Chapter 1: Game Over, or Just Beginning?

The blaring buzz of the alarm clock tore through the stillness, dragging me from a restless sleep. I slapped the snooze button, fumbling in the dark, desperate to quiet the relentless noise. Another day, another grind at work. But something felt… wrong.

I didn’t hear the usual creak of my old wooden bed beneath me. Instead, a soft, cool breeze swept across my skin, and I felt something unfamiliar under my fingers. Grass. Wild, untamed grass, cool and dewy beneath my palm.

My eyes snapped open, confusion flooding my mind as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Above me, the sky stretched out in an impossible array of colors—rich oranges and purples blending together in an eternal sunset. I could feel the warmth of the fading daylight on my skin, but there was a strange metallic scent in the air, faint yet undeniable. The land stretched out in front of me, rolling hills dotted with scattered trees and vibrant wildflowers, leading to a town in the distance. It shimmered like a mirage—like something from the anime I used to binge-watch with my friends.

I blinked, then pinched myself. The sharp sting confirmed it. This was real. Too real. The ground beneath me felt solid, the cool air carried the scents of a world unknown, and my heart hammered in my chest as panic rose like a tidal wave.

“This can’t be real,” I muttered, voice shaky as I scrambled to my feet. My mind raced, trying to make sense of it. How did I get here? And more importantly, how do I get out?

“Hey there, stranger!”

The voice was sudden, and I jerked around in alarm. Standing a few feet away was a man who looked straight out of a fantasy novel. Tall, with fiery red hair that cascaded down his back like a living flame, and eyes that gleamed like molten gold. His armor was a gleaming mix of steel and leather, practical but with ornate flourishes that made it look almost ceremonial. The sword at his side looked both deadly and regal—an extension of his noble bearing.

“You look lost,” he said, his voice warm and deep, with an unmistakable undertone of concern. His gaze softened, studying me intently. “I’m Light, a knight of this realm. Can I help you?”

I blinked at him, trying to steady my breath. Should I tell him the truth? That I wasn’t from this world? That I didn’t even know how I’d ended up here? But something about his gaze felt… familiar, almost comforting, even though I’d never seen him before. There was a sincerity in his eyes, but also something that tugged at my instincts—a warning.

Before I could decide, his hand was already reaching toward me. He grasped my arm and pulled me to my feet with surprising gentleness, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver down my spine.

“Thank you,” I mumbled, trying to shake the fog of confusion from my head. “I… I’m not sure how I got here.”

Light’s brow furrowed as he studied me, concern flashing across his face. “You’re not a local, are you?” He paused, a hint of something unreadable in his expression. “Well, no matter. The town ahead is safe. Let’s get you there.”

He began walking, and I followed, half-distracted by the surreal beauty of the world around me. He spoke as we moved, pointing out landmarks with a kind of reverence. The Crystal River, shimmering with light, winding its way through the valley; the Forest of Eternal Blossoms, where the trees were in full bloom even though the season suggested otherwise; and in the distance, the ominous silhouette of the Dark Tower, where the princess was supposedly imprisoned.

I was listening, but my mind was still racing, trying to understand the impossible situation I found myself in. This wasn’t some video game or virtual reality—this felt too real. Too tactile.

As we neared the town’s gates, I could hear the bustling sounds of a market—the hum of voices, the clink of coins, the laughter of children. But just before we stepped through, Light stopped, turning to face me. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze.

“You’re not from here,” he said softly, his voice low. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re different. Special.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, like a puzzle piece falling into place that I wasn’t ready to accept. Before I could respond, a sudden voice cut through the air, smooth and dangerous.

“Well, well, what do we have here?”

A figure emerged from the shadows, movements graceful, feline, like a predator toying with its prey. He was tall, with sleek, dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to slice right through me. A cat-man. His ears twitched, and a long tail swished behind him as he approached. His smile was mischievous, the kind that hinted at secrets and trouble.

“You’re quite the enigma, aren’t you?” he purred, his voice like silk, dripping with amusement as his gaze lingered on me.

Light’s hand immediately moved to the hilt of his sword, his expression hardening. “Meo. Stay back.”

But Meo only chuckled, his eyes never leaving mine, as though he could see every thought I was trying to hide. “Why would I? The fun’s just beginning.”

The tension between them was palpable, and for the first time, I realized that this wasn’t just some game—it was a world where every interaction mattered, and every choice could change everything.

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