John slumped into his chair, a sense of triumph washing over him as the words "Achievement Unlocked!" flashed in front of his eyes. For months, he had devoted his life to the virtual world, fighting epic battles, surmounting impossible challenges, and raising his character's level. Finally, he had completed the last remaining achievement.
John's eyes glazed over as he replayed the final moments of the game in his mind. His unkempt blonde hair and baggy clothes were a testament to the months he had spent holed up in his small apartment, living off of instant noodles and energy drinks. His once muscular build had faded away, replaced by a haggard appearance that spoke of sleepless nights and a lack of proper nutrition. But even as he sat there, staring into the abyss of his own thoughts, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
The game had been his escape from a life that was filled with loneliness and betrayal. At 27 years old, John had been falsely accused of a crime he didn't commit, and everyone he knew had abandoned him. His family, friends, and even his girlfriend had turned their backs on him, and he was left to fend for himself in a world that had become hostile and cold.
Despite the unjust allegations that drove even his family to shun him, he managed to eke out a living as a freelance web developer, for no reputable establishment would hire him until his name was cleared. Though he evaded imprisonment and settled for money, it was all for naught.
This tragic experience left him with a debilitating fear of women - a condition known as gynophobia. Even the mere presence of a woman would make him break into a cold sweat, struggling to catch his breath. It was only thanks to an online friend that he found a glimmer of hope. This friend, a skilled psychologist, suggested that he try using a virtual reality game as a form of therapy. He was sceptical at first, but desperate for a solution, he decided to give it a chance. What he never expected was just how effective it would be - perhaps even too effective...
The virtual world had become his refuge, a place where he could forget his troubles and be the hero he always wanted to be. But as he sat there, staring at his computer screen, John realized that his victory was hollow. He knew that he could always replay the game or start anew with a new character, but he also knew that it would never be the same. The thrill of the first time would never be recaptured.
Feeling the fatigue from all the hours he had spent gaming catching up to him, John took of his VR headset and yawned. He rubbed his eyes and got up from his chair, thinking that it was time to end his night. As he walked down the stairs, he spotted a weird glowing symbol on the floor. Before he could even wonder what it was, a sudden flash of light engulfed him, making him lose his sight and balance. He fell down the stairs hitting his head with a thud before everything faded to black.
Darkness was all he saw when he woke up, in this black world, a sharp pain suddenly assaulted his body, it felt like his limbs and organs were being shredded again and again. He wanted to scream from the agony, but no sound came out. He couldn't tell if his lips were sealed or if the pain dulled his other senses.
After an indeterminate period, the pain vanished in an instant, leaving him stunned and bewildered. It took a moment for him to register what he beheld: his motionless form splayed on the earth below, while his spirit ascended above. How did this happen? Had he perished? Such thoughts raced through his mind as he tried to make sense of the inexplicable.
Yet he could not bring himself to care about any of it. His once-beloved family had betrayed him, abandoning him without a second thought. However, he could not help but lament his failure to write his final testament earlier. Oh, how he longed to have the last word before departing this world! But who could have predicted that he would meet his end at the youthful age of 27?
Despite the darkness that plagued his reality, there was still a flicker of light in his life - the world of "Eternal Conquest". It was a single player game, but with the advancements in artificial intelligence, the game offered freedom almost impossible to replicate using normal means. Though virtual reality technology was not yet advanced enough to stimulate all the senses, the sights and sounds of the game were so immersive, it felt like he was really there. It was a place where he had created cherished memories and made genuine friends, and for that, he was grateful.
In the world of "Eternal Conquest", he created a human character Joharis whom he partially named after himself. He had only managed to level up him twice before deciding to take drastic measures. It was a shock therapy of sorts, a way to face his fears head-on. He created a new character, a female avatar that he named Evilian - a stunning beauty, half-demon, half-vampire. This was his main character, the one that consumed his thoughts and made him forget about his troubled life. For the past year, he had been living vicariously through her, experiencing a freedom that he could never find in reality.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he reminisced about the past. He still vividly remembered the day he had created Joharis and Evilian.
Joharis was a sight to behold. With his lustrous blonde hair that cascaded down his forehead in soft waves and his piercing blue eyes that shone with a fiery determination, he was the very picture of youthful charm and beauty. His features were chiselled and angular, giving him a sharp yet handsome appearance. His lean frame was clothed in a fitted leather armour that hugged his form in all the right places, emphasizing his lithe and agile build.
On the other hand, Evilian had to embody femininity and everything he was afraid. Even though he was terrified, he had poured his heart and soul into every detail of her appearance. But even then, he had known that she was special - a character that would bring him solace and freedom from his fears.
Evilian was a sight to behold, her long silver hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. Her striking red eyes blazed with an intensity that could make one's heart skip a beat. And then there were her fangs, long and sharp, giving her a dangerous allure. But it wasn't just her inhuman traits that made her so captivating. Her short horns added a touch of elegance to her already perfect features. Her figure was sculpted to perfection - a C-cup bust, narrow waist, and curvy hips that could make any man weak in the knees. And yet, when she transformed into her demonic form, she became even more alluring. Her horns grew longer, her fingernails turned into razor-sharp claws, and her skin took on a purplish-blue hue. Her curves became even more pronounced, and her breasts swelled to a voluptuous E-cup. It was as if every aspect of her beauty had been amplified to an otherworldly degree.
As he lost himself in memories of the game, a strange sensation began to tug at his soul. Was this finally the end? Was he passing on to the afterlife? The thought raced through his mind as he pondered what fate awaited him. Would he be judged kindly by the god or gods? Or would he be cast into the abyss for all eternity? And then, just as suddenly as the sensation had started, his soul was pulled into a vortex - a force that he could neither resist nor comprehend.
John's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself staring at a magnificent temple. Before him, a woman in a priestly robe knelt with reverence. "O brave hero!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing with devotion. "You have finally answered the call." John could hardly believe what he was hearing. Was she speaking to him? And then, as if to confirm his suspicions, she continued, "The demon queen Evilian has returned, and we implore you to lend us your strength so that we may defeat her." John was stunned. He had never been called a hero before, not to mention his character being described as "demon queen".
As he looked down, John realized that he was no longer in his own body. Instead, he was inhabiting the Joharis whom he had only managed to level up a mere two times. A sense of dread washed over him as he contemplated the task at hand. How was he supposed to defeat Evilian? Her level was more than a hundred times higher than his own. It seemed like an impossible feat - one that he was in no way prepared for. No, he thought, shaking his head. He couldn't do this. He was no hero. He was just a twenty seven year old loser.
John barely had a moment to process his thoughts before he was interrupted by the arrival of knights, all clad in plate armour. Amongst them strode a middle-aged man with a crown atop his head, exuding an air of authority and power. "I see the summoning ceremony was a success," the king boomed, his voice echoing through the temple. "You must be a hero," he added, turning his piercing gaze towards John. The young man swallowed nervously, feeling his heart racing in his chest. This was all happening so fast. He had never been in the presence of royalty before, let alone been hailed as a hero. He could feel the weight of the king's expectations bearing down upon him.
He realized that this was not the time to back off. He knew that he had to pretend to be a hero, at least until he could find a way to slip away unnoticed. However, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach. What if the king started looking for him? What if he was never able to escape this hero's mantle that had been thrust upon him? These thoughts raced through his mind, and he knew that he had to be careful, one wrong move could prove disastrous.
At the same time, he felt as if he opened his eyes again, a strange sensation overwhelmed him. His mind was suddenly flooded with a completely different view, as if he had been transported to another dimension again. He found himself lying in a luxurious bed with silky red curtains enveloping him like a cocoon.
But that was not all. The old point of vision did not disappear, and he found himself struggling to make sense of two distinct sensations at once. It was as if he was in two places at the same time.
"Wh-What is this?" two voices exclaimed in unison, one masculine and one feminine. He waved his hand in front of his face, watching as it simultaneously appeared in two different points of view.
"My queen, you have finally awoken." A feminine voice could be heard from behind the luxurious red curtains. The speaker emerged, revealing herself to be a stunningly beautiful woman with long, flowing black hair and piercing violet eyes.
"Now, at long last, we can make those filthy humans pay for what they did to you," she declared with a fierce determination, her voice laced with a hint of malice.
John couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and unease. He had no recollection of who this woman was, or why she was referring to him as queen. But one thing was clear. In both perspectives he was in the midst of a dangerous situation, and he needed to find a way out of both of them before it was too late.