Chapter 2: A New Beginning
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The clinking of plates and soft murmurs of conversation filled the modest dining room as Adam sat down to have his last meal at home.
His mother, Rachel, moved around the table, placing a bowl of steaming vegetables in front of him while his father, Ricky, leaned back in his chair, sipping coffee.
Adam ate quietly, his thoughts already drifting toward the journey ahead.
The clock struck noon, its chime echoing faintly through the house. Adam pushed back his chair and joined his parents in the living room.
For a while, they talked, the conversation meandering between lighthearted anecdotes and gentle advice.
His parents didn't know the full extent of his plans, but their faith in him was fixed, a constant source of both comfort and guilt.
Soon, it was time to leave. Adam headed upstairs to grab his suitcase.
With his belongings in tow, he stood at the front door, his heart heavy yet determined. Turning to his parents, he said, "Take care of Eric while I'm gone, will you?"
Ricky chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Don't worry about him. He's smarter than you," he teased.
Adam laughed softly, his tension easing slightly. With a final wave, he stepped out of the house and began his journey.
The train station was bustling with activity. The distant rumble of an approaching train mingled with the chatter of passengers and the occasional announcement crackling over the speakers.
Adam found his seat in a crowded compartment and settled in. As the train began to move, he gazed out the window, watching the familiar scenery of his hometown fade into the distance.
Memories from his past life flooded his mind. His father had given him $38,000 for university admission fees.
But this time, Adam had no intention of using it for that purpose. Instead, he planned to invest in a VR set, the most affordable one costing over $40,000.
"I'll need to find a part-time job as soon as I get to the city," Adam thought, his resolve firm. With only two months until the game's release, every minute counted.
The train rolled into Flora City as the evening sky bathed the bustling streets in a golden glow. It was 5:00 p.m. when Adam stepped off the train, his suitcase in hand.
The station was a whirlwind of people—commuters hurrying home, street vendors calling out their wares, and the occasional musician playing for spare change.
Adam made his way through the crowd, navigating the maze of streets until he reached the apartment his father had booked in advance.
It was a modest space, functional but unadorned, with the faint smell of fresh paint lingering in the air. He unpacked quickly, placing his belongings in neat piles before collapsing onto the bed.
Staring at the ceiling, Adam whispered to himself, "I have two months to save as much money as I can." The weight of his plans pressed heavily on his chest, but he couldn't afford to falter.
Time flew by, Days blurred into nights as Adam juggled three part-time jobs.
His mornings began early and ended late, leaving him with little time for anything other than work. By the end of February, he had saved $12,000, just enough to make his dream a reality.
It was March 1, 2025. The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Adam stepped out of his apartment.
The streets were already alive with activity—bakers setting out fresh loaves, cyclists weaving through traffic, and the distant hum of construction work.
Adam walked to a small electronics store nestled between a café and a hardware shop. The shop's sign read, TechHub: Tomorrow's Technology Today. The interior was crammed with gadgets, their gleaming surfaces reflecting the overhead lights.
His eyes immediately fell on the VR set, displayed prominently in a glass case.
The sales assistant, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and a friendly smile, greeted him. "Looking for something specific?"
Adam nodded. "The basic VR set," he said, pointing to the display.
"Good choice," the assistant replied. "That one's $42,000, including installation."
Adam handed over the money, his heart racing as the transaction finalized.
He watched as the man carefully packed the equipment, promising to send an installer to Adam's apartment later that day.
Back home, Adam waited anxiously. By evening, the technician arrived, setting up the VR set with practiced efficiency.
The sleek device gleamed on Adam's desk, its futuristic design a stark contrast to the simplicity of the room.
With $8,000 left in his savings, Adam knew he couldn't abandon work entirely. He decided to keep one part-time job to cover his living expenses while dedicating the rest of his time to gaming.
The clock struck 9:00 p.m. Adam's heart pounded as he strapped on the VR set. The headgear fit snugly, accompanied by special gloves that responded to the slightest movement of his fingers.
"This time, I'll fix my mistakes," he thought, determination blazing in his eyes.
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The sleek VR set hummed softly as Adam powered it on.
Sitting at his desk, he adjusted the headgear and gloves, the equipment fitting snugly as if made just for him.
His hands trembled slightly, a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation coursing through him.
"Let's do this," Adam murmured, his voice steady despite his racing heart.
The system booted up, and Adam's vision filled with a futuristic interface.
He quickly navigated the menus, searching for Row Online. His breath caught in his throat when the game appeared on the screen, its logo glowing brightly.
"It's finally here," he whispered, his lips curving into a small smile. Without hesitation, he initiated the installation. The process was swift, the game loading into his system within minutes.
When the installation completed, Adam selected the game and pressed Enter. His surroundings blurred, and he was suddenly transported into the virtual world.
Darkness gave way to an expanse of stars, and Adam found himself floating in space.
Below him, a magnificent planet came into view, its surface shrouded in swirling clouds.
The vast landscapes of the planet unfolded—towering mountain ranges, sprawling continents, shimmering oceans, and countless islands.
Adam stared in awe, his heart pounding with the wonder of it all. "This is incredible," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
Suddenly, a translucent blue avatar materialized in front of him. It resembled a human child in shape but had a glowing, flame-like body, as though it were made entirely of energy. Its voice was soft yet commanding as it spoke.
"Welcome to Row Online," the avatar said, its luminous eyes fixed on Adam.
Hearing those words triggered a wave of memories for Adam.
He remembered how he had started this game for the first time in his previous life, the excitement, and the promise of adventure. Shaking off the nostalgia, Adam focused on the present.
"I'd like to log in with my previous account," Adam said firmly, his voice brimming with resolve.
The avatar nodded slightly before vanishing into thin air. Adam blinked in surprise, his mind racing.
"This didn't happen the last time," he thought. "Then again, I never tried to log in with my old PC account before."
Before he could dwell further on his thoughts, another avatar materialized before him.
This one was much larger, its form almost equal to Adam's height. Its body, too, was humanoid but made of glowing golden elements.
Its eyes sparkled like molten gold, radiating an aura of authority.
"Please provide the details of your previous account," the golden avatar said, its tone polite yet firm.
Adam hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the grandeur of the interaction. Quickly composing himself, he replied, "Username: AlphaBoss.
Password: ********."
The golden avatar closed its eyes, seemingly processing the information.
Moments later, it smiled and said,
"Congratulations. You are the only player who successfully completed our previous version. As a reward, you are being granted a unique gift."
Adam's eyes widened in astonishment. "A… unique gift?" he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief.
Before he could ask further questions, a blue window appeared in front of him, its edges glowing faintly.
Adam's attention shifted to the message displayed in the window.
_____________________
Congratulations!
As you successfully cleared the previous season, you are being rewarded with a special gift.
______________________
At the bottom of the window, a glowing gift box icon pulsated gently. Adam reached out, his gloved hand hovering over the icon for a moment before he clicked on it.
A vibrant animation unfolded before his eyes. The gift box opened, releasing a burst of colorful fireworks that lit up the space around him. Adam stood in awe as the celebratory display painted the dark void with radiant hues.
The golden avatar clapped its hands, the sound echoing softly in the virtual space. "Well done, Player AlphaBoss," it said, its tone warm and congratulatory.
Another window appeared, replacing the fireworks.
________________________
Congratulations,
Player AlphaBoss!
You have been granted the unique class: Administrator.
________________________
Adam stared at the screen, his mind racing. "Administrator?" he muttered, his voice tinged with surprise. A flood of emotions washed over him—excitement, curiosity, and a profound sense of achievement.
The chapter concluded with Adam standing amidst the vibrant lights of the virtual space, the golden avatar still present, and a new adventure awaiting him.
He clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes as he prepared to embrace his newfound power and rewrite his destiny.