I didn't sleep.
Couldn't sleep.
But not from fear.
From excitement.
Sat in the Gaming Hall all night, staring at the player progress screen:
Completions: 6/7
Closest to Completion:
Kyle: 56%
Derek: 51%
Shen Yun: 15% (new, but learning fast)
One more completion. Just one.
Then the new game unlocks.
And I couldn't wait.
Not because I was afraid of the Silver Serpent Sect—the System's immunity would protect me inside the Gaming Hall.
But because I missed gaming.
Truly, deeply missed it.
In my previous life, gaming was everything. My escape. My passion. My life.
And here—with this impossible VR technology—
I could experience games like never before.
Just one more completion...
7:00 AM
When I opened the door, fifty people waited outside.
Among the crowd—
Kyle, practically bouncing with energy.
I walked straight to him.
"Kyle."
"Yes, Master Liu?!"
"You're playing all day today. Every available session slot."
His eyes widened. "All day?!"
"All day. I'm coaching you personally. We're going to finish Resident Evil today."
"Because today—"
I smiled.
"We unlock something incredible."
Session One - 7:00-8:00 AM
Device 1: Kyle
I stood directly behind Kyle's chair, watching the screen.
"Alright, Kyle. You're at 56%. You need the Skull Key—it's in the dark basement."
"Let's get it."
For the next hour, I guided Kyle through every step.
Every trap. Every ambush. Every puzzle.
He obtained the Skull Key. Reached the laboratory. Got the T-Virus.
[Progress: 82%]
Session Two - 8:05-9:05 AM
Kyle sat down again—nervous energy crackling around him.
"Master Liu... I'm ready."
"Then let's finish this."
Kyle entered the Boss chamber.
Lord Spencer rose. Roared. Charged.
First attempt—died in three minutes.
Second attempt—died in eight minutes.
Third attempt—
Kyle found his rhythm.
Stopped thinking. Started flowing.
The crowd gathered, watching, shouting encouragement.
And slowly—steadily—
Spencer's health dropped.
[HP: 2000/5000]
[HP: 1000/5000]
[HP: 500/5000]
Final phase.
Kyle slid beneath Spencer—
Emptied every bullet—
[BOSS DEFEATED!]
The room ERUPTED.
Kyle screamed in triumph.
His brother Shen Yun smiled proudly.
Golden light.
[Phantom Compound Bow - Legendary Quality] appeared.
But more importantly—
[Ding! Ding! Ding!]
[SEVENTH PLAYER COMPLETED THE GAME!]
[PROGRESS: 7/7]
[NEW GAME UNLOCKING...]
The Gaming Hall shook.
Golden light spread across the walls.
A fourth device materialized.
A new door appeared—heavy oak, carved with dragons and runes.
[TRAINING ROOM UNLOCKED!]
And finally—
The game selection screen changed:
RESIDENT EVIL: THE BEGINNING
[NEW] THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM
I stared at the screen.
Skyrim.
My heart pounded.
I'd played Skyrim for over 500 hours in my previous life.
Explored every cave. Completed every quest. Killed every dragon.
And now—
Now I could experience it in full immersion VR.
I need to play this. Now.
12:00 PM
I addressed the crowd of seventy people.
"Everyone. The Gaming Hall has upgraded."
"Four devices now. And a new game—The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim."
Excited murmurs.
"An open world where you can be anything. Warrior. Mage. Archer. Thief."
"Slay dragons. Learn magic. Forge weapons."
"And just like Resident Evil—real rewards for achievements."
I paused.
"Skyrim is available immediately. Sessions start after lunch."
"And one more thing—tomorrow at 3 PM, the Silver Serpent Sect arrives."
"Anyone who wants to leave before then—I understand."
"But inside this Gaming Hall, you're safe. The System protects everyone within these walls."
1:00 PM
After the announcement, my parents pulled me aside.
Mother's face was worried. "Chen, tomorrow when the Silver Serpent comes—"
"We're safe inside the Gaming Hall." I interrupted gently.
"But what about when we need to leave? To buy food? Supplies?"
I'd been thinking about this.
"Wait here."
I closed my eyes, focused on the System.
System, the immunity inside the Gaming Hall—does it protect everyone inside? Including my parents?
[Ding! Correct!]
[Gaming Hall Immunity Details:]
All individuals inside the Gaming Hall are protected
Protection covers the building + 10 meter radius outside
No physical harm can befall protected individuals
Protection remains active 24/7
What if they need to leave for supplies?
[Ding! Suggestion:]
Customers can run errands
Host's parents recommended to remain inside until sufficiently strong
Estimated safety threshold: 100% strength increase
Perfect.
I opened my eyes, smiled at my parents.
"Mother, Father—you're completely safe inside the Gaming Hall. The System protects everyone here."
"Really?" Father asked.
"Really. The immunity covers the entire building and ten meters beyond."
"As long as you're inside, nothing can hurt you."
Mother exhaled in relief. "Thank god."
"But," I continued, "you shouldn't leave. Not yet."
"For how long?" Father asked.
"Until you're strong enough. The System says you need about 100% strength increase."
"How long will that take?"
I calculated quickly. "If you both play Skyrim intensively—two hours daily—maybe two or three months."
"Three months without leaving?" Mother looked uncertain.
"You won't need to. Kyle, Derek, other customers—they can buy supplies, run errands."
I looked at them seriously.
"Please. Stay inside. Stay safe."
"Until you're truly strong."
Father and Mother exchanged glances.
Then nodded.
"Alright, Chen." Father said. "We'll stay."
2:00 PM
Device 1: Derek
Device 2: Elena
Device 3: Shen Yun
Device 4: Marcus
I started all four devices simultaneously.
Watched as four different players experienced Skyrim's opening.
Derek - The Warrior's Path
Derek's character appeared in the cart, hands bound.
"What?! Why am I captured?!"
"Just watch. The story starts here."
The dragon attacked Helgen. Derek escaped. Chose to be a Nord warrior—two-handed weapons, heavy armor.
When he stepped out into Skyrim—
The vast landscape, mountains touching the sky, aurora borealis shimmering—
Derek gasped.
"This is... beautiful."
For the next hour, Derek explored.
Killed wolves. Fought bandits. Found his first iron sword.
And with each fight—
[+0.3% strength]
[+0.2% stamina]
Small increases. But real.
When he removed the headset, his eyes were shining.
"Master Liu... this world is massive."
"How long to complete?"
I smiled. "Hundreds of hours. Maybe more."
"There's always something new to discover."
Derek grinned. "Perfect."
Elena - The Silent Assassin
Elena chose to be a Dark Elf thief.
Immediately gravitated toward stealth.
Spent her entire session learning to sneak—moving silently, picking locks, stealing.
By the end:
[Sneak Skill: Level 15]
[+0.4% movement speed]
[+0.3% hand dexterity]
She removed the headset, face thoughtful.
"This game rewards patience." She said quietly.
"I like that."
Shen Yun - The Mage's Curiosity
Shen Yun chose High Elf mage.
Fascinated by the magic system.
Learned Flames spell—shot fire from his hands.
Learned Healing spell—closed wounds with magic.
[Destruction Magic: Level 12]
[Restoration Magic: Level 8]
[+0.5% mental focus]
[+0.2% energy control]
When he finished, Shen Yun looked stunned.
"Master Liu... the magic in this game..."
"It feels real."
"Like actual cultivation techniques."
I nodded. "The System translates game mechanics into real improvements."
"Magic in Skyrim becomes energy control in reality."
His eyes widened. "Then if I master magic in the game..."
"You might learn techniques even cultivators don't know." I finished.
He immediately pulled out ten gold coins.
"One hundred hours. I'm buying one hundred hours."
Marcus - The Scholar's Dream
Marcus chose Breton mage—balanced magic and combat.
But he didn't fight.
He explored.
Talked to every NPC. Read every book. Examined every detail.
[Speech Skill: Level 18]
[+0.6% memory retention]
[+0.4% information processing]
He removed the headset, notebook already out.
"Master Liu, this game has lore. Deep, complex lore."
"I need to document everything."
I laughed. "Go ahead, Marcus."
6:00 PM
After the last customer left, I locked the door.
Looked at the four devices.
My turn.
I'd been waiting all day for this.
I sat at Device 1. Put on the headset.
Selected Skyrim.
[Character Creation...]
I chose Nord—classic warrior build.
Heavy armor. Two-handed weapons. Blacksmithing.
Named my character: Dragonborn.
"Let's begin."
The opening sequence played.
Cart. Execution. Dragon attack.
I'd seen it a hundred times before.
But this was different.
Because I wasn't watching.
I was there.
I felt the rough wood of the cart beneath me.
Smelled the pine trees, the smoke, the fear.
Heard the executioner's axe thunk into wood.
Felt the heat when the dragon breathed fire.
This is incredible.
I escaped Helgen with Ralof.
Fought Imperial soldiers—felt every sword clash, every shield bash.
Killed my first enemy—and felt the weight of taking a life, even a virtual one.
Emerged into Skyrim—
And stopped.
The landscape stretched before me.
Mountains. Forests. Rivers. Endless possibilities.
I could go anywhere. Do anything. Be anyone.
"This..." I whispered. "This is what I've been missing."
I didn't follow the main quest.
Instead, I explored.
Wandered north. Found a small farm. Talked to the owner.
[Speech increased to 16]
Helped him kill wolves attacking his chickens.
[Two-Handed increased to 18]
[+0.4% strength]
He gave me a small reward—10 gold coins, a health potion.
I continued.
Found a standing stone—The Warrior Stone.
Activated it.
[Warrior skills learn 20% faster]
[+0.3% combat instinct]
Every small action gave real rewards.
This is perfect.
I found a cave—Bleak Falls Barrow.
Entered cautiously.
Inside—bandits. Draugr. Traps.
I fought carefully.
Blocked with my shield. Struck with my sword. Dodged traps.
[Block increased to 22]
[One-Handed increased to 25]
[+0.6% strength]
[+0.4% reaction speed]
Deeper in the dungeon, I found a Word Wall.
Approached it—
Ancient Nordic runes glowed.
[WORD OF POWER LEARNED: FUS]
[Shout Unlocked: Unrelenting Force - 1/3 words]
A strange energy filled me—even in the game.
This is... different.
I continued through the dungeon.
Solved the claw puzzle. Defeated the draugr boss.
Retrieved the Dragonstone.
Exited the barrow—
And heard it.
A roar.
I looked up—
A dragon.
Circling in the sky. Massive. Terrifying. Real.
It saw me.
Dove.
"YOL TOOR SHUL!"
FIRE BREATH.
I rolled—flames scorched the ground where I'd been standing.
Drew my sword and shield.
The dragon landed—claws digging into earth.
[Dragon - Level 10]
[HP: 905]
It was huge.
Easily three times my size.
But I'd fought dragons before.
In my previous life. Hundreds of times.
I knew their patterns.
The dragon lunged—jaws snapping.
I dodged—rolled right—
Slashed at its leg—
[-42 damage]
It roared, swept its tail—
I blocked with my shield—
Impact!
The force threw me back five meters.
So much stronger than I remember.
I stood, charged again.
This time—targeted the wings.
Slashed. Slashed. Slashed.
[-38] [-40] [-45]
The dragon tried to fly—
But its damaged wing failed.
Crashed back to the ground.
"NOW!" I shouted.
Switched to two-handed sword.
Charged while it was down—
Power attack!
[-156 CRITICAL!]
The fight continued.
Back and forth.
Fire breath. Tail sweeps. Bite attacks.
I dodged. Blocked. Struck.
[HP: 905 → 720 → 540 → 360 → 180]
Finally—
One last power attack to the head—
[-203 KILLING BLOW!]
[DRAGON SLAIN!]
The dragon's body began glowing.
Light poured from its corpse—
Straight into me.
[DRAGON SOUL ABSORBED!]
And suddenly—
I felt it.
Not just in the game.
In my real body.
A surge of energy—foreign, powerful, ancient.
It flooded through me—through muscles, bones, blood.
My real hands tingled.
My real heart pounded.
What... what is this?
I removed the headset—
In the real world, I stood.
Looked at my hands.
They were glowing.
Faintly. Golden light. Like embers.
"What..."
[Ding!]
[CONGRATULATIONS, HOST!]
[MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: FIRST DRAGON SLAIN!]
[SPECIAL REWARD UNLOCKED!]
[SKYRIM ENERGY SYSTEM INTEGRATED!]
[ANALYSIS...]
[HOST HAS ABSORBED DRAGON SOUL]
[ENERGY TYPE: MAGICKA]
[CURRENT MAGICKA CAPACITY: 150 points]
[MAGICKA REGENERATION: 3% per minute]
[SPECIAL ABILITY UNLOCKED: MAGIC CASTING]
[HOST CAN NOW USE SKYRIM SPELLS IN REAL WORLD]
[CURRENT KNOWN SPELLS:]
Flames (Destruction) - Costs 14 magicka/second
Healing (Restoration) - Costs 25 magicka
[NOTE: Spells require practice to master]
[In-game proficiency ≠ real-world proficiency]
[Extensive training required]
I stared at the notification.
Magic.
Real magic.
I can use... actual magic.
I focused—tried to remember the sensation from the game.
Held out my right hand.
Thought: Flames.
Nothing happened.
I tried again.
Focused harder.
Imagined the fire. The heat. The energy flowing from my palm.
Flames.
A spark.
Tiny. Flickering. Barely visible.
But real.
I gasped.
Tried again—
Flames!
A small flame appeared—lasted one second—then died.
[Magicka: 150 → 136]
But it was real fire.
In the real world.
I just... I just used magic.
I laughed.
Not a small laugh.
A huge, disbelieving, joyous laugh.
"I can use MAGIC!"
I tried again. And again.
Each time, the flame lasted slightly longer.
[Magicka: 136 → 122 → 108 → 94]
By the tenth attempt—
The flame burned for three full seconds.
Small. Weak. Nothing compared to what cultivators could do.
But it was mine.
Earned through gameplay.
Through skill.
Not through spiritual roots or cultivation.
Through gaming.
I spent the next hour practicing.
Flames. Over and over.
Learning to control it. Shape it. Sustain it.
[Magicka depleted]
[Regenerating...]
While I waited for magicka to regenerate, I tried Healing.
Focused on my hand.
Imagined the golden glow from the game.
Healing.
A faint golden shimmer appeared over my palm.
Warm. Soothing.
I had a small cut from earlier (caught on the door handle).
The shimmer touched it—
The cut closed.
Slowly. Barely visible.
But it healed.
[Magicka: 150 → 125]
It works. It actually works.
By 11 PM, I was exhausted.
But exhilarated.
I could cast Flames for five seconds now.
Could heal small cuts.
Both spells were weak. Inefficient. Draining.
But they were real.
And with practice—
With hundreds of hours of practice—
I could become powerful.
Not through cultivation.
But through gaming.
This is incredible.
I couldn't stop.
Put the headset back on.
Played for three more hours.
I traveled to Whiterun. Reported the dragon attack.
The Jarl sent me to kill another dragon at the Western Watchtower.
I fought it—died once, succeeded on the second attempt.
[SECOND DRAGON SOUL ABSORBED!]
[Magicka capacity: 150 → 165]
The Jarl declared me Thane of Whiterun.
Gave me Lydia as my housecarl.
I continued.
Joined the Companions. Did their first quest.
Learned Fus Ro Dah (all three words).
Used it on a bandit—
He flew twenty feet backward.
Power.
I explored more.
Found a Destruction trainer. Paid to increase my skill.
[Destruction: 25 → 40]
Learned new spells:
Firebolt (Apprentice level)
Ice Spike (Apprentice level)
Tried them in combat—
So much stronger than Flames.
[+1.2% strength]
[+0.8% magicka capacity]
[+0.6% spell efficiency]
Every action mattered.
I climbed the 7,000 steps to High Hrothgar.
Met the Greybeards.
Learned Ro (second word of Unrelenting Force).
Practiced shouting.
[Shout cooldown reduced by 5%]
[+0.4% voice projection]
They taught me Whirlwind Sprint.
I used it—
WULD!
Dashed forward at incredible speed.
This is amazing.
3:00 AM
Finally, I couldn't continue.
My eyes burned. My head ached.
But I was happy.
Removed the headset.
[Ding!]
[GAMEPLAY SESSION: 8 hours, 30 minutes]
[TOTAL REWARDS:]
+4.8% strength
+3.2% stamina
+2.6% magicka capacity
+1.9% spell efficiency
[DRAGON SOULS ABSORBED: 2]
[NEW SPELLS LEARNED:]
Firebolt
Ice Spike
Healing (improved)
Whirlwind Sprint (Shout)
[TOTAL MAGICKA CAPACITY: 165 → 185 points]
[HOST TOTAL STRENGTH: 31.5% → 36.3% above baseline]
I stood—wobbling slightly from exhaustion.
But grinning.
I played Skyrim for eight and a half hours.
Absorbed dragon souls.
Learned magic spells.
And gained real power.
I looked at my hands—still faintly glowing.
Tried Firebolt—
Nothing. Too tired. Magicka depleted.
But soon.
With practice.
I'll master it.
I stumbled to my small bedroom.
Collapsed on the bed.
Tomorrow, the Silver Serpent Sect would come.
Tomorrow, danger would arrive.
But tonight?
Tonight I'd lived a dream.
I'd explored Skyrim in full VR.
I'd slain dragons.
I'd learned magic.
Real magic.
And nothing—nothing—could take that away.
I closed my eyes.
Smiling.
Tomorrow.
Let them come.
I'm ready.