Chapter 1: RE: Into Deep Dive World

After World War V left the world in a fragile state—cities damaged, environments polluted, and human lives restricted by the remnants of war—an ambitious project was introduced to the public. It wasn't just a new piece of technology; it was a new way to survive.

Its name was RE: Into Deep Dive World, or R.D.D.W.

Behind that virtual world operated a core system named R.I.D.D.W (Reality-Integrated Deep Dive World). This technology allowed human consciousness to fully connect with a digital space, making the boundary between the user and the avatar almost non-existent.

R.D.D.W was marketed as a next-generation MMORPG. However, from the very beginning, this world was never intended to be just a game.

With full-dive neural interface technology, players no longer controlled characters from the outside. They experienced the world directly—touch, pressure, pain, even emotion. Presence within R.D.D.W was no longer a gaming session, but a living experience.

The world was vast and structured. Towns and villages stood with their own functions. Dungeons and monsters became part of the risks and rewards. Guilds were formed, roles were assigned, and the system evolved according to the players' activities.

Yet, R.I.D.D.W offered something more.

The environment reacted to choices. Events were shaped by interactions. Characters developed not just through statistical numbers, but through habits and decisions. The longer someone remained inside R.D.D.W, the more real the world felt—and the blurrier the line between playing and living became.

For a real world that had not yet recovered, R.D.D.W became an alternative space. For some, it was an escape. For others, a second chance. And for those who had lost all hope, this world became the only place where life still felt meaningful.

In a simple room, far from the hustle and bustle of that digital world, a young man sat in silence.

His black hair was messy. His face was pale. A respirator was attached to his face, emitting a constant, faint hum. Medicine bottles cluttered the room—some still full, some already empty.

On a small table beside the bed, medical records lay open. The diagnosis was clear. His lifespan was limited.

The young man’s name was Himazuki Rei.

He suffered from skin cancer—a long-term consequence of exposure to contaminated gas after the fifth world war. The disease grew slowly, much like the world itself trying to move on without ever truly healing.

Rei stared at the screen in front of him. The R.D.D.W logo spun slowly, calmly, as if indifferent to the fragile body staring back at it.

In the real world, his life was narrowing. There, a world without boundaries awaited.

Rei took a soft breath. If his time was short, then he wanted to spend it in a place that still gave him a choice.

His consciousness shifted.

Rei opened his eyes and found himself standing in an open area. A vast blue sky stretched above. The air felt fresh—too real to be called an illusion.

He looked down. No weapons. No bags. No items of any kind. The clothes he wore were only a worn-looking blue-and-white jacket and simple jeans.

A notification appeared.

[SYSTEM NOTICE] Level: 1 Status: New Player All players are required to report to the Official Guild.

“Compulsory from the start…” Rei muttered.

He walked toward the nearest city.

Akibahara — Neutral Zone.

The city was crowded. Players were busy with their own activities—trading, chatting, carrying goods, or simply strolling. No weapons were drawn. No magic was cast.

Official patrols moved along the main road. Any violation would lead to a penalty—weapons or magic sealed, or even confiscated.

Rei observed it all. Yet, what caught his attention most was a simple sight—children laughing and running freely. A sight that felt foreign to him.

He arrived at the Guild.

A female receptionist greeted him. Short black hair, glasses, blue eyes, with clearly visible elf ears. Her clothes were neat, her demeanor professional.

“Welcome, Newbie,” she said kindly. “I want to become an adventurer,” Rei replied briefly.

He was asked to fill out a registration form. That very day, his name was officially recorded as an adventurer.

The following days went by simply. Low-level quests. Defeating Slimes. Delivering packages. Sending letters.

It wasn't heroic. It wasn't dangerous. But it was enough to keep him moving forward. Rei’s level slowly rose—reaching level 10, then 12.

A few days later, he met a man in his thirties. “Tamato Kirigaya,” he said with a smile. People called him Tomato. Brown hair, green eyes, a red headband. His clothes were casual, without heavy armor.

“There’s a Goblin quest. Want to join?” he offered. Rei hesitated. “My level is still low.” Tamato showed his status—Level 19. “Relax. The monsters are weak. The rewards are decent.”

Rei finally agreed.

The quest went smoothly. After gathering the items, they rested on the green grass, staring at the clear blue sky. “I wish the real world could be like this again,” Tamato remarked. “What’s done is done,” Rei answered quietly. “Not everything can be brought back.”

Tamato sent a friend request. “If you ever need help, contact me anytime.” Rei accepted it.

That night, they returned to the Guild. Tamato prepared to log out. “Aren’t you coming out?” he asked. Rei only clenched his fists. Tamato didn't push. He logged out.

Rei looked for an inn and found the Paradise hotel—cheap and friendly. As he headed toward the elevator, he briefly crossed paths with a woman with long black-and-red hair and golden eyes.

“Hikari-chan, hurry up!” her friend urged before they left.

Rei entered his room. He lay down and counted the points he had collected. He had one dream—to start a farm. Because of that, he held himself back from buying weapons or magic.

Night fell. Some players logged out. Others stayed.

No one knew that tomorrow would be the day that changed everything.