Klein took a deep breath. He opened the door of his room and was greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of his old home.
*Gulp*
His parents were still living here, and they were still cooking dinner in the kitchen.
He hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to react. Should he tell them what happened? Would they even believe him? Or should he keep it to himself and try to change the future on his own?
As he stood there lost in thought, his mother called out to him.
"Klein! Dinner's ready, come down here!"
Klein made his way to the dining room, and as he sat down at the table, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion.
He took a glanced around at his family members. His little sister was excitedly telling a story to their father, while his little brother was chattering away to his mother. Klein couldn't help but smile at the familiar scene.
As they started to eat, Klein's eyes began to fill with tears. He was overwhelmed with emotion, and his mind was filled with memories of his past life.
If he wasn't mistaken, he remembered in his previous life that in a few days he would be moving into his college dorm outside the town.
And few years later, he would be forced to accept the harsh reality where he would never be able to see his family again, as the town would be rampaged by beasts, and his family were one of the unlucky citizens who could not survive the attack. However, in this timeline, he swore to himself to come back before the rampage happened.
His mother noticed his tears and immediately grew concerned. "Klein, what's wrong? Are you feeling alright?" she asked.
Klein didn't say anything, but simply shook his head. As he saw at his mother's worried face, he toughens his heart and decided, he swore to not tell them about his time travel, as he didn't want to worry them.
His mother misunderstood and thought about her son's studies. "Klein, are you worried about your college?"
Klein hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "I just... I'm going to miss you guys," he said, his voice soft and vulnerable.
His mother chuckled, thinking that Klein was already feeling homesick even before leaving. "Oh, don't worry dear, you can always come back home. We'll always be here for you," she said reassuringly.
Klein smiled warmly and denied it, not wanting to correct his mother's misunderstanding. "No, it's not that. I just love you guys so much," he said, wiping away a tear that had escaped his eye.
His little brother and sister looked at him curiously, not quite understanding why he was emotional. But his father knew exactly how he felt. He got up from his seat and walked over to Klein, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"We love you too, Klein," his father said, patting him on the back. "Just remember to stay focused and work hard in your college… and stop playing game, since you are already an adult."
Klein felt warmth in his chest and at the same time felt a prick. However, he knew that he was going to miss this kind of comfort and reprimand when he was away from home.
After dinner, Klein's father offering words of wisdom and advice for the journey ahead. Klein was grateful for the chance to spend this time with his family.
Few days later…
After bidding goodbye to his family, Klein boarded the train to the city where his college was located. He had chosen to attend the prestigious Halden University, which was known for its academic rigor and cutting-edge research programs.
As Klein arrived at his college dormitory, he was greeted by the familiar bustling energy of college life, which he had lived through before.
As he looked in the mirror, he saw his reflection staring back at him. He had become young again, but he looked nothing like the confident and fit middle-aged man he had been in his previous life. Instead, he saw a chubby and out of shape version of himself, someone who had spent far too much time gaming and not enough time taking care of his body.
He remembered clearly that when the game had launched, it had a feature that mirrored the size and fitness level of the player's real-life body. And because Klein had been overweight and out of shape at the time, his in-game character had started at a disadvantage compared to other players who were already in shape.
He had complained bitterly about this feature, as had many other players who found themselves at a disadvantage because of it. But the government had turned a blind eye to their complaints, and the feature had remained in the game. It wasn't until the wormhole appeared and the world changed that people began to realize the significance of this seemingly minor aspect of the game.
The wormhole had brought with it a host of changes to the world, including new technologies and new dangers. But one of the most significant changes had been to the way people lived their lives. With the threat of beasts constantly looming, people had begun to prioritize their physical fitness and strength, realizing that being in shape could mean the difference between life and death in a world where danger was always present.
Klein knew that if he wanted to make the most of this second chance, he needed to prioritize his physical fitness as well. So, he started setting his goal for the next three months and started working out every day, focusing on building his strength and endurance.
Even if he already set his goal for the future, Klein didn't neglect his studies. He made sure to attend all his classes and complete all his assignments on time. He didn't want to jeopardize his academic career, even though he already knew the basic knowledge taught in each course. Klein also didn't want to stand out too much on campus, preferring to keep to himself and only making a few acquaintances.
As the weeks passed, Klein continued to work hard in both his studies and his preparations for the game. He woke up early every morning to go for a run and work out, then spent the rest of his day attending classes and studying. In the evenings, he practiced his combat skills and honed his strategy for 'Martial Evolution.'
Despite his intense schedule, Klein found moments of relaxation. He took walks around campus and explored the nearby city, immersing himself in the local culture. He also frequented a small café on campus, where he enjoyed a cup of coffee and some quiet time to himself.
As he read the news about the launch of 'Martial Evolution' approached, Klein intensified his training even more. his fitness level improved dramatically. He had lost weight, gained muscle, and improved his overall health.
He had already prepared his gaming capsule, which he had secretly brought from his home to his dormitory over the past three months. He didn't want his father to know about his intense focus on the game, as he feared it would cause his father to worry about him neglecting his studies.
Finally, the day had arrived. The 'Martial Evolution' game was launching, and Klein was more than ready to make up for the regrets he felt from his previous life.
As he logged into the game, he felt a rush of excitement.
[Welcome to Martial Evolution!]