《九游奇遇》

"滴——"地铁 doors opened, and the crowd surged out like a tidal wave. I managed to grab a seat near the window, finally able to pull out my phone.

The screen lit up, revealing the familiar interface of the Nine Continent game. My heart raced as I tapped on the download button. "Auto-downloading… 85% complete."

The train shook slightly as it entered a tunnel. My phone suddenly lost signal, and the download froze at 90%. I cursed under my breath, staring at the unresponsive screen.

Just then, an old man with a cane sat down across from me. He wore a patched-up tweed jacket and had a faint smile on his face. His eyes were sharp, though, like he could see right through me.

"Having trouble with your download?" he asked, his voice carrying an odd accent.

I jumped, startled. "Uh, yeah. Just trying to get this game."

He chuckled. "A game, hmm? What might that be?"

"Nine Continent. It's been popular around my school lately."

His smile widened. "Ah, the Nine Continent. A land of heroes and monsters, where even the weakest can become strong."

I blinked. "You play too?"

"No, but I know the land well. It's a place where choices matter, and every step can change the course of destiny."

Before I could respond, the doors opened again. The old man stood up, his movements surprisingly nimble for his age. "Remember, in the game and in life, it's not just about what you choose, but why you choose it."

And with that, he was gone, just like the signal on my phone.

The train emerged from the tunnel, and my signal returned. The download resumed, finishing just as the train pulled into the next station. I stared at my phone, wondering what the old man meant.

When the game finally loaded, I was greeted with a message: "Congratulations! You have obtained the first piece of the legendary artifact."

I scratched my head. This was definitely not part of the official game. But as I read on, I couldn't help but feel like the old man's words had prepared me for whatever adventure lay ahead.