Ava glanced at the clock. Midnight.

Her eyes ached from hours of studying, and the textbooks scattered across her desk felt like weights dragging her down. Finals were next week, and her brain had reached its limit. No matter how many flashcards she flipped through, none of it seemed to stick anymore.

She sighed and stretched, her back popping in protest. "Just one game," she muttered, pushing her textbooks aside. "Just one, and then I'll get back to studying."

Ava slipped on her VR headset, heart racing with the thrill of diving into another world. She'd pre-ordered The Game of Love weeks ago, after hearing about its immersive environment and lifelike experiences. It was supposed to be different from the usual dating sims—less cheesy, more challenging. Besides, after spending all day in the real world, a little fantasy couldn't hurt.

The headset powered up, and the world around her dissolved into darkness. Her heart thudded as a soft voice whispered through the virtual void.

"Welcome, player. You are about to enter The Game of Love, where true love is the only way to escape."

Ava smiled. "Cheesy," she murmured, but it was exactly what she needed—a break from reality.

Suddenly, her body felt weightless, as though she was falling through space. Her breath caught in her throat. This didn't feel like a normal game start.

"Select your avatar," the voice prompted.

Ava blinked, and a menu appeared before her eyes, filled with various avatar options. She scrolled through the faces, hairstyles, and outfits. She opted for a version of herself—a little taller, hair slightly longer, but close enough that she'd recognize herself.

"Confirm avatar?" the voice asked.

"Yes."

The next instant, she was standing in a vibrant cityscape. Tall buildings stretched towards the sky, shimmering in the sunlight. NPCs milled about, interacting with one another like a bustling metropolis. Ava spun around, marveling at the level of detail.

"Wow," she whispered, reaching out to touch a nearby market stall. The textures felt real, almost too real for a VR game.

She glanced down at her hands—realistic, solid. No glowing HUD or obvious interface, just her. The game's realism was breathtaking.

Suddenly, her wrist vibrated, and a translucent screen flickered into existence in front of her.

New Player Tutorial Objective: Find your soulmate within 30 days or remain trapped in the game.

Time remaining: 30 days.

Ava froze.

Trapped in the game?

"What the hell?" she muttered, her heartbeat quickening. This had to be part of the game's storyline—an immersive experience to make it feel more urgent. She dismissed the timer with a wave of her hand, trying to shake off the unease settling in her chest.

"Find my soulmate, huh? Well, that's easy enough," she joked, walking towards a group of NPCs nearby.

But before she could approach them, the ground beneath her feet began to tremble. The sky darkened in an instant, and the bustling city around her came to a sudden halt. NPCs froze mid-motion, and the once-lively marketplace was now eerily silent.

"What's going on?" Ava whispered, looking around in confusion.

A cold wind swept through the square, and a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, cloaked in black with a hood obscuring their face, the figure moved towards her with slow, deliberate steps.

"Welcome to The Game of Love," the figure spoke, its voice low and haunting.

"You've entered a world where love is your only way out. Fail to find it, and you will be stuck here… forever."

Ava's blood ran cold. "Wait, what? Is this a part of the game?"

The figure didn't answer. Instead, it raised its hand, and a glowing symbol appeared above Ava's head—a heart with a timer ticking down from thirty days.

"You've been chosen," the figure continued. "But so have others. This is not just a game. This is your new reality."

Ava's pulse quickened. "New reality? That's not possible. This is just a game, right?"

The figure stepped closer, towering over her. "For you, perhaps it was. But now, it's life. Find your true love, and you may return to your world. Fail, and you'll remain here. Time is ticking."

Before she could respond, the figure vanished, dissolving into the shadows. The sky returned to its clear, sunny state, and the city around her resumed its activity as if nothing had happened.

Ava stood frozen, her mind racing. This had to be a glitch, a weird part of the game's story.

But the timer on her wrist was still ticking.

Panic set in as she looked around the bustling streets. Everyone seemed oblivious, going about their day. Was she really trapped? Was this part of some elaborate storyline, or had she somehow gotten herself into something far more dangerous?

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "Okay, Ava, get it together. It's just a game. You'll find your 'soulmate,' complete the objectives, and get out."

But even as she said it, doubt gnawed at the edges of her mind. Something about the figure's words felt too real. Too final.

Suddenly, her wrist vibrated again.

First Task: Meet your match.

Objective: Head to the Plaza of Bonds to begin.

Reward: +100 Bond Points.

Ava stared at the message, heart hammering in her chest. She had no choice but to follow the game's instructions. If this was the only way out, then she'd have to play along—for now.

But as she started walking towards the Plaza of Bonds, a voice echoed in her head, sending chills down her spine.

"Remember, Ava," the figure's haunting voice whispered. "This isn't just a game. Choose wisely or remain here forever."