Rain pelted the roof of Han Joon's parents' house. The familiar sound of the storm was strangely comforting and lonely at the same time.
Han Joon, 17, sat cross-legged on his bed, staring at an old VR headset. The label read: Cultivation of the Gods.
Three years had passed since his older brother, Han Min, disappeared while playing this game. Everyone said he was dead. But Han Joon… he couldn't believe it.
He picked up the headset, brushing off dust. The familiar weight in his hands brought back memories of late-night gaming sessions with his brother, of laughter and rivalry, of everything he had lost.
I… just want to see him again…
With a shaky breath, he pressed the power button.
BOOTING…
Unrecognized Identity. Error—
"Huh? Wait—"
A blinding flash consumed him. His vision shredded, his body stretched, and then nothing.
Darkness. Cold. Silence.
When he opened his eyes—or what should have been eyes—he was no longer in his room.
Bones.White. Fragile. Clattering.
In his hands: a rusty sword and a cracked wooden shield.
What… the hell…?
SYSTEM:Welcome to Cultivation of the Gods – Monster Route (Hidden).SYSTEM:Race: Skeleton Soldier (Lv. 1)
Monster route? I… I'm… a monster?!
Panic struck him. His movements felt alien, every bone stiff and unnatural.
Then… distant footsteps echoed through the cave.
Step… step… step…
Three hunters appeared, scanning the area.
"25 skeletons for 15 silver. That's our meal.""I'm starving… dry biscuits again.""Respawn point's deeper inside the cave. Let's move."
Han Joon froze, trying to remain invisible, bones rattling uncontrollably.
Luck wasn't on his side. One hunter's torch caught him.
"Ah—there!"
They charged.
Terrified, Han Joon lifted his sword with trembling hands… and to his shock, the hunter lunged and fell, collapsing with a surprised shout.
SYSTEM:EXP Gained: 15SYSTEM:Level Up Available: Choose New Form
Remain Skeleton Soldier (Lv. 1)
Transform into Goblin (Lv. 1)
Han Joon's jaw—or what passed for one—rattled.
I… I don't know… I can't… I just—
He bolted, weaving through stalagmites and dripping water, deeper into the cave. Shouts echoed behind him, but eventually… he lost them.
Alone, pressed against a wall, he rattled his bones in panic.
What… is this?EXP? Levels? Monsters… evolving?I'm… a monster?
Fear gripped him. Confusion clouded his mind.
I don't know what to do… I just… have to survive.