The next day came early.
Sunlight jumped into the small white room, soft and thin, passing through the half-open curtains.
The rays touched the plain wooden bed placed in the middle, but the boy lying on it couldn't see them.
Omen could only feel the light, a faint warmth brushing against his cheek along with the change in air around him.
The sound of a nearby fan whirred faintly, and the smell of reheated soup drifted from the open kitchen.
That was how he saw the world: through sound, smell, touch…and imagination.
Their apartment wasn't big, just two rooms. A small open kitchen joined the hall, with four high chairs placed beside a counter.
The TV hung on the wall opposite Omen's bed, though it was mostly useless to him. He only knew when it was on because of the voice reaching him.
The boy had been awake for a few minutes, but his mind was already elsewhere.
Inside that game, he had seen.
Omen could still picture the blood-red moon, the black ruins, and Lilith, the pale girl with the red eyes. The memory felt almost like a dream now, but sharper, and too real to fade.
For someone who had lived in darkness his entire life, seeing even once felt like touching heaven.
The boy smiled faintly. "I need to go back," he whispered under his breath.
Not just because of curiosity, but because, for the first time, the world had colors.
And Omen wanted to see em all.
Not only this, but something told him that Rebekah would be asking to join him in the game soon, but looking at that problem of a girl, Lilith…the boy wasn't very keen on inviting the girl so soon.
Then again, if she saw what the game truly had to offer, maybe she wouldn't scold him for playing too long.
Maybe she'd finally understand why he couldn't stop thinking about it.
He smirked quietly to himself. "If only she knew…"
But before Omen could think more, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. The familiar sound of keys clinking came next, followed by the creak of the door opening.
Rebekah entered, her steps louder than usual. She didn't greet him like she always did, instead, her breathing sounded tense, fast and uneven.
Omen tilted his head. "Rebekah? You okay?"
The tall, fair skinned girl didn't answer immediately.
He heard a crinkle, then the thud of something hitting the edge of his bed.
A newspaper.
"Omen," she said, her tone low and tight, "we have a problem."
The boy frowned. "What happened?"
"The game," she said, almost in wonder. "That game you were playing yesterday…everyone's going crazy over it."
Omen blinked. "Huh? What do you mean?"
The black haired girl sighed, walking to the TV and switching it on.
Omen heard the faint click of the remote, followed by a sudden burst of noise.
"…breaking news! The World of Sephora has taken over every major platform overnight!!" Omen sat straighter with the help of Rebekah, listening closely.
Two reporters were talking, a man and a woman. He couldn't see their faces, but the sound of their voices was clear and professional.
"The game has shattered every World record," the man said. "Players claim it's unlike anything they've ever experienced.
The NPCs act like real humans, with emotions, memories, and free will. Some are even forming relationships and friendships that feel genuine."
The woman's voice followed, softer but full of disbelief. "And what's more shocking is how the system works. At first, everyone hated it because it only showed basic details, name, race, endowment, and stigma. No maps, no tutorials, or any kind of help guide.
Not only this, but most of the people received only a default option to choose as their race while some recieved a variety of options to choose from.
But that's exactly what made it special.
People are calling it 'the most real world ever created.'"
Rebekah's hand gripped the remote tighter. "Omen, they're saying people are using real world money now. Actual dollars to trade in-game items and it's happening in every safe zone right as we speak."
The male reporter continued, "In just twelve hours, black markets have opened for in-game weapons, skills, and territories. Economists are calling it the birth of a new digital economy."
Omen's lips parted slightly. "You gotta be kidding me…"
But Rebekah wasn't.
He could hear the excitement in her voice.
If this was true, maybe she could have another chance at earning money than just solely being dependent on the Light Clan.
"And the AI system," a woman added, "is so advanced that some experts claim it's impossible for humans to have made it.
The NPCs remember players, react differently based on actions, and even dream. Developers haven't released any explanation."
The boy sat silently, trying to process it all.
He couldn't help but smile a little. "That's… crazy. But kind of amazing, isn't it?"
Rebekah didn't respond. He could sense her pacing near the window.
Her footsteps were soft but restless, she always did that when she was stressed.
Finally, she muttered, "I can't believe it. You were just in there yesterday, and now the whole world's obsessed."
Omen leaned back against the headboard, his hands resting on the blanket. "Guess I got lucky, huh?"
Rebekah sighed again. "Lucky isn't the word I'd use."
For a moment, the room was quiet except for the faint chatter from the TV.
Then, Rebekah let out a tired laugh, the kind that came after disbelief. "You know what? Maybe I should try it too. Everyone else is losing their minds over this game; I might as well see what the fuss is all about."
Omen's expression brightened instantly. "Wait, you mean it? You'll actually play?"
"I guess so," she said, sounding unsure. "If it's really as good as they say, maybe I'll understand what's pulling everyone in."
"You won't regret it, Rebekah. It's…it's beautiful."
She raised an eyebrow, he could tell from the sound of her shifting stance. "You can't even see in the real world, Omen. How can you call a game beautiful?"
The 17 year old boy smiled softly. "Because, in there, I can see."
The silence that followed said everything.
The girl's tone softened instantly. "Right…I forgot for a second."
"It's okay," he said quickly. "You didn't mean it."
The blue eyed girl exhaled slowly, her voice quieter now. "Alright. But only if you promise to take it slow. You were gone for hours yesterday, Omen."
"I'll be fine," the boy said with a grin she couldn't see. "I'm not that weak, you know."
"Shut up," she muttered, but he could hear her smile in the words.
After helping him clean up and eat breakfast, Rebekah carefully brought the neural headset over.
She adjusted the straps gently around his head, her fingers brushing his hair aside.
"Alright," she said quietly. "You're ready."
Omen's heart raced.
He could already feel that familiar vibration in the headgear, the one that connected to his neural waves and opened the game.
"I'll go buy my own set while you're in there," Rebekah added. "But you better not overdo it."
"Promise," the boy said, even though they both knew he'd break it.
Rebekah smiled faintly, pressing the power button on the device.
"See you soon, Omen."
He nodded, voice soft but excited. "Yeah…see you soon."
The world faded into a mix of silence, color, and then finally…light.
And as Omen's body went still on the bed, his mind crossed over into a place where he wasn't blind or a cripple anymore.
He was back into The World of Sephora.
***