Tonight, my mood is good even though I just got fired because I got a new game package from Developer-Nim
How could I not be happy?
The game I received is touted to be a revolutionary turning point in the gaming industry because of its innovation: embedding advanced AI into all characters so they have their own agency behind the scenes.
The world setting itself is very unique—a fusion of the Middle Ages with a modern world dominated by an RPG system. Furthermore, this game has three layers of worlds: the Underworld—the prison of Demons, Middle Earth—the place where humanity lives alongside other races, and finally Heaven—the gathering place of Holy Beings. All these worlds can be explored by the player.
Even so, the story remains the main driver of this game.
Winning GOTY (Game of the Year) is no longer just talk because even before its release, the interest is already huge!
And I have the honor from the Developer to play it before release. Even so, don't think that what I said earlier was just to suck up to the game because I get to play for free.
Just as I inserted the game disc into my PlayStation, my phone rang and out of the corner of my eye, I saw an SMS notification.
I grabbed my phone so quickly that it almost slipped from my hand.
===SMS===
[Realmses studio: Did the package arrive safely, Seung-min–Ssi?]
The message was sent by the developer of this game.
[Seung-min: Yes, it's safe, Developer-Nim... Thank you for sending the game to be tested for the umpteenth time... I don't know how to repay you guys :)]
...Yes, that's right. This isn't the first time Realmses Studio has sent me a game to try before release.
But until now, I still don't know why they are so kind to me…
Hmm, maybe because I once got a Gold Coupon from purchasing their game?
[Realmses studio: It's okay, Seung-min–ssi :) You just need to play it until the end and report if there are any bugs. We already trust you very much.]
[Seung-min: Heh... if you trust me so much, why not just hire me? I'm unemployed, you know...]
I deleted that message before sending it. Then I typed again:
[Seung-min: Okay, developer–nim! I'll do my best ;)]
======
After receiving no reply, I put my phone down and turned on the PlayStation.
My TV screen began to show the game's lobby, featuring a majestic mountain background with black clouds filled with lightning.
[Eternal Saga]
Whoa... even just from the lobby's look, it's already this good.
I clicked start.
Then I immediately entered the perspective of the Main Character of this game named Lumian, a fallen prince.
After that, I started playing.
I intended to play until morning; after all, I'm no longer working since I was recently laid off.
Without realizing it, hours had passed while I played the game.
To be honest, the gameplay of this game is no different from other RPG games: searching for items, artifacts, and SP (Skill Pages) to strengthen oneself to fight stronger bosses.
However…
What makes this game exciting is that the plot depends on which route I choose, including how strong the Villain I'll fight later will be.
One small decision can change anything that will happen in the future. For example: a Villain who previously died early could end up as the final boss in a chapter if not killed at the start, because they can move behind the scenes.
This is what makes this game truly unpredictable!
But there is one Named Villain that caught my interest.
Julian Von Adler.
Compared to other Named Villains, Julian has the most death variables... even if I choose not to kill him or skip his mission, he will die on his own by other characters because it seems he has many enemies.
I even restarted several times to repeat that, but there were always other unexpected death variables.
Clearly, this Villain was created just to die.
It gave me goosebumps.
After midnight arrived, suddenly it felt very quiet.
Silent.
"Sigh…"
Even though I've passed many chapters and killed many bosses until I'm almost reaching the end of the story…
...To be honest, it feels empty.
This isn't because the game is bad. Rather, it's because I remembered the person who made me buy this PlayStation.
My younger brother, Sou.
It's been three years since he died of cancer, but every time I play a game, I feel like he's here.
His voice mocking me when he won.
His laughter that filled the apartment.
If you were really here, it definitely wouldn't feel empty like this, Sou.
–Ting! –Ting!
My phone rang loudly beside me, making me flinch.
"Good grief, that scared me."
Picking up my phone, I saw an SMS from the game developer.
==SMS==
[Realmes Studios: Seung-min–ssi :) How is the game, are there any bothersome bugs?]
I smiled and then typed.
[Seung-min: None, seriously. Just as everyone expected, this game is truly very good and there are no bugs as far as I've played. I love how you made the characters feel real even though it's just a game, it even gives me goosebumps :)]
Hehe, will I get some money this time…
[Realmses studio: Haha, we did it on purpose...]
Well, no money…
[Realmses studio: Seung-min–ssi, would you like to experience the game directly? Not from behind a screen?]
What does that mean, VR? Whoa, are they going to send a VR headset?!
No, no, hold on, you have to pretend you don't know what they mean.
[Seung-min: What do you mean, Developer–nim?]
Come on... Come on, send me another game...
I waited for the reply while biting my lip.
[Realmses studio: Nothing... Try looking at your TV screen!]
===
I went silent for a moment to process what that meant.
Look at the TV screen? What did that mean? I lifted my head toward the television…
...My eyes widened.
The screen that was supposed to show the game lobby had now turned into a swirling vortex of wind.
"W-what is this?!"
My body began to be pulled by that vortex. Instinctively, I reached for whatever I could grab. The sofa.
But the pull from the vortex caused my legs to undergo spaghettification and then moved up to my body.
This hurts. It feels like my body is being forcibly stretched. No, it's more than that.
"ARGHHHH!!!"
That was my last effort before my head also stretched and was pulled into the TV screen.
After that, I didn't remember anything else.
Everything was dark.
Then—
—Ding! —Ding!
===
[Welcome to Eternal Saga]
[Soul synchronization to body: 10... 60... 100%]
[Memory inheritance: Failed]
[Your role: Villain]
[Your task in this world: Die]
[Death progress: 1%]
===