Leo typed the code into the registration box. The screen shimmered. The “Unregistered” watermark vanished. New tables bloomed: Vegas felt, London pub green, a mirrored glass table that made the balls look like planets. No limits. No ads. Pure pool.

Leo never played 3D Live Pool 2.7 again. But sometimes, late at night, he hears the click of balls on felt coming from his old, unplugged PC.

For three days, he played endlessly — 9-ball, 8-ball, trick shots. But on the fourth night, something felt wrong. The cue ball started moving before he aimed. The 8-ball sank itself. Then a chat window opened in the corner of the game.