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Frei’s movement stops, and my UI makes an alarm sound.

Ah, now it’s time for me to wake up, huh? Damn it, even though it’s being fun right now.

[Game play time has ended]

[Logging out]

I sighed as the VR device on my head showed the start menu. It’s morning, and I must get ready to work. I did use a feature that forced me to log out of the game every morning.

It’s because I have responsibility.

With a big yawn, I took off my VR helmet, then got up and sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at my tiny apartment, which was a bit messy and decorated with just a dull white.

Shit, I want to go back to that world to see what happened.

I got up to make coffee and prepare breakfast. This is bad. It seems I’ve been too immersed in the game world, and maybe soon I will leave my job.

It’s getting harder and harder to separate real life and the virtual world. Even now, I’m starting to feel that my life with my servants is the true reality.

I poured the coffee sachet and hot water into the cup, then took a deep breath.

In that world, I am a god. A person with a divinity who takes care of massive things, different from me in the real world, is just an ordinary person without significant achievements and may only have a small influence in society.

I continued my monotonous routine. Washing my face and brushing my teeth, changing into a long-sleeved shirt and pants, dressing briefly in front of the mirror, then eating breakfast in the form of sandwiches with black coffee. After that, I left my room and walked toward the train station.

Every day, my steps are getting heavier to leave my room. Maybe it’s true what my friend said back then. I shouldn’t feel that I have more bonds with the characters in the game.

Unfortunately, it seems that not only do I feel too attached to the characters in the game but the world as well.

I am the key that can save many lives in that world. One wrong move and chaos ensues. What a game that can make me feel such urgency.

As usual, the train station in the morning was full of people wanting to go to work. I need more effort to get into that train. Even then, I did not get a seat and was forced to stand, crowded with other passengers.

I yawned again. My drowsiness is getting stronger. It seems that what the VR device company says is true. The more often you use the device in sleep mode, the quality of your rest will be affected.

I rubbed my teary eyes and froze for a moment. My heart rate increased, and electricity felt like running through my body.

Where are the people?

I looked around and couldn’t find them. When I looked out the window, I could only see pitch blackness.

What the fuck!?

My legs went limp, forcing me to sit on a chair. This train is still running. I can still feel the shaking and hear the sound. But, where am I?

“Don’t be afraid, Ray. I won’t do anything to you.”

The deep male voice made me lift my face. I was immediately shocked when I saw a man figure sitting across from me.

The figure wore royal white and gold attire, with blonde hair and red eyes.

That’s Raymund. My avatar in the Levidna game.

“W-what….” I’m at a loss for words. Could I be dreaming? How could a character that should be just data appear before me?

“Ah, sorry, I used your appearance.” The figure smiled. “This is so you can see me. My true form will not be comprehended by a mortal like you.”

“Wh-who are you?”

“Me?” A small chuckle escaped the figure’s mouth. “You could say I’m the creator of the Levidna game…. Ah, maybe we can say I’m the developer of that game…. Well, Levidna isn’t really a game, though.”

I fell silent with a trembling body, still trying to digest the words.

The figure clapped his hands hard, making me flinch. “I said Levidna does exist, Ray.”

I gulped. “I-I don’t understand.”

“Levidna exists in many different dimensions. Well, just like Earth has its own version of the multiverse.” The figure began to explain. “I’m just making up scenarios and distributing them to make it look like a game for people like you.”

“S-so, w-what am I playing real?”

The figure snapped its fingers. “I just have to make the original God of hope scenario killed. Then, when you and the other players log in to the game, you become a new version of the God of hope in one of Levidna’s versions. Then, you summon souls from a different earth version of this to be your servants.”

My mind tried to repeat the explanations. “So…. Are you God? A true god?”

The figure leaned towards me. “I prefer to call myself a cosmic being.”

Actually, I don’t believe what this stranger said. However, the disappearance of the passengers alone proved that he was no ordinary entity. And everything makes more sense with the explanation. No wonder the characters in the game behave like living creatures, very different from NPCs in other VR games. From intelligent beings to animals, everything is so real. The environment presented is also unmatched.

Turns out it wasn’t a collection of man-made code.

Slowly, I lowered my head. My heart felt like it was being squeezed hard. That means that my abusive treatment of Elise, my decisions that left many people dead, and my orders that threatened the lives of those women are real.

They have feelings. Real feelings.

“That’s right, and now the lives of thousands of people are in your hands.” The figure continued.

Ah, he can read my mind.

“You probably still have a lot of questions.” He got up from the chair and approached me. “But, that’s for another time.”

I took a deep breath. “Answer at least one of my questions. Why? Why do you do this to us?”

When I looked up, the figure laughed a little. “This is the umpteenth way to keep me from getting bored. Before you protest, it’s better than me being too bored and destroying everything.”

Ah, we are the toys.

“I don’t care what you think.” He spoke again. “Right now, I’m also telling other players about this. I’m sick of seeing you guys pause the game so many times to continue your life. So, I’ve decided to give you what you need so you don’t have to pause the game for too long. After this, check your bank account.”

“What?”

“Goodbye, Ray.” The figure waved his hand. “Levidna needs you, don’t keep them waiting too long. And remember, if you run away from this responsibility. I’ll continue your game without you. Do you know what that means? I don’t even know what will happen to your Levidna.”

Suddenly the figure disappeared, and the train passengers returned. The scenery outside has also come back to show urban buildings again. With trembling hands, I checked the balance in my bank account.

My breath stopped for a moment. With this much money, I can pay for my life until old age and maybe still be able to give inheritance to my children and grandchildren.

This is impossible.

***

I did not go into the office and chose to return to my apartment. My eyes immediately fell on the VR helmet lying on the bed.

I then took out a thick envelope from my bag then checked its contents. I checked it while it was still at the bank, but I still can’t believe it.

The money is real. I touched it with trembling hands and felt the texture. And that’s only a fraction of what I have.

So, now I’m really a god?

It didn’t give me joy at all. My weak legs made it difficult to move. I staggered, fell to the ground, and leaned against the wall. My head hung low, and I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore.

No. I’m an ordinary human. How can I get the responsibility for saving thousands of people?

It would be better if it remained a game. However, I was reminded of the figure’s last words.

He would let my gameplay go on without me.

Maybe they can do this without me? My servants and the other gods can defeat the Scarlet Wizard without me? In the end, I’m not a god with a divinity.

No.

Even Elise and company couldn’t return to the realm of God without me. They couldn’t get a guide for the Scarlet Wizard-related missions.

They need me, but can I do it after hearing all the truth?

I was stunned for quite a long time. And finally, I move and climb into bed to reach for my VR helmet. I froze for a while but eventually took that thing, put it on in a hurry, then pressed a few buttons with a short breath.

Screw it!

The scene in my eyes changed, from my dull apartment room to the main menu of my VR device.