In 2112, the gaming world revolves around "New World," a groundbreaking virtual masterpiece from Power Tech. Launched in 2100, this game goes beyond typical virtual experiences, immersing players in a fantastical realm where they not only control avatars but also physically feel the alternate world they inhabit.

Named fittingly, "New World" transports players into a gaming landscape that blurs the lines between virtual and real. It's not just about playing; it's about existing as denizens in an extraordinary realm.

"New World" stands out with expansive maps, some as large as entire Earth continents, and incredibly lifelike NPCs overseeing specific regions, setting it apart from other virtual games. Even after 12 years, vast territories remain unclaimed, shrouded in mystery, inviting players to uncover their secrets. With 10 continents and 3 realms, the game offers a diverse and extensive world for exploration.

Adding to its appeal, "New World" boasts a variety of character classes, fantastical and magical environments, cultivating a lasting passion that only grows stronger over time.

The fervor reached such heights that discussions around acquired equipment, achieved levels, and favored grinding spots became a ubiquitous topic in households, with families engaging in these conversations even during dinner. The immersive world of New World had transcended the boundaries of a mere game, becoming an integral part of daily discourse and shared experiences.

Yet, amid the fantastical allure of New World, friendships occasionally veered into darker territories within this virtual realm. Allegiances, once seemingly unbreakable, were shattered with a smile; alliances crumbled over trivial reasons, and acts of ruthless betrayal became an unsettling norm.

The painful truth hit close to home, as I personally experienced the sting of betrayal when so-called "friends" ousted me and callously eliminated me from their party, their actions driven solely by the allure of acquiring a piece of equipment.

“...”

In the Hokkaido Prefecture of Japan:

Furuya Ryou slowly roused from his slumber, his eyes gently opening as he sat up to take in his surroundings. The room that met his gaze was compact, its walls adorned with a drab simplicity.

As he turned his attention, a table came into view, on top were stacks of high school books and a noticeably outdated laptop occupying a corner. Adjacent to this makeshift workspace stood a bookshelf, its shelves lined with an assortment of manga and light novels.

Shifting his gaze to the right, Ryou's eyes fell upon a wardrobe complete with a mirrored door. The reflective surface captured the image of a young man in his late teens, characterized by disheveled dark hair and deep, black eyes.

A tangible shock surged through Ryou, jolting him to full awareness.

"What happened to my face? How did I become young?" Ryou's voice reverberated within the confined space as he cautiously approached the mirror. His reflection stared back at him, and he couldn't help but scrutinize the youthful features that now adorned his face. The paradox of familiarity and unfamiliarity played out in the reflection.

His last memory was of sleeping in his gaming capsule the night before. Yet, here he was, awakening in a dilapidated space, confronted with the bewildering reality that he had somehow undergone a rejuvenation overnight.

As Ryou surveyed the room, a surge of memories inundated him—decades ago, he had inhabited a strikingly similar small space with his mother and elder sister. As he delved into the bygone years when his family was still alive, a wave of melancholy threatened to engulf him.

In those times, his family faced abject poverty, compounded by the illness of his sister and the fragile health of his mother. Adding to the hardships, his father had departed during his childhood, leaving them in a state of struggle. Obtaining even basic necessities like food had been a daunting challenge for their survival.

Motivated by a fervent desire to reshape the fate of his family, Ryou, during his high school years, set his sights on the promising realm of virtual reality games. With dreams of becoming a professional gamer, he scrimped and saved for an entire year, eventually managing to acquire a New World Virtual Gaming Helmet. During this period, his days were characterized by meager meals of bread and instant noodles. He willingly abstained from social gatherings, dedicating himself to numerous part-time jobs with unwavering determination.

Enduring disdain from classmates, Ryou remained undeterred, propelled by the important goal of uplifting his family's circumstances. However, fate dealt a cruel blow, and before he could amass enough funds, tragedy struck, claiming the lives of his remaining family members.

"Am I the target of an elaborate prank, or am I still in a dream?" Ryou pondered aloud, his skepticism tangible as he locked eyes with his younger self in the mirror.

In an effort to unravel the confusion before him, he meticulously surveyed the room for concealed cameras, scrutinized the mirror for any signs of manipulation, and ultimately, he subjected the vintage phone's camera to check his face. However, as his gaze met the screen, a profound wave of disbelief surged through him. The date exhibited on the display contradicted the reality he knew, leaving him profoundly shaken—it was January 1, 2100.

“It's New Year, and I'm here all alone. This has to be some elaborate prank,” he muttered, shaking his head in a futile attempt to dispel the surreal situation.

Yet, amid the disbelief, Ryou clung to a fragile glimmer of hope, entertaining the possibility of some cosmic reincarnation. Determined to find answers, he approached his laptop and powered it on, seeking confirmation from the internet. However, what awaited him was an astonishing truth.

The date on his laptop, the imminent launch of the groundbreaking "New World," and the resounding echoes of New Year's Day celebrations reverberating across the world, all pointed to an unimaginable reality. Tearfully fixated on the news report heralding the advent of "New World," Ryou found himself overwhelmed with a tumultuous mix of emotions, grappling with the inexplicable notion that he had, indeed, traveled back 12 years in time.

"But, was I truly such a loner that I'd end up alone on New Year's?" he mused inwardly, a hint of self-deprecating humor coloring his thoughts.

Ryou found himself grappling with a complex whirlwind of emotions. Regret, sadness, and joy mingled with a touch of anger and determination, creating a tumultuous blend within him.

Seated in contemplation, he closed his eyes and delved into the recesses of his memories from the early days in "New World."

Having joined the game a year after its launch, Ryou acknowledged his tendency to adopt a solitary approach. Preferring the quietude of solo exploration, he deliberately avoided the hustle of guilds and parties, navigating the virtual expanse at his own unhurried pace.

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Despite Ryou's predilection for solitude, his innate grasp of game mechanics and adept communication with non-player characters consistently garnered him lucrative quests. He honed his skills to the point where he single-handedly devised strategies, triumphing over formidable bosses and accumulating enough wealth to provide for his family.

Yet, the irresistible allure of trouble beckoned. Two years into his gaming odyssey, the bronze guild, HKG, took notice of him and sought to recruit him for his extraordinary abilities. Ryou staunchly resisted their advances, sparking a relentless pursuit and assaults that persisted for over three months. The siege only abated when the silver guild, Bloom, intervened, successfully rescuing him.

Bloom, ranking among the top gaming workshops in Hokkaido, recognized Ryou's prowess and swiftly recruited him. Within a mere month of joining, Ryou ascended to the esteemed role of squad leader, eventually progressing to become a commander responsible for overseeing thousands of players and numerous squads. Earning the title "Shadow Blade," Ryou stood as Hokkaido's revered gaming expert, solidifying his status as a renowned figure within the virtual realm.

Yet, the winds of fortune shifted when betrayal cast its dark shadow. Nakamori Hisashi, the leader of Bloom, orchestrated Ryou's downfall through a treacherous act of Player Killing (PK). In a moment of shocking revelation, Nakamori callously admitted to orchestrating Ryou's demise, disclosing that he had been expelled from Bloom because the skills and strategies Ryou shared were sufficient to elevate the guild without him.

The betrayal struck Ryou like a thunderbolt. Eight years had been invested in the virtual trenches with Bloom, overcoming trials, enduring hardships, and leading them to a level where their power rivaled even Platinum-rated guilds. The battles soaked in blood, the sacrifices made, and the bonds of friendship forged appeared to hold little significance to Nakamori, who callously discarded them in pursuit of his own motives.

All of this culminated because he had opposed to give Nakamori a fucking unknown necklace he found during his quest.

However for unknown reasons he cannot grasp, he was reincarnated 12 years back when he was killed in the game.

“...”

Ryou's eyes fluttered open, a determined gleam in them as he contemplated, "I won't let this slide, Nakamori..." Yet, a more profound question lingered in his mind, overshadowing his resolve: ‘Are my family really alive?’

A mix of disbelief and hope tugged at his emotions as Ryou reached for his cell phone. With a steady hand, he scrolled through his contacts until he located his big sister's number. The weight of anticipation hung in the air as he pressed the call button, bracing himself for the impending moment of truth.

In the ensuing silence, he held his breath, the rhythmic ringing echoing in his ears. Each passing second felt like an eternity as he clung to the fragile hope that this was not a cruel illusion. The intensity of the moment weighed heavily on his shoulders, and he fervently wished for the reassurance that his family was indeed on the other end of the line.

The moment the call connected, a cheerful voice greeted him, "Hey, Ryou-chan, what's up? Did you miss your nee-san already?"

"N-nee-san," he stammered, overwhelmed by the realization that it was truly her voice. "Where are you now, nee?"

Concern colored his sister's words, and she asked. "What happened to your voice Ryou-chan? Are you alright?"

"I am fine, nee," he managed to reply, holding back the overwhelming emotions.

She quizzically asked, “Hmm, then how did you forget that nee-san is still in the hospital? Didn't you just go back home from visiting nee-san.”

Suddenly, the realization hit Ryou like a tidal wave—his sister was very ill and in the last stages of a brain tumor; she had passed away in 2104.

In his previous life, Ryou had nearly accumulated the funds for treatments that could save his ailing sister in her final moments. However, in a twist of fate, the interference of the HKG guild disrupted his carefully laid plans, resulting in a depletion of resources and ultimately preventing him from curing his sister's illness.

Recalling those memories fueled a renewed determination for vengeance against both HKG and Bloom.

"Nee san, I would come to you right now, so wait for me," However, Ryou's urgency to be with his sister eclipsed any other consideration.

His profound longing for his sister prompted him to abruptly hang up the phone, eliciting a surprised exclamation from the other end. Donning his tracksuit jacket, Ryou swiftly left his room and made his way to the car station. After hailing a cab, he mentally prepared himself for the journey to Shinma Hospital, where his beloved sister was admitted.

As Ryou sat in the cab, he couldn't escape the haunting memories of his previous life—an existence marked by relentless toil, where every effort was expended to amass the funds required to save his sister. Despite his unyielding endeavors, fate's cruel hands had snatched her away, and later, after accumulating millions of credits, it was tragically too late. The persistent ache of not being able to secure the necessary funds in time lingered in Furuya Ryou's heart, always casting a shadow on his life.

Unexpectedly, he found himself back at the starting point, resetting to zero just as the virtual game New World was about to commence.

With a heart pulsating with newfound determination, Ryou resolved, "Since I have been reincarnated, I have to change everything. I will earn enough money to cure my sister, and I will let my mother live a life without worries." Inwardly vowing to rewrite his destiny, he wiped away the tears that bore witness to his past pain.

Braced with determination, Ryou reached Shinma Hospital, the place where his sister had undergone treatment.

The hospital, a reflection of the family's financial limitations, lacked cutting-edge features. Stepping inside, Ryou approached the admission clerk, inquiring about his sister's room number. The clerk's furrowed brow betrayed confusion, questioning how someone who seemed to visit regularly could forget a room number. Unbeknownst to her, the passage of 12 years had erased those specific details from Ryou's memory.

Upon learning the room number, Ryou made his way directly to his sister's room. Opening the door to the private hospital room, he was greeted by the sight of his sister donned in the standard hospital attire. Despite the effects of treatment leaving her without hair, her radiant face, adorned with beautiful almond-shaped black eyes, emitted a familiar warmth.

Seated beside her bed on a chair was a middle-aged woman with black eyes and black hair, a familiar face to his sister—his mother.

In a rush of emotions, Ryou sprinted towards his sister, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "I've missed you so much," He whispered.

Doubt still lingered in his heart about this impossible reality of reincarnation, but happiness overshadowed everything else. Amidst the embrace, determination sparked in his tear-filled eyes - he would change her destiny and his family circumstances.

“...”

8th of January, inside a gaming cafe;

Ryou found himself facing the clerk, who briskly informed him, "New World, for 12 hours, that would be 12000 yen, sir." Without hesitation, Ryou placed twelve, one thousand yen notes on the desk.

"Okay, lead me to a gaming cabin," Ryou asserted as he handed over the money. The clerk, sporting a smile, accepted the note and summoned another employee to guide Ryou to a compact gaming cabin.

Having negotiated a night in the gaming world with his mother, Ryou, supported by his elder sister, managed to persuade his initially reluctant mother by emphasizing his goal of making money. The stern approval granted, he was now set to immerse himself in the captivating realms of New World.

As the clock struck 20:00, the game had been underway for hours. Designed to accommodate the working class, the virtual world flipped the day-night cycle, with nighttime in reality translating to perpetual daytime in the game.

Within the gaming cafe, Ryou observed numerous gamers nestled in white gaming capsules adorned with New World helmets, peacefully immersed in slumber. The technology enabling gameplay during sleep had emerged 15 years earlier, a boon for hardcore gamers seeking to maximize their playtime without sacrificing precious hours of rest.

Guided by the cafe employee, Ryou entered a modest cubicle housing a gaming capsule. Typically utilized to monitor player health statistics, this particular capsule lacked visible wires and technological connections, and Ryou could only perceived it as more of a comfortable bed than a gaming capsule.

The employee efficiently configured the gaming helmet for a 12-hour session and departed. The game's temporal mechanics played in Ryou's favor, with two in-game hours translating to a mere one real-world hour. Armed with a 12-hour window in reality, Ryou now found himself with an expansive 24 in-game hours to embark on his quest for wealth within this captivating virtual realm.

Ryou walked to the sleeping pod, put on his helmet and was ready to go.

These past weeks he had saved money from his jobs to get 12000 yen to play the game. In previous life he had used his hard earned money for his sister's treatment and buying supplies for the family.

However, this time around he was confident that he would get 2 times or even more in these 12 hours.

Ryou closed his eyes.

“New World, here I come again.”