I Woke Up Inside My Friend's Video Game

[Arc 1] Chapter 3. Enigmatic Echoes

Arc 1 - The Unbound Path

Erica, having clearly surpassed her limit on her first venture into the world of alcohol, had surrendered to slumber. With the responsibility of carrying her back resting on my shoulders, I declared, "That's enough for today. No more island hopping for you tomorrow, young lady." Planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, I trudged along the sandy beach toward our hotel room.

As we reached the porch of our temporary abode, a sudden gust of wind turned the simple task of opening the door into an unexpected challenge. After a brief struggle, I skillfully maneuvered us inside.

Gently placing Erica on the bed, I murmured, "Now, where's that small towel?" My gaze landed on it, neatly folded on the table beside the bed.

"Alright," I muttered, heading to the bathroom. Determining that Erica deserved a refreshing towel bath for a restful night, I began the preparations.

In the bathroom, I soaked one towel with a mix of water and soap, while another absorbed only water. Ready with both, I returned to find Erica still peacefully lying on the bed.

"And where's the dry towel?" I wondered, scanning the room for the final essential item.

After locating it, I began the soothing towel bath, ensuring her comfort. As I gently dried her off, a soft meow caught me by surprise.

"What the hell?" I muttered, spotting Oliver, my younger sister Maricar's black cat, in the room. "Oliver, how the hell did you get in here?" I asked, though I expected no response. He merely meowed and rubbed against my leg.

"Just great. Maricar's going to freak out if she doesn't find you anywhere near her," I sighed, lifting Oliver and carrying him to the end table by the window.

"Let's try calling your owner," I said, placing him down. He meowed softly in reply.

As I dialed Maricar's number, Oliver settled in, resting his head on my left hand and purring contentedly.

After numerous rings, the automated voice informed me, "The number you are calling is currently busy."

"Tsk!" I sighed in frustration. "Why bring Oliver if she planned to get drunk tonight anyway?" Deciding to try again later, I set my phone aside.

I glanced at Erica, admiring her alluring silhouette. A peculiar sensation stirred in me, prompting me to quickly grab a blanket and drape it over her.

Letting out a breath, I sat beside her. My gaze fell upon Nikolai's laptop. Despite a growing sense of dizziness, I figured it was a good time to test out the Skyrim mod he had developed.

I powered up the laptop and launched the game. Nikolai had been confident I would love this creation. While I usually found his mods entertaining, I preferred gameplay mechanics like parrying and follow-up skills after a successful block. Skyrim's default parry animations often felt underwhelming to me.

Don't get me wrong! Skyrim had been my obsession during college. Its vast, snow-covered landscapes held endless adventures, making it more than just a game—it was an escape from the pressures of being an Electrical Engineering student.

In Skyrim, you play as the Dragonborn, a hero destined to shape Tamriel's fate. The sheer scale of its open world is awe-inspiring—towering mountains, dense forests whispering secrets, and ancient ruins filled with lore.

The attention to detail is breathtaking, from intricate city designs to the subtle nuances of the environment.

The freedom Skyrim grants is unmatched. Whether wielding a mighty sword, mastering magic, or lurking in the shadows as a rogue, the game adapts to your style.