The air was heavy with the scent of stale air conditioning and a woman's perfume. As the prostitute began to stir, Yun Tian turned away from the window and toward the bedroom. The city lights of Muntinlupa danced across the ceiling, a silent disco playing out in the darkness. He walked past her, the sheets rustling as she shifted, and settled into his gaming chair. It was a throne of memories, worn smooth by countless hours of virtual conquests and hard-won victories.

He clicked a single icon on the desktop, and the screen came to life, a stark contrast to the slumbering world outside. A new game had just been released, a highly anticipated VRMMORPG called Elderfall Saga. The glowing title filled the screen, a beacon of a world waiting to be explored. A world he had once known so intimately.

As the game's theme music swelled, a rush of nostalgia washed over him. The epic score, the vivid graphics, the promise of a fresh adventure—it all took him back. Back to a time when he was just a boy, and Elderfall Saga was just a dream.

The scent of his childhood home filled his senses. The smell of his mother's cooking, the faint scent of old books, and the undeniable aroma of a brand-new computer. He was twelve years old again, sitting in his room, the glow of the monitor illuminating his face. It was his birthday, and his father, a man who didn't understand the world of gaming, had surprised him with a brand-new virtual reality headset and a copy of the game.

He remembered the anticipation, the trembling excitement as he put on the headset for the first time. The real world faded, replaced by the lush, vibrant landscape of Aerthos. The game's opening cinematic played, detailing the lore of the Ancient Sovereigns and The Sundering. He was captivated. This wasn't just a game; it was an entire universe waiting to be discovered.

Yun, the young version of Yun Tian, found himself standing in a bustling town square. The world was alive with NPCs going about their daily lives. The sun was warm on his skin, the wind rustled the leaves in the trees, and the air was filled with the sounds of a vibrant community. He was finally here, in the world of Elderfall Saga. And for the first time, in a long time, he felt at home.

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End of Chapter 2 Details