As Gelian watched the Crimson Vanguard group completely engrossed in their virtual adventures, he found his mind drifting back to his own past, when he'd first started gaming as a young enthusiast. Those early days in bustling internet cafes with his friends were some of his most cherished memories—laughing, sharing strategies, and losing all sense of time as they played. Back then, nothing else mattered; it was just them and the games.
He smiled at the nostalgia, feeling a pang of longing for those carefree days. Inspired by the memories, Gelian decided to dive in himself. After all, he hadn't experienced this immersive virtual reality from a player's perspective yet. He grabbed one of the VR helmets, adjusting it securely over his head. With a few quick selections, he loaded up Minecraft, a game he'd mastered in his past life. It seemed fitting, somehow, to jump back into the game that had captured his imagination so many years ago.
"Alright, let's do this," he muttered to himself as the pixelated world materialized around him.
As the familiar blocky terrain filled his vision, Gelian felt a rush of excitement. Everything looked so real, from the crunch of the grass under his feet to the glimmer of lava in the distance. Though he hadn't played in a while, his instincts as a veteran Minecraft player quickly took over. His goal was clear: he was going to beat the game—he'd slay the Ender Dragon, just like old times.
Completely absorbed, Gelian worked his way through the game, mining resources, crafting weapons, and building up his supplies. Before long, he had everything he needed: his armor was sturdy, his sword sharp, and he'd stocked up on arrows. With a confident grin, he stepped into the End Portal and found himself in the haunting darkness of the End, the towering obsidian pillars casting eerie shadows around him.
Meanwhile, outside the game, the Crimson Vanguard's session came to an end. They emerged from their virtual experiences, chatting excitedly about what they'd just encountered.
"That game is incredible!" Garrick exclaimed, still feeling the adrenaline of battling hostile mobs. "It's like a tier 10 illusion spell cast by a grand mage! I swear, I could feel the earth under my feet, the weight of my armor."
Lyra nodded eagerly. "The realism is unmatched every detail, every sound. It's like… another world entirely."
As they gathered their things, Elena's gaze drifted over to Cedric, who was still lost in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, immersed in the beautiful open-world landscapes and intricate puzzles. She motioned to the others and whispered, "Look another person is playing something totally different from what we tried! It seems like the character is an elf in a vast land, and I bet it's amazing."
The group followed her gaze, watching as Cedric rode through lush fields, explored forests, and navigated mysterious ruins, his attention glued to every detail of the game world. The others exchanged quiet whispers, eager to know more about Cedric's experience but careful not to interrupt his adventure. The realistic gameplay and unique setting intrigued them, and Lyra couldn't help but wonder aloud, "What kind of magic would it take to create something like this?"
While they marveled at Cedric's game, Elena's attention returned to Gelian, who was fully immersed in Minecraft. She pointed out, "Look! The owner is playing too and… does he already have full diamond armor?"
They turned to watch, curiosity pulling them closer as they formed a small circle around Gelian. The group marveled at his gleaming blue armor, each piece sparkling with an almost magical glow.
"Where did he even find diamonds?" Garrick wondered aloud, looking both amazed and confused. "And what's he doing now?"
They watched as Gelian shot arrows, not at the dragon itself, but at crystals on top of dark towers scattered around the dimension. The crystals exploded in sparks of color each time an arrow hit, and the dragon seemed to be growing weaker.
"Why isn't he aiming at the dragon?" Kaden asked, his brows furrowing. "What's so special about those crystals?"
As they murmured their questions, Gelian continued to maneuver with ease, dodging and sprinting past tall, shadowy figures with glaring purple eyes.
"What are those?" Ronan whispered, pointing at one of the strange creatures Gelian skillfully avoided. The figures didn't seem hostile unless he looked at them directly, which only added to the group's bewilderment.
Finally, Gelian destroyed the last crystal, cutting off the Ender Dragon's healing. With practiced precision, he closed in on the dragon, striking it again and again with his sword. The Crimson Vanguard held their breath, excitement buzzing in the air as they watched Gelian's final attack. The Ender Dragon erupted into a dazzling display of purple light, showering the area in particles, and the group cheered.
"That was amazing, Gelian!" Lyra beamed, clapping her hands in delight. "How did you do all that? The armor, the crystals, those tall creatures you avoided—everything was incredible!"
Gelian removed the VR helmet, chuckling as he adjusted to the real world again. "Just a bit of practice," he replied, modestly. "The game's designed to be immersive, so it's easy to get into the flow of things."
They peppered him with questions, asking about the diamond armor, why he'd targeted the crystals, and what the eerie creatures were. Gelian explained, enjoying the chance to share his knowledge with such captivated listeners, and the Crimson Vanguard marveled at his expertise.
As he watched them, Gelian felt a sense of pride and happiness. Seeing others enjoy the cafe the way he had in his youth, their excitement and camaraderie—this was exactly what he'd wanted. And maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something that could bring his cafe back to life.