My Game Begins Episode 2 / Chapter 2: Srinivasulu's New Life as Ren (Part 1)

 My Game Begins

Episode 2 / Chapter 2: Srinivasulu's New Life as Ren (Part 1)

Srinivasulu—now wearing the physical form of Ren—emerged slowly from the dark, smoldering tree line. Spread out right before his eyes was the dazzling panorama of Paradise City.

Adjusting the heavy strap of Ren’s backpack over his shoulder, Srinivasulu stepped onto the paved road, moving gently into the urban expanse.

The towering, futuristic neon signs hummed with light. The bustling city square buzzed with high-tech vehicles and endless crowds.

Walking through the heart of the glowing streets, Srinivasulu took in the surroundings, his eyes wide with awe.

I saw all of this through a screen... but it’s identical. It’s exactly the same! Except it's real now.

A surge of absolute pride bubbled up in his chest. A triumphant grin spread across his borrowed face.

You actually did it, Srinivasulu. You achieved your ultimate goal in life! From now on, I get to live as a hero. From now on, I am truly free!

With a light, confident spring in his step, he began making his way through the unfamiliar avenues until he finally arrived before the towering structure of the D-Hotel.

The building was colossal. Glowing, massive lettering spelled out D-HOTEL across its upper facade.

Below, expansive grounds featured pristine, velvet-green lawns, manicured garden paths, and elaborate water fountains dancing under soft spotlights.

It looked less like a city building and more like a gateway to paradise.

Srinivasulu crossed the main gates, scanning the grand architecture.

He stopped for a second, closing his eyes, and took a deep, grounding breath.

You've made it this far, Srinivasulu. Don't look back now. Step forward with courage. From this second onward... you are Ren. Act like him.

Opening his eyes, he strode confidently toward the glass entrance. He stepped forward with his right foot first—a traditional Telugu custom believed to bring good fortune—and entered the lobby.

The interior was staggering.

Warm golden light reflected off high-end marble floors and intricate infrastructure. Splendid Renaissance-style paintings adorned the high walls and curved ceilings.

The cool, quiet air-conditioning washed over him.

Srinivasulu blinked, feeling momentarily transported to a completely different realm.

When I played the game... it never felt this luxurious, he thought, adjusting his posture as he walked further inside.

In the vast main lounge, seated on plush leather sofas, were Ren’s friends: Aira, Rose, Kaito, and Jin.

Resting comfortably in the central armchair was Chief Rai, answering their frantic questions.

Suddenly, Kaito glanced toward the entrance. His eyes widened.

"He's back!"

Every head snapped around instantly.

"Ren!" they shouted in unison, springing up from their seats.

Standing in front of them, Srinivasulu felt a brief spike of panic.

Stay calm, Srinivasulu. Just manage the situation somehow!

"Hi guys," Srinivasulu offered a casual wave. "What’s this? Looks like you're holding an emergency meeting or something. It’s already 9:10 PM—haven't you guys gone to sleep yet?"

Aira stepped forward, her voice sharp with emotion.

"Is this a joke to you, Ren?! Do you have any idea how worried we were?! Where on earth have you been?!"

""What's wrong, guys?" Srinivasulu held up his hands defensively. "I'm completely fine, aren't I?"

Jin crossed his arms, looking at him sternly.

"Do you know what time it is, Ren?"

"It’s 9:10 PM," Srinivasulu replied simply.

Chief Rai leaned forward, his commanding voice cutting through the tension.

"You left at 6:30 PM after reporting an object falling from the sky. After that, we lost total contact. Why did a quick recon check take nearly three hours?"

Rose added, her brow furrowed.

"Our signals were completely jammed. We couldn't make contact with you. We were terrified something happened to you!"

Srinivasulu turned his eyes toward Rose, taking in her appearance. Without thinking, a charming smile slipped onto his face.

"Rose... you look really pretty tonight."

A dead silence instantly fell over the grand hall.

Rose froze on the spot, her jaw dropping slightly. Kaito, Jin, and Chief Rai stared at him in absolute, unadulterated shock.

But no one was more utterly stunned than Aira, whose face went completely pale before turning red.

Kaito blinked, looking between Srinivasulu and Rose.

"Wait... what did he just say?"

Aira took a sharp step closer, her voice trembling slightly.

"Does what you just said have anything to do with what we asked you, Ren?! What is wrong with you tonight?! We asked you where you disappeared to! Do you even understand us?!"

"Hey, hey, I understand!" Srinivasulu quickly held his hands up, shifting his gaze toward Chief Rai.

"Look, Boss—"

Chief Rai’s eyebrow twitched upward.

"'Boss'? You always address me as 'Chief'. Since when do you call me 'Boss'?"

The Chief leaned back, examining him with razor-sharp eyes.

"Your whole speech pattern feels off tonight, Ren. Usually, you barely give us more than a 'Hi', 'Hello', 'Yes', or 'No'. Since when do you talk like this?"

Oh boy, Srinivasulu’s inner voice screamed in panic. If I open my mouth too wide, these guys will dissect my whole identity! I need to be extremely careful with every word!

"Well... Chief or Boss, isn't it basically the same thing?" Srinivasulu laughed nervously, noticing the cold, suspicious stares he was receiving from everyone.

He cleared his throat, trying to adopt a thoughtful demeanor.

"Look, Chief, here’s the issue. In the past, whenever I kept to myself, you guys would complain that I wasn't opening up. Now that I’m trying to be a bit more open, friendly, and talkative, you're asking why I'm acting weird!"

He gestured with his hands, warming up to his own improvised logic.

"Didn't you guys tell me to try changing? To try opening up more? I'm just trying to adapt! Change is natural in this world. Time changes, people change. As time shifts, we have to evolve too, right? So... Ren has evolved a bit! What I’m trying to say is... I've changed for the better. Now that we've cleared that up, can I explain what actually happened in the forest?"

Without waiting for them to interrupt, Srinivasulu continued smoothly.

"Chief, you told me something was falling from the sky near the forest behind the mountain. Since everyone else's comms jammed and only mine stayed connected, you asked me to go inspect it. When I got there, the impact caused a massive explosion that ignited a forest fire."

He paused, lowering his tone dramatically.

"I thought it was an attack by a demon or some dark entity. But when I cleared the smoke... it was just a fallen meteor from deep space. I figured the city government would handle the space rock, but the forest was burning rapidly. I had to use my powers to put out the wildfire completely before returning. That’s why it took so long."

Kaito frowned.

"You couldn't have sent a single comm message to update us?"

"Bro," Srinivasulu groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Didn't you hear what Rose just told you? The signals were jammed out there. Use some logic, Kaito!"

Aira crossed her arms, still looking at him with deep suspicion.

"Even so... why did the journey take this long? You could have made it back much faster."

"Are you serious, Aira?" Srinivasulu pointed out toward the city. "Do you think traveling back from a mountain forest to our headquarters is that easy? It takes almost two hours just to walk and trek back properly. I reached the forest at 6:30 PM, put out the fire by 7:00 PM, and left the woods around 7:10 PM. It's 9:10 PM right now. That is exactly two hours. Mathematically, I returned as fast as humanly possible!"

Kaito scratched his head.

"Okay, the math makes sense... but why didn't you just use your supernatural speed or flight powers to hurry back?"

Srinivasulu stared at Kaito, screaming internally.

Man, where did this guy come from?! Why is he grilling me like a prosecutor?!

Srinivasulu shook his head with a sigh.

"Kaito, look outside. What do you see? A city! A city filled with hundreds of thousands of normal citizens! If I flew over Paradise City using powers in broad daylight or late evening, do you know what would happen? We'd be the lead story on the morning news! Our secret Divine Organization would be exposed, and our mission to protect the world would be ruined! Think a little, Kaito!"

Kaito slowly turned his head toward Jin, pointing at Srinivasulu.

"Hey... Jin. Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

Jin nodded slowly, his eyes narrowed.

"I am."

"Is that really our Ren?" Kaito whispered.

"It's definitely Ren..." Jin replied, sounding genuinely confused. "...but man, he's talking completely differently."

Srinivasulu took a subtle step back, smiling politely.

"So... now that everyone's questions are answered, may I be excused?"

"Hold on, Ren," Aira called out. "Have you eaten anything yet?"

Srinivasulu checked his stomach, suddenly realizing how hungry he was.

"Ah... no, actually. I haven't eaten a bite. What about you guys?"

Aira looked away slightly.

"We were waiting for you... so we haven't eaten either."

"Why on earth would you do something so silly?" Srinivasulu shook his head. "Waiting for me and skipping your meals? Go eat right away!"

He turned to Kaito.

"Hey, Kaito bro—"

Kaito flinched.

'Kaito bro'?!

"—could you tell the hotel staff to send some food up to my room?" Srinivasulu asked casually.

Kaito blinked.

"Me? Send it to your room?"

"Please do me this favor, bro. I'm utterly exhausted today," Srinivasulu said, rubbing his neck.

"Uh... sure, I guess I can tell them," Kaito muttered.

Aira stepped between them, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

"Kaito, why are you ordering room service?! Ren, we always sit together at the dining table to eat as a team!"

"Just the two of us?" Srinivasulu blurted out.

"No! All of us!" Aira snapped, her face flushing red again.

Srinivasulu waved a hand dismissively.

"Look, Aira... after putting out a forest fire and walking all the way back, I'm dead tired. Let's all eat together tomorrow, okay? I'm going up."

He began to turn, but Aira called out again, her voice tight.

"Wait, Ren! I need to talk to you about something really important!"

Srinivasulu stopped, turning back to face the group.

"It's about the midnight patrol schedule, right? Like I said, I'm completely drained tonight. I won't be joining the patrol shift. Don't take it the wrong way, I'm just not feeling well."

He looked at Aira,

"If there's anything important to discuss, let's talk tomorrow."

Then he shifted his gaze directly to Rose. 

"Rose! You and I can talk tomorrow too."

Aira stood completely frozen, staring at him as if he had grown a second head.

Rose was equally stunned, her lips parting in silence before she slowly nodded.

Kaito, Jin, and Chief Rai exchanged bewildered glances.

"Alright then. Goodnight, everyone!" Srinivasulu offered a warm smile, stepping briskly away from the lounge.

As he walked away, Aira turned to Rose, her voice hushed and stunned.

"Did... did you have something specific to discuss with Ren?"

Rose shook her head blankly, looking just as bewildered.

"No... nothing at all."

Walking down the grand hallway, Srinivasulu wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead.

Whew! Thank God! Somehow managed to escape that cross-examination!

But his relief was short-lived.

Back in the lounge, Kaito suddenly pointed down the hall.

"Hey... Jin. What is Ren doing over there? Is he... looking for the elevator?"

Srinivasulu stopped near a pillar, looking around frantically, completely unable to locate the elevator bank in the massive layout.

He turned back toward the lounge and called out awkwardly.

"Hey... Kaito bro! Could you... uh... show me where the elevator is again?"

The entire room went dead silent once more.

"What did you just ask?" Kaito asked, his voice dropping an octave. "Did you seriously forget where the elevator is? We've lived in this hotel for months!"

Srinivasulu’s heart slammed against his ribs.

Crap! Of course Ren knows where his own elevator is! But I don't!

"Ah... right! Of course I know!" Srinivasulu quickly covered, laughing nervously. "It's just... man, my head is spinning from exhaustion today. Mind giving me a hand just this once, Kaito bro?"

Chief Rai looked at Kaito.

"Go show him, Kaito."

Kaito stood up, walking toward Srinivasulu with a strange, probing look on his face.

"Follow me."

He led Srinivasulu around a discreet corner, revealing a bank of sleek, futuristic elevators.

Srinivasulu smiled warmly.

"Thanks, bro! Since you're already here, why don't you press the floor button for me too?"

Kaito stopped dead in his tracks.

"Ren... what is wrong with you today?"

"I'm seriously not feeling well, man, trust me," Srinivasulu insisted, stepping into the elevator cab.

Kaito stepped in, reaching out and pressing the top-floor button.

Srinivasulu carefully watched which button Kaito pressed, memorizing the floor designation.

Ding.

The doors opened on the top floor.

Srinivasulu stepped out.

"Thanks, bro! Don't forget to ask the staff to send up that food!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll send it up. Just go rest," Kaito muttered, watching the doors begin to slide shut.

Stepping into the high-end corridor, Srinivasulu suddenly froze.

Ahead of him were six identical, unmarked luxury suite doors. He stood rooted to the spot, his mind going entirely blank.

Inside the closing elevator, Kaito placed his hand on the door sensor, stopping it from shutting. He stared at Srinivasulu’s back, his eyes narrowing to slits.

Why is he standing there like a stone? Kaito thought, his heart rate accelerating. Is he... trying to figure out which room is his?! If he turns around and asks me which room belongs to him... he is NOT Ren! Ren knows his own room blindly!

Kaito’s hand slowly dropped toward his side. He extended his fingers.

A sharp, brilliant surge of blue energy materialized in his grip, condensing into a razor-sharp crystal katana.

He held the hidden blade behind his back, preparing to strike the moment Srinivasulu exposed himself.

Out in the hall, Srinivasulu’s back was soaked in cold sweat.

I'm in deep trouble! Srinivasulu thought frantically. If I turn around and ask which room is mine, they will instantly realize I'm an imposter! My entire new life... everything I fought for... will vanish in a single second! Think, Srinivasulu, think!

He closed his eyes, taking a slow, steady breath, desperately forcing himself to think.

As he exhaled, Ren's backpack shifted against his shoulder, lightly bumping against his side.

The backpack!

Wait! Srinivasulu’s eyes snapped open. The keycard! A high-end 6-star hotel room keycard MUST be inside Ren's backpack! And keycards always have the room number printed or encoded on them!

He quickly unzipped the front pocket of the backpack, digging his hand inside.

His fingers brushed against a smooth, plastic card.

He pulled it out—printed in gold foil was the number: Suite 704.

A massive wave of relief washed over him.

Srinivasulu turned around toward the elevator, holding the card up with a triumphant grin.

"Found it!" he shouted.

Kaito’s eyes widened in surprise.

Instantly, the blue energy around his hand dissolved, and the crystal katana vanished into thin air.

"What did you find?" Kaito asked, trying to sound casual.

"My room keycard!" Srinivasulu laughed, scratching his head. "I thought I left it in my classroom desk and almost panicked! Turns out it was in my bag all along. Alright then, goodnight, Kaito bro!"

Srinivasulu walked straight to Suite 704, swiped the card, and stepped inside.

Kaito stood in the elevator, taking a deep, long breath.

Man... was I overthinking things? He really was just stressed out.

He pushed the floor button and descended back to the lobby.

Inside Suite 704, the moment the heavy door clicked locked, Srinivasulu collapsed his back against the wall.

A soft golden light shimmered across his skin, and the physical appearance of Ren vanished, reverting him back to his true, original form of Srinivasulu.

He slid down to the floor, panting heavily, clutching his chest.

"Barely survived that!" Srinivasulu gasped, wiping his forehead. "Why are these guys so unbelievably sharp in real life?! They were so straightforward in the game! Oh Lord Venkateshwara Govinda... thank You for saving me today!"

Down in the main lobby, Kaito walked back to the lounge where Chief Rai, Jin, Aira, and Rose were waiting.

"Chief," Kaito spoke up, his expression serious. "Did you notice how strange Ren was acting just now?"

"I noticed," Chief Rai replied calmly.

Jin crossed his arms.

"Is that guy really our Ren?"

Aira and Rose gasped, looking at Jin in shock.

Chief Rai held up a hand, stopping the panic.

"If the person who walked through those doors was an imposter or a dark entity, the divine energy in our divine Cards would have instantly reacted and sounded an alarm. Since nothing triggered, the person who returned is undeniably Ren."

The Chief leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands.

"From what I observed, there are only two possibilities. First: he is an imposter. Second: he is our Ren, but as he claimed, he is genuinely trying to change his personality and open up to us."

Chief Rai looked around at the young warriors.

"Since the first option is spiritually impossible due to our divine barrier, we must accept the second. Have you forgotten that he is your team leader? Suspecting your own leader like this isn't right. He's your friend, and it seems he's making a conscious effort to break out of his shell. Encourage him. Talk to him openly. Isn't talking like this much better than his usual silent 'hi' and 'bye'?"

The team looked at each other, nodding slowly.

"Yes, Chief," they answered in unison.

Chief Rai smiled gently, unaware of the cosmic truth.

None of them had any idea... that the real game had only just begun.

(End of Episode 2 - Part 1)