The air in the small convenience store was thick with the scent of instant noodles and freshly brewed coffee, a comforting aroma Louis had come to associate with post-exam freedom.
He sat across from his two closest friends, Judith and Levi, their cheap plastic table covered with wrappers and empty juice boxes.
"Oh my god, I think the stress aged me five years," Judith groaned, dramatically slumping against the window. She stabbed a piece of triangle kimbap. "Who decided a three-hour math exam was a humane thing to do?"
Levi, ever the calm one, just chuckled. He took a long sip of his iced coffee. "You'll be fine, Ju. You studied for like, a solid week. I, on the other hand, am praying to the gods of multiple choice."
"Lies," Louis piped up, slurping up the last of his ramen. The spicy broth warmed his throat, chasing away the lingering cold from the classroom. "You were tutoring me for two of those days, so don't give us that humble act."
A small, genuine smile touched Levi's lips. "Well, I need you two to pass so we can keep our study group going. It's the only way I can justify eating three packs of ramen after every exam."
"See? We're useful," Judith declared, straightening up. She then nudged Louis. "Anyway, Lou, you're the quiet one. How do you plan to de-stress? A marathon gaming session on 'Eternal Realm'?"
Louis nodded, already feeling the excitement bubble up. 'Eternal Realm' was his current obsession, a massive multiplayer online role-playing game that let him escape the suffocating expectations of reality.
In the game, he wasn't just Louis, the overwhelmed high school student; he was 'Phantom,' a powerful, mysterious mage.
"Exactly. I'm thinking an all-nighter tonight. I need to clear the new dungeon. I haven't been online in three days because of this stupid history paper."
"Sounds like heaven," Levi sighed enviously. "Enjoy the grind for all of us. I have to spend the weekend organizing my notes."
They lingered a bit longer, swapping ridiculous stories about their classmates and making plans for the upcoming school festival.
Finally, as the convenience store began to fill up with the after-school crowd, they decided to call it a day.
"Alright, see you guys Monday," Louis said, waving as they split off at the main road.
He turned into the familiar route leading to his apartment, the sun already dipping low and painting the sky in hues of orange and purple.
The heavy backpack felt lighter now that the exams were over.
'Just a few more blocks, and then 'Eternal Realm',' he thought.
However, as he walked, a slight detour pulled his attention.
He was passing a narrow, shadowed alley he'd never noticed before. It was barely wide enough for one person, tucked between a laundromat and a dry-cleaner.
At the very end of the alley, where the shadows were deepest, a single, soft neon sign glowed. It was a faded blue, flickering gently, and it illuminated a small storefront that seemed impossibly out of place.
It looked old, ancient even, and unlike the brightly lit, generic shops nearby, this one felt secluded, almost hidden.
Above a plain wooden door, the sign simply read: The Other Side Game Center.
Louis stopped.
'Wait, I've walked this way hundreds of times. How have I never seen a game store here?'
Curiosity, a strong force he rarely let himself indulge, tugged at him. This wasn't a brightly lit arcade or a modern retail store. It felt like something out of an old story.
He hesitated for only a moment, then took the first step into the alley. The familiar sounds of the city faded instantly, replaced by a strange silence.
Louis found himself walking toward the mysterious light, his footsteps echoing softly off the damp brick walls.
He reached the wooden door and, without thinking, placed his hand on the cold brass handle.
Louis turned the cold brass handle and pushed the door open. A soft chime rang, somehow gentle and almost musical, cutting through the silence of the alley.
His worries about his grades, his family, and his demanding schedule instantly faded, replaced by a sense of calm anticipation. The interior was immediately familiar.
It was like any other game store, full of towering shelves packed with game boxes, accessories, and promotional posters featuring characters he instantly recognized.
It wasn't modern or flashy, but it was cozy, smelling faintly of paper dust and new electronics.
Behind a high, worn wooden counter sat an old man. He had a kind, wrinkled face and wore a simple, round-rimmed pair of glasses perched on his nose.
He looked up from a thick book he was reading, his eyes warm and crinkling at the corners when he saw Louis.
"Well, hello there," the old man said, his voice a low, soothing rumble. "We don't get many visitors in this little corner of the world. Come on in, the air conditioning is nice, isn't it?"
Louis stepped fully inside, letting the door click shut behind him. The cool air felt wonderful after the humid walk.
"It is, thank you," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over the shelves. 'He's right. It's surprisingly comfortable in here.'
"No need to be shy, son. Take your time, browse freely," the old man continued, setting his book down. "We've got everything from the old classics to the newest releases. Just holler if you need any help finding something specific."
Louis felt his shoulders relax further. The casual, non-pressuring environment was a welcome change from the bustling, overly bright malls. "I will. Thank you, sir."
"Good, good," the old man nodded, picking his book back up. "You look like you've just finished a long day of work or study. There's nothing like a good game to clear the mind, eh?"
"Exactly," Louis replied with a genuine smile. "I just finished my midterms. I need a serious distraction."
"Then you've come to the right place," the old man chuckled softly. "Go on now. Let the games call out to you."
Louis nodded and began to slowly walk down an aisle, tracing the titles of the games with his eyes, the stress of the week completely forgotten in the warm, inviting atmosphere of the strange little store.
Louis's fingers trailed along the spines of familiar titles—sequels he hadn't yet bought, expansions for games he already owned.
He nodded to himself, confirming his plan to grab a discounted controller accessory before heading to the new releases section.
He was in his element, fully immersed in the silent world of digital escape.
He rounded a corner and stopped abruptly. This section was different.
Unlike the vibrant, familiar covers of his usual games, these titles were subdued, almost plain. He had never seen any of them before.
There were no flashy logos or recognizable franchise names. The boxes felt thicker, the art minimal, giving them an air of being forgotten classics or maybe even indie titles he had somehow missed.
Then, one box stood out, not for its flash, but for its simple elegance. It was titled: Eden.
The cover depicted only a stylized, cracked earth surrounded by what looked like ethereal chains, with two shadowy figures standing back to back.
Louis picked it up, feeling a strange weight in his hands. He flipped the box over to read the premise.
> The world is breaking. The celestial chains that bind creation are fraying, threatening to unleash the Void.
> You are one of the Heroes summoned to this collapsing reality. Your mission is singular and absolute: prevent the end of the world by mending the divine order.
> Choose your fate. Choose your ally. Will you save Eden, or watch it fall?
'That sounds incredibly dramatic,' Louis thought, yet a shiver of excitement ran down his spine.
The premise wasn't entirely original—heroes saving the world was a standard trope—but the presentation, the slightly antique feel of the box, and the concept of "celestial chains" made it feel profoundly serious. It wasn't just a game; it felt like a summons.
He briefly considered going back to his tried-and-true favorites, but the allure of the unknown, of this intense, unique narrative, was too strong.
He was looking for a distraction, and this looked like an all-consuming one.
Louis clutched the box of Eden and made his way back toward the counter where the old man was still quietly reading.
"Find what you were looking for?" the old man asked, setting his book down once more.
Louis placed the box on the counter. "Yes, sir. This one. Eden."
The old man's eyes widened slightly, a momentary spark of something unreadable flashing behind his glasses, but it vanished instantly.
He only offered a warm smile. "Ah, an excellent choice. A very… immersive experience, I hear. You won't regret it."
He didn't mention the price, simply picked up the box, and started ringing him up.
Louis pulled out his wallet, already picturing himself sitting in his room, starting the download.
He couldn't wait.