The Past. So, 30 years ago, I wasn’t really the type to go outside.
For almost a year after becoming the Saintess of the village, I practically locked myself in the house.
As time went on, I gradually felt the need to go out and spent most of my time engaging in external activities.
But now, what reason do I have, right?
“Yawn~ Should I order chicken today?”
It’s Earth after 30 years.
Just like when in Rome, you follow Roman laws, I didn’t have to wander outside like a lunatic while on Earth.
Because I was quite lazy back then.
After about a 40-minute short wait, the delivery arrived.
“Thank you~”
I threw on some clothes and received the chicken.
There was a very brief scan by the delivery guy, but I just ignored it since it was a familiar gaze.
Honestly, if someone like me walked past, I don’t think I could help but stare.
In that sense, a 0.5-second short scan is nothing.
“Chicken~ Chicken~”
A week since returning to Earth.
I’ve been lounging at home all day, eating only modern foods, including delivery.
Honestly, if you asked if I was 100% fine, I couldn’t really say I was.
I still occasionally stay alert for attacks from those targeting my appearance or the blood of the Celestial Race.
That’s why I set my ‘detection’ skill within a 10-meter radius and wake up at the same time every day.
Of course, the detection here barely registers position, and I can’t tell if it’s actually detecting anything or if it’s just my nerves acting up.
But I’ve come to the point where I feel empty without it, so I keep it on all the time.
“Oh, it turned off.”
My magical energy ran out.
Detection is like a passive skill that drains very little mana.
If you put it in numbers, it’s about 1 mana per hour.
Unlike the past where I had several hundred thousand mana and regeneration in the thousands, now I can barely regenerate about 10 after a full day’s sleep.
“If it restores, I’ll turn it back on.”
I casually tore open the chicken bag.
Honestly, it’s become a habit to turn it on every time, and it’s not because I’m particularly worried about danger.
Isn’t modern society quite safe?
I’m not even going outside, and the chance of a burglar picking my house lock and messing with me seems quite low.
“But really, I’m quite popular.”
“But it’s really popular, huh?”
After returning to Earth, I swam through the ocean of information on the internet, organizing countless pieces of data in my brain.
The day I suddenly got possessed was July 4, 2018.
I returned on February 10, 2022.
Simply put, even if we set aside the time difference, in about three and a half years, the world flipped upside down.
From global corporations to various markets and societal perspectives, media seemed to have made a complete 480-degree turnaround.
Well-known companies I knew had vanished without a trace, and new companies I had never seen before were competing in the industry rankings.
And at the center of it all, there was one game.
‘Devil of Angel.’
A company that released a virtual reality game almost identical to reality after three and a half years.
Nutri Company.
What kind of company rises to the top of the global market within just three years of its establishment?
Of course, at the heart of that was the virtual reality game.
It could be said that they reached that position mainly because of one game.
A world where you can embark on a fantasy adventure featuring dream races like elves and orcs, set against a medieval backdrop with sensations nearly identical to reality!
PVP that allows you to showcase your skills and PVE where you dig through dungeons with countless companions to obtain treasures.
The hidden existence of the Celestial Race and Demon Race too.
“Enjoy all this in the second world… the world welcomes you…”
What a load of nonsense.
It’s definitely absolute nonsense.
“Trying to enchant me again!!”
It’s a pointless struggle.
I absolutely won’t fall for it.
Haven’t I rolled enough in 30 years? How much longer do they plan to roll me?
However, I’ve already spent a week just looking at information about this game.
To be exact, even if I tried not to, everywhere I went, they were only talking about Devil of Angel, so unless I completely avoided the internet, there was no way to escape this demon beast.
But there’s no way I could avoid the internet.
“…The President’s award broadcasted on public TV. Famous streamers live streaming to 200,000 viewers…”
The world is going crazy.
Absolutely crazy.
Gulp.
“I’m not going.”
Gulp, gulp.
“I said I’m not going!”
A week.
It’s been a week.
It’s only been a week since I returned to Earth, so am I crazy enough to go back?
I will never, ever play that game.
“…Ha, just once?”
But I was born a gamer.
A game that the whole world is paying attention to. How can I resist this?
Moreover, it’s not just any trash game; it’s a god-tier game, right?
Kwang! The beer from the can splatters everywhere.
Thud. It even hit my chest.
I wiped my chest with a wet wipe and tossed it into the trash can.
“Whew… No, it’s expensive. Usually, virtual reality devices cost a fortune.”
Right! In most creative works, virtual reality devices are known for their outrageous performance and come with a multi-million price tag.
What money do I have to buy a virtual reality device costing a mere 20 million won?
Sure, I’m broke and a beggar, but for some reason, I felt victorious and chuckled.
Then I read the text at the very top of the official website.
[Devil of Angel, Deoen 3rd Anniversary Special!
60% discount on 3rd Generation Accessory! (Limited to 100,000 units.)
4,990,000 won. (Taxes not included.)]
“……”
Shit.
■
“Delivery!”
“Yes~”
I’ve ordered it.
I’ve crossed the river that cannot be turned back.
Contrary to my expectation that delivery would take a long time, it arrived in just two days.
The Nutri Company truck arrived at the small one-room villa, causing a stir among the residents as they peered out curiously.
Of course, I didn’t go outside and show my face.
The delivery guys set up the device in my small 7-pyeong room.
I thought it would be bigger than expected, but surprisingly, it was smaller than a bed, just big enough for my body to fit in.
Hmm, I didn’t waste my money after all.
After that, I roughly looked it up and found out there’s a PC room where I can play Deoen, I mean, Devil of Angel.
To be exact, it’s a virtual access room.
Well, not everyone can buy a device that costs over ten million won.
About 70% of game users enjoy gaming not at home but in rental places.
The price is 7,000 won per hour.
It’s seven times more expensive than regular PC rooms, but considering the device’s price, it doesn’t seem that expensive.
In the end, I was destined to play this game anyway.
The delivery guys are leaving.
I greeted them briefly, and as the Nutri Company truck completely pulled away, people started to head back home one by one.
I looked down at the small device, just big enough for my body to fit.
It’s a small size, so there’s a sense of shame, but for some reason, it feels like it was made just for me.
Although the shame is defined, it somehow feels like it was made just for me.
“Do you really think I’ll immediately get possessed just by entering?”
The exterior was made of a glossy texture in black and blue, while the inside of the clean white space was made of a soft, cushion-like material.
As I carefully set my foot down, the plush sensation seemed to pull at my feet.
A signal, as if urging me to come over here.
Before long, lying inside the device, I read the manual that came with it.
The manual consisted of about two pages.
It introduced the basic company and game, what structure it is made of, and what functions it has.
There wasn’t anything special about the company or game introduction.
I thought maybe I could find some useful information, but it was quite ordinary aside from being a simple connection device made for gaming.
There were no familiar faces from the company either.
There were two functions.
The red start button attached inside and the blue escape button that allows you to leave at any time.
If the power is cut off, a signal will be sent in-game, and backup power will kick in, forcing a logout when even the backup power is depleted.
Being a virtual reality game, it seems stability has been somewhat ensured.
I looked down while still lying down.
I can’t see because of my chest.
Not being able to see my lower body during battle is extremely fatal, so I had used a piercing view skill that penetrates my body, but right now I’m not capable of using such a skill.
I pressed the start button. With a low hum – a uniquely shaped blue curtain rose, and after a moment of darkness, verdant windows came into my view.
I took a light breath.
Just for a moment. Just a brief viewing.
Yeah, I haven’t lost yet.
So I’m just heading into enemy territory to gather information about the enemy.
Besides, I mean, how real can virtual reality actually be?
At best, I’d only notice aspects like touch, smell, and sound, but there’s no way I’ll feel the heightened senses that can only be experienced in reality.
[Hello. Starting the Devil of Angel 3rd Generation Connection Link.]
[If this is your first time, press the blue button. If you already have an ID, please select the red button.]
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