[⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙]
[Victory Achieved in Battle.]
[Synchronization Rate: 93%]
"...Wow."
I'd suddenly found my true calling.
The first time I hunted goblins with a bow, I hit 90%.
When I took down orcs with a spear, it was 90% again.
And the supporter role gave a 3% higher sync rate than other positions.
It seemed my talents were optimized for the supporter type.
I figured I'd raise my character in Silmaria with a supporter style too. Put that guy Kang Jin-gyu up front and heal from behind.
"End game."
[Are you sure you want to end the game?]
[Yes/No]
"Yes!"
Bzzz—
It felt like waking from a nap, and I was back in reality.
My body felt a bit stiff and sore.
"Ugh."
I logged out of virtual reality and, with practiced ease, maneuvered my upper body out of the device and into the electric wheelchair.
I might look frail on the outside, but my muscle definition was no joke.
I could knock out twenty pull-ups without breaking a sweat.
"Man, why are there so many people?"
Must be because it was a weekend evening.
The VR room was packed like a rush-hour subway.
Looking closer, I saw user duels being broadcast in the center of the VR room. Seemed like some promotional event.
I didn't like noisy crowds, so I hurried off in my wheelchair.
"Make way, coming through."
Vrrrm—
I steered the wheelchair to clear a path.
If anyone bumped into me, it was on them.
"H-Hey? H-Hey! Excuse me!"
Someone shouted.
Probably not calling for me.
"Wheelchair guy!"
But there was only one wheelchair here—mine.
"...?"
I turned.
A stranger stood there.
"Me?"
I pointed at my face.
"Yes! Got a minute?"
The stranger shoved his face close.
Ugh, too intense.
"I'm busy."
"Just a second, really quick!"
As I tried to ignore him and leave, he pitched harder, like he had some desperate story.
"...Let's step outside first."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I ended up at a café with the guy.
He ordered an iced Americano; I got a café mocha topped with whipped cream.
I sampled the whipped cream, then slurped down the mocha.
Sluuuurp—
Mmm, the sweetness gave me a burst of energy.
"You have a natural talent for Silmaria!"
After a brief silence, he blurted it out.
He said he monitored VR room screens for safety and was blown away by my play.
"Yeah, I know."
Truth was, I didn't really.
"...Oh, uh, right. You knew."
Awkward.
The mood turned stiff.
Tap. Tap.
He was biting his nails.
Nervous guy.
"You stopped me just to say that…?"
"Huh? Well, yeah. Uh, if I may ask—how'd you handle the Orc Lord?"
"Hm...Just timed a bind skill right. Even the Orc Lord couldn't do much if I shook its stance."
"...That's it?"
"Yep."
"Then your level…?"
"Haven't started the game yet. That was just test mode before launch."
"Ah...! I knew it! Oh, right—I haven't introduced myself. Here's my card."
He slid over a business card.
Ajin Leopard Marketing Manager Seol Kyung-seok.
'No wonder his eyes were gleaming like that. Pro gaming team guy.'
A regular VR room attendant wouldn't grab me like this.
"Used to work there, but here's mine too."
I handed over my card to be polite.
"MBS Production Department? You worked at a broadcaster?"
"Yup. Ancient history now."
"Haha, got it. What shows did you handle…?"
"Animal docs. Love nature, y'know."
♪~♬
My phone buzzed mid-chat.
Top of the screen: call from Mom.
"Gimme a sec to take this."
"Sure, go ahead."
I excused myself, wheeled to the bathroom, and answered.
"Hey, Mom."
—Son, the game gear arrived. Where should I set it up?
"Huh? Thought it was tomorrow?"
—Who knows. Anyway, where?
"Corner of my room's fine. Where the desk used to be? Clear that and install it there."
—Got it. Don't stay out too late.
"Okay."
The VR gear had arrived.
I wanted to jump into Silmaria right away.
Back at the table, I spoke to the manager.
"Something urgent came up. Gotta head out."
"Ah..."
His face fell.
I knew what he wanted to say.
Join the team, right?
They'd train talented players into Silmaria rankers.
In exchange, take 30-40% of earnings.
Not that appealing.
"Busy? Go on, then. I'll reach out again."
He smiled and saw me off.
Unexpected.
Thought he'd push a contract hard.
"Thanks."
No regrets on my end, so I left the café.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Got home just in time for dinner.
I wolfed it down to play Silmaria ASAP.
"Buuuurp."
"Gross. Wanna die?"
My sister, fresh from judo camp, recoiled as I burped post-meal.
Full and drowsy, I patted my belly with half-lidded eyes.
"What."
"...Wanna get hit?"
She clenched her fist.
She'd inherited Mom's strength full-on.
Luckily, she channeled it properly.
Narrowly missed the women's national judo team last year.
"Nope."
"Too late."
"...Hup! Gah! Urk!"
I resisted, but soon her arm locked around my neck.
Squeeze!
"...Guh! Gack!"
"Hey! Kwon Hee-yul!"
Mom scolded, and she finally released the choke.
...Why were all the strong ones around me stronger than me?
"Ow! Feels like my post-accident symptoms flared up. Everyone, judo athletes are murdering people!"
"Bull. Quit whining."
"What kinda talk is that to your brother!"
She said it, but Mom didn't really stop her.
She saw our beatdowns as sibling love.
"Whatever! Burping during dinner, ugh."
Sis stormed to her room, slamming the door.
Mom smiled faintly.
"She's cute."
"...That's cute?"
"Yep. Glad to see her brother after so long."
"..."
Where?
Mother-daughter telepathy or what?
Click!
Time to finally play the awaited Silmaria, but a message from Manager Seol Kyung-seok popped up.
💬 Message
— Seol Kyung-seok
Hello, Kwon Ha-yul. It was a pleasure meeting you today. You'll be playing Silmaria soon—hope you level up fast and become a ranker. Wishing you endless success ahead. ^^
— Kwon Ha-yul
Yup. Hope Manager walks a flowery path too. ^0^
"Guy's dedicated."
Seemed nice, so I replied.
"Mom, put me in the machine."
"Sure."
Mom hoisted me effortlessly into the VR gear.
Handy having a strong mom for this.
"My boy won't be able to do anything without Mom now, huh?"
She said warmly.
"Yeah. Dad can't lift me."
"Hehe. Don't say that in front of him. He'll feel bad."
"Got it."
I settled comfortably into the VR gear.
Like a plush sofa—made me sleepy instantly.
Vrrrm—
The door sealed shut.
'Whoa...exciting.'
Soon, cut off from the outside, I'd open my eyes in another world.
I closed them gently.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Fwaaaash———!
The world twisted.
A wave of blue light engulfed me.
'...It's starting.'
Wiggle wiggle.
I flexed my toes.
The sensation from six months ago—fully intact limbs.
"Whoa!"
Feeling great, I threw a double roundhouse into the air.
"Hup! Ha!"
I leaped high, flailing my legs.
"Wahaha! I could fly!"
Finally, free to use both legs at will.
A profound sense of liberation swelled in my chest.
[Reading user information.]
.... ....
[No records found. Initiating character creation.]
Whoosh!
My "self" appeared before me.
A clone identical to me, standing with a blank expression.
'...Seeing it like this, I look pretty scrawny.'
[Customization phase.]
[Set body type, hair, skin, facial features, and skeleton as desired.]
Squish squish.
Squeeze squeeze.
I pinched my clone's cheeks, poked its belly.
Amazing.
I could touch my own body.
...Kinda creepy too.
"Hmm."
Let's think.
Go full top-actor visuals?
Tweak a bit?
Or leave as is?
Most users would probably customize into fantasy pretty boys and girls.
Chance to be hot, why not.
'...But that'd be creepy in its own way.'
I pictured Silmaria's plaza full of them—bland as hell.
If everyone's gorgeous, the ugly or average stand out more. Seem confident even.
"Okay, as is."
Swoosh.
I swept back my clone's hair.
"Lookin' good, kid."
Truth was, my real self was decent enough untouched.
Skinny anchovy build had character.
Idols were all slim anyway.
"Just fix the acne."
I popped zits one by one like a dermatologist, only to find a mass-delete after.
"Damn, wasted time. Create character!"
[Creating character. Please set name.]
"Kwon Ha-yul."
Silmaria's graphics were photorealistic, character identical to real me—no hesitation.
Added '#9185' code after the name.
Separate ID to allow duplicates.
[Character created. Welcome to Silmaria.]
Fwaaaash——!
Body engulfed in light again.
Blinding, yet eyes didn't hurt.
Felt like sucked into a drain, then vast green fields unfolded.
"Ooh, whoaaa...!"
Couldn't help gasping!
Just lay in bed, closed eyes—now face-to-face with nature's majesty. Jaw dropped.
Graphics indistinguishable from reality.
Snnniif... Exhaaaale...!
Deep breath filled lungs with crisp air.
Swoosh—
Cool meadow breeze tickled my skin.
Like the Alps, famed for heavenly views.
Thrilling. Felt like solo overseas trip.
"Whoa...tons of people."
Too focused on distance at first—way more folks than expected. All newbies like me.
And their visuals? Insane.
All gorgeous.
Me? Squid compared to them.
'Should've made myself hot.'
Too late for regrets.
Delete character? Week cooldown.
Stuck.
Fwaash!
"Eek! W-Wow!"
A new female user appeared beside me, cutely startled.
Felt kinship; I smiled faintly.
"That's the training camp."
I headed straight for the long line.
Basic training there.
No map or starter weapon yet.
Just a small starter bag, notepad, pen.
For immersion, Silmaria skipped UI like HP, MP, world map, inventory—unlike other games.
Only status window, equipment window, community available. Equipment showed HP, but checking mid-fight? No way.
"Skip unnecessary tutorial."
Users learned combat smacking scarecrows. Instructors kindly explained strikes, mana use, weapon traits.
Not for me.
I'd devoured certification posts pre-launch.
Grabbed only the issued leather armor and bolted.
"Hey! Trainee, where you going?!"
The assistant herding folks to training yelled.
"Don't need training!"
"B-But still..."
"Told you, no need!"
Thud thud thud!
Ignored him.
I pumped my sturdy legs.
"Hyah!"
How long since I ran?
Exhilarating freedom nearly brought tears.
Bed or wheelchair.
Escaping that tiny space, my soul raced wildly over the green plains.
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