As Gelian watched the Crimson Vanguard play, a faint smile crossed his face. The thrill and excitement the group displayed reminded him of the early days when gaming was still a fresh adventure to him. The faint hum of the virtual helmets as they mined resources and fought off monsters brought a wave of nostalgia over him, grounding him in his cafe's mission.
Suddenly, the Phantom Internet Cafe System chimed in his mind.
New Task Issued: Achieve Full Capacity!
Task: All seven virtual helmets must be fully occupied by customers. Reward: Enhanced cafe Portal visibility in Celestra.
Gelian's eyes brightened, and he felt a surge of excitement, mixed with a hint of anxiety. Seven customers might be a steep challenge, given that his current visitors had come through mostly by chance. But before he could dwell on it, the portal door shimmered, and a young boy stepped through.
The boy looked about fourteen, with tousled blond hair and sharp green eyes that darted around, wide with confusion. His expression wavered between curiosity and fear as he took in the strange, cozy setting of the cafe, his clothes bearing the crest of a lesser noble family.
Seeing the boy's uncertainty, Gelian walked over with a welcoming smile. "Hello there, young man. You look a bit lost."
The boy hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Where am I? I was falling on a clif and I suddenly here What… what is this place?"
"You're in my internet cafe," Gelian said warmly, gesturing around. "This is a place where people come to play games that take them to worlds beyond their own. Think of it as an adventure hub."
The boy hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Where am I? I was falling from a tree into some bushes, and suddenly... I ended up here. What… what is this place?"
As he scanned the room, he noticed the Crimson Vanguard sitting in comfortable chairs, each one immersed with a weird looking helmet on their head. His gaze lingered, a mixture of confusion and fascination playing across his features. "Are those artifacts?" he whispered to Gelian, unable to hide his amazement.
Gelian chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite. Those are virtual helmets. They let people experience the games in an entirely immersive way, as if they've stepped into another reality."
The boy's curiosity flared as he continued watching the group. "So… they're actually in that world? Fighting monsters and collecting treasures, like in real life?"
"Exactly," Gelian replied. "It's as close to real as you can get without leaving this room. You control a character in the game, but everything feels almost real."
The boy, his apprehension fading, moved closer to watch the group play. His heart raced as he watched the Crimson Vanguard fend off skeletons and gather resources. He couldn't suppress a grin. "This is incredible! I've never seen anything like it," he murmured in awe. "It's almost like… I could be there myself."
Seeing the boy's enthusiasm, Gelian offered, "Would you like to give it a try?"
The boy's face lit up—until he noticed the price list on the counter. "O-One gold for thirty minutes?" he stammered, counting out coins on his fingers. "I only have 10 gold as a whole allowance for the week!"
Gelian gave him an understanding look. "It's a unique experience, and I promise you, it's worth it."
After a moment of internal debate, the boy squared his shoulders. "Well… I guess it is a one-of-a-kind place," he admitted with a sigh. "I'll give it a try."
"Glad to hear it," Gelian said, guiding him toward an empty station. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Oh! Right," the boy said with a small laugh. "I'm Cedric. Cedric Hale. My family's from a noble line, but not as high up as the major houses."
"Well, Cedric, you have two game options today. The first is the one our friends over there are playing—it's called Minecraft. You explore, mine, fight monsters, and build whatever you can imagine. Then there's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which is a solo adventure where you'll fight creatures, solve puzzles, and journey through vast lands."
Cedric's eyes widened at the choices, but his gaze lingered on the group. "Minecraft looks fun," he said, but then he glanced back at Gelian. "But… I don't have friend to try it with. I'll go with The Legend of Zelda. It sounds like the kind of adventure a Hale would take on."
"Great choice," Gelian said, gesturing for him to take a seat. He handed Cedric the virtual helmet, and after a brief explanation, Cedric was ready.
As Cedric settled into the experience, Gelian couldn't help but smile at the boy's nervous excitement. This might be the first of many new faces. Watching as Cedric entered the game world, Gelian's mind raced with the possibilities of what could come next for his cafe and for the lives of the adventurers who passed through his portal.
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Author:
"Want to be a part of Phantom Realm Gaming Cafe? Join me on this journey at patreon.com/SecretAgentBalls and help shape the adventure! As a patron, you get exclusive access to decide the next game would or choose character names, and even shape their personalities. Your support lets you be more than a reader—you'll be an architect of this story's world, breathing life into every twist and turn Gelian faces. Join today, and let's craft an unforgettable tale together!"