The sunny weather marked the beginning of Lin Tian's monotonous routine. He rose from his bed, tidied up his room, and then took a shower in the bathroom. The small mirror in the corner of his room reflected a typical teenager: black hair, decent features, and a bit handsomeness.
"Morning, loser," he muttered as he brushed his teeth and stepped into the shower.
Lin Tian's apartment was modest—neither too large nor too small, fit right for two people. After dressing in his blue uniform, black trousers, and shoes, he locked the door behind him. As he did, a gentle tap on his shoulder caught his attention.
"Well, look at that! You woke up early today?" came the voice of Yu Mei, who was clad in the same uniform as Lin Tian.
He cast a sidelong glance at Yu Mei, her snug-fitting clothes emphasizing her curves around her chest and hips. It was no wonder the manager favored her—her striking appearance and beautiful face contributed to the special treatment she received.
"Was it the boss's sweet reminder?" Yu Mei chuckled, keeping pace with Lin Tian as they descended the stairs.
"It's not like his nagging really gets to me," Lin Tian replied, dragging his feet toward work. "I do this because I want to, not because I have to."
Yu Mei tilted her head and scrutinized him with a persistent gaze that made him uneasy. "What's with the look?" he asked, a bit on edge.
"Oh, nothing," she responded with a dismissive shake of her head and a wide smile. "I just feel like you've changed a bit. You're more expressive than you used to be."
Lin Tian furrowed his brow, bewildered by her comment. "What does she mean?" he wondered, but he didn't linger on the thought as they stepped onto the sidewalk.
The bustling metropolis is a constant source of irritation for Lin Tian, who much prefers the solitude of his room after work. He barely knows his co-workers, with the exception of Yu Mei, who occasionally knocks on his door to borrow a nail clipper.
As they waited at the crosswalk, Lin Tian's gaze was drawn to the holographic advertisements that lit up the towering buildings around them. Technology has advanced with robots now a common sight in daily life.
Yet, this technological progress seemed to be taking over jobs and fostering a growing sense of laziness. As a result, VRMMORPGs have skyrocketed in popularity, providing a thrilling escape from the mundane routines.
One standout example is Martial Spirit, a game that has received widespread acclaim and attracted a massive global player base due to its immersive experience. Even Lin Tian, finds himself reminiscing about the time he spent in that virtual world.
"We are here today by San Huan, the creator of Martial Spirit, who has a special announcement for adventurers worldwide."
"Thank you. To celebrate our nine-year anniversary and to honor your dedication to the realm, Martial Spirit will be launching a new server for newcomers."
"This new server will feature numerous rewards to help make your journey through Martial Spirit more manageable."
"Players from existing servers, including veterans, will be able to transfer their accounts to the new server. However, their experience will be reset and converted into various rewards."
"A new server, huh?" Lin Tian murmured, watching the live broadcast on a large screen across the street.
"Lin Tian, are you playing Martial Spirit?" Yu Mei asked, her curiosity piqued as the news switched to another segment. She turned to the man next to her, eyes searching his face.
Lin Tian didn't respond at first, lost in thought. When he spoke, his voice was distant. "I did. But I retired." As the pedestrian light became green he started walking ahead.
"What? Retired? Wait!" Yu Mei called after him, weaving through the crowd to catch up. She finally reached him, slightly out of breath. "Does that mean you're a veteran?"
"It doesn't matter whether I am or not," Lin Tian replied, his tone flat and uninterested. "I'm not into it anymore."
Yu Mei studied his face, catching a glimpse of something—regret, perhaps—beneath his stoic exterior. She hesitated, not wanting to push him further, but the question gnawed at her. Would he help her or not? Instead of asking, she chose to keep shut, walking beside him in contemplative silence.
The awkwardness between them lingered even when they reached the supermarket where they worked. Yu Mei watched Lin Tian as he moved methodically, organizing and lifting items to the storage room, checking stock while she handled the cashier. The unspoken tension hung in the air, but she couldn't bring herself to break it.
"You know, Lin Tian," Yu Mei began after some hesitation when Lin Tian was right beside her. "I bought a Nerve Headset and installed Martial Spirit."
Lin Tian, in the middle of jotting down inventory, froze. He turned to Yu Mei and replied, "No. The answer is no."
"Hey, I'm not done talking!" Yu Mei protested, her voice rising slightly.
"I know what you're going to say," Lin Tian cut her off, his tone firm. "You're trying to persuade me again, right?"
"Yes, but it's more than that!" Yu Mei's voice softened, dropping to a whisper as she avoided Lin Tian's gaze, her cheeks tinged with a blush. "I'm asking for your help. At least accompany me for a while."
"What happened to her all of a sudden?" Lin Tian wondered. He closed the stock book and said, "Too bad I don't have a Nerve Headset." He was about to move on, but Yu Mei snatched his hand.
"I have two," she said, their eyes met. "I had an extra one in case a friend wanted to play with me."
Lin Tian hesitated, and Yu Mei implored, "Please, for this once. When I get the hang of it, you can leave me be."
Lin Tian's mind raced. He had tried so hard to forget Martial Spirit after that catastrophic failure—the mistake that had ruined his reputation and brought disgrace to his sect, leading to his dishonorable expulsion. If only there were a chance to make things right again.
But with a grunt of resignation, Lin Tian turned back. "Not a chance."
Yu Mei's eyes widened in shock. "What? Why?"
"I've already told you, I'm not interested anymore." Lin Tian returned to his work, leaving Yu Mei standing there, crestfallen.
Hours passed, and the shift ended. Lin Tian left the supermarket without waiting for Yu Mei, who was still in the changing room. The night greeted him with the soft glow of city lights, but despite the bustling energy around him, the crowd quickly wore him out. He decided to head straight back to his apartment.
Once home, he refreshed himself and made a simple cup of noodles. As he moved around, his foot accidentally bumped into a cardboard box tucked under his bed. He hadn't packed his belongings in ages and didn't recall putting anything there.
Curious, Lin Tian brought the box to the center of the room and opened it. His movements slowed as his gaze settled on the object inside. It was his old Nerve Headset in decent condition. The device was labeled NHG-1, marking it as a first-generation model.
"Is this still working?" he mumbled to himself, the words almost inaudible as he turned on his computer and plugged the cable into the socket. His heart beat a little faster as memories of Martial Spirit began to resurface, pulling him back to a time he thought he had left behind.
[Installation... 100%]
An application appeared on the screen, bearing the name Martial Spirit.
[Old device detected. Would you like to come back? A new server has been opened. Various attractive rewards are waiting for you!]
Considering for a moment, Lin Tian exhaled. "I knew this time would come," he sighed. "I feel bad about Yu Mei. I will have to talk to her later."
He then put on his Nerve Headset, covering both eyes with the sleek visor. "Let's see how this new server feels."