"I swear, if I don't find a way to make money soon, I'll start eating air for dinner."

I stared at my bank account. Balance: $3.47.

Rent was due in three days. I had no job. No skills. No future. The only thing I had was a dream—to play Treasure World Online, the most hyped game of the decade. It wasn't just a game. It was a goldmine. People were making real money selling in-game treasures. Some guy found a "Cursed King's Ring" and sold it for $50,000. Another dude found a legendary ship and auctioned it for $200,000.

Me? I couldn't even afford the $200 game package.

I sighed and scrolled through the TWO forums, torturing myself with stories of players getting rich. My stomach growled. I checked my fridge—half a bottle of ketchup and a single slice of bread. The true survival game.

Just as I was about to close my phone in frustration, a notification popped up.

> CONGRATULATIONS! You've won the Daily Scratch-Off Lottery!

Prize: $500,000

I blinked. Then blinked again.

"…Huh?"

I checked my lottery ticket—the one I bought as a joke with my last spare dollar. The numbers matched.

I actually won.

My hands trembled. My heart pounded. My soul left my body.

"OH MY GOD, I'M RICH!"

For the first time in my miserable life, I saw hope. No more instant noodles. No more dodging my landlord. I could finally buy the game!

I rushed to the lottery office, claimed my winnings, and felt true power as they handed me a check. I was unstoppable.

And then…

I got scammed.

Like an idiot, I trusted a "financial advisor" I met online. A smooth-talking conman who promised to "double my money" through "special investments." I gave him everything except for a few thousand.

Poof. Gone.

…

…

I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling in silence.

After an eternity of self-hatred, I checked my remaining balance. $1,500 left. Enough for one last gamble.

"…Screw it."

I clicked BUY on Treasure World Online. If real life wanted to screw me over, I'd make my fortune inside the game.

3 day's has pass.

The game arrived instantly.

That was weird. TWO had a two-week delivery waitlist, yet my copy appeared in my account immediately. Even stranger, instead of the normal version, the installation screen read:

> Installing: "Treasure World Online – Beta Access Version"

…Beta?

I didn't sign up for any beta. The game wasn't even in testing anymore—it was a fully released MMO.

I hesitated for a second. Then shrugged.

"Well… if it works, it works."

I hit LAUNCH.

The screen flickered. The air around me buzzed. My screen glitched for a split second, and then—

[WELCOME, BETA TESTER.]