[Deus Ex Machina]
A character-collecting game available on both mobile and PC.
My all-time favorite game, to which I dedicated everything.
It featured a typical plot where players, as “the chosen ones,” become forgotten divine warriors facing evil forces that seek to destroy the world.
Yet, the world of [Deus Ex Machina] was intricately crafted, and its captivating characters led to instantaneous popularity upon release.
I too got swept up in that popularity and devoted years to the game.
Since I could collect characters to include in my protagonist party, I poured all my money into summoning attractive characters, and I played with the ones I wanted.
The problem was that summoning just one character could cost over 300,000 won, making the game incredibly expensive.
However, I believed this game would last forever, and I loved it so much that I spent my money without restraint.
While 300,000 won may not seem high, there were duality mechanics that let you strengthen characters by summoning them multiple times or equipping them with unique weapons, pushing my spending into the tens of millions.
And I believed I had made the right choice.
Until virtual reality games emerged.
A major tech company in the U.S. announced a virtual reality game, followed by other big tech companies showcasing their VR technologies.
Having long believed that the metaverse hype was a lie and that it would take ages to realize true virtual reality, I felt betrayed.
Finally, there was a cheap and easy virtual reality game that only required wearing a pair of glasses.
Once that overwhelming performance and pricing hit the market, all existing mobile and PC games became irrelevant.
My beloved [Deus Ex Machina] was no exception.
Once boasting a peak user base, the game had become a ghost town with no new players, and the guildmates I’d played with all left.
I couldn’t abandon the game; even if virtual reality gaming suited me, I wouldn’t leave [Deus Ex Machina].
And finally, the day came.
The death sentence of [Deus Ex Machina].
It wasn’t an official service termination announcement, as it wasn’t that small of a game.
What the developers announced was the halt of updates.
No further updates.
Grateful for the love shown towards [Deus Ex Machina] until now.
…But the story updates aren’t even finished yet.
My protagonist and the adventures of my characters haven’t reached their end, yet the game is just… over?
My adventures up till now…
The developers said they’d cease updates but keep the game running; however, service termination would soon follow.
No one would play a game in a frozen world without endings or updates.
And if that happened, all my money, my passion… my memories would evaporate.
The adventures with the characters I adore…
That can’t happen.
I can’t let it end like this.
While I was feeling defeated, I suddenly opened my phone and accessed the [Deus Ex Machina] community.
This game had once swept the world.
Surely there are still users out there who love this game like I do.
Maybe they’d also be pleading for the game company to resume updates?
And as I opened the community window…
I was greeted by an empty, desolate screen.
The last post was from ten days ago.
And that post was unrelated nonsense.
The community was dead.
I hadn’t checked the [Deus Ex Machina] community in a while, but it was shocking to see how it had withered away.
It used to be one of the most active game communities out there…
I, having lost my last hope, collapsed on my bed.
The game I had poured everything into…
Witharing strength, I drifted into sleep, dreaming of a better future, one where [Deus Ex Machina] would revitalize.
When I opened my eyes, an entirely unfamiliar, lavish ceiling welcomed me.
“Master. Your father is calling.”
“Father? Got it. Just a sec.”
Fifteen years ago.
I opened my eyes to the world of [Deus Ex Machina].
In the world I cherished so deeply.
When I first opened my eyes in this realm, I never imagined I was inside [Deus Ex Machina].
But after meeting ‘my’ family, I was convinced.
This place was the world of [Deus Ex Machina]. The world of my fondest memories.
To think I’d be reincarnated as a character within the world I adored.
Pondering briefly, I felt this was a divine opportunity bestowed upon me by some higher being. Whoever it is, they gave me this chance. This can’t be a dream, right?
To embark on adventures with characters I love in this world!
There couldn’t be greater joy.
The problem, however, was that I had reincarnated into a 4-year-old toddler’s body, leaving me unable to do anything.
Still, I resolved not to lose my composure.
Though I was just an extra, I was a character of the same age as the protagonist in the game.
Still more than ten years remained until the game’s story began.
Once I grow up, it’s not too late to meet them.
Thus, as I adapted to this world and the character I reincarnated into, 15 years passed, and adulthood approached.
Once I turn eighteen, I should officially be able to attend the Academy.
And once I go to the Academy, I’ll finally meet the major characters of [Deus Ex Machina], the ones I adored in person!
Knock knock
“Father. It’s Luke. I heard you called for me.”
“Come in.”
As I gently opened the door and stepped inside, I saw a distinguished middle-aged man with white hair seated at a desk, managing paperwork.
“Sit down, Luke.”
My host father, the character I reincarnated as, Luke’s father.
The Duke Leopar Pulsreino of the Northern Empire, guarding the northern borders against chaotic forces beyond the Northern Mountains.
Even at the point where [Deus Ex Machina] ceased story updates, he was one of the strongest figures in the world.
“Luke. The reason I called you today…”
As he set down his glasses while processing documents, he began to speak.
“Is it about the coming of age ceremony…?”
“Right. The coming of age ceremony. That’s one reason. But I actually want to talk about the Academy.”
The Academy.
The Empire’s premier higher education institution every noble must attend.
Of course, a few talented commoners are allowed entry, but it’s generally a social venue created for nobles.
It was also the place where major events and character developments unfolded in [Deus Ex Machina].
“You know, your book is shaking the continent, right?”
“Ah… that, right?”
My book.
Is he talking about that one?
I wrote it wanting to shake up the continent…
But I never expected it would go this far.
I never imagined my casually written book would fuel a new religion strong enough to engulf the continent.
“Fortunately, no one knows you are the author, but everyone across the continent is now looking for you. Luke, if you happen to go to the Academy and run into the wrong crowd, it could become dangerous. Religion can be that perilous.”
It’s certainly a risk.
While this continent isn’t engulfed in a monotheism akin to medieval Europe, with witch hunts or blasphemy trials, the continent’s leaders are hot on the trail for the author of my book.
“So… Luke. Would you consider staying home instead of attending the Academy?”
“…What? But all nobles in the Empire must attend the Academy…”
“Of course, there is such an obligation. But do you know who your father is? The Duke of the North, Leopar. Besides, I have a close relationship with His Majesty the Emperor. I can easily talk to him. If I do that, you won’t have to go to the Academy. What do you say?”
My father, Leopar, has been friends with the current Emperor since childhood.
Even now, they maintain a level of familiarity to the point of using casual language in private.
If it’s his request, I could likely avoid going to the Academy.
“I’m sorry, Father.”
But even so, I will go to the Academy.
“…Huh?”
I’ve waited 15 years.
The time I’ve waited to meet those I cherish.
Finally, I can meet them.
But to avoid possible danger and not attend the Academy…
That’s simply not an option.
“…Okay. You can always change your mind and let me know later.”
“I understand, Father. I’ll take my leave now.”
Creak
Thud
“Phew.”
Closing the door to my father’s office, I headed back to my room.
As I walked to my room, I encountered her.
“…Get lost, trash. Don’t dirty my eyes first thing in the morning.”
My sister.
A family member who despises me.
Someone who has immersed herself in the religion created because of my book.
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