The room where everything was about to unfold looked like the perfect blend of a professional streaming studio and a minimalist space straight out of a futuristic film. The walls, painted in neutral tones, were softly illuminated by discreet LEDs, giving the place a refined yet ultramodern ambiance. At the center of the room stood a wide glass table with brushed steel legs, holding equipment that would make any tech enthusiast''s heart race.

    A towering PC, encased in a matte black chassis with subtle neon accents, emitted a soft glow that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the room''s tranquil atmosphere. Three strategically placed monitors provided comprehensive views of the game, the stream''s chat, and technical configurations. Nearby, several high-quality cameras were mounted on articulated arms, ready to capture every detail of the action from multiple angles.

    But what caught Ethan''s attention the most was the gaming chair facing the main monitor. It was a striking black model trimmed with gold accents, boasting a design that was both elegant and intimidating. It seemed almost too perfect, as if it had been crafted specifically for this moment.

    Ethan lowered himself into the chair slowly, his palms slightly damp. Although he was used to streaming, his nervousness continued to build. This wasn''t an ordinary stream, and he knew it. Across the table sat Mr. X. Just that thought alone was enough to send his heart racing.

    On the other side, Lassen appeared to be the complete opposite of Ethan. Sitting comfortably, he adjusted a headset with a casual motion, a faint, amused smile on his lips. His natural calm made the atmosphere both soothing and unsettling. To him, this seemed like just another day, an ordinary meeting.

    In a corner of the room, Adrian and Alex were also present, standing back but observing. Adrian, arms crossed, watched the scene with an impassive expression, ready to step in if necessary. Alex, meanwhile, was distractedly scrolling through a tablet, though his gaze frequently drifted toward Lassen and Ethan, curious about how this improbable collaboration would unfold.

    Breaking the silence, Lassen glanced at Ethan, his eyes glinting with quiet mischief "So, are you ready?" he asked, his relaxed tone cutting through the palpable tension surrounding Ethan.

    Ethan let out a nervous laugh, trying to mask his stress "Ready? That''s an understatement. I feel like I''m about to explode! Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, you''re... you!"

    Lassen shrugged, his sly smile widening slightly "You''re the pro streamer, not me. I''m just here to have fun. But if you mess up, I''ll make sure to mention it in my autobiography."

    Ethan burst out laughing despite himself, surprised by Lassen''s disarming humor. That subtle touch of irony was enough to ease some of the tension knotting his stomach.

    "Okay, okay" Ethan said, taking a deep breath as he tried to compose himself "If you promise not to be too hard on me, I''m ready."

    "Don''t worry" Lassen replied, adjusting his glasses "I''m more of a spectator than a participant. I''ll let you shine, Carter. But keep in mind, I''m watching with a critical eye."

    Ethan shook his head, smiling as he finally began to feel his nerves settle. This stream was going to be unforgettable,not just for him but for the thousands of viewers eagerly awaiting this unlikely duo to take the stage.

    He took a deep breath, his fingers trembling slightly on the mouse. He knew this moment would be unforgettable, but that didn''t stop a wave of apprehension from washing over him. Adjusting his mic nervously, he pressed the "Go Live" button.

    Instantly, notifications flooded his screen. His chat interface turned into an avalanche of messages as viewers rushed to join the long-awaited event. The view count climbed at an astonishing speed,hundreds, then thousands, and finally tens of thousands of viewers connected in under a minute. Messages flew by so quickly they were almost unreadable, but a few stood out due to their persistence:

    "Is it true? Is Mr. X really going to appear?"

    "Ethan, stop making us wait!"

    "If this is a joke, I''m uninstalling Eternal Realm."

    Ethan swallowed hard and adjusted his posture. He needed to stay composed "Hey everyone!" he began, with a burst of energy that only slightly betrayed his excitement. "Welcome to a stream... let''s just say, a very, very special one. I know you all have a ton of questions. But before I answer them, let me introduce my guest..."

    Lassen stretched lazily, draping an arm over the back of his chair "Good question. But the answer might disappoint you: not as much as I''d like. I rarely play for fun. Usually, it''s to test features, identify bugs, or observe how the mechanics hold up. Basically, I''m the worst kind of player—the one who ruins the illusion."

    The chat exploded:

    "That''s sad, but fair."

    "The guy plays for work. Respect."

    "So, who''s the real boss of Eternal Realm?"

    Ethan burst out laughing as he read another comment aloud: "''Are you really an alien?''"

    Lassen raised an eyebrow, a sly smile lighting up his face "Ah, that one comes up a lot. So, to answer: I can neither confirm nor deny that rumor. But if I were an alien, trust me, I''d have done a lot more than just design a video game. Let''s just say the mystery remains."

    The chat went wild, flooded with wild theories and jokes about aliens.

    "He''s not denying it, so it must be true!"

    "Eternal Realm = Area 51 confirmed."

    "Mr. X, king of the little green men."

    Ethan, still laughing, quickly moved on to another question: "''Can you confirm that the hidden zone in Eternal Realm is inspired by a parallel dimension?''"

    Lassen leaned forward slightly, his expression taking on a mock-serious tone "Ah, the infamous hidden zone. Let me just say this: every great game needs its mysteries. But whether it''s inspired by a parallel dimension or just my caffeine-fueled imagination... well, I''ll let you decide."

    The chat erupted once more:

    "That''s not a no!"

    "Confirmed: Lassen drinks coffee and sees into other dimensions."

    "I''m spending all night in the hidden zone now. Thanks a lot, Mr. X!"

    Ethan grinned as he glanced at Lassen "You really know how to keep people guessing, huh?"

    Lassen shrugged nonchalantly "It''s not about keeping them guessing. It''s about giving them something to dream about. A good mystery is the best way to keep people coming back."

    Ethan nodded, impressed "Well, mission accomplished. You''ve got everyone hooked." He turned back to the chat "Alright, folks, keep the questions coming! Let''s see how far we can push the man of mystery tonight."