Chapter 3: May you all rot in hell

After fulfilling all his responsibilities related to his grandpa's funeral, Max lived a lonely life for more than a month. He didn't feel like doing anything despite having mana and a system.

His grandpa's death hit him hard, and he also was alone for the first time. His only family member had just died, so Max was in a peculiar state. He mindlessly wandered around his house, which seemed too big for him now.

He listened to music, watched random shows, neglecting his exercises.

But an event he had been waiting for finally filled Max's heart with determination. It was as if someone splashed a bucket of cold water on him, readying Max for the new adventure that his grandpa had talked about.

"It's here," Max muttered beneath his nose while staring at the television's screen. His eyes weren't locked on a pretty lady but on a message next to her.

The first immersive game had been announced. The whole world trembled with excitement as everyone had dreamed of flying or slaying monsters at least once in their mundane lives.

Various talks erupted on social media, with many people calling this a scam. Some quickly defended the company behind the game, and others tried to use science to explain how the immersive game was possible.

Max couldn't care less about those people, "Grandpa…. I can now let you rest in my heart… It's time to take reins of my destiny."

After standing up, Max took off his shirt. He immediately started warming up, for he had indeed neglected his body. And while it might seem pointless, Max knew that his physique would benefit him in the game.

The game's purpose was to find people suitable for mana. They would start the game with fake mana, then the three families would secretly replace their fake mana with a genuine one, developing players for the real deal, which were the dungeons and The Tower…

Of course, the other worlds and their societies were also on their list.

Max did push-ups first while silently listening to the announcer's voice. She explained the plot behind the game, which was ridiculously filled with battles. There were so many monsters, evil nobles, selfish clans, and so on here that everyone surely would find an enemy to pursue.

'I am jealous of your freedom,' Max whispered while recalling his grandpa's story.

Because of three families, Mateo didn't even wish to help Earth. Instead, he would find new happiness somewhere else, in a much better place at least. But because he was inexperienced, he didn't know about the worlds' classifications.

He lacked too much information at that time.

It cost him too much.

And Earth was also jealous of his talent.

'I used to get jealous too easily,' Max threw his mind back to the past. Like a little brat, he often envied his peers. Their parents spoiled them, giving them everything they wanted. Contrary to them, Max had to work for his toys.

[You want to snatch that toy, don't you?]

[No!]

[You are seething in envy! You can't lie to me, my boy! Instead of working hard for your own toy, you stare at another kid with palpable jealousy. That's so wrong, my boy. You have to work hard for yourself.

Don't waste your talent. Don't fall low to become like them. If you don't miss a day of your responsibilities, I will buy you one.

Work hard, my boy!]

[No!]

"Yes…" Max whispered.

He wasn't like his old self. But with no one to keep an eye on him, Max feared he would become an old self. A jealous self that would rather snatch others' hard work than work hard by himself.

And as he recalled his grandpa's words, Max smiled faintly, "I know. I will only use them, then follow your principles outside the world. I will remain the fine man you've raised me to be."

As he etched those words on his heart, Max suddenly heard the announcer's high-pitched voice. Her announcement was about to end as she started reading the most hyped lines in her whole career.

"Who will save the world?" the lady shouted, "Who will become the hero, get all treasures, draw the whole world's attention, and have his name on everyone's tongues?!"

"Not me," Max chuckled, "But I will get your treasures for myself. There's no 'too many' for those items."

Although it was a fake world, Max's grandpa speculated that those selfish people would integrate real treasures and people into their game. There were just too many benefits in such a move that Mateo was confident these people wouldn't waste their chance.

Max would snatch the best and real treasures for himself. The fake world's plot didn't matter or any other fake people. Max would have some thoughts about real people, but on the other view, would he be able to really save them?

Would he benefit from helping them if players and game masters wanted to use the real people from the fantasy worlds?

He didn't know how it all would unfold, but Max was ready for a solo path.

"Or perhaps, you will become a villain?" the lady's questions continued.

Yet, those eluded Max as he no longer had an interest in her empty talk. But the word 'villain' would've raised some of his suspicions if he had listened.

After all, the three families' descendants would also use the game for their own experience, wouldn't they?

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"Here's your package," A delivery man uttered while passing a box, which contained a virtual reality helmet.

That alone was enough for people to become players.

Max took the package emotionlessly, "Thanks." However, only his outward appearance seemed as such. Inwardly, he was pretty agitated and impatient. He couldn't bother himself with emotions or treat a delivery man nicely.

After closing the doors, Max quickly unpacked the stuff.

[Virtual Reality Helmet(???) - It will allow you to connect to the low realm created by the three families. This helmet sucks the world's mana, which means it is self-repairing and self-sufficient.]

Yet, the company behind it required people to put batteries in. It was a mere cover to hide the truth behind this peculiar item.

Max sneered, "How cautious."

After putting his helmet on, Max closed his eyes. His lips turned into a wide smile as he uttered, "Let's dive in.

And may you all rot in hell after I take all your good stuff for myself."

[Welcome to the Torim World.]

[You can only have one character.]

[Choose your nickname.]

[Max(Available)]

[Your nickname has been chosen.]

[You can't change your appearance.]

[Choose your affiliation before you start your tutorial.]

[You have chosen, The Yerem Empire(The Battle Empire)]

[Your tutorial starts now.]

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

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