In the sprawling city of Metropolis, where aspirations and dreams mingled with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, lived a young man named Liam. Liam had always dreamt of becoming a civil servant, a beacon of service and integrity in a world that needed them. With determination etched into his heart, he left his hometown and family behind, embarking on a journey towards his dreams. However, life in the city was far from what Liam had envisioned. Days stretched long, from 9 to 7, as he toiled away in various jobs to pay his bills and support his family back home. His high school education left him at a disadvantage, and he felt the weight of his perceived inadequacy every time he saw the disdainful glances of those around him. Still, he held on, gritting his teeth and pushing through the monotonous routine. One fateful night, Exhaustion hung heavily on Liam as he went through the motions of another grueling shift at the quaint café. His eyes were heavy, and his mo

The words "Installing 100%" glowed on the window, capturing his attention and unsettling his thoughts. He rubbed his eyes, as if hoping that this bizarre image would vanish with the sweep of his hand. The surreal nature of this new development left him questioning his senses and the fabric of reality itself. "What the...?" Confusion swirled within Liam as he stared at the mysterious window that had materialized out of thin air. Tentatively, he reached out, his hand passing through the image without any resistance. The experience was surreal, as if he had stepped into a realm where reality was bending at the edges. His heart raced, his mind a whirlwind of questions. As his bewilderment deepened, the window before him seemed to shift and expand, revealing a new set of options and information. Liam squinted, his brows furrowing in concentration as he tried to make sense of the shifting shapes and symbols. What was this? Some sort of advanced technology? Or was it a figment of his exhau

Frustration gnawed at Liam as he stared at the holographic display of the merchant system, bewildered by the array of unfamiliar items it showcased. Skill books, potions, monster parts — it was all Greek to him. Liam's brows furrowed deeper, his fingers twitching in agitation. His annoyance building, he muttered to himself, "This is ridiculous! I just need something simple, something I can understand." Letting out a sigh of frustration, Liam's impatience got the best of him. He decided to settle for something familiar, something that resonated with his mundane existence. Instant ramen and popular snacks, everyday items that seemed to hold a glimmer of normalcy amidst the otherworldly goods. Before his hand could even reach out to take items his choices, a sudden grip on his old hand startled him. Liam turned his head quickly, his aged eyes widening in surprise as they met the gaze of the shopkeeper. The grip was firm, almost restraining, and it belonged to a

The skinny man turned back to the young lady, his tone cold and business-like. "Now, are you going to settle up or do we have to escalate things? You've been dodging us for too long, sweetheart." The young lady's shoulders tensed, a mix of frustration and vulnerability evident in her eyes. Her voice wavered only slightly as she responded, "I'm working on it. Just give me a little more time." The bulky men exchanged knowing glances, their silence filled with unspoken communication. The leader's grin widened, revealing a row of sharp teeth like a predator ready to strike. "Time, huh? Well, sweetheart, time doesn't wait for anyone. And neither do we." His oily face casting a shadow over the counter. "You owe us, and you're gonna pay up." The young lady's eyes widened in fear as she stared at the skinny man, unsure of what to do. Panic gnawed at her, her mind racing to find a solution to the impossible situation she found herself in. Then, a glimmer of ho

As Liam neared his apartment building, a shiver of unease crawled up his spine. The dimly lit street seemed to stretch out menacingly before him. The shadows cast by the streetlights appeared to dance in sinister patterns, and the murmurs of the city seemed to fade into a distant hum. A knot of apprehension formed in his stomach, warning him that something was amiss. As he quickened his pace, Liam noticed a group of strangers assembling around him, forming a tight circle that closed in like a trap. Each face was unfamiliar, and their intent was far from clear. Anxiety gnawed at him as he attempted to move away, only to find his path consistently blocked by these menacing figures. "What do you want?" Liam's voice quivered slightly, a mix of fear and defiance underlying his words From the depths of the gathering, a familiar figure emerged. It was the skinny man he had encountered at the toy shop earlier. A smirk twisted across the man's lips as he spoke, his vo