Chapter 1: The Awakening
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Golden sunlight poured through the half-open window, casting a warm glow across the modest room.
The rays illuminated the sparse furnishings—plain walls, a single bed neatly made, and a small wooden desk pushed against the corner.
On the bed lay a young man, his features serene as he slept. His chestnut-brown hair fell softly over his forehead, and his pale complexion seemed almost translucent under the soft morning light.
His casual clothes were slightly rumpled, hinting at a restless night.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, a mix of confusion and panic clouding his face.
He bolted upright, his breathing heavy and ragged as though he'd just woken from a nightmare.
His hands trembled slightly as he brought them in front of his face, studying them with wide, frantic eyes.
"I'm… I'm okay," he murmured to himself, his voice shaky, disbelieving. "How is this even possible?"
He scanned his surroundings, his gaze darting to the familiar but distant objects in the room.
The neatly arranged desk, the worn rug on the floor, the slightly peeling paint on the walls—all of it seemed strangely out of place and yet unmistakably familiar.
"Wait a minute," he whispered, his voice tinged with unease. "Why am I at my parents' house? I should either be in the hospital… or…" He swallowed hard, the next thought unspoken but heavy with implications.
He swung his legs off the bed, his bare feet touching the cold wooden floor. His body felt lighter, stronger even, yet his mind was awash with confusion.
Standing up, he turned instinctively toward the wall to his left.
A full-length mirror was mounted there, its surface slightly smudged. As he glanced at it out of the corner of his eye, something about his reflection made his breath hitch.
In a sudden, almost desperate motion, he spun to face the mirror fully. His hands flew to his face, tracing his features as though to confirm they were real. He leaned closer, staring at himself.
"How… how am I this young?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. His reflection looked back at him—a version of himself he hadn't seen in a decade.
The smoothness of his skin, the lack of worry lines, and the vibrant energy in his eyes—it was undeniably him, but from years ago.
Beside the mirror, a familiar chair caught his eye. On it sat his old PC, its once cutting-edge design now a relic of the past. He hadn't seen it in years, not since he'd left it behind at his parents' house.
The realization struck him like a thunderbolt. "Could I have…" He paused, his voice faltering. "…somehow gone back in time?"
The thought was absurd, and yet, the evidence was overwhelming. His heart raced as he reached for his desk.
On it lay his old smartphone, a model he hadn't touched in years. He picked it up with trembling hands, the weight and texture eerily familiar. Pressing the power button, he waited anxiously for it to boot up.
The screen lit up, and his heart skipped a beat as he read the date on the home screen: January 1, 2025.
"I'm… ten years back?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
His mind reeled as memories came flooding back—the choices he had made, the regrets he had harbored, and the moments he had wished he could undo.
His eyes shifted to the computer on the desk. Memories of that machine came rushing back—long nights spent gaming, the victories and defeats, and the bittersweet decision he had made to delete his Row Online account.
That day was supposed to mark the start of a new chapter in his life, a fresh beginning as he prepared to enter the prestigious National University to study computer science.
He remembered the weight of that decision vividly. Deleting his account in one of his favorite games had felt symbolic—a farewell to his past self and a commitment to the future.
Yet, in hindsight, that single act had led to a cascade of events he could never have foreseen.
Two months later, the game had released its groundbreaking second version.
With updated features and a new VR-Set, it had taken the world by storm.
Millions of players had flocked to it, making it a cultural phenomenon almost overnight.
The regret of having deleted his account had haunted him ever since.
Adam moved closer to the desk, his movements slow and deliberate.
He pulled out the chair and sat down, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on his shoulders. His fingers hesitated over the computer's power button before finally pressing it.
The familiar hum of the machine powering up filled the room, followed by the faint glow of the monitor. His heart pounded as the desktop interface appeared.
There it was—Row Online's icon, sitting in its old position.
With a deep breath, he clicked on it, his fingers trembling. The game's interface loaded, its familiar graphics and theme music hitting him like a wave of nostalgia. For a moment, he sat frozen, afraid of what he might discover.
Had he already deleted his account? Or was it still there, waiting for him?
The screen prompted him to log in. His hands moved almost automatically, typing in the username and password he thought he'd forgotten.
The system processed his credentials for what felt like an eternity before the familiar welcome screen appeared.
His account was still there.
Relief washed over him, and he let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. For the first time that morning, he smiled faintly.
Maybe, just maybe, this was his second chance.
Adam sat motionless in front of his computer screen, the soft hum of the machine filling the silence around him.
His gaze lingered on the glowing interface of Row Online, the game that had once defined so much of his past life.
Memories began to flood back, vivid and unrelenting, as he thought about how the lines between the game's currency and real-world money had blurred, changing everything.
He remembered the frenzy that followed—a tidal wave of people abandoning ordinary jobs to dive into the virtual world.
What had started as a niche pastime had transformed into a global phenomenon, with billions of players swarming the servers.
Adam leaned back in his chair, his fingers brushing against the edge of the desk as he exhaled deeply.
His thoughts wandered to the moment he had tried to reclaim his lost opportunity. It had been after his final-year exams, a desperate attempt to catch up by purchasing a VR set.
But by then, it was already too late. The game's landscape had shifted, and countless guilds had seized control of beginner villages and their assets.
Closing his eyes, Adam relived the frustration, the feeling of being left behind, and the bitter taste of regret that had haunted him.
"No one realizes yet how much this game is going to change the world," he murmured, his voice low but resolute.
A sudden voice broke through his reverie, startling him. "Adam!"
It was his mother, Rachel, calling from downstairs.
Her tone was familiar and comforting, yet it carried an urgency that reminded him of the weight of his past decisions.
The memories of the shame and debt his parents had endured because of him in his previous life came rushing back, hitting him like a tidal wave.
Adam stood up from his chair, determination hardening his features. This time, things would be different.
He had made up his mind. As soon as the game was officially released, he would dedicate himself entirely to mastering it.
No distractions, no compromises. This time, he wouldn't focus on academics; he would focus on the game—and only the game.
He descended the stairs and entered the living room, where his parents were busy preparing for his departure.
His father, Ricky, was pacing near the coffee table, a train ticket in his hand. Two suitcases sat neatly by the sofa, already packed with Adam's belongings.
"Adam," Ricky said, turning to his son, "I've booked your train ticket. It leaves this afternoon."
Adam smiled faintly, his gaze shifting to his father. "Dad, I'd prefer to go alone," he said calmly. "You don't need to come with me."
Ricky paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "What? Why not?" he asked, his voice a mix of concern and curiosity. "You don't have to worry about me. I have the day off anyway. I can come with you and help settle you in."
Adam shook his head, his expression resolute yet respectful. "No, Dad. I want to experience this on my own," he explained. "I want to explore the world by myself."
Rachel, who had been arranging some items on the dining table, turned toward the conversation, her worry evident. "But Adam," she interjected, "it's a new city. What if you get lost or something happens?"
Before Adam could respond, Ricky placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "If he's made up his mind, let him go," Ricky said, his tone calm but firm. He turned back to Adam, his eyes serious yet supportive. "Just remember, son, if you ever get into trouble, call us immediately."
Adam nodded, a faint smile of gratitude tugging at his lips. "Thank you, Dad. I promise."
He had his reasons for insisting on going alone. In his previous life, Ricky had accompanied him to the National University for his admission into the computer science program.
This time, however, Adam had no intention of enrolling. He knew what the future held—how quickly the world would change and how meaningless a degree would become.
This time, his focus was solely on Row Online. He couldn't risk his father discovering his true intentions.
As he sat on the sofa, his eyes wandered to the two suitcases beside him. "That's… a lot of stuff," he remarked, half to himself.
Rachel exchanged a worried glance with Ricky, her anxiety visible in the way her hands fidgeted.
Ricky noticed her unease and gave her a comforting look, silently reassuring her with a subtle gesture.
Adam observed the interaction, feeling a pang of guilt but also a renewed sense of determination. He would make things right this time—not just for himself, but for his parents, who had sacrificed so much for him.
The chapter ended with Adam seated on the sofa, his mind a whirlwind of plans and possibilities, as the quiet determination in his heart burned brighter than ever.