In the 31st century, technology is highly advanced and virtual reality games are all the rage.
Shi Yining has recently become obsessed with a virtual life-simulation game called Fantasy World. It's made by a major game studio, and its many distinctive characters have plenty of devoted fans.
But Shi Yining is particularly fixated on raising the tutorial NPC's affection level.
The silver-haired man is named Hu Geng. He has dazzling eyes, is unfathomable in his ways, and is ruthless. He's the biggest hidden boss in the game world, impossible to romance, yet whenever you log in, he gently says good morning.
The overworked office drone is completely smitten and starts pouring money into the game.
Anything to make her beloved smile.
What, 999 outrageously expensive roses? Send them! What, caramel cookies made by a top pastry chef who only makes ten a day? Send them! A limited-edition outfit gift box, available only to a handful of players? Send, send, send!
One day, before logging off, Shi Yining sighs at the quiet figure in the corner. “I won't be able to see you for a long time starting tomorrow... I'm in such a rush, I won't even have time to hear you say good morning...”
*
The next day, the game shuts down.
Shi Yining: ...?
You lousy company!
Fine, you cheated me out of my money, but at least give me my husband back!
When she turns around, she sees a huge dialogue box floating in midair.
[Rewind.exe is not responding.]
A red high-risk alert from the Alliance immediately follows, filling the screen. The black public-address system at the street corner keeps warning residents not to go outside.
But at that very moment, someone knocks at her front door.
Through the peephole, she sees an all-too-familiar figure standing outside.
As Shi Yining opens the front door, a flock of crows takes flight outside.
The silver-eyed man bends slightly under her astonished gaze, removes his black top hat, takes her hand, and places a gentle kiss upon it. “Good morning, my master.”
#He never realized that while he was passionately expressing his love, the quiet companion in the corner had also been looking back at him from afar, across countless light-years, time and again.
#You wanted to see me, so I came.
#Help! My fave just broke through the fourth wall to find me.
#Meanwhile, the Blue Star security officers are desperately gasping for air. Help, are we part of your game too? The world-ending boss has escaped, aaah!
◎ This story is entirely fictional. Please don't read yourself into it.
[Cover Credits]
Thanks to the wonderful artists who created the character designs!
Thanks to the artist who took the commission to draw the background!
(The little fox's own pet. I might occasionally swap it out for my beautiful new fan art.)
Stamp:
[Content saved on 2024.3.19]
[Blurb saved on 2024.3.27]
[Draft in progress...]
Theme: Love can give flesh and soul.
