The screen on my TV glowed brighter as I held onto my VR headset. Today, my favorite game was going offline—not in the sense that it would be free, but it was shutting down.
I let out a sigh. All the times I had with my friends… most of them had already quit long before me, but here I am.
Server Shutdown: [23:59]
Current Time: 23:00
The time limit for the servers to shut down was fast approaching.
As a high school student, I used the money my parents always send me to purchase in-game equipment, to boost my level, and acquire skills. Not that I regretted it—after all, being one of the top five players meant my name would go down in the game's history. There would also be a final event showcasing the top players' best moments to honor them. Not that many people would watch, but I knew those who cared as much as I did would appreciate it.
As much as I'm a high schooler, I'm pretty much a shut-in. Novels and games have been my escape for years. While my peers talk about their weekends, I spend my time exploring [Legends of Aetherion ], raiding dungeons, and climbing the ranks. In other words, I never interact with anyone unless absolutely necessary.
I could feel my body giving in. One whole day without sleep, and now I was doing another all-nighter. Just a little longer. My body—hold on, just one last play, and I'll get the best sleep yet.
I put on my VR headset.
[GAME LOADING]
I logged in, feeling that familiar rush of connection. My in-game avatar, Zereth the Unyielding.
When I started the game, I was just an average goblin, but I evolved, and through special circumstances, I became one of the only Oni in the game.
I stood in the great capital, bathed in twilight. The details were so vivid I could almost feel the cobblestones beneath my boots.
As I walked the streets, no player chatter—just NPCs, who seemed to be the only ones left in this world. I headed toward my guildhall, a grand fortress so large it seemed like a country unto itself. The flags of the Twelve Knights of the Round fluttered in the wind—relics of a bygone era.
With only a few minutes left until the shutdown, I sat on the throne in the guildhall. We had all decided no one would sit on it since it represented that no one was above the other.
[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Final Event of the Game Will Begin Now.]
I guess this is it, I muttered to no one in particular. I was the only one here, after all.
[THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US.]
The final scene played out. It was an old-fashioned play, more like a theatrical sonata. Either way, it was beautiful. I even felt my heart skip a beat.
With only five minutes left until shutdown, I couldn't help but let a tear slip. I didn't know if it was from the touching play or because I just didn't want the game to end.
My body was starting to doze off. Maybe I should get some sleep before it shuts down. There was one thing I'd always wanted to do—the classic demon lord pose. I would be the last one standing when the timer hit zero.
Heh… How do I go about this? I guess this will do. Normally, I would activate my Oppressor skill and instill fear in others, but it's only me. I'm just a lonely dude, huh?
[SERVER SHUTDOWN INITIALIZING. THANK YOU FOR PLAYING (legends of Aetherion ).]
[YOU'VE BEEN LOGGED OUT.]
I guess this is what they mean when they say all things come to an end. I took off the VR headset, my body heavy with exhaustion. I could barely see straight.
I should be able to get some good rest now. Crash!
Ouch—my gaming chair betrayed me. I flew off it and hit the corner of the table with my head. A pain like I'd never felt before.
For whatever reason, I couldn't move. I felt the blood dripping, but my body didn't respond.
Huff, huff… breathe slowly. Damn it, I don't want to die.
Killed by my own stupidity… sure is a funny way to go.
Everything started to fade. Is this it? My body felt colder.
[ACQUISITION MET: COLD RESISTANCE .]
I'm going along with my favorite thing, huh? How ironic...
[ACQUISITION MET: SOUL TELEPORTATION COMMENCING.]
The next thing I knew, I was lying in a room—bleeding to death—but now, I was in a place completely cloaked in darkness, with lines glowing in different colors.
[EXTRA SKILL ACQUIRED: MAGIC PERCEPTION.]
Ethereal Symphony: A harmonious display of multiple auras with a unique effect.
What's this voice in my head? Hey, what are you? Where am I?
This can't be the afterlife, can it? I wondered. It seemed like I was sinking deeper into the darkness, unable to move my body or head. The deeper I went, the hotter it became.
[ACQUISITION MET: HEAT RESISTANCE.]
[ACQUISITION MET: PARALYSIS RESISTANCE.]
What's going on? The voices just keep repeating everything I'm feeling, but I can't move. Is this one of those dreams where you're aware but can't wake up?
Finally, the auras began to spiral toward a single point. It was one of those things you see in movies and anime. I'll definitely wake up once I reach them, like some wormhole. Heh, I'm a genius.
The light was so bright it blinded me. Not what I expected at all.
Heh... Where am I? This is definitely not my home. I hit my head... wake up, wake up! I wasn't holding back, but it wasn't helping. What is this place? There's nothing here. It's like I've been sent to an isolated area.
Not every day you get to experience something like this. I started walking around. There was nothing but earth, though it didn't seem in great condition, like it had been through a war.
I finally arrived at a forest—or maybe it was a jungle.
Whatever you call it, it doesn't matter.
As soon as I entered, I got hit with a big notification.
[ACQUISITION MET: POISON RESISTANCE.]
I activated my Magic Perception skill.
"Yes," I said, my curiosity piqued. The forest was releasing an ominous energy. I would've died if this was real, but hey, it's just a dream. Your help isn't needed.
[EXTRA SKILL: DELUSIONAL ACQUIRED.]
Huh? Delusional? Are you picking a fight or something?
I ignored the voice and pressed on, entering the forest. It seemed long, and there were no monsters to speak of. What was emitting this dangerous aura, then?
This forest sure is long, I thought.
"Hey! Don't go in there!"
Suddenly, a hand grabbed me and pulled me out of the forest.
"Why are you pulling me back?"
"It's dangerous in there!"
Looking at her, I could tell she was a girl, but she was different. Her nose was like a pig's, and her ears were pointy. Her skin was pink, too. Was she some kind of beastkin? My own dreams had some weird twists.
"Are you even listening to me, or are you just going to keep staring?"
She seemed scared.
"Ah, sorry. I was just lost in thought."
"How did you make it this far if you didn't know?! "She yelled.
"It's because what you see before you isn't a forest. Maybe you're not from around here. Human territory is far out."
"So, can you take me to human territory?"
For a moment, she hesitated. But then, she spoke.
"It might not be human territory, but I think we can figure something out to get you home. Let's head in that direction. The real forest is there."
"The real forest? Isn't this one?"
"It might look like a forest, but it isn't. That's the work of a dragon—a dragon of illusion, to be exact. Even if you're not from here, you should know that. Where are you from?"
"For a dream, this is pretty detailed."
"The human territory? You know, the kingdom."
The beastkin jumped over a little further from me pointing her hand like a gun.
"Woah, is that real fire?"
I didn't realize you could do that is that magic? . She released the fire at me… Woah, I didn't feel the heat or the burn, but this fire sure felt real. Was this a dream where all five senses were activated?
She went for a kick… Woah, I felt real pain.
A dream shouldn't hurt this much.
"Where are you from? Are you just another illusion created by that vile beast?"
"No, I'm not one of the dragon's illusions. I'm not from here either. I don't even know how I got here."
It was then I realized it: I didn't just trip and fall—I'd kicked the bucket and totally got isekai'd.
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