In a dilapidated room, a malnourished man named Marc sat at his computer, playing his favorite game with a cigarette hanging from his mouth and a can of beer on his desk. In one corner of the room, a pile of junk collected dust—empty beer cans, pizza boxes, and a trash can overflowing with garbage.
Marc was deeply immersed in "Leigard's Return," one of the most popular games of the past decade. Set in a fantasy world, the game features dungeons that unleash demonic beasts, with the protagonist, Leigard, being a reincarnator determined to change his world's fate after witnessing its fall. Initially, Marc was drawn to the game because it was trending, but as he played, he became engrossed in its lore, attack patterns, characters, and secrets. He even used his college funds to buy new downloadable content (DLC) and upgrade his gaming devices for a better experience. Some might have called him foolish for spending his money without considering his future, but Marc was an orphan with few ties to the world.
Thirteen years ago, Marc lost his parents in a car accident that he believed was his fault; he thought they would have survived if he hadn't insisted on visiting his favorite animal park. With no extended family to turn to, he was shuffled between orphanages, consumed by grief. At the age of twelve, a fellow orphan introduced him to "Leigard's Return," and he began to play. He found the protagonist cool yet foolish for trying to save everyone, rendering much of the information he acquired useless. The game's ever-expanding world was filled with secrets and mysteries yet to be discovered.
Fast forward thirteen years, as Marc played "Leigard's Return," he felt his eyelids growing heavy and suddenly blacked out. Fortunately—or unfortunately—he woke up in a hospital bed after his neighbors had called for a welfare check. The police discovered him lying unconscious on the cold floor. Doctors informed him that he had lung cancer, but it was at an early stage and could be treated. However, he rejected the idea, making excuses about the costs of treatment while deep down, he realized he was simply tired of his life. With nothing left to live for, he resolved to spend his remaining days playing "Leigard's Return."
Twenty years later, at the age of 45, Marc had achieved financial stability by streaming his gameplay and reactions to other games. He still loved "Leigard's Return," having moved into a better apartment and limited his smoking and drinking. Even though he refused treatment for his cancer, he feared death. With his life now stable, he decided to try new experiences before he died, including learning various martial arts, shooting, skydiving, playing chess, doing yoga, and swimming. He exercised mainly to prolong his life and enjoyed activities that reminded him of the things his parents loved, helping him feel connected to them.
One day, while streaming a new trending game, Marc felt a sharp pain in his lungs, as if he were being stabbed. As his vision faded, he realized he was likely dying. Wishing to depart with style, he glanced at his chat and proclaimed, "This is where I say goodbye," before saluting and saying, "Adios," as he closed his eyes and took his last breath.
Unsure of where he was, Marc felt neither his body nor a heartbeat. He wondered if he was experiencing hell or merely waiting for it. Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, saying, "I will let you live to compensate for your terrible life when you were alive. Where do you want to be reborn?" Before Marc could respond, the presence sifted through his memories and declared, "I will take you to the place your heart desires: the land of Silson." Marc was taken aback because Silson was the empire in which "Leigard's Return" was set. Before he could express his feelings, he felt a powerful suction pulling him somewhere.
When he opened his eyes, he saw what appeared to be a massive church and a towering woman dressed as a nun standing before him. Panic-stricken, he screamed and attempted to flee, only to be astonished to find that his muscular hands had been replaced with those of a baby, and his voice had transformed into the cry of an infant. The nun picked him up and glanced around, discovering a crying baby on the church's orphanage steps. She brought the baby inside the orphanage.
Meanwhile, Marc watched in bewilderment as the nun lifted him, his mind racing with thoughts of confusion and disbelief, wondering, "What the hell is happening?"