Deciding to grind my rating was a good call. At least it gave me some direction.
'But what the hell kind of game is this?'
The problem was that I'd never seen the game my sister was playing before. First things first, I needed to look it up.
I searched for The Legendary Arena on Green Wiki to gather some info.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ A 5v5 team battle game based on virtual reality, belonging to the MOBA genre. It proceeds in first-person view, with players directly controlling the hero's body for immersive combat.
From the description alone, it looked similar to games I'd played before—just with the input device changed.
'Guess I should just try it.'
Reading the wiki was one thing, but actually playing the game would be better. Might as well strike while the iron is hot. I started to get out of bed, then lay back down.
Checking the match history site, my sister's tier was Platinum. Not super high, so no need to rush right away.
'For now, let's get some sleep...'
I closed my eyes, and drowsiness gradually washed over me.
*
'So this is how you charge it up.'
The next day, I headed to the capsule room at the crack of dawn. No staff around this early, but using it was no problem.
The corner spots were best, so I went to the one farthest inside. I stashed my shoes and stuff in the locker next to the capsule and locked it.
"Done."
I set the password, and it locked with a click. Standing up, I pressed the button on the outside of the capsule.
Pssshhh—
Air hissed out, and the lid slowly opened. I climbed in and lay down, feeling like I was floating in water.
'So that's how it works.'
After a brief moment of surprise at the novel sensation, I pressed the button inside, and the lid closed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Welcome to Imagine Diver! ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ No user data found. First-time use requires biometric ID registration. Do you consent to biometric ID collection?
"Yes."
I nodded to confirm.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Generating unique pattern based on gaze, voice, heartbeat, and brainwaves. Registered biometric data will be used for future auto-login and personalization. Collecting data...
The walls around me shimmered green.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Biometric ID registration complete! From now on, we will guide Kang Hayul to a new world unlike any you've experienced before. Imagination into reality.
My vision flashed. A falling sensation pulled me into another space, my body floating weightlessly.
Soon, solid ground touched my soles. A lush green meadow stretched before me. The scent of earth tickled my nose, and a gentle breeze brushed past.
"...This is all supposed to be virtual, not real?"
They say sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic. And it was true. Even illusion magic couldn't feel this real.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Hello :) Starting basic tutorial to adapt to virtual reality.
While I was purely admiring the surroundings, text appeared. Instructions followed, easy to follow step by step. I performed various movements and actions as guided.
'Amazing.'
It felt no different from moving in reality. How could it respond so quickly?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Starting physics sensation tutorial.
A sword dropped from the sky, and a scarecrow appeared simultaneously.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Pick up the sword and swing it.
I bent down, gripped the sword. The familiar weight brought a smile. Never dreamed I'd hold one again so soon.
Whoosh—!
I took stance and slashed the scarecrow. Its head cleanly severed and hit the ground.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Try firing the bow. Stance is as follows.
A bow and arrow appeared. I aimed at the distant target, slowly drawing the string.
Creak—
Tension, hand tremor, weight—all perfectly felt.
Twang—!
Releasing, the arrow flew true to the center. Recoil shook the bow.
After that, it made me trip on purpose or bump into walls. Fire and ice let me feel heat and cold.
'Pain is limited.'
It wasn't completely absent—just a sting, not overwhelming.
Makes sense. Full pain could cause shock. Who'd play VR games with that risk?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Your brain will perceive all sensations as real. But remember—this is just virtual. All of this is mere data.
The scenery dissolved like dust into green code-filled space, then back to the meadow.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Completed mandatory tutorial! Next phase: Practice interactions and combat.
"Skip it."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Skipping third tutorial. Ending tutorial after completing all steps. Now, enjoy this world freely!
With that, all text vanished, replaced by various UI elements.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Premium Capsule Room Benefits. You can enjoy the following games for free without purchase!
"Oh."
The Legendary Arena was there. I quickly selected it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Moving to The Legendary Arena.
Vision flashed; massive castle walls filled my sight.
Boom— Boom— Boom—!
"Waaaaaaaaaa—!!!"
Fierce drums and roars echoed. Arrows darkened the sky in a volley.
Boom—!
Cannon fire boomed, iron scent stung my nose. A soldier charged at me—then vision blacked out.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The Legendary Arena
"Whoa..."
Impressive intro. Reminded me vividly of battling the Demon King's army.
The screen brightened to reveal a large desk—a holographic battlefield. A woman appeared beside it.
"Welcome to The Legendary Arena! I'm Melena, here to assist you. Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you."
I shook her hand. The vivid touch. Hard to believe she was an NPC.
"What should I call you?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Please enter the name to use in the Arena.
"A name..."
I pondered briefly, then entered one.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Carrier
'Since I was a porter back then.'
I wanted to express returning from that other world. I was a Carrier there.
No one would get it, but self-satisfaction.
"Carrier! Great name! I'll call you Carrier from now on!"
"Sounds good."
Melena beamed, spreading her arms.
"This is the lounge you use before entering The Legendary Arena. Let me guide you through what you can do here!"
With bubbly energy, Melena explained the lobby and Arena.
"So, to sum up, heroes from all dimensions gather to battle in the 'Legendary Arena.' I pick one to support?"
"Exactly. If you get it, time for game basics!"
"Nah, I'm good."
"Huh?"
That was enough explanation. I'd already figured out what The Legendary Arena was.
Needed to start ASAP to meet my sister sooner.
"Can I jump into a ranked game right away?"
"Sadly, no. I trust you, Hayul, but the heroes don't. You need 20 quick matches first for competitive."
"Tch."
Yeah, a total newbie dropping into ranked would be a disaster for teammates.
"Guess no choice then."
Was gonna take it easy, but plans changed. Blitz 20 quicks, then ranked.
"Start with quick match."
"Got it. Starting matchmaking!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Game found!
Matchmade instantly—popular game. View shifted to holographic battlefield.
💬 Game Waiting Room — Only Short Answers mid — Carrier top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top top — Old Folks' Denture Thief jg jg jg jg — Man of This Era adc adc adc adc — Day With Bad Luck Ah, fuck; don't wanna supp...
The moment the first chat popped up, I grasped the situation. Fingers flew to type.
— Day With Bad Luck Mid player. I wanna mid too, can I go mid?
I checked heroes one by one—weapons, abilities. Some familiar skills, some brand new.
"Hmm. Which one's good."
— Only Short Answers no — Day With Bad Luck This guy's full of shit lmao double mid incoming lol — Only Short Answers ?
'Same old.'
I ignored the chat and selected a top laner from the list.
— Man of This Era Wtf then what do I do? Solo bot??? — Day With Bad Luck Just solo lol spoonboy whining hard lol — Man of This Era Orphan? — Day With Bad Luck Yeah~ no mom~
Game hadn't even started, and teammates were already fighting.
— Old Folks' Denture Thief Ah, vibe's fucked. Dodge? ⭐ Top Comment — Carrier Carry hard. No dodge
I quickly typed to stop our jungler.
— Old Folks' Denture Thief Checked history—you're first game? Smurf? — Carrier Nope?
"Smurf on another account, but..."
No point explaining; they wouldn't believe it.
— Old Folks' Denture Thief But how you gonna carry??? — Carrier Just believe. — Old Folks' Denture Thief Huh? — Carrier Huh? — Old Folks' Denture Thief Just gonna dodge? Game goes to shit, jg's no fun smh
As our jungler said that, the timer hit zero—game started.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Entering The Legendary Arena!
I quietly inhaled. Sharp blood scent pierced my nose. Back to the battlefield.