Half a month ago, I was drawn into this chaotic, ever-changing forest by some peculiar Special Event Mode. They brought me back to the game, but it feels like this game doesn't exist anymore.
Sure, I'm still here, but hey, I've opened a cat cafe while navigating around monsters and solving pointless puzzles.
"Master… Someone saw the Queen enter the cafe." I looked at the Ghoul in front of me as I sipped a glass of cold coffee while eating some chocolate cake.
I glanced at her and took another sip, "Lesly, you don't need to inform me about that. It's not like I want to see her; every time she arrives, it's unnoticed."
It's been five months since I was trapped in a game called 'New Underworld,' and the strangest thing is that I haven't encountered a single other player.
"Anyways… How's the investigation about players?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.
She bowed, "Forgive me, master. There's no information about them; it's as if they've ceased to exist."
I cut a slice of cake and enjoyed its savory taste, smiling despite the situation.
"I see. You may leave now," I said, crossing my arms as I watched her leave the office.
I've explored every corner of this game, but there's no sign of anyone. Even when I tried to contact Ethan, the system informed me that he's no longer active.
The more unusual aspect was that I accidentally activated a 'Tycoon System' that distributes money every single day. However, the money issued by the system was not usable in this world or in my real world.
As the new system awakened, my memories from my past life also resurfaced. The world is in chaos, with numerous ghosts, ghouls, and unknown creatures roaming calmly. To survive, you must either befriend the creatures or become their adversary.
As horror games descended on this world, many guilds were created. An awakened corporation has been established, and I can only rely on my identity and power as a powerful god.
No money can be bought, no dungeons can be cleared, and there's nothing I can't do; for me, money can achieve anything and everything as long as I have plenty of it.
But sadly, I'm trapped in a game. I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse. What happened to my world? What happened to my body?
**Ding!**
[Congratulations, Lu Shian!]
[The Ultimate Tycoon System Is Activated!]
[YOU JUST RECEIVED TODAY'S RANDOM REWARD: 3,000,000 NETHER GOLDS]
[Balance: 52,000,000,000 NETHER GOLDS]
[Task 1: A dangerous creature entered your cat cafe and poisoned your precious cats. Act quickly or your cats will be in danger in 24:07:37 hours.]
[Reward: King of New Underworld & golden key (connects you to your real world)]
[Failure Punishment: Forever Trapped]
"So… Now is the time," I said, deciding to stand up.
I'm Lu Shian, or you can call me Sphynix. Fifty-two billion Nether Golds? Nothing like that existed in my past life.
There was also no VR game called 'New Underworld.' It's unfortunate that I had to die before experiencing it.
"Though, having a second life. After I died… this kind of money system is quite impressive," I added, as I stepped forward.
Although, I guess no one would want to die for a second time. Only a fool would wish for that.
I'm wearing a blue hoodie sweatshirt and black trousers. I opened the door connected to my cafe.
I looked at her seriously. You made me beg last time. That won't happen again. I smiled at her as I spoke.
"What's the Queen of New Underworld doing in this humble cafe?" I asked, looking at her with a serious expression.
But of course, you'll look at me with annoyance because your people want me to take your crown, right?
She's a tyrant who doesn't care for her own people. Even though this is a game, I live here as if it's real. Her being a Queen? I don't care about that.
I only want this world to know how lovable cats can be, but she dared to harm my babies.
I raised the corners of my mouth as I walked towards her. I grabbed her necklace and said, "For some reason… I feel compelled to stop you from causing harm, forgive my impudence, your Majesty."
I tilted my head as I gently pushed her, "I can't believe my hands got soiled." I mumbled, taking out my handkerchief to clean my hands.
[Dear Host! Don't forget to act like you don't know everything…]
[Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (5%)]
I rolled my eyes at the system's message. Is this even necessary? I don't want to see her face.
I moved with annoyance, stepping on the tiles. Seeing Favon struggling to breathe, I clenched my hand and smirked. I rushed to him and carried him in my arms.
"Dad… Sorry, Favon should've listened to daddy," he said, his face showing his difficulty in breathing.
"No! It's my fault… It's… my fault," I said, looking at my brownish cat.
I bent my knees and petted him, "That's not true. Ciemon didn't know this would happen." I smiled as I comforted him.
My mystical half-breed cats bring no harm and don't care about this world.
But, since they can't transform, their parents abandoned them.
I should've healed Favon or else I might lose him. "Purification," I said, placing my hands on Favon's head.
[Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (50%)]
"Hmm? Is my Favon not healed yet? What does this system mean, 50%?" I mumbled, placing my cat in a safe spot.
"Stay here…" I said, focusing on my system.
What's the issue? Wait…
It mentioned cats, right? Don't tell me?
"Daddy! Yonnie, Leroux, and Gaven are in trouble… I'm sorry, I couldn't protect them," a distressed cat said, running up to me.
My eyes widened, and I felt my heartbeat quicken. I clenched my jaw and hurried towards the Queen.
"An intruder like you… daring to harm…" I felt my skin flush as I grabbed the Queen's necklace, my vision becoming hazy as I confronted her.
[Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (65%)]
"You dare harm my babies… How dare a lowly tyrant like you…" I clenched my hands and confronted her further.
I felt my muscles tense up, and my heart rate increased. Without hesitation, I used my magic. "Fire Magic level 22, intense fire!"
"Barrier Level 25, punishment…"
[Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (80%)]
"You… You didn't stop at one but dared to harm all my children! You know this is a conflict, right!?" As my adrenaline surged, my thoughts raced.
End her reign, end her; she doesn't deserve to live, end, end, end.
"You are finished, Your Majesty. It's unfortunate you didn't bring any guards. How foolish of you to plot without knowing your adversary," my eyebrows furrowed as my lips tightened.
[Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (94%)]
"Ice Magic Level 32, Freeze blade"
"Freeze blade"
"Freeze blade"
"Purification Level 50, Soul Cleansing–"
"Dad!!"
Hearing Dervin's shout, I hesitated in my actions. I shouldn't let my emotions drive me, but how could I not react to someone who harmed my cats?
"Dad! Germaine's condition is worsening, and Calli, Cierra, and Coxie are lost." I was stunned, my legs shaking as my muscles tensed.
I ran without thinking, all I wanted was to ensure their safety. I saw the Ghouls who worked for me.
"Master…"
They lay down seven kittens. "They are just babies… How could she?"
[System Update]
[Callie, Cierra, and Coxie, the so-called 'Triplets,' passed away 0:0:45 minutes ago]
**Ding**
[Hidden mission activated!]
[Mission: Make The Tyrant Queen Lose Her Soul and Position]
[Mission Information; The Queen is corrupting New Underworld's money, secretly taking lives and destroying tribes because she finds it enjoyable to challenge stronger entities. Seek revenge for everyone, seize the crown, and save the New Underworld from evil.]
[Reward: Resurrection Skill Level Infinity]
[Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (97%)]
After purifying four of the seven kittens, only three remained who had died. I will ensure they are resurrected. "Everyone, please don't wait for me. Dad has something to handle. Please look for the remaining three," I said.
Leaving them behind, I found the Queen quietly trying to escape. "Where do you think you're going?" I began, trapping her with a barrier as I ran towards her.
"Your Majesty, did you know there's a saying among players… If you set foot in Elyium, you might not be able to leave…" I said, clenching my hands, gazing at the confused Queen.
I smirked as I looked at her. "I don't believe that, but… perhaps it's true for you." Looking at her with no emotion, I put my index finger inside the barrier.
"Please endure, Your Majesty. Purification Level 69, Heaven's Wrath." In my frustration, I couldn't abandon her. I watched as she suffered through my Purification skill.
As her soul was extracted, both it and her body were ultimately dissolved by Heaven's Wrath. If I were just an ordinary person, I might think this was a divine judgment. Glancing aside, I saw the barrier I had set up collapse as her body was disintegrated.
[Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (99.1%)]
**Ding!**
[Hidden Mission Completed!]
Everyone was captivated by the events, some were crying tears of joy and celebrating. But as for me, I'll postpone the celebration for now. I have three kittens to resurrect.
[Resurrection Skill Level Infinity Received]
I moved my legs and swung my arms, reflecting on the day's events. Kneeling on the tiles, I approached my three kittens.
"Resurrection." I felt a sensation in my eyes as everyone watched in astonishment at my actions. A warm breeze enveloped us, and a magical circle appeared on the tiles where my three kittens lay.
[You saved your cats' lives brilliantly.]
[CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING TASK 1: Save your cats from the brink of death!]
"I see, they're safe now," I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks as my heart pounded. This ordeal was exhausting, but it was worth it.
[You have earned the title: Fearsome King Of New Underworld]
[You received a GOLDEN KEY]
[Congratulations! You are now the new king of the dimension known as: New Underworld]
Yes! I finally did it. As I raised my arm in triumph, I looked at the system.
"Item Inventory?" I asked, puzzled. This system is different from the one I knew before. To be honest, nothing like this happened in my past life.
It's probably because I went back in time. That's why so many things have changed. As the Item Inventory appeared before me, I saw the items I had obtained.
[Golden Key – A new king has been created. The system and the world's gods have gifted the host with the ability to connect this dimension to your real world. But don't worry, as you have a dual-screen, you can maintain two identities: one as a king and one as someone else.]
I see. I don't fully understand what's happening, but I'm glad I can return to my world while still being here.
As I took the Golden Key, I prepared to use it.
[Are you sure you want to open a path to your real world?]
[Yes] or [No]
There was no way to say no. I clicked yes with a smile. I should check on Ethan; I'm sure he's concerned.
[Congratulations! You have successfully created a path between this dimension and your world.]