Ryu is a young man in his early twenties. He does not have a striking physique like an athlete or a model. His body is slender and fairly proportionate, with an average height. His hair is black.
His eyes were dark brown, but they had an intelligent glint and an unquenchable curiosity—a glint that sometimes made him seem dreamy, as if he saw something that others couldn't see.
Her everyday clothes tend to be casual and practical, such as t-shirts, jeans, and light jackets, reflecting her lifestyle of not liking too much fuss. There are slight traces of the same eye bags.
Ryu grew up in a modern urban environment, living a life that could be described as "normal" and "ordinary." He had no major problems or heavy past traumas. In fact, the lack of drama or challenges in his life are the main problem.
After graduating from school, he worked in an office with a stable but repetitive job. Every day felt the same, and he often felt trapped in an endless loop. This is what drives him to seek escape in hobbies and short trips.
One afternoon, as he was browsing tech news on his phone, a pop-up ad caught his attention. Not just any ordinary game, but a "Full Reality Simulation" that claims to be the most immersive experience ever: 'Aethelgard Online'.The claim is ambitious: "Forget your boring reality! Enter a world where endless adventures await, where your every choice shapes your destiny!"
The promotional video features ancient forests with glowing trees, cities floating in the sky, and epic battles between strangely armed knights and giant creatures.The graphics look so real, they're almost indistinguishable from a documentary.
The acute boredom inside him screamed. Curious. Very curious. "What's the harm?" Ryu thought. This wasn't about winning the game, or being the best.It's just about experiencing something new, something that can take the edge off, even if only for a moment.
Without thinking twice, driven by a momentary urge to escape from the routine, he placed an online order for the latest and greatest Aethelgard VR headset—and simultaneously signed up for exclusive demo access offered.
A few days later, the package arrived. The sleek black box felt cold and heavy in his hands. That evening, after a bland dinner routine, Ryu prepared everything.He turned off the lights in his room, creating perfect darkness.
His heart was pounding, not out of fear, but out of anticipation. He picked up the pitch-black VR headset, feeling the smooth metallic material, and slowly put it on.
The real world around him—the dull walls of his room, the pile of books on his desk, the faint sound of traffic outside—vanished in an instant, replaced by pitch-black darkness.
There was a moment of silence, a void that felt absolute, as if he was floating in a vacuum. His own heartbeat was loud in his ears. Then, the darkness began to shatter.
A bright and pure white light enveloped his vision, forcing him to close his eyes slightly.
The light slowly faded, and Ryu found himself standing in the middle of a lush, enchanting forest. The trees towered with strangely sparkling leaves, some of which emitted a faint glow.
The scent of wet earth and forest leaves filled his nostrils. The air was cool and fresh. This was Whisperingwood, the initial tutorial area of Aethelgard Online that he had seen in the promotional video.
A virtual transparent window appeared before him, displaying a sleek interface:
[Welcome, New Player, to Aethelgard Online!]
[Character Name: (Insert Name)]
[Select Race: Human, Elf, Dwarf, Other...]
[Select Class: Knight, Archer, Mage, Thief...]