Technology in the world kept advancing, and with it came an endless wave of games—each more famous, more ambitious, and more polished than the last. Among them, one MMORPG rose at an unbelievable speed, capturing everyone's attention in a very short time.
World of Ash and Steel.
What made this game different from all the others was simple, yet revolutionary. It wasn't just a game where you followed a story or defeated bosses. It was a world where you were required to build your own kingdom.
And that wasn't even its greatest strength.
The number of playable races was far beyond anything seen before. Humans, dwarves, elves—and even goblins, dragons, and monstrous races were available. Each race followed different laws, different values, and different systems of rule. The way you built and governed your kingdom changed entirely depending on the race you chose.
The game's resources, its depth, and its almost unsettling level of realism pulled players in and refused to let them go.
Me included.
"My name is Baek Seyol."
I was one of the countless gamers who played World of Ash and Steel. Streaming the game, living inside it, thinking about it even when I logged out—at some point, it stopped being just a game.
It became an inseparable part of my life.
"Haha… and that's another clear run."
The boy leaned back lazily in his gaming chair, a satisfied grin on his face.
"I swear, no matter how many times I finish this game, it never gets boring."
He was a teenage gamer with short black hair—slightly messy, yet smooth—wearing a white hoodie with a loose hood resting over his shoulders. Blue LED lights glowed softly from his gaming headset, reflecting faintly in his sharp, ordinary eyes. His jawline was simple, a bit sharp, nothing flashy.
In front of him stood a large computer monitor. On the screen was the image of an elf character, frozen in a victorious pose. A microphone rested on the desk, and closer to the screen sat a high-quality webcam.
Messages began flooding the screen.
Of course they did.
He was live.
"That was an amazing run."
Another message appeared.
"I could watch you play this game forever."
Then another.
"Honestly, you're the best player in this game."
The boy chuckled, scratching the back of his head.
"Come on, stop exaggerating," he said casually. "I only got this far because of you guys watching and supporting me."
Despite his words, there was a faint hint of pride in his tone.
More messages followed immediately.
"Look at him pretending to be humble lololol."
"Yeah right, humble my ass haha."
He laughed along with them.
"Hey, that's not true. You all know I'm not like that," he replied.
Then the mood shifted slightly as a new message appeared.
"Did you hear? People say the game director hasn't been seen lately."
Another message followed quickly.
"Yeah, I heard the same thing."
He skimmed through the chat, unimpressed.
"Hm. That doesn't really interest me," he said. "Maybe the guy just went on vacation. Who knows?"
That was when a donation alert popped up.
The username caught everyone's attention.
[Unknown Knight]
₩1000
Along with it came a message.
"I have an interesting challenge for you. What do you say?"
The boy blinked, then smiled.
"Oh? Unknown Knight, thanks for the donation," he said cheerfully. "A challenge, huh? Let's hear it. Maybe I can do it."
The chat immediately exploded.
"HAHA someone really named himself 'Knight' lololol."
"Bro thinks he's a main character with that name."
The boy laughed with them.
"Hey, guys, don't mock him like that," he said lightly. "Be nice."
Then another message appeared.
"If you can reach the final—
the Seventh Ending—
while playing as an Orc,
I will grant you any wish you desire."
Another donation followed immediately.
₩1000
"An orc? The Seventh Ending?" the boy burst out laughing. "Come on, don't make me laugh. That's impossible."
But inside his mind, his expression stiffened.
As an orc…?
Orcs are considered the hardest race to develop in the entire world of World of Ash and Steel.
And reaching the Seventh Ending with that race?
That wasn't just difficult.
It was insane.
The chat exploded instantly.
"HAHAHA an orc?? Aren't they the worst race?"
"The Seventh Ending? Isn't that just a rumor?"
"'I'll grant any wish' my ass hahaha."
"Who does this guy think he is, an angel or something? lololol."
The boy laughed lightly and waved a hand toward the camera.
"Hey, don't laugh like that," he said. "He didn't say anything offensive."
Then he leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting.
"Besides… reaching the Seventh Ending as an orc?"
"Hm. It's not a bad proposal."
He paused.
"But what exactly can you offer me?" he continued calmly. "I can't just accept a challenge like this without knowing if I can trust you."
Another message appeared from the same name.
[Unknown Knight]
₩1000
"Anything."
"Whatever you wish for."
"Anything…" the boy repeated quietly.
At that moment, two buttons appeared on the screen.
A green button labeled ACCEPT.
A red button labeled DECLINE.
He turned back to the camera with a grin.
"Well, guys? What do you think?" he asked. "Should we accept the challenge?"
The chat answered instantly.
"YES. ACCEPT IT."
"Do it! Let's see something crazy."
"Accept! Accept!"
The boy laughed.
"Well then," he said, lifting his hand. "If we're doing this—then we're doing it properly."
He pressed ACCEPT.
In the next instant, a blinding light burst from the screen.
Before he could react, his body was pulled forward— dragged into the monitor itself.
And the world went white.