Friday Night, 14 May 2001.
Inside one of the internet cafés in L.A., Zaboru had just finished his work for the day. There had been plenty of things he needed to take care of at the ZAGE Campus USA in Silicon Valley, from checking reports, meeting developers, reviewing schedules, and listening to the American teams complain that the Japanese branch got more information about ZEPS 4 first. It was funny at first, but after hearing the same "Boss, this is discrimination against our curiosity" joke for the fifth time, Zaboru decided he needed to blow off some steam.
That was why he decided to visit the entertainment district near the area. A couple of months ago, Ryan Miller had taken him to see the internet café culture that was starting to take the USA by storm, but back then, it had been more of a business observation. Tonight, Zaboru was not here as ZAGE's president. He just wanted to breathe, relax, and enjoy the strange gamer culture growing in America. He know that this area had become more than just internet cafés now. There were arcades, cosplay cafés, merchandise stores even counterfit one, trading card shops for Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon, small LAN battle rooms, and a new kind of hub called Gamer Talk.
Apparently, Gamer Talk was like a bar, but unlike a normal bar, you needed to prove you were actually a gamer before entering. If the staff asked what game you liked, you had to answer properly, and depending on your answer, they would ask one or two questions before letting you spend time inside. Zaboru found that idea hilarious and brilliant at the same time. It was basically an offline gaming community with a gatekeeping system, but somehow the way they presented it made it feel unique rather than annoying.
Of course, Zaboru could not come as himself. After the Unlock meeting disaster where his disguise was ruined after a fight, he made sure to prepare much better this time. He wore a proper wig, thick glasses, and even used makeup to make his face look paler and less recognizable. He also adjusted his posture slightly, making himself look a little more awkward and less confident. Looking at his reflection in a nearby window, he thought, Heh, I hope this disguise works. This time, no flying discs, no fake ZAGE employees, no thugs, and absolutely no wig malfunction.
As Zaboru approached the district people called "Mini Akihabara," he could not help feeling amused by the atmosphere. There were several of these areas scattered around the USA now, especially in cities where gaming culture had exploded because of ZAGE's influence. Neon signs filled the street, arcade sounds spilled from open doors, people in cosplay walked casually beside office workers, and groups of teenagers argued loudly about whether Counter-Strike required more skill than DoTA. Somewhere nearby, someone was selling ZEPS 3 posters, and another shop displayed Megaman, Mario, Sonic, Pac-Man and other ZAGE merchandise beside other Toys
Zaboru eventually found the new building called Gamer Talk. The sign showed two people holding joysticks while talking together, and under it were the words: "No Game, No Entry." Zaboru stared at the sign for a moment and almost laughed. "That is both stupid and amazing," he muttered under his breath.
When he entered the bar's front area, he saw a small reception counter and a cashier. However, what surprised him most was the bouncer. Instead of a huge muscular man with a shaved head, the bouncer was skinny, wearing glasses, and currently playing a ZGBA with the intense focus of someone fighting the final boss of his life. He looked up at Zaboru, saw his surprised expression, and sighed before saying, "What? Don't expect a bouncer here to look like me? Well, this area is basically protected by the Giordano family, so if you want to mess around here, go ahead. You'll probably end up in a river before midnight."
Zaboru chuckled, genuinely amused, then replied awkwardly, "Sorry, I'm just not used to it. Hehehe."
The skinny bouncer snorted, saved his game, and placed the ZGBA down like a holy object. "Okay, then. Before you enter, tell me your favorite game. And don't just say Mario, Pac-Man, Sonic, or Megaman like a coward. Almost everyone answers that. If you want to say those franchises, you need to say the exact game and console. For example, Super Mario Bros. 3 on ZEPS 1. Got that? Based on your answer, I will ask you questions."
Zaboru smiled and asked, "But what if my favorite game is not known by you?"
The nerdy bouncer grinned like a man who had just been challenged in his own territory. "Then you can try. If your actual favorite game is not known by me, then you can answer something else. But good luck."
Someone nearby, who was also playing a ZGBA while waiting in line, looked at Zaboru and said, "Forget it, dude. That bouncer is called KYG. It literally stands for Know Your Games. That guy is a super nerd. Last week, someone said his favorite game was a fake title and KYG corrected him by saying the game was actually an unreleased prototype from Brazil."
KYG adjusted his glasses with complete smugness. "It was from Argentina, not Brazil. And yes, the fake title was still wrong."
Zaboru almost laughed he know that game and it's called "Footbal Ninja" from Argentina studio but they stop it because of budget. This guy is dangerous in the most uselessly powerful way.
Deciding not to make things too complicated at first, Zaboru answered with a more standard choice. "Okay, then my favorite game is Final Fantasy VII from ZAGE on ZEPS 3. Truly a goated game."
KYG frowned slightly. "Final Fantasy VII? Normal answer, but respectable. Fine, three questions first. First, what is the name of the red lion-like party member in Final Fantasy VII?"
Zaboru answered casually, "Red XIII. Though his real name is Nanaki."
KYG's eyebrow twitched. "Oh? You added the real name too. Fine. Second question, what is the strongest summon in the game, and what is its move?"
Zaboru smiled. "Knights of the Round. Its move is Ultimate End."
KYG nodded, but his eyes sharpened. "Third question, and this is the real important one. Aerith or Tifa?"
Zaboru's eyes widened behind his thick glasses. "Hey, isn't that a preference question?"
KYG shrugged and said, "Just answer. Gamer Talk does not avoid war topics."
Zaboru sighed, already feeling the trap. "Well... Tifa is strong, beautiful, loyal, and badass. Aerith is beautiful too, super kind, and she heals you. But if I had to choose, I'd choose Tifa. I just like her."
KYG snorted. "Heh. Another Tifa answer. Very common, very predictable, but not wrong. However, because you said Nanaki earlier, I'll give you some credit. But we're not done."
Zaboru blinked. "Not done?"
KYG leaned forward with an expression that made the nearby ZGBA player immediately whisper, "Oh no, he triggered advanced mode."
KYG adjusted his glasses again, and the light reflected off them so dramatically that Zaboru almost wondered if the man had practiced it. "Final Fantasy VII is too popular. If you truly love it, you should survive a little deeper. Tell me, what is the materia combination that can make Knights of the Round absurdly broken?"
Zaboru answered without hesitation, "W-Summon with Knights of the Round, paired with Mime. If you want to be ridiculous, you can also build around HP Absorb or MP Absorb depending on setup, but Mime chaining is the classic disgusting way."
The nearby player slowly lowered his ZGBA. KYG's eyes narrowed.
"Okay," KYG said. "Then tell me, what is the emotional purpose of Cloud's false memory arc? Not story summary. Purpose."
Zaboru smiled slightly. "It breaks the player's assumption that Cloud is a simple cool hero. His identity is fragmented, mixed with trauma, failure, admiration, shame, and Jenova's influence. The point is not just plot twist. It makes the player re-evaluate the entire way Cloud has acted since the beginning. He is not a perfect chosen one. He is someone trying to become the image of someone he admired because he could not accept himself."
The small line behind him became quiet.
KYG stared at him for a moment. "Hmm. Good answer. Too good, actually. Suspicious." Then he leaned even closer and asked, "Then explain why Sephiroth works as a villain without just saying 'he is cool.'"
Zaboru chuckled and replied, "Because the game builds him like a myth before you truly face him. You mostly see the aftermath of his actions first. Destroyed places, fear, stories, memories, and the trail he leaves behind. That makes him feel larger than life before the player directly confronts him. His design is cool, sure, but the structure around him is what makes him terrifying."
The ZGBA player beside him whispered, "Damn, this guy came prepared."
KYG clicked his tongue. "Fine, Final Fantasy VII is probably real for you. But Gamer Talk does not accept only one franchise answer from suspicious persons. Second favorite game."
Zaboru almost laughed at being called suspicious so directly. "Resident Evil 2, ZEPS 3."
KYG immediately pointed at him. "Good. Then explain the difference between Leon and Claire's routes beyond just 'different characters.'"
Zaboru answered easily. "They show different sides of the same disaster. Leon's route has more rookie cop survival and direct police station mystery energy, while Claire's route is more personal because of Sherry and the family tragedy connected to Birkin. The dual scenario structure makes Raccoon City feel bigger than either protagonist."
KYG nodded. "What makes the police station design good?"
Zaboru said, "It feels like a real place converted into a survival puzzle box. The layout loops back on itself, locked doors become long-term memory tests, and item management forces tension even when nothing attacks you. The building itself becomes an enemy because you're constantly negotiating space, routes, resources, and fear."
Someone in the line muttered, "Bro talks like a strategy guide got possessed."
KYG suddenly smiled. "Okay, not bad. Third game."
Zaboru tilted his head. "You ask everyone this much?"
The nearby player laughed and said, "No. You made the mistake of being interesting."
KYG nodded proudly. "Exactly. Third game."
Zaboru decided to have fun. "Megaman X3."
KYG's eyes sharpened instantly. "Favorite character?"
"Zero," Zaboru answered, then quickly added, "But X is still the heart of the game."
KYG looked satisfied but still suspicious. "Correct diplomatic answer. Why do fans love Zero so much?"
Zaboru grinned. "Because Zero feels like the cool upperclassman of the franchise. His design is striking, his hair is iconic, his saber gives him a completely different fighting identity, and narratively he carries mystery, danger, and loyalty. He is powerful without stealing X's entire role. That balance makes fans obsess over him."
The ZGBA player nodded emotionally. "Zero is him."
KYG pointed at the player and said, "Control yourself." Then he looked back at Zaboru. "What does X3 improve compared to X2?"
Zaboru answered smoothly, "More armor variety, ride armor usage, larger mechanical ambition, Zero involvement, better boss presentation, and a stronger sense that the world is expanding. It is not perfect, but it gives players more toys and more reasons to replay."
KYG frowned. "You're answering too fast. Are you a reviewer from Compute-X or ZEMITSU?"
Zaboru smiled awkwardly. "I just like games."
The person behind him muttered, "That's what a reviewer would say."
KYG suddenly changed direction. "Fine. Let's test broader knowledge. What makes Counter-Strike different from other FPS deathmatch?"
Zaboru immediately replied, "Economy, information, positioning, recoil discipline, team execution, and consequence. In normal deathmatch, dying is usually just a reset. In Counter-Strike, dying changes the round, the money, the weapon economy, and the pressure of the next decision. That's why it becomes a mind game, not just aim."
KYG stared at him.
The nearby ZGBA player stared at him.
Even the cashier slowly looked over.
KYG muttered, "Okay, that was disgusting."
Zaboru blinked. "Disgusting?"
"In a good way," KYG said, then immediately asked, "Then DoTA. Why does DoTA become addictive?"
Zaboru leaned one hand on the counter and answered, "Because every match creates a different story using the same foundation. Hero matchups, lane pressure, item timings, team fights, mistakes, comebacks, and player ego all combine. It is not just mechanics. It is drama disguised as strategy. Also, blaming teammates is apparently a core feature."
Several people nearby burst out laughing.
KYG nodded gravely. "True. Painfully true." Then he narrowed his eyes again. "What is the most dangerous thing in online games?"
Zaboru answered, "Players."
KYG slapped the counter. "Correct."
The nearby player looked at Zaboru and asked, "Dude, are you sure you're not secretly from ZAGE?"
Zaboru felt his heart almost stop for half a second, but he forced an awkward laugh. "H-Hahaha, no way. I just play a lot."
KYG leaned closer, eyes narrowed. "You say that, but you have suspiciously developer-like answers."
Zaboru scratched his cheek. "Maybe I read too many magazines?"
KYG stared at him for another second, then shrugged. "Fine. You pass. But before you go in, one dollar ticket."
Zaboru chuckled with relief and handed over the money. "Only one dollar after all that interrogation?"
KYG snorted and replied, "The questions are free. The trauma is included."
The cashier stamped Zaboru's ticket while trying not to laugh. KYG then pointed toward the entrance curtain and said, "Welcome to Gamer Talk. Don't start a console war unless you're ready to defend your opinion with evidence. Don't insult someone's main character unless you can survive the consequences. And if someone asks whether Aerith or Tifa is better, choose your words carefully. Last week, two guys almost fought over that until someone yelled 'Yuffie' and united them against a common enemy."
Zaboru laughed despite himself. "This place sounds dangerous."
KYG nodded seriously. "It is. But only intellectually. Usually."
Zaboru walked past the curtain and entered the main area of Gamer Talk. The moment he stepped inside, he was genuinely surprised by what he found. It was not just a bar. It was a whole gamer social hub. There were tables where people discussed RPG theories, booths where groups played handheld games together, a small stage for gaming debates, several arcade cabinets along the wall, shelves filled with magazines, a trading corner for cards and merchandise, and even a large screen showing live Counter-Strike matches from a local LAN tournament.
Zaboru stood there for a moment, completely amused.
This is amazing, he thought.
It was messy, loud, nerdy, and chaotic, but it was alive. In a strange way, Gamer Talk felt like the offline version of the internet forums he had been reading for years. People were not just consuming games here. They were discussing them, defending them, fighting over them, laughing about them, and turning them into culture and he had never been here in his previous life.
Then someone near the large screen shouted, "HEY! New guy! You passed KYG's advanced mode, right?"
Several heads turned toward Zaboru.
Zaboru froze slightly.
Another person grinned and said, "Then you better have good opinions."
Zaboru adjusted his thick glasses and smiled awkwardly.
Apparently, passing the door was only the tutorial.
To be continued.
Please give me your power stone and if you want to support me and get minimum 50+ advance chapter and additional 1 chapter a week for 4$ considering subscribe to my patreon patreon.com/Zaborn_1997
Or buymecoffee https://buymeacoffee.com/Zaborn_1997 which same with patreon
current Patreon/buymecoffe chap 1250
Also Join my discord if you want https://discord.gg/jB8x6TUByc