As I stood there, my eyes were drawn to the majestic mountain range, its peaks obscured by a dense fog. The damp, cool breeze carries the scent of moist earth and the fragrance of blooming cherry blossom trees, enhancing the sense of isolation and tranquility surrounding me. It was a captivating sight, letting my imagination wander.
'I am really inside of the game, aren't I?'
I thought, looking at a similar location.
Twenty-four years old male suffering from depression. That's me.
Some people would ask why.
Well, life didn't go the way I wanted it to go.
When I was younger, I was often considered a problematic child. However, as I grew older, I became the quiet one.
My parents were just lower-class workers dreaming of sending their only son to university.
Considering my mediocre talent for learning. It wasn't easy.
Yet somehow, I managed to raise my grades enough and was accepted by one.
My life was happy to this point. However, the tragedy stuck, killing my mother and leaving my dad disabled.
I could do nothing but drop out and get a part-time job to support my last family member.
Unfortunately, two years later, he took his own life because he didn't want to be a burden to me anymore.
That's a reason; life got only harsher after that.
However, that doesn't matter anymore. I am dead or supposed to be so.
"Sorry, Elder, but how much longer do we have to keep walking up these stairs?"
One of the new disciples asked, appearing quite exhausted.
"Haha, well, if you can't even walk straight from the city below to the outer sect layer. Then how do you want to become a future cultivator?"
The elderly woman said, laughing heartily, ignoring the tired disciples.
My feet feel sore. I have no idea how long we have already been walking.
However, what I did notice is the fact that the higher we go up the mountain, the thinner the fog becomes.
I'm still a little bewildered. I recall the chilling touch of the Grim Reaper, yet here I am, suddenly climbing the mountainside.
I am so confused, suddenly, regaining consciousness in the city below when the Elder was giving a welcoming speech. I perplexedly decided to follow the crowd.
I didn't gain any memories.
As time passed by, I started to recognize the surrounding landscape and a few familiar faces next to me.
It took me so long because the mobile game can't compete with reality even though there are still clear similarities.
The game was called 'The Rise of the Immortal King'. The goal of the game was obvious: you need to become immortal.
I am not sure if I should be happy or sad now.
Don't get me wrong, I have no one back on Earth, so there are no regrets left behind.
It's just that I don't know if I deserve another chance.
Suddenly, the Elder made some strange hand signals, and the fog completely disappeared. Making all the disciple's awestruck.
In front of us stood a sprawling cluster of intricately designed buildings and towers adorned with pink banners featuring a white lotus in its center.
There's no longer any denying it. I am now a member of the all-female sect, The Heavenly Lotus Sect.
>>>>>>>>>>
"From today onwards, you are disciples of The Heavenly Lotus Sect and will receive your outer member tokens along with three sets of clothes."
The Elder spoke, I, on the other hand, was looking at the surroundings; not paying any attention to grandma.
After all, she seems to be saying exactly the same things as in the game; I know that already.
We were currently in a plaza surrounded by nature, which seamlessly blended with the local architecture.
The cultivators living here seem keen on keeping the local fauna untouched.
Apart from that, numerous cultivators passed by, casting curious glances at our small group of one hundred.
"...and with that, that's all. Welcome to the sect. Hope you reach greatness in the pursuit of Dao in your path of cultivation."
"Don't forget to get your tokens from the admission building."
She added, leaving us by ourselves.
Wait… in the game, you get all that stuff instantly into your inventory when she is done speaking.
'Oops'
"Hey girls, are you going to get your tokens too?"
I asked two girls who were just talking about it between themselves.
I am a bit shy but being in a life-and-death situation. I am turning into an extrovert; Call it a self-preservation ability.
"Huh? Yes."
The girl with long black hair answered, surprised by my sudden approach.
"I was about to go, too. Wanna go together? My name is Rose, by the way. Nice to meet you two."
I spoke.
"I am Nicole, and the girl next to me with short black hair is Emily."
The girl with long black hair explained.
I shook hands with them, making them look at me in surprise.
Completely forgot that this is a different world, and something like this may be considered weird.
Even though I realized it, I acted as if nothing had happened; no need to make it more awkward.
"I feel a bit tired after walking so much. How are the two of you doing?"
I asked as we walked in the direction of the admission hall. Well, they were leading the way.
"Don't even ask. I feel so drained. Even though my sister said they always do that to humble the new disciples, and I have trained in martial arts before. My legs are about to fall off."
Voiced Nicole, wanting to complain.
"And what about you, Emily?"
I asked, feeling that Emily was the one less talkative of the two friends.
"I just want to take a bath."
Lamented Emily, looking at the tower not far away from us. It's a dorm housing the new disciples or the ones that can't afford the house with rent.
It's always a starting location in the game, so I know that.
Arriving at the admission hall. We had to wait a bit; there was already a queue.
As we waited, I made some small talk, getting to know them a bit.
Both of them are from prestigious clans that are subordinate to the sect. They come from families that have friendly relations with each other.
Childhood friends, basically.
Eventually, the registration process went smoothly, and we received our jade tokens. That includes our clothes.
The girls seemed overly excited to try new clothes, and I honestly didn't share their enthusiasm.
After all, they were pink with white patterns. The lotus flower on our shoulder badge signifies our identity as outer disciples.
Two lotus flowers stand for inner disciples, while three lotus flowers represent core disciples.
"It should be here."
I said, looking at the engraving on the jade and the number of the dorm building.
Entering the building, we checked in with the middle-aged lady at the front desk. She infused our medallions with some special energy, granting us access to our room's formation.
"Well, it was nice meeting the two of you. I guess our way parts here."
I pointed out, waving them goodbye; everyone got a different room.
They look at each other, then at me. Nicole was the first person to speak.
"Well, you seem cool. Hit us up again tomorrow. We can choose our cultivation methods together."
"For sure."
I answered, smiling lightly.
"You too, take care, Emily. See you soon!"
I waved at them last time, and she answered me with her own shy smile.
>>>>>>>>>>
I didn't go back to my room. Instead, I chose to take a walk outside.
If I go inside, I will have to socialize with three other roommates randomly assigned to my room.
The sun was slowly but surely disappearing behind the horizon.
It would be night soon; although, I still insisted on basking in its last rays.
'Hmmm? Is that waterfall?'
Somehow, I found myself veering off the main path and becoming lost in my thoughts. Ending up following a muddy trail that led me through the enchanting bamboo forest.
Hearing the sound of falling water, I knew I was getting closer.
Finally, I stepped out of the bamboo forest. What greeted me was sparkling water with the waterfall so big that it was hard to determine its height.
"Pretty"
I murmured quietly.
Sitting on some nearby rock. I hugged my legs into my arms.
I am exhausted. Today's day was somehow simple. Yet, maybe because of my sudden death and all the stuff that happened later, I feel mentally drained.
Who knows, maybe I became crazy, and all that happened today was just my dream. I don't know anymore.
Nonetheless, the reflection on the surface of the lake doesn't lie.
It's not like I'm stupid and didn't see or feel it sooner, but...
Reflected on the water's surface was a young girl, not a year older than eighteen with vibrant pink hair. Her face was perfectly sculpted as if a divine hand had crafted it. She possessed a small, adorable nose, with lips so luscious that they tempted people to take a bite.
She was of average height, with all the features perfectly symmetrical and balanced to her body proportions.
Beautiful, to the point where people would describe her as overwhelmingly so, she resembled a doll rather than a real person. Her enchanting silver eyes only increase her allure. A single glance from her was sufficient to bring most men to their knees, worshipping her like a deity.
The person in question was accustomed to ignoring others, unaware of the many stares she got today.
'Just as I thought I have become her.'
Not that long ago, a couple of hours before my death. I made a new character in the game I played to kill time.
I tried a different approach this time. What I discovered was the fact that most of the fights in the game can be avoided or become much easier if you roll the charm check at the start of the fight.
So, I thought… Can you complete the game without even fighting?
Being a lazy person, I realized that was a great prospect.
So, I purchased the legendary free points starter pack, legendary traits starter pack, legendary physique starter pack, and legendary bloodline starter pack.
The game was pay-to-win, after all.
Unfortunately, I never managed to play it. I just created a new character, intending to do it when I got home.
The reason why, I am so distressed right now is the fact that other than the charm this character is utterly trash.
I even removed some basic stats in other aspects to add to the charm.
Additionally, I always play as a female character. Today, it seems to bite me back.
To be honest, I believe I am asexual, or at least, that's what I think. Therefore, my sudden gender change did not cause me overwhelming despair.
I am even quite curious about what it is like to live as a woman.
Still, I have lived my whole life as a male. Thus, I don't know how to act like a girl. I am just confused and lost.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Suddenly, a soothing voice woke me up from my stupor.
I glanced to my left and saw a tall girl with raven hair tied in a ponytail. Her expression was unreadable in the darkness, with the moon shining brightly in the night sky.
"Me? of course. I am okay."
I answered automatically.
"You're crying…"
She mused.
"Huh?"
I touched my face, and there seemed to be really something streaming down my face.
'F*ck, this body is useless.'
I thought.
"It's nothing. Something just got inside my eye. I am fine."
I said, ending the topic.
"If you say so…but what are you doing here? I can see you are a new disciple from the fact that you still haven't worn your uniform."
I was about to answer, but…
"I am Head Deputy of the Discipline Committee. Are you aware of the existence of curfew hours? You shouldn't be outside now."
'If I say that I am not aware, would you believe me?'
I thought, getting into trouble just the first day in the sect.
I am fucked.