> Location: Erasthia – Downtown, Genesis Lobby
Chosen Username: Hakaijin
Class: Warrior – Saber Disciple
Race: Human
Level: 1
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Pure white light swallowed everything. For a moment, I thought I was dying. Then the world formed around me, pixel by pixel, like reality rebuilding itself from scratch.
Footsteps echoing off digital stone. Voices blending into a symphony of ambition. Holographic screens broadcasting epic quest scenes, ranked duels, guild recruitment calls... Thousands of players materializing every second.
And there I stood, silver hair catching the artificial light, watching it all with eyes that had seen too much of the real world already.
"Welcome to Genesis," the synthetic female voice purred. Seductive. Dangerous. "You are now connected to the ORIAS system."
The HUD bloomed before my eyes like a flower made of light.
> Name: Unknown
> Race: Human (default)
> Starting class to select:
> — Warrior
> — Mage
> — Ranger
> — Monk
> — Artificer
> — Blacksmith
> — Apothecary
> — Scout
> — Relic Hunter
> — Rancher
> — Merchant
A smile touched my lips—the first genuine one I'd worn in months.
"Warrior. Simple. Direct. No bullshit."
The system wrapped me in leather armor, placed a standard sword in my hand, slung a backpack over my shoulder. Then another prompt appeared, glowing with possibility.
> Choose a nickname:
> (This name will appear in all your in-game interactions.)
I closed my eyes. Memories flooded back—hidden manga under my bed, fighting games played in secret while my parents slept, the weight of expectations crushing my chest every single day.
"Hakaijin."
The word felt like breaking chains. Destroyer. In this world, I could be what I was never allowed to be in reality.
> Registered username: Hakaijin
> Genesis connection confirmed.
Erasthia spread before me like a fever dream. Medieval fantasy crashed into cutting-edge technology, stone buildings growing from the ground while neon lights painted the sky. Mechanical mounts shared the streets with magical creatures in beautiful, controlled chaos.
I moved slowly, drinking in every detail. No lag. No delay between thought and action. My mind was completely immersed, completely free.
The central fountain drew me like a magnet. Other players clustered around it, already forming groups, making friends, building alliances. But I preferred the silence. The solitude. The space to think.
"What do you really want in this world?"
The question hit me like a physical blow. I opened my menu, hands trembling slightly.
> Available skills (level 1):
> Slashing Strike — a high-speed horizontal attack.
> Defensive Stance — reduces damage by 20% for 5 seconds.
> Tiger Leap — short dash towards a target.
> Inventory:
> — Shortsword
> — Basic Rations x2
> — Healing Potion x1
> — 15 Bronze Coins
"No pets, no guilds, no predetermined script... This game is perfect."
In real life, Ren Daiki was trapped in a cage made of gold and expectations. The son of a South Korean politician, educated in elite schools, debate champion, kendo practitioner since age five... I had to succeed, represent, be respected. Always be perfect.
But here... here I could be myself.
Or at least become who I wanted to be.
I headed toward the eastern exit, ignoring the tutorial quests like they were insects beneath my notice.
> Notification: Unsafe area detected nearby.
Perfect.
"Objective: Reach level 3 before dusk. Recruit or not? To be decided."
As I approached the forest, I drew my sword. The weight felt right in my hand. A figure moved in the foliage—watching, waiting.
A first test?
My smile turned predatory.
"Show yourself, monster... Or player, it doesn't matter. I'm ready for anything."
**✦ End of Chapter 5**
Chapter 6: First Blood, First Choices
Two beginners, two paths... but soon, their destinies will collide.