New Game (Part 1)

After taking the train, Shun was on his way home, but before that he stopped to visit a nearby game store.

It wasn't just any game store, it was one of the branches of World Link, the company that revolutionized the world with its amazing virtual reality technology a few decades ago.

At first, many doubted when they claimed that they were developing a technology that would make anyone able to access an entire world based on their minds alone.

Even though many were doubting and laughing at the company's proposal, many important companies were secretly moving to buy or get information about this technology, they took it totally seriously.

In their various attempts to buy it, they never got anything and they just gained frustration every day. That's when they resorted to violence trying to destroy World Link(WL), before it rose up and devoured them completely in the business world.

But it wasn't as simple as it was supposed to be. In all their attempts to destroy WL, it was as if a divine shield was protecting them and all their Machiavellian plans would end up backfiring, this was repeated time after time, until they finally gave up.

With the dust completely settled, WL saw the perfect opportunity to introduce humanity, its first creation. An incredible virtual world that everyone doubted was presented to them in the form of a fantasy game, to the surprise of many, WL's promises were not deceiving as only their minds were enough to access that world.

That's how it all started...

The game's popularity spread at a terrifying rate and created the starting point for a new era, where VR games would be at the center of everything.

Several other games were emerging over time, and other companies were also able to develop games of the type, but nothing that was comparable to the amazing WL games.

Although the gameplay and graphics were incredible, the only senses in them were touch and sight.There was still a long way to go before the five senses were fully explored in virtual environments.

All told, it was undeniable that VR games had hogged everyone's attention and were raking in ridiculous amounts of money every day.

It was also undeniable that many were addicted and had given up everything to become professional gamblers and earn money from games, it was the reality for many these days. These were influenced by streamers and guilds who flaunted their earnings day in and day out.

If by playing it was possible to earn so much, then what was the use of working as a corporate slave to earn a measly salary? Some managed to stand out and really managed to stand their ground making money in the gaming world, but unfortunately not all were so lucky.

One of those who had been captivated by the gaming world and intended to invest his future in it was Shun.

Even having good grades and being a good student, he was tired of school and didn't intend to study any longer, hence his happiness for being able to graduate, he would have free time to spend on his activities.

Since he didn't intend to continue with his studies, his mind intuitively guided him to the option he found fun and profitable, hence his arrival at the game store.

After opening the door, he started walking through it and took a deep breath as if enjoying the air.

After releasing it all in a single exhalation, he said.

"This place is amazing as always." Shun surveyed the place slowly, his eyes stopping when he noticed a certain area. "There seem to be new games in that section." Then he walked there excitedly.

Shun took his time analyzing the sections that interested him, which took some time.

After selecting all the games that interested him, Shun went to the place where he would make the payment.

Luckily for him, the store was nearly empty that day, so it wouldn't take him long to wait in line.

Arriving there, Shun saw someone from the back who was hooded, this someone was doing the same as he had intended, paying for what he had purchased at the store.

When he finished the payment, he turned around and left in the direction Shun was. His face was masked and most of his body was hidden, he dressed like a shooting game avatar. The only part that showed was his golden eyes, which seemed to glow for a second when they met Shun's.

Pausing for a brief moment, he took a look at Shun, and from the way he was looking, he gave the impression that he was analyzing something, but without saying anything, he soon headed towards the store's exit.

"That was weird and a little scary." Shun felt uncomfortable with the occurrence, but anyway, he continued with his objective and went to the payment area.

With today's fast systems, your payment took almost an instant. With everything done, Shun grabbed his items and left the store.

"I wasted a lot of time at the game store, it's getting late." He watched the darkness slowly take over the day, soon it would be night.

Shun was close to home by now, but taking the detour that would take him home earlier, he ran into an obstacle.

It wasn't anything fancy, he was just a man leaning against a wall with his arms and legs crossed.

Why was he considered an obstacle? Well, maybe because he was the same man that Shun had seen in the game store, wearing his unusual and flashy clothes, he seemed to be waiting for something or maybe someone, as he gazed at the area with his golden eyes.

'Damn, it's this guy again, that look in the store was suspicious. Is he following me?!' Shun thought as he noticed the man's presence.

From the way he had looked at him in the game store, Shun had considered him suspicious and dangerous, so much so that he didn't want to cross paths with him anymore in his life, but there he was, standing on the path that would take him home early.

'Damn, I think I better change route, something tells me not to pass this guy.' That thought deepened when Shun realized the man was looking at him from a distance.

Without thinking too much, Shun decided to go another way, but he was moved by his eternal laziness which he later pondered.

"It's just that this path is too far, and I want to get home early." Shun sighed as he stopped in his tracks, it was then that he decided to take a chance and walk past the masked man.

'If I quicken my pace and pretend not to notice my surroundings, maybe I can get away with it. Here I go!' A soon breath of courage was given.

Then Shun started to walk, increasing his speed with each step, his main objective was to pass and avoid looking at the masked man. But the closer he got, the more the masked man's eyes seemed to shine, looking at Shun without reservation.

Shun had finally passed him, looking anywhere but at the masked man. Shun then realized that the masked man did or said nothing, he hoped it would stay that way.

'Please keep quiet! Let me through and stop looking at me please!!!'

Shun wanted to scream those words, but he didn't want to draw the masked man's attention. Relief washed over Shun when he thought he had passed his obstacle.

But his happiness would be very limited, because just as he was about to run away, he heard a voice that left him paralyzed instantly.

"Hey you!"

Overcome by shock, Shun slowly turned around, he already knew who had said those words, but his panicked state reached the peak when he saw the masked man coming towards him. He wanted to run away, but something was holding him there.

'Walk legs, move!!! I can handle a brute like Haizaki, but a serial killer??!! Somebody help me!!!'

Shun wanted to scream, but once again he didn't want to draw the masked man's attention. He could only be overcome by his fears and sink into his delusions.

When the masked man got very close to him, his heartbeat was already racing, he could no longer move, let alone say something.

"Hey, you're very pale, need help?" That's what the masked man said as he approached Shun, his voice sounded calm and friendly.

When he realized that those questions didn't exactly match up with someone who wanted to hurt him, Shun looked confused by them.

"Wait a minute, didn't you want my organs or something?" Shun asked this question seriously and with a very fearful face.

"What??" The masked man asked in confusion, it was then that he noticed something and burst out laughing right away.

"Hahahaha, you thought I was a serial killer or something didn't you?

It happens often, but don't worry, I don't mean to do you any harm."

Her serene smile helped a lot in the credibility of his words, even if it wasn't showing because of his mask, but you could feel it in a way.

Shun only got more confused by the masked man's words. "So if you're not a serial killer, what do you want with me?" He then asked, not being so guarded anymore.

"I saw you at the game store and noticed that you have good taste in games. Just wanted to talk to a fellow Gamer for a bit."

'So that's what he was looking at at that time, I feel more relieved now' Shun thought as he credited the masked man's words, he no longer considered him a big threat and felt relaxed.

"So that was it? You gave me quite a scare man. Don't follow people like that normally!!"

'By the way, how did he know which way I was going to use?' Shun's Guard rose again upon noticing this detail, but he preferred to keep this question to himself.

"I'm sorry about that, my friends often say that my common sense is practically non-existent, so please be patient with me." The masked man said, sounding friendly as ever.

"I see, don't worry about it. So if I understand you right, do you like VR Games too?"

"Like wouldn't exactly be the word, it's like second nature to me. All I know is that I have so much fun exploring new worlds." It was noticeable that the masked man seemed happy to say it.

His happiness seemed contagious, or was it just the answer he'd given, but Shun smiled amiably in response, even before he said it.

"You also said I had good taste in Games, which one caught your eye?" Shun revealed the bag where she kept what she had recently bought, letting the masked man freely inspect it.

Then the masked man came closer and checked out the games.

"Free Fantasy, Disboard Online, Awakening World II, Reincarnation.

Absolutely all of them catch my eye, they are all excellent, each with its own charm and history. You really have good taste man."

That's what he said after analyzing the package, although his voice remained unchanged, behind his mask he wore a wide smile.

'This is fascinating, it's certainly not a coincidence, not to mention that my eyes are never wrong, this guy, he's probably one of them.' Those were the thoughts running through the masked man's mind, whatever they meant.

"I'm glad you liked it, tell me what your favorite games are, and give me your Gamer Nick, maybe we can play together sometime?" Shun openly suggested.

"I'm sorry about that but I don't think you would believe me if I told you my Gamertag, but you can call me Leo for now."

"I usually say, you won't know if you don't try, but I won't insist if you don't want to talk. By the way, you can call me Shun, Leo-san."

"No honorifics needed, I'll accept your kindness and call you Shun, but please call me Leo instead, just Leo."

Shun just nodded in agreement.

"And it's not that I don't want to tell you my player name, it's just that for security reasons I can't. But as for my favorite games, well..."

Leo shared with Shun his tastes, even some of his adventures in the world of games, mainly in Phantom World, but that without revealing much about him.

So the conversation went on for some time, the two were getting more and more excited and Shun had even forgotten that he was on his way home.

It was perfectly understandable, as there weren't many people he could talk to about these things, so much so that he'd forgotten that the same masked man he was talking to absorbedly was the same one he'd accused of being a serial killer.

"Could you tell me what made you choose these specific games?" Leo opted to ask something he was very interested in.

And Shun just answered him gladly.

As Shun spoke, Leo revealed certain expressions with each answer, his smile was reaching heights. The conversation went on for a while longer.

But knowing that his time was scarce, Leo needed to say goodbye, but before leaving, there was something he needed to confirm.

"My gamer friend, answer me one thing. How much do you like VR Games" He kept looking at Shun, that was the only point in the conversation where he seemed to be serious.

"Hah? Man, I'm literally betting my life on them, so I don't think I need to answer.

But let's just say games are one of my main reasons for enjoying life, I have a lot of fun playing it." Shun said with a genuine smile, he really meant what he just said.

The masked man was contaminated by Shun's smile, as he was also smiling in wonder at the answer, that's when he held Shun's shoulders as he looked very emotional.

"Man, you are really worthy." He seemed to be sobbing and shedding tears of happiness, Shun just got confused not understanding the reason for that attitude.

Still holding Shun's shoulders, Leo said.

"Pay close attention to what I'm about to tell you."

Shun just nodded in agreement, but still confused.

"You and almost no one else probably know, but a new game that is sure to revolutionize the world is about to be released, God's Evolution."

"God's Evolution??" Shun asked somewhat surprised, it was the first time he had heard that name, but something in the same, made a great interest arise in him.

.....

"That's right. Trust me Shun, this game will be unlike anything you've tried so far, if I told you the things you can do in God's Evolution, you'd think I'm delusional."

"Again I tell you, you won't know until you tell me. God's Evolution, that name sounds great, could you tell me just a little more about it?" Shun's eyes sparkled with excitement, he seemed to be really interested.

"Well, since you're so interested, pay close attention."

So Leo started telling Shun about God's Evolution, trying to sound as normal as possible.

But after a while, Shun was revealing a certain expression, trying to force a smile on his face in disbelief.

'What the hell is this guy talking about?!! I don't fucking believe that.'

Shun totally disregarded Leo's words. It was then that he took a brief look at Leo, as if scanning him. 'Dressing like that, I should have guessed he was a Chuuni.' Shun wanted to slap his forehead in disappointment, but he held back.

He just followed in silence, listening to every word, even though he was doubting, there was something intriguing that was catching his attention.

The story lasted some time, that was until Leo came to an end.

"I would tell you more my friend, but unfortunately I cannot reveal more than that.

I hope you paid attention to my words."

"I did pay attention. But I'd be lying if I said I believed in the existence of such a game, but it's not like I totally doubt it." Shun forced a smile as he said it.

'Of course I don't believe it!!' Shun's real opinion differed from his words. For Shun, if the game described by Leo was real, he wouldn't believe it even when he saw it.

The masked man just smiled in satisfaction, then he let go of Shun's shoulders.

"I'm glad you didn't totally disregard my words.

It was nice talking to you Shun, but unfortunately I need to say goodbye now."

Shun just nodded, still forcing a smile, then he said. "Oh good, see you around I think"

Leo smiled brightly, and without saying anything, he went on his way, it was enough for a farewell.

Shun stood watching Leo from behind, he himself hadn't realized how immersed he had become in the conversation, so much so that it had already gotten darker.

"Leo is? What a weird guy." Shun wanted to say in his mind but his lips took the lead and uttered those words, only low enough for only him to hear.

"Better hurry, it's getting late."

So he started his walk home, thinking about the strange encounter he had today with the individual Leo.

They had talked and shared their tastes with each other, mostly about games, but all they exchanged about themselves were their names.

Shun didn't notice, but the moment he started to walk, Leo stopped and looked at him, that's when he started to say.

"I don't usually doubt my eyes, but what are these numbers I'm seeing?!"

His eyes gleamed unnaturally again. He was looking at Shun the same way he'd been at the game store, as if analyzing something.

"I think it's best to keep this to myself for now. I'm not sure what it is, but I feel like there's something special about you Shun. The glow of your soul, it's very peculiar..."

In the end, he just laughed and then said.

"If you survive the future changes, I will look forward to your evolution." Then he turned his back on Shun and started walking.

'I know you didn't fully believe me, but soon you'll know how true the things I told you were.

I hope you enjoy the gift I gave you and manage to stand out in this new era.

I know we will meet soon, but until then, grow as much as you can, the earth and humanity are counting on you.'

These were the thoughts that went through Leo's mind, somewhat enigmatic.

Leaving their backs to each other, they both followed their destinations without looking back.

An eccentric and unexpected meeting of two gaming enthusiasts, but was there something more to that meeting?

Why were Leo's eyes glowing?

And what did his enigmatic words mean?

Was something big coming that people didn't know about?

Well, that only time would tell.

But until then, let's keep watching.