The world was a place filled with wonders. No other planet in the whole galaxy could replace Earth as humanity’s home. The untamed oceans, the vast blue sky, and endless expanses of land all combined to form an excellent habitat. If anyone said that to Lou, he would laugh his ass off before spitting at their faces.

In this impossibly large and tall tower, he moved with the best transportation technology had to offer. A purple light formed a thin line to wherever his destination was, and he did not have to do anything but stand.

The purple light underneath his feet whisked him through narrow passages. Air resistance was a problem of the past. His current speed rivalled an old supersonic jet, but he didn’t even need to blink.

Countless large hexagonal shapes decorated the walls, like a beehive. They extended towards a ceiling hundreds of metres above. The whole structure exhibited a crystalline appearance, just like the rest of the city.

“You have reached your final destination” An automated female voice entered his ears.

“Please enjoy your dream”

He came to a stop. The purple light faded and disappeared, leaving behind a glittering floor. The Automated Transportation Line had completed its task, and he no longer had a need for it.

‘There was a million on board of the Styx, and only I got sent to this floor and sector?’

One of the hexagonal panels on the wall lit up with a green light. Tiny jets of vapour hissed out of its edges. In one swift motion, the panel slid out like a drawer and revealed a human-sized capsule attached to it.

‘Dream Capsule…’ Lou stepped closer and examined the capsule. ‘Looks fancier than I thought’

A bluish glow came from inside the capsule, where he was supposed to lie down in. The shape of the capsule resembled a tube. The logo of a lion’s head displayed itself on the side. White fur, white mane, opened jaws with rows of fangs.

‘Leo Corporation… I don’t know whether I should call you guys heroes or villains’

He stepped inside, and felt a jelly-like substance under his feet. But it was dry, so he thought of a bouncy cushion filled with water instead. The rest of his body entered the capsule, and he lied down.

‘This is pretty comfortable…’

Just when he thought so, the capsule slid back into the wall.

‘Whoa! Could’ve warned me first, couldn’t it?’

He stared above. The distance between the top of the capsule and his nose was barely over a foot. The only illumination in here was the blue light from his gelatinous bed.

‘I might turn claustrophobic from this. Couldn’t they have designed this building better?’

The jelly-like substance moved over his skin, giving a ticklish sensation. It fully enveloped him before he could release a chuckle. A horizontal blue line scanned over his body twice, like a photocopy machine.

“Full-body scan complete, executing virtual diving in 3…2…1…” The feminine voice announced.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

The countdown ended, and the world vanished.

***

Complete darkness.

Like an empty space in the universe.

Lou floated in this space, wondering where he was. But he didn’t wonder for long.

Please select the name of your avatar

‘A name… it’s a new life, maybe I should try something fresh?’

Lou thought for a while, then shook his head.

“Lou” He said.

It was a name bestowed by his parents. Even if they’re dead, he would like to cherish it. It didn’t matter if he gave up all his possessions, he shouldn’t leave behind his identity. Yes, he was Lou no matter where or when.

‘They say people with shorter names are more successful, so that’s a plus… though it didn’t help me in this world’

The system has decided to place you in the Western Continent, Whitemoon Citadel, Armitage Empire

‘What? I don’t get to choose?’

Welcome to Armus, where your new life awaits

With a flash of light, he appeared in Whitemoon Citadel, Armitage.

“Oh… Hohohohoho!”

Lou feasted his eyes on the medieval atmosphere of his surroundings.

Handsome stone buildings, chipped wooden signs, bustling roadside stalls, cobbled streets!

He stood in the middle of a large square, where throngs of people made a racket promoting their wares and services. The noise drowned the sound of the fountain behind him. If it wasn’t for the light splashes of water on his back, he wouldn’t even realise it was there.

He wasn’t the only astonished one. A quick look around him displayed dozens of people with floating names over their heads. That confirmed that these were avatars of real people, and not NPCs.

‘Leo Corporation… how the hell did you guys manage to create this…?’

While he gazed at the other denizens of his world, or users as he would call them from now on… he noticed that they shot glances at him. For some reason, their eyes widened before turning away in a hurry.

He knew he wasn’t gorgeous, but his face shouldn’t hurt their eyes. The capsule did not allow any modifications on their physical appearance to allow complete synchronisation between the real body and the avatar. Hence, nobody had the look of celebrities around him.

‘What are they looking at?’ Lou scratched his chin.

No. He tried to scratch his chin.

‘Eh?’

He realised it.

“They’re not there…”

Both of his hands ended in a stump, just above the elbows.