With over $1 billion spent in the last 19 years, Zack had created an unrivaled armada. His flagship, Leviathan's Wrath, was a technological masterpiece stretching over 10 kilometers in length. He commanded more than 1 million trained personnel, comprising elite soldiers, engineers, scientists, and the finest pilots. NOVA Online had become his world, where he spent every waking moment. Each new chapter released was a fresh challenge to conquer, and Zack had flawlessly completed all 1,090 chapters.
But everything changed on the night that was supposed to mark Zack's ultimate triumph.
Zack sat in his gaming chair, surrounded by monitors displaying the epic visuals of NOVA's galaxy. On the main screen, Leviathan's Wrath cruised through a glowing blue-green nebula. Ahead lay a small planet with a golden-green atmosphere—the first inhabited planet he had discovered on his long journey. This was the moment he had been waiting for all these years.
"This is it," Zack muttered, stroking his thin beard. "This planet will be mine."
His hands moved swiftly over his mechanical keyboard, ordering the fleet to enter the planet's orbit. On the screen's corner, numbers appeared indicating the enemy's strength. They were weak, just a small group of patrol ships and basic defensive structures. Zack smirked in satisfaction.
But before he could click the command to attack, pain erupted in his chest. Intense pain. His breath came in gasps, and his vision blurred.
"No... not now..."
He collapsed from his chair, clutching his chest. The world around him faded into a dark haze.
Zack opened his eyes slowly. He heard a sound—a sound both strange and familiar. The hum of machinery, soft yet resonant, like a song of advanced technology. He looked up and realized he was seated on a large, luxurious black sofa with neon-blue accents. In front of him, a massive glass screen stretched wide, displaying a spinning galaxy.
"Admiral Zack, you're awake."
Zack turned his head toward the voice. Beside him stood a man in a white uniform with golden emblems on his shoulders. The man's face was stern and authoritative.
"What... what is this?" Zack murmured, still disoriented. He glanced around the room, which felt eerily familiar. He was in a vast chamber, over 100 meters wide. At the front, a main control console sat elevated on a platform accessed by small stairs. The enormous glass screen served as both the main monitor and a window to the cosmos. Below the console, the large sofa he was sitting on dominated the central area, complete with a small table in front of it.
To the left, rows of bookshelves held strategy manuals, planetary data, and star maps. To the right, the space was filled with tables where captains and officers gathered for discussions. Around 20 individuals in uniform stood there, all looking at Zack with respect. Beyond this room, he knew there were over 1 million troops ready to follow his commands.
Zack recognized this place.
"This... this is the bridge of the Leviathan's Wrath..." he murmured.
"Of course, Admiral. You're on the flagship's command bridge," the man replied firmly.
Something felt off. Zack looked down and realized his body was no longer his old one. He was wearing an elegant black uniform with golden accents, complete with an Admiral's emblem on his chest. His body was younger, fitter, and stronger. His right hand wore an advanced glove with a small holographic screen on his wrist.
"What happened to me?" Zack asked, trying to make sense of the situation.
The man beside him—Captain Marcus, if Zack's memory served—frowned slightly.
"You collapsed in the medical bay a few hours ago, Admiral. But everything is fine now. Your troops await your orders for the next mission."
Zack nodded slowly, trying to acclimate to this new reality. It all felt like a dream, but it was too vivid to be just an illusion. If this was real… then he was now Admiral Zack, commander of the galaxy's most formidable fleet in NOVA.
"Captain Marcus," Zack finally spoke. "Report the current situation."
Marcus nodded. "Of course, Admiral. We are currently in orbit around the planet Xerath Prime, a planet with a population of approximately 2 million. Their civilization is at a low technological level, but the planet is rich in mineral resources, particularly Novarium crystals. Our fleet is fully prepared to launch an invasion."
Zack gave a small smile. He felt adrenaline surging through his veins. Perhaps this was the start of something far greater than he had ever imagined. If he truly lived in the world of NOVA, he would make sure his name was etched in history as the true ruler of the galaxy.
"Mobilize all combat units. I want a full briefing in 30 minutes," he ordered.
"Yes, Admiral!" Marcus responded sharply, immediately relaying commands to the officers.
Zack took a deep breath and smiled. He still didn't fully understand how this had happened, but one thing was certain: his new adventure had just begun.