an Winters never thought his life was extraordinary, but he liked it that way. He was a college student balancing classes, a part-time job, and a decent social life—a routine that kept him grounded.
"Hey, Ian!" his friend Carter called, nudging him with an elbow. "You coming tonight? Movie night at Lucas's place. Don't bail on us again."
"I won't bail," Ian laughed. "Besides, I already cleared my schedule for this."
Ian wasn't a slacker by any means. He surprised even himself by keeping up good grades, no small feat considering how often he let himself get sidetracked. Between study sessions, Ian always made time for his favorite coffee shop, a cozy little place called Morning Brew, where he indulged in his secret hobby: talking to Emma, his favorite barista.
She was quick-witted and always had a warm smile for him. "Back again, Ian?" Emma teased as he walked in. "You might as well get a job here."
"Then who'd buy all your overpriced lattes?" Ian retorted, earning a laugh from her that made his day every time.
His nights were just as packed. Whether it was catching up on the latest TV shows or marathoning through his favorite visual novel, Ian always found a way to wind down. That visual novel, Eternal Reverie, was his current obsession.
It wasn't perfect—sure, it had its share of clichés, but Ian loved it for what it was. The story revolved around an underdog protagonist, Aedric Valen, who clawed his way up from nothing with the unwavering support of the heroine, Seraphina Lorrayne. The sprawling fantasy world, intricate politics, and richly developed side characters kept him hooked.
"Just one more chapter," Ian muttered to himself late one night, eyes glued to the screen. One more chapter turned into hours, then days, then weeks. By the time Ian had finished Eternal Reverie, an entire year of college had passed. He'd not only completed all ten routes but had also discovered a secret eleventh route, which revealed hidden lore about the world.
"Finally," he said with a deep sigh of satisfaction, leaning back in his chair. The credits rolled on his screen, a symphony swelling in the background. For a fleeting moment, Ian considered uninstalling the game. After all, he had already conquered it.
But he hesitated. "Nah, I'll just leave it," he decided. There was no harm in keeping it, right?
Later that night, Ian showered and climbed into bed, his mind still lingering on the game's characters and stories.
Meanwhile, back in his room, the game's credits continued to blink on his monitor. As the final note of the symphony faded, a peculiar message appeared on the screen:
"Thank You, Now Enjoy!"
Ian never saw it. By the time the message disappeared, he was already fast asleep—unaware that his world was about to change forever.