My life had always been full of disappointments. Every dream I pursued—whether career ambitions, friendships, or even love—seemed to crumble into nothing. But there was one moment that changed everything for me, a loss so deep that everything I once held dear now felt empty and meaningless.
I was born into a small family filled with happiness. My parents were loving, and my younger sister, only a few years younger than me, was my constant companion. Our life was simple, but it was full of joy. We weren't wealthy, but our home was always full of laughter and warmth. My little sister, with her bright smile and innocent energy, made everything in our home feel complete. She was the one who made me laugh during tough times and the one I shared everything with.
But all of that changed in the blink of an eye.
When I was 20, a tragic accident took away my entire family. My parents, along with my sister, were on their way home from my grandmother's house in the countryside when their car was hit by a truck. The truck lost control, crashing into their vehicle at full speed. My parents and my sister died instantly. I was at home when I received the news, and I couldn't believe it. It felt like the world had shattered around me. I couldn't understand why something so horrible could happen so suddenly.
My sister, so young and full of life, was taken away with them. Her absence left a gaping hole in my heart. I still couldn't believe it—how could someone so full of energy and laughter just disappear? The world that I once knew, the world of love and family, was now a cold, empty place. I couldn't find my way forward.
After the accident, I was left to live with my grandparents, who were old and frail. They were kind and loving, but they couldn't replace the family I had lost. They tried their best to make me feel at home, but I knew they, too, were suffering. The loss of their own children weighed heavily on them. They were too old to deal with their grief, and I could see how deeply they missed my parents. Despite their efforts, no one could fill the void left by my family. I was alone.
My grandparents gave me all their love and attention, but it wasn't enough to erase the pain. Every day, I felt the weight of that emptiness. I couldn't escape it. My world had turned gray, and everything felt pointless. It was as though the meaning of life had vanished, leaving only an endless void behind.
School no longer felt like a sanctuary. My friends, who had once been close, slowly began to drift away, and I felt more isolated than ever. I didn't know who to talk to, and I couldn't find any place where I belonged. The loneliness I felt was suffocating, and I began to question everything—life, the future, my purpose. Nothing seemed to matter anymore.
I continued with my studies, even though it felt like I was just going through the motions. I was attending university, majoring in Computer Science, a field I had once been passionate about. But now, everything felt hollow. The lectures, the assignments, the projects—none of it brought me any joy. I was simply existing, moving from one day to the next without any real sense of direction. I wasn't living, I was surviving.
Love? It was something I couldn't even begin to think about. After losing my family, how could I possibly believe in something as fragile as love again? How could I trust in anything that could vanish so quickly? The world felt fake, like everything good was temporary, and nothing could be relied on. I had no hope, no vision for the future. It was as if the world had robbed me of everything, leaving me with nothing but a hollow shell.
In the midst of all this despair, I found myself searching for a way out. A way to escape from reality, even if just for a little while. I didn't know where to turn or who to talk to, so I sought solace in something else. And that's when I discovered VRMMORPGs (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games). A world where I could forget my troubles and become someone else, someone stronger, braver, and maybe even happier.
I stumbled upon a game called Gildoria Online (GO), set in a realm of magic and swordplay, it was everything I had ever dreamed of. A place where I could grow stronger and battle legendary foes. At the top of the game was the ultimate challenge—the Demon King, who ruled over a demon army from the top floor of Doomspire Tower in the Demon Kingdom. This game's goal is to beat the Demon King, which is became one of my goals in life.
In this game, I could be anyone I wanted to be. A world where I could escape from everything, even if just for a little while. I created my character—Yeongho, an adventurer who could face any challenge. It was the perfect escape, a place where I could forget the pain, the loss, and the emptiness that had consumed my life.
I spent hours training and leveling up, diving deeper into the game's world. Slowly but surely, I climbed to level 200, becoming a respected veteran among the players. I was known as a skilled crusader, someone who had mastered every aspect of the game. When I defeated the floor 90 boss in Doomspire Tower alone, without dying, I earned the title The Unbroken Crusader. Later, after clearing floor 95, I gained the trait The Ultimate Liberator.
Only five floors remained until I completed the game, but I found myself growing bored once more. There were no other players to team up with, and the loneliness began to weigh on me. So, I started helping others. I gave advice to new players, encouraged them, and guided them through the harsh world of Gildoria Online. In some strange way, helping others made me feel a little less alone. But no matter how much I helped or how skilled I became, there was always an emptiness that lingered deep inside.
Fighting monsters, completing quests, and climbing the tower—nothing seemed to fill the void. The excitement of the game couldn't erase the sadness inside me. I was still searching for something, though I wasn't sure what it was.
That was when I met her.
She was a red-haired girl, standing out in the crowded fields of Arcadia Plains, a starting area for new players. Her green eyes sparkled with a quiet mystery, like she was hiding something beneath her calm exterior. I first saw her struggling in a fight against a small group of monsters, unsure and hesitant.
Without thinking, I approached her and offered my help. "Need a help?" I asked, extending my hand toward her.
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes scanning me, as if unsure whether she could trust me. But after a few seconds, she nodded. "Yes, please."
In a flash, I jumped into the fight, swiftly taking down the monsters. Afterward, I helped her gather the spoils, but she just stood quietly, lost in thought.
"Thanks," she said softly, her voice quieter than I expected.
"Don't mention it," I replied with a small smile. "This is all part of the adventure. I help out beginners like you all the time. I'm Yeongho. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
She gave me a small, almost imperceptible smile, and for a brief moment, I felt like there was something more to her than just another player. "Mina," she said. "My name's Mina."
From that moment on, our paths crossed more and more. I began to guide her through the world of Gildoria Online, showing her new places, explaining the game's mechanics, and sharing battles with her. But slowly, I began to feel something I hadn't felt in a long time—hope. Mina wasn't just another player to me. She was someone special.
In that moment, something within me stirred. Maybe, just maybe, this girl—Mina—was the key to unlocking everything I had been searching for.