The night air in the city was infused with a blend of excitement and possibilities as Oliver led Liam out of the lively bar towards a nearby shopping station. The streetlights illuminated their faces as they strolled through bustling Brook City. Liam's anticipation was palpable, his emotions a rollercoaster of anxiety and curiosity amid recent twists.
Arriving at the shopping station, Oliver guided Liam to a store specializing in holographic accessories. A symphony of colorful lights danced around the entrance, creating a futuristic aura that contrasted with the simplicity of the mountain village.
Inside the store, Oliver explored various options of holographic bracelets, each displaying elegant and futuristic designs. He chose one that suited Liam's style and, with a dramatic gesture, presented it to him. Liam, still processing the night's events, accepted the gift with gratitude.
"This should be connected to your documents. Try it on," Oliver's voice carried a mix of enthusiasm and determination.
Liam followed Oliver's instructions, wearing the bracelet and connecting it to a terminal in the store. As he did, a holographic interface appeared before him, prompting information for registration. He entered his details with a mix of caution and anticipation.
Upon completing the registration, the bracelet emitted a gentle light, indicating a successful connection. Liam's eyes, reflecting a blend of surprise and relief, focused on the holographic interface now displaying a balance in digital dollars of 1,000.00 DDs.
"Wow, I actually have some money here." Liam's expression was a mix of disbelief and restrained joy.
Oliver, noticing the change in Liam's demeanor, casually asked, "How many bills did you give to the scammer there?"
Recalling the scam, Liam responded with some hesitation, "About 200 dollars."
Oliver, with a subtle smile, commented, "Well, my friend, you might not have been scammed the way you think. Those bills you gave him are rare and might be worth much more than you imagine."
Exiting the store, while walking on the sidewalk, Oliver explained that the actual value of those bills in digital dollars could reach 10,000.00 DDs. The revelation left Liam astonished, realizing that the scammer had indeed deceived him.
Oliver, sensing Liam's contemplative expression, decided to address the looming issue. "Liam, don't worry too much about the money. I'm rich, and you don't need to feel bad about it. I'm here to help."
The gratitude in Liam's eyes was evident as he thanked Oliver. "Seriously, Oliver, I don't know how to thank you for all this help. It feels like I'm in a completely different world than I know, but you've made everything easier."
Oliver, with a casual nod, replied, "Friend, we're here to help each other. Plus, it's not entirely for free; I'll need your help in Beyond Realms in the future."
As the night unfolded before them, Oliver suggested putting aside worries for now. "How about we wrap up the night at my place? I have a few properties here in the city."
Liam, still processing the recent twists in his life, agreed. "That would be great, Oliver. I think I need a moment to take in everything that happened today."
The two friends got into a pre-arranged car and headed to one of Oliver's elegant residences in a quiet neighborhood of the city. Upon entering, Liam was impressed by the sophisticated and modern decor.
"Pick a room, any one you like. Make yourself at home." Oliver offered, expansive gestures indicating the extent of the hospitality he was willing to provide.
Liam chose a room with a view of the sparkling skyscrapers of the city. As he settled in, Oliver suggested, "Take some time to rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and I have an action plan for us."
With that promise, Oliver left Liam in his room. As the silence of the night enveloped the house, Liam reclined on the comfortable bed, his mind filled with reflections on the extraordinary day he had experienced.
Immersed in thoughts, he lay on the comfortable bed, gazing out of the window at the skyscrapers that rose majestically against the night sky. The city, with its pulsating life, seemed distant from the simplicity of his mountain village. As his eyes grew heavy, the urban landscape blended with the dance of lights that filled his thoughts.
As the night progressed, the accumulated fatigue of the day's experiences weighed on Liam, guiding him into the realm of dreams. Initially, his mind was a blank canvas, but as his eyelids closed, the darkness was filled with flashes of disjointed images. The sensation of being transported to a mysterious and enchanting place began to envelop him.
First, a glimpse of a dense and imposing forest unfolded before Liam. Tall and ancient trees formed a verdant canopy, creating a lush and vibrant environment. A particular tree stood out, with twisted roots and leaves that seemed to capture the moonlight in a mesmerizing way. The atmosphere was charged with an ancestral energy that communicated with Liam in an inexplicable manner.
Then, as if an invisible force guided him, Liam felt his feet leading him through the trees. Each step resonated with the certainty of a destiny entwined with the surrounding environment. The forest whispered ancient secrets, and the focal tree emitted an aura that captured Liam's attention.
In a moment, vivid images of mystical symbols and patterns danced before his eyes. Runes and magical designs seemed to form a link between the past and the future, and Liam felt a deep connection with each of them, as if they were engraved in his very essence.
Suddenly, the scene changed, and Liam found himself on a battlefield. Shadows moved around him, obscuring the view of what lay ahead. Tension hung in the air, and Liam felt the urgency to prepare for imminent challenges. The images, though fleeting, were loaded with a message echoing in his core.
In a final moment, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows. Clad in ancient robes, exuding an air of ancestral wisdom, the figure carried an aura of significance. Their eyes met, and a silent communication seemed to transpire between them. The figure raised a hand in a meaningful gesture, indicating an undefined direction.
The dream, full of symbolism and mystery, enveloped Liam in a journey beyond the bounds of understanding. As the images dissolved, he found himself back in the room at Oliver's house, slowly awakening to reality.
The echo of the visions persisted, leaving a profound and intriguing impression on his mind. Liam, now awake, contemplated the images echoing in his memory, trying to decipher the meaning behind the premonitory dream. 'What the hell was that? This dream was much more detailed than the last few times, but it still didn't reveal anything,' Liam thought as he stared at the room's ceiling.
The silence of dawn hung over the house, interrupted only by the gentle noise of the city awakening outside. Curiosity prompted Liam to get out of bed and explore Oliver's house. Upon opening the door of his room, he was greeted by a corridor adorned with modern artworks and elegant details.
Turning a corner, Liam found Oliver, who seemed to be ready for the day. "Good morning, friend! Did you sleep well?" Oliver greeted with a warm smile.
Liam nodded, still processing the fragments of the dream that lingered in his mind. "Well, it was an... interesting night. I had a dream that felt more like a vision. A forest, magical symbols, a battlefield. And there was a figure, some kind of guide, maybe. It was strange."
Oliver, intrigued, pointed towards the kitchen. "Let's have breakfast. Maybe some food will help clear your mind."
The two friends headed to the kitchen, where inviting scents of fresh coffee and toast filled the air. The table was set with a variety of foods, indicating Oliver's refined touch. They settled in, exchanging pleasantries as they began to enjoy the meal.
"I hope the bed was comfortable for you. I have several properties in the city, so there are always options. Did you sleep well?" Oliver asked, displaying genuine concern.
Liam, between bites, replied, "Yes, everything was amazing. And considering everything that happened, I surprisingly slept well." He hesitated for a moment before deciding to share more about the dream. "You know, Oliver, the dream... was different. More vivid, more real. I don't know what to make of these visions."
Oliver, taking a sip of coffee, pondered for a moment. "Sometimes, sharing what you've experienced makes things clearer. Tell me what you remember."
Liam nodded, understanding the importance of sharing his experiences. Between one bite and another, he began to narrate the details of the dream to Oliver. He described the lush forest, the imposing tree, the magical symbols, and the tense battlefield. Every word seemed to breathe life into the images that still floated in his memory.
As he listened, Oliver took out his holographic bracelet and began searching for keywords related to Liam's dream. The projected interface showed limited results, but one image caught Oliver's attention. An area in Beyond Realms with trees similar to those described by Liam. The gleam in Oliver's eyes indicated a flicker of recognition.
"Look here, was it this tree that appeared in your dream?"
Liam nodded, confirming that the image matched the imposing tree that appeared in his dream. Oliver, with an excited smile, took immediate action.
"Great! I'll quickly order another virtual gaming cabin so you can access Beyond Realms. While we wait, I'll explain how the game works."
While waiting for the new cabin to arrive, Oliver detailed the nuances of Beyond Realms to Liam. He explained character creation, the different available classes, and how vast the world of Beyond Realms is. Liam's anxiety grew as he visualized the exciting journey he was about to embark on.
"You can start exploring the game in the cabin I have in this house. When you begin the game and create your character, strive to reach level 10 so we can meet inside the game," Oliver suggested.
Oliver led Liam to the cabin, located in a dedicated room.
Upon arrival, the imposing structure of the virtual gaming cabin stood out. Oliver, with an inviting gesture, indicated the entrance. "Go ahead, Liam. Don't worry, you're about to enter a new world, but with your strength, I wouldn't worry."
Liam, with a mix of nervousness and excitement, entered the cabin. The structure closed, plunging him into darkness. The system's sound resonated, and the Beyond Realms interface began to materialize around him.
Outside the cabin, Oliver waited with palpable anticipation. He knew that within that enclosed space, Liam was about to experience Beyond Realms, and he was eager to have a future companion at a professional level.
The system sound echoed
[starting]