Why can't I go back?

At the dawn of the year 3000, a laboratory succeeded in developing a breakthrough device—The Quantum Phase Tube, a cylindrical apparatus that enabled users to enter the quantum phase of existence.

To test the machine, the lab partnered with a single game developer.

Together, they created a game called "Beyond of Astrall", turning gamers into experimental subjects.

Once the game was finished and launched, gamers responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. Many rushed to purchase the device, and as a reward for buying the Quantum Phase Tube, the game was distributed for free.

None of the players knew the truth:They were nothing more than test subjects.

Among them was William Harvey—a prominent gamer and influencer. He was offered the chance to promote the game in exchange for a free Quantum Phase Tube.

Excited beyond reason, he accepted, never once suspecting that he was merely a lab rat in someone else's experiment.

Or maybe—

Even if he had known...

He would've accepted it anyway.

That’s the true nature of a gamer.

After promoting both the game and the device, William finally received his Quantum Phase Tube.

His heart pounded. Adrenaline flooded his mind. He activated the machine.It hummed, then opened. He stepped inside without hesitation.

The device functioned by blasting the user with tremendous energy while completely isolating them from the outside world—a necessary step to ensure the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle could operate unhindered.In that state, the user's body and consciousness were converted into particle-wave information, then synchronized with the quantum render engine of the game.

As William entered the game, he did not appear in a lobby—unlike most games.

Beyond of Astrall used the player’s physical body as their in-game avatar. There was no spawn lobby. No safe zone.

Each player materialized at a random location, fully exposed.

There was also no heads-up display. No user interface.

Players couldn’t distinguish NPCs from real players.And if a player got hurt—or died—the Quantum Phase Tube would reconstruct their body.

William scanned his surroundings carefully.

A flat open field. Wind rustled the grass. Nothing else.

“Damn! I spawned in a friggin’ empty field!” he shouted.

He heard water trickling—but there was no river nearby.

All he saw was a single creature: a black slime.

“Just a slime, huh?” He stepped over it carelessly.

In his mind, it was impossible for a weak monster like a slime to pose any threat.

But in the blink of an eye—The slime lunged at him.

He never saw it coming.

It struck his left arm and waist.

“Aghhh—damn, that hurts!” he cried out.

He leapt back in pain, ready to retaliate—only to realize his hands were empty.

No weapon.And the pain… the pain was indescribable. Not hot. Not cold. Just wrong.

It wasn’t like anything he’d ever felt in a game.

Instinct took over. He retreated.

Fighting that thing unarmed would be suicide.

In his wounded state, he thought only of finding safety. Of returning to a lobby.

But there was no lobby in this world.

Players were forced to survive in the environment they spawned in.

Still, he searched for it anyway. Hoping. Wandering.

The vast grassland stretched as far as the eye could see.No roads. No landmarks. Just open space.

His body trembled with exhaustion. His limbs shook.

He began to regret everything—Regret accepting the offer.Regret stepping into that machine.

But the choice was already made.There was no going back.

He pressed on, stumbling forward.

He refused to die in some pathetic way, even if the device would just recreate his body.

His vision blurred. Colors shifted—Like twilight bleeding into the sky.Even though it was still daytime in the game.

He tried to stay awake.But eventually—

His consciousness faded, and he collapsed onto the ground.

A shepherd approached.

Behind him trailed his herd—creatures known as Gron, horse-bodied beasts with goose heads.

The shepherd examined the motionless body.

He knelt, closed his eyes, and placed a hand on the boy's chest.

Concentrating deeply, he tried to identify the energy within.

Something alien stirred in his mind.

“…A poor shadow exister,” his eyes looking the boy sadly.

Despite his age, he lifted William onto the back of a Gron.

Then continued his journey—Eventually arriving at a small village.

The shepherd approached a wooden house with a thatched roof.

An old woman stepped out, wearing a garment that barely covered her chest.

“Who’s that you’ve brought, dear Damar?” she asked.

“A shadow exister, Juneb,” replied the old man—Damar, her husband.

“Where did you find him?” she asked.

“Quite far from the village,” Damar answered. “He looks like he was attacked by a Martovalum slime.”

at that, Juneb gasped.

She turned and hurried off to a neighbor’s house.

“Mister Dadang! Please open up!” she cried, her whole body shaking.Her legs could barely support her weight.

The door opened.

A tall man appeared, his face scarred along the left side.

“What’s wrong, grandma?” Dadang asked.

“A shadow exister’s been attacked by a Martovalum slime!” Juneb exclaimed.

Mister Dadang turned toward Juneb’s home.He saw Damar and the Gron.But more than anything—he saw the motionless figure lying across one of the beasts.

He couldn’t stand the sight of someone suffering.

Especially not a shadow exister.

He stepped back inside and emerged with an object that resembled an umbrella.

Then he walked toward Juneb’s house.

“Sorry to trouble you, mister Dadang,” Damar feels guilty.

“No need to apologize, grandpa Damar,” mister Dadang replied. “I’d feel worse if I didn’t help.”

“Then please—take him to the Lindru tample,” Damar pleaded.

Mister Dadang nodded.

“Den Pavasra lon Gaya!” he called out, throwing the umbrella into the air.

Instantly, a crowned serpent emerged from it, coiling in midair.

“You summoned me, Master?” asked the serpent.

Dadang carefully lifted William and leapt onto the serpent’s head.

“Take me to the Lindru tample!” he commanded.

And the serpent began to soar.

After arriving at the Lindru temple, An old man stood at the door.

"Who is he?” asked the old man.

""He is a shadow exister," Dadang replied. "Can you help him?"