The rest of his day unfolded much like any other, with the exception of the news about his house arrest and the impending game event. These were the only deviations from the routine that had come to define his week.
As the hours passed, Alex's anxiety mounted steadily. His thoughts were consumed by the looming deadline to reach Level 30.
"I know I'll make it in time," he reassured himself, "but what about my friends?"
The success of their quest hinged on everyone reaching Level 30. So, when Alex logged into the game, he found his friends already gathered, eagerly awaiting his arrival.
"You're here early today," he remarked.
Emma beamed with pride. "We're on a mission to level up, so arriving early is a given. Let's get going!"
