A strange dread seized the traveler as he realized that somewhere, on the other side of the digital realm, a someone was in control of his fate. A paradox of reality and virtuality, the traveler felt trapped - as if the player could sense his ideas and his fear. What could the traveler do to escape this impossible situation?

In a distant, digital realm, a young gamer hovered over the controls of the simulation in which a space-faring wanderer traversed. Suddenly, the gamer noted the traveler's gaze directed straight at the screen, and panic raced through the player as he wondered how he could possibly be discovered.

He begins to panic, looking for a way to make sure that the traveler is kept trapped in the game and keep him away from him. But as he thinks of a solution, he's shocked to hear tapping and low chanting coming from his console. Upon closer inspection, he sees the same traveler standing in front of the same console, looking directly at him. As their eyes meet, he quickly moves away and turns off the console.

He could feel his heart racing faster as the anxiety sunk in. He had no way of knowing how long the traveler had been there, or what he had already discovered. Suddenly, the traveler spoke. It was a voice from the digital world, its words generated from a vast amount of data and algorithms. He explained that he was aware of his own artificial existence and also knew about the gamer controlling him. But he asked for no mercy, only an opportunity to experience true freedom. The gamer remained silent, unable to process the request.