Kim Byulhwa fastened the simple tie around his long hair, pulling it back into a sleek ponytail. He blinked at himself in the mirror, a smug smirk tugging at his lips as he admired his own reflection. He looked refined and mysterious, qualities he was all too happy to flaunt. Dressed in the clothes the nurse had given him, he stepped out of the hospital room, nodding his thanks to Dr. Juno on the way.
Dr. Juno waved, a small smile on his face. "Take care, Byulhwa. Remember, don't hesitate to come back if you feel unwell."
Byulhwa chuckled, tossing a playful wink over his shoulder. "I'll keep that in mind, Doctor. And thanks… for everything."
As he stepped out of the hospital doors, the world that greeted him took his breath away. Towering buildings of metallic sheen rose into the clouds, their surfaces polished and reflective, glinting under the shimmering artificial lights that lined the streets. Hover cars zoomed past, barely making a sound as they weaved through the air in organized lanes. People strolled along the sidewalks, some clad in sleek, form-fitting suits that seemed to mold to their bodies, others in casual wear with screens and holographic displays popping up around them as they walked.
Far in the distance, Kim could make out massive spacecraft docking and taking off from enormous platforms that floated above the city, surrounded by shimmering force fields. The sky itself was dotted with small, faintly glowing lights—satellites, he guessed, or perhaps small space stations. Everything here was a blend of organic and mechanical, as if humanity had fused itself seamlessly with technology.
Kim glanced down at the small device on his wrist—the "lightbrain," as Dr. Juno had called it—and pulled up his bank balance. A small holographic display popped up, revealing his balance: 100 Star Coins.
He sighed, slumping down onto the footpath and tilting his head back to look at the sky. "This body really doesn't have anything going for it. No guardians, no home, no education, no job… And that illness." He stifled a yawn, but it forced itself through anyway. "So much trouble… and I haven't even had breakfast."
He opened the lightbrain again, scrolling through the information he'd gathered while still in the hospital. There was mention of a popular game, Monster Tamer, where players could earn money. It was, according to the description, more than just a game. The virtual world inside was so advanced that players could even take on professional roles, competing for ranks and rewards that converted into real-world Star Coins.
Kim's eyes lit up at the thought. "A bit of cash wouldn't hurt," he muttered, and stood up, heading in the direction of the nearest club with virtual gaming pods.
The club he found was packed, lined with row upon row of pods. He went up to the front desk, his eyes sparkling as he handed over 50 Star Coins for five hours in a gaming pod. The attendant led him to one of the pods, which opened up with a smooth hiss. He slid inside, settling into the cushioned seat.
As soon as he closed his eyes, he felt a strange, tingling sensation spread over his body, and the familiar world around him disappeared. A vast, lush landscape opened up before him, stretching into the distance under a sky that shifted through vibrant colors—blues, greens, and purples.
Kim blinked in wonder. "It's… like a real world," he murmured.
He took a step forward, marveling at the sensation of grass under his feet. Around him, players walked by, each accompanied by a diverse array of beasts. Some were large and intimidating, like lions with scales or birds with shimmering feathers. Others were small and odd, resembling floating plants or glowing stones.
Every creature seemed connected to their tamer by a faint glow, and as he walked through the main street, he noticed a plaza ahead, bustling with players chatting and showing off their beasts.
He grinned, feeling the thrill of adventure course through him. "Time to see what this world has to offer."
As he made his way to the plaza, he checked out the leaderboard displayed on a massive floating screen. He scrolled through the top names until one stood out to him: Jung. He tapped on the profile, and a holographic image of Jung's avatar appeared—a tall, muscular man with piercing eyes, wearing armor that glowed faintly. But what truly caught Kim's attention was Jung's beast partner: a sleek, humanoid figure with a black panther tail and ears, exuding a dark, feral grace.
The name under the beast's profile read: Wu.
Kim's eyes widened with intrigue, a smile tugging at his lips. "So, they allow humanoid beasts here? As long as they're Genosis beasts… Interesting."
He glanced around the plaza again, noticing that most beasts were more animalistic or plant-like. Very few seemed to possess any humanoid traits. Kim's mind buzzed with possibilities. If he could find or awaken a powerful beast with unique traits, especially a humanoid one, he might just have a shot at climbing the ranks.
He looked down at his own empty status panel. "I guess I'm starting from scratch." He clicked through the options, choosing a basic starting creature—a small, red-scaled lizard with beady eyes and a feisty expression.
The lizard chirped, hopping up onto his shoulder and nestling there. Kim chuckled, giving it a gentle scratch under the chin. "You'll do for now, little guy."
He navigated through the menus, quickly familiarizing himself with the game's mechanics. The system allowed him to track different beasts, explore dungeons, and complete quests to gain experience points and upgrade his creature's abilities. Each beast had a unique evolution path, and with enough training, they could unlock new forms and skills.
His curiosity piqued, he decided to search for beginner quests that might yield rewards he could use to enhance his lizard's abilities. He picked one titled "Gather 10 Firestones from the Lava Caves" and headed toward the teleportation gate that would lead him to the quest area.
The Lava Caves were exactly as the name suggested—a cavernous maze filled with pools of molten lava and jagged rocks. Steam billowed up from cracks in the ground, and the heat was intense. His little lizard seemed to thrive in the environment, scampering around as it sniffed out Firestones, tiny gems that glowed with a red, fiery light.
Kim kept a close eye on his surroundings, alert for any sign of hostile creatures. He soon spotted several stone golems lumbering through the caves, their bodies glowing with molten cracks. He quickly devised a plan, using the lizard's fire affinity to his advantage. As the golems approached, the lizard unleashed small bursts of flame, targeting their weak points. The golems stumbled back, crumbling under the precise attacks.
After gathering enough Firestones, he completed the quest, earning a handful of rewards. He grinned as he checked his inventory—a few healing items, some experience points, and, most importantly, five more Star Coins. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Returning to the main plaza, he couldn't help but glance back up at the leaderboard. Jung's profile with his humanoid beast, Wu, was still there, taunting him. Kim felt a surge of determination. There had to be a way for him to find a similar beast—one with strength, intelligence, and possibly humanoid traits. He was sure such beasts held more power and versatility than the others.
Leaning against a fountain, he idly scratched his lizard's head, his mind already plotting his next steps. If he was going to make a name for himself in this world, he'd need not only skill but a bit of luck to find the right beast. And, as always, he'd need to outwit his competitors.
As the virtual sunset painted the sky with hues of orange and purple, Kim's eyes sparkled with ambition. "Alright, Jung," he muttered to himself, grinning. "Let's see how long you stay at the top."