The faint blue light of the now-fading VR game screen illuminated the dimly lit room, casting soft shadows over scattered clothes, empty snack wrappers, and game manuals. A boy slouched in the VR MMO chair, his round face marked with pimples, his heavyset body sagging as if the weight of reality itself pressed him into the seat. The vibrant world of Mythos Reborn vanished from his vision, leaving only the unflattering reflection of his mundane existence.
Well... this is me, Nasuke thought bitterly. The real me. Not the hero in the game.
With a heavy sigh, he pushed himself out of the chair, his movements slow and unmotivated. The small apartment felt stifling as he trudged to the bathroom, flicking on the light with a wince. The harsh brightness reflected every detail of his face in the mirror—a round, tired face, dull eyes, and skin marred by acne.
See? I'm one of those guys who runs away from reality. Oh, and if you're wondering—yes, I'm 16, despite how I look. I'm Nasuke... Nasuke Yamada.
He turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on his face, rubbing at the pimples in frustration. Grabbing a towel, he dried off and shuffled to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he was greeted by emptiness save for a lonely carton of milk that seemed to mock him with its faint rattle of leftover liquid.
Figures, he thought, slamming the door shut.
Minutes later, Nasuke stepped out into the cool night air. The quiet streets of his neighborhood stretched out before him, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights and moonlight. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his oversized hoodie, his head hung low as he walked aimlessly.
Next week, I start high school. Yay, right? His inner voice dripped with sarcasm. To be honest, I don't want to go. I doubt anyone would care if I didn't show up.
He turned down a dark alley, the shadows of the tall buildings on either side pressing in. The oppressive silence was broken by low voices and laughter. Nasuke glanced up to see two men leaning against the brick walls ahead.
One of them, with spiked red hair and a cocky grin, was tossing a coin absently. The other, a man with shaggy yellow hair, smirked cruelly as they spotted Nasuke.
"Hey, kid," the yellow-haired man called out, his voice mocking. "What are you doing walking around so late at night?"
Nasuke froze mid-step, his heart pounding. "Uh... I'm going to the store," he stammered, his voice barely audible.
The red-haired man pushed off the wall, his grin widening as he approached. "The store, huh? Speak up, kid. Don't mumble."
Nasuke shuffled uncomfortably. "...to buy a game."
The two exchanged amused glances.
"Ohhh, I see," the red-haired man said, his tone exaggerated. "Taking a shortcut to the gaming store, huh?"
The yellow-haired man stepped closer, grinning wickedly. "Well then... cough up all the cash you've got."
Nasuke instinctively stepped back, his hands trembling. "But I only have enough for the game disc..."
The red-haired man cracked his knuckles, his grin disappearing as his expression darkened. "Then we'll take it by force."
Before Nasuke could react, a fist slammed into his stomach, driving the air from his lungs. He doubled over, gasping for breath.
"Stop..." he choked out, but the yellow-haired man shoved him to the ground with a laugh.
Kicks rained down on him, sharp and unrelenting. Nasuke curled into a ball, shielding his head as best he could, his thoughts a chaotic mix of pain and panic.
"That's more like it, kid," the yellow-haired man sneered, rifling through Nasuke's pockets. "Thanks for the cash."
The two men sauntered off, their laughter echoing in the empty alley.
For a moment, Nasuke lay there, wincing with every attempt to move. His ribs ached, his legs throbbed, and his pride was utterly shattered.
I knew those thugs were in this area. That's why I hid some extra money... in my socks.
With a shaky breath, he forced himself to his feet, clutching his bruised side as he limped out of the alley. Each step sent jolts of pain through his body, but he pressed on, his goal clear in his mind.
I know it's dumb—walking in the middle of the night just to buy a game. But this isn't just any game. It's the new Mythos Rebirth Limited Edition! The graphics, the gameplay, the new quests—it's all updated. And going late means...
Rounding the final corner, Nasuke froze. The sight before him hit harder than any punch he'd taken earlier.
A line of people stretched down the street in front of the gaming store, some chatting animatedly, others scrolling through their phones. A few had even brought foldable chairs, settling in for the long wait.
Nasuke's shoulders slumped as he stared at the scene, defeat washing over him.
"Line...?" he muttered weakly, his voice barely audible.
The realization struck like a thunderclap: there was no way he'd get a copy tonight.
The laughter of the thugs echoed faintly in his mind, blending with the excited chatter of the crowd. For a moment, he stood there, caught between frustration, exhaustion, and the overwhelming sense that reality had once again conspired against him.