Back when I was a pubescent boy, I dreamt of being a protagonist. Of course, this kind of dream wasn't unique to me or anything.
Everyone, regardless of origin, has some sort of thing they're unsatisfied about in their lives.
They suffer through as the gap between their ideals and reality widens, compromising until their dreams fit into the scope of possibility.
I didn't like that.
However, my idea of a protagonist was far too bright and fictional that I knew there was no way of achieving it.
Until I came across Blade Art Online, a Japanese show where the protagonist was trapped in a VR game. The only way out was to clear the game.
Watching the show and immersing myself in the world where the protagonist lived, an idea crossed my mind.
It was absurd. Certainly absurd. I didn't register it that way though.
At the age of 13, I began striving towards it. Still, the only thing I could do was focus on my academics. Rather, that was more or less what I needed to do.
Studying was never hard anyway. I could just consume, struggle with a concept, then consume. That was what studying was and is to me: something to consume.
Thanks to that trait of mine, I was able to get into a great university and study what I needed.
It was long. Yet those twelve long years never once felt stagnated to me.
Even now, as I launch this world of mine, as I finally live this story I've written countless times, it all just feels like a part of the momentum.
I'm sure that this is all—this is how—I will become the protagonist.
***
Currently, the majority of the 11,635 players of Holyug Online were dumbstruck and confused at the message in front of them.
Who could blame them though? It was indeed quite stupid.
The message read:
NOTIFICATION
As of 28.6.2028 20:12, the [Log out] function has been temporarily removed. The function will be restored after the final floor (Floor 50) has been cleared.
Until then, no player will exit the game alive.
Additionally, the amount of 10 Cheng will be withdrawn daily from your [Balance] as a form of Daily tax. Failure to accumulate the sum will lead to simple extermination.
We, CAL2, wish you a wonderful playthrough as you explore and live in the adventurous world of The Brand New World: Holyug Online.
GOOD LUCK
The contents of the message were simple to understand. When players checked out the Main menu, they found the Log out button to really be invalid.
There were those who took it as a prank and then those who took it seriously. Some began preparing in case the message was legit even though they didn't completely believe in it.
Regardless of how the players took in this circumstance, the man behind this, Alex Buolin—was more than ready to see this through.
***
The full moon shone brightly, lighting up the vast blue ocean and lush green plains. Along with it, the night sky was decorated by multiple stars, almost as if the heavenly bodies were smiling at the man with jet-black hair and golden eyes.
Running across a yellow trail that's sandwiched between the ocean and the plains, Alex had a stupid grin plastered on his face. At times, he'd let out short, unrhythmic laughter and chuckles—a sign of extreme ecstasy.
Even when the ocean tides sang melodiously in his ears, along with the cooling breeze of the plains brushing past his upturned face, Alex was still immersed in his own reality.
"Holy shit, holy shit..."
He'd mutter at times.
Though his senses had been cut off from his real body, Alex could tell his heart was beating at a rapid rate.
He continued running for more than 15 minutes until eventually, his temper and palpitation calmed down to a certain extent.
Ding!
[You've entered Kentel forest]
Now, Alex found himself in a thick, evergreen forest buzzing with the chirping of crickets and the occasional hooting of owls. The dark green vines hung lifelessly from the tree branches, clinging for their meager existence.
"I'll do you the honor…no, you deserve it."
Alex said to no one but the forest itself.
This place, this forest— it was the first place he came up with when he thought up locations for Holyug Online.
So, his first kill should be done here as well. That too in the classic way.
Grah…hh…grhhh..
'Perfect timing.'
Alex smiled when he saw the Zombie approaching him.
With its left arm barely clinging to its emaciated body, the Zombie gagged and increased its pace, charging towards Alex.
[You've equipped Common D-rank
A sharp, silver sword materialised in Alex's right hand.
Swiftly closing the distance between him and the Zombie, Alex horizontally swung his sword, slicing the Zombie in the neck as dark liquid oozed out of the wound.
[You've dealt Major Effect: 2nd Level Injury]
[Class Special: 10% True Damage has been inflicted]
Alex ducked, dodging the pale right arm of the Zombie who had attempted to grab his head.
Swing!
He swung again, this time landing a strike at the Zombies torso.
Not missing its chance, the Zombie leaned down at a surprisingly quick speed, opening its dirty mouth in an attempt to bite the back of Alex's neck.
Alex simply rolled sideways then leaped backwards, putting a fair distance between him and the Zombie.
[You've equipped Common D-rank
The sword in his right hand dematerialised into light blue pixels, replaced by a black pistol aimed directly at the Zombie's head.
Bang! Bang!
[You've inflicted Major Effect: 1st Level Injury]
[You've inflicted Minor Effect: Bleeding]
With both bullets penetrating straight into its temple, the Zombie dematerialised into light blue pixels, insinuating its defeat.
Ding!
[You've slain E-rank
[12 EXP has been gained]
[Common E-rank
"Good."
'Now I can start going all-in on combat.'
The reason Alex immediately came to Kentel forest is because to achieve his goal of being the protagonist, he had set up four checkpoints for himself to reach.
His ideal protagonist; the first thing he needed to accomplish to be one, was to prove his capability to all the players. Alex planned to do this by conquering the First floor dungeon all by himself.
He believed…nay, he knew that the players would have their reasons for not challenging the First floor.
One of them being the player limit of the First floor dungeon. The other huge reason would be that since this server was opened not even an hour ago, no player would be capable of conquering the dungeon.
He knew there were other reasons but for now, these two were the major ones.
And to do such a dangerous act of challenging the dungeon by himself, Alex needed a certain Item that could be obtained via Kentel forest. As a safeguard of sorts.
"Kenosis huh?"
Limiting himself even though he could easily obtain the Item, or even conquer the floor by simply commanding his A.I partner, Claire—this certainly felt a bit odd.
Ding!
[PUBLIC CHATROOM]
[|Anusaxvc|: Aight bet]
[|Milf_hunter 94|: Go to plaines from north of pletzel and kill pigs. Buy apple from store before if pissible.]
[|RowlatQEN|: |@Cruelthesus| U high?]
[|Servantlonely|: |@Kotominekirei|Join my squad. We need assassin]
[|Hulkcrusher|: I like boobs tho…]
[|GATEKEEPER|: |@Queen_rock| Dost thou lacketh the brain?]
[|Poliwhirl|: Id ratger die lol]
[|Undergrounder|: |@Cixiv_$0/9| For now calm down. No need to panic u can survive this buddy. I believe u]
[|Zertylq|: Boom boom banng bang ghncfhndyhjiyfu]
[|Elite Peon|: yall dumb af]
[<\\>]
'They sure are taking it well.'
"Not that it really mattered."
Now that Alex fully calmed down, the weight of the situation certainly felt a bit heavy. Yet, why was he so sure he could carry it easily?
"Hehe." He randomly let out an awkward chuckle.
Right, it's very much clear why he thought so.
No matter what happens from now onwards, Alex knew he would never regret taking a bite off the forbidden fruit of extreme escapism.