Kael Ardent, 17, is a lifelong gamer. HKael Ardent, seventeen, was a true gamer.
Every day after school, he spent his time in front of a computer screen. For him, games weren't just entertainment—they were another world. A place where he could escape the pressure of school and the burdens of life.
He was simple and friendly, yet Kael carried an endless curiosity. He always wanted to try something new, especially when it came to fantasy and RPG games.
One afternoon at school, his friend Kaito approached with a mysterious grin.
"Kael, I found a new game. They say it's unlike anything else."
Kael turned, intrigued. "What game?"
Kaito lowered his voice. "It's called Arcana of the Lost Realms. It's not sold publicly—you can only find it in a hidden shop. Rumor says this game is… forbidden."
"Forbidden?" Kael frowned. "You mean pirated?"
Kaito shook his head. "No. Stranger than that. Supposedly, players can get pulled inside the game. Some believe it, others call it a hoax."
Kael chuckled. "Sounds ridiculous… but also interesting."
Kaito patted his shoulder. "If you're brave, try finding it. The shop's in a narrow alley near the game store. But don't tell anyone I told you."
Kael smiled faintly. Deep down, he had already decided to look for it that weekend.
A Mysterious Encounter
Sunday, September 25th, 2025.
That afternoon, Kael followed Kaito's directions. The narrow alley he found looked suspicious, wedged between a game shop and a fruit stall. Just as he was about to enter, a teenage girl suddenly stopped him.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her sharp gaze piercing through him.
Kael flinched. "I… I'm just taking a shortcut."
"Don't lie," she cut him off. "You're here to buy something, aren't you? The forbidden game?"
Kael hesitated, then finally nodded. "Yeah. I'm curious."
The girl sighed. "My name's Rina. I've been investigating that game for a year. Many people disappeared after playing it. See those missing-person posters on the poles? Most are connected to this game."
Kael swallowed hard. "That sounds… serious."
"If you're smart, don't buy it." Rina's gaze was firm. "But I can tell from your face—you're the type who can't resist curiosity."
Kael gave a faint smile. "I need to know the truth."
Rina shrugged. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you." She turned to leave.
"My name's Kael!" he called after her.
"I know," she replied briefly, disappearing around the corner.
The alley led to a small shop lit by dim lamps. Empty shelves lined the walls. Only a wooden table and a tattooed man wearing a black mask stood at the center.
"What are you looking for, kid?" His voice was heavy.
"A game," Kael said carefully.
The man's eyes narrowed. "Arcana of the Lost Realms?"
Kael nodded.
The man pulled out a plain black box. "Fifty thousand. But think carefully. This game… is different."
"I'm sure. I want to play it," Kael said, steadying his voice.
After paying, he hurried home. But in front of his house, Kaito was already waiting.
"You got it?" Kaito's eyes sparkled.
Kael nodded. "But strangely, a girl warned me. She said the game can pull people inside."
Kaito laughed nervously, though his eyes flickered with unease. "That warning's been around for a while. But what if it's true?"
That night, Kael placed the box on his desk. The air in his room grew unnaturally cold. From time to time, he thought he heard faint whispers coming from it.
When he tried to sleep, his light flickered. His TV turned on by itself, showing a swirling red symbol. Startled, Kael yanked the plug, but the symbol lingered before finally fading.
"This… isn't a normal game," he muttered.
The First Vanishing
The next morning, Kaito didn't come to school. No calls, no messages.
After class, Kael decided to visit his dorm. The door wasn't locked. Inside, the room was in chaos. The console by the TV was still on, showing the same spinning red symbol.
On the desk, Kael found Kaito's phone. The last message made his chest tighten:
"I'll try it first. If I don't reply… maybe Rina was right."
Kael's hands trembled. He called out Kaito's name again and again—but silence answered, as if the room itself had swallowed him whole.
He quickly turned off the console, grabbed the black box, and rushed out, heart pounding.
On his way home, he met Rina.
"You're pale. What happened?" she asked.
Kael let out a heavy sigh. "Kaito… he's gone. I found his console still running. He left a message saying he tried the game first."
Rina's face hardened. "Then I was right. The game pulls players inside."
Kael clenched his fists. "I can't just sit back. If I play it, maybe I can find him."
Rina hesitated, then said firmly, "Then I'll go with you. I won't lose anyone else."
Kael nodded. "Tomorrow. At my house."
The next day, Kael's house felt different.
The living room, usually filled with the sound of television, was eerily silent.
On the table, the mysterious console waited—like it had been expecting them.
Kael's fingers trembled as he pressed the power button. "Are you ready?"
Rina sat beside him. "Even if we're not ready… it's already too late, Kael."
The screen flickered.
The game's logo appeared—but it wasn't just an image.
It glowed like a living rune, shifting as though it had been carved by something ancient.
They entered their names.
Kael Ardent. Rina Elveira.
The moment the last letter appeared, a metallic chime rang out, echoing like an ancient bell in an empty hall.
The screen shook violently. Images flashed in rapid succession—cities, forests, castles.
"What the hell is this?!" Kael shielded his eyes.
"Kael! Turn it off!" Rina screamed.
Kael reached for the power button—but his hand slipped through the screen, as if the television had turned into liquid light. A chilling sensation spread from his fingertips to his arm.
"W-what is this…?" Kael tried to pull back, but his hand wouldn't budge.
Rina panicked and grabbed him. But her own body was dragged forward. A violent wind burst from the screen, rattling the windows and sending papers flying everywhere.
"Rina! Let go of me!" Kael shouted.
"Never! I won't leave you!" she cried, gripping him tighter.
A blinding white light exploded, flooding the entire room. A deafening hum rang in their ears, blending with the pounding of their hearts.
In the next instant, both of their bodies were swallowed completely.
"Uaaaaah—!"
The Void
Darkness.
Silence.
Nothingness.
Kael's body drifted weightlessly in an endless void. His temperature shifted wildly—burning hot one moment, freezing cold the next.
He could still feel Rina's hand clinging to his. But slowly, the grip weakened.
It was as if an invisible force was tearing them apart.
"Rina!" Kael screamed, his voice echoing, muffled in the emptiness.
"Kael! Don't let go!" Rina's voice reached him faintly, trembling, growing weaker… until it finally vanished.
And then—silence.
Alone.
The darkness swallowed him whole. The last glimmer of light faded from his sight—
—and Kael's consciousness slipped away.