The weekend arrived, and with it the dreaded Kanzaki family reunion at the ancestral estate. Satoru sat stiffly in the back of his father's Mercedes as they wound through the countryside, his mood as overcast as the grey autumn skies outside.
He tuned out his parents' cheerful banter, dreading the next two days of navigating his extended family's archaic traditions and nosy interrogations into his life. At least he had brought his phone and laptop despite the poor rural WiFi. He could immerse himself in his studies during any unbearable socializing.
As the car followed the tree-lined driveway up to the sprawling traditional house, Satoru steeled himself mentally and emotionally.
He would have to be "on" the entire time, carefully managing familial expectations like a performer controlling his audience. No room for authenticity or honesty with this crowd.
Stepping out of the car, Satoru arranged his features into a pleasant mask and straightened his crisp button-down shirt. His father clapped him on the shoulder.
"Ready to impress, son? Lots of relatives eager to meet the star pupil." Satoru nodded mutely, waving to the figures visible through the rice paper doors. Showtime.
Sliding open the front entrance, a chorus of "welcomes!" and applause greeted the new arrivals. Satoru kept his polite smile fixed as he exchanged bows and greetings with his various aunts, uncles, cousins, and elders, whose names and faces all blurred together. He focused on projecting humility and deference, uttering safe platitudes.
Eventually Satoru extracted himself to "help bring in bags," taking a moment alone in the hallway to breathe. These extended interactions were mentally taxing, requiring his complete attention to avoid slipping up or showing his true feelings. He longed to retreat to his room already, but social duties came first.
Returning to the common areas, Satoru allowed himself to be swept up in the nonstop familial chatter and gossip. He strategically peppered in vague references to his academic dominance and extracurricular excellence, eliciting approving hums from the elders. Let them assume the rest.
Dinner brought some relief as focus shifted to the food rather than Satoru. He picked at his plate, appetite diminished after so much tedious social maneuvering. Still, appearances mattered here, so he made a show of savoring every meticulously prepared dish. Wouldn't want to offend the cooks.
As the extended family relaxed post-meal, one uncle called for Satoru to play something on the antique grand piano stationed in the corner of the room.
Murmurs of agreement rose from the others, eager to see a performance from the prodigy. Satoru assented graciously, rising to take his place at the bench.
Settling in front of the ivory keys, Satoru closed his eyes and allowed muscle memory to guide his movements.
Though the 18-minute piece elicited stunned silence punctuated by enthusiastic applause, Satoru felt only cold relief at having completed another performative trial. The music held no beauty to him, just utility like he was a robot.
By the time Satoru was permitted to excuse himself for the night as he went back to his room, he felt utterly drained. The constant monitoring of his every word and movement around family was more taxing than the deepest dungeon raid. He wanted only to collapse into bed but knew more social landmines likely awaited tomorrow too.
Satoru considered logging into Paradigm for some mindless mob grinding to unwind. But the poor WiFi here made that impossible. Instead, he pulled out his economics textbook and resumed studying, methodically absorbing the material until exhaustion finally claimed him.
The next day proceeded similarly. Satoru wore his polite mask through lengthy formal meals, educational interrogations from aunts and uncles, and being trotted out to perform on command for any relative with a passing whim. The hours blurred together into a haze of tedious obligation.
Whenever possible, he stole away to continue studying in his room - the one place he could drop his facade temporarily.
But these respites were few and far between with so many relatives demanding his time and attention. He felt like a caged tiger, growing more on edge with every passing hour.
By late afternoon, the confinement had become suffocating. As relatives chatted over tea, Satoru slipped silently outside to wander the sprawling garden grounds alone, desperate for any taste of freedom.
The cobblestone paths and precisely manicured shrubs seemed designed specifically to impose order upon nature's chaotic impulses. Satoru felt a strange kinship with the plants straining against their confines, seeking slivers of sunlight to nourish some fleeting independence.
Rounding a bend, Satoru noticed an ivy-covered wall separating this polished portion of the grounds from the more wild, overgrown areas beyond. Glancing around surreptitiously, he hoisted himself up and over, landing in a crouch amidst the tall grasses and weeds.
Away from judging eyes at last, Satoru tilted his face skyward, letting the cool autumn breeze wash over him. He could pretend, just for a moment, that expectations and duties did not exist. That the world was still full of possibilities beyond what family and society demanded.
Wandering aimlessly through the untamed undergrowth, Satoru stumbled upon an ancient, moss-eaten shrine nestled against a hillside. Though long forgotten, a serene power still emanated from this remnant of the land's spiritual past.
Satoru entered the crumbling stone structure, noting relics that had likely adorned it centuries ago - half-melted candles, and faded scrolls. This place was a link to a simpler time before the burdens of academic prowess and career prestige dominated his family's ethos.
Settling cross-legged amidst the rubble and leaves, Satoru closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. As his breathing slowed, he noticed flavors of incense and heard chants echoing softly.
Then his phone chimed, breaking the spell - a text from his father asking where he was. Satoru sighed, rising reluctantly and typing a vague excuse about exploring the grounds. Back to reality.
Brushing the leaves and moss from his clothes, Satoru stepped back out into the sunlight and retraced his steps to the main gardens. With one last glance at the shrine, he hoisted himself over the wall, donning his polite mask just as his cousin came looking around the corner.
"Satoru! There you are. Come quick, Grandfather wants to discuss your university options!" Satoru allowed himself to be led back inside, the tendrils of freedom slowly receding once more.
The rest of the reunion passed in a tedious blur. By the end, Satoru was thoroughly drained. The ride home was silent aside from his parents praising his perfect performance. Satoru simply stared numbly out the window.
Returning home, Satoru went straight to his meticulously organized room and collapsed on the bed. The past two days felt akin to prolonged torture - all superficiality and expectations, nothing genuine. He needed to process it somehow.
Putting the headset on, Satoru sat down on his bed and loaded up Paradigm Online. He briefly considered using his guise Virgil again but decided he needed Dante tonight. Full, unrestrained immersion without inhibition.
Donning the haptic gear, Satoru's perceptions shifted fully into Dante's avatar. The virtual world solidified around him and a savage grin split his jagged features. Finally, freedom.
[Only 12 days until the Big update]
Flexing his [clawed gauntlets] Dante set out into the PvP zones where all rules were forgotten. But now Dante needed real release from pretending to be Satoru.
At times, he felt like Satoru stepping into Dante's shoes, but occasionally, it went the other way, making him lose his true self.
He did not have to wait long before a band of marauders emerged from the shadows of a ruined city, no doubt hoping to ambush him. Instead, their demise would be swift and total. A fitting sacrifice.
"Well, what do we have here..." Their leader chuckled, hefting a crude axe. "Little lost, friend? These parts can be...dangerous." Laughter echoed among the ruins.
Dante turned slowly to face the motley crew, showing his sharp teeth that formed a big grin on his face. "Oh, I'm aware of the dangers..." Cracking his knuckles, Dante called flames into his palms. "But you should be more concerned for yourselves."
The marauders hesitated, taken aback by Dante's confidence "W-wait! isn't that Dante! the famous player killer!" one of the group called. Then the leader was taken back, "Ugh, Get him! He dies tonight!" Howling and brandishing weapons they charged en masse. Dante's bloody smile widened.
Lunging into their midst, Dante unleashed pent-up fury honed to razor sharpness by the weekend's frustrations. Blows meant to cripple glanced off his magical barriers, while his claws and fiery blasts harvested limbs and lives with ruthless efficiency.
In mere seconds the streets ran red with blood and the air echoed with screams of players and NPCs alike. Dante reveled in the carnage, his inner rage momentarily sated. It was ecstasy by fire and combat.
As the last player fell, a slow clap sounded from the alleyway. Dante turned to see a player emerge from the shadows it was Emperor.
Dante went to talk to Emperor but yet, for some reason, he felt more empty today.
...
Ayaka slowly opened her eyes, vision blurry and head pounding. She was curled up on the floor of her bedroom, tangled in the wires looking at the calendar on the wall 2011. Reality came crashing back - her mother confiscating the headset, forbidding her only escape.
She hauled herself up numbly, joints stiff from lying there for...how long had it been? 4 days at least, judging by her gnawing hunger and thirst. But time had lost meaning since losing Paradigm.
Ayaka shuffled to the kitchen, noticing the sink piled high with dishes. Had her mother not even been home since their fight? Or was Ayaka so out of it she didn't hear her? She gulped some water and forced down a few bites of leftover rice, just enough to take the edge off.
Retreating back to her room, Ayaka collapsed again amidst the wires and clutter. She felt hollow, a shell discarded after serving its purpose.
Her computer provided a faint lifeline, letting her access the Paradigm forums at least. She couldn't bear facing the real world right now. Not as Ayaka.
Ayaka logged into the forums as Scar. Dozens more messages awaited, fans and trolls alike demanding her attention. She felt nothing skimming through them anymore.
Then a new private message notification popped up from "MayaKitsune19." Ayaka almost deleted it automatically with the others, but the preview line gave her pause:
"I know who you really are, Ayaka..."
Hands shaking, Ayaka opened the full message.
MayaKitsune19: Hello. Let's cut to the chase, Ayaka, or do you prefer Scar? I must admit, your quiet, reserved demeanor had us all deceived. Who would have thought you were leading such a thrilling double life? You probably should've cleared your browsing history on the school computer; I noticed you were using it. After I went there, what a surprise, Scar?! It really took me by surprise.
Ayaka's heart hammered in her chest. Maya from school? She stared at the blinking cursor, frozen.
MayaKitsune19: Hiding won't make this go away i even started rumors about how you play Paradigm but don't worry I spoke nothing about Scar :]. I have all the proof I need of your little deception. But don't worry, your secret is safe with me. For now.
MayaKitsune19: Meet me tomorrow in the cafe by the school at 5 pm. Come along and we can discuss this privately. I'd hate for others to find out before we can work something out. See you then!
Ayaka's mind spun with possibilities about Maya's motives. Was she trying to blackmail her? Out her publicly? She considered just not going, but Maya clearly had leverage. She was cornered.
Ayaka spent the rest of that hollow day oscillating between dread of the meeting and trying desperately to think what was going on.
The next morning Ayaka forced herself to go to school, drifted through classes in a haze, unable to focus. She caught classmates whispering about her outburst the other day. Let them gossip; she had bigger problems.
Come the final bell, Ayaka's heart pounded as she made her way reluctantly to the specified cafe. Part of her feared this was an elaborate prank, but she couldn't take that risk. She had to know what they wanted from her.
Picking a table in the far corner with a view of the entrance, Ayaka ordered a drink she had no intention of touching. She pulled her hoodie tight and tried to appear calm.
Right at 5 pm, the cafe door opened, and a girl about Ayaka's age with long black hair and brown eyes swept inside. Her gaze settled on Ayaka and she smiled brightly, walking over. "Ayaka! I'm Maya. So glad you came."
Before Ayaka could react, Maya slid into the seat opposite her, chatting happily about the weather as if they were old friends. Ayaka shrank back, unnerved by this cheerfulness. "What do you want from me?" she finally managed to interject.
Maya sipped her drink, still smiling. "Straight to business then? I admire that." Her tone shifted, sharpening.
"I want your account. Your Scar account, that is. You see. I was your biggest fan. I started playing Paradigm 2 years ago I followed everything you did in the game, I was so inspired by Scar's bravery and skill. She seemed too cool to be true. So you can imagine how I felt learning her identity. was all a lie by some sad girl playing pretend." Maya's tone shifted at the last sentence
Ayaka flinched, only looking down at the ground. Maya leaned in. "But it's not too late to make amends. Give me the account to carry on Scar's legacy properly you are not even playing those days, are you? and I'll keep this little masquerade our secret, and I will stop the bad mouths about you."
Shock muted Ayaka's response. The Scar persona had become like a second self – the only self she cared about. Relinquishing that felt akin to carving off a limb. But what choice did she have? if she gave it all the bad talk would stop... but was that enough?
Noticing Ayaka's trembling hands, Maya adopted a gentler tone. "Hey, I get it. You needed an escape, a way to be someone stronger. I might've done the same thing when I was younger. But now it's time to let your childhood crutch go and live in the real world. Hand over Scar and embrace being Ayaka again."
Maya's faux empathy only twisted the knife deeper. With leaden reluctance, Ayaka looked at Maya "Sure" Ayaka was broken that was her only choice.
"Great!" Maya said in a happy tone.
Ayaka wrote all of Scar's info on a piece of paper and gave it to Maya, the ropes were cut.
Maya was surprised but still took the paper "You made your choice, however as advice, don't go and try to be someone you are not."
And with that she breezed out, leaving Ayaka bereft and reeling. She staggered home, feeling more lost than ever.
....
Satoru sat numbly through his morning classes, unable to focus on the droning teachers. His mind kept drifting back to the strange sense of emptiness he felt in Paradigm last night, despite the gory chaos he unleashed as Dante.
Why did it leave him so unfulfilled now? Was he simply tired of the repetitive escapism? Or was it the artifice required in pretending Dante was someone else entirely?
As the lunch bell rang, Satoru headed towards the rooftop where he often ate, one of the few places he could find some isolation. But as he neared, he noticed a familiar figure already standing there expectantly. Maya.
Satoru suppressed a scowl, quickly shifting to his polite mask. Maya had been growing more bold in her attempts to befriend him lately. He preferred to keep all classmates at arm's length, but her persistence was proving tiresome.
"Hello Satoru!" Maya called brightly, running over. "I had a big bento made for us to share, isn't that fun?" She held up a large decorated box. Before he could protest, she grabbed his arm and led him to sit beside the wall. Satoru clenched his teeth behind still lips. The act was growing thin.
As they opened the box, Maya chattered excitedly about classes and mutual friends. Satoru made the occasional murmur of assent, focusing mostly on eating as fast as possible. He noted Maya watching him intently, seemingly enthralled by even his most banal actions. Peculiar.
After finishing his portion, Satoru moved to stand. "I should be going now. Thank you for the meal." But Maya tugged his sleeve, her eyes suddenly teary. "Wait, please don't go yet. We never get to talk just us two. I won't keep you long, I promise!"
Her intensity surprised Satoru. With a resigned sigh, he sat back down. Maya's melancholy expression instantly shifted to a beaming smile. "Yay! You're the best Satoru." She sidled closer, their shoulders almost touching now. "So, did you have fun at the big family reunion this weekend?"
Satoru's chest tightened at the memory. How could she know about that? His discomfort must have shown, as Maya quickly added. "I just overheard some teachers mentioning it. You never talk about your family, sorry if it's private." An innocent remark, yet something about her probing gaze made Satoru's skin crawl.
"It was an enjoyable chance to connect with relatives," Satoru replied neutrally. "But I prefer looking forward to the future rather than dwelling on the past." He stood again, more firmly this time. "I really must go. Thank you again for the meal."
Before Maya could react, Satoru hurried off, feeling her stare boring into his back as he retreated inside. He resolved to avoid her going forward - something about that girl unsettled him greatly.
There were plenty of other pawns to utilize if needed. Best to keep a distance from unstable elements.
Satoru's unease lingered through afternoon classes. He found himself watching the door warily, half expecting Maya to burst in demanding more of his time. Her clinginess had escalated rapidly; he needed to formulate a plan to redirect this obsession before it became problematic.
When the final bell rang, Satoru gathered his things quickly and headed for the school gates. His brisk pace faltered when he spotted Nakata and his gang members gathered around the school gate.
"Satoru! My man, glad we caught you," Nakata called out cheerily, seemingly oblivious to Satoru's darkening mood. "We wanted to see if you were down to hit up Paradigm again tonight. That dragon fight was killer!" The others nodded eagerly.
Satoru contemplated refusing, but he needed to keep these pawns attached firmly to their strings at least for this week before he started his grand plan with them.
With a resigned smile, he replied "Of course, tonight should work well. I will message details on a location soon." The boys whooped excitedly and scattered off. Satoru rubbed his temples - no rest for the perfectionist provocateur it seemed.
Back home, Satoru went through the usual familial motions at dinner, letting his parent's prattle wash over him. The moment he was excused, he retreated hastily to his room and locked the door.
Finally, some privacy to process the day's vexations.
Logging into the Paradigm forums, Satoru saw speculation was growing about the impending "Grand Update" that had been teased. Many veterans feared the reboot would undermine the anarchic spirit they enjoyed previously. Satoru worried about that himself, though mostly because it threatened his unilateral dominance as Dante.
Each day, as the grand update approached, Satoru inexplicably grew increasingly unwell for some reason.
One commenter by the name "DarkStarRising" stood out. He was rallying players to unite against the update, promising to "keep Paradigm pure." Satoru recognized the aggressive rhetoric of Rc. Clearly, he was still intent on stirring up trouble.
Checking Virgil's messages, Satoru saw Nakata's gang eagerly confirming the plan to meet up in Paradigm tonight. At least they would prove an amusing,
if temporary, distraction from his swirling thoughts. In the game's simple kill-or-be-killed logic, he needn't pretend or appease.
Donning his VR gear, Satoru loaded up Paradigm and switched over to the guise of Virgil. His ornate armor formed around him as he spawned into the central hub plaza. The world itself was unchanged since his last brief visit as Dante, still awaiting the promised overhaul.
Virgil made his way to the meeting spot - an abandoned tavern on the city outskirts. Sure enough, Nakata and his friends were already there drinking and laughing boisterously at a corner table. They cheered loudly as Virgil entered. "The conquering hero arrives!" Nakata proclaimed, offering a tankard.
Virgil accepted with a gracious bow. "My friends, I am honored. Now then, shall we discuss tonight's adventure?" The group's enthusiasm was infectious, even if they were just useful idiots. Satoru found himself relaxing into the role.
After debating various options, they decided to seek out one of the wandering world bosses added in a prior patch. The colossal insectoid creatures required multiple parties to work in unison to defeat them. A rare challenge that Virgil knew would appeal to their egos.
"If we succeed at this, tales of our victory shall echo across Paradigm for ages to come!" Virgil declared theatrically. The bullies cheered, bolstered by false courage from his rousing words and the tavern liquor. They set off on their epic quest, laughing and joking boisterously.
However, the trek proved more arduous than expected. The desert zone they traveled through had become overrun by packs of vicious marauders and giant sandworms burst out from directly under the group.
Satoru fought them off as best he could while herding his foolish companions onward. Their incompetence was staggering - soon Virgil's armor was chipped and torn, stained with both enemy and ally blood.
Finally, the crystalline hive of the colossal insectoid master came into view, shimmering in the wastes. Virgil and the group took shelter behind a large rock to observe the creature and formulate a strategy.
The hulking centipede-like monster patrolled around its lair, occasionally belching corrosive acid at any movement while muttering and chittering to itself disturbingly. This would be a long, grueling battle.
Satoru switched his headset off and exited the game. He would make them earn this victory after the hassles they caused today. For now, he just wanted to be Satoru again. Their childish antics could wait.
Over the few days, Satoru noticed Maya growing bolder in her attempts to insert herself into his daily life at school. She would suddenly appear at his side in the halls or attempt to reserve seats together in classes. Her piercing stare bored into him constantly, hungry and unsettling.
Satoru did his best to avoid encouraging her escalating obsession, keeping responses curt and slipping away after mandatory interactions.
Yet Maya was not so easily deterred. Whenever he escaped one encounter, she found new ways to force her presence upon him. She seemed utterly oblivious to how her suffocating attentions only fueled his avoidance.
Or perhaps she knew and did not care. Either way, Satoru could feel invisible walls closing in on every side, compressing his world bit by bit. Maya was becoming dangerous.
His only reliable means of escape ironically came in Paradigm, playing with Nakata's gang as Virgil. They never minded when he abruptly logged off without explanation. And there he was free to battle and explore, untethered from real-world pressures.
During one such session, after finally conquering the colossal centipede boss, Nakata asked Virgil if he planned to attend the upcoming school festival and dance. They were going as a group and hoped he would join.
Satoru saw no harm in it, establishing his popularity. And the festival presented another chance to cultivate these pawns away from Maya's scrutiny.
After considering a moment, he had Virgil agree enthusiastically. The bullies whooped excitedly, promising to make it a night to remember.
Logging off that night, Satoru stretched and rose to peer out his bedroom window. The full moon outside reminded him eerily of Maya's staring eyes earlier that day when she cornered him by the lockers, getting far too close before he managed to slip away yet again.
A storm was coming, inside Paradigm and out. Satoru would have to stay five moves ahead to maintain his advantage. As always, only by keeping up the flawless act could he hope to break free and satisfy the hunger within.
But for how much longer could the levee hold against the rising tide, he only needed to keep this for now just in time for his plan to make the bullies kill his parents...
The next day passed in a tiresome blur of classes and evading Maya's stalking between periods. Satoru found himself glancing over his shoulder constantly, jaw clenched. He even skipped eating lunch to minimize chances for her to ambush him.
Nearing the end of music class, Satoru was mentally checked out, watching the minute hand tick closer to freedom when the teacher called his name. "Satoru, I'd like you to play for us today. I know you've been practicing that lovely Chopin piece - let's share it with the class!"
Satoru suppressed a scowl as his classmates applauded, Maya loudest among them. He forced a gracious smile. "Of course, I would be happy to play a section." Maintaining his image required accepting these inane interruptions.
Settling onto the piano bench, Satoru privately seethed at being put on display like a trained monkey. But he channeled that fury into his playing, fingers dancing across the keys with machine precision to recreate the complex melody and rhythms.
Closing his eyes, Satoru transported himself back to that crumbling shrine in the woods behind his family's estate. For three minutes, he could almost smell the earthy decay and incense permeating the cool darkness where no expectations existed.
The final notes faded gently, leaving the classroom in awed silence. Then thunderous applause broke out, jolting Satoru back harshly. He saw tears glistening in Maya's eyes as she looked at him with a rapturous smile. "That was so beautiful, Satoru! You're amazing."
Satoru quickly excused himself to the bathroom. Splashing water on his face, he stared into the mirror at the concealed cracks forming in his facade. Playing that song had been a rare misstep, exposing his inner world too nakedly.
Yet that brief taste of creative freedom called to him almost as strongly as voices urging him to break his chains entirely. Both sides warred within Satoru as he walked slowly back to class, their balance precarious yet holding, however tenuously, as the gathering storm fronts circled ever closer overhead.
The downpour could only be delayed, not avoided. And when it came, all would be washed away.
Nakata leaned back in his desk chair, waiting impatiently for the final school bell to ring. He and his friends had planned to meet up in Paradigm Online again tonight, and he was eager to rejoin the adventure.
Things had gotten so much more exciting in Paradigm since they started playing with Satoru, or his awesome avatar Virgil. Nakata still couldn't believe one of the most popular, studious guys in school was so skilled at this game. It made Paradigm seem cooler, even if some people whispered that they should avoid Satoru.
Glancing around the classroom, Nakata noticed a few judgmental glares in his direction. Ever since he and his friends stopped extorting weaker students for lunch money and started spending time with Satoru, people acted like they were freaks.
But Satoru didn't look down on them or seem to care what anyone thought. Nakata respected that but looked at the ground as if he was thinking if he was doing the right thing.
The harsh metallic tone of the final bell jarred Nakata from his thoughts. Finally, freedom! He gathered up his books and met his friends Tomi and Raiden by their usual spot behind the school.
"Ready to log some heads tonight?" Tomi asked with an eager grin, miming a slashing motion. "Virgil's gonna take us on that secret S-class quest he mentioned last time. however, i can't wait to do the plan"
Nakata and Raiden nodded enthusiastically. Even just hanging around town in Paradigm felt amazing compared to real life. The full immersion VR transported them utterly. Sometimes Nakata wished he could just stay there forever.
As they set off toward Nakata's house, he overheard some younger students whispering nearby. "That's the Paradigm gang! My brother said to avoid them." Nakata shot them a menacing glare and they scurried off like frightened mice. He almost missed when people treated him like a true badass instead of some social reject.
Arriving at Nakata's modest home, they headed straight for his bedroom. He had saved up money from various illicit jobs around town to buy one of the first commercial VR rigs last year.
His old man had finally caved and helped pay the rest after Nakata landed in the hospital badly injured from a deal gone wrong. The VR gear was infinitely safer and just as thrilling in its own way.
As they powered up the bulky headsets and crude haptic gloves, Tomi said "Man, I can't believe your family could actually afford this stuff! We're so lucky you snagged one of the first VR rigs."
Nakata shrugged. "Yeah, Paradigm Online was one of the very first full VR games when this came out. Pretty insane that my folks got it for just a thousand bucks. The waiting list is years long now from what I hear."
Raiden nodded. "I heard the newer models are way lighter and more realistic. But at least Paradigm still runs fine on this dinosaur tech and in full VR. Most games these days are still screen and controller only. Paradigm is like the future!"
"No kidding! I feel bad for old dudes like our dads who grew up glued to flat TVs and thought that was good enough." Nakata laughed as he pulled the heavy goggles down over his eyes, the room going dark. "Alright boys, time to ascend!"
[VirtualLink established...Entering Paradigm Online. Please wait.]
Nakata blinked as his vision was suddenly filled with the bustling central plaza of Paradigm City. His avatar formed around him - a hulking knight in mismatched armor pieces. Raiden and Tomi's avatars spawned nearby.
Other players milled about, heading in and out of the tavern and trader shops around the square. Even now, Paradigm's world feels so huge and open compared to any other game. The complete freedom was intoxicating.
Virgil stepped out of the tavern door and waved them over. Nakata still wondered how long Satoru had secretly played to gain such mastery, but he followed Virgil's lead eagerly.
Nakata and his friends cheered. Together they headed for the city gates to begin this night's adventure, spirits high and eyes alight with wonder.
The real world and its troubles faded away. Here, they were the heroes of the tale. And Virgil promised dangers and mysteries unlike any they had faced before. Let the feast of legends begin!