Nightfall enveloped New York City in its familiar cloak of darkness, a serene contrast to the vibrant life that thrummed beneath it. The City of Dreams, as many called it, shimmered under the soft glow of neon lights, their flickering hues casting an otherworldly luminescence over the sprawling concrete jungle.

Each streetlight painted golden trails on the pavement, shadows dancing like distant stars amidst the bustling crowd. In Downtown Manhattan, amid the intricate maze of avenues and pulsating streets, a local gaming store stood as a beacon of anticipation, its warm light spilling onto the sidewalk where a small gathering of friends awaited.

Their silhouettes mingled with the gleaming storefront, a testament to their shared enthusiasm for the midnight release of the latest sensation in the realm of virtual gaming: Crowns of Legacies, affectionately known as CoL.

The crisp autumn air hummed with excitement, the scent of fallen leaves intertwining with the thrill of an impending digital adventure. The crowd, thick with anticipation, buzzed as the clock ticked down, each second amplifying the eagerness that swirled around them.

The vibrant posters plastered on the glass front displayed characters wielding swords and casting spells, each one more fantastical than the last. Worlds where the rules of reality were bent to the whims of the players.

It was exhilarating, yet terrifying.

Among the eager faces was Johan Heylel, standing tall enough to peer over the heads of his companions. His dark, kinky hair framed a pair of piercing brown eyes, their depths betraying a quiet storm of contemplation.

Johan stood with arms crossed, bemusement etched across his face as he absorbed the animated chatter surrounding him. Despite the infectious energy crackling through the air, he remained a reluctant participant in their fervor; the allure of CoL failed to resonate within him as it did with his friends.

His thoughts drifted back to the game that had once revolutionized the industry—The Virtual Odyssey. Launched in 2029, it offered players an unprecedented level of immersion, allowing them to engage with a world where senses blurred, and the boundaries between reality and the digital realm dissolved.

For many, it was a dream realized; for Johan, however, it had felt like a step too far—a venture into a reality he had always preferred to keep at arm's length.

As his friends animatedly debated character classes and battle strategies, a flicker of curiosity danced within him. Though he had no intention of purchasing the game, a small part of him longed to share in their camaraderie, to dive into the vibrant universe that captivated them, even if it meant stepping into a world that had never truly enticed him.

Beside him, Maya Reselda stood, her long midnight-black curls cascading down her back like a waterfall of shadows. Her emerald eyes sparkled with innocent excitement as she adjusted the colorful pins and patches adorning her leather jacket—a vivid reflection of her adventurous spirit.

In front of them, Jake Armstrong and Christopher Abis formed a dynamic duo, contrasting yet inseparable. Jake, with his rugged good looks and confident demeanor, exuded a strength that hinted at years spent in pursuit of physical excellence.

Chris, slender and sharp-witted, wore glasses that perched precariously on his nose, his passionate arguments about character classes illustrating the depth of his enthusiasm.

At the forefront of the group was Sarah Sage, a fiery redhead whose determination matched her loyalty. Her freckled cheeks flushed with excitement as she kept her gaze fixed on the prize awaiting them inside the store.

"Come on, Johan! You've got to get in on this!" Chris implored, nudging him playfully. Jake joined in, slinging a heavy arm around Johan's shoulder. "Just buy the game. You're going to love it, I promise."

Johan shrugged, their attempts at persuasion sliding off him like water off a duck's back.

What's so special about this game, anyway?

He had always preferred the simplicity of a mouse and keyboard to the overstimulation of virtual reality. Yet, as he looked at the excitement painted across his friends' faces, a pang of doubt stirred within him, whispering that perhaps there was something he was missing.

Suddenly, Johan's attention was drawn upward. The streetlights flashed with an odd intensity, and the night sky transformed into a canvas of shifting colors—waves of green, pink, and purple danced across the heavens like brushstrokes from an unseen artist.

The colors rippled, casting a supernatural glow that made the stars appear to come alive.

"...Did you guys see that?" he muttered, but his words were drowned by the lively chatter surrounding him.

No one else seemed to notice the celestial display, and for a moment, he felt as though he were standing apart from reality itself.

Must be my eyes playing tricks, he thought, trying to shake off the unsettling sensation creeping into his mind.

But, before he could dwell on it further, Maya's voice sliced through his thoughts. "You're getting the game. You're already in line, and we bought you the system ages ago. It's just collecting dust."

Johan scratched the back of his head, a hesitant smirk forming. "...Fine, I'll get the game."

"Yes! Maya, that was a damn good point!" Jake exclaimed, but their excitement quickly shifted focus as Sarah shouted, "Look! They're opening the doors!"

As the line began to surge forward, a touch of intrigue ignited within Johan. "If this game sucks, you all owe me big time," he said half-heartedly.

Maya laughed, nudging him. "Don't worry. You'll love it. And if not, you can always blame me."

"Deal," Johan replied, unable to resist the camaraderie his heart longed for, despite his lingering doubts.

Who knows, maybe this game wouldn't be so bad after all.

Inside the crowded store, Jake and Chris led the way, each securing their prized copy of the game, their victorious shouts mingling with the buzz of excitement. Yet as they exited, Johan's unease began to bubble up once more, the air around him thickening with an unshakable tension.

There was something about the night—something off.

His gaze caught on a shadowy figure lurking in the distance, draped in a dark, baggy hoodie. The figure's obscured face was fixed on Johan, a predatory gaze that sent a shiver down his spine, even as his friends chattered animatedly around him.

"Hey, guys," Johan said quietly, not wanting to draw attention. "We might have company."

Chris glanced over, his expression hardening as he spotted the figure. "Who is that?"

"I don't know," Johan replied, his voice low and cautious. "But he's been following us since we left the store."

Maya, ever perceptive, caught the tension lacing Johan's voice. "Do you think he's up to something?"

"Let's just stay sharp," Johan advised, striving to maintain a calm demeanor despite the growing sense of dread curling in his gut.

Sarah, still riding the high of their purchase, waved away their concerns. "You guys are just being paranoid. It's probably nothing."

Johan wanted to believe her, but his instincts screamed otherwise. As they continued walking, the figure in the hoodie closed the distance, matching their pace with an unnerving precision.

Suddenly, the figure lunged forward, brandishing a knife. "Give me everything!" the thief snarled, venom dripping from his words.

Johan and his friends froze, the thief's sudden aggression catching them off guard. Jake, ever the peacemaker, stepped forward, his voice steady. "Hey, man, just take it easy. If it's the game you want, you can have it."

But the thief was not interested in negotiation. He cut through the group with terrifying precision until he stood directly before Johan. His eyes, a tempest of hatred and desperation, locked onto Johan's with a burning intensity.

"…You…" the thief hissed, pointing the knife at Johan. "I've always hated you the most."

Johan's mind raced, struggling to comprehend the thief's words as he slowly relinquished the game. The thief snatched it from his grasp, spitting at Johan before sprinting away into the night.

For a moment, Johan stood rooted to the spot, the world around him a blur of sound and motion as anger and humiliation roiled within him.

Jake's voice cut through the haze. "Hey, are you okay?"

But Johan couldn't respond. His mind was consumed with the injustice of the situation, the audacity of the thief igniting a fire that burned hotter with each passing second.

Without thinking, he took off after the thief, driven by a primal need for retribution.

"Johan, wait!" Jake called, but Johan was already weaving through the crowded streets, his focus locked on the fleeing figure.

The chase led him through narrow alleys and busy sidewalks, the thief deftly navigating the obstacles in his path. Johan's breath came in sharp, uneven gasps, his legs burning with effort as he pushed himself to close the gap.

Finally, with a burst of speed, Johan tackled the thief to the ground, the impact sending them both crashing onto the pavement. The stolen game tumbled from the thief's grip, landing a few feet away.

Johan pinned the thief down, fists clenched in anger as he unleashed a flurry of blows, an initial urge surging within him to make the thief pay for what he'd done. But before he knew it, Chris and Jake were at his side.

"Johan, ease up!" Chris advised, dragging him off.

Reluctantly, Johan stepped back, his chest heaving as the thief struggled beneath Jake's hold. The night erupted into chaos, the crowd's mumbles blending with the distant wail of approaching sirens.

"…The cops are coming. We need to get out of here," Chris warned as the flashing red-and-blue lights drew closer.

In a sudden, desperate motion, the thief reached into his hoodie and drew a gun, aiming it directly at Johan. The gun glinted ominously under the streetlight as he stared it down.

"Seriously?" Johan growled, wiping the dirt from his face. "You think pulling a gun on me will make things any better for you?"

"Say another word. I dare you!" the thief threatened, his grip on the gun tightening, finger twitching dangerously close to the trigger.

Jake's eyes darted around, scanning the crowd that had begun to scatter at the sight of the weapon. "Johan, don't tempt him… He's not kidding…" he cautioned.

But in a split second, the gun fired, and Johan's world descended into a slow-motion haze.

The bullet emerged from the gun in a graceful arc, its silver casing gleaming as it sliced through the air. Johan's eyes locked onto it, the sharp, metallic whine of its trajectory piercing through the chaos.

He could see every detail: the rifling marks on the bullet, the way it wobbled as it sped toward him, and the fleeting reflection of the streetlight dancing across its surface. Time stretched endlessly, and the surrealness of the moment overwhelmed him.

Just as the bullet was about to close the distance, a blinding light engulfed Johan, consuming everything around him in an intense radiance. The world warped and blurred, the sensation of being pulled through a vortex encircling him as reality faded into the light.