Seoul, 10:42 PM
The room was small—barely enough for a bed, desk, and the tangled wires of Ethan Cross's second-hand VR rig. The white walls were stained with years of cheap instant ramen and cigarette smoke from the apartment next door. Ethan stared at his bank account on the cracked screen of his phone—₩12,460. Barely enough to last another day.
"Dammit," Ethan muttered, rubbing his temples. He had dropped out of university two years ago to help his sick mother. Now, all he had was debt, an empty fridge, and a VR helmet that reeked of cheap plastic.
Eclipse Online had been his last shot. The game had launched two weeks ago with global hype, promising to revolutionize VR with its full-dive technology and hyper-realistic world. Players could earn E-Gold by trading, completing quests, and hunting monsters—currency that could be converted into real-world cash. Streamers and gamers worldwide had already begun showing off their newfound wealth.
"For once, let me get lucky," he muttered.
Strapping on the scratched helmet, Ethan leaned back against his chair and activated the rig.
"Initiating Full-Dive System… Welcome to Eclipse Online."
A flash of white engulfed his senses, and for the briefest second, Ethan felt like he was falling. Then, the sensation stopped.
---
Eclipse Online—Starting Zone: Redleaf Village
Ethan opened his eyes, blinking under the glare of a bright sun. Warm wind brushed against his face, carrying the scent of grass and pine. He looked around.
"Holy—"
The detail was stunning. Dirt clung to his boots, grass crunched under his feet, and villagers bustled about with lifelike chatter. It wasn't just a game; it felt real.
Ethan checked his reflection in a nearby water trough. The face staring back was his—except younger, sharper, and less tired. Basic leather armor hugged his frame, and a rusty dagger hung at his waist.
"Welcome, Adventurer! Please complete the following tutorial to progress into the world."
A glowing window appeared in front of him. Ethan dismissed it with a swipe of his hand.
"Tutorials are for noobs."
He looked around the bustling Redleaf Village—a medieval town surrounded by wooden fences and rolling green hills. Merchants hawked their wares, blacksmiths pounded steel, and farmers guided oxen through muddy fields. In the distance, he saw other players running about—some laughing, others already grinding monsters outside the gates.
Ethan pulled up his inventory and character screen.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Ethan Cross
Class: None
Level: 1
Race: Human
Title: None
HP: 100 / 100
MP: 50 / 50
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 10
Luck: 5
Charm: 5
Skills:
None
Items:
Rusty Dagger
Explorer's Cloak
---
"Great. I'm dirt-poor and weak," Ethan grumbled. He couldn't even get basic skills without grinding for EXP. Still, he knew the rules: players who unlocked hidden classes early dominated the economy.
"If I can find something unique, I'll get rich faster."
With that, Ethan left Redleaf Village, passing groups of players battling wild boars and goblins. He ignored them, heading toward the hills where fewer players roamed.
Two Hours Later—Ancient Tomb, Hidden Forest
Ethan stood before a moss-covered stone entrance buried in the hills. A faint chill seeped from the cracks, and ominous carvings lined the sides—snakes, shadows, and robed figures. It didn't look like anything he'd seen in the beginner zones.
[You have discovered a Hidden Dungeon: Tomb of the Forgotten.]
"Recommended Level: 15+"
Ethan glanced at his character screen.
Level: 1.
"Level 15? Screw that." He grinned. "Hidden means treasure."
Pushing the stone doors open, Ethan descended into darkness. The walls dripped with moisture, and the air smelled of decay. Shadows flickered as he moved deeper, his torch crackling.
---
Ethan's heart pounded. He had been exploring for thirty minutes, avoiding traps that looked too deadly for a "beginner area." The deeper he went, the colder the air grew.
Finally, he entered a massive chamber. At the center lay a black altar, its surface etched with glowing runes. Ethan felt a pull—something deep and instinctual telling him to approach.
He stepped closer, his boots echoing. A voice whispered from the darkness.
"You who walk this forgotten path…"
Ethan froze.
"Hello?"
Suddenly, shadows spilled across the room, coiling like serpents. The voice grew louder, ancient and cold.
"Take my mark, and I will grant you power beyond mortality…"
Ethan hesitated. A hidden quest. This was exactly what he needed.
"Power? What's the catch?"
The shadows swirled, forming the vague shape of a robed figure. Its hollow eyes locked onto him.
"Life… or death."
Before he could react, the shadows lunged, sinking into his chest. Ethan screamed, collapsing onto the altar as pain burned through his body.
[You have unlocked the Mythical Class: Abyssal Harbinger.]
[You are marked by the Abyss.]
---
When Ethan opened his eyes, the room was silent. He looked at his trembling hands—they were surrounded by faint wisps of shadow.
"What… what did I just do?"
A rumble shook the chamber. The ground cracked, and something massive rose from beneath the altar—a skeletal serpent, its body covered in black mist.
[Boss: Abyssal Guardian Awakened]
HP: 2,000/2,000
Ethan stumbled back. "Are you kidding me?! I'm Level 1!"
The serpent lunged, fangs bared. Instinct kicked in, and Ethan raised his hand.
"Creation of Shadows!"
Darkness erupted from his palm, wrapping around a fallen skeleton nearby. The bones rattled and stood, a shadowy servant forming.
[Shadow Servant Created: Weak Skeleton]
"Attack it! Now!" Ethan shouted.
The skeleton charged forward, slamming into the serpent's face. It was weak, barely scratching the beast, but it gave Ethan a chance to move.
He activated his second new skill—"Shadow Step."
In a blink, he teleported behind the serpent, slashing at its tail with his rusty dagger.
-5 HP
Ethan groaned. "I'm screwed…"
The serpent turned, its glowing eyes locking onto him. Before it could strike, he felt a sudden surge of power from within.
"Abyssal Grasp!"
A black hand shot from the shadows, wrapping around the serpent's neck and holding it in place.
-100 HP
Ethan's eyes widened. "That's more like it!"
With every skill, he pushed his body to its limit. Shadow Servants rose and fell, the serpent roared, and darkness consumed the chamber. Finally, with a final slash of his dagger, the beast collapsed.
[You have defeated the Abyssal Guardian.]
[You have gained 2 Levels.]
Ethan collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. His hands trembled as he looked at his status window.
---
[Status Window]
Level: 3
Class: Abyssal Harbinger
Skills Gained:
Abyssal Grasp
Shadow Step
Creation of Shadows
---
Ethan stared at the screen, his heartbeat slowing. Then, he heard it—a voice whispering in the shadows.
"You are ours now, Harbinger."
Suddenly, he realized something horrifying:
He couldn't log out.
The chamber went dark, and cold sweat dripped down Ethan's face.
"This… isn't a game anymore."