The day was September 28, 3000.
Only three days remained before Realms Online officially opened its servers. At midnight on October 1st, the world-renowned high-fidelity virtual online game would finally launch. For countless players across the globe, it was a long-awaited moment.
And for Don Jones, it was the beginning of a completely new life.
A taxi stopped in front of Silver Gate Building, located in the Riverside District of New Avalon City.
Don stepped out and paid the driver, then lifted his gaze toward the towering glass façade. According to the address he'd been given, the ninth floor of this building was where Starfall's studio was located.
And perhaps, the place that would change his fate.
He glanced at his watch. 9:25 AM. His interview was scheduled for 9:30.
Without hesitation, he stepped inside and took the elevator up.
Since around 2012, virtual gaming studios had begun appearing all across the United States. As virtual reality games exploded in popularity, many powerful guilds formed their own professional operations, coordinating members more efficiently, expanding their influence across major titles, and securing profits in what had become a rapidly growing industry. Gaming had long since evolved beyond simple entertainment. It was now an industry worth trillions.
Outside the glass entrance of the studio, two elegant characters were pasted neatly beside the door.
[Extraordinary]
That was the name of the studio.
Don adjusted the folder containing his resume and knocked lightly on the transparent glass door. A crisp voice came from inside.
"Please come in."
He pushed the door open. Several other applicants who had arrived at the same time followed him in.
The interior surprised him.
Don had expected something more corporate. Instead, it looked suspiciously like a large internet café. The spacious hall was arranged in a perfect grid formation, each square containing a high-end computer and a gaming capsule. Roughly 120 stations in total.
Every single one was empty.
Not a single employee was using them.
Don raised an eyebrow. 'Interesting…'
He walked up to the front desk and handed his resume to the receptionist. She looked sweet and professional, but the moment she read his name, her eyes drifted toward his face.
Then they lingered there for three full seconds.
Don nearly laughed. 'Hey now, miss… don't look at me like that. Even if we were close, seducing someone with your eyes during a job interview seems a bit much.'
Still smiling internally, he watched as she took his resume and walked toward the general manager's office.
While waiting, Don began observing the room, then casually struck up conversation with several other applicants. They were all around his age, two of them slightly older. Naturally, the topic soon shifted to gaming experience.
One man proudly declared, "I've been playing online games for six years!"
Another added, "I used to play 'Audition' all the time!"
A skinny young student, looking nervous, said, "I just got my ID card recently… but I'm really good at 'Brutality Online'!"
Don nodded seriously. "Brutality Online is actually a very good game. Quite intellectually stimulating."
The others looked impressed. Don kept a straight face.
Meanwhile, the receptionist stood outside the general manager's office and began calling names. Applicants entered one by one. Each interview lasted only a few minutes.
Curiously, although Don's resume had been submitted first, his name was called last.
Finally, the receptionist spoke.
"Don Jones."
Don straightened his tie and walked inside.
... The general manager's office was surprisingly simple.
He had expected something more impressive, perhaps a spacious room with sleek holographic displays or rows of advanced equipment befitting an industry worth trillions. Instead, the room was modest. A small wooden desk stood at the center. Behind it sat a single swivel chair, occupied by a man who appeared completely relaxed despite the steady stream of interviews he'd been conducting.
No decorative screens. No shelves filled with awards. Just the desk, the chair, and the man behind it.
Yet the calm confidence in his posture made the room feel strangely commanding.
The moment Don saw him, a grin spread across his face.
"Brother… I'm here."
The man looked up from the desk and smiled faintly. "Have a seat."
Don pulled the chair forward and sat down across from him.
Then the man leaned back slightly and asked in a casual tone, "By the way… who are you?"
Don rolled his eyes immediately.
"Old man," he said irritably, "you're asking what you already know."
The man burst out laughing.
"Killee, I mean, Don Jones," he said, lifting the resume in his hand. "Twenty-three years old. Former professional gamer. Played virtual online games for a year before switching careers. For the past three years, you've worked in channel sales for an advertising company in Liverpool."
He waved the resume lightly in the air. "Isn't this yours?"
Don sighed dramatically and leaned back in his chair. "Brother… stop messing with me."
The man grinned. "Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing you. You're exactly the same as four years ago, still can't handle jokes." He paused. "I was just following the interview procedure."
Don shook his head helplessly before finally laughing.
"Brother… I never thought I'd actually return to the ranks of Beyond the Heavens. I'm really happy."
But Starfall suddenly waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't celebrate too early. I need to correct two things."
Don raised an eyebrow.
Starfall leaned back comfortably in his chair. "First," he said calmly. "I'm only helping this studio recruit players. I won't be playing Realms Online myself."
Don blinked in surprise.
Starfall continued. "With a wife, kids, a house, and a company to run… I really can't afford to get addicted to games anymore."
He paused briefly, then raised a second finger.
"Second, Beyond the Heavens is already a legend. With the fall of Ascension Online, that guild no longer exists." His voice softened. "But whether that legend can be reborn… that depends on all of you."
A faint wave of disappointment washed over Don. The legendary core members of Beyond the Heavens had once dominated the gaming world. Hearing that none of them would return felt strangely empty, like standing in the ruins of a castle he'd once called home and realizing no one else was coming back to rebuild it.