After the release of Fantasy Impact in 2020, gacha games have slowly but steadily begun their rise, eventually taking the world by storm. Fantasy Impact itself stood out as an open-world game that captured the hearts of millions, with its stunning graphics, captivating music, and, perhaps most notably, its beautifully designed characters.

The game offered an impressive array of waifus to summon, each one more alluring than the last, drawing in not only diehard otakus but also people from all walks of life. Many found themselves unexpectedly immersed in the vibrant world of anime game culture, unable to resist its appeal.

Now, it's 2024. Four years have passed, and despite the release of countless other gacha games—many of which have been loudly hailed as "Fantasy Impact killers"—the original game still reigns supreme.

It remains firmly at the top, boasting the highest number of concurrent players and generating the most revenue. The competition is fierce, but Fantasy Impact has something special, something that keeps players like me hooked even after all this time.

I've been a long-time fan of the game. Even though I've stopped spending money and become a full-fledged free-to-play player due to the ongoing global recession, my enjoyment of the game hasn't diminished in the slightest.

"Wow, so many Fate Gems! Are you not rolling for LingXi?" Mark asks, while peaking at the screen of my old smartphone. 

Mark, a 25-year-old friend of mine, is someone I convinced to try the game a while back, and ever since then, he's been completely hooked. Today, we meet up at the gym for our usual workout session, and since his apartment isn't too far from mine, we end up walking home together. Naturally, as we stroll along, the conversation drifts toward life and, inevitably, the game.

Apparently, Mark just dropped half of his monthly salary to max out LingXi, the latest character in the game, and even managed to snag her exclusive weapon. That's a hefty amount of money to spend on a virtual character, but there isn't the slightest trace of regret on his face. If anything, he looks satisfied, almost proud of his decision.

I can't help but smile. Honestly, I can't blame him.

LingXi's design is absolutely top-tier. She's a stunning fox woman with enormous… assets, and she isn't just beautiful—she's insanely powerful. As the best DPS character at the moment, she completely outclasses everyone else in the game.

If I were still the old me, back when I had a little extra cash to spare, I probably would've rolled for her too. One or two copies, at the very least.

But things are different now. As a free-to-play player, I have to be more selective with my resources, carefully saving them for the only waifus I truly adore.

"Nope!" I reply, shaking my head with a grin. "I told you, I'm saving for my wife, Purraphina!"

Purraphina is another S-rank limited character. She isn't the strongest by any means, but that doesn't matter to me. I love her for her design—adorably cute and full of personality. Her backstory only makes her more endearing, and while she's a bit noisy and mischievous, that's just part of her charm. In fact, I find it irresistible.

But what really makes me fall head over heels for Purraphina is one simple, undeniable fact.

She's a catgirl.

Not just any catgirl, either—a lolicatgirl who wields a massive iron sword, cutting down enemies with an effortless, badass style that makes her stand out from the rest. And the cherry on top? She purrs when you pat her head! For a self-proclaimed catgirl connoisseur like me, it was love at first sight.

From day one, I made a promise to myself: I would collect every single catgirl in the game, no matter the cost.

Purraphina, in particular, is special to me. I had already lost the 50/50 on her previous banner, and it had been one of the most painful experiences I'd ever had in the game. But this time, I have to get her. I can't bear the thought of waiting another year for her banner to come back around.

"I see," Mark says with a knowing chuckle. "Catgirls over meta, huh?"

"Yup!" I reply without hesitation, feeling a swell of pride.

At that moment, I know I'm ready. I've saved up enough Fate Gems to guarantee a copy of Purraphina and her signature weapon. I haven't spent a single pull in the past two patches, and now I'm fully prepared. Honestly, I can barely contain my excitement.

In just two weeks, her banner will drop, and I will finally get my hands on my favorite catgirl.

—————————————-

As we continue walking, our conversation slowly drifts to other topics, the city buzzing around us in the fading light. The sun is setting, casting long shadows across the pavement, bathing the world in a soft, orange glow. The quiet hum of cars and distant chatter fills the air.

But just as we approach an intersection, something suddenly catches my eye.

"…Wait… what? A cosplayer?"

Across the street, I see her. A cosplayer, standing alone on the other side of the road.

Oh my… she's gorgeous.

She's wearing a gothic style black dress, with short white hair. Her design is absolutely breathtaking. And the best part? She's a catgirl. My heart skips a beat, then another, as if it's pounding in time with the rhythm of my shock.

But something feels… off.

I don't recognize her.

How could that be? A catgirl I don't know? Impossible!

Is she from a new game? A character I haven't heard about? How could I have missed something like this?

I turn to the friend standing beside me.

"Mark, do you know who that catgirl is? What game or anime is she from?" I ask.

But Mark gives me a confused look, tilting his head slightly.

"Huh? What catgirl? What are you talking about?"

"Her! The catgirl! You don't see the cosplayer standing right there?"

I point directly at her, but Mark just shakes his head, his brow furrowing in bewilderment.

"What? I don't see anyone." He squints, staring in the direction I'm pointing. "Hey, are you messing with me? There's no one there."

"What?!"

I blink rapidly, my gaze darting back to where she stands. How can he not see her? There's no one else on that side of the road, just her. She's the only one standing there, clear as day.

How can Mark not notice her?

It doesn't make any sense!

My mind reels.

Am I going crazy?

"Bro, are you okay? You're not hallucinating or something, right? Did you eat something weird?" Mark asks, his voice now laced with concern.

I turn back to the figure, blinking again and again, trying to clear my head.

But no matter how many times I try, she's still there. Real. Tangible. Her presence unmistakable.

Could it be… a hallucination?

Sure, we're in Canada, and yeah, I used to be a stoner back in the day, but I quit that stuff long ago. I haven't touched anything since graduating college and getting my first job. There's no way this could be a hallucination, right?

My heart begins to race, pounding in my chest like a drum. I can see her, but Mark is insistent—he sees nothing.

Is he the crazy one?

Or am I?

"Bro," Mark starts again, "I really think you should see a doctor. I know a good psychiatrist I can refer you to if—"

But before he can finish, my attention snaps back to the catgirlcosplayer.

She's crossing the road.

Yet my blood runs cold.

Why is she crossing right now?

And why isn't she looking at the cars?

It's like she's completely unaware of her surroundings, as if the world around her doesn't exist.

And now…

A truck is speeding straight toward her!!!

Without thinking, my body reacts. Something inside me snaps. I run as fast as I can, my legs moving on their own, powered by pure instinct.

Hallucination?

Schizophrenia?

None of that matters anymore.

There's a person in front of me, about to be hit by a truck!

I have to do something!

But… I'm not fast enough.

As the truck barrels forward, it slams into me and the catgirl.

A shattering pain rips through me, a blinding, all-consuming agony.

And then… nothing.

A deep, suffocating void of nothingness.