Chereads / Phantom Realm Gaming Cafe System / Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: New Faces, New Adventures

Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: New Faces, New Adventures

The soft glow of dawn filtered through the cafe windows as Gelian finished his morning preparations. The Phantom Realm Gaming Cafe always opened at 8 a.m. sharp, and he liked to ensure everything was perfect. The chairs were neatly aligned, monitors glowed in sleep mode, and the faint smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air—a small luxury from his own world.

Just as the clock struck 8, a familiar shimmer appeared at the portal entrance, followed by footsteps. Gelian looked up to see Cedric and the Crimson Vanguard stepping into the cafe, laughter and excitement radiating from the group. But this time, there were two new faces with them—a girl and a boy who looked around in wide-eyed wonder.

"Good morning, Cedric," Gelian greeted, smiling warmly. "And welcome back, Crimson Vanguard. I see you've brought friends today."

Cedric nodded, his face bright with enthusiasm. "Gelian, meet Eva and Ariel. We told them all about this place, and they couldn't wait to see it for themselves."

Gelian offered a friendly nod to the newcomers. "Welcome, Eva and Ariel. I'm Gelian, the owner here. Feel free to look around, and let me know if you need anything."

Eva, a girl with a sharp gaze and braided hair, took in the surroundings with wide-eyed amazement. "It's… unlike anything I've ever seen," she murmured. Ariel, a tall boy with curious eyes, stepped closer to one of the monitors, gazing at its sleek design and the strange symbols flashing on the screen.

The interior of the cafe was designed with an air of mystery—rows of gleaming monitors on dark wooden tables, each station subtly lit by cool blue LEDs. The atmosphere felt almost magical, with shadows cast by the low-hanging pendant lights, and a calm hum emanating from the advanced technology in the room. There was a peculiar device called a "vending machine" in the corner, stocked with brightly colored snacks and drinks they'd never seen before, like cup noodles and the mysterious drink labeled "Koke."

"This place feels... mystical," Eva said softly, tracing her fingers over the edge of a sleek, black monitor. "As if it's from another world."

Ariel nodded, captivated by a line of game controllers neatly arranged on the counter. "How is all this even possible? The Kingdom doesn't have technology anything like this."

Elena grinned. "We thought the same thing when we first came here. It may be a bit costly, but trust me—it's worth every coin."

Eva raised an eyebrow. "It is expensive. But if you all say so…"

The Crimson Vanguard gathered around Eva and Ariel, explaining how to use the machines and navigate the game options. They encouraged their friends to try the same game they'd played on their last visit: Minecraft.

"You'll be amazed," Lyra said, smiling. "It's unlike any spell or magic illusion you've ever seen."

Once everyone was ready, Gelian gave them a quick nod, smiling as he watched the group settle in. He was thrilled that the Crimson Vanguard had returned—and with new friends, no less. Maybe, just maybe, word of his cafe would continue to spread.

As Eva and Ariel put on the virtual helmets, they exchanged uncertain glances. Then, with one last encouraging nod from their friends, they took a deep breath and closed their eyes.

When they opened them again, they were no longer in the cafe. They found themselves in a lush, blocky landscape, filled with trees, rivers, and towering mountains. Everything was square and simplified, yet strangely vibrant. The world of Minecraft stretched out before them, an endless terrain of possibility.

Eva gasped, raising her hands in front of her face. "What… happened to me?" Her hands were now squared off, blocky—like they'd been carved from stone. She spun in place, feeling lighter, and marveled at her new, angular form. Ariel, standing beside her, looked down in awe at his similarly altered shape.

"This… this is unreal," Ariel muttered, running his blocky hands through the leaves of a tree, feeling the texture of the pixels beneath his fingers. "It's like a powerful illusion spell. But… it's so much more than that. I can feel everything."

From behind them, Cedric's familiar voice called out. "Welcome to Minecraft! This place isn't just an illusion—it's like a whole world where you can shape, build, and explore. Follow us, and we'll show you how it works."

The Crimson Vanguard guided Eva and Ariel through the basics, teaching them how to break blocks, gather resources, and navigate the landscape. Each new discovery was met with amazement—the way they could alter the land, stack materials, and create structures from their imagination.

Eva placed her hand on a nearby tree, pulling out a few blocks of wood. "So… we can change this world, shape it however we like?"

"Exactly," Cedric replied, smiling. "That's the beauty of it."

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Author:

As apologize for missing a week gonna upload 3 chapter per weak

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