A Gamer's Routine
"I need help with this dungeon, come and join me."
Those words always came out whenever I played my RPG games. I spent nearly ten hours a day gaming, often skipping both lunch and dinner. Living alone made it easier to dive into these virtual worlds. As for money? My parents were always away, running their business, so expenses weren't much of a concern.
But the silence of the house would creep in at times, making me sick. I'd been alone for fifteen years. Then, everything changed.
I met her.
She wasn't a gamer, but something about her caught my interest—long hair, fair skin, and a beautiful smile. You can probably guess what happened next. We fell in love, and after a year, we had a child together. It was the happiest I'd ever been. My gaming life faded into the background.
Years passed. I thought I was done with gaming—until one day, I saw my kid holding my old Nintendo DS. Memories came flooding back: how it all started, how much I loved it. Yet now, my thoughts revolved around my family. Still, something inside me stirred.
"Why not bring my old life and add it to my new one?" I thought. I went to bed with that idea.
The next morning, I began my routine as a dad and husband. But then, something strange happened.
"Press start to continue," a voice whispered in my ear.
My vision shifted. The world looked different—like I was inside a game. My wife and son appeared like NPCs. I smiled.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing. I'm ready to go," I replied.
We ate breakfast. She packed me lunch: a potion (food), elixir (water), and teleportation powder (transportation fare).
"Time to check the guild," I said, referring to my workplace. I'm a blacksmith, and in our town, I'm considered the best.
After a short walk to the portal (bus stop), I used the teleportation powder and waited ten minutes to arrive at the Guild Hall (office).
"Hey Paul, it's hammer time!" my manager yelled.
"Sure is, boss," I grinned.
He handed me my tasks for the day. "Fifteen swords (knives), ten javelins (poles), and twenty chairs? Chairs?"
Something didn't add up. I needed more materials—boar hide, metal, and stone. Time to head to the town market.
As I walked, someone called out, "Pauuuul!!"
It was Dan, my annoying rival at work.
"Hey, what's up?" I asked with an exhausted smile.
"Looks like you're busy. Afraid I'll surpass you, huh?"
"Just doing what the GM told me. Gotta go."
He waved as I walked off. Then I passed an arcade.
"An arcade? Seriously?"
I walked in. Tekken 6, Marvel vs. Capcom, and shooting games. Nostalgia hit me hard. I played a few rounds. Wolverine and Ryu were still my go-to characters.
"Oh crap, I lost track of time!"
I dashed to the shop.
"Mister, I need these materials," I told the shop owner.
"My favorite customer!" he laughed, retrieving the items. "Three silver coins ($30), please."
"Thanks," I said, rushing back.
I started forging. "Looks like I can finish before dinner," I muttered.
Then—
"Paul! Paul!" my GM screamed.
"What's wrong?!"
"Fire! Your house! It's burning—it's on the news!"
My mind went blank.
"Get it together! Go!" he shouted.
I ran. A taxi was waiting. I told the driver to floor it. My thoughts raced.
When I arrived, I saw my house engulfed in flames. Fire mages (firefighters) were battling the blaze.
I tried to run in, but a police officer stopped me.
"My wife and kid are inside! Let me go!"
I pleaded, screamed, cried. But it was too late.
After an hour, the fire was out. I helped them search. I found them—my wife and child, lifeless, their bodies burned, still holding each other.
I collapsed, sobbing. "I wish I was here to save you..."
Later that night, I returned to the ruins of my home. Searching through the ashes, I found my wife's necklace—untouched.
Then—
"Do you want to see them again?"
A voice.
"What can you offer?"
"Who are you?! Show yourself!"
"Do you want to see them again?"
"Yes! I'll give everything—my life! Just let me see them again!"
A laugh echoed. "Your wish will be granted, after you fulfill mine."
"What's your wish?!"
"You'll see."
A blinding light enveloped me…
To be continued...