"Find them! Seo! Oh-eo!"

"Ugh, shiiiiiit…"

Another day begins.

So this is what it feels like to rise from the dead. How the hell do zombies even get back up after collapsing? With sheer willpower, I force my stiff arm to shut off the alarm, then barely manage to prop myself up.

This isn't a bed. It's a goddamn coffin.

"Ahh…"

I'm so tired I could die. Seriously.

Back when I was getting discharged from the military, I swore I'd wake up early and live a disciplined life. But now that I'm actually out? Waking up at a set time feels impossible.

No more night shifts, so why the hell am I still this exhausted?

Oh, right. Today marks exactly one year since my discharge.

Not that it matters—I still have work later. After that, I'll study a bit, play some games, and crash. The daily grind of a twenty-something ex-soldier is surprisingly packed.

Anyway.

Out of habit, I grab my phone and open my go-to community site: BC Inside.

Scrolling through the gallery first thing in the morning is my version of a wake-up routine. If I don't check the trending posts, I won't even be able to get out of bed.

Wonder what kind of nonsense people posted last night?

As soon as I tap the top post, a massive title jumps out at me:

★ Is the Academy's War Hero DLC out??? (388)

What the—? Three hundred comments already? First thing in the morning?

This post is grabbing attention like crazy. Even the upvotes are in the thousands.

I click without hesitation.

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—IT'S HERE, YOU FUCKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

A massive red font screams at me, accompanied by an image of a raging, muscle-bound frog with glowing red eyes charging straight ahead.

The comments? Nothing but worship.

"Academy's War Hero?"

I think this game came out a while ago.

Two years?

Yeah, that sounds about right. I remember it dropping while I was in the military.

It's always been popular, but I never bothered with it—this genre isn't really my thing. Still, seeing everyone losing their minds over this DLC makes me wonder if I've been missing out on a masterpiece.

"Is this game actually fun? That's the seventh time I've asked now."

I toss a meaningless comment into the void and roll out of bed. Then, without thinking twice, I boot up my PC.

Lately, I haven't had anything good to play after work. Maybe I should give this a shot?

Damn, this is some effective viral marketing.

I buy the DLC, hit the download button, and head to the bathroom. As I brush my teeth, I pull up the game's wiki to check what it's about.

—Chika chika.

—Poka poka.

So, the premise: superpowered teenagers enroll in an academy and battle monsters and other supernatural creatures.

Train your character. Live the academy life. Follow the story. Make friends. And eventually, fend off some massive, otherworldly invasion.

It's that kind of game.

Basically, you play as a student, train your skills through three in-game years, and when the time comes, you take down the final boss to reach the ending.

From what I'm seeing, there's a ridiculous amount of content. Multiple branching storylines. A long-ass playtime. If I start this, I probably won't stop until I've seen every possible ending.

"Why the hell are kids these days working so hard, even in games?"

This is peak Korean game design—grind, grow, and destroy. Even the fictional students are hustling like crazy. And me? What the hell am I doing with my life?

I skim through the character profiles, then shut my phone off.

Time to wash up.

When I play a game, I usually just glance at about 5% of the info, then dive in headfirst. No guides, no spoilers. Just pure experience.

I haven't even checked what this DLC is about—the whole reason I downloaded the game in the first place. Not that it matters. Looking it up now would just spoil the fun.

"Alright."

After washing up, I return to my desk.

"Done."

The game has finished downloading.

I'll boot it up, play for a bit, then get dressed and head out. The rest can wait until after work. Maybe I'll study a little before bed.

It's been a while since I've been excited to start a new game.

—Click.

The moment I sit down, finish the installation, and launch the game—

Suddenly.

"Huh?"

—Sway.

"What…?"

A wave of dizziness hits me like a truck.

It's that eerie, paralyzing sensation—like sleep paralysis.

What the hell is this?

I try to move, but my body refuses to respond.

"Oh, shit!"

What the fuck is happening?!

—WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISH!

A blinding white light explodes from my monitor.

I can't move. I can't escape.

"Oh…"

Is this a seizure? Am I having some kind of attack?!

"Ugh…!"

I need to call for help—

I can't die like this! If I pass out here, alone in my apartment, I'm screwed!

"AAAAAAARRRRGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

I scream with everything I have, desperate for someone, anyone, to hear me.

Then—

I feel my strength leave me.

Darkness closes in.

I shut my eyes.