A young man with rare auburn hair and blue eyes entered the Heart's Cafe after turning the board on the door. The board had 'closed' written on it, and as it was morning, the cafe's closing confused people.
A middle-aged woman from a nearby store looked at the sign and asked the young man.
"Something happened, Vidit?"
The young man named Vidit stopped and smiled at the middle-aged lady.
"I am going to the Nexus Realm, Aunty Wang. Please look after my mother."
Hearing his words, Aunty Wang gasped and then sighed in pity. She nodded at Vidit and said.
"Don't worry about your mother. Just make sure you come back alive."
"I don't plan on having a date with death anytime soon."
Saying that Vidit entered the cafe and closed the door. He looked at his palm, which was covered in a strange black circle, and sighed. He then shook his head and went upstairs, where his mother was waiting for him.
There, he found his mother talking to her old friend on a video call. She wove her hand into different hand signs and tried to tell her friend her worries.
His mother, Grace, was a beautiful woman looking in her early thirties, despite being almost 40 years old. She had a calm and gentle presence. Her long, soft white hair framed her face like silk, flowing down to her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes were warm and kind, always filled with care.
She carried an air of Grace, with a smile that could ease anyone's worries. Despite her delicate appearance, there was a quiet strength in the way she moved, always calm and composed. She had the gentle aura of someone who had seen the world but chose to embrace it with kindness.
However, that caring mother was now worried as her son was going to a place where he could die.
Vidit smiled and hugged her from behind.
"Stop overthinking, old lady. Do you really think I would die there? It should be the Nexus realm's people who should be worried since I am going there."
For that, he earned a smack on his head, but he just brushed it off and continued to hug his mother, as he didn't know when he would feel this warmth again.
[I've been telling her this, but she still worries so much. My dear Grace, you know your son very well, so do you really think anything can happen to him? Besides, we trained him for this day, and you, of all people, should know that the call for the Nexus realm was inevitable. So, just send him off with a smile and hope they don't send him back.]
Grace's friend spoke from the tablet, letting out a light laugh. She was a handsome woman at her peak and carried a dominant aura opposite to Grace. It was really a miracle how they became best friend.
Grace sighed and patted Vidit's head. Of course, she knew everything already, but her heart didn't want to put her son in danger. He was the sole reason for her life, and if something happened to him, she wouldn't know what to do.
[You don't need to worry so much. As long as he is in our area, we will bring him back, okay? Anyways, time is running out, so I will explain some things quickly.]
Vidit looked at his palm and nodded. He could feel the call of the Nexus realm getting stronger every second, and he didn't have much time left. So, he focused on learning everything he could learn from Ruby as she began to explain.
The Nexus Realm was a strange world filled with horrifying creatures, dangers, and the opportunity to rise to the top. It also connected all the worlds of the universe and forced myriad races, such as Elves and dragons, to play dangerous games for resources.
Earth was introduced to the Nexus Realm around 100 years ago when many strange rifts opened all around the world. Those rifts brought terrifying Abyssal Creatures with them, which started an apocalypse on Earth.
Fortunately, humans were given a chance to join the Universal Nexus Games, which allowed them to visit the Nexus Realm and fight for the survival of their world. Many humans perished, but those who survived brought supernatural powers with them, which helped them fight against the Abyssal creatures.
Due to the nature of their power, they were called Weavers. From then on, the Nexus AI would choose random people and force them into the harsh environment of the Nexus Realm. The chosen had to attain a certain stage before they could return to their world.
The black circle on Vidit's hand was the sign that the Nexus AI had selected him, and even if he wanted to, he couldn't refuse the call.
[This should be enough for now. We have already taught you everything you would need anyway. You just need to focus on two things: your survival and finding where you are. Understood?]
Hearing the lengthy explanation, Vidit nodded. However, the lecture wasn't over as Ruby continued.
[And one last thing. Don't you dare seduce anyone there!]
Vidit choked on empty air as he looked speechless at Ruby. The atmosphere was so good, but she just ruined it all.
He rolled his eyes, "I'm a gentleman, Ruby, not some playboy.]
Ruby's eyes turned crescent as she smiled.
[You know yourself very well, so I won't comment on that. I just need you to remember that if you dared to seduce anyone there, I would personally cut off your little brother.]
At the mention of his little brother cut, Vidit shuddered slightly and then smirked, "Ho! Is that jealousy? Don't worry, I'll keep my chasity just for you."
Now it was Ruby's turn to be speechless. She could only sigh in exhaustion.
[I would never understand how my lovely Grace actually produced a thick-skinned man like you. You are going to a place filled with dread and still have the guts to hit on your Mother-in-law.]
"Hey! Add future to that. Besides, do you think I'd let my childhood crush go that easily?," Vidit retorted.
Ruby snorted and didn't bother to answer him as she turned towards Grace, who was enjoying their interaction.
[See why I say you don't need to worry. He would be fine.]
Grace chuckled softly when she heard their banter, even though no sound came out, and when she heard Ruby's words, she nodded. She understood the circumstances better than anyone, but even then, her motherly instincts were worrying about the safety of her child.
She smiled and patted Vidit's head on her shoulder. She picked up her phone and quickly wrote something on it, turning it into audio.
[Just come back safely. If you dare die there, I'll adopt another son..]
Listening to the words, Vidit looked horrified while Ruby threw her head back and laughed out loud. Grace just smiled at their antics.
Just as they were conversing, the sofa beside them trembled before turning into dust as a human-sized crack appeared on the fabric of space. It was circular in shape and emitted a deathly aura. On the other side of the portal, a vast universe, filled with countless worlds, could be seen.
Vidit sighed, looking at that, and stood up. He turned around and gave his mother a tight hug, saying, "Take care of yourself."
Grace felt her chest getting heavy, but she didn't show it on her face as she wanted to bid him farewell with a smile. She patted his head and mouthed the word 'Good luck'.
Vidit then turned to look at Ruby through the screen and gave her a wink, making her roll her eyes at him. But even with this, she glared, "Dare to die there, and I will marry Elle to someone else.'
Vidit, who was expecting words of encouragement, turned speechless. Why was everyone threatening him so much? Hmph! Only his mother loved him.
Finally, under Grace's reluctant gaze, Vidit went towards the portal but stopped hearing Ruby's voice.
[Remember one thing, Vi, if you somehow managed to get the Lord's Key, hide it as best as possible.]
He could sense the seriousness in her voice, and knowing the value of the Lord's Key, he understood her concerns.
"I will."
Saying that final words, VIdit entered the circular portal.
[Congratulations, Gamer. You have arrived in the home of myriad races, the Nexus Realm.]