> Location: Seoul — Lakeside
Local time: 10:48 AM
The city's neon lights were slowly fading. The blue-gray sky was reflected in the peaceful waters of the artificial lake.
Sitting in a converted warehouse near the water, Ren Daiki stared at his own reflection, captured in the cracked glass of a black screen.
He had just finished a meditation session. Not out of tradition…
But to calm the simmering anger lurking within him.
He took off his hoodie. His arms still bore the marks of the kendo sessions, the bruises, the tension.
A message flashed on his tablet:
> [Notification – Immersion Pod Ready]
➤ Recommended connection time: 4 hours
➤ Last save point: Phantom Sword Shrine
He lay down in the pod. Slowly.
Like entering a dream you've forbidden yourself to live for too long.
> — "Here, I am not Daiki the heir. Nor the perfect model. Nor the son of shame."
He closed his eyes.
> — "Here... I am Hakaijin."
> [Connecting to the ORIAS system...]
> Welcome, Hakaijin.
Spawn Area: Murim — Foothills of the Dark Lake
Level: 6
Class: Warrior — Broken Blade
Status: Element Awakened
> GENESIS — A few seconds later
The cold seized him immediately.
The damp ground, the low foliage, the stagnant mist.
The scenery had changed.
He was no longer in the ordinary forests of Murim... but on the shores of a black, clear lake, in an area barely lit by ancient lanterns.
> "Secondary Area Detected — Dark Lake: Forgotten Meditation Site"
His saber vibrated at his belt.
> New quest available: "Inner Fracture"
He ignored the alert.
He wasn't looking for XP.
Or loot.
He wanted to breathe.
He walked toward a mossy stone arch.
Knelt down.
Then he closed his eyes.
And for the first time in a long time, he no longer felt the pain inside.
> FLASH — A few moments earlier, in the real world
His father had summoned him. Again.
A speech about "the weight of one's name," "responsibilities," "the future."
And Ren Daiki had smiled. A fake smile.
But deep down, he was screaming.
Not at his father. But at his own inability to say no.
> Back in the game
Hakaijin straightened up. He grabbed his sword.
An alert appeared:
> "Presence of players detected nearby: conflict zone open."
He smiled.
> "I'm ready."
Not for honor.
Not for glory.
But because here, in this digital world…
he needed no permission to exist.
✦ End of Chapter 19
> Next: CHAPTER 20 — First Steps, New Paths