In a well-known hospital in New York City, Dr. Martin glanced somberly at Alex Blaze, his expression heavy with regret.
"I'm sorry, Alex. Your cancer is in its final stages. You have approximately six months left. If you had come in for your checkup a few months earlier, we might have had a chance, but now it's impossible," the doctor said, his voice steady yet sympathetic.
Alex Blaze was a striking figure. At just 26, he had a chiseled jawline, captivating blue eyes, and perfectly styled brown hair. Fitness was part of his daily routine, and it showed in his sculpted physique—an eight-pack visible beneath his fitted T-shirt.
Known across America as one of the best actors, he commanded attention wherever he went. But beneath the charming exterior, Alex was also a skilled gamer, often retreating into virtual worlds to escape reality.
"I see," he replied, maintaining his composure, a skill he had honed over years in the spotlight.
To the casual observer, he appeared unaffected, but this was merely an act; the news felt like a punch to the gut. His life had always been about playing roles—both on screen and off.
Despite his fame and the adoration of countless fans, especially women, Alex had lived with an underlying emptiness. An orphan who had clawed his way to success, he had chased wealth, luxury cars, and wild nights with beautiful women. Yet, despite the thrill, he often found himself bored, chasing the next fleeting pleasure.
Now, faced with a terminal diagnosis, he felt a strange calm wash over him. Perhaps it was acceptance—or maybe indifference.
As he sat in the sterile hospital room, a peculiar sensation washed over him, akin to a woman's sixth sense. It was as if the universe was whispering that something monumental was about to change today.
He brushed it aside, attributing it to the stress of his diagnosis, but deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that this day held significance beyond the bleak news he had just received.
"Just keep it to yourself, Doc. I don't need the media frenzy on my head. I just want to enjoy the next few months without the constant reminder of my condition," he said, a hint of resignation creeping into his voice.
After leaving the hospital, Alex turned to his one true escape: video games. He had always been drawn to fantasy worlds, so he picked up a new game, "Ancient One." The cover art promised adventure, and he felt a flicker of excitement.
He launched the game, and the screen prompted:
[Do you really want to play this game?] [Y/N]
Without hesitation, he clicked "Yes." Next, he was guided to create his character.
[Character Name: Alex]
As the options appeared, he scanned the list of species:
Magical Beast
Human
Demon
Celestial
Elf
He decided on Magical Beast; it felt like the perfect fit for the adventure he craved.
[Age]
After considering, he selected 16. It felt like the ideal age for a creature of magic—young enough to be free yet mature enough to take on challenges.
[Please select your background.]
Commoner
Noble
Royalty
Alex chose royalty, envisioning a character with access to greater resources and potential for growth.
[Gender]
"Male, obviously," he muttered to himself, smirking. What's the point of being anything else?
[Talent]
He had to choose wisely among the talents available, limiting himself to four:
Magic
Strong Body
Luck
Charm
Magic was essential for a Magical Beast, while a strong body would compensate for any weaknesses.
Luck could tip the scales in his favor during unpredictable encounters, and charm would help him navigate the social dynamics of this new world, perhaps even attracting female magical beasts.
With his choices finalized, the character panel displayed:
[Character Name: Alex]
[Species: Magical Beast]
[Age: 16]
[Gender: Male]
[Background: Royalty]
[Talent: Magic, Strong Body, Luck, Charm]
"Do you want to confirm your choice?" the screen prompted.
[Y/N]
Alex hesitated, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through him. This game could be his new beginning—a chance to escape reality and live out the adventures he had always dreamed of.
With a deep breath, he clicked "Yes," ready to embrace whatever came next.
He instantly selected [yes].
[Completion rate...10%]
[Completion rate...35%]
[Completion rate...60%]
[Completion rate...99%]
[Completion rate...100%]
[Congratulations on successfully creating your character ID.]
Alex's mind went blank shortly after, and he began to lose consciousness. Before slipping into darkness, he noticed one last message on his computer screen:
[Welcome to Universe #05].
[You will arrive at the Garene Plane, World Number #760 of Beast & Monster.]
[Kindly have fun on your adventure, Alex.]
When Alex awakened, he found himself in a pitch-black space, with no idea how much time had passed.
He tried to open his eyes but found them unresponsive. Panic began to set in; his first thought was that he had died. However, reasoning kicked in—if he were truly dead, he wouldn't be able to think at all.
Once he calmed down, the next thought that crossed his mind was that he had been kidnapped. Just as he started to confirm this in his head, a voice echoed around him.
As if in response to the sound, he began to perceive the surroundings. What he saw rendered him dumbfounded: a massive eye that seemed to encompass the entire cosmos. He couldn't fathom how vast the universe was, but he knew he was no more than a microorganism in the presence of that eye.
The sheer size of its owner was incomprehensible. The gigantic eye adjusted to the scale of Alex's figure and shot a beam of light directly at him. The intensity of the light struck him hard in the head, causing excruciating pain that felt as if it would split him apart.
The agony was so overwhelming that he began to doubt his own existence. Memories he had suppressed for so long flooded back to him, playing out like a montage of his life. He realized how he had lived thus far—achieving everything he had once deemed impossible.
This realization brought forth a sense of monotony; with all challenges conquered, life felt lackluster.
His interest in novels and games had grown from a desire for escapism, yet he was not the typical otaku who neglected the world—he genuinely enjoyed and appreciated them.