Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Episode 0 _ Prologue

1.

In Akila, the capital of The World—a game that had dominated the MMORPG rankings for thirteen consecutive weeks—the enhancement shop was buzzing. Though spacious enough for three hundred people, it was currently packed with an even larger crowd.

—Is it true? The guy who made a +14 Sword of Primordial Immortality is in here?

—That’s why everyone’s here, isn’t it?

—So, where are they?

Astonishingly, the entire crowd had gathered to see just one player. The scene was even more incredible considering the larger mob of players waiting outside. Akila was a city only accessible to those who had dedicated at least half a year to leveling up, which meant that even the most hardcore players—the ones who lived and breathed the game—had abandoned their hunts to witness the spectacle.

—A +14? That’s insane. right?

—In all my time playing The World, I’ve never seen a +14.

—And on a Sword of Primordial Immortality, no less. Isn’t the base version of that sword worth $300 in cash?

—I saw a +12 version sell for $1,500.

—Then how much is that one worth?

—Probably around $10,000, don’t you think?

—Definitely... If that new VR game wasn’t coming out, it would be worth a lot more.

—Still, $10,000 is $10,000. Getting that much for an online game item these days is incredible.

—No kidding.

The World’s enhancement system was notorious for its abysmal success rates, which was precisely why so many high-level players had gathered. Beyond mere curiosity, obtaining a highly enhanced weapon suitable for their level was an opportunity to get a step ahead of the competition. It would cost a fortune, of course, but there were plenty of people willing to pay any price to be the best, especially in a game that had held the top rank for thirteen straight weeks. Players who had come with that goal in mind began to shout, their voices rising above the crowd.

—Is the person who enhanced the +14 Sword of Primordial Immortality here? I’d like to buy it!”

—I want to buy it, too! Please send me a whisper!”

—I’ll give you a much better price than you’re hoping for!”

Despite a few players mentioning that the market price would drop because of the upcoming VR game, the excitement was palpable. Even with a new game on the horizon, dedicated players would stick to PC gaming, and the cost of the VR capsules was no small matter. PC gaming wasn’t going to die out overnight. It was unthinkable that the top rankers of The World, who spent every waking moment hunting, would be tempted by the new virtual reality and abandon the characters, guilds, and connections they had built over the years.

—How much are you offering?

—I’ll buy it for $9,000!

—$9,100!

—I can go up to $9,300.

The demand was immense, and the prices were excellent.

—It’s still not enough...

However, a chat message from the owner of the +14 weapon, hidden somewhere in the crowd, betrayed his dissatisfaction. The players who had dropped everything to rush here for the weapon grew anxious. This was the kind of weapon that might appear only once in a lifetime. It wasn’t something that could be obtained through mere effort; it required a stroke of heavenly luck to achieve a +14 enhancement. As long as the game existed, its value would only continue to rise. Moreover, the Sword of Primordial Immortality was the highest-level weapon currently available.

—I’ll pay whatever you want!

—Me too! Please sell it to me!

The prospective buyers steeled themselves, prepared to overpay by one or two thousand dollars. The onlookers clicked their tongues but watched the situation unfold with great interest.

—I need at least $20,000...

At the weapon owner’s next message, the players fell silent. The price was utterly absurd. Twenty thousand dollars. While it was undoubtedly a magnificent weapon, paying that much for it felt wrong. Even the wealthiest players in the crowd frowned, but no one voiced their complaints. This place was crawling with competitors. If someone took the lead and spoke out, they might fall out of favor, and the price could drop again. As the silence continued, a man who had been leaning against the second-floor railing finally spoke, holding up the brilliantly glowing sword.

—I guess $20,000 is a bit much, right? Even for a +14.

Again, no one answered, but this time for a different reason.

—Wow. Damn. Look at that effect.

—The +14 effect...

—It’s blinding.

—I just want to see what options it has.

—If a +14 looks like that, I wonder what a +15 would be like?

—Wouldn’t light just pour down from the heavens?

Hundreds of players gasped in awe at the overwhelming visual effect. At the same time, the desire of those who had come to purchase it surged. Character customization was an absolutely essential part of any game. Flaunting a splendor that others didn’t have was a symbol of wealth and a source of pride. But even with that desire, twenty thousand dollars was not a sum one could easily agree to. As the silence stretched on, the man holding the sword spoke again.

—Alright. Then I’ll make it +15 and sell it for $20,000. How about that? Any takers?

The crowd was utterly bewildered.

—He’s going for +15?

—With that sword?

—Is he out of his mind?

This time, it was sheer astonishment. It was a bizarre conclusion that no sane person would ever reach. He was going to enhance it again just because it didn’t fetch the price he wanted? In The World? The officially stated success rate for a +15 enhancement was 0.03%. That meant out of ten thousand attempts, only three would succeed. The man’s confident declaration, as if success was a given, was simply dumbfounding.

—Then just wait a moment.

The players exchanged confused glances.

But the players had no time to process the strangeness of the situation. As soon as the man’s character finished speaking, he moved immediately, placing the sword on one of the many anvils behind him.

—Oh, no!

Finally grasping what was happening, the players belatedly began to type in chat.

—If you’re going to do that, just give it to me!

—Hey!

—Are you crazy?

—You’re joking, right?

—It has to be a joke. They were offering up to $12,000. There’s no way he’d destroy it.

Reactions of shock and disbelief poured in, even more intense than when the message about the +14 Sword of Primordial Immortality first appeared.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The crowd watched in stunned silence.

Ignoring the reactions completely, the man’s character began to strike the sword, which was emitting a dazzling, pure white light, with a worn-out hammer from beside the anvil. A hush fell over the crowd. No one even thought to swallow. Not a single player there was ignorant of what that character’s actions meant.

—He did it.

—He’s insane.

—Is it a bug?

—Or maybe a scam?

Confusion and the sound of a dozen hammer strikes filled the air. And then...

[Congratulations! ‘Citizen’ has acquired ‘Sword of Primordial Immortality (+15)’!]

The crowd was speechless.

A brilliant, five-colored rainbow poured down from the heavens inside the enhancement shop. Amidst the stunned silence, the man approached the railing once more, holding a sword that was now even more magnificent and radiant.

—$24,000 after fees. Any takers?

* * *