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24.08.2125
In the year 2100, the DMMORPG Solo Nexus Online was released — a game developed through nanotechnology. With special VR helmets, players could fully immerse their consciousness into the game world.
Within the vast universe of Solo Nexus Online, heavily inspired by Norse mythology, players could travel across different realms, explore environments, engage in PvP combat, and much more. The possibilities were nearly limitless. The game thrived for twelve years.
After twelve years, the game was finally shut down. One last time, Blank logged into Solo Nexus Online before it was gone forever.
Deeply focused on playing, Blank Tempest fought a boss one final time. Just as he was about to deliver the finisher, his screen went black.
"The game shut down…" he murmured sadly.
It felt like a power outage — sudden, unpredictable, and worst of all, at the worst possible moment.
Carefully, he removed his VR helmet and placed it on the bed in disappointment. He rose from his blue gaming chair and glanced around his dark room. He had intentionally kept the lights off to save on electricity costs.
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Blank Tempest walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.
// Oh yes… Twelve years of Solo Nexus Online are over. I remember how I used to log in right after my twelve-hour shifts and play until six in the morning. Work started at eight… Two hours of sleep — that took a devastating toll on my body. But hey, at least Solo Nexus Online got played. //
He emptied the glass and chuckled — until a sudden scream erupted from the next room, nearly making him choke.
"Arghhhhhhhhhhh! Solo Nexus Online is gone!" someone shouted.
// Oh boy… Misa. This won't be easy for her either. Without Solo Nexus Online, she can't catfish anymore… //
"Oyy, Misa, calm down. It's just a game. You don't need to completely lose it!" Blank called out.
Her door burst open, and Misa stormed out, furious — almost possessed. Slowly, in an aggressive tone, she spoke:
"Just… a… game…? Are you insane? I was in an online relationship! We were like Kirito and Asuna!"
Blank sighed.
"Was it love or catfishing?"
"What kind of question is that? Obviously catfishing!" Misa snapped.
// Oh dear… She's really lost it. She had over fifteen online relationships in Solo Nexus Online. She scammed all her 'friends' and then switched servers. Sure, she made a lot of money that way… But she also toyed with countless lives. And the craziest part? She has a boyfriend in real life. He's rich, founded his own company… If only he knew who he was actually dating… //
Misa's footsteps approached the kitchen. When Blank saw her, he had to look twice.
She was barely 1.50 meters tall, wearing long white hair that reached the floor. Her pupils were blue, encircled by a golden ring, with a golden star shimmering at the center. She wore a lilac school uniform twice her size. A crooked golden crown rested on her head.
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"Hmmm… uh, Misa, are you wearing a cosplay?" Blank asked, puzzled.
Misa looked at him in confusion.
"What nonsense are you talking about? These are my normal everyday clothes. But let me ask you something — why are you so tall? What did you do?"
Blank stared at her, stunned.
// She must be messing with me. But that outfit looks exactly like her Solo Nexus Online OC… //
Blank observed her for a moment.
Something about her seemed different — younger, perhaps. Yet her eyes radiated something inhuman, a majestic beauty that both fascinated and unsettled him. Beautiful enough to be frightening. Blank wondered if this could really just be cosplay.
Misa noticed his stare.
// Why is he looking at me like that…? Has he fallen for me? His older stepsister…? //
A faint blush crossed her face. With an awkward smile, she said:
"Blank-kun, you're having the wrong thoughts. We're siblings — not by blood, but in spirit. Besides… I already have a boyfriend."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Both of them flinched.
"Are you expecting someone?" Misa asked.
Blank shook his head.
The knocking came again — louder this time, more urgent. It sounded like a wild beast stood outside. Instinctively, they held their breath.
Misa glanced at him — her star-shaped pupils gleaming — and gestured for him to open the door. Blank sighed and tiptoed forward.
A third knock thundered through the apartment.
With trembling hands, Blank grabbed the handle. Sweat dripped from his fingers. Gathering all his courage, he opened the door.
Several armed figures stood before them.
They wore red armor, helmets, and blood-red capes. In their hands were two-meter-long silver staffs.
Blank froze.
He knew those armors.
// Impossible… They look exactly like the Royal Guard from Solo Nexus Online. //
One of the men stepped forward.
"I am a Royal Guard of House Bethmuth. We were sent to deliver your final warning: Settle your debts, Silverhorn family!"
Blank stared at him, confused.
"There must be a mistake. We're not Silverhorn. We're Tempest. You've got the wrong people."
"Oh really? Then what about this?"
The guard stepped aside.
Blank and Misa looked out — and their blood ran cold.
Their old apartment building was gone.
Behind them stood a massive estate.
The Silverhorn mansion.
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Blank stepped outside, walked a few paces, and turned around. His knees nearly gave way. Where their block had once stood now rose a magnificent estate atop a hill, surrounded by immaculate gardens.
"Uh… argh…" he stammered nervously. "I think there's been some misunderstanding…"
"Enough!" the guard thundered.
The siblings recoiled.
With an authoritative voice, he continued:
"You have exactly one week to pay 9.6 million Credits. Otherwise, you shall face Odin's wrath!"
The siblings stared at each other in horror.
Moments later, the guards spread wings and ascended into the sky.
Blank and Misa remained outside — until reality hit them.
They were trapped inside Solo Nexus Online.
"Shit…" Blank shouted.
"Yeeaahhh!" Misa cheered with delight.
Blank could only stare at her in disbelief.
To be continued…
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