The apocalyptic fantasy novel titled 'Never Ending Story' was one of the most popular novels in South Korea. From its characterization to its plot, the novel captivated readers, taking them on an emotional rollercoaster alongside the male protagonist. Exactly one week ago, the final chapter of that famous novel was finally released.
That day turned into a nightmare.
Most female fans simply couldn't accept the ending. Some even went so far as to rent billboards to protest against the publishing company.
To quell the uproar, the publisher finally organized an event. Selected fans were given the chance to decide on their preferred ending and receive a special prize.
And today was the day the winner would be announced.
"I can't wait!"
A long-haired girl stood at the edge of a crosswalk. Dressed in a purple hoodie and black cargo pants, she kept her eyes glued to her phone screen, nervously biting her lip.
The traffic light turned red. Pedestrians began to cross-including the girl, who still hadn't looked up from her phone.
-Check event announcement?-
Click!
-Congratulations! You are the only participant to win the 'Best Ending' event!-
She stopped in her tracks. She stood frozen for a few seconds, staring at the screen as if her brain had stopped working. Her hands trembled as she rubbed her eyes, making sure what she had just read wasn't an illusion.
"I... won?"
Her body went rigid.
Out of the millions of fans who had signed up for the event, she was the only one chosen.
"Hey, Kim Sohyun! What are you doing?!" Another girl shouted at her.
Sohyun looked up, smiling tearfully. Then she shouted, "Luna! I won the event!"
Luna was stunned, she couldn't hide her eyes, which had widened as if they were about to pop out-or her jaw, which had dropped in shock.
"Whaaat?!"
"I won the event!" Sohyun shouted once more, then sprinted toward Luna, laughing happily.
She failed to notice one crucial detail. The traffic light had turned green. The vehicles that had been stopped were now moving again.
Honk! Honk!
Sohyun was nearly at the edge of the road when the thunderous blare of a truck horn made her turn her head instinctively.
Crash!
Her vision went dark. Her body ached-an excruciating pain, far worse than the accident she had suffered five years ago.
Her head felt hot and dizzy, and her hearing began to fade.
"Huh? What is this? Did I get hit by a truck? Am I going to die? Right here?"
Her eyelids grew heavy; through the haze, she saw Luna running toward her, screaming her name.
"You've got to be kidding! I just won the event! How could I possibly die?"
The noise in her ears slowly died away. Her vision plunged into total blackness. Yet, her consciousness remained, as if her soul were trapped within the dark void.
"I don't want to die!"
Ding!
A blue holographic screen appeared right before her eyes.
[Soul synchronization complete!]
[Activating space-time system...]
"What is this?"
[Preparation 97%]
[Preparation 98%]
[Preparation 99%]
[Preparation complete!]
[Selected world: 'Never Ending Story']
[Initiating journey to another world]
"What the-?"
She felt her body plummeting rapidly. The wind seemed to tear through her body; the pain made her want to scream, yet no sound would escape her throat.
Ding!
[The journey is complete!]
[Welcome, reader.]
[You have been chosen to create the ending you desire!]
[The System will always assist you! May you witness the ending you wish for!]
"What does that actually mean?"
[Good luck.]
The holographic blue screen vanished, and the darkness enveloping Sohyun was replaced by a blinding white light, forcing her to instinctively shut her eyes.
After a long moment, she finally opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was devastation.
A gruesome sight that took a heavy toll on her mind.
Human corpses lay scattered on the ground like refuse, some bodies were missing limbs, as if bitten or torn apart by something. The earth was stained crimson, resembling a sea of blood. The thick, pungent stench of blood made her retch and vomit repeatedly.
"What is this...?"
Sohyun instinctively covered her mouth with both hands upon realizing she could speak.
"Where am I?"
The chaos unfolding before her eyes was so terrifying that she found it difficult to think. Suddenly, the ground shook-not with the tremors of an earthquake, but with the impact of heavy footsteps.
A thunderous roar rang clearly in Sohyun's ears.
The sheer pressure of it made her entire body tremble.
Slowly, she turned around and looked up.
A colossal beast stood before her. Its massive body was a deep, dark red, topped with two horns and featuring prominent fangs.
Yet, to Sohyun, the figure looked strangely familiar.
"Isn't that... an orc?"
The orc roared again and swiftly swung its right arm toward Sohyun. Whether by skill or sheer luck, Sohyun managed to leap backward just before the beast's hand could strike her head.
"Damn it! Dying twice is no joke, you know!"
The orc let out a deafening roar and charged at Sohyun.
Her instincts screamed at her to run. Her leg muscles strained to the limit as she tried to escape the giant orc.
"Why am I so unlucky?! Aaaarrghhhh!"
Sohyun's breathing grew ragged, she was utterly exhausted.
"Stop chasing me, you damn orc!"
Sohyun kept running. Fear fueled the adrenaline that kept her going. As she fled, she cursed in frustration.
Ding!
[Do you need our help?]
"Huh?"
[I will ask once more, do you need our help to survive that monster's pursuit?]
"Yes! Please help me! I'm about to drop dead from exhaustion!" Sohyun screamed, her heart pounding as if it might burst.
[I don't think our help is needed right now.]
"Huh? What do you mean?! Do you want me to die?!"
Her jaw clenched tight, veins bulging visibly beneath her skin.
[That's not it.]
"Then what is it, you bastard?!"
[Just see for yourself.]
"What-? Hey! Don't you dare disappear, you bastard!"
The blue screen suddenly vanished, sending her emotions into a frenzy. Yet, before she could even speak, she found herself struggling to breathe.
"Argh! Someone, please help me..."
Suddenly, a figure appeared from ahead, rushing past her with the speed of the wind. Sohyun stopped instinctively and spun around. She clearly saw a man fighting an orc all on his own.
"Liam!"
Then, two more people appeared out of nowhere and helped him take down other approaching orcs.
"Lady, are you alright?"
The voice belonged to a beautiful woman who had approached from behind and was now crouching down to help Sohyun to her feet.
"You must be terrified. Don't worry, we'll wipe them all out."
For some reason, the scene felt incredibly surreal to Sohyun.
Yet, one thing was certain, she was absolutely convinced she had entered the very novel she loved so much-a fact confirmed by the blue holographic screen displayed before her.
[Welcome to the world of the novel, Player Kim Sohyun!]