Chapter 1: Ordinary Days
The afternoon sun poured into the classroom through half-closed blinds, leaving streaks of light on worn desks and drowsy students. The teacher's voice droned on about the Sengoku period, but Ryota was miles, or perhaps worlds, away. Beneath his desk, his fingers danced over his concealed gaming device, chatting with his guildmates, Kai and Yumi.
"Ryota, I heard there's a rare dragon at the Northern Peaks for this event," Kai's message popped up, accompanied by a sprite of an excited chibi warrior.
Ryota smirked, typing back quickly. "I've been preparing for this! Yumi, you got those elixirs?"
"Locked and loaded!" Yumi's rogue character winked back. "We're snagging that dragon."
In this digital realm, Ryota was someone—a respected guild leader, not the overlooked kid from class 2-B. Not the regular target for Hiroshi and his gang. He felt a pang of bitterness, remembering how different things used to be.
The bell's shrill ring snapped him back to reality. Ryota slipped the device into his pocket and began to navigate the maze of desks towards the exit. He almost made it when a firm hand grabbed his shoulder, pulling him back.
"Well, well, look who's still lost in his little fantasy world," Hiroshi sneered, snatching Ryota's device. His gang circled, laughing and jeering, like hyenas surrounding their prey.
Hiroshi's eyes had that familiar mocking glint. "Remember when you thought you were better than me during that tournament?"
Ryota, swallowing his anger, replied calmly, "Hiroshi, that was years ago. Let it go."
Hiroshi smirked, tossing Ryota's device onto the concrete. "Just making sure you remember your place."
Walking away, Ryota's mind wandered back to when they were friends, playing games and sharing jokes. A time before competitions and envy soured their bond. The weight in his heart grew with every step towards home.
Opening the door to his room, the hum of his gaming PC greeted him, along with the twinkling lights from various gaming posters. It was his sanctuary. A place where Hiroshi's jeers couldn't reach him. A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. His younger sister, Hana, peeked in, her eyes lighting up upon seeing him.
"When will you teach me, big bro?" she asked, her voice filled with childlike eagerness.
Ryota chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Soon, Hana. When you're a bit older."
She puffed up her cheeks in mock indignation. "I'm already ten!"
Later that evening, as Ryota dove into his favorite MMORPG, the excitement of the impending in-game event electrified the virtual air. Meeting up with Kai and Yumi in a digital tavern, they animatedly discussed strategies. But as they prepared for their adventure, the game's vibrant graphics glitched, and an unfamiliar, enigmatic symbol appeared on screen.
"Guys, did you see that?" Yumi's voice echoed with concern.
Kai chimed in, "What was that symbol? It's not part of the game!"
Ryota tried to respond, but words escaped him. An overwhelming force seemed to pull him towards that symbol. And as darkness engulfed him, his last thought echoed, What's happening?