Half a month ago, I was drawn into this chaotic, ever-changing forest by some peculiar Special Event Mode. They brought me back to the game, but it feels like this game doesn’t exist anymore.
Sure, I’m still here, but hey, I’ve opened a cat cafe while navigating around monsters and solving pointless puzzles. “Master… Someone saw the Queen enter the cafe.” I looked at the Ghoul in front of me as I sipped a glass of cold coffee while eating some chocolate cake. I glanced at her and took another sip, “Lesly, you don't need to inform me about that. It's not like I want to see her; every time she arrives, it's unnoticed.” It’s been five months since I was trapped in a game called 'New Underworld,' and the strangest thing is that I haven’t encountered a single other player. “Anyways… How's the investigation about players?” I asked, leaning back in my chair. She bowed, “Forgive me, master. There's no information about them; it’s as if they’ve ceased to exist.” I cut a slice of cake and enjoyed its savory taste, smiling despite the situation. “I see. You may leave now,” I said, crossing my arms as I watched her leave the office. I’ve explored every corner of this game, but there’s no sign of anyone. Even when I tried to contact Ethan, the system informed me that he’s no longer active. The more unusual aspect was that I accidentally activated a ‘Tycoon System’ that distributes money every single day. However, the money issued by the system was not usable in this world or in my real world. As the new system awakened, my memories from my past life also resurfaced. The world is in chaos, with numerous ghosts, ghouls, and unknown creatures roaming calmly. To survive, you must either befriend the creatures or become their adversary. As horror games descended on this world, many guilds were created. An awakened corporation has been established, and I can only rely on my identity and power as a powerful god. No money can be bought, no dungeons can be cleared, and there’s nothing I can’t do; for me, money can achieve anything and everything as long as I have plenty of it. But sadly, I’m trapped in a game. I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse. What happened to my world? What happened to my body? **Ding!** [Congratulations, Lu Shian!] [The Ultimate Tycoon System Is Activated!] [YOU JUST RECEIVED TODAY'S RANDOM REWARD: 3,000,000 NETHER GOLDS] [Balance: 52,000,000,000 NETHER GOLDS] [Task 1: A dangerous creature entered your cat cafe and poisoned your precious cats. Act quickly or your cats will be in danger in 24:07:37 hours.] [Reward: King of New Underworld & golden key (connects you to your real world)] [Failure Punishment: Forever Trapped] “So… Now is the time,” I said, deciding to stand up. I'm Lu Shian, or you can call me Sphynix. Fifty-two billion Nether Golds? Nothing like that existed in my past life. There was also no VR game called ‘New Underworld.’ It's unfortunate that I had to die before experiencing it. “Though, having a second life. After I died… this kind of money system is quite impressive,” I added, as I stepped forward. Although, I guess no one would want to die for a second time. Only a fool would wish for that. I’m wearing a blue hoodie sweatshirt and black trousers. I opened the door connected to my cafe. I looked at her seriously. You made me beg last time. That won’t happen again. I smiled at her as I spoke. “What’s the Queen of New Underworld doing in this humble cafe?” I asked, looking at her with a serious expression. But of course, you’ll look at me with annoyance because your people want me to take your crown, right? She's a tyrant who doesn't care for her own people. Even though this is a game, I live here as if it's real. Her being a Queen? I don’t care about that. I only want this world to know how lovable cats can be, but she dared to harm my babies. I raised the corners of my mouth as I walked towards her. I grabbed her necklace and said, “For some reason… I feel compelled to stop you from causing harm, forgive my impudence, your Majesty.” I tilted my head as I gently pushed her, “I can't believe my hands got soiled.” I mumbled, taking out my handkerchief to clean my hands. [Dear Host! Don't forget to act like you don't know everything…] [Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (5%)] I rolled my eyes at the system’s message. Is this even necessary? I don’t want to see her face. I moved with annoyance, stepping on the tiles. Seeing Favon struggling to breathe, I clenched my hand and smirked. I rushed to him and carried him in my arms. “Dad… Sorry, Favon should've listened to daddy,” he said, his face showing his difficulty in breathing. “No! It's my fault… It’s… my fault,” I said, looking at my brownish cat. I bent my knees and petted him, “That’s not true. Ciemon didn’t know this would happen.” I smiled as I comforted him. My mystical half-breed cats bring no harm and don't care about this world. But, since they can't transform, their parents abandoned them. I should've healed Favon or else I might lose him. “Purification,” I said, placing my hands on Favon’s head. [Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (50%)] “Hmm? Is my Favon not healed yet? What does this system mean, 50%?” I mumbled, placing my cat in a safe spot. “Stay here…” I said, focusing on my system. What’s the issue? Wait… It mentioned cats, right? Don’t tell me? “Daddy! Yonnie, Leroux, and Gaven are in trouble… I’m sorry, I couldn't protect them,” a distressed cat said, running up to me. My eyes widened, and I felt my heartbeat quicken. I clenched my jaw and hurried towards the Queen. “An intruder like you… daring to harm…” I felt my skin flush as I grabbed the Queen’s necklace, my vision becoming hazy as I confronted her. [Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (65%)] “You dare harm my babies… How dare a lowly tyrant like you…” I clenched my hands and confronted her further. I felt my muscles tense up, and my heart rate increased. Without hesitation, I used my magic. “Fire Magic level 22, intense fire!” “Barrier Level 25, punishment…” [Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (80%)] “You… You didn’t stop at one but dared to harm all my children! You know this is a conflict, right!?” As my adrenaline surged, my thoughts raced. End her reign, end her; she doesn't deserve to live, end, end, end. “You are finished, Your Majesty. It’s unfortunate you didn’t bring any guards. How foolish of you to plot without knowing your adversary,” my eyebrows furrowed as my lips tightened. [Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (94%)] “Ice Magic Level 32, Freeze blade” “Freeze blade” “Freeze blade” “Purification Level 50, Soul Cleansing–” “Dad!!” Hearing Dervin’s shout, I hesitated in my actions. I shouldn’t let my emotions drive me, but how could I not react to someone who harmed my cats? “Dad! Germaine’s condition is worsening, and Calli, Cierra, and Coxie are lost.” I was stunned, my legs shaking as my muscles tensed. I ran without thinking, all I wanted was to ensure their safety. I saw the Ghouls who worked for me. “Master…” They lay down seven kittens. “They are just babies… How could she?” [System Update] [Callie, Cierra, and Coxie, the so-called ‘Triplets,’ passed away 0:0:45 minutes ago] **Ding** [Hidden mission activated!] [Mission: Make The Tyrant Queen Lose Her Soul and Position] [Mission Information; The Queen is corrupting New Underworld’s money, secretly taking lives and destroying tribes because she finds it enjoyable to challenge stronger entities. Seek revenge for everyone, seize the crown, and save the New Underworld from evil.] [Reward: Resurrection Skill Level Infinity] [Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (97%)] After purifying four of the seven kittens, only three remained who had died. I will ensure they are resurrected. “Everyone, please don’t wait for me. Dad has something to handle. Please look for the remaining three,” I said. Leaving them behind, I found the Queen quietly trying to escape. “Where do you think you’re going?” I began, trapping her with a barrier as I ran towards her. “Your Majesty, did you know there’s a saying among players… If you set foot in Elyium, you might not be able to leave…” I said, clenching my hands, gazing at the confused Queen. I smirked as I looked at her. “I don’t believe that, but… perhaps it’s true for you.” Looking at her with no emotion, I put my index finger inside the barrier. “Please endure, Your Majesty. Purification Level 69, Heaven’s Wrath.” In my frustration, I couldn’t abandon her. I watched as she suffered through my Purification skill. As her soul was extracted, both it and her body were ultimately dissolved by Heaven’s Wrath. If I were just an ordinary person, I might think this was a divine judgment. Glancing aside, I saw the barrier I had set up collapse as her body was disintegrated. [Successful Rate to complete Task 1: (99.1%)] **Ding!** [Hidden Mission Completed!] Everyone was captivated by the events, some were crying tears of joy and celebrating. But as for me, I’ll postpone the celebration for now. I have three kittens to resurrect. [Resurrection Skill Level Infinity Received] I moved my legs and swung my arms, reflecting on the day’s events. Kneeling on the tiles, I approached my three kittens. “Resurrection.” I felt a sensation in my eyes as everyone watched in astonishment at my actions. A warm breeze enveloped us, and a magical circle appeared on the tiles where my three kittens lay. [You saved your cats' lives brilliantly.] [CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING TASK 1: Save your cats from the brink of death!] “I see, they’re safe now,” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks as my heart pounded. This ordeal was exhausting, but it was worth it. [You have earned the title: Fearsome King Of New Underworld] [You received a GOLDEN KEY] [Congratulations! You are now the new king of the dimension known as: New Underworld] Yes! I finally did it. As I raised my arm in triumph, I looked at the system. "Item Inventory?" I asked, puzzled. This system is different from the one I knew before. To be honest, nothing like this happened in my past life. It’s probably because I went back in time. That’s why so many things have changed. As the Item Inventory appeared before me, I saw the items I had obtained. [Golden Key – A new king has been created. The system and the world’s gods have gifted the host with the ability to connect this dimension to your real world. But don’t worry, as you have a dual-screen, you can maintain two identities: one as a king and one as someone else.] I see. I don’t fully understand what’s happening, but I’m glad I can return to my world while still being here. As I took the Golden Key, I prepared to use it. [Are you sure you want to open a path to your real world?] [Yes] or [No] There was no way to say no. I clicked yes with a smile. I should check on Ethan; I'm sure he's concerned. [Congratulations! You have successfully created a path between this dimension and your world.]As I stepped through the pathway, the sensation of leaving one world and entering another enveloped me. The vast, crackling portal before me signaled my return from the game I’d been trapped in. I took a deep breath, absorbing the reality of being back. **Ding!** The familiar chime echoed, signaling the end of my time in the game and my reentry into this world. I glanced around, only to find something startlingly wrong. [Welcome Back to Your World, Lu Shian!] The notification appeared before me, but my attention was quickly drawn to the empty space where my kittens should have been. My heart sank. “Wait, where are my baby kittens?” I called out, a note of panic creeping into my voice. I looked around frantically. The kittens, my constant companions in the game, were nowhere in sight. Instead, I saw a small cluster of beings in the distance that resembled them but were in a strange, infantile state. “Fuck? My babies have turned into literal babies!?” I shouted, disbelief a
Ding!A notification chimed in my mind, snapping me back to the present.[Task ??: Your girlfriend is about to arrive. Act like you don’t want her to break up, but let her do it anyway.]I sighed, adjusting my blue hoodie, feeling the fabric's comfort against my skin. “So, now is the time, kids stay here you all can't control your appearance”"okays!" I glanced outside to see Wang Li waiting by the gate, a mix of apprehension and resolve etched across her face.As I opened the door, I forced a smile, though it felt heavy on my lips. “Why didn’t you say you’d come? You should come inside,” I said, my voice steady, though my heart raced. After I got back I found out something, the time in that game and here is different. I might stay for a lot of time in that New Underworld, but it only last 3 days here. Though, I still don't know where the fuck is my friend. Nevermind, I know he will go here if I messaged him tomorrow. Why tomorrow and not now? I'm still thinking about how I will e
[Ding!] [SOUL PURIFICATION BEAR USED.] [Soul Strength +10] [Soul Strength +10] [Congratulation! Soul Activeness. Activated!] [Soul Activeness Rank Up +5] [Congratulations! Your Soul Activeness is now Rank 5] [Spiritual Awareness +15] [Spiritual Awareness +15] [Spiritual Force +200] [Spiritual Force +200] [You've Attained Spiritual Awareness and can now use the Attribute Panel] [WELCOME EXORCIST!] (Squeak) "Ha?" I confusedly looked at my surroundings. I smirks and closed my arms. De ja vu? Really? Is this suppose to happen now? As far that I remember, this is not supposed to happen now. Nevermind. Let's do what we do last time, I don't want to change everything. Anyways, this is kinda exciting. "Hmm... Hello? Fuck what I'm even doing? What do I mean, hello? I'm the only one here," I said, fearingly walking. Come on speak now, well I should act like I'm scared. 'The next head can't see us? ' Oh! There they are. This is so unbelievable, in my past life I can
"Dang! There's no food," I muttered, glancing at Sesy, who was watching me intently. "How can you see us?" he asked, puzzled. I crossed my arms, feigning seriousness. "Since the time you came?" "I didn’t say when. I'm asking how," he pressed. I smirked, enjoying the banter. "After you ask how you’ll ask when. My time is precious." Just then, the kids’ voices piped up from the living room. "Dad! Do you not want your girlfriend to leave you?" Ciemon asked, his big cat eyes wide with concern. I sighed, knowing the truth. "I was waiting for it." Dervin's bounded over, ears perked. "But if you're waiting, why were you crying so loud yesterday? It sounded like a storm!" He dramatically mimicked the sound. I took a deep breath, trying to hold back my emotions. "Because I loved her for four years, and it hurts to know she’s with my brother." "But you’re hungry, right? Is that why you’re going to the market?" Favon asked, his fluffy tail twitching nervously. "Exactly. I need somethi
I opened the door to my house, stepping inside with Fel Yang trailing behind me. The warmth of the place greeted us, and the familiar sound of the kids laughing echoed from down the hall. “You really weren’t joking about the kids, huh?” Fel’s voice carried an amused tone, but I just sighed, shrugging. “Yeah, they’re all here. Let’s hope they don’t act up tonight.” Of course, as if they heard me, three of them came charging down the hall, faces lighting up when they saw me. They stopped short when they noticed Fel, curiosity filling their eyes. “Dad! Who’s the lady?” one of them asked, wide-eyed. I could already sense the chaos brewing. Fel Yang bent down, smiling at the kids. “I’m an old friend of your dad’s. You all must be hungry, huh?” They nodded like little soldiers awaiting orders, and Fel glanced over at me. I felt my jaw tighten a bit, unsure how to handle this situation. She was making herself at home too easily. “I’ll handle dinner,” Fel said, looking at me with th
As I stood in the dimly lit room, memories began flooding my mind. It felt like a flashback, distant but vivid. The first quest. That weird encounter. [Beginner Quest: Say hello to the spirit in front of you.] § Reward: 50,000 coins and 100,000 gold. § Penalty: High fiver for 1 month. “Hello? Umm... I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s happening, I’m... kind of speechless,” I had stammered back then, looking at the translucent figure before me. [Congratulations: You completed the quest.] [Congratulations! You will receive 100,000 gold.] [Congratulations! You will receive 50,000 coins.] I had stared blankly at the system’s notification. That was when things started spiraling out of control. The butler ghoul, and then *him*—Sesy the evil spook. I had looked seriously at both of them, trying to piece it together. The evil spook was the one who had bumped into me, and the butler ghoul seemed oddly respectful. For some reason, they acted like they knew me, or at least my line
As I gazed out over the misty horizon, the wind whipped around me, sending a shiver through my body. It was one of those nights that felt like a memory slipping through time—detached but familiar. I could recall standing on this very spot before, with echoes of past events swirling in my mind. *"What the hell is that?"* I muttered back then, turning to see if anyone was behind me. But no one had been there—just the wind and the house that seemed to hum with its eerie life, the kind that crept under your skin. "I'll be back, Master. I need to go somewhere,"_ Sesy’s voice, smooth and reassuring, had echoed in my mind, though it was just as much a part of me now as my own thoughts. I remember turning again, this time seeing the ghoul butler and the Evil Spook. They had both nodded before vanishing into the shadows, leaving me standing alone. "My lord," the ghoul butler had said before disappearing, "I also need to leave for a while. Too many spirits are causing disturbances. Yo
[Error!] [Unable to access full system data for user: Lu Shian.] [Retrying...] For the first time, the system seemed rattled, and I could feel the hesitation in its responses. I blinked at the screen, completely caught off guard. "Wait, what's going on?" As I stood there, staring at the misty horizon, the wind howled around me, carrying the weight of that strange encounter. I had no idea what kind of chaos was unraveling within my system. "Status," I called again, half-expecting everything to look normal, but instead— *Ding* [Error! Neither System, New Underworld System, Exorcist System…conflict detected.] [Cannot access the status window.] "What the hell…?" I blinked in confusion, watching the error messages flash across the screen. My status window was glitching out, a garbled mess of numbers and symbols I didn’t recognize. “Uh, Nero? What’s going on?” I asked, feeling a growing sense of unease. Nero, normally so calm, seemed equally taken aback. [It’s… unu
It’s already been three days. So much has happened, and yet here I am, stuck in this whirlwind of chaos. The Underworld, the Exorcist world, the New Underworld—everything’s a tangled mess. And now the dungeon is summoning me again.[I thought you already forgot] I can’t even begin to process it. Do I really have to go back? Can I just ignore the call, skip the dungeon, and hide out somewhere? [Are you that tired?]Maybe I could just run away to my cat cafe, forget all this madness. I’d just make some tea, curl up with my cats, and pretend none of this ever happened. It sounds so simple, so peaceful.[What a Life? Don't forget you're doing this to level up] But of course, that’s impossible. I’m already in too deep. The moment I think I’m free, they pull me back. There’s no escaping this mess. It’s like every part of my life is being pulled into some twisted game, and I’m nothing but a pawn.[Wow..... So Dramatic]I run my fingers through my hair, staring out the window. The world ou
The air in the conference room was thick with tension as I stood, listening to the various reports and updates being shared. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on the matters at hand, I couldn’t shake the feeling of something unresolved, something looming in the back of my mind. I hadn’t expected Wang Li to show up here, not in front of everyone. But then, I felt a shift in the room—a strange energy that seemed to settle around me. My gaze flicked to the door, just as it creaked open. Wang Li stepped inside, her eyes immediately locking onto mine. The moment she entered, I could feel the unease ripple through the room. Conversations faltered, and heads turned, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. But I couldn’t care less about the curious stares. She had my full attention now. I straightened, my heart rate quickening despite myself. "Li," I said quietly, my voice stern as I glanced at the others in the room. "What are you doing here?" Wang Li didn’t waste time. Her express
The remnants of the room whispered of chaos as I reappeared in a blinding surge of light, standing tall amidst the wreckage. Every fiber of my being hummed with raw energy, my body thrumming with a power I could barely recognize. My muscles felt denser, my mind sharper, and each breath I took resonated like the echo of a storm, as if my lungs had been infused with the essence of the Exorcist World itself.I clenched my fists, the sensation of power surging through me intoxicating, yet controlled. The air around me crackled faintly, reacting to my presence as though acknowledging a shift—a transformation that couldn’t be undone.Slowly, deliberately, I opened my eyes. My gaze swept over the room, taking in every detail, every fragment of shattered wood and fractured stone, but most of all, the faces of my family. They were stunned, their expressions betraying a mixture of disbelief, fear, and something else I couldn’t quite place. Was it awe?This was the first time they were seeing me
The system’s voice faded, leaving me standing there, scowling at the glowing screen. My stomach let out a loud, undeniable growl.The spirit beside me snickered, though his voice carried an icy chill. “Hungry already?”“Shut it,” I muttered, rubbing my face. “You’d be too if you hadn’t eaten in... well, however long it’s been.”The kitchen was still tense, but the frost had completely disappeared. The head chef’s suspicious gaze softened—probably because his pans weren’t frozen solid anymore. He gestured vaguely toward a long table where some dishes sat cooling.“You want food? Help yourself. Just… don’t let the boss catch you.”“The boss?” I arched a brow.The chef waved me off. “Don’t ask. Just grab something before you get booted out of here.”Fair enough. I was halfway to the table when I realized the spirit was floating silently at my side, his form flickering slightly. He seemed less imposing now, though the blue glow in his eyes hadn’t faded.“What’s your name?” I asked over my
[Aspirant Exorcist has safely come back.] The announcement echoed in my head like a bell, sharp and inevitable. My body felt heavy, though I wasn’t injured. I blinked a few times, looking around. Fog. Endless fog. The air was so thick it was suffocating. Beneath me, sharp stones waited like knives eager to stab me if I dared to move carelessly. I stayed still, squinting upwards. Black clouds swirled ominously, as though mocking me from above. [Preparing for Lu Shian’s Second Nomination.] I rolled my eyes. “So what’s next? Can’t I get a break? A nap would be nice…” My voice was quiet, swallowed by the fog. I rubbed the back of my neck, tension building in my shoulders. ‘So this is how it’s going to be, huh? One soul test after another. No room to breathe, no time to think. Just trial after trial.’ I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “I get it. I’m strong. You want me to keep proving it? Fine.” I didn’t move from my spot, though. I’d learned my lesson. The grou
As my body upgraded, I suddenly noticed my second body had disappeared—where the hell was I now? My soul felt like it had been thrown into some unknown location. I looked around. All I could see were dense, foggy clouds swirling in an endless void.[Aspirant Exorcist! Welcome to the Gate of the Exorcist World. Prepare for your First Nomination.]“What... the fuck? Where the hell am I!?”I stepped onto the ground, glancing back and forth, left and right.“Nero?! Where the fuck is me!?”Before I could get an answer, my foot slid over something sharp—a jagged stone—and I fell hard onto the ground. Pain shot through my foot as blood started to pool around the wound. A strange itching sensation followed, and a cold wind passed through me. My body shivered involuntarily.[First Nomination: Task It or Take It.]Task It: A Rank High, Dark Poltergeist has been troubling many people in the North Region. They're dangerous. Save it as soon as possible, or it may end up as one of the Ghost King’s
Seated at the head of the table, I stared at the ominous window floating before me.[Challenge Quest: You successfully made another body of yours! But, don't let this experience be yours alone! Share your second body's point of view with everyone. Remember, no secret can always hide in the dark.]Reward: 250,000 goldPunishment: 'Title: I'm the Great Head' terminated & 'System Banking' confiscated× Warning: If your 'System Banking' is confiscated, all transactions will be invalid, and any gold sent to an illegal bank will be seized.The moment I read that word—"confiscation"—my body tensed. "Confiscation?!" The word erupted from my mouth before I could stop it, startling everyone in the room.I slammed my clenched fist against the table, the loud thud echoing like a drumbeat. My arms pushed against the wood as I shot to my feet, fury coursing through me. My teeth gritted so tightly it ached, and I swept my gaze across the room. Every pair of eyes was fixed on me, wide and confused."
Everyone had gathered in the conference room. I was seated in the middle chair like some sort of puppet on display, with people flanking my sides. To my left sat my father, Lu Urcel Pion, along with my family, two guests, and Elder Chen Lu. The right side was led by Elder Chen Lu as well, joined by other elders and seniors. On my left stood Butler Ghoul, and to my right, lounging arrogantly on a high chair, was that evil spook Sesy. This is so embarrassing. Who the hell made me the head of this clan? [Nero: The only thing I can say is... it’s not me.] My father, Lu Urcel Pion, rose from his seat. The movement alone silenced the room as all eyes turned toward him. He cleared his throat and pointed a firm hand in my direction. "This is the new head of our clan. He was blessed by the Exorcist World. If you have any objections, feel free to take it up with them. Not that anyone here has the ability to set foot there." The tension shifted. Some seniors clenched their fists while the
*Connecting to the Creator...* *Connection established successfully.* "It happened again...." I muttered to myself, watching as everything around me froze. The colors drained from the world, turning everything black and white. It was like time had come to a halt, leaving me trapped in this eerie, lifeless landscape. *Receiving your system profile file link...* *Link received...* *Please open the system profile.* “Nero... you still there?” I asked, though I wasn’t really expecting a response. The silence reminded me of the last time we had this conversation—back when Nero and I had argued over his name. I smirked, remembering how close he had come to being stuck with the name *Daftian* just because the system lagged. He hated it. Without thinking, I clicked on the file link. "Should I mess with you again and name you *Daftian* this time?" I chuckled to myself, shaking my head at the memory. It was ridiculous, but at the moment, it was hilarious. *If not for the glitch, you'd