. We could be... *good together*."
Anko takes a small step back, trying to hide his discomfort, but he can't ignore the heat in her eyes. She's definitely trying to make something happen, and it feels... wrong. It doesn't help that the other guy—the one who's been mostly quiet—has been glaring at the two of them.
The lanky guy notices the tension and lets out a forced laugh. "Hey, easy there, buddy. We're all just having fun here. Right, sweetheart?" He shoots a pointed look at the brunette, then turns to Anko with a grin that feels a little too sharp. "We're all just trying to get to know you better, man. No harm in that, right? Don't be a stranger."
Anko's heart races. He doesn't want to make things awkward, but there's no mistaking the pressure hanging in the air. It feels like a game he's not sure he wants to play. Not like this.
He looks at the two men, then the two women, trying to figure out what's really going on. The blonde woman still watches him with that overly sweet smile, but now there's something more behind it—something more calculating. And the lanky guy? He seems to think of Anko as nothing more than a pawn in their little game.
Anko clears his throat, trying to regain some composure. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll pass on dinner. I've got some other things to figure out before the game goes live."
The brunette woman's smile falters for just a second, and then she quickly recovers, her voice still smooth. "Of course, of course. We'll let you think about it. But don't take too long. You'll see, we're *better* for you than whatever that thief life has to offer."
The lanky guy stands up straighter, eyes narrowing slightly. "It's just a suggestion. But hey, if you change your mind, we'll be around. Wouldn't want you to miss out on a good thing, yeah?"
Anko nods slowly, backing away from the counter. He can feel the weight of their gazes following him as he takes a few steps toward the door. The whole situation leaves a bad taste in his mouth, and the last thing he wants is to get tangled up in whatever power struggle or manipulation they've got going on.
As he reaches the door, he pauses, looking back at the four of them one last time. The blonde woman winks at him, her smile still lingering, while the lanky guy just watches with an unreadable expression.
With a final nod, Anko pushes the door open, stepping out into the cool evening air. The door closes behind him with a soft chime, and he lets out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
Maybe he'd dodged a bullet. Maybe not. Either way, it was clear now—*Faye Rift* was a lot more than he had bargained for. The real game hadn't even started yet, and already, he felt like a pawn on someone else's board.
The countdown to the dive in VR had begun. And who knew what kind of chaos awaited him inside.