**CHAPTER 1**
In a quiet rural area of the city, our protagonist, Lucas Smith, lived a secluded life. At 23, he had become a homebody, rarely venturing outside to meet friends or socialize. His days were spent absorbed in novels, manga, manhua, and scrolling through social media. Except for necessary errands for the home or his mother, Lucas seldom left the house.
"Ah, damn... I'm so bored. These novels and manga just aren't cutting it anymore. I get jealous seeing everyone having fun on Instagram," he mumbled, glancing at the clock. "Little brother should be home soon, and Mom's still awake... I'm so sleepy now," he said, drifting off to sleep with his phone still on.
"I'm back," Lucas's younger brother called out as he closed the door behind him and entered the living room. Their mother, seeing her younger son return from work late at night, watched as he collapsed into a chair near the dining table. Smiling, she approached him and began massaging his shoulders gently.
"You worked hard today, son," she said.
"It's the same thing every day, no helping it. And you, Mom, where's big brother? Is he asleep or still awake? I have a little present for him. And don't massage my shoulders, or it'll become a habit," he replied, gently removing her hands and reaching into his bag to pull out a small box.
"You bought a gift for that useless big brother of yours again? Don't do this, son, or he'll become lazier and more dependent on you. He doesn't even have a job. When will he get married and move out?" she continued, her voice rising.
"Alright, alright, I get it. I'll go see if he's awake," the younger brother said, getting up and heading towards Lucas's room.
As the younger brother made his way to Lucas's room, something strange occurred. Lucas's phone, which was still on with a game running, flickered and buzzed slightly. Suddenly, a holographic figure emerged from the screen and observed the sleeping Lucas. After a moment, the figure waved its hand, and Lucas began to disintegrate, pixel by pixel, like a character being eliminated in a 2D RPG.
The younger brother was about to open Lucas's door when he heard a long sigh. He hesitated, listening intently.
"Well, I hope he lives well in there and brings about the change I expect," the hologram murmured. Just then, the door handle moved slightly. The hologram quickly disappeared, leaving the room silent.
Sensing something was wrong, the younger brother flung the door open, only to find the bed empty, the bedsheets in disarray, and the light from Lucas's phone still on. Panicking, he rushed to the bed, confirming that Lucas was indeed gone. As he glanced at the phone, he saw a game was loading, but before he could comprehend it, the phone shut down.
The black screen of the phone jolted him back to reality. "Mom!" he shouted, his voice filled with fear.