Year 2344, January 22, 6:45 PM
Jasper Otto leaned back in his chair, a faint smile on his lips as he reviewed the details on the holographic screen in front of him. The reservation was confirmed: a corner table at sunset, a clear view over the city skyline, and a lavish menu that would leave his parents ecstatic for days while bragging to their relatives. Tonight was their 25th anniversary, and he had made sure everything would be just perfect, down to the last detail, from the roses at the table to the quartet that would be playing their favorite song.
He had spared no expense. To Jasper, celebrating his parents meant giving them the best of the best—not because they demanded it, but because they deserved it. They were his anchors, who'd stood by him when he was at his lowest. Now that he was at his peak, he did his best to spoil them.
"You know you don't need to do this. It would have been better spent on your future wife and kids," his mother Amelia Otto teased, adjusting her necklace as she glanced at herself in the hallway mirror.
Jasper shrugged, grinning as he retorted, "Better take all the opportunities. Who knows? After having a wife, you might not get such gifts."
His father Adrian Otto playfully slapped the back of his head. "You better not stop these, and know that I can kick you out of my house at any moment."
"Mom, Dad is bullying me again!" Jasper exclaimed, running towards his mother and hugging her, hiding behind her as if he were a scared child.
Jasper didn't need to speak; his mother, his savior, spoke up. "Honey, you better remember the house is in my name, right? Or have you forgotten already?" Her words were laced with mock threat.
Exasperated by the banter, Jasper's dad said, "If my daughter were here, we would have taught both of you a lesson."
A few moments later, the trio stood at the gate of the mansion as the couple headed toward their car—a Nebula X1, a high-end luxury supercar that Jasper had gifted them last year. He waved and shouted, "Enjoy! And don't fight too much. Love you!"
Watching them leave, Jasper felt quiet satisfaction at the sight of his mother's smiling face as their car sped away. With one last glance at the darkening evening sky, he turned back to his world.
He headed toward his gaming room. It was a vast space, almost empty except for a large cuboid-shaped object in the center: a VR gaming capsule, one of the higher-end models. In the year 2344, gaming capsules like these were common commodities; anyone with a bit of money could buy one anytime. But this model was different—extremely rare and expensive. Jasper felt a pang in his heart as he remembered the cost of winning it at an auction.
Sliding into the high-tech gaming capsule, a holographic screen appeared in front of him. He logged in his credentials, and his character materialized. A fairy-like figure floated before him, her melodious voice speaking, "Welcome, Mr. Lucifer Morningstar. The realm of Amber Lands awaits. Are you ready to embark on your next adventure?"
It was the game's A.I., Twinkle, the most advanced A.I. ever created. It was said that if you didn't know better, you would never be able to distinguish it from a human.
Jasper smiled, excitement bubbling inside him. "Always ready," he replied, the thrill of the game washing over him like a wave.
Amber Lands had launched 20 years ago, yet its graphics, storyline, and gameplay remained unmatched. Even after all this time, the player base hadn't dwindled, nor did it face any competition. Amber Lands was his favorite game, gifted to him by his father when he turned 15. Now, almost nine years later, he had grown to be one of the top powerhouses in the game. As a solo player, he had carved out a lucrative career as a professional e-sports player, earning millions of dollars each month just by farming gold coins. Here, he lived out fantasies that were impossible in real life. Here, he was Lucifer Morningstar, the famed Demon Lord.
"Twinkle, show stats," said Jasper, now known as the illustrious Lucifer Morningstar.
The melodious voice chimed again:
Name: Lucifer Morningstar
Age: 75 Years
Race: Half-Demon, Half-Human
Rank: Saint
Affinities:
Dark Element (SSS-Class)Undead Affinity (SSS-Class)Elemental Affinity (Lesser S-Class)
Health: 50,020
Mana: 90,025
Strength: 8,000
Intelligence: 18,000
Vitality: 10,000
Agility: 4,000
Dexterity: 3,500
Occupation:
Alchemy Grandmaster [Mastery=100%: Alchemy Efficiency increased by 50%]Grandmaster Appraiser [Mastery=98%: Increased chance of appraisal by 90%]Master Runic Artist [Mastery=85%: Increased chance of engraving myriad runes]
Free Stat Points Available: 2,000
Special Ability:
Experience Amplification
Description: This ability enhances the character's capacity to absorb and utilize experience points from various sources, allowing them to level up faster than typical players.
Effect: The character gains 5x the normal amount of experience points (EXP) from all activities, including defeating enemies, completing quests, and participating in events.
Skills: 126 hidden
Body Constitution: Immortal Dread Tyrant Constitution
Title: The Demon Lord
Description: After passing the grueling competition among the fiercest demons, you have reached the peak, reigning supreme as The Demon Lord. This title marks you as the undisputed ruler of the infernal realms, feared and respected by all who dare approach.
Effects: Grants control over all demon subjects within a 100 km radius, limited to those with strength less than your own. Dark-element magic deals +1000% damage. Allows summoning of 100 Demon Knights and 10 Demon Commanders to fight alongside you, reinforcing your position as the ultimate demonic sovereign.
Title: The Demon Slayer
Description: You, who have slain countless demons, are feared among all—even the Demon Lord trembles at your name. Through relentless battles, you have become the ultimate hunter of demons, a force of reckoning and the bane of the infernal realm.
Effects: +50% damage against dark-affinity magic. Grants 100% immunity to demonic curses. Demons with strength even higher than yours cower in fear upon sensing your mere shadow. Provides +500% damage when fighting demonic entities, marking you as the unrivaled Demon Slayer.
Title: Master of the Shadowy Castle
Description: As the rightful master of the Shadowy Castle, you command an ancient stronghold steeped in darkness and mystery. Only those who have proven themselves worthy of its secrets can lay claim to its endless power, reigning over the shadowed halls as an unmatched force.
Effects: Grants access to the Shadowy Castle, which can be summoned to any location. Provides a +60% boost to stealth and dark magic abilities when inside the castle. All allies within the castle receive +40% defense and regeneration bonuses, enhancing their resilience under your shadowed rule.
Items: 69 hidden
Wealth: 900 million Gold Coins
Jasper nodded in satisfaction at his stats. He had come very far in his journey, rising from having nothing in-game to becoming one of the most powerful solo players. As he contemplated his next move, a figure materialized behind him.
"Hey, kiddo! Still in the game? Don't you have anything else to do? How are Mom and Dad? Were they upset I didn't come for their anniversary?" said a sweet female voice.
Jasper turned around to see Mary Otto, aka Bloody Valkyrie—his older sister. Unlike him, she was not very proficient in games and was studying abroad to become a bioengineer. But she would sometimes log in to meet him virtually; it was the best way to connect with relatives, even better than holographic calls.
In a teasing mood, Jasper replied, "Nah, I bet they forgot about you. They were so happy when they left for the date I arranged for them."
Mary sighed. "You will never stop, will you? I thought I might become something after studying a lot and give them whatever they want, but it's taking forever to even complete my studies."
"Don't start crying here! If Dad knew I made his princess cry, I'd be out of the house before I even knew it!" Jasper said matter-of-factly.
Just as Mary was about to retort, a vortex appeared above Jasper, and the game started glitching. An odd sensation rippled through him, something he had never felt in Amber Lands before—an almost magnetic pull, like a thread weaving into his consciousness, tugging him forward. He blinked, adjusting his headset, but the sensation only grew stronger. The world around him began to fade; his throne room and Mary blurred at the edges until it was nothing more than a swirling, empty void.