When the game world fell into reality, Caius found me first and put his arm around my waist.
He smiled and looked at me for a long moment.
Found you, he said.

Becuse players were screaming and selling their accounts.
I didnt.
I stayed up late and said goodbye to every NPC I cared about.

The next morning, the game world broke into reality.
The ones I used to flirt with in the game were now stepping into my world for real.

The news hit like a bombshell: Sword World, the game that had taken the world by storm, was shutting down in 24 hours.
The moment the announcement dropped, players everywhere rushed to sell their accounts. My roommate Sarah was no different. You should sell yours too, she urged. Might as well make some money back while you still can.
But I couldnt do it. This wasnt just a game account to me. It was a reminder of everything Id been through, a source of comfort during my hardest years. To me, it was priceless.
When Sarah suggested we sell our accounts together as a bundle, I politely turned her down and logged into the game by myself. If this was the end, I wanted to say goodbye properly.
After all, this game had been with me for five long, difficult years.
I followed my usual routine: I harvested the vegetables in my little virtual garden, tidied up, and got everything in order. Then, I set off to visit the NPCs one last time.
I spent every last coin in my account.
I bought the stable boy his favorite pastries.
Picked out the perfect calligraphy set for the schoolteacher.
And got the beggar by the city gates a new pair of straw sandals.
One by one, I visited them all, bringing gifts and watching as they broke into their familiar smiles. Thank you, hero! they said, cheerful as always. I couldnt help but smile back.
Goodbye, I whispered to the screen. I dont think well meet again, but I hope youll be okay. Take care of yourselves.
Behind me, Sarah let out a loud snort. Are you serious? she said, rolling her eyes. Theyre just a bunch of lines of code. The moment the servers shut down, theyll get deleted in an instant.
Take care of themselves? Youre acting like theyre real people!
I stayed quiet, but her mocking tone grated on me.
Youve totally lost it, she continued, laughing. Calling NPCs your friends? You need help. Like, actual help. Maybe I should tell someoneget you checked out or something.
Then she reached for my phone. Come on, stop being ridiculous! Just sell your account already! If we sell ours together, well get way more money.
I shoved her hand away. I said no, Sarah! My voice was steady, but my patience was wearing thin.
And for the record, I added, staring her down, friends are the ones who bring you comfort and joy. These NPCs did that for me when no one else did. So yeah, theyre my friends. Deal with it.
As we argued, the clock quietly struck midnight.
I glanced at my phone, and my heart sank. The game had logged me out. The servers were officially shut down.
No more Sword World. No more NPCs.
And worst of all, I hadnt made it to Caius.
Caiusthe sensitive one, the one whod probably take it the hardest if I disappeared without saying goodbye.
I stared at the blank screen, guilt gnawing at me. But it didnt matter now. Sword World was gone, and there was nothing I could do.