Markus Harthey stepped into the Neuroclip Habitation Center, his heart pounding with anticipation. He had waited in line for four hours just to get inside, surrounded by a swarm of eager people clamoring to experience the biggest technological leap of the decade.

The Neuroclip had launched today, and the world was already hooked. Advertisements for the device were everywhere, promising players an unparalleled, fully immersive entry into the incredible world of the Geminges headset. Social media was ablaze with posts from lucky early users, each raving about hyper-realistic gameplay and limitless possibilities.

Markus couldn't wait to see it for himself. This wasn't just a game—it was the future, and he was about to be part of it.

Following the directions to his assigned room, Markus felt a mix of nervous energy and excitement buzzing through him. A technician greeted him with a polite smile. "Ready to experience the future?" the man asked, gesturing toward a sleek reclining chair in the center of the room.

Markus nodded eagerly and settled in as the technician began preparing the Neuroclip, a gleaming, metallic device hailed as the key to experiencing virtual reality as if it were real.

But just as the technician leaned closer to begin the procedure, he froze, frowning at the screen in front of him. "That's odd," he muttered, typing rapidly.

"What's wrong?" Markus asked, his excitement giving way to unease.

The technician looked up, puzzled. "It says you already have a Neuroclip implanted. There's no need for another."

Markus blinked. "That's impossible. The Neuroclip just launched today—I've never had one before."

The man shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you. The system says it's already there. If you're pranking us, please stop—there's a long line of people waiting."

Confused and a little embarrassed, Markus left with the Geminges headset in hand. He dismissed the incident as either a glitch or a weird joke by the technician. After all, he was too excited to dwell on it.

As soon as he got home, Markus wasted no time setting up the headset. His hands trembled slightly as he powered it on, the glowing interface illuminating his room. The excitement bubbling inside him pushed away any lingering doubts.

"Time to see what all the hype is about," he muttered, adjusting the device.

The moment he activated the Neuroclip, a strange sensation washed over him—like a surge of energy coursing through his body. His vision blurred, then shifted into a vibrant, endless world. Geminges was everything the ads promised and more.

But something felt… off.

Unlike the bustling Eureka City, where every player was supposed to begin, Markus found himself standing in a strange, empty temple. A glowing sigil pulsed beneath his feet, casting eerie patterns on the stone walls.

"Welcome back, Markus the Awakened One," a deep, echoing voice called out, making him jump.

Markus spun around. "Markus? Awakened? What's going on?"

The voice ignored his confusion. "Your journey to reclaim the title of Supreme Champion begins anew. The world awaits your rise and its salvation from the coming darkness… but beware, not all will welcome your return."

Before he could react, the temple faded, and Markus found himself thrust into a bustling town square filled with players and NPCs. He stumbled, disoriented, as he noticed a faint glow on the back of his hand—a mark he didn't recognize.

"What the hell is this?" he whispered, his mind racing.

Little did Markus know, this wasn't his first time in the game. In fact, it wasn't even the first time he had stepped into the world of this game. He had been here before—long ago, when the game was nothing more than a distant dream from present. And now, as fate would have it, this was his second chance.

But this time was different. This time, he wasn't just another player. He wasn't the novice struggling to find his footing in a world that felt too big, too overwhelming. No, this time, Markus was destined for something greater and he didn't knew about it.