Divine Awakening: My Game Drops Increase Infinitely

Axton looked at his reflection and felt different.

Maybe it was because of everything he had done in the game — leading people, commanding armies, facing impossible odds. Or maybe he was just finally learning to see his own worth.

He smiled faintly at his reflection. "Maybe that's what the game's really about."

He spent the next hour doing small, normal things — tidying his desk, folding his blanket, checking his emails. Life outside New Eden was slower, simpler. But in its own way, it felt nice.

Then, just as he was about to sit back down, his stomach growled again.

He laughed. "Guess noodles weren't enough."

He grabbed his wallet and phone from the table. It had been a while since he'd actually gone out to eat. Most days, he just ordered delivery or snacked while playing. But today… he wanted something different. Something fresh.

"Yeah," he said to himself. "Let's go treat me."

He looked around the apartment one last time. Everything was neat and quiet. Then he grabbed his keys and headed toward the door.

As he opened it, a soft breeze from the hallway brushed against his face. The world outside was bright and alive, full of sounds.

People talked and laughed. Cars passed and birds chirped in the distance.

He took a deep breath. For a moment, he thought about how peaceful it all seemed compared to the chaos inside New Eden, and then he smiled.

"Let's see what the real world's got for me today."

With that, he stepped out and closed the door behind him. The faint click of the lock echoed in the hall as he walked away — leaving behind the quiet apartment and the lingering glow of the virtual world.

For now, he wasn't Khan the Mayor, or a legendary warrior, or the strongest player in New Eden.

He was just Axton — a young man stepping back into reality, one small step at a time. And for the first time in a while, that felt perfectly fine, his shoulders light from burdens that weighed him down before now.

******

Streetlights painted the sidewalks in warm yellow light. For a while, Axton just walked without thinking about where to go. People walked past him, chatting, laughing, living their normal lives.

He liked moments like this. The kind that reminded him he was still part of the world.

The smell of food drifted through the air — a mix of fried chicken, fresh bread, and something spicy. His stomach growled in response once more.

"Okay, okay. Food first," he said with a small laugh.

He walked into a small diner on the corner of the street. It wasn't fancy, but it was cozy. The kind of place where you could eat alone and not feel awkward. A friendly waitress waved as he entered.

"Good evening! Table for one?" she asked.

"Yeah," Axton said, smiling back.

He sat by the window. The menu was simple — burgers, sandwiches, pasta, rice bowls. He ordered a chicken sandwich and a cold drink.

As he waited, he rested his chin on his hand and watched the people outside through the glass.

Couples walking hand in hand. A group of teenagers laughing over something on their phones. A man walking his dog.

They all looked peaceful.

It's funny, Axton thought. In the game, I'm fighting undead armies. Out here, I'm just another face in the crowd.

When his food arrived, he took a bite and smiled. It wasn't special, but it was real. The warmth of the sandwich, the crunch of the lettuce, the cold fizz of his drink — it made him feel alive again.

He could afford quality food but that was not it… he could do it consistently now and not as a one time thing. This was all thanks to New Eden.

He finished his meal slowly, not rushing. Afterward, he paid and left a small tip before stepping back outside.

The air was cooler now. The sky was darker. Stars peeked out faintly between the clouds.

Axton walked along the quiet streets, hands in his pockets. He stopped by a small park and sat on a bench. Children were no longer there, only a few joggers passing by. The sound of crickets filled the silence.

He leaned back and looked up at the night sky.

"Feels strange to just… sit," he whispered.

His mind wandered to the game. The undead, the ruins, Vorlic, the growing chaos in Atlas City. So much had happened in so little time. And yet here he was, sitting in the quiet, surrounded by peace.

He smiled faintly.

"Maybe this is what I needed."

He stayed like that for a while, listening to the city breathe. The soft hum of cars in the distance, the cool breeze brushing against his skin. It was all so different from the game, yet somehow comforting.

After about an hour, he stood up again. He wasn't ready to go home yet. Not just yet.

He walked into a convenience store nearby and grabbed a bottle of water and some snacks.

The cashier, a young man with a bored look, scanned the items and said, "That'll be six-fifty."

Axton paid and thanked him before walking out again. He tore open a bag of chips and started munching as he walked.

"Real food. Real taste," he said with a grin. "Can't beat that."

As he passed by a bookstore, he stopped for a moment. The lights inside were still on. He went in, curious. The smell of paper and ink filled the air. Rows of books lined the shelves, each with stories far different from the one he lived in.

Axton was whiling away time at this point.

He picked up one randomly — a fantasy novel about heroes and dragons. He flipped through a few pages, then chuckled softly.

"Even here, I can't escape magic."

Still, he bought the book. Maybe he'd read it later, just for fun.

When he finally decided to head home, it was close to 10 pm. Axton walked with slow steps, feeling lighter than before.

He passed a group of friends laughing near a café. For a moment, he thought about what his life might've been like if he hadn't joined New Eden.

Would he have eventually had friends like that?

Would he have eventually gotten a job that would keep me comfortable, at least?

A normal routine? Maybe. Maybe not.

But then again, he wasn't normal anymore. He had seen things most people could never imagine. He had fought, survived, and built his name inside a world that felt real and unreal at the same time.

Still, being here… it reminded him that he was more than just a player.

He reached his apartment building, climbed the stairs, and unlocked the door. Inside, everything was still the same.

Quiet. Simple. Home.

He took off his jacket and placed the bag of snacks on the table. The book he bought sat beside it.

Axton walked to the window and looked outside. The city lights sparkled in the distance. Somewhere far away, people were still awake — living their lives, chasing dreams, laughing, crying.

He took a deep breath as he prepared to return to New Eden tonight.