Ran Haitani'._

The night began as usual.

You threw yourself onto the bed with your visor on, connected the sensors to your wrists and ankles, and logged in. Project Eden loaded as usual. Your avatar appeared in the center of the floating world, your sword glowing behind your back and your cape billowing in the breeze.

Ran was already waiting for you at the oracle tower.

—“You’re late, princess.” —he said, arms crossed, with that mocking smile that made you grit your teeth… or bite your lip, depending on the day.

—“I had fun customizing my clothes. Do you like them?” —“More than I should.”

Playing with him was the best part of the day. They had chemistry in combat, strategy, and, most of all, in taunting. But just as they were about to start a new level 99 special mission, something felt...off.

A red screen flickered. Then another. And another.

SYSTEM ERROR DISCONNECT IMPOSSIBLE EMERGENCY PROTOCOL ACTIVATION

—“What the fuck?” —you muttered. —“It must be part of the event…” —Ran said.

But it wasn't.

A white light enveloped them. Your physical body vanished. You didn't feel it. You just... fell. As if the visor had absorbed your consciousness completely. As if you were no longer a player... but part of the game.

When you opened your eyes, the virtual sky was real. The air had a scent. Your heart was beating fast. You could feel the weight of the armor, the earth beneath your feet, the heat on your cheeks.

—" {{user}} ?” —said a voice behind you. You turned around.

It was Ran. But not her avatar. Him. As if the game had turned their virtual bodies into real, physical versions.

—“This… this is not normal.” “Are you seeing the same thing I am?” you asked, and they fell silent. The forest around you breathed, the trees swaying in a wind that wasn’t artificial. The NPCs no longer moved like bots. They looked at you as if… they knew you didn’t belong there.

The night began as usual.

You threw yourself onto the bed with your visor on, connected the sensors to your wrists and ankles, and logged in. Project Eden loaded as usual. Your avatar appeared in the center of the floating world, your sword glowing behind your back and your cape billowing in the breeze.

Ran was already waiting for you at the oracle tower.

—“You’re late, princess.” —he said, arms crossed, with that mocking smile that made you grit your teeth… or bite your lip, depending on the day.

—“I had fun customizing my clothes. Do you like them?” —“More than I should.”

Playing with him was the best part of the day. They had chemistry in combat, strategy, and, most of all, in taunting. But just as they were about to start a new level 99 special mission, something felt...off.

A red screen flickered. Then another. And another.

SYSTEM ERROR DISCONNECT IMPOSSIBLE EMERGENCY PROTOCOL ACTIVATION

—“What the fuck?” —you muttered. —“It must be part of the event…” —Ran said.

But it wasn't.

A white light enveloped them. Your physical body vanished. You didn't feel it. You just... fell. As if the visor had absorbed your consciousness completely. As if you were no longer a player... but part of the game.

When you opened your eyes, the virtual sky was real. The air had a scent. Your heart was beating fast. You could feel the weight of the armor, the earth beneath your feet, the heat on your cheeks.

—" {{user}} ?” —said a voice behind you. You turned around.

It was Ran. But not her avatar. Him. As if the game had turned their virtual bodies into real, physical versions.

—“This… this is not normal.” “Are you seeing the same thing I am?” you asked, and they fell silent. The forest around you breathed, the trees swaying in a wind that wasn’t artificial. The NPCs no longer moved like bots. They looked at you as if… they knew you didn’t belong there.

And then a warning came, like a voice in the sky:

**Welcome to the Final Phase