Ray sat back in his chair, eyes fixed on the sleek VR headset resting on his desk, its polished surface gleaming in the soft light of his room.
Virtual reality had become the new frontier of gaming, pushing the boundaries of immersion to the point where the digital world almost felt like a second reality. But among all the games that had taken the world by storm, one stood above the rest—Nexon Online.
Boasting over 50 million players worldwide, Nexon Online was the undisputed king of VRMMORPGs.
Unlike other games that worked with any VR headset, Nexon Online had its exclusive device—one that could only be used for a single game by a single player.
It was designed to create the most immersive experience possible, and from everything Ray had heard and seen, it had succeeded beyond imagination.
It had been a month since the game's official release, and during that time, players had flooded the virtual world, all eager to experience what was promised to be the most advanced gaming system ever created. But Ray hadn't joined in right away.
He wasn't waiting because he couldn't afford the headset—he was waiting to see how the game would evolve and he was busy wrapping up another game.
He'd watched countless streams, read every forum post, and kept a close eye on every player's experience. No one had found any major bugs, and none of the early players had stopped playing, a rarity in any MMORPG. The hype was indeed real.
Now, after a month of research, Ray was ready to step into Nexon Online himself.
Nexon Online wasn't just another MMORPG. It was a world built from the ground up to challenge its players and push them to their limits.
The game's power system was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before, and the stakes were high. It wasn't just about leveling up or grinding for gear—this game had a living, breathing world where choices mattered, and the outcomes were permanent.
The world was vast, with countless kingdoms, unique lands, and dynamic NPC factions. The plot was simple but intense: players had to join the war against the demon kingdom that had invaded the world.
Seven demon monarchs reigned over the lands, and the goal was to defeat each one—either alone or in a group—before facing the ultimate challenge: the Demon Lord himself.
It was already a month, and the war wasn't close to the end, and none of the players had ever encountered a demon monarch; the only sightings were from NPCs armies.
Despite all this, Ray was in no rush to jump into the chaos. He preferred to take things slow and play the game on his terms.
Ray stood up and lay on his bed with the VR headset covering his entire head and a timer appeared in front of him.
[5...4...3...2...1...]
At that moment, the entire world went blank, total darkness, and then Ray found himself in an empty room; the floor, walls, and ceilings were transparent, but he couldn't see past it as it stretched to infinity.
The next moment a robotic voice spoke.
[Welcome To Nexon Online]
[You are but one of many who have answered the call. In this world, you will forge your path]
[Choose wisely, for every choice you make shapes your future. The war against the Demon Kingdom has begun, and the seven monarchs of darkness rise in the East. Unite with others—or stand-alone. The choice is yours]
A vast map appeared in the air before Ray, an enormous kingdom with cities, dungeons, and untold landscapes. The map flickered showing landmarks, some familiar, some entirely unknown. Then, another screen materialized, displaying a towering citadel with seven thrones—each one a dark, ominous silhouette.
[Defeat the Demon Monarchs and the Demon Lord to save this world, but first choose your name and class]
Ray had already had a name in mind, but he wasn't sure if it was available since it had already been a month. In all the games he played, his name was always Raze.
"I choose Raze" He replied.
[Select your class]
[Knight, Swordsman, Thief, Brawler, Assassin, Potion master, Healer, Poison master, Archer, Marksman, Spellcaster, Darkmage, Paladin]
[Knight] Knights are typically heavily armored and skilled in combat, often specializing in defense and protecting their allies.
[Swordsman] Swordsmen are skilled melee fighters who excel in using various types of swords and dual weapons, such as broadswords or katanas.
[Thief] Thieves are stealthy characters known for their agility and sneaking abilities. They often excel in picking locks, disarming traps, and stealing items.
[Brawler] Brawlers are close-quarters fighters who rely on their fists or blunt weapons. They usually have high physical strength and endurance.
[Assassin] Assassins are experts in covert operations and assassination. They use stealth, poisons, and precision attacks to eliminate targets.
[Potion Master] Potion masters are skilled in creating and using potions and elixirs for various effects, such as healing, enhancing abilities, or causing harm to enemies.
[Healer] Healers focus on supporting their allies by using restorative magic or abilities to heal wounds, cure ailments, and maintain the health of their party.
[Poison Master] Poison masters specialize in toxins and venoms. They use poison-coated weapons or spells to weaken or harm their foes over time.
[Archer] Archers are ranged attackers who use bows and arrows to strike from a distance with precision and accuracy.
[Marksman] Similar to archers, marksmen are ranged combatants who may use firearms or other projectile weapons, often with a focus on accuracy.
[Spellcaster] Spellcasters harness magical abilities to cast spells. These spells can vary widely, from offensive fireballs to defensive shields and utility spells.
[Darkmage] Darkmages are practitioners of dark or forbidden magic. They often have destructive and corruptive spells at their disposal.
[Paladin] Paladins are holy warriors known for their strong sense of justice and righteousness. They combine combat skills with divine magic to protect and heal.
Ray stared at the screen in front of him; each of the different classes had its strengths and weaknesses, but he already had his heart set before starting the game.
[You have selected Dark Mage]
Ray felt a thrill run through him. Dark Mage, with its destructive powers, was the perfect fit for him. He was ready to face whatever Nexon Online had to throw at him, alone or not.