The humid air of Muntinlupa was thick with the scent of stale air conditioning and a woman's sweet perfume. Yun Tian felt the quiet shift in the bed behind him as the prostitute stirred, and he turned away from the window. The city lights, a mosaic of glowing diamonds, danced across the ceiling, a silent disco in the pre-dawn darkness. He walked past her, the sheets rustling with her movement, and settled into his gaming chair. It was more than just a piece of furniture; it was a throne of memories, its leather worn smooth by countless hours of virtual conquests and hard-won victories.
With a single, decisive click, he opened a new game. The screen came to life, a stark, digital beacon against the slumbering world outside. A highly anticipated VRMMORPG had just been released, and its glowing title, **Elderfall Saga**, filled the screen—a promise of a world waiting to be explored, a world he had once known so intimately. The epic theme music swelled, a rush of nostalgia washing over him. The vivid graphics, the promise of a fresh adventure, it all transported him back in time.
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### A Journey to the Past
The present faded, replaced by the ghost of his childhood home. He could smell his mother's cooking, the faint scent of old books stacked in a corner, and the undeniable aroma of a brand-new computer, the plastic still sharp with its newness. He was twelve years old again, sitting in his room, the glow of the monitor illuminating his face. It was his birthday, and his father, a practical man who didn't understand the world of gaming, had surprised him with a brand-new virtual reality headset and a copy of Elderfall Saga.
Yun Tian, as a boy, trembled with anticipation, his hands shaking slightly as he put on the headset for the first time. The real world dissolved, replaced by the lush, vibrant landscape of Aerthos. The game's opening cinematic played, detailing the lore of the Ancient Sovereigns and the cataclysmic event known as The Sundering. He wasn't just watching; he was captivated, completely immersed. This wasn't just a game; it was an entire universe waiting to be discovered.
The young Yun found himself standing in a bustling town square. The world was alive with non-player characters (NPCs) going about their daily lives. The sun was warm on his skin, the wind rustled the leaves of ancient trees, and the air was filled with the sounds of a vibrant community. He was finally here, in the world of Elderfall Saga, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a profound sense of belonging. As he took his first steps, a simple tunic and pants his only equipment, he was ready to become a **Warrior**—a hero in this new world.
The game's initial message appeared on the screen, detailing his starting stats:
**Character Progression**
Yun (Warrior)
* Level: 1
* Stats: STR: 10, DEX: 8, INT: 5, VIT: 10, LCK: 6
* Skills: N/A (Level 1)
**Equipment**
* Yun: Basic tunic and pants (Starter Gear).
He remembered the pure joy of those first moments, the boundless potential of an open world. It was a time before the complexities of adulthood, before the gray reality of his current life. The memory was a sharp contrast to the silent, sleeping woman behind him and the cold glow of the city outside his window. As the game loaded, Yun Tian knew he wasn't just starting a new game; he was returning to a home he had lost long ago.