"Hey, did you hear? They say the creator of Lord Dungeon is releasing a new game!"
"Rumor has it he shut down the previous server to focus on a new project."
"Even fashion magazines are talking about it. Apparently, there'll be a special feature just for female characters."
---
In the year 2031, the gaming world was shaken by the release of Lord Dungeon—a revolutionary virtual reality game.
Unlike any other game before it, Lord Dungeon offered players complete freedom to craft their own scenarios, shape entire worlds, and even decide how their stories would end.
It was like an endless dream world.
Players called it "the second reality."
But freedom always comes with a price.
After years of legendary status, Lord Dungeon's servers suddenly shut down—without any explanation.
Then, in 2044, mysterious posters began appearing all over the city.
The image depicted a wounded knight reaching his hand out to a sorrowful angel.
Below it, written in shimmering silver ink, was a single line:
"For You."
There was no logo, no date, no information at all.
Yet the illustration style was unmistakable—veteran Lord Dungeon players recognized it instantly.
Within hours, gaming communities around the world erupted with speculation:
this could only mean one thing—the return of the legendary creator.
A month later, the mystery was answered.
A long promotional video was released across all platforms.
It showed a knight trying to protect a broken-winged angel.
Both wounded, both clinging to one another as the world around them collapsed.
The visuals were breathtaking, but it wasn't the animation or effects that mesmerized the world—
it was the song.
Even without an instrumental track, the singer's voice carried a raw mixture of agony and bliss,
as if someone were singing on the edge of tears and laughter at once.
Many who heard it said they couldn't explain why they started crying.
At the end of the video, the screen slowly faded to black.
A single line appeared:
"Created by SHADOW."
And beneath it—the new title logo:
Heavenly Knight.
But among the list of developers, one crucial name was missing—
MENTARI, Shadow's former partner, known as the co-creator of Lord Dungeon.
Her absence raised endless questions.
Forums, media outlets, and podcasts buzzed with one burning topic:
> "Why isn't Mentari's name there?"
Some claimed she'd left the industry.
Others whispered about a personal fallout.
And some even spoke of strange underground rumors circulating among gaming communities.
Yet despite all the speculation, excitement for Heavenly Knight only grew stronger.
And in 2045, the world finally witnessed the official launch of what many called
the spiritual successor to Lord Dungeon—
Heavenly Knight.
---
Morning sunlight filtered through the window blinds, landing on the face of a still-sleeping teenage boy.
Ren groaned softly and pulled his blanket over his head, trying to escape the blinding light.
There was a knock at the door—ignored.
Then the door creaked open.
A woman stepped in, sighing in that familiar tone—half annoyance, half resignation.
That woman—my mother—was always beautiful, even without makeup.
Fair skin, dark brown hair tied half-up, and warm eyes that carried both kindness and a hint of exhaustion.
Though she was thirty-eight, she looked no older than her mid-twenties.
Her figure was soft in the right places, exuding both maternal warmth and an almost dangerous charm.
If you've ever read a manhwa where the mother looks far too young to be called "Mom,"
that's exactly what she looked like.
Behind her smile, though, I knew she still carried sorrow—the loss of my father years ago.
But she stayed cheerful, refusing to let me drown in the same grief.
"Ren, wake up! How long are you planning to sleep?" she scolded, walking toward the window.
The curtains flew open, flooding the room with sunlight.
"It's already noon. Get up and take a shower," she said, pulling the blanket away from me.
"Just five more minutes, Mom…" I mumbled drowsily.
"This kid…" she chuckled, then yanked the blanket off with a single pull.
I finally sat up, hair sticking in every direction, half my face still buried in a pillow.
"Go wash up and eat breakfast. I already set the food on the table," she said as she walked out.
Her footsteps faded down the hallway, replaced by the sound of clothes being hung outside.
I sighed, got up, and shuffled to the bathroom.
After showering and getting dressed, I glanced at my desk.
There sat an old photo frame—me and a short-haired girl smiling brightly at our elementary graduation.
"It's been a while, huh, Fey…" I whispered.
I turned the frame to face the wall and headed to the dining table.
---
A little while later—
"Mom, I'm heading out!" I shouted while putting on my shoes.
"Alright, be careful!" she called back. "Oh, and if you pass by the station, don't forget to buy me pudding!"
I paused at the door, smirking.
"Shouldn't you be the one buying me pudding? You're not my kid, you know!"
"You little brat!" she yelled, laughing.
I laughed too and ran off down the street.
---
School felt different that day.
Everyone seemed excited—buzzing about one thing:
the Heavenly Knight release tonight.
I sat by the window, staring blankly at the sky until someone tapped my shoulder.
"Morning! Looks like everyone's busy today," my friend greeted with a grin.
"Yeah," I replied lazily. "They've waited years for this. Oh, did you finish the homework?"
He gave me a suspicious look.
I clasped my hands together dramatically.
"Please, oh gracious and handsome master, let me copy your homework!"
Agito sighed deeply, the look of a man questioning his life choices.
Finally, he handed over his notebook.
"Fine. But this is the last time."
"Thank you, unsung hero of my academic survival," I said with a sly grin.
He ignored me and opened another book—something about neuroscience and memory.
He was completely absorbed.
"Something got your attention?" I asked.
"Not really. Either this or Heavenly Knight, I couldn't care less," he replied casually.
"Besides, I've got a date tonight."
I turned to him sharply. "Wait, you never told me you had a girlfriend!"
For once, Agito closed his book and gave me a curious look.
"You seem very interested."
I chuckled, leaning back. "If you really do, then the Single Order of our class won't sit still."
And yes, we didn't realize it—but half the class was already preparing something chaotic behind us.
Agito smirked. "So, are you more interested in my story or the Heavenly Knight launch?"
Before I could answer, he nodded toward someone behind me.
"Seems like she's more interested in you than either of us."
I turned around—and froze.
A girl stood by the desk, glaring slightly.
She was so close I could smell the faint scent of flowers from her hair.
Her thin glasses gave her a mature air, but her flustered expression—caught between embarrassment, annoyance, and confusion—was unmistakable.
The moment our eyes met, she quickly turned away.
"I'm not interested or anything!" she said quickly. "I just…"
Her gaze dropped to the notebook in my hands. Without warning, she snatched it away.
"You didn't do your homework again, did you?"
I raised both hands defensively.
"You're not my mom! And there's still plenty of time before class starts, so give it back."
"But I'm your class president," she said proudly, hands on her hips. "And your lack of discipline could get me in trouble. Also, your mother asked me to keep an eye on you."
I sighed. "Fine… one cup of boba."
She smirked faintly. "Deal."
She handed it back—then immediately realized her mistake and tried to grab it again.
"Wait! I wasn't done talking!" she said in panic.
But I was already hugging the notebook like it was treasure.
"Hmph, you're so sneaky," she muttered, pouting and looking away—but still glancing back at me out of the corner of her eye.
Then, pretending to sound casual, she asked,
"So… are you going on a date too? And who exactly are you meeting tonight?"
Her tone was calm, but there was a trace of jealousy hiding behind it.
"Yes, I am," I said confidently. "With a beautiful woman. She even made me breakfast this morning—and she lives in the same house as me. So, keep your distance!"
July fell silent, then slowly smiled menacingly.
"Heh…"
Her hand shot up into the air—a signal instantly followed by a thunderous chorus.
"THE PURIFICATION RITUAL BEGINS!"
The whole class erupted.
The infamous Eternal Singles Sect—our school's bizarre anti-dating club—had mobilized.
"Wait, what!? It's Agito who's dating, not me! And since when did you—July! Since when were you part of this cult!?"
"Rule number three of the Eternal Singles Sect," she said flatly. "Girls may report classmates suspected of romantic activity."
"That's not even real evidence!"
But too late.
They had already tied me to a wooden prop pole from last year's school play.
One student wore an old granny mask with a long tongue, another danced around like a parody of the Kecak fire dance.
"What the hell are you guys doing!? Let me go! It's a misunderstanding!" I screamed.
A robotic voice came from a cheap phone voice changer:
"Confession accepted. Purification must commence!"
"Nooooooo!!"
Agito sat at his desk, calmly watching with a smirk.
"Have fun, Ren," he said dryly, then turned to July, who stood with arms crossed. "Hey, July."
She looked back. "Hm? What is it?"
"What did Ren say earlier?"
She tilted her head. "Something about a cult?"
"Not that," he said quietly. "Before that—about his 'date.'"
Her eyes widened. "Oh, that? The woman who made him breakfast and lives with him?"
Agito chuckled and covered his face with one hand. "Yeah. That woman's his mom. So his 'date' tonight… is dinner with his mother."
July froze, realizing the misunderstanding. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
"Oh no…" she muttered softly. "So that's what he meant…"
She turned toward me—only to find me lying limp on the floor, still tied up, eyes hollow.
July sighed, sticking her tongue out playfully. "Looks like I was too late… ehe~."
---
That evening, on my way home, I was still fuming.
Not just because I'd been humiliated in front of everyone—but because it was my own fault.
Every time I remembered July's smug face as she "reported" me, I couldn't help but yell.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
People on the street stared.
A couple walking ahead turned around, concerned.
"Are you okay?" the girl asked.
"Yeah, bro, you look pale. Need to sit down?" the guy added.
I waved frantically, blushing. "I'm fine! Sorry for the noise!"
Then I bolted away.
After a few minutes of running, I reached the convenience store near the station—the one that sold Mom's favorite pudding.
As the bell above the door chimed, a beautiful woman behind the counter looked up with a teasing smile.
"Welcome~ Oh, Ren! How about we play together tonight?" she said playfully—while holding a box of condoms meant for another customer.
The customer froze, face turning scarlet.
I froze too, caught between panic and disbelief.
"K-Ka Ayu!" I stammered. "Please choose your words more carefully!"
Ka Ayu—or Marin Ayudia, Agito's older sister—blinked, realized what she'd just said, then turned bright red and quickly hid the box under the counter.
"Oh my God! I didn't mean it like that!"
The customer coughed awkwardly. "Um… the… condom, please."
Still flustered, Ka Ayu rang it up and handed it over.
I sighed deeply, grabbed the pudding from the fridge, and glanced at her again.
She was beautiful, graceful, and the perfect image of a charming clerk—but when she panicked, she glitched like a broken NPC.
I picked up the weekly-limited pudding and whispered, "At least the pudding's still safe…"
While browsing the new snacks, I headed to the counter.
"Ka Ayu, how much are those new snacks?" I asked, pointing at the colorful packages.
"Same price as your usual. They're made by Drive," she said casually.
"Drive?" I froze. "You mean… the Drive? The game company?"
Ka Ayu flinched. "Y-you know that company stopped making g-games long ago, right? They've diversified into other businesses now."
She sighed in relief, gently pushing me back.
"Actually, your favorite snacks are from a Drive subsidiary too. It's kind of an open secret."
I nodded slowly.
Drive… ironic.
The company once saved by Lord Dungeon—now making snacks.
Originally, Drive was a small software and console manufacturer. Their early consoles were so bad people nicknamed them boiled potatoes. But somehow, years later, they created one that rivaled top brands at half the cost—only to nearly go bankrupt when production costs exploded.
That was when two indie developers—Shadow and Mentari—saved them with Lord Dungeon.
That success put both the developers and Drive at the top of global headlines.
And now… they sold snacks.
How ironic.
As I paid for my items, a song came on from the small TV near the counter—the Heavenly Knight theme. The singer's voice was gentle, emotional, and haunting.
Ka Ayu closed her eyes for a moment. "Such a beautiful voice… but strange. Something in it feels off."
"Probably just a sound effect to keep tempo," I replied lightly.
She smiled. "Your total's one hundred eighty-six thousand. So, are you playing tonight? You've got the day off tomorrow, right?"
I handed her the money. "After dinner. The game launches at 10:30 p.m. I've got something to do first."
"Oh~ So you've got a girlfriend now?" she teased.
"It's just dinner, Ka Ayu. Keep the change."
I left quickly.
"Ehh… That's too much change, Ren!" she shouted after me, but I was already gone.
---
The streets were calm as I walked home. My house wasn't far from the station.
When I entered, the quiet felt almost heavy.
"I'm home," I said softly, removing my shoes and heading to the dining table.
Only candlelight illuminated the room. Warm dishes waited on the table, freshly cooked.
"Welcome home, Ren."
Mom sat there, smiling gently. For the first time in years, she wore makeup.
Her hair flowed freely. She looked like a woman rewinding time.
"Mom… you look beautiful," I said sincerely.
She chuckled. "Don't say that to your mother. I'm not that young anymore. Sit down."
"You're still beautiful," I whispered. "If Dad and Fey were here… they'd say the same."
Silence.
I placed the pudding on the table—one for her, two for the empty seats beside her.
"Happy birthday, Mom," I said softly, voice trembling.
Her smile wavered, tears forming. "Thank you, Ren. And… thank you for everything. I know I've been a burden—always sick, always down—but you stayed. You stayed, Ren. Thank you."
I squeezed her hand. "No… I should be the one apologizing…"
The words caught in my throat as memories flashed—graduation day, the accident, Fey's cry, Dad's voice, the sirens.
"If it weren't for me… they…" My voice broke.
Mom stood and hugged me tightly. "Enough, dear. It's not your fault."
Her warmth melted me. I cried like a child.
That night, we shared dinner—the most delicious meal we'd had in years.
For the first time in a long while, we truly felt like family again.
---
Outside, the world waited for the moment.
Crowds gathered, eyes glued to phones and big screens as the countdown began.
"Five…"
"Four…"
"Three…"
"Two…"
"One…"
A worldwide cheer erupted.
Then a final promotional video played—one last message.
In a dark room, a man sat before a camera, his face obscured.
He adjusted the lens, then spoke in a quiet, heavy tone.
"It all began when we created Lord Dungeon," he said. "And it ended when we stopped it. Now, we return. I hope… this work can atone for my sins."
He paused, staring at something in his trembling hands.
"Welcome to a new world. Enjoy."
As he spoke the last line, a different song began playing—the same melody, but the voice… was not the same.
The screen faded to black.
And at exactly 10:30 p.m.—
Heavenly Knight officially released.
The perspective shifts to me, sitting in front of my computer screen.
The room is dark, lit only by the faint blue glow of the monitor.
In my hand, I hold a small pendant—something I've kept for a long time.
I gently rub it with my fingers, then adjust the camera in front of me.
I wipe my tear-streaked face.
Whether it's from exhaustion or something deeper, my chest feels unbearably heavy.
Finally, I take a deep breath and press the video call button.
On the screen, Ayu's face appears.
Her hair is tied up loosely; she looks tired, but still manages a faint smile.
"Ren, why did you take so long?" she says, her voice slightly irritated but warm.
"Sorry, my computer suddenly forced a Windows update," I lie with an awkward grin.
"Ah… wait, I just got an email."
I open the new message.
It's from Agito.
> "Date's canceled. She got a sudden work call. You playing Heavenly Knight tonight?"
I immediately add him to the call.
Moments later, Agito's face appears—his phone camera shaking slightly as he walks along a dim street.
The sky behind him is dark and heavy.
"What happened? Something wrong?" I ask, surprised.
He doesn't usually look this down.
"Nothing much. She just said we had to break up. Something about being too busy with work," he mutters, voice dull.
Ayu sighs. "Poor guy. Looks like someone needs some distraction," she says with a teasing smile.
I almost laugh, but hold it in.
"Alright then. Everyone get ready. Let's meet up later in Heavenly Knight," I say, trying to sound upbeat.
---
The game was free for everyone.
But it could only be played using the latest device from a company called Drive.
The device—a neural system console—was a fusion of VR and AR, but far beyond both.
Instead of merely projecting images to the senses, Drive sent signals directly into the brain, mimicking the same neural impulses used to move the body.
The result: a gameplay experience that felt truly alive.
From the outside, players appeared to be asleep.
But inside the Drive system—they lived.
---
In a different room, someone sat alone before a monitor.
"You're afraid of getting trapped inside a game, like in those novels?"
(His face looked exhausted… almost broken.)
"Relax. I didn't create this device…"
His hand tightened around a pendant—one that looked almost identical to mine.
He stared into the camera, eyes cold and unreadable.
"…but I do have a grand plan for all the players' data."
He leaned closer to the camera, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Welcome… to the new world."