"And checkmate," I declared triumphantly, sliding my knight into position, effectively pinning his king. The old man, my opponent, widened his eyes in surprise. "Hehe, you're quite smart for a young man," he chuckled, clapping his hands in admiration.
"Heh, good game, old man," I chuckled, glancing at my watch to check the time. "Listen, I've got to go. My favorite band is performing at 3." With a swift motion, I packed my bags, excitement filling my every step. "Okay, stay safe... uh," the old man hesitated, trying to recall my name.
"It's Hiroshi Matsuo," I interjected, laughing softly, as I made my way towards the exit. "Ah, right! See ya, Hiroshi," he called out, bidding me farewell.
As I rushed down the street towards the venue where my favorite band was scheduled to perform, the wind seemed to be on my side, gently brushing against my face while birds chirped in the background. The bustling sounds of the city echoed around me.
Reaching the destination, I quickly glanced at my watch, which displayed 2:45. "Phew, made it just in time," I sighed with relief. Eagerly, I pushed open the door, but to my dismay, the room was empty, devoid of any sign of life. It was a desolate scene that greeted me.
"Did I come to the wrong place?" I questioned myself, doubting my own sense of direction. Double-checking my phone, I verified the address: "Livehouse, 32 Taria Street. Yes, this is the correct location." Confused, I glanced around and noticed the familiar logo of the live house displayed nearby.
"Maybe I did come to the wrong place?" I muttered to myself, casting a glance at the unenthused passersby outside. "There's not even a line... (sigh) Oh well." Just as I reached for the doorknob to leave, it stubbornly refused to budge. "The heck?"
Suddenly, my phone chimed with a notification. I retrieved it from my pocket and discovered an unfamiliar message from an anonymous user. The text read, 'Welcome to the game, Hiroshi. You've been invited to Veritaria, the land of games and...' Before I could finish reading, I attempted to swipe the notification away, only to have my phone vibrate once more. This time, the notification displayed a stern-looking emoticon, >:(
As my phone buzzed yet again, another notification appeared on the screen. The message seemed eerily foreboding: 'Humans are so ignorant these days. Anyway, welcome to Veritaria, Hiroshi Matsuo. It is a world where games, status, and power are essential. If you wish to join, please proceed to the door behind you, marked "Toilet," and you shall enter Veritaria.'
I couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and unease. The cryptic message raised countless questions in my mind, but a part of me was drawn to the idea of this mysterious world. With a resolute sigh, I decided to take a leap of faith. I turned around to face the door marked "Toilet," contemplating the potential adventure that awaited me in Veritaria.
"If I die on the first day, I'm definitely getting a new phone," I muttered under my breath, half-jokingly. With a mix of anticipation and apprehension, I grasped the doorknob and swung open the toilet door. To my surprise, a sudden gust of wind swept through the doorway.
tousling my clothes and causing my hair to dance in the air. I blinked repeatedly, thinking it was a mere hallucination, but each time I opened and closed the door, the fantastical world remained.
Rubbing my eyes in disbelief, I stared in awe at the transformation before me. The once mundane restroom had been replaced by a breathtaking landscape, stretching out endlessly before my eyes. A clear, cerulean sky stretched above, adorned with wisps of fluffy white clouds.
The vibrant hues of nature painted the scene below, with rolling hills and valleys covered in lush, emerald-green grass. In the distance, a magnificent castle stood proudly, its turrets reaching towards the heavens, as if inviting me to explore its mysteries.
Excitement coursed through my veins, fueling my desire to embark on this extraordinary adventure. With a mixture of determination and curiosity, I took my first step forward, only to find myself stumbling and landing ungracefully on the ground.
"....ow," I grumbled, quickly brushing off the dirt from my jacket and pants.
Casting a reproachful glance at the door now floating in the sky, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Out of all places, they choose to put the door there," I muttered, half-amused and half-frustrated by the absurdity of the situation. With a shake of my head, I rose to my feet,
dusted off my clothes once more, and set off towards the mesmerizing castle in the distance, determined to uncover the secrets that awaited me in this captivating world of Veritaria.