In the midst of towering, sky-piercing trees, hundreds of players hunted down a small group, their movements a relentless storm of pursuit and combat. Amid the chaos, a man knelt on the ground, encircled by enemies, a sword embedded deep in his back. Blood soaked through his armor, and each ragged breath was a struggle against the inevitable.

“If only I had realized this at the beginning...” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper against the cacophony of battle. “No, if only I were just a bit stronger…”

One of the attackers, a young man with a cruel grin, laughed harshly. “Even with a name like Eminence, you’re nothing but an ant.” His derision cut through the noise like a knife.

Eminence raised his head, eyes cold and resolute. The attacker’s bravado faltered, a flicker of fear betraying his confidence as he instinctively stepped back from the steely gaze.

“Pathetic backstabber,” Eminence spat, his voice dripping with scorn. His HP had finally depleted, and his strength had failed him. As he collapsed, the light in his eyes dimmed, and his body disintegrated into shimmering particles. His treasured equipment was left behind, a mere reminder of what had been lost.

A yellow orb of light, his soul, floated from the remnants of his body. It hovered for a moment before being absorbed by a dark orb atop one of the attacker’s staffs, signaling the end of Eminence’s legacy.

Windcrest City, Northern Continent

Arthur yanked the VR helmet from his head, his hands shaking uncontrollably. The room was eerily quiet—too quiet—and the faint hum of the game still buzzed in his ears, a ghostly reminder of his defeat. He gazed out the window, his eyes unfocused, as the gravity of his loss settled in. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each second dragging out his agony until, finally, the dam broke. Tears streamed down his face, silent sobs shaking his body. He had lost everything—not just in the game, but also the time, effort, and dreams he had poured into it.

Desperately, he stumbled to the bathroom, gripping the sink to keep from collapsing. He splashed cold water on his face, but his reflection offered no comfort—only a weary, disheveled man with hollow eyes and a face etched with despair. “Greed is the biggest sin,” he muttered bitterly. He had pursued power and prestige, believing they would bring respect, but all they had brought was betrayal and ruin.

Arthur, known in the game as Eminence, had been the Vice Guild Leader of the third-rate guild Thunder Knights. He had fought through countless battles, earning respect and admiration. But respect came with a price, and today, he had paid it in full. The fifth-rate guild Immortal Light, along with his own guild leader and another vice leader, had turned on him. They coveted his 4th-tier legacy, his equipment, his very essence. When he refused to submit, they struck him down mercilessly.

His legion was gone, obliterated along with his hopes. All his allies, all the players who had once looked up to him, were either scattered or dead. To start over would mean abandoning everything he had worked for, watching years of effort crumble into nothing. The thought of beginning anew was daunting—he would be leagues behind others, a mere shadow of the player he once was. But giving up felt like a betrayal of himself, a surrender he couldn’t accept.

Arthur sank onto his bed, his mind a tempest of frustration and sorrow. “But anyway, it’s better than nothing,” he said softly, though the words felt hollow. “I’ll start over. No corporate investments, no strings attached. I’ll be my own leader.” The resolve was there, but the road ahead loomed long and unforgiving. He sighed deeply, a mix of frustration and resignation washing over him. “If only there was a second chance,” he whispered, his voice cracking.

He reached for a bottle of beer from the small fridge in the corner, popping the cap with a practiced flick. He took a long, slow drink; the bitter taste grounded him, if only momentarily. As he lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind replayed every misstep, every betrayal, every lost battle. Exhaustion overtook him, his eyelids growing heavy. As he drifted toward unconsciousness, the thought of a second chance lingered—a desperate wish that felt increasingly unattainable. In the silence of his room, there were no second chances, only the stark reality of what had been lost.

Without warning, the ground shook violently, jolting Arthur from his slumber. Outside, the sky darkened as seven spaceships appeared near the planet Theia. They unleashed a barrage of missiles, each explosion far greater than any known on Theia, tearing through the atmosphere with devastating force. The blasts were apocalyptic, far exceeding the power of nuclear weapons.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The deafening booms and violent tremors shook Arthur’s entire apartment. He barely had time to comprehend the magnitude of the catastrophe before the explosions reached his building. The room was engulfed in a blinding flash, and then, everything vanished—Arthur, his dreams, his room—all reduced to vapor in an instant.

2108, One Day Before the Start of Epoch Online

Arthur woke with a start, his breath ragged and fast. His eyes were red, and sweat dampened his back. He looked around, heart racing, his mind struggling to catch up with his senses.

“What was that—a nightmare or reality?” he mumbled, his voice shaky. He scanned his surroundings, and as recognition dawned, astonishment followed.

“Wait… am I seeing my past after I died, or is this transmigration?” he whispered, disbelief tinging his voice. He scrambled to his feet, fumbling for his phone. The date on the screen sent a shock through his system, his heart pounding as he pinched himself. The sharp sting of pain confirmed it—he was awake, and this was real.

He looked up at the sky, emotions swirling. “Is this… a second chance?” he muttered, his voice a mix of wonder and determination. A slow, incredulous smile spread across his face as the realization sank in.

Arthur clenched his fists, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. It started as a low chuckle, growing louder, more unhinged, as the magnitude of the opportunity hit him. He was back. He had another shot—an actual, impossible second chance to rewrite everything, to take a different path. The mad laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls, as Arthur stood there, determined not to squander the miraculous gift he had been given.

He then frantically took out his phone and dialed a number he hadn’t called in a long while.

‘Ring… ring…’

“Hello? Arthur, are you okay?” an anxious female voice came from the other end, her tone filled with concern.

Arthur’s eyes welled up with tears as he heard his mother’s voice, something he hadn’t experienced in years. The silence on his end only deepened her anxiety—Arthur only called when he was in trouble or needed money. “Arthur? Are you okay?” she repeated, her worry growing.

Her voice brought Arthur back from his daze. “Yes, Mom, I just wanted to ask how you’re doing and how your health is.”

Megan was taken aback by the unexpected question, but a smile quickly spread across her face, thinking that perhaps her son was finally maturing. “I’m fine, Arthur. I’ve been okay. But how are you?”

“I’m doing good, Mom. I’m planning to buy the new VR helmet for Epoch Online and start a professional career.”

Megan was surprised by the sudden shift in the conversation but responded warmly. “That’s great, Arthur. But do you have enough creds for the helmet? If not, I can ask your dad to transfer some to you.”

She knew about the new VR game launching tomorrow—Epoch Online was all anyone could talk about. VR gaming was more than just a pastime on Theia; it was a legitimate career path, one that could enhance the brain’s development, extending a person’s lifespan well beyond a century. The benefits of VR gaming were immense, allowing people to surpass the limits of normal human strength, accelerate knowledge acquisition, and much more.

Arthur smiled at her offer, touched by her concern. “No need, Mom. I’ve got enough for a basic helmet with 83 percent realism. The company lowered the prices to make it more accessible for everyone, so I’m all set.”

Megan felt a mix of pride and relief. Her son’s voice carried a confidence and determination she hadn’t heard in years. “I’m glad, Arthur. Just remember, it’s not just about the game. Take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will, Mom,” Arthur replied, his voice filled with sincerity. “This time, I’ll do it right.”

They exchanged a few more words, the conversation flowing with a warmth that Arthur hadn’t felt in a long time. As he hung up, a sense of resolve solidified within him. This was his second chance—a chance to reclaim not only his virtual achievements but also the connections he had neglected in pursuit of fleeting power.

Arthur took a deep breath, his mind racing with plans. He knew the path ahead was fraught with challenges, but this time, he was determined to carve his destiny on his own terms.

Arthur quickly went out to buy the new VR helmet, along with a few energy drinks and bars, which had become essential due to their high nutritional value. After fitting in a workout, he was deep in thought about his plans when his phone rang. He answered immediately, recognizing the caller ID—only his good friend would call him besides his parents.

“Hey Mayon, what’s up?”

“Arthur, I heard you’re moving to Epoch Online. How about joining the guild Immortal Light? They’re based in our city and are considered a second-rate guild.”

Arthur’s irritation was clear, but he kept his composure. “No, Mayon, I’m planning to start my own guild, and I’d like you to join it.”

Mayon sounded surprised. “I’m in, but it’ll be tough for us to grow and earn with just our skills. We’ll need at least ten players to form a guild.”

“We’ll figure that out later. Even though we’re not professionals, we’re still top-tier in combat. With the price of VR helmets dropping, many people are buying in. We just need to find some trustworthy candidates.”

“Alright, as you say. By the way, there’s a meetup tonight. Are you coming?”

Arthur remembered the college meetup, which had been a disaster. A rival college had challenged them to a bet they lost, resulting in many of their group being seriously injured. Arthur and Mayon were among the few who had ranked in the top ten fighters of their university. This time, however, Arthur was determined to turn things around. His experience and brain development, boosted to 13 percent during his decade in Epoch Online, had prepared him well.

“Yes, I’m coming,” Arthur replied with renewed resolve.

Arthur glanced at the clock. He had a college meetup in an hour, a routine he had once dismissed as unimportant. But now, every decision, every step held the weight of his newfound determination. He would attend the meetup, not to fulfill past obligations, but to lay the groundwork for the future he envisioned. He knew who would betray him and who would become his allies. This time, he would play the game on his terms, without compromises.

Arthur smirked, his resolve hardening. “No more regrets. This time, I’ll take control of my fate.”