The evening light filtered through the narrow gaps between the tall city buildings, casting long, slanted shadows across Ethan's cramped apartment. The gray walls were dotted with a few faded family photos, and the dim lamp illuminated his father slouched on the sofa. His breathing was steady but slightly labored, each rise and fall reminding Ethan of the weight pressing down on their daily lives.
In the corner, his mother sat mending an old shirt, her fingers red from the friction of the needle. Occasionally, she would glance up at him, worry etched deep into her eyes.
"Dad… feeling any better today?" Ethan tried to keep his voice light.
His father slowly lifted his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Old aches… need some rest."
Ethan felt a bitter pang in his chest. He glanced down at the laptop on the desk, its screen quietly glowing, silently inviting him into a world entirely different from the one pressing down on him—a world without illness, without restraints, where challenges could be met head-on, and every choice carried consequence.
As night deepened, neon lights from the streets outside spilled through the window, painting patterns across scattered books and the keyboard. Ethan took a deep breath and logged into Legend of Mir. The screen brightened, revealing the sprawling landscapes of the Marfa Continent. Lights flickered in the newbie village of Bichi City, voices mingled with the clatter of hooves, and the occasional flash of magical energy lit up the streets in bursts of color.
"Is this… my new beginning?" he thought, fingers hovering over the mouse. Slowly, his character appeared: a simple warrior in basic armor, the bronze hilt of his sword catching the firelight.
Two names blinked in his friends list:
Lily (Mage): "Want to head to the Western Forest tonight?"Mark (Priest): "I heard there are new wolves spawning there. We should be careful."
Ethan smiled faintly and replied with a simple "OK." A warm feeling spread through him—something he hadn't felt in reality for a long time. Here, he was needed. Here, he could be a warrior, protect his friends, and grow stronger.
He straightened the desk, arranging his notes and checking his equipment, then glanced out at the neon-lit streets. Cars moved slowly below, and the glowing billboards seemed to tell a thousand untold stories. Ethan realized that no matter how gray reality felt, he could always find a way to breathe in this virtual world.
Adjusting his grip on the wooden sword, Ethan swung it experimentally. The character mirrored him, the motion fluid and strong. Each swing seemed to announce one truth: this was his journey.
Leaning back in his chair, he imagined the adventures ahead. Lily's magical bolts would light up the front lines, Mark's protective charms would keep them safe, and he, as a warrior, would charge forward, the shield between danger and his friends. A sense of responsibility and anticipation coursed through him.
He didn't rush into battle. Instead, he wandered the streets of Bichi City, observing the village and its people. The blacksmith pounded at a blade, sparks flying, while street vendors called out the sale of blue potions and scrolls. NPC villagers strolled leisurely, their murmured conversations blending with the ambient sounds of the city. Ethan felt a peculiar calm—this virtual world, though unfamiliar, provided a sense of presence and purpose he rarely found in real life.
Stopping by the city wall, he gazed toward the distant Western Forest. The wind rustled the treetops, carrying the scent of grass and faint echoes of wolf howls. Challenges awaited there, he knew, but so did growth. He tightened his grip on the bronze sword and silently vowed, "Start with the small wolves… take it step by step."
Time flowed differently here, both in-game and out. A call from his mother broke his reverie: "Ethan, dinner's ready. Come help."
He smiled, shutting the laptop for a moment. Reality and fantasy collided in this small apartment. The aroma of food filled the room as he set the table, joked with his younger brother, and shared a laugh with his mother. The courage he drew from the virtual world seeped into his real one, and Ethan no longer felt so alone.
Later, he returned to his computer, gazing at the virtual night sky. The stars in Marfa stretched endlessly, tranquil and vast. He gripped his sword once more, whispering to himself: "No matter the world, I will grow stronger."