A Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online RPG, The Hit Game: War in Neverland. Enjoying enormous popularity throughout the world, boasting a staggering player count exceeding 20 million. With its annual events drawing massive crowds of enthusiastic participants, the game had become a cultural phenomenon, far surpassing the conventional class-based structures of traditional RPGs.
Unlike the typical "Knight," "Priest," and "Magician" archetypes, "War in Neverland" offered players unprecedented freedom in character creation. The game's extensive library of over 4,000 skills and items allowed you to construct a truly unique avatar, one that reflected your personal aspirations and individuality.
It was on my 12th birthday that my mother presented me with the highly acclaimed virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VR MMORPG), "War in Neverland." As a young individual who had been largely confined to the hospital due to poor health, my only access to the outside world was looking out of my hospital room window. This game became my window to a world beyond the limitations of my hospital room. In one way you can say that this game saved me from depression. Through this virtual realm, you were able to explore new landscapes, engage in thrilling battles, and forge meaningful connections with fellow players, all while navigating the captivating narrative of the "War in Neverland" universe.
『 Hello, Host. I, Nox, welcome you to the world of Neverland. You are now fully connected to the system. 』
"AHHHHHH!" A scream tore from my mouth as a robotic voice echoed inside my head, accompanied by a new, glowing screen materializing before my eyes.
"Oh god, please don't do that... my poor heart..." I gasped, clutching my chest in a futile attempt to calm the frantic thumping.
『 My apologies, Host. I will keep that in my records 』
The text on the screen shifted, the words morphing into a new message, and the voice reverberated through my mind once more, this time with a more soothing tone.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and then asked, "What are you?" My voice wavered slightly. The first time it spoke, the shock had been so overwhelming that I barely registered what it had said.
『 I am Nox. From today onwards I will be your virtual assistant. 』
The response was clear and concise, the text on the screen synchronizing perfectly with the voice in my head. I stared at the words, my mind racing to process this new reality.
This is so weird. I played this game for 5 years but I never heard of this kind of feature in the game. "Nox…are you the one who brought me here?"
『Host. I can hear your thoughts. To answer your question, no, I did not bring you here.』
Nox's response only heightened my confusion, as I had assumed the thing was responsible for my presence in this uncharted territory of the virtual realm.
'Oh great, he can hear my thoughts...then tell me who did it?' I carefully considered my words inside my mind. Because I look like a crazy person who is talking to air.
『 Divine being took pity upon your poor soul and he decided to grant you a second chance 』
The words echoed within my mind, carrying a weight that sent a shiver down my spine. A divine being? A second chance? My ears perked up. 'I'm sorry, what now?!'
『Host, you needn't pretend that you haven't heard about stories like this. I know that you love reading those stories, manga, and novels where the protagonist gets reincarnated or transmigrated into another world. I've seen it in your memories. All systems get a chance to go through their host's memories to see if they are suitable for a certain roles.』
My thoughts raced, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. 'I know, but reading it and experiencing it are totally different. Wait, you said you went through my memories?'
『 Yes, Host. It is something all systems are required to do unless they have no time left. From looking at your memories, I was able to find that you would be the perfect match for me. 』
I processed this for a moment. "Oh, okay," I said out loud this time, the words feeling strange as they left my lips. Somehow, vocalizing my thoughts made the situation feel more real.
『 Now that's settled. Let us move onto the main point 』
The screen flickered, and new information began to scroll across it. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever was coming next.
I was about to say something when a loud rumbling growl that emanated from your stomach shattered the brief silence. My face flashes red in embarrassment. "Shoot, I should have taken the girl's offer," I muttered under my breath.
『Host, you should eat something first.』
"Yeah…you are right," I said with embarrassment as I quietly ran out of the room into the hallway.
The wooden stairs creaked beneath your feet as you descended, the sound echoing through the otherwise quiet space. I look over the whole dining area, taking in the details of your surroundings. It wasn't too busy because it was afternoon but there were still few people sitting around.
There, I found the girl from earlier and a plump middle-aged woman I assumed to be the proprietress.
Within the dining hall was a round table with a set of eight four-legged chairs. There was also a counter with four seats facing the kitchen. It was surely difficult to weave through the crowds when the place was filled to capacity.
At the moment, however, the room was relatively calm, with only two farmer-looking men seated at the tables, quietly enjoying their breakfast of steaming soup and freshly baked bread.
The little girl who was serving the customers noticed me standing there awkwardly. "Miss, do you want to eat something?" she asked, her voice soft and polite.
"Yeah… anything you have available will do," I replied, my stomach growling slightly at the thought of food.
"Coming right up." she quietly behind the door where I assume the kitchen is.
"Come now, miss, have a seat," the proprietress urged.
"Y-yes, ma'am," I stammered, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the situation.
I deliberated for a moment over where to sit, glancing around the cozy little inn. before taking a spot at the counter. The counter was smooth, the wood worn from years of use but well-maintained.
In just a few minutes, the young girl returned, setting a simple yet inviting meal before me. It was some kind of mushroom soup and bread. The young girl from earlier gave me a wooden cup of water, completing the breakfast set.
"Thank you," I murmured, my mouth already watering.
There were already several things I found strange about this online world. I went over them as I began digging in.
'Come to think of it, how many years has it been since I last fed myself?'
I carefully tore a small piece from the slightly stale bread roll, its crusty exterior yielding to my fingers. Dipping the morsel into the stew-like soup, I watched as it slowly absorbed the savory broth. Bringing the bread to my lips, the sweet and savory flavor of the soup blasted in my taste buds. After living without a sense of taste for so long, I couldn't help but vocalize my feelings.
"...It's delicious," I murmured, a large grin spreading across my face.
"Well, miss, ain't you just the sweetest?"
The proprietress's surly face immediately brightened. She put her elbow on the counter and began chatting amiably. "If it's so good that it can put a smile like that on your face, what kind of disgusting food have you been eating until now?"
"Huh...?"
I had apparently broken into a large grin and didn't even realize it until it was pointed out to her. Thinking back on my usual diet up to that point, the only things I'd ever ingested were water , pills and hospital meals, plus an IV drip. Ruminating about my life, I felt a keen emptiness over all the fine cuisine I had missed out on.
"Um, well... there just wasn't a whole lot that I wanted to eat..." I sheepishly lie, my gaze drifting to my lap.
"Now, that's a sad tale," the proprietress exclaimed, shaking her head in dismay. "Without good food, you're only halfway living! Here, this is on me. Have as many seconds as you want."
"Ah, I will. Thank you very much."
The woman patted my shoulder. My cheek twitches as I glanced down at the soup that was now almost filled to the brim. 'I-I wonder if I can eat all this…'
I thought it would be too much for my stomach to handle, but the enticing aroma of the soup alone seemed to give me the strength to smash through my limits. I was a lot hungrier than I thought and found myself unintentionally stuffing myself.
As I finished the hearty meal and sipped the last of my water, I leaned back, feeling fully satisfied. I took a moment to survey the first floor of the inn.