When it comes to starting a conversation, there’s no denying that a gentle, harmless-looking girl often has a higher success rate than a man.

  It was mid-September, and in the southern province of Thessaloniki, the weather remained uncomfortably warm. Xanthia, with her short hair, wore a simple T-shirt and denim shorts. Her outfit was typical for a student, but her overly slender and delicate frame did little to stand out. However, her abaster skin and refined temperament left a favorable first impression. While her appearance was slightly above average, most would consider her "pin." Yet if asked, "Do you think you’re a beautiful girl?" her response would be unwaveringly confident: "I certainly do!"

  This inexplicable self-assurance, combined with the lure of completing a challenge, propelled her into action. Compared to approaching other girls, Xanthia found it easier to talk to boys—especially those who appeared dependable, honest, and awkward about rejecting girls. With such targets, her chances of success were highest.

  As she passed by the shared game console area in the shopping center, she noticed a young man with an unremarkable appearance and a slightly chubby build, absorbed in a game. He wore thick, bck-framed gsses and dressed casually, almost sloppily—a clear sign of either a university student or a recent graduate.

  Xanthia’s gaze flickered to the screen. The game appeared to be a demanding AAA notion, though she couldn’t quite identify it. Drawing upon memories inherited from this world, she knew she was in a parallel reality, where countries, pces, and even cultural products bore different names. Despite the unfamiliarity, some forms of entertainment were comfortingly simir. If the young man was pying a game like Elden Ring or something of that nature, it would give them common ground.

  The bespectacled gamer was in the middle of a boss fight, his fingers darting across the controller. He seemed moderately skilled, but his in-game character’s state betrayed a chaotic, panicked strategy of dodging and frequent healing. As with all AAA games, success came only after repeated deaths and meticulous pattern memorization—recklessness was not an option.

  Xanthia positioned herself near the sofa where he was seated, ensuring she appeared interested in the game and stayed within his peripheral vision. The young man, whose name was Xenophon, initially didn’t mind the presence of someone watching him py. Typically, curious onlookers lingered briefly before moving on. But he was taken aback when he noticed the onlooker was a girl.

  Do girls really take an interest in these notoriously punishing games? he wondered.

  Xenophon, a fourth-year student at a local university, had plenty of free time. His approach to university life was straightforward: pass his csses without failing and graduate. But in his four years, he’d never been in a retionship—not for ck of interest, but because he wasn’t one to actively pursue anyone. "Who wants to be a simp these days?" he thought. "Even protagonists don’t chase girls anymore—being chased is the new trend!"

  And besides, retionships didn’t come with a progress bar like games. If they did, he might have been more motivated. For someone with his pin looks, scruffy appearance, and love for gaming, the idea of a girl taking the initiative seemed impossible.

  Why hasn’t she left yet? Watching me lose to this boss over and over... isn’t that rude? Xenophon thought, growing increasingly uncomfortable. He wanted to show off his skills but cked the ability.

  He was the kind of gamer who was terrible at games but loved pying them anyway.

  The longer Xanthia watched, the more uneasy Xenophon became. Yet his natural timidity kept him from asking her to leave. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, after all—just standing there and observing.

  When Xenophon’s character died yet again, Xanthia finally broke the silence. “Excuse me, this game looks fascinating. What’s it called?”

  Her voice, soft and sweet, carried a captivating quality that seemed to brush against Xenophon’s nerves like a gentle breeze. Gncing at her, he quickly averted his gaze. She wasn’t bad-looking—average at worst—with a bare face that added to her appeal. But her pin short hair and frail figure weren’t particurly striking. She left a delicate and pleasant impression, though nothing extraordinary.

  “It’s called Elven Ring,” Xenophon replied cautiously. “It came out recently and is pretty popur.”

  He expected the girl to leave after getting her answer, but to his surprise, she didn’t follow the usual script. Instead, she smiled brightly and asked, “Can I sit next to you and watch? This game seems so interesting!”

  Xenophon froze. Was he... being hit on? His heart raced. He’d never experienced anything remotely like this. While part of him was thrilled, another part was suspicious. Could this be a scam?

  He knew his reality: pin looks, an unremarkable demeanor, and nothing to make him stand out. Why would a girl strike up a conversation with him?

  Despite his doubts, he instinctively made space for her on the sofa. “Of course,” he said politely, managing a small smile. “Feel free.” Who could refuse such a sweet voice and youthful presence?

  Still, her boldness caught him off guard. She sat down without hesitation, leaving him even more disoriented. Strangely, a sense of determination welled up within him. He felt an overwhelming urge to perform well and prove himself.

  It was no different from how boys on a basketball court would suddenly put in extra effort if a pretty girl was watching. Filled with resolve, Xenophon... died again. Such was the nature of pying hardcore games: relentless failure made victory all the sweeter.

  “Can I give it a try?” Xanthia asked, her lively eyes meeting his, clearly eager to py.

  Xenophon handed her the controller without hesitation, scratching his nose awkwardly. “The save file is a bit under-leveled,” he expined, “so the health bar is too short. That’s why it’s so tricky right now. Oh, and I’m used to the PS controller—this Ybox one doesn’t feel as responsive...”

  After preemptively deflecting bme for his failures, he offered a kind warning. “This game’s really hard. Don’t get discouraged if the bosses seem impossible.”

  Seeing her delicate demeanor and porcein-like fragility, he assumed she’d struggle. Yet what happened next left Xenophon completely speechless.