A game couldn't last forever, no matter how popular it was.
Especially when it had already reached its end, with no new content to look forward to and no future updates on the horizon.
That was what happened to Eclipsera Online.
An ultra-realistic fantasy MMORPG that allowed players to fully immerse themselves in a virtual world, it was one of Earth's greatest technological breakthroughs, a game capable of transferring a person's consciousness directly into a digital database.
It wasn't just entertainment; it was a second life. People built homes, formed guilds, fell in love, and even worked inside the game. Eclipsera Online blurred the line between fantasy and reality.
It was nearly flawless, a world so deeply ingrained into people's daily lives that it felt more real than the one outside their headsets. But even perfection has limits. After many years of updates, expansions, and world events, Eclipsera Online finally reached its last chapter, its final update.
With no new content left, players began doing whatever they could to fight the growing boredom.
Some started speedrunning the main story again from the very beginning, setting absurd self-imposed challenges just to make it interesting. Others focused on climbing the leaderboards, engaging in PvP duels, min-maxing every possible stat, or simply spending their time exploring forgotten corners of the world. A few even turned to griefing other players, anything to feel a spark of excitement again.
But despite all that, there was one thing the entire player base had agreed on.
Reaching the end of the game was impossible.
Even the most dedicated veterans, the ones who knew every mechanic, glitch, and strategy, failed to clear the game's final arc, all because of one insurmountable obstacle.
The Black Tyrant.
The final boss of the final arc. An undefeatable monster that had remained unbeaten for more than five years since the game's last update.
A creature seemingly created to make players suffer. Many believed it was the developers' cruel joke, a sadistic prank on their own community, a test of patience disguised as content.
Despite countless complaints, forum rants, and review bombs, the Black Tyrant became a legend, the pinnacle of difficulty. A challenge so merciless that only the most hardcore players dared to face it. For those players, clearing it became a dream, a goal that would define their legacy.
And I was one of them.
The #1 player on the world leaderboard: yssj1n.
And right now, I have finally done what everyone thought was impossible.
The aura of darkness surrounding the Black Tyrant began to fade, its colossal figure trembling as my heart pounded in sync with its final breaths. My hands shook as I stared at its health bar, the numbers ticking down one last time.
[The Black Tyrant: 0%]
It dropped to its knees, the ground shaking under its massive weight. The once terrifying monster began to dissolve into a haze of shimmering motes, fading into the air like dust in sunlight. For a moment, it looked straight at me, eyes filled not with hatred, but with something else.
Gratitude.
"…T-Thank you."
[The Black Tyrant has been defeated.]
[World Announcement: Congratulations to player yssj1n for being the first to clear the main story.]
[Title Unlocked: 'The One Who Stands Above All.']
"Damn… that actually gave me chills."
The way the boss looked at me, that faint smile, that emotion, it felt real. Too real for something that was supposed to be a game.
That was what had drawn me to Eclipsera Online in the first place. The realism. The immersion. The sense that this world, even if artificial, mattered.
"Talk about being sentimental."
I exited the game's immersion mode as I leaned back in my chair, muscles finally relaxing as the adrenaline drained out of my system. I watched the world chat explode into chaos, notifications flooding faster than I could read.
[blackneanderthal: As expected of the top 1 player. Dude's just the GOAT.]
[iLoveTomboyMommies: HOLY SHIT SOMEONE ACTUALLY CLEARED IT???]
[mingming: Of course someone did, you blind idiot. It's a world announcement.]
[iLoveTomboyMommies: I KNOW! But wtf??? I might be dreaming, bro, cuz ain't no way.]
[mingming: If you were dreaming, you'd be dreaming about getting your head crushed by a tomboy's thighs, not this.]
[blackneanderthal: …He's got a point.]
[iLoveTomboyMommies: You're not wrong, my brother. You get me.]
Seeing the chat explode with reactions made me grin. That sense of accomplishment, that wave of euphoria, like every ounce of effort had finally paid off, was something words couldn't describe.
"After all these years…"
I smiled faintly. The sleepless nights, the failed attempts, the grinding, the frustration, everything I poured into this game had led to this one moment. It wasn't just about playing anymore. It was passion, dedication, obsession even. Like seeing your body in the mirror after years of training and realizing how far you've come.
"I guess it's finally time to call it a day."
I sighed softly and opened the game's menu, my cursor hovering over the Log Out button. But before I could click it, a new message flashed on my screen.
[Congratulations on completing the main story of Eclipsera Online.]
"How screenshot-worthy."
I chuckled and started mashing the print screen key, ready to flex this moment on the game's forum, until another window appeared right after.
[Player yssj1n detected as the closest to achieving the True Ending.]
[Eligibility to unlock the True Ending has been granted.]
"Wha-?"
Confusion flooded my mind. My body felt heavy, and a sudden wave of dizziness hit me out of nowhere. The screen blurred, my vision tunneling as my consciousness began to slip. I tried to move, to say something, but my voice wouldn't come out.
The last thing I saw was a faint message flickering on the screen.
[I sincerely hope you can reach the True Ending.]
Then, everything went black.
[Good luck, player.]