Shen Yuwei froze.
A massive notification ripped across the screen in BOLD letters:
"WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT: Crimson Fang has been defeated by Little Cloud!"
His stomach dropped. He hadn't meant to touch anyone. He hadn't meant to interfere in that PVP duel. And yet, here it was: Crimson Fang, untouchable, top-ranked, cold as ice, had been "killed" by him.
Players in the area froze mid-quest. Guild members nearby spammed chat with shocked messages. The world announcement blinked again, mocking him:
"YOU KILLED THE LEGEND!"
Shen's fingers hovered over the keyboard, trembling. "No… no no no no no!" he muttered under his breath. He had literally just pressed the wrong key by accident, and now everyone knows what he did.
Then a private message pinged.
"Who the hell are you?"
Shen's chest tightened. The words were calm, precise, cutting. Crimson Fang was… not happy. And Shen had no idea how to respond.
Somewhere deep in the chaos, Shen remembered how it had all started…
Two days ago, Shen Yuwei had been grinding solo, avoiding guild drama, avoiding chaos… until Tang Xun barged into the dorm room, a grin on his face that screamed I'm about to ruin your life.
"You're boring," Tang Xun said,
leaning casually against Shen's bunk ladder. "You need excitement."
"I'm fine," Shen muttered, eyes glued to his laptop.
"Nope," Tang Xun leaned closer, that same grin still there, sharp and mischievous. "I dare you. Make a new character and charm a high-level player. Simple rules. Win, and I'll finally introduce you to your crush."
Li Zeyan, calm as ever, glanced up from his laptop. "Xun Xun, knock it off. Leave him alone."
Wang Ruize, stretching lazily on his bed, chuckled. "Seriously. That grin again. You're going to get him killed before he even starts."
Tang Xun ignored them, tilting his head. "Oh, I'm not worried. He's going to thank me later… maybe. Eventually. After all the chaos I'm about to unleash."
Shen hesitated, pressing his temple. "And… what's in it for you if I lose?"
Tang Xun's grin widened, unmistakably the I'm going to ruin your life kind. "You'll have to wash my laundry for half of the semester!"
Shen exhaled softly, barely breathing. "You little…"
After a few minutes of thinking, Shen agreed to the dare, "Fine… I'll do it."
Tang Xun only chuckled, tilting his head. "GOOD! THAT'S THE SPIRIT XIAO YUN!"
That night, Shen created a brand-new account and a character he named 小云/Little Cloud. He kept the design simple, almost delicate: slender and graceful, silvery-purple hair falling in soft strands over a pale lavender face, large, reflective eyes that made him look curious and gentle. Flowing purple robes, fading from deep violet at the hem to soft lilac at the shoulders, swirled around him. A simple staff with a small amethyst crystal rested in his hands, and a thin wisp of purple mist curled around his feet, giving him an ethereal presence.
It was soft, unassuming, and perfect. . . at least, that's what Shen thought. He had no idea that in just a few minutes, one wrong key would send his character straight into chaos, and straight into the path of Crimson Fang.
To be continued…