The living room was quiet and hot, with no air conditioning.
I was sweating profusely, but couldn't complain. The beautiful girl named Emma in my room wouldn't wake up anytime soon, and there wasn't even a couch in this living room. I didn't know what to do.
Finally, my gaze fell on the gaming headset. Suddenly, an idea struck me. Perfect!
I had installed a gaming interface in the living room before, which would come in handy now. I could test if this headset was really for "Ethereal Surge"!
So, I immediately took out the data cable from the bag and installed it according to the instructions. Then I sat in the corner and put on the gaming headset.
In an instant, my mind cleared, and I heard a synthesized system voice:
"Scanning iris, player identity confirmed and locked! Are you sure you want to enter the game?"
I quickly confirmed with my thoughts.
"Hello, your number is 000000002, iris locked!"
I was shocked. How did the headset lock onto me as soon as I put it on? Wasn't I essentially hijacking someone else's headset?
Then I thought, she's occupying my room anyway! Never mind, I'll find a way to make it up to her later!
The system chimed again: "Sorry! The game hasn't started yet. Please wait patiently for 23 hours and 42 minutes before entering. Please create your character first!"
I clicked on character creation. Suddenly, the scene changed, and I found myself in a cool, open field. In front of me appeared several characters: humans, elves, and half-beasts.
I'd heard there were hidden characters available for selection, but the chance was about one in ten million. Looks like I didn't have that luck!
So, I selected human.
"Facial scanning in progress, please wait!"
Soon, a person identical to me appeared before me, wearing simple leather armor, looking like a complete newbie!
Then, there was no further prompt. The system message read:
"The game hasn't started yet. Please wait patiently!"
Suddenly, the surrounding scenery changed, and the view transformed into a battlefield awash with blood!
In the vast canyon, a cacophony of human shouts and horse neighs filled the air. An alliance of humans, elves, and half-orcs battled against the forces of darkness. Mages clad in arcane robes hurled massive fireballs with all their might. Graceful female archers, donning intricate leather armor, repeatedly drew their bowstrings, sending arrows whistling through the air like streaks of cold light into the enemy ranks. At the forefront, berserkers wielding polearms and battle axes, their bodies gleaming with a blood-red aura, charged into a group of skeletal soldiers. With each sweep of their axes, the undead warriors shattered into pieces!
On the opposing side, dark elementalists shrouded in black robes let out bone-chilling growls. As they waved their shadowy staves, countless scorching meteors rained down from the sky. Amidst the bursting flames, the berserkers found themselves in a sea of blood, their heavy armor instantly searing hot!
Flashes of white light appeared as soothing elemental healing spells descended upon the berserkers. Priests of the Light began chanting healing incantations. Meanwhile, several shadowy figures stealthily infiltrated the dark forces' ranks. Sudden flickers of spectral light revealed several dark elementalists' heads severed, their black bones dancing in the air.
Just then, snowflakes began to drift from the sky, falling gently into the canyon!
As the snow intensified into a blizzard, massive chunks of ice crashed down from above. Countless warriors of the Light fell, dead or wounded. Looking up, they beheld a four-winged demon hovering in the air, arms outstretched, chanting an obscure incantation!
The canyon became entombed in ice for thousands of miles, with countless beings struggling on the brink of death.
Suddenly, a flash of brilliant light cut through the air. A blade of frost-cold energy swept across the canyon's upper reaches. The great demon let out an agonized shriek as two of its wings were cleanly severed!
The forbidden spell abruptly ceased. The demon plummeted into the canyon, torn to shreds by the countless berserkers below!
The view slowly panned upward. Atop a high cliff overlooking the canyon stood a handsome young man. A sharp sword hung low in his hand, its edge gleaming with a terrifying cold light. But what was truly shocking was his frost-white hair. As he gazed upon the vast multitude below, his eyes were clear yet filled with a profound loneliness and sorrow.
A peal of thunder echoed across the sky, heralding the approach of the next storm!
Faintly visible in the heavens, two large characters shimmering with blue light appeared: "Ethereal Surge"!
Looking at the game's promotional image, where the handsome young swordsman defeats a four-winged demon with a single strike, I couldn't help but wonder - does this suggest that players can also reach such a level?
The thought made me smile. If one could truly attain such power in the game, wouldn't that mean dominating the world and having riches and beauties at one's beck and call?
Just then, I smelled something burning and remembered - my vegetable soup was still on the stove!
I rushed to the kitchen and turned off the power. Looking at the soup, it was in such a sorry state that I lost my appetite.
Emma was sleeping in my room, drunk and unresponsive. She certainly wouldn't open the door for me. I had no choice but to grab the yellow tablecloth from the dining table outside and make do with sleeping in the living room, covering my stomach. Damn, while others have good luck with romance, here I am with a beautiful girl who's "good enough to eat," yet my luck couldn't be worse!
I dozed off, not knowing how long I slept, when suddenly I felt a bright light on my face. Opening my eyes, I saw a fat man shining a flashlight at me!
I was instantly furious and about to lose my temper when I realized this fat man was my damn landlord!
The landlord looked at me with disdain and said, "Silas, your next month's rent is due. If you delay any longer, I'll have no choice but to evict you! Why are you sleeping out here so late?"
I looked up at the living room clock - it was already past 2 AM. So I asked, "Mr. Thompson, why are you here so late?"
"I came to check the fuse box. Some tenants said the power was out. But you, when are you going to pay your rent?!"
My heart sank. The money I had planned to use for rent had been stolen by that thief. How could I pay the rent now?
Just then, with a creak, my room door opened, and there stood the beautiful Emma!
Emma's clothes were loose, accentuating her graceful figure, and she had a captivating air of lazy charm about her.
"I want some water!" Emma said drowsily, her eyes half-closed.
Mr. Thompson was stunned. After a while, he said, "You rascal, you actually have such a beautiful girlfriend! Alright, I'll come back another time. Hmph, find a job soon, or I really won't be so nice!"
The landlord was straightforward enough. He closed the door and left.
By now, Emma had slept for seven or eight hours and was mostly sober. She blinked, looked at me, and suddenly said, "I want some water..."
I rolled my eyes but, as if possessed, went to pour her a cup of hot water. This must be the effect of a beautiful woman - making you do things without even thinking!
Emma took the cup and gulped it all down. Then she looked at me again, suddenly smiled, and said, "Your name is Silas, right?"
I felt a bit awkward and said, "Yeah, that's right. Silas Reed."
Emma smiled slightly, brushed back her hair, and said, "It doesn't matter what you're called. What's important is that now, I'm hungry... Can you find me something to eat?"
I was taken aback: "It's so late, where can we find food? Even the 7-Eleven is closed!"
Emma frowned slightly and said, "I drank so much alcohol. If I don't eat something, it'll hurt my stomach!"
Actually, whether she eats or not, her stomach is going to suffer.
I said, "Why would a young woman like you drink so much in the first place?"
"It's none of your business!" Emma said a bit loudly, but then turned her face away and said softly, "How would you know if I'm really fine..."
Speechless, I went to the kitchen, scooped out a bowl of the vegetable soup, and placed it on the dining table with a "thud". I said, "This is all I have. If you want, eat a bit. If you don't want it, you can drive out and find somewhere to eat. Your BMW is still downstairs!"
Emma was slightly startled. Her beautiful eyes swept over the bowl of soup with a strange look.
"Is this what you eat?" she asked carefully.
I wasn't embarrassed and nodded, "That's right. This is all I can afford now!"
Just then, my stomach growled. Emma looked at me with surprise, and suddenly, a charming smile blossomed on her lips. She asked with a smile, "You haven't eaten either? Is there any more? If not, shall we share this bowl of vegetable soup?"
I was slightly stunned. There was nothing left in the pot; it was all in the bowl!
Seeming to understand my thoughts, Emma smiled gently, gracefully walked into the kitchen, took another bowl, divided the small bowl of soup into two, and pushed one bowl in front of me. She smiled and said, "Come on, don't be shy!"
For a moment, I could hardly believe what I was seeing. A beautiful young woman driving a BMW and wearing designer clothes was willing to share a bowl of soup that even a homeless person might disdain with me?