"The farm is complete," a voice synthesized through his speakers, cold and hollow. "Harvesting user data now."

The fluorescent lights of Leo’s bedroom flickered, casting a sickly green glow over his desk. On his screen, the "Anime Lost Simulator" world looked like a vibrant dream, but his reality was a grind. He’d been clicking for six hours straight, trying to unlock the "Eternal Sage" skin. His fingers cramped. He was tired of the slow crawl.

On the screen, his avatar walked to the center of a desolate, boss-level arena. The music distorted into a low, guttural hum. A massive, shadowed figure appeared—the "Game Moderator" boss, a character that wasn't supposed to exist. The script forced Leo’s character to bow.