Li Ran was about as ordinary a young man as one could find on Earth. No prestigious background, no impressive social skills—only one undeniable talent: the astonishing abilities he had honed in the world of eSports. To him, the virtual realm was the sole stage where he could truly shine.
In The End of the Divine Realm, a global full-immersion MMORPG phenomenon, Li Ran reigned supreme as a legendary player. He not only swept every major tournament with peerless reflexes and meticulous tactics, but also cemented his status as a "Mythic Player" thanks to one extraordinarily rare pet: the Darkmoon Dragon Princess. Elegant in appearance yet fearsome in power, this dragon became his iconic symbol on every battlefield.
After years of relentless effort, Li Ran finally qualified for the prestigious annual cross-server championship. Pitting top competitors from around the world against each other, the event was both grand and unforgiving. Yet Li Ran, leading his team, tore through every challenger until they stood on the grand stage of the finals.
His performance was nothing short of miraculous—impeccable strategy, flawless execution, and an unbreakable will that vanquished all who stood before him. When the final bell echoed through the arena, a roaring chorus of cheers greeted his overwhelming victory. Li Ran had once again proven his unparalleled might.
But just as he basked in his moment of triumph, disaster struck.
Spotlights illuminated him while the crowd roared, his name echoing through the stadium. Suddenly, a piercing pain shot through his head. The scene before him blurred, feeling distant and surreal.
He tried to steady himself, but his body felt eerily weightless. Darkness rushed in like a tidal wave—and swallowed him whole.
A collective gasp tore through the crowd. Millions of viewers watching the livestream held their breath in shock. The new eSports champion had collapsed at the pinnacle of his glory.
When Li Ran finally opened his eyes, everything had changed. He was no longer in a hospital bed nor on any familiar stage, but in the midst of a vast grassland. A breeze carried the delicate scent of strange flowers, and warm sunlight caressed him as if he had stepped into a living dream.
Glancing down, he realized he was clad in his Eternal Doom armor—top-tier gear from The End of the Divine Realm. The Amethyst Spirit Ring, a mark of highest honor, sparkled on his finger. On his back rested his prized sword, the Void-Cleaving Blade.
"Is this… the game?" Li Ran murmured in disbelief.
Then came a familiar roar. Turning, he saw a graceful, midnight-black dragon glimmering with faint silver hues. Circling him with evident concern, it gazed at him with argent eyes, as if to confirm he was unharmed.
Li Ran froze. It was his in-game pet—the Darkmoon Dragon Princess. She blinked, her silvery gaze calm and steady.
"You're here too…" he whispered, resting a hand on her head. His shock melted into a ripple of relief and wonder.
As he regained his composure, Li Ran noticed something else: a "character interface" hovering in the air. To his astonishment, every statistic read "MAX"—Level: MAX; Strength: 999; Agility: 999; Endurance: 999; Intelligence: 999; Magic: 999…
In that moment, he recalled the countless hours poured into becoming the "Mythic Player." But now, everything felt weightier—here, pain was real. Injuries were real. Death would be irrevocably real.
Steeling himself, Li Ran shifted into survival mode. Relying on his razor-sharp instincts and quick thinking—honed in countless online battles—he and the Darkmoon Dragon Princess set off to discover what this strange new world held.
He knew this realm would be far more dangerous than any virtual battleground. He had questions: Where exactly am I? Why am I here? He had no clue that an even harsher, more genuine test lay ahead—one crueler than anything The End of the Divine Realm could conjure. This time, the stakes were greater than winning or losing a match; life itself hung in the balance.
Now the question remains: Can Li Ran once more ascend to mythic heights? His journey has only begun, and the trials ahead will define whether he can claim a new destiny in this uncharted land—or be consumed by it.