The main character was playing a tower defense game late at night, staring at the screen with tired eyes. Waves of enemies kept breaking through his defenses, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop them.
Finally, the screen flashed with one cruel word:
"DEFEAT."
He Scream and leaned back in his chair.
"DAMN IT!."
Without thinking much, he moved his finger and pressed the Restart button.
But instead of the game loading screen, a blinding light burst out from the monitor.
His vision went white.
The sound of alarms and digital noises filled his ears, and his body suddenly felt strange—like it was falling, even though he was sitting down just moments ago.
When he opened his eyes again…
He was no longer in his room.
In front of him stood massive stone towers, burning torches, and endless fields stretching into the horizon. A glowing interface floated in the air, just like the one from the game.
A cold mechanical voice echoed:
"Welcome, Player."
"The game has begun."
{Game 1}
-Castle Defense-
Castle Defense is a game renowned for its unique gameplay and its most challenging mode,
Let me introduce myself. My name is Cho Nam-joon.
In my previous life, I was nothing but a burden to my family—a sickly boy whose body was weak beyond repair. My life was a waiting room for death.
But now..
I will rewrite my fate
"(Ugh... my head... it feels like it's going to explode.)"
"Prince Alaric, are you awake?!"
A woman's voice called out, brimming with excitement.
"(Wait... who is she? And... who is Alaric?)"
I slowly opened my eyes and saw a woman with bright yellow hair standing before me.
"Sabrina...?" I murmured.
"Yes, that's right! I'm Sabrina. Finally, you're awake, Prince Alaric! Wait here—I'll get you some food."
She hurried out of the room, leaving me alone.
Despite the pounding headache, I managed to sit up and began to look around.
"(Am I dreaming? Or hallucinating? I need to find out.)"
Bracing myself, I swung my legs over the bed and planted my feet on the floor.
PLAK!
"UKHHHH!!!..."
I let out a sharp cry, pain shooting up my legs. Suddenly, the sound of rushing footsteps echoed in the hallway.
BOOM!!!
The door burst open, and standing there was none other than Gilbert Dudley.
Gilbert Dudley was an SSR-level character in Castle Defense, a rarity among even the best SSRs. His golden hair and noble demeanor made him a standout knight. The odds of obtaining him at the start of the game were a mere 1%, making him an exceptional ally.
---
Gilbert knelt before me, his right knee on the ground, his sword held upright in both hands.
"You are truly awake, sir. I am Gilbert Dudley, ready to serve you as before."
"Hmm... okay?"
(Fuck, what am I supposed to do in this situation?)
"You must still be disoriented after waking from your coma, but worry not, sir. I will always be by your side."
Sabrina Returns
"What happened?! Why was there such a loud noise?!"
Sabrina stormed into the room, glaring at Gilbert. Even this valiant knight, known for his bravery, seemed to shrink under her gaze.
"S-s-sorry, i-i-it was an a-a-accident!"
Sabrina dragged Gilbert out of the room, muttering something about "teaching him a lesson."
Left alone again, I began piecing together what had happened.
"(How did I end up here? What happened to my old body? And... are my illnesses still here?)"
_______________
Status window
{M} Alaric Graham (★N)
Class: Troop Leader
Level: 2
Skills:
1. Rallying Cry
2. None
Ultimate: None
Passive: Commander Aura
Stats:
Strength: 2
Defense: 3
Stamina: 3
Speed: 2
Intelligence: 12
Magic: 4
The next morning, a luxurious white carriage adorned with gold patterns and the Ravenhold Royal Crest arrived at the castle gates. A knight stepped out, delivering a sealed letter meant for the king.
Before the servant could deliver it, a young girl with golden hair snatched the letter and dashed off to her room.
The King's Room
-Ravenhold King, Valdrin Graham-
"DAD, I HAVE GREAT NEWS!"
The girl burst into the king's study, her face alight with excitement.
"What is it, Dolia?" the king asked, barely looking up from his paperwork.
"Brother has woken up from his coma!"
The king paused, setting down his quill.
"Good. Since he's awake, it's time I give this to him."
Dolia watch the king with confuse face.
His eyes flicked to a document bearing grim tidings: the death of a branch king.
That evening, I sat in the garden, testing my limits.
"(Spicy food, cold drinks, direct sunlight... nothing triggers my illnesses anymore. It's as if they've vanished completely.)"
A smile spread across my face as I sipped my coffee.
Gilbert approached, holding a letter.
"Sir Alaric, I have a message from His Majesty."
I opened it, and my heart sank.
"By royal decree, you are hereby appointed as King of the Vornethar Kingdom."
-Vornethar Kingdom-
A branch of the Ravenhold Kingdom, Vornethar is infamous for its endless wars against monsters and its proximity to the Abyss, a mysterious island teeming with creatures of the dark.
"(This doesn't make sense! I was supposed to inherit the Ravengarde Kingdom first!)"
Gripping the letter tightly, I sighed.
"Gilbert, tell Aunt Sabrina to pack my things. We leave for Vornethar tomorrow."
The next morning, I adjusted my clothes in front of the mirror.
"ALARIC, HURRY UP! THE CARRIAGE IS READY!"
"I'M COMING!"
I stepped outside and boarded the white carriage, its gold patterns gleaming in the sunlight.
To Be Continued...