Chapter 1: A Glimpse of the Past

The last thing Jin Ae-Rin remembered was the chaos of battle, the sensation of the world fracturing around her, and then—nothing. But when she opened her eyes again, the familiar hum of her virtual reality gear was gone. Instead, she found herself back in her childhood bedroom, surrounded by posters of fantastical landscapes and fantasy creatures. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room.

Ae-Rin sat up in bed, her heart pounding. She looked around, disoriented but quickly realizing that she was not in the game. She was home. The realization hit her like a wave—she had been sent back in time, a few days before the official release of "Realm Reborn."

The confusion gave way to a surge of clarity. She noticed a calendar on her desk marked with the current date, a day just before the game's official launch. Her university schedule, pinned next to it, showed the last week before finals—an important detail that matched her memories. The date was marked clearly as "September 15, 2024," and she remembered that the game was set to release on September 16th.

Her mind raced with thoughts of her family and friends. They were all supposed to have been lost to her once the game had become real. Could she see them again? Would they remember her? She needed to find out.

She hurriedly got dressed, pulling on comfortable clothes she hadn't seen in years. As she descended the stairs, the scent of breakfast wafted through the house—a smell she had missed dearly. She found her mother, Soo-Jin, in the kitchen, busy preparing food.

"Eomma!" Ae-Rin exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. Her mother turned, a look of surprise and then joy spreading across her face.

"Ae-Rin! You're up early today," Soo-Jin said, her voice filled with warmth. "I thought you'd be sleeping in. How are you feeling?"

Ae-Rin's eyes welled with tears as she hugged her Eomma tightly. "I'm… I'm so happy to see you again."

Soo-Jin smiled, her eyes softening. "I'm glad you're here. It's been a while since we've had breakfast together. Why don't you help me set the table?"

As they prepared breakfast, Ae-Rin felt a profound sense of relief and happiness. She was home, with her family—something she thought was lost forever. Her father, James, joined them soon. A tall man with a friendly demeanor, James was from Texas, and his accent was a comforting reminder of their diverse family life. Her younger brother, Joon-Ho, ran into the kitchen, his face lighting up as he saw her.

"Unni!" Joon-Ho exclaimed, hugging her tightly. "I've been waiting for you to come downstairs. I want to show you this new game I found."

Ae-Rin ruffled his hair affectionately. "That sounds great, Joon-Ho. I'm really glad to be here with you all."

As they sat down for breakfast, James talked about his plans for the weekend—an upcoming barbecue with friends and a new woodworking project. Soo-Jin shared stories from her day at the local market, including a humorous tale about a mix-up with a vendor. Ae-Rin listened, savoring each moment. It was as if the past few years, filled with the intensity and struggles of the game world, had never happened.

Later that morning, Ae-Rin decided to meet up with her close friends. She walked to the café where they often hung out, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. As she entered, she was greeted by familiar faces.

"Hey, Ae-Rin!" called out Rina, her friend from Japan, with a bright smile. Rina's enthusiasm was infectious, and her presence was a comforting reminder of their shared past.

"Rina!" Ae-Rin responded, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "It's so good to see you."

Beside Rina was Marcus, a friend from the UK, who had a knack for making everyone laugh with his witty comments. He gave her a warm hug. "Welcome back, Ae-Rin! We've missed you."

And then there was Aisha, who had moved from Egypt a few years ago. She greeted Ae-Rin with a heartfelt smile. "It's been too long. We were just talking about how excited we are for the game launch."

As they settled into their usual corner, their conversation quickly turned to the highly anticipated release of "Realm Reborn."

"I've been following the updates closely," Marcus said, taking a sip of his coffee. "Did you guys see the new guild mechanics? It's supposed to be a game-changer."

Rina nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! From what I read, guilds can now acquire and manage their own territories. The system sounds really immersive. There's talk about special events and rewards tied to controlling different regions."

Aisha leaned in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And the NPCs! They're introducing a gacha system for recruiting them. It sounds like the NPCs will have more depth and personality. I've read you can even form alliances with some."

Ae-Rin listened intently, her heart aching with nostalgia for these discussions. She had been through so much in the game's future, but here she was, on the cusp of experiencing it all over again.

"I'm excited about the new crafting system too," Ae-Rin added, trying to keep her tone casual. "They've introduced new materials and recipes. It sounds like it will be more complex and rewarding."

Rina looked at her with curiosity. "You've always been good with crafting. Do you have any plans for launch?"

Ae-Rin hesitated, not wanting to reveal too much. "I'm thinking of starting with a small, tight-knit guild. I want to explore and see how things have changed. Maybe focus on building up a strong base before diving into the larger conflicts."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like a solid plan. I'm hoping to form a guild with some friends from my old server. We're aiming to balance exploration with a bit of territory conquest."

Aisha nodded thoughtfully. "I think it would be great to coordinate some joint quests or events. We should definitely try to team up at least once."

As they continued to chat, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Rina updated everyone on her recent studies and her plans to visit family in Japan. Marcus shared his experiences of traveling across Europe during the summer. Aisha talked about her new job and how she was adjusting to life in the States. The dialogue was rich with personal updates and shared memories.

The friends spent the afternoon reminiscing about their past adventures and discussing their hopes for the future. Ae-Rin felt a deep connection to these moments, savoring the joy of being with her friends before everything changed.

As the day drew to a close, Ae-Rin returned home with a heart full of contentment. She helped Soo-Jin and James with dinner, and they spent the evening watching a movie together—something they hadn't done in years. The warmth and familiarity of her family's home enveloped her, making her feel both comforted and nostalgic.

When she finally lay in bed, she took one last look at her room. The familiarity of her surroundings was comforting, a stark contrast to the virtual world she would soon re-enter. The release of "Realm Reborn" was just around the corner, set for the next day, and everything would soon shift. She was on the brink of a new beginning, with the knowledge of the game's future and her own path ahead.

With a deep breath, Ae-Rin closed her eyes, focusing on the warmth of her family's presence and the anticipation of the adventure that awaited. She was ready to step back into the world of "Realm Reborn," armed with knowledge from the future and the support of those she loved.

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