Nightmare Level

I still couldn’t believe it—my old account, the one I thought was lost forever… I could actually access it again.

Back then, I was completely obsessed with Abyss Code Online. I played nearly 20 hours a day, living and breathing the game. I wasn’t just another hardcore player—I was the player. 

The first one to ever reach level 8. And even more, I was the only one who had made it to the 8th floor of the Abyss Dungeon. The closest anyone had ever come to clearing the game.

That’s how I earned the title: Legendary Player.

Now, for the first time in years, I could feel my body beginning to sync with my old avatar.

[Synchronization between your physical body and game avatar has begun.]

[Your appearance will reflect your real-life self, but you will retain your avatar’s abilities.]

The message surprised me. Even though I’d always considered myself decently good-looking, I wasn’t exactly eager to show my real face in the game. 

But I had no choice in the matter. I accepted it with a resigned sigh.

I remembered the massive screen in the real world where other players had been shown. Most of them looked like typical Japanese people—confirming my suspicion. 

This wasn’t just mental transmigration; our bodies had been transported too.

That also meant the Ayane I saw... that was her real appearance. Her crimson hair and bright green eyes weren’t just cosmetic choices. 

She truly looked like that. Such features were incredibly rare in Japan. She was probably part European—maybe from Western or Northern Europe.

Still, creating your avatar to look like your real self? Honestly, it seemed ridiculous. I let out a small laugh.

But Ayane probably didn’t know any better. She always was kind of... innocent.

[Avatar synchronization complete.]

A massive mirror appeared in front of me. I stepped closer—and there he was. The person I had once become in this world.

A 20-year-old guy with dark blue hair (yeah, I dyed it) and pale blue eyes. 

I always hated my eyes. They were far too unusual for someone from Japan. But my family came from the north—maybe that explained it.

Then I glanced at my gear. I was wearing my old signature outfit: the [Nullwave Hoodie]—a sleek blue hoodie armor with a black undersuit. Stylish, functional, and comfortable in combat.

I opened my inventory. To my shock—and relief—everything was still there, neatly preserved.

 My entire legacy. My arsenal. Every item I’d fought tooth and nail to earn.

A huge advantage... and one I had to use wisely.

Then suddenly, another system message popped up:

[Exclusive player perks granted. As a result, the game’s difficulty will be increased.]

“What?! Wait a second—nobody told me there’d be a consequence for this!” I yelled at the interface.

This was seriously bad. Increased difficulty meant even more risk. Back when I was actively conquering dungeons, the game had been set to Hard mode. It had started off as Normal, but once I cleared the 5th floor, there was a massive update that raised the entire game’s difficulty.

Every monster—whether common or boss—became twice as powerful. 

The grind became brutal. But I still pushed through. I reached floor 8, no matter how much blood, sweat, and time it took.

Now, staring at this new notification, I had a terrible feeling in my gut.

[System Update: Abyss Code Online Difficulty Increased!]

[Difficulty: Hard → Nightmare]

[Nightmare Level Effects:]

1. Abyss monster stats increased by 100%

2. Minimap feature disabled within Abyss dungeons.

3. Damage limiter removed: Players will physically feel pain from injuries.

4. Permanent Death: When HP reaches zero, the player dies and cannot be revived

[Nightmare Level Benefits:]

1. 100% Bonus EXP Gain

2. Finishing the game unlocks the True Ending

This is insane.

I expected the removal of the pain filter and the risk of real death. It made sense—our actual bodies had been brought into the game. 

But doubling the strength of every monster? That’s beyond unfair. That means every normal mob and boss I once fought will be twice as deadly now.

I was already pushed to my limit when I cleared Floor 8 back then. At Nightmare difficulty, I’m not even sure I can survive it—let alone win.

And the minimap? Gone. 

That’s a major blow. Exploring the Abyss dungeons without navigation will be brutal. New players won’t stand a chance.

“Damn this cursed game! It’s like it was designed to be impossible!”

I clenched my jaw and steadied my breathing. No—this isn't the time to panic. I’ve faced the impossible before.

I need to take advantage of the Nightmare-level bonuses. That 100% EXP boost… if I use it right, I can reach Level 10—the game’s maximum level. 

If any of the surviving top players can do the same, then maybe, just maybe, we still have a shot at winning.

And that True Ending… I don’t know what it is, or what it means. But honestly, I don’t care.

I’m not doing this for glory.

I’m here for Ayane.

I’m going to save her—and bring her back to Earth.

I renewed my resolve.

[All preparations complete. Initiating Player Transmigration.]

[20%...40%...60%...]

My body began to shift, dissolving into raw data. The sensation was strange and unnatural, like my consciousness was being pulled apart, floating in a vast digital void.

[80%...]

A blinding white light surged toward me, and I felt it pulling me in like a vortex.

[100%...Transmigration Successful.]

[Welcome to: Netherbyte City.]

My body began to reassemble, piece by piece. I could feel my limbs again. My senses returned.

I opened my eyes—and what I saw shocked me to my core.

I wasn’t in the safe spawn zone of Netherbyte City. No. I’d been dropped directly into the Subcore District—the front lines of a battle against the Abyss.

Explosions and screams filled the air. The sky above was a burning red haze.

“HELP MEEE—!”
A male player was blown up by a Crackling Wisp.

“NO—ARGH!”
Another was impaled through the chest by a Nightwalker.

“I… I don’t want to die…”
A female player collapsed, foaming at the mouth, her body twitching as the poison from a Ratscourage finished her off.

Those who die will turn back into data, like red pixels exploding and disappearing into space.

I stood there, frozen.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. So many players—dying.

My body trembled violently. Cold sweat soaked through my hoodie.

“This is real.... They’re really dying…”