*Call Ended*

Kael groaned, "Wait…ugh, that crazy old hag didn’t even give me the chance to object," he muttered, rubbing his temples as he forced himself up from bed.

He was greeted by the sight of his own chaotic, cluttered room. Clothes were strewn all over the floor, mingling with empty bottles from last night's late-night gaming session. Dust lingered on every surface, and his PC screen cast a faint glow in the dim room, the loading game music softly playing a melody that had become the closest thing he felt to peace. Here, he could escape, if only for a while.

Kael lazily kicked a bottle out of his path as he shuffled toward his chair, muttering under his breath. Cleaning had always been at the bottom of his priorities. Games, after all, were his real life the only place he felt any sense of control or accomplishment.

It was obvious to anyone who knew him; he had lived for 19 years with nothing to show for it. He hardly cared. Not about his life, not about his future. Everything just felt...empty.

When Kael was eight, he lost his parents in a fire that broke out at their workplace. He was taken in by his grandmother, who had never been the same after her child’s death. Every time she looked at him, tears gathered in her eyes, and her gaze would drift off to painful memories. That haunted look made Kael feel guilty; he would try to avoid her, slipping into his room whenever he could. But five years later, his grandma passed too. Depression, they said, and the stress of overthinking things that didn’t need words to be understood. She’d been sick for a while but never told anyone, bottling up her pain until it consumed her.

After her death, Kael moved in with his cousin, Marie, who was nine years older. Marie, always strict and practical, had a sharp tongue and wasn’t afraid to use it. She’d scold him for everything, even the tiniest mistake. Kael could still remember the time he accidentally bumped into a vase, which then toppled over and smashed her phone. Furious, she chased him through the house, her voice echoing like thunder until she finally caught him and smacked him. His shoulder still tensed at the memory. Later, after her anger had subsided, she apologized but still made him do chores around the house for six months as punishment. She was terrifying sometimes, but he knew she meant well. She was like an older sister to him, though her way of showing care was...complicated.

At school, things were even worse. Every day was a battlefield. His classmates would hurl names like "bastard" or "mistake" at him, knowing he had no parents to stand up for him. It stung, each insult tearing open wounds he tried so hard to ignore. The weight of it all finally became too much, and one day, Kael snapped. His fists moved on their own, lashing out at the bullies until they were left bruised and bloody. But victory was short-lived. He was dragged to the principal's office, and Marie, along with the parents of the bullies, were summoned.

The outcome left a bitter taste. Kael was forced to apologize to the bullies and their parents. Marie was livid, her face red with rage as she argued with the principal. But things escalated when one of the mothers made a snide remark that set Marie off; she lunged forward, fist raised. Kael quickly stepped in, gripping her arm to hold her back, whispering, "Please, don’t… it’ll only make things worse."

After that incident, Marie removed him from school. She scolded him harshly for keeping everything bottled up and not telling her he’d been bullied. But he hadn’t wanted her to worry; it was his burden to bear. In the end, he apologized repeatedly until she finally forgave him, though she urged him to try another school. Kael refused, a cold fear gripping his heart. He was afraid of the judgment, of having the label “Parentless” slapped on him again.

So he stayed home, finding solace in games, comics, and anime. They were his escape, his way of pushing reality’s harshness aside. But reality wouldn’t leave him alone. Marie, frustrated by his lack of motivation, urged him to get a job. He refused again, too lazy and too stubborn to face the world outside.

It was around this time that he met Jay, a player he teamed up with online. They were a perfect match in the game, Kael the brain and Jay the muscle. Jay’s skills were impressive, and together they became an unstoppable duo. In time, they grew close, talking about everything from game strategies to life itself. Jay introduced Kael to streaming, mentioning how he could earn money if he was consistent. Kael’s eyes lit up at the thought of making cash by playing games; it was a dream.

One day, while scrolling through social media, he saw an ad for a new game with stunning graphics. It was rapidly rising in popularity. Without hesitation, Kael decided to buy it. He begged Marie relentlessly, day after day, until she finally relented, handing him the money with a tired sigh and a sharp scolding. He didn’t care; his mind was already lost in anticipation.

Days turned into nights as Kael sat before his PC, practicing relentlessly. He drank coffee to keep his eyes open, washed his face when fatigue crept in, and pushed through. He wanted to be the best. Streaming started slow barely any views, but he persisted. Jay, ever the mentor, shared tips on growing his audience, and gradually, Kael’s viewership increased. The little money he earned felt like a triumph. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

Over time, Kael’s reputation grew, along with the challenges and rivalries. In just two years, he was recognized as one of the top players, and the best player of 'The 10 Scrolls' Game. but he knew his journey was far from over. His dream to become the most popular and wealthiest gamer still lingered, a beacon of hope he clung to.

But just when he thought life was finally looking up, everything took a dark turn.