Alexa avoided the woman's gaze, trying to keep her composure. The woman's pale fingers reached out and brushed a strand of Alexa's hair away from her face. "Looks like you're having fun," she said with a cold edge. "Despite the fact that you've destroyed soone's life."
"It isn't our fault," Alexa replied defensively.
The woman's eyes, a striking red with a glint of malice, narrowed. "Denial," she said softly. "At least you got karma. What's life like with a curse, Ms. Ford?" she added.
Alexa's frustration boiled over. She shoved the woman away and began to walk faster.
From behind, she heard the woman's whispered insult, "Bitch."
Alexa's face tightened with anger, but she didn't look back. Instead, she quickened her pace, determined to put distance between herself and the unsettling encounter.
As Alexa exited the building, she nearly stumbled, but her brother Alex caught her just in ti.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked, concern in his voice. "I saw her enter the building."
"Yeah, we crossed paths," Alexa replied, still shaken.
"Is she still angry?" Alex inquired, noticing her distress.
Alexa nodded, her frustration evident. "Yes."
"It's not like it's our fault," Alex said, helping her into their car. He then slid into the driver's seat.
As Alex started the engine, Alexa leaned her head against the window, lost in thought. Her mind drifted back to the events of five years ago, the mories coming back in vivid flashes as they drove away.
Five years ago, a groundbreaking VR ga called Ethereal Online ans escape the reality beca a global sensation. It was the first VR ga ever made, and it quickly beca a huge hit around the world.
The ga used advanced capsules to transport players' minds directly into a virtual world where they could freely choose their characters. Whether they wanted to be a swordsman, assassin, archer, or any other class, players had endless options. They could explore fantastic landscapes, battle monsters, level up, raid dungeons, and complete quests. The ga's realism and depth made it incredibly imrsive.
Before Ethereal Online, the Ford Company was struggling with bankruptcy and losing hope. The Ford twins, Alexa and her brother Alex, had almost given up until they dread of an unknown man who inspired them with the idea of VR. This vision led to the creation of Ethereal Online, turning the company's fortunes around and making it a huge success.
As the ga's anniversary approached, it was set to receive a massive update. However, the update ca as a surprise even to the Ford Company, appearing suddenly without prior notice.
Just before Ethereal Online shut down, the ga made one last announcent on its own, leaving players and the world in stunned anticipation.
[Announcent Notification]
Ethereal Online – Update
Loading...
Update Successful!
[Attention, Beings of Planet Earth! The gods and goddesses have heard your wishes and the joy you found in playing. Your desires are now granted as they transform your world based on the realms of Ethereal Online. Prepare for a new reality where the ga becos your world. Embrace the unprecedented changes and experiences ahead.]
GA TUTORIAL ACTIVATED
After the announcent, All screens and devices shut down, an earthquake struck, causing everyone to panic. However, after the quake, nothing else happened, and the devices and screens returned to normal, but the ga had completely vanished and people thought about the announcent is just a prank made by the company.
Even the company, Ford, was in shock and trying to figure out what had occurred. Then, in a room in their building, a large crystal appeared. They didn't know what it was and couldn't approach it, as an invisible barrier surrounded it. No matter what they tried, the crystal remained untouched.
As they tried to figure out what had happened to Ethereal Online and what the crystal was, days passed, and people began disappearing—starting with Seojun.
Eventually, as they planned to bomb the crystal, it suddenly glowed, and that's when everything changed. A huge white screen appeared in the sky, and the ga tutorial began, marking the first existence of the global system
A massive crack appeared in the sky. It was clear now that the Ethereal Online ga tutorial had turned into a reality.
In the chaos, people began blaming the Ford family, and among them was Lilith Vladimir. Her family had died in the disaster, leaving her alone and filled with rage. She wanted revenge and dread of seeing the Ford family's blood.
In the brink of death, She was chosen by Vladimir, an S-rank vampire god. She survived the disaster by transforming her into a powerful vampire through Vladimir's blood. Taking on the na Lilith Vladimir, she vowed to destroy the Ford family for what they had caused.
Alexa sighed as she thought about Lilith Vladimir. "Her na doesn't suit her," she muttered. "Lilith sounds too innocent for soone like her. Tsk."
Her gaze drifted to a floating island in the sky, one of the zones she had designed and added to the ga. A wave of regret washed over her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I never imagined it would co to this. I wish we could have done sothing to prevent it." She looked away, feeling the weight of her guilt.
Alex glanced in the rearview mirror, watching his twin sister as she sat in the backseat, staring out the window. The city streets blurred past, and the low hum of the car engine filled the silence between them. Finally, Alex broke the quiet.
"So," he began, keeping his eyes on the road ahead, "what was the eting all about?"
Alexa's annoyed face reflected in the rearview mirror as she huffed in frustration. "Ugh, it's just Seo-ha. Her attitude pisses off! And don't even get started on Tae-hyun. He seriously thinks I'm easy to get? If he wants to be his wife, he should put in so effort!"
Alex chuckled, amused by her irritation. "So, he's not giving up, huh?"
"Obviously not!" Alexa rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "He's relentless."
Alex laughed, the sound light and teasing. "By the way, How's Seojun doing? He's been good, right?"
Alexa fell silent for a mont, her gaze shifting to her hands as they fidgeted in her lap. "Uhmm… Brother, I didn't get a chance to see him yet. The eting was so sudden."
Alex shook his head, a mix of exasperation and amusent on his face. "The eting was at 10 a.m. Just what ti did you wake up?"
Alexa started combing her hair with her fingers, a pout forming on her lips. "I stayed up late last night, so I woke up at 9 a.m. Then Seo-ha just dragged into the eting without any warning. Hmph."
Alex sighed, the sound half fond and half resigned. "That's fine. I already bought his groceries and a few other things he might need."
Reviews
All reviews (0)