"The gods spoke: Time and space intertwine, the stars shift, and suffering approaches!"
"When the black wings that shadow the heavens engulf the clear sky, and the infernal flames blaze fiercely."
"Corruption, decay, and the erosion of the mortal realm!"
"The apocalypse draws near,"
"Destroying all, annihilating everything, bringing chaos and leaving no one unscathed."
Excited players donned their game helmets.
In an instant, the connection between their consciousness and bodies was severed.
The familiar room vanished, replaced by the vast expanse of the galaxy.
As the scene transformed with heavy, ancient whispers, they seemed to be suspended in the cosmos, a sense of weightlessness gripping their hearts.
An unknown force guided them, slowly bringing them downwards.
A massive landmass floating in space came into view, as they descended through layers of clouds.
From the celestial dome, the land's features became visible: northern snowfields, southern volcanoes, eastern dense forests, western deserts, and floating terrain…
As they drew closer, the scene sharpened, revealing human settlements and nations.
A grand spectacle!
Lightning flashed across the screen!
Everyone stared in awe at the breathtaking scene before them.
This truly was a groundbreaking game.
It was overwhelming!
The experience felt like living through a real movie.
And the experience continued, unaffected by their astonishment.
The ominous, disaster-like whispers suddenly shifted to a more passionate tone.
"Destiny! Should be in your hands!"
"In times of chaos, heroes and legends arise to bring hope, crafting the grand anthem of human courage."
The surroundings abruptly changed, transporting them from the land to a different, isolated space.
"Clang~"
The clash of swords and the glint of blades reverberated in their ears, figures crossing each other in the melee.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Amidst the roar, mages in robes wielded staffs, conjuring massive fireballs, ice arrows, and lightning from above.
"Adventurers, to protect this world and our home, begin your journey into the unknown!"
With the final motivational whisper, tranquility returned.
New players reformed their bodies and found themselves in a magnificent hall.
Before them stood a statue of an old man with a staff, wearing a robe, with a long beard and brows.
"Adventurer, choose your race: Human, Dwarf, Elf, Orc, Sea Folk."
"Adventurer, choose your class: Warrior, Mage, Hunter, Assassin, Knight, Priest."
Even with control restored, players remained stunned by the pre-game animation, gazing absentmindedly at the character selection screen.
…
Select your desired race and class to start the game.
"Restarting, huh? Quite nostalgic!"
Among the awestruck players, one stood apart.
Immersed in the Creator's Hall, Lucas Hayes gazed at the familiar scenery, whispering with a hint of nostalgia.
He hadn't expected to experience such a magical reincarnation.
Indeed, he was a reincarnate!
In his previous life, he had been a humble laborer in this game, laboring daily to earn coins and materials for high-ranking players, thereby supporting himself.
Yet, he now had the chance to travel back to the game's launch!
With his past life's knowledge of strategies and certain pivotal information, wasn't he destined to be invincible?
The thought excited him.
As a man, who doesn't wish to achieve greatness and establish a legacy?
Returning to the past was his chance!
He couldn't let it slip away!
"Old man, your power is pathetic!"
With that, he snapped back to reality, casting a disdainful glance at the divine statue ahead.
He then resolutely moved in the opposite direction.
"Adventurer! Please return to the Creator's Hall to select your race and class!"
"Adventurer! Please return to the Creator's Hall to select your race and class!"
"Adventurer! Please return to the Creator's Hall to select your race and class!"
…
As he walked away, the mechanical voice repeated, attempting to guide him through the standard game process.
Ordinary players would have heeded the guidance and chosen their class and race.
However, Lucas Hayes paid no heed to the system's prompts, continuing forward with a hint of annoyance. "Annoying!"
"Adventurer, please confirm your choice! If you proceed, you will be unable to return!"
"You will become the enemy of the gods!!!!"
As he reached the end, the system's warning turned to final, angry tones.
Lucas Hayes, however, pressed on without hesitation.
In the next moment,
The world spun, light and shadow shifted.
The magnificent hall vanished,
Replaced by a grim, eerie space.
A narrow path stretched ahead, flanked by rows of candle sconces, with dark infernal flames burning brightly.
As Lucas Hayes walked, each candle flared to life.
At the end of the path, a towering dragon statue with a fierce gaze came into view.
Its fearsome dragon eyes glowed menacingly, striking terror.
Lucas Hayes felt no fear, only uncontrollable delight.
Indeed! He had found it!