{12 Years Later}
Ring
Ring
Ring
A groggy voice mumbled from beneath a blanket.
"Mmm… what time is it?"
A hand reached out, fumbling to silence the alarm. The dim glow of a phone screen illuminated a pair of tired eyes.
'Damn… I guess I stayed up later than I thought.'
10:30 AM
With a sigh, the boy pushed off the covers and sat up, stretching. He was clad only in boxers, his toned body reflecting years of physical care. His black, spiky hair was a mess from sleep, but that wasn't his concern at the moment.
[Image]
A slow clap echoed in the room as he activated the smart lights, revealing his appearance in full. At just under five feet tall, with a forming six-pack and sharp, yet youthful features, he was none other than Ryoichi Kurayami.
Still shaking off the last remnants of drowsiness, he dragged himself to his wardrobe, mind drifting to the night before.
'I didn't think staying up all night with Uraume playing that new beta would hit me this hard in the morning…'
One of the few things he truly appreciated about his second chance at life was having an influential father—one who just so happened to be loaded. And, of course, a cute best friend.
When he first realized he had been reincarnated, James—his former self—had nearly had a stroke from the sheer absurdity of it. The world he once knew was gone, replaced by one teetering on the brink of ruin. A wasteland, barely held together by domes that shielded humanity from the radiation left behind by World War Three.
But unlike most who would have crumbled under such a revelation, James—now Ryoichi—had merely taken a deep breath and decided to see what this new world had to offer before making any rash decisions.
That mindset led him here.
Born into the Kurayami family, a powerhouse in the gaming industry, he was practically raised in a paradise for gaming enthusiasts. They had access to cutting-edge technology, games before release, and enough wealth to never worry about trivial things like money. Life, at least on the surface, was pretty damn good.
Throwing on a simple white t-shirt and blue shorts, Ryoichi was about to check his reflection when a soft knock came from his bedroom door.
Then, a familiar voice—gentle, melodic—called out.
"Ryoichi-kun? Are you awake?"
A smile tugged at his lips.
"Yeah, I'm up! Something you need, Uraume?"
A faint sigh of relief came from the other side of the door.
"Your dad finished making breakfast! He asked me to come get you."
Ryoichi chuckled, catching his reflection in the mirror. Not bad. He nodded at himself before calling back.
"Alright, I'll be down in a minute!"
A pout was practically audible in Uraume's next words.
"You better hurry! If you take too long staring at yourself again, all the food will be gone!"
Before he could respond, her footsteps faded as she dashed downstairs.
Ryoichi let out a sigh, shaking his head with amusement. He learned the hard way that she wasn't bluffing—last time she made that threat, she actually ate everything. Just remembering it made him shudder.
'I should get down there before she eats herself into another food coma.'
With that thought, he opened his door and stepped into the hallway, passing framed photos of his childhood. Some memories brought a nostalgic smile, while others he preferred to forget. But ultimately, his childhood here had been… normal. At least as normal as one could expect.
Descending the stairs, drowsiness still lingering in his eyes, Ryoichi finally entered the dining room.
At the table sat his father, Akio Kurayami, a man approaching his late thirties but still carrying an air of youthful energy. Across from him sat Uraume, his best friend for the past six years.
Noticing his arrival, Akio grinned.
"Well, well! Look who's finally awake. I was afraid you'd sleep until noon."
Ryoichi rolled his eyes but took a seat beside Uraume without a word. Now closer, he got a proper look at her.
She had short, silvery-white hair that barely reached past her neck, with striking purple eyes that shined mischievously. A green dress wrapped neatly around her slender frame.
[Image]
Though he'd never admit it aloud, he had a feeling that once she got older, she'd be… well, a knockout.
Shaking the thought, Ryoichi glanced at his plate: a simple but delicious meal—white rice, miso soup, and grilled fish.
'Man… people really had it wrong when they said Japanese breakfasts were huge. This is pretty balanced.'
Putting his thoughts aside, he clasped his hands together.
"Itadakimasu."
The next thirty minutes passed in comfortable silence as they ate. That is, until Akio set down his chopsticks and cleared his throat.
"If I could have your attention for a moment, I have something important to say."
Both Ryoichi and Uraume paused, setting down their bowls as they turned to him with curiosity.
Akio's usual playfulness dimmed slightly, replaced with a hint of excitement.
"As you both know, I'm a well-known game developer," he began.
Ryoichi raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? What about it?"
Akio smirked, savoring the moment before revealing his secret.
"What you don't know… is that for the past seven years, your father, Uraume, and I have been working on a game that will revolutionize the industry."
Before they could fully process his words, Akio placed a small device on the table. A miniature projector.
A soft click. A sudden flash of light.
Ryoichi and Uraume instinctively shielded their eyes. When the brightness faded, they slowly lowered their hands—only to find themselves staring at a holographic display. A gameplay demo played in midair, crisp and immersive.
Above it, in bold, gleaming letters, was the title:
YGGDRASIL
Akio's grin widened as he watched their expressions shift from confusion to awe.
"What you see," he continued, "is the newest DMMORPG that will redefine online gaming. A fully immersive world where players explore, uncover mysteries, and forge their own destinies."
Even with the brief explanation, something about the game called to them.
Akio could see it—especially in Ryoichi's eyes. That hooked look. He chuckled before pulling out two VR headsets, shaking them playfully.
"The game is still in beta and won't be public for another year. But since this project is designed with young players in mind, we need testers your age. So…" He smirked. "How'd you two like to be the first kids in the world to play it?"
He barely finished his sentence before—
"YES!"
Ryoichi and Uraume practically teleported to his side, eyes shining with excitement.
"Please let me play it, Father!"
"I'll do it! Let me play!"
Akio laughed heartily, amused by their eagerness. After a moment, he finally handed them the devices.
As they clutched the headsets in their hands, Ryoichi and Uraume exchanged a glance.
The same thought ran through both their minds.
'I'll be the best in this game. Just watch.'
Little did they know, this was only the beginning of a journey filled with triumphs, heartbreaks, and a world far more real than they could have ever imagined.
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Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. I would love some power stones! Also any feedback you guys have or ideas since I only have the first 7 chapters drafted. So any idea I can see potential in may appear.
With that said hope everyone has a good day and I will see you guy's next week!