Chapter 2:
Chapter 2: The Announcement
Welcome!! To Belruna World
Haven's Rest was more impressive up close than Cole had imagined.
The town stretched across at least three square kilometers, its white stone buildings gleaming under the twin suns. Blue-tiled roofs caught the light like sapphires, and cobblestone streets wound between structures that ranged from single-story homes to what looked like a massive cathedral at the town's center. NPCs non-player characters moved through the streets with startling realism, chatting with each other, carrying baskets of goods, and going about their business as if this were an actual living town.
But it was the sheer number of players that truly struck Cole. Thousands upon thousands of them, all materializing in waves, all wearing the same basic starter gear differentiated only by class. Warriors in leather armor. Mages in simple robes. Healers in white cloth. Archers with basic bows. Rogues in dark, fitted clothing. The streets were packed, the air filled with excited chatter in dozens of languages.
The UI helpfully translated everything into Korean for Cole, though he could toggle it to show original languages if he wanted. The technology behind this game was staggering.
"This way! The Town Chief is in the central plaza!" An NPC town guard called out, gesturing toward the cathedral. His movements were fluid, natural. If Cole hadn't known better, he might have mistaken him for another player.
Cole followed the crowd, letting himself be swept along by the tide of excited gamers. Everyone was testing features opening status windows, examining weapons, attempting to access skill menus. The UI was intuitive, responding to both voice commands and thought commands. Cole experimented as he walked, pulling up his character sheet with just a mental nudge.
[CHARACTER: COLE]Level: 1 Class: Warrior Title: None HP: 150/150 MP: 50/50 Stamina: 100/100
Stats:Strength: 12 Agility: 8 Vitality: 10 Intelligence: 6 Wisdom: 6 Luck: 5
Skills:- Basic Sword Mastery (Lv.1) - Power Strike (Lv.1)
Equipment:- Iron Sword (Attack: 8-12) - Leather Armor Set (Defense: 15) - Beginner's Boots (Defense: 3)
Currency:- Gold: 0 - Silver: 100 - Copper: 0
Cole dismissed the window and continued toward the plaza. The central area was enormous a circular space paved with intricate stonework patterns, dominated by a large fountain featuring a statue of a warrior raising a sword toward the sky. Surrounding the plaza were various shops with signs indicating their purpose: "Weapons & Armor," "General Goods," "Potions & Herbs," "Inn & Tavern."
On a raised platform near the fountain stood an elderly NPC man in elaborate blue robes, a long white beard reaching his chest. His nameplate identified him as [Town Chief Magnus - Lv.???]. The question marks instead of a level number indicated he was far beyond what Cole could currently assess.
"Welcome, brave adventurers!" Magnus's voice boomed across the plaza, somehow audible above the crowd noise. "I am Magnus, chief of Haven's Rest. You have been summoned to our world of Belruna in its time of greatest need!"
The crowd quieted somewhat, players paying attention to what was clearly a scripted tutorial sequence.
"Our world faces many threats," Magnus continued, raising his arms dramatically. "Dungeons filled with monsters plague our lands. Ancient evils stir in forgotten places. We need heroes brave souls willing to grow stronger, to explore the unknown, to protect the innocent!"
It was typical MMORPG quest exposition, but Magnus delivered it with such conviction that Cole found himself engaged despite the cliché.
"Your journey begins here, in Haven's Rest. Explore our town. Speak with our citizens. Accept quests to gain experience and grow stronger. The path to greatness starts with a single step!"
A notification appeared before every player:
[TUTORIAL QUEST COMPLETE: ARRIVE AT HAVEN'S REST][REWARD: BEGINNER'S SUPPLY PACK][NEW QUEST AVAILABLE: FIRST STEPS] [Objective: Complete any 3 beginner quests in Haven's Rest][Reward: 500 EXP, 10 Silver, Skill Book: Basic Combat Techniques]
Cole's inventory expanded as the supply pack materialized 10 health potions, 5 mana potions, 20 pieces of bread, and a beginner's map of the surrounding area. Not bad for just showing up.
Around him, players were already dispersing, eager to explore and begin their adventures. Cole spotted Min-jun in the crowd his friend had made his avatar taller and more muscular than his real body, with spiky red hair that was definitely compensating for something.
"Cole! Over here!" Min-jun waved enthusiastically, pushing through the crowd.
Cole made his way over, amused by how excited his normally composed friend looked. "Nice hair. Very subtle."
"Right? I figured if I'm going to live in a fantasy world, might as well look the part." Min-jun flexed exaggeratedly. "Check out these muscles! I feel like I could punch a dragon."
"You're level one. A rabbit would probably kill you."
"Details, details." Min-jun grinned. "So what's the plan? Party up and start grinding?"
Before Cole could answer, the sky darkened.
It wasn't gradual. One moment, the twin suns shone brightly overhead. The next, they were obscured by what looked like a massive shadow as if something impossibly large had moved between Belruna and its suns. The temperature dropped noticeably. Players stopped talking, looking up in confusion.
"Is this part of the tutorial?" someone nearby asked.
Cole didn't think so. The NPCs looked genuinely alarmed, Magnus staring at the sky with what appeared to be actual fear on his digitally rendered face.
Then the voice came.
It echoed from everywhere and nowhere simultaneously, resonating not just in Cole's ears but inside his skull. A voice of terrible calm, neither male nor female, speaking with the certainty of absolute authority.
"GREETINGS, PLAYERS OF BELRUNA WORLD."
A figure materialized above the plaza a massive holographic projection showing a person in an elaborate white and gold mask, wearing flowing robes that seemed to shift between colors. The figure's hands were clasped behind their back, their posture relaxed despite the dramatic presentation.
"I AM THE ARCHITECT. CREATOR OF THE WORLD YOU NOW INHABIT."
The crowd's confusion turned to excitement. Players started cheering, thinking this was some kind of special launch event. Cole felt uneasy. Something about the Architect's tone felt wrong.
"YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING... UNUSUAL."
The Architect gestured, and UI windows appeared before every player simultaneously. Cole's heart sank as he saw what it displayed.
[SYSTEM MENU]- Character Status ✓ - Inventory ✓ - Skills ✓ - Friends List ✓ - Settings ✓ - LOG OUT ~~X~~
The logout option was crossed out. Grayed out. Inaccessible.
"What the hell?" Min-jun muttered beside Cole, frantically trying to access the logout function. "It's not working."
Around them, other players were realizing the same thing. The cheering stopped. Confusion turned to concern, then to fear.
"THE LOGOUT FUNCTION HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED," the Architect announced calmly. "THIS IS NOT A MALFUNCTION. THIS IS BY DESIGN."
The plaza erupted into chaos. Players shouted, some in anger, most in panic. Cole's hands clenched into fists, his mind racing. This couldn't be real. This had to be some kind of twisted joke, a publicity stunt.
"YOU ARE NOW PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF BELRUNA WORLD," the Architect continued, unperturbed by the pandemonium below. "YOUR PHYSICAL BODIES IN THE REAL WORLD ARE BEING MAINTAINED BY THE VR HELMETS' LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS. HOWEVER, I MUST WARN YOU OF ONE CRITICAL RULE."
The sky darkened further, the Architect's projection growing larger and more imposing.
"IF YOU DIE IN THIS WORLD, THE HELMET WILL TERMINATE YOUR REAL BODY. DEATH HERE EQUALS DEATH IN REALITY. THERE ARE NO RESURRECTIONS. NO SECOND CHANCES."
Cole felt his blood run cold. Around him, players were screaming now, some collapsing to their knees, others trying desperately to remove the helmets they could no longer feel or control.
"BEFORE YOU DESPAIR COMPLETELY, KNOW THAT THERE IS ONE METHOD OF ESCAPE."
The Architect gestured again, and an image appeared in the sky a massive tower made of black crystal, piercing the clouds, its peak disappearing into infinity.
"THE TOWER OF ETERNITY. ONE HUNDRED FLOORS OF INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT CHALLENGES. REACH THE TOP, DEFEAT THE FINAL GUARDIAN, AND YOU MAY RETURN TO YOUR WORLD. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY OUT."
Min-jun grabbed Cole's arm. "This is insane. This can't be real. Tell me this isn't real."
Cole couldn't answer. He was too focused on the Architect, watching as the masked figure spread their arms wide in a gesture that might have been welcoming or might have been mocking.
"YOU WANTED ADVENTURE. YOU WANTED TO LIVE IN A FANTASY WORLD. YOU WANTED TO ESCAPE YOUR MUNDANE LIVES. CONGRATULATIONS. YOUR WISHES HAVE BEEN GRANTED."
The projection began to fade, but the Architect's final words echoed across Haven's Rest, across every starting town in Belruna World, across the billion players who had just realized they were trapped.
"WELCOME TO YOUR NEW REALITY. SURVIVE. GROW STRONGER. REACH THE TOWER'S PEAK. OR DIE TRYING. THE CHOICE, AS ALWAYS, IS YOURS."
The Architect vanished. The twin suns returned, bathing Haven's Rest in warm light that felt cruelly cheerful given what had just been announced.
For a long moment, there was silence. Then the screaming truly began.
Cole stood frozen, his mind struggling to process what he'd just heard. Around him, players were having breakdowns, crying, raging against the system, begging for help that wouldn't come. The NPCs simply stood there, as if nothing unusual had happened, as if a billion people hadn't just been condemned to life imprisonment in a digital world where death was permanent.
Min-jun was shaking, his enhanced avatar trembling with very real fear. "Cole... what do we do?"
Cole took a deep breath, forcing his racing thoughts to slow down. Panic wouldn't help. Denial wouldn't help. If this was real if they were truly trapped here then only one thing would help.
Survival.
"We play the game," Cole said quietly, his voice steadier than he felt. "We get stronger. We survive. And we find a way out."
He looked up at the sky, where the Tower of Eternity's image had been, and made himself a promise.
He would reach that tower. He would climb to the top. And he would get everyone home. No matter what it took.
[END OF CHAPTER 2]
The town stretched across at least three square kilometers, its white stone buildings gleaming under the twin suns. Blue-tiled roofs caught the light like sapphires, and cobblestone streets wound between structures that ranged from single-story homes to what looked like a massive cathedral at the town's center. NPCs non-player characters moved through the streets with startling realism, chatting with each other, carrying baskets of goods, and going about their business as if this were an actual living town.
But it was the sheer number of players that truly struck Cole. Thousands upon thousands of them, all materializing in waves, all wearing the same basic starter gear differentiated only by class. Warriors in leather armor. Mages in simple robes. Healers in white cloth. Archers with basic bows. Rogues in dark, fitted clothing. The streets were packed, the air filled with excited chatter in dozens of languages.
The UI helpfully translated everything into Korean for Cole, though he could toggle it to show original languages if he wanted. The technology behind this game was staggering.
"This way! The Town Chief is in the central plaza!" An NPC town guard called out, gesturing toward the cathedral. His movements were fluid, natural. If Cole hadn't known better, he might have mistaken him for another player.
Cole followed the crowd, letting himself be swept along by the tide of excited gamers. Everyone was testing features opening status windows, examining weapons, attempting to access skill menus. The UI was intuitive, responding to both voice commands and thought commands. Cole experimented as he walked, pulling up his character sheet with just a mental nudge.
[CHARACTER: COLE]Level: 1 Class: Warrior Title: None HP: 150/150 MP: 50/50 Stamina: 100/100
Stats:Strength: 12 Agility: 8 Vitality: 10 Intelligence: 6 Wisdom: 6 Luck: 5
Skills:- Basic Sword Mastery (Lv.1) - Power Strike (Lv.1)
Equipment:- Iron Sword (Attack: 8-12) - Leather Armor Set (Defense: 15) - Beginner's Boots (Defense: 3)
Currency:- Gold: 0 - Silver: 100 - Copper: 0
Cole dismissed the window and continued toward the plaza. The central area was enormous a circular space paved with intricate stonework patterns, dominated by a large fountain featuring a statue of a warrior raising a sword toward the sky. Surrounding the plaza were various shops with signs indicating their purpose: "Weapons & Armor," "General Goods," "Potions & Herbs," "Inn & Tavern."
On a raised platform near the fountain stood an elderly NPC man in elaborate blue robes, a long white beard reaching his chest. His nameplate identified him as [Town Chief Magnus - Lv.???]. The question marks instead of a level number indicated he was far beyond what Cole could currently assess.
"Welcome, brave adventurers!" Magnus's voice boomed across the plaza, somehow audible above the crowd noise. "I am Magnus, chief of Haven's Rest. You have been summoned to our world of Belruna in its time of greatest need!"
The crowd quieted somewhat, players paying attention to what was clearly a scripted tutorial sequence.
"Our world faces many threats," Magnus continued, raising his arms dramatically. "Dungeons filled with monsters plague our lands. Ancient evils stir in forgotten places. We need heroes brave souls willing to grow stronger, to explore the unknown, to protect the innocent!"
It was typical MMORPG quest exposition, but Magnus delivered it with such conviction that Cole found himself engaged despite the cliché.
"Your journey begins here, in Haven's Rest. Explore our town. Speak with our citizens. Accept quests to gain experience and grow stronger. The path to greatness starts with a single step!"
A notification appeared before every player:
[TUTORIAL QUEST COMPLETE: ARRIVE AT HAVEN'S REST][REWARD: BEGINNER'S SUPPLY PACK][NEW QUEST AVAILABLE: FIRST STEPS] [Objective: Complete any 3 beginner quests in Haven's Rest][Reward: 500 EXP, 10 Silver, Skill Book: Basic Combat Techniques]
Cole's inventory expanded as the supply pack materialized 10 health potions, 5 mana potions, 20 pieces of bread, and a beginner's map of the surrounding area. Not bad for just showing up.
Around him, players were already dispersing, eager to explore and begin their adventures. Cole spotted Min-jun in the crowd his friend had made his avatar taller and more muscular than his real body, with spiky red hair that was definitely compensating for something.
"Cole! Over here!" Min-jun waved enthusiastically, pushing through the crowd.
Cole made his way over, amused by how excited his normally composed friend looked. "Nice hair. Very subtle."
"Right? I figured if I'm going to live in a fantasy world, might as well look the part." Min-jun flexed exaggeratedly. "Check out these muscles! I feel like I could punch a dragon."
"You're level one. A rabbit would probably kill you."
"Details, details." Min-jun grinned. "So what's the plan? Party up and start grinding?"
Before Cole could answer, the sky darkened.
It wasn't gradual. One moment, the twin suns shone brightly overhead. The next, they were obscured by what looked like a massive shadow as if something impossibly large had moved between Belruna and its suns. The temperature dropped noticeably. Players stopped talking, looking up in confusion.
"Is this part of the tutorial?" someone nearby asked.
Cole didn't think so. The NPCs looked genuinely alarmed, Magnus staring at the sky with what appeared to be actual fear on his digitally rendered face.
Then the voice came.
It echoed from everywhere and nowhere simultaneously, resonating not just in Cole's ears but inside his skull. A voice of terrible calm, neither male nor female, speaking with the certainty of absolute authority.
"GREETINGS, PLAYERS OF BELRUNA WORLD."
A figure materialized above the plaza a massive holographic projection showing a person in an elaborate white and gold mask, wearing flowing robes that seemed to shift between colors. The figure's hands were clasped behind their back, their posture relaxed despite the dramatic presentation.
"I AM THE ARCHITECT. CREATOR OF THE WORLD YOU NOW INHABIT."
The crowd's confusion turned to excitement. Players started cheering, thinking this was some kind of special launch event. Cole felt uneasy. Something about the Architect's tone felt wrong.
"YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING... UNUSUAL."
The Architect gestured, and UI windows appeared before every player simultaneously. Cole's heart sank as he saw what it displayed.
[SYSTEM MENU]- Character Status ✓ - Inventory ✓ - Skills ✓ - Friends List ✓ - Settings ✓ - LOG OUT ~~X~~
The logout option was crossed out. Grayed out. Inaccessible.
"What the hell?" Min-jun muttered beside Cole, frantically trying to access the logout function. "It's not working."
Around them, other players were realizing the same thing. The cheering stopped. Confusion turned to concern, then to fear.
"THE LOGOUT FUNCTION HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED," the Architect announced calmly. "THIS IS NOT A MALFUNCTION. THIS IS BY DESIGN."
The plaza erupted into chaos. Players shouted, some in anger, most in panic. Cole's hands clenched into fists, his mind racing. This couldn't be real. This had to be some kind of twisted joke, a publicity stunt.
"YOU ARE NOW PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF BELRUNA WORLD," the Architect continued, unperturbed by the pandemonium below. "YOUR PHYSICAL BODIES IN THE REAL WORLD ARE BEING MAINTAINED BY THE VR HELMETS' LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS. HOWEVER, I MUST WARN YOU OF ONE CRITICAL RULE."
The sky darkened further, the Architect's projection growing larger and more imposing.
"IF YOU DIE IN THIS WORLD, THE HELMET WILL TERMINATE YOUR REAL BODY. DEATH HERE EQUALS DEATH IN REALITY. THERE ARE NO RESURRECTIONS. NO SECOND CHANCES."
Cole felt his blood run cold. Around him, players were screaming now, some collapsing to their knees, others trying desperately to remove the helmets they could no longer feel or control.
"BEFORE YOU DESPAIR COMPLETELY, KNOW THAT THERE IS ONE METHOD OF ESCAPE."
The Architect gestured again, and an image appeared in the sky a massive tower made of black crystal, piercing the clouds, its peak disappearing into infinity.
"THE TOWER OF ETERNITY. ONE HUNDRED FLOORS OF INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT CHALLENGES. REACH THE TOP, DEFEAT THE FINAL GUARDIAN, AND YOU MAY RETURN TO YOUR WORLD. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY OUT."
Min-jun grabbed Cole's arm. "This is insane. This can't be real. Tell me this isn't real."
Cole couldn't answer. He was too focused on the Architect, watching as the masked figure spread their arms wide in a gesture that might have been welcoming or might have been mocking.
"YOU WANTED ADVENTURE. YOU WANTED TO LIVE IN A FANTASY WORLD. YOU WANTED TO ESCAPE YOUR MUNDANE LIVES. CONGRATULATIONS. YOUR WISHES HAVE BEEN GRANTED."
The projection began to fade, but the Architect's final words echoed across Haven's Rest, across every starting town in Belruna World, across the billion players who had just realized they were trapped.
"WELCOME TO YOUR NEW REALITY. SURVIVE. GROW STRONGER. REACH THE TOWER'S PEAK. OR DIE TRYING. THE CHOICE, AS ALWAYS, IS YOURS."
The Architect vanished. The twin suns returned, bathing Haven's Rest in warm light that felt cruelly cheerful given what had just been announced.
For a long moment, there was silence. Then the screaming truly began.
Cole stood frozen, his mind struggling to process what he'd just heard. Around him, players were having breakdowns, crying, raging against the system, begging for help that wouldn't come. The NPCs simply stood there, as if nothing unusual had happened, as if a billion people hadn't just been condemned to life imprisonment in a digital world where death was permanent.
Min-jun was shaking, his enhanced avatar trembling with very real fear. "Cole... what do we do?"
Cole took a deep breath, forcing his racing thoughts to slow down. Panic wouldn't help. Denial wouldn't help. If this was real if they were truly trapped here then only one thing would help.
Survival.
"We play the game," Cole said quietly, his voice steadier than he felt. "We get stronger. We survive. And we find a way out."
He looked up at the sky, where the Tower of Eternity's image had been, and made himself a promise.
He would reach that tower. He would climb to the top. And he would get everyone home. No matter what it took.
[END OF CHAPTER 2]
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