The Weight of a Glorious Achievement:

Ryan stood in silent awe as the world around him lit up with blinding brilliance. A figure began to materialize from the light—radiant, ethereal, and almost too bright to look at directly. He squinted, shielding his eyes as the glow intensified.

Just moments ago, he'd returned to the inn, grabbed a drink, and was preparing to log off. But instead of returning to his bedroom in the real world, he was here—wherever "here" was.

"Greetings, Ryan."

The voice came from everywhere at once, deep and resonant. The figure's outer glow softened, revealing a humanoid form with one distinct difference: a third, vertical eye gleamed in the center of its forehead.

Ryan tensed, his instinctive caution flaring. "Who are you? And how do you know my name?"

His tone was controlled, calm even, though he could feel the tension in his shoulders.