Chapter 19: Businessman Approaches Naive Youth

'But first, let's get out of here, so many books, I might end up going crazy...' Liam thought to himself, with a slight tone of humor as he looked around at the vast collection of knowledge surrounding him. He found himself imagining if he would ever get lost in the pages and become part of the library's collection, an idea so absurd that it made him chuckle softly.

After returning the book to its respective shelf, Liam let out a long sigh of relief, as if leaving behind a world of infinite possibilities to face the unknown with more lightness. With determined steps, he exited the library, promptly greeted by the gentle darkness of the night embracing him like an old friend.

Twilight had given way to night, and the stars twinkled shyly in the dark sky like gemstones embedded in black velvet. The air was imbued with the calm of the night, and a gentle breeze caressed Liam's face, causing him to close his eyes for a moment and savor the refreshing sensation.

Pondering what he should do next and where he should practice the skill he wanted to master, Liam walked down the street, seeking a quiet refuge to concentrate. Each step he took felt like a dance of determination and expectation, as if he were about to take a leap into the unknown.

However, before he could take more than a few steps, an imposing figure emerged from the shadows, interrupting his path. It was a middle-aged man, robust with a beard that would make many lumberjacks jealous. His armor gleamed in the starlight, highlighting his imposing presence in the night.

The man, with a solemn gesture, approached Liam, his steps echoing like an echo in the silence of the night. His piercing gaze seemed to unravel Liam's deepest secrets, as if he could read his soul like an open book.

"Viper," said the man, his voice sounding like the echo of distant thunder. "Do you have a moment?"

Liam swallowed hard, feeling like a fish out of water in the presence of Mortheus. "Of course, what can I do for you?" he replied, trying to remain calm even though his heart was pounding irregularly in his chest.

The man smiled enigmatically, as if he were aware of a secret that Liam had not yet discovered. "I'm here because I see potential in you, Viper. A potential that doesn't go unnoticed by observant eyes. By the way, my name is Mortheus."

Liam blinked in surprise, trying to assimilate Mortheus' words as a mixture of turbulent emotions swirled within him. He wondered what the man meant by "potential" and why he was so interested in him. A pinch of excitement mixed with a healthy dose of nervousness as he eagerly waited to learn more.

"You possess impressive skills, Viper," Mortheus continued, his voice echoing with an almost hypnotic reverberation. "But there is much more that you can achieve. I can help you unlock your true power."

Mortheus' words struck Liam like lightning, igniting a flame of determination and interest in his chest. He felt a shiver run down his spine, an exciting mix of nervousness and excitement spreading through his body.

"How can you help me?" Liam asked, his voice firm despite the whirlwind of emotions engulfing him.

Mortheus observed Liam with interest, his eyes shining with an intriguing light as he pondered how to convey all the knowledge he possessed.

"Are you aware of how strong you are in the real world, Viper?" Mortheus questioned, his voice echoing with a mix of curiosity and admiration.

Liam hesitated for a moment, diving into his memories and reliving the moments of triumph and challenge that shaped his journey up to that point. A nostalgic smile played on his lips as he replied:

"Since I was a child, I've always been considered the best in my age group within the village, whether in duels or physical competitions. I've always stood out for my physical ability and understanding of my family's techniques, and of course my determination to surpass my limits."

Mortheus nodded, as if understanding Liam's essence through his words. A gleam of admiration shone in his eyes, as if he saw beyond appearances and perceived the true potential of the young man.

"Interesting. In the virtual world, people's skills and potentials manifest in ways similar to how they manifest in the real world."

He continued, explaining with a firm and authoritative voice: "I am part of a guild where there are several experts in martial arts in the real world. According to their standards, you are considered an Intermediate Martial Practitioner."

Liam frowned, processing the information as his thoughts danced in a whirlwind of reflections. "Intermediate Martial Practitioner? What exactly does that mean?"

Mortheus smiled, noticing Liam's confusion and preparing to explain in more detail. "It means that you are at an intermediate level of martial skills. In 'Beyond Realms', this classification is used to assess players' combat capabilities and skill standards."

He continued, his voice taking on a teacher-like tone as he detailed the aspects of this classification: "An Intermediate Martial Practitioner has increased brain activity to a point where they have full control over their own body, a very sharp perception of the five senses, and an almost superhuman ability to analyze situations. However, there is still much to be learned and improved about this concept."

Liam absorbed the information, feeling a mixture of admiration and humility in the face of the complexity of the virtual world. He knew he had much to learn and perfect, but he also felt a twinge of arrogance for being recognized as someone strong.

"I understand," Liam murmured, his expression reflecting a mixture of determination and curiosity. "So... Why are you revealing all this to me?"

Mortheus smiled, revealing a gleam of admiration in his deep eyes. "I'm revealing this because I believe you have great potential, Viper. As a supervisor responsible for the city of Brulhart on behalf of the Renascentia guild, it's part of my duty to identify talents like yours and offer opportunities for them to flourish."

He continued, his voice resonating with an engaging promise: "After discovering how strong you are, I managed to convince my superiors to spend a considerable amount of digital dollars to recruit you for our guild. I can guarantee that you will be well rewarded, both financially and by being part of the guild's professional competitive team."

Liam was surprised by the offer, feeling a mixture of excitement and caution swirling in his chest. "A salary and the opportunity to be part of the guild's competitive team? Although I'm not exactly sure what it entails, it sounds tempting..."

Mortheus nodded, confirming Liam's words with a solemn gesture. "Exactly. You will have the chance to prove your worth in competitions, missions, and challenges that go beyond the limits of what you have experienced. It's a unique opportunity to expand your horizons and reach new levels of success."

Liam pondered Mortheus' words, feeling the gravity of the decision he was about to make. He knew he couldn't make this decision without consulting his friend and journey companion.

"I promise I will think about it," Liam replied, his voice reflecting his determination. "But I need to discuss this with my friend before making a final decision."

Mortheus nodded understandingly. "I

 completely understand. It's an important decision, and you should consider all options before making your final choice."

He then extended his hand to Liam, a gesture of camaraderie and trust. "If you decide to join us, it will be an honor to have you in our guild. Meanwhile, if you need help or guidance in your initial journey in Brulhart, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Add me as a friend, and I'll be available to assist you."

Liam shook Mortheus' hand firmly, feeling a sense of confidence settling within him. "Thank you, Mortheus. I'll consider your offer and contact you soon."

With that, the two men bid farewell and went their separate ways.

'I've barely entered the game and I've already received invitations from two different guilds, I must be quite popular, haha, serves me right for being so handsome and strong...!' Liam thought conceitedly, while a smile played on his lips.

As he walked aimlessly down the street, unsure of what to do next, Liam received a message from the system and opened it.

[External Message]

[LIAM, IT'S NIGHT ALREADY. YOU NEED TO HAVE DINNER. LOG OUT OF THE GAME NOW!!]

Liam felt a shiver run down his spine as he read the message, realizing that he had become lost in the immersion of the game and completely forgotten about the time outside. He imagined Oliver at home, perhaps already worried about his prolonged absence. "I guess it's time to get back to real life," he thought to himself, as his trembling fingers slid across the virtual reality system display.

With nervous haste, he found the logout option and, with a sigh of relief, confirmed his exit from the game. A wave of anxiety and relief washed over him as he waited for the disconnection process from the virtual world.

The digital environment around him began to slowly fade away, as if being swallowed by a virtual fog. Liam felt a mix of longing and relief as the vibrant colors and immersive sounds disappeared, giving way to the quiet darkness of the gaming cabin.

Then, suddenly, he found himself back in reality, back in the virtual reality gaming cabin where it all began. The cabin opened slowly, revealing the unfamiliar game room around him: the game posters on the walls, the soft carpet under his feet, and the distant sound of the television playing in the living room.

Liam took a deep breath, feeling the difference between the virtual world and the real world as his perceptions adjusted to reality. His body was still a bit numb after lying down for so long, but he knew he needed to have dinner and rest after his digital adventure.

With one last look at the gaming cabin, he stood up, stretching his tense muscles and feeling a comforting tingling spread through his body. He exited the cabin and was greeted by the soft light of the hallway, signaling the end of his gaming journey for today.

As he walked down the hallway toward the living room, Liam reflected on his experience in the game. The emotions were still fresh in his mind: the excitement of the tests, the adrenaline of the combat, and the mysterious approach to internal energy in the game. He knew there was still much to explore and discover, but he was eager to face the challenges that awaited him.

With these thoughts in mind, he left the game room and continued on his way, ready to share his first adventures and discoveries in the game with his new friend. And who knows, maybe Oliver had some tips to give him.