The quiet hum of the refrigerator was one of the loudest sounds in the house. Bennett sat on the worn floral couch, idly flipping through a week-old magazine. Jenn was in the kitchen, humming a cheerful tune as she rinsed breakfast dishes, while Jesse was in the living room, quietly sorting through a basket of colorful building blocks, a remnant from little August’s morning playtime. The other children, Donovon, Destiny, and Brecken, were all at school or daycare, leaving a rare pocket of calm in their usually bustling household. Bennett still felt the lingering unease of unemployment, the phantom weight of his welding gloves that now sat unused in the closet since the company’s downsizing.

  Suddenly, Bennett’s phone, resting on the coffee table, buzzed insistently. He glanced at the caller ID: an unfamiliar number. He picked it up, a sliver of apprehension mixed with a hopeful flutter in his chest.

  “Hello?”

  “Mr. Davies?” a crisp, professional voice inquired. “This is Ms. Albright from Alluring Realms Gaming. I’m calling regarding the janitorial position you interviewed for earlier this week.”

  Bennett’s breath hitched. He exchanged a quick glance with Jenn, who had paused her humming and was now watching him with expectant eyes. Jesse looked up from the blocks, a silent question in her expression.

  “Yes, ma’am, speaking,” Bennett managed, his voice a little tight.

  “I’m pleased to inform you, Mr. Davies, that we’ve decided to offer you the position,” Ms. Albright stated, her tone businesslike but pleasant.

  A wave of relief washed over Bennett, so strong it almost made him sag against the cushions. He could hear a soft gasp from Jenn in the kitchen.

  “Oh, wow,” Bennett breathed out, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “That’s… that’s wonderful news. Thank you.”

  “Your references checked out well, and we were impressed with your interview,” Ms. Albright continued. “The hours for the position are six PM to five AM, Monday through Friday, and your start date will be tomorrow evening.”

  Bennett’s mind raced, calculating the schedule. It wasn’t ideal, but it was a steady job, and more importantly, it came with the health benefits Brecken so desperately needed.

  “That works for me, Ms. Albright. I accept the offer.”

  He saw Jenn clapping her hands softly in the kitchen, a wide grin mirroring his own. Jesse rose and came over to the couch, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing gently.

  “Excellent, Mr. Davies. We’ll send over the official paperwork via email shortly. Please ensure you review and sign it before your first shift tomorrow. We look forward to having you on the team.”

  “Thank you again, Ms. Albright. I really appreciate this opportunity.”

  The call ended, and Bennett let out a whoop of joy, pulling Jenn and Jesse into a tight hug.

  “You got it! Oh, Ben, that’s fantastic!” Jenn exclaimed, squeezing him tightly.

  Jesse beamed, her eyes shining with relief. “That’s such a weight off all our shoulders.”

  Bennett felt the tension he’d been carrying for weeks finally ease. “I can’t believe it. Starting tomorrow.”

  Jenn pulled away, a playful pout on her lips. “Oh, this calls for a celebration! It’s just a shame I have to head out for my flight in a bit. We could have made affogatos.” She sighed dramatically, glancing at the clock on the microwave. “Duty calls, though. Gotta go make sure everyone gets their little bottles of wine in the sky.”

  “We’ll celebrate when you get back,” Jesse promised, giving Jenn a quick kiss. “This is still amazing news.”

  Bennett nodded, a surge of gratitude filling him. This janitorial job, a foot in the door at Alluring Realms, was more than just a paycheck. It was a chance for stability, for security, and a step closer to the innovative world of Ludere Online that had captured his imagination.

  Bennett grinned, the weight of unemployment lifting with every shared smile. "I still can't quite believe it," he said, hugging Jesse again. "Alluring Realms. Tomorrow."

  Jesse squeezed back. "We told you they'd see how great you are."

  Jenn, already grabbing her rolling suitcase from the hallway closet, called out, "You two enjoy the quiet. I'll be dreaming of disgruntled passengers and lukewarm coffee." She winked. "But tonight, dream of fireballs and fantastical creatures for me, Ben! That Ludere Online sounds wild."

  As Jenn bustled around, making sure she had everything for her trip, Bennett's mind drifted to the game she mentioned. Ludere Online. He knew the name, had seen the occasional snippet of news about its cutting-edge technology and the buzz surrounding its development. Now that he was going to be working at the very company that created it, his curiosity was thoroughly piqued.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Once Jenn had left, the apartment settled back into its quiet afternoon rhythm. Jesse returned to her blocks with August, who had woken up from his nap, and Bennett found himself drawn to his laptop. "Ludere Online," he typed into the search engine, a wave of anticipation building in his chest.

  The game's official website loaded first, showcasing dazzling graphics and bold promises of full sensory immersion. He clicked through the promotional material, his eyes widening at the concept of a world so real you might forget reality. He imagined feeling the wind as you dove off a cliff or the heat of a fireball, just as the website boasted.

  He navigated to what appeared to be player forums. Threads dissected class mechanics, skill combinations, and theories about hidden lore. He saw mentions of various races like Humans, Orcs, Elves, and Dwarves. He found discussions speculating about different classes, such as Stormbound Ravager, a lightning-infused duelist, and even more enigmatic ones like Little Brother and Jester.

  One thread caught his eye: players were debating the merits of joining different factions. He saw mentions of the Kingdom of Draggor, described as a realm with a rigid, caste-based society ruled by a king obsessed with preventing a cataclysm. Apparently, in Draggor, land belonged to the Gods, and societal status was strictly defined. He also read about the Queendom of Osnea, a matriarchal society focused on the scientific application of magic where citizens were expected to contribute to the nation's advancement.

  Other factions mentioned included the Lunar Empire, a realm with a ruling Emperor and Empress but rife with power struggles between groups like the Lunar Court, the expansionist Young Nobles, the secretive Zealots of the Lost Old God, and the shadowy Silent Hand. Some forum users discussed the Kingdom of Soohan and the Lunar Empire zones as areas particularly suited for spellcasters. He even saw a brief mention of the Red Fox Caravan, seemingly associated with the god of nature, Onthir.

  Driven by a growing fascination, Bennett searched for more information on specific characters and their allegiances. He found a description of a player known as "Exile", a mysterious figure associated with the Blade Brotherhood who seemed to operate outside the usual faction lines. He also read about Xian, a player with the class Little Brother aligned with the Kingdom of Draggor and the god Nakruer.

  Hours flew by as Bennett immersed himself in the digital rabbit hole of Ludere Online. The more he learned about the diverse classes and the intricate web of factions and their unique societal structures, the more intrigued he became. This wasn't just some simple game; it sounded like a truly revolutionary experience, offering players a vast and complex world to explore and allegiances to forge. His new job as a janitor suddenly felt less like a mundane task and more like an entry point into a world brimming with secrets and cutting-edge technology. He couldn't wait to see the facility, to be closer to the source of this digital marvel. His excitement for his first day tomorrow soared, now intertwined with a genuine fascination for the game he would be working alongside.

  Hours melted away as Bennett continued his deep dive into the world of Ludere Online. The descriptions of the different factions had truly captured his imagination, each offering a unique societal structure and potential gameplay experience. He decided to focus his research on the Kingdom of Draggor, the Lunar Empire, and the Kingdom of Soohan, the ones that had particularly piqued his interest.

  He started with the Kingdom of Draggor. The idea of a rigid, caste-based society where land belonged to the Gods painted a picture of a deeply traditional realm. This kingdom maintains one of the largest standing armies in the world, a force considered necessary to shape the future. Serving as the elite warriors are those of the Hyberion Master Class. The society appears to lack personal freedom, with a strict social hierarchy defining one's place. However, the strong martial focus and the sheer size of their military might suggest a realm of formidable power and strategic importance.

  Next, he turned his attention to the Lunar Empire. This faction seemed far more complex, with a ruling Emperor and Empress but also significant power struggles between various influential groups. Within the Lunar Empire exist factions such as the Lunar Court, the expansionist Young Nobles, the secretive Zealots of the Lost Old God, and the shadowy Silent Hand. The Zealots of the Lost Old God within the Lunar Empire hold the belief that a Lost Old God ruled before the current deities and actively seek his revival. The zones within the Lunar Empire are noted as being well-suited for spellcasters. This intricate web of political maneuvering and diverse internal beliefs hinted at a dynamic and potentially volatile environment, offering opportunities for players to become deeply involved in the empire's unfolding narratives.

  Finally, he researched the Kingdom of Soohan. Unlike the other two, recent events seemed to be heavily shaping this nation. The kingdom is currently engaged in an escalating conflict with the Lunar Empire due to stolen coastal lands and the Lunar Empire's attempts to claim territory in Soohan. The nation is calling for all able-bodied individuals to enlist, offering pay for volunteers but threatening conscription without pay, indicating a country mobilizing for war. Similar to the Lunar Empire, the Kingdom of Soohan is also a favorable region for spellcasters, though perhaps not as specifically geared towards them as the Lunar Empire. This situation suggested a realm defined by immediate conflict and the pressing need for defenders against an encroaching enemy.

  As he considered these three potential starting points, Bennett leaned back in his chair. Draggor offered a structured, lore-rich experience but potentially at the cost of freedom. The Lunar Empire was a hotbed of political intrigue and magical potential, but also rife with internal conflict. Soohan, on the other hand, was a nation embroiled in a war with a clear enemy, offering a chance to directly impact the ongoing events. The latter option, with its immediate conflict and the sense of fighting for a cause, resonated with him in a way the others didn't quite match. The idea of being part of a larger struggle, of potentially making a difference in a world at war, held a certain appeal. Plus, the focus on spellcasting was a significant draw.

  Bennett bookmarked several forum threads discussing starting out in the Kingdom of Soohan and the types of quests available to new players. He had a feeling that this might be where his Ludere Online adventure would begin, assuming, of course, he ever got the chance to play. For now, the research itself was a fascinating glimpse into the intricate world that Alluring Realms had created,

  a world he was now one step closer to.