Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 7 days before launch (July 20, 2030), 6:45 PM.
The rain fell with unusual violence, beating the ground as if the sky itself wanted to erase the city. In this deluge, a figure advanced, soaked, face closed, hands in pockets, eyes burning with cold anger.
It was Han Ji Hoon, 27 years old, a discreet student, a ghost in the crowded corridors of the university. His blue t-shirt was stuck to his skin, stained with puddles and dried blood, a painful reminder of the encounter that had taken place a few hours earlier.
Flashback
Mon nom… Han Ji Hoon.
At first glance, I am what the world calls an "average person". Someone ordinary. Invisible.
But the truth is quite different. I am a genius, a pure product of a statistical anomaly: IQ of 200, photographic memory, morbid obsession with strategies, games and war stories.
Yet… It never protected me.
From a very young age, I lived my life hidden behind screens. They were my shields. My only weapons.
But in the real world…
I am nothing.
Prey. An easy target. For them.
Those they call "the scum." Those who prey on the weak to feed their shattered egos. Those who chose me. Again and again.
For what?
Because I have no muscles.
Because I don't have a strong voice.
Because I don't retaliate.
They think I'm weak. They believe I'll give in to every blow.
And perhaps they are right. In this world. Perhaps.
But there is one thing they don't know.
One thing they will never be able to break: my spirit. My inner world. Where I reign supreme.
A universe where even the gods bow down.
Because in my games, my stories, my strategies… I am a king. A conqueror. A heavyweight.
End of flashback
Back to the present.
Ji Hoon adjusted his glasses crookedly with his fingertips. A faint, bitter smile played on his lips. The bruises, the pain… it didn't matter anymore.
"One day…" he murmured, staring at the puddle at his feet. I'll show them what a real monster is.
As he walked home, ignoring the lightning that ripped across the sky, an unidentified email appeared on his phone. A simple subject line:
[Ætherion: THE RISE AFTER THE FALL]
"Ho! I'd better hurry. I need to do even more research on Ætherion… that way I can grind the game when it comes out… aha ha ha!"
He entered the building and headed towards the elevator. Arriving on the eleventh floor, he went down to his apartment, number 1107. He took out his card and entered.
"I'm going to take a nice hot shower and take care of my wounds," he said aloud.
A few minutes later, after getting out of the shower, he turned on his laptop to continue his research on the upcoming game. Sitting on his sofa, he picked up the remote control and turned on the television.
Flash info:
[After months of waiting, the director of the largest VR gaming company finally announces the release of the very first Full-Dive game, eagerly awaited by gamers and non-gamers worldwide.]
["Ladies and gentlemen, in one week…"]
"In a week?! Ugh! That seems like too long. Well… afterward, I can do even more research. That's not so bad. But first, I have to buy the necessary equipment for the game."
Han Ji Hoon browsed the company website "REALITY GAME" to order the equipment. The prices were astronomical, but he had saved some money for this occasion.
"Okay, I'll buy it!" he said, determined.
"Now I can continue my research in peace. Prepare yourself, Ætherion…" he stated, unaware of the incident that was brewing in the near future.
One week later…
Seoul, Boramae-Dong, Central Enterprise "RG", July 27, 2030, 10:30 PM.
In a meeting room, the company president was observing the city through the window.
[IDENTITY: NAM KANG-LEE]
[POSITION: PRESIDENT OF RG]
Fixing his luxury watch:
"In just an hour and a half, the very first Full-Dive game will be released and will propel me to riches and eternal glory! My name will be etched in the annals of legend! Ha ha ha…"
BOOM! It is abruptly interrupted by the sudden entrance of a person.
"Mr. President, we have a very big problem!"
[IDENTITY: SUNG YEON]
[POSITION: LAUNCH MANAGER]
"Can't you just knock and walk in like a normal person?" the president exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Mr. President, but this is an emergency!" replied Sung Yeon, visibly panicked.
"So speak up, instead of wasting your time."
"We have detected an anomaly in the game. We absolutely must postpone the launch for three days, as it could cause a brain collision in players. The server is already online… For now, no one has connected, since we announced that the launch would take place on 07/28/2030 at 00:00. Unfortunately, we could not shut down the server before 1:00."
"So, what are you waiting for? Send a universal message to the players and mobilize the entire team to force the server to shut down as quickly as possible."
"Understood, sir. I'll go right away!"
Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, July 20, 2030, 10:57 PM – back at Ji Hoon's apartment
"It's already past 10 p.m.?"
Ji Hoon looked up at the digital clock. A slight tension tightened in his chest.
"It's time for me to disconnect from everything else…"
He took a deep breath and switched off all his devices. No more noise, no more stray light. The outside world had just disappeared.
He was now nothing more than a solitary electron, focused, ready to dive into Ætherion.
The VR headset and sensory gloves were waiting for him on the desk. With precise, almost ceremonial gestures, Ji Hoon placed the headset on his head, put on the gloves, and adjusted each strap, each sensor with meticulous obsession. His heart was pounding. His fingers trembled slightly.
This was the moment. The real start.
Everything was ready.
11:00 PM — Universal message broadcast.
Ji Hoon took a deep breath and grabbed his phone. The emergency message appeared in bright red:
[ALERT: Ætherion GAME LAUNCH POSTPONED…]
With a precise gesture, he extinguished the device. The outside world had disappeared. He put on his helmet.
00:00, July 28.
That was the moment. From now on, his fate was sealed.