As promised, Max Wong brought wealthy people into the game, people who were willing to pay for new thrills and sensations. In this tenth game, Aris Ossa, heir to the Golden Stone corporation, also participated. He emerged from the immersion in stable physical and mental condition. As he opened his eyes and reality returned, laboraThory staff stood waiting for his awakening.
Though his body was still sluggish, his mind was fully awake. Two men in white coats helped him sit up - his arms and legs still weak.
"Probably astronauts feel like this when they return from space - if not worse," Aris thought to himself. "Well, at least I was in virtual space. Hopefully I'll recover in a few hours," he continued in his mind.
Dr. Grosskopf sat at a desk, closely studying every change in his expression.
"Mr. Ossa," she said, interrupting his thoughts. Her voice echoed in his head.
"Please tell me, how are you feeling?"
Aris, still a bit tired, sighed and replied, assessing his condition,
"Overall, I'm fine. A bit drowsy, but honestly, I feel better than I expected. I still can't feel my body fully, but my mind is clear. I have one question. In the game I was immersed in, I met two ladies - Lily and Cleo. Were those their real names?"
Dr. Grosskopf, clearly caught off guard, tensed up. She paused for a moment and then, as if nothing had happened, replied,
"Unfortunately, we cannot provide any information about other participants. All such data is confidential."
Aris wasn't someone who easily accepted a "no." He always got what he wanted and wasn't going to give up easily.
"What if I pay for the information?" he asked with a sly smile.
Without blinking, Dr. Grosskopf replied,
"No, Mr. Ossa. You signed a contract that prohibits any disclosure of information about other participants."
Aris nodded, realizing he wouldn't get through this way. But instinctively, he knew he'd find out the truth eventually - he had the connections and resources.
Dr. Grosskopf continued in a professional tone,
"We usually conduct a light hypnotic session - though most of our clients prefer to call it 'meditation.' It will help you relax and calm your racing thoughts. Afterward, your mental state will normalize. Here are vitamins; take them for the next ten days. Don't worry, they really are vitamins, not antidepressants."
Aris closed his eyes as soft background music played. The doctor's voice became soothing and almost magical.
***
After leaving the lab and taking a deep breath of fresh air, he returned to his five-star hotel room - alone again. His mind still racing, he kept circling the same questions without answers.
Images of Lily and Cleo flashed in his memory, like a catchy melody he couldn't stop humming. He tried to remember the names of other players, but they were just usernames: "WhiteSail", "Mr. Pomadore", "Panda5" - the kind you'd find online.
But Lily and Cleo felt real. Their images were vivid, natural. He remembered Lily's pendant - a black swan with an emerald stone - very clearly.
Upon rereading the contract, Aris noticed something strange. He distinctly remembered signing up for 30 days of immersion, but the contract now clearly stated "7 days."
Something had changed. Something happened during the game. It wasn't just a minor discrepancy.
He checked his banking app and was surprised to see he'd been charged for the full 30 days, though the contract said 7.
He was sure - he had signed for 30. This wasn't a mistake.
Something was wrong, and he needed to speak with his best friend Allen to figure it out. For a moment, Aris went back in time and remembered how his friendship with Allen began.
***
Allen and Aris became friends when Aris's parents transferred him to a regular public school, as his behavior and academic performance in private school had been deteriorating year by year. Teachers and parents alike were struggling to manage him.
One day, Aris proposed a way to seal their friendship with a small ritual. He removed the badge from his school uniform, pricked his finger, and dropped a bit of blood into a bottle of water, then handed it to Allen. Allen added his own blood into the bottle, and they both drank from it, binding themselves in blood. This ritual became their secret, a symbol of brotherhood.
This friendship with Allen changed Aris. Though not drastically, he began to show some interest in academics. He asked his parents to transfer him to the class where Allen studied. His parents were pleasantly surprised by his sudden enthusiasm and the wish to be in his friend's class. However, the school principal strongly refused, saying that Aris had only average grades, while Allen's class was the best in the school, focused on advanced physics and mathematics.
Mrs. Tyra Thor-Ossa then offered the school a sponsorship, personally funding their participation in the International Mathematics Olympiad. Thanks to his parents' efforts, Aris was transferred to Allen's class and completed the school year at that public school.
***
In the heart of New York, in a luxurious beauty salon, Mrs. Tyra Thor-Ossa was enjoying her treatment. The salon staff surrounded her like nymphs, enhancing her natural beauty.
But one thought kept nagging at her: how to find her son and give him a small errand.
She picked up her phone, dialed his number, and spoke in her usual soft, caring voice:
"Aris, if you're near the Bankers' Association office, could you pick up the invitation for the charity dinner? I thought I'd go myself, but... well, I'm getting my manicure…"
Aris smiled and sighed slightly,
"Of course, Mom, don't worry. I'm heading that way with Allen. We'll meet at the restaurant nearby."
He hung up and paused, reflecting on how his immersion in the game left him with mixed feelings. As his mom continued her salon routine, he realized that returning to New York wasn't just a homecoming - it felt like a fresh start.
The city hadn't changed - still alive, dynamic, noisy - but he had changed.
Maybe this was his new life, starting now. Maybe he'd return to Zurich someday.
***
As Aris hurried to meet Allen, he suddenly felt a bump on his back. Everyone in New York was always in a rush. Someone had accidentally pushed Lily, causing her to bump her head against the man in front of her. She quickly looked up - and met Aris's eyes.
A message from Cleo popped up. Lily glanced at her phone screen.
"Lily?!" - a surprised voice came from the man as she responded to Cleo.
"Yes," Lily said, confused.
"Hi, how are you?" - his voice was warm, friendly, like that of an old friend.
"I'm fine. And you?" - Lily replied, still a bit disoriented.
"What a surprise! Honestly, I didn't expect to see you." - he beamed, showing all 32 of his perfect teeth.
"Do we know each other?" - Lily looked at him closely, trying to remember.
"I'm Aris... from Caspace. We played together."
"What did we play?" - she asked, her voice uncertain.
"The game. A virtual one," Aris whispered.
"What game?" - Lily almost whispered back.
"You know, the computer game. You played, right?" - Aris asked, but then someone distracted him and he turned away to talk to another person.
Lily stood frozen, trying to make sense of what had just happened. She wanted to say something, but the man was no longer paying attention to her.
He was handsome. But strange.
"Strange guy," Lily thought as she walked toward the building.
Aris looked around, scanning the crowd, confused - like he had just lost something or someone.
"Allen, that was her! Lily!" - his voice trembled with excitement. He looked around, but she was gone. She had disappeared as suddenly as she had appeared.
"She was right here. Damn it, where did she go?"
Allen raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Who's Lily?"
"Lily! From the game! From Caspace! We played together. Don't you remember?"
Allen burst out laughing.
"Come on, you're going crazy. Ever since you got back from Zurich, you've been talking about her nonstop." He placed a hand on Aris's shoulder to calm him. "It's okay. Let it go. You're in real life now. Accept it and move on."
Aris felt something was off. But he was sure - this wasn't a hallucination. Lily had stood right in front of him. He even noticed her unusual pendant.
"By the way, did you find out how many people were in the game?" - he asked. "And you said you'd look into the contract and the money. Where is it?"
Allen nodded, somewhat reluctantly. He was clearly annoyed by these questions.
"I'll find out. Don't worry. But Aris… you need to forget about this. It's over. You're in real life now. Just enjoy it."
Allen shook his head, his face full of doubt. He didn't understand what was going on with his friend, but he didn't say it out loud. He watched Aris with growing concern. That game had clearly left a deep impression on him.
"Let's get lunch. Looks like your hallucinations are from low blood sugar," Allen joked.
Aris was lost in thought. The two of them headed to the restaurant.