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A VRMMORPG game called ‘Eidolon Nexus’ swept the world like a storm the moment it was released. It caught the attention of every gamer, streamer, and basement dweller in the world.
The company that made the game became popular overnight, all because of its unique capsule system. You didn’t play this game on a PC, you didn’t play it on a console, you lived inside it.
Gamers everywhere rushed to buy capsules to be the first to experience this so-called “perfect VR system”, and of course that caused shortages within a few hours of launch. The official report said over 50,000 capsules sold immediately, but let’s be real, it could’ve been double that and still not enough.
And yeah, out of curiosity, because I’m a gamer through and through, I bought one too.
My name is Kaien Rook. I am 23 years old. And yes, before you even ask, I am single. No girlfriends, no complicated romances, nothing. Just me, my games, and my eternal commitment to solo grinding.
I’m what you call an introvert. Not just in real life, but in games too. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t “hate” people. I just… avoid them. I play solo, I don’t join guilds, and I don’t bother with PvP drama unless someone drags me into it. I live a mediocre life, maintain a low profile everywhere, except in gaming.
In gaming, I have a name.
“The Silent Demon King.”
It sounds edgy, I know, but I like it. Reminds me of my favorite manga character. You know the type, the guy who’s quiet until he flips the whole world upside down.
Anyway, I’ve played every kind of game imaginable - mobile RPGs, PC MMORPGs, FPS, even weird rhythm games when I got bored. But eventually, all of it started to feel the same. Point, click, grind, repeat. I wanted something new. Something different. That’s why I decided to throw half my bank account at this shiny coffin-looking capsule.
So yeah, enough about my boring backstory, because I know nobody likes listening to that, I’ll get to the point.
The capsule was sitting in my room like some futuristic refrigerator, humming with quiet energy.
Should I… really enter this thing? Should I actually see for myself what made so many people lose their minds over it?
The instructions were simple: lie down inside, close my eyes, and think of entering the game. The capsule would read the neurons of my brain and sync me with the game.
Doesn’t seem that hard.
But wait… what if I actually fall asleep inside this thing while gaming? Would my mom barge in and smack me awake?
(Loudly) “Mom! Wake me up if I happen to fall asleep in the capsule!”
(Mom replying from the kitchen) “What do you mean? …Explain before you do something stupid, or I swear you’re getting the sandal treatment the moment I find out what’s happening!”
(Sigh) Better to take the risk and get scolded once than explain every day.
(Opens capsule door)
The inside looked like the seat of a spaceship. Cushioned, dark, smooth.
If I fall asleep, will this be comfortable? Because I really don’t want to wake up with neck pain or, God forbid, back pain.
(Closes capsule door)
I heard somewhere that your starting class in this game wasn’t chosen, it was given, based on your potential as a gamer. Naturally, I thought, “I’ve played tons of games, so I’ll definitely get a high-ranking class.”
(laid back and, closed eyes)
(Deep breath) Alright. Let’s see what this world has in store for me.
[System: Eidolon Nexus Server Detected]
You have been chosen. Class initializing…
A cold wind swept across an endless plain of cracked stone tiles.
(Blink) What the hell?
The horizon stretched forever, covered in pale gray slabs, broken archways, and pillars that looked like they hadn’t stood for centuries. Above, the sky swirled with a sickly-blue glow, like corrupted code stitched into the atmosphere. Kaien’s vision was filled with glowing text.
[System]
Assigned Class: HEALER
Base HP: 50 | MP: 100
Skill Unlocked: [Touch of Restoration Lv.1]
Warning: Class-Sync Error (Code: 0419-G)
Passive Activated: [Invert Output]
…Huh?
What the hell is this?
(fingers twitched)
Kaien felt the cold stone beneath his hand.
Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Did I just… get the Healer class?
You’ve gotta be kidding me.
Me. A healer?
[Status Window – Kaien Rook]
Class: Healer
Level: 1
HP: 50/50
MP: 100/100
Skill 1: Touch of Restoration [Lv.1] – Heals 20 HP
Passive: Invert Output – Effect type may reverse unexpectedly
System Alert: Class-Sync Error Detected
Title: None
That’s it? No weapons? No armor? No tutorial NPC?
There wasn’t even a party menu or help menu. Just… me. Alone.
The cold wind swept across his face. It was eerily realistic, and somehow soothing.
But what was I supposed to do? There wasn’t even a mini-map. No quest marker. Nothing.
Then---
...Growl...
(stomach dropped) That wasn’t me. That sound was coming from the broken archway ahead.
(Froze and looked at the direction of the sound)
A skeletal figure, hunched and rattling, dragged itself toward me. Rusted armor scraps clung to its bones, glowing blue fire burned inside its skull, and it dragged a jagged sword across the stone as it limped closer.
[Enemy Detected]
Bonejack - Level 2
Skills: None
Wait. What? A fight? Immediately after the first login?
And against a level 2 monster? Are the developers insane?
(Frantically) "Inventory".
[Inventory]
- (Empty)
What? Empty???
I don’t even have a stick! No weapons, no armor, not even a healing potion!
How the hell am I supposed to fight?
(Inner thought) Run. I need to run.
(turned, sprinting away)
SLASH
AHHHHH!
A white-hot pain seared across my back.
[HP]
50 → 28
(inner thought) s**t. Too late. My body staggered forward. My heart is pounding. The Bonejack is limping his way towards me. What should I do? It's raising its sword.
Think, think, think!
(Flicked open status window again)
Touch of Restoration (Lv.1)
- Heals 20 HP.
- Casting condition: You need to say "Heal".
This is my only option now, I guess. (gulp)
(clenching teeth) “Heal”
Green light burst from his palm.
[Touch of Restoration] activated.
Invert Output: ON
Damage inflicted: 20 magic damage.
The light smashed into the Bonejack, burning its ribcage apart.
...Screeeeeeech... (Bonejack crying in agony)
SYSTEM: 'Critical Hit! Bonejack Core destabilized.'
(blink)… What the hell just happened? (Jaw dropped)
[System Alert]
Skill Mutation Potential Detected.
Trait:
- [Sanctioned Error] - Recognizing misused command inputs.
Sync Rate: 5.3%
New Title Earned: The Misaligned
EXP Gained: 20
LEVEL UP! → Level 2
(dropping to knees) My knees gave up. (sigh of relief)
(laughs) Ha… ha… hahahaha…
So… healing hurts now.
I guess I’m not a healer. I’m a bug.
(stood up, brushing the dust from his hands, and looked at the shattered remains of the Bonejack) Alright. Even if that’s the case… I’ll still keep going.
I’ll play this game in my own style.
I’ll beat it, even if I’m broken.
I won’t play the game the way you want, you f*****g developers.
Let’s see what happens when a “healer” stops healing.
- Writer
