As I strolled eastward toward the Level 1 beginner field, I noticed many pyers like me heading in the same direction. The views were beautiful—buildings stretched out in every corner, and along the way, NPCs were selling items near taverns, inns, and even a theater. There were even... prostitutes? “I didn’t know they existed in this game world,” I said to myself.

  There were many real people heading that way. “They’re probably loners like me,” I chuckled. Everyone was leaving the safe zone of Dawnmere. It wasn’t scary—it was just a Level 1 field. The area stretched out into a wide open pin, with a forest looming in the distance. I assumed that’s where the tougher monsters were.

  As I approached the field looking for prey to level up, three pyers passed by me. Their vibe was unsettling—each of them wore an evil grin. One carried a massive hammer while the others had swords. That’s when I remembered: at Level 1, no one has a css yet. You have to meet requirements to unlock one at Level 10. You can also wait longer for a shot at a rarer css. “How do I know this?” I said to myself. “Well, I read the tutorial.”

  Back to the moment—those guys were gone, and I needed to focus. A breeze blew gently through the field. Flowers bloomed, looking ten times healthier than anything in the real world. The grass seemed perfectly maintained. From a distance, I saw other pyers sying rabbits one by one. Nothing too dangerous—just Level 1 mobs.

  Then it appeared.

  A fierce rabbit stood still, staring straight at me. Its round eyes and tiny tail looked cute—until it charged. Beneath that fluffy face were sharp cws and a mouth with fangs. It was faster than an average rabbit.

  I pulled out my twin daggers—crafted by Old Man Sparks. I dodged the rabbit’s juggernaut-like charge, feeling light and fluid. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” I grinned, crouching with my bdes ready.

  In a fsh, I dashed forward—and the rabbit was defeated.

  **[SYSTEM ALERT]**

  You’ve defeated a Level 5 Rabbit. Loot acquired: Rabbit Skin, Rabbit Tooth, 1 Copper.

  I jumped with joy. “Copper from a rabbit? Man, I wish it worked like that in real world.”

  Refocusing, I dashed across the field, sshing every rabbit in sight. One by one, they fell to my bdes.

  **[SYSTEM ALERT]**

  You have leveled up to Level 5.

  Opening my status screen, my jaw dropped:

  **Strength: 10

  Agility: 25

  Intelligence: 30

  Vitality: 20

  Dexterity: 20

  Luck: 10**

  “Why are my stats so high?” Then I remembered. The AI—NOVA—said I couldn’t customize my body or stats. “Everything is locked in and loaded.” My real-world training must’ve transferred into the game. All that hard work… it paid off.

  As I continued forward, I saw something that made my blood boil.

  The three pyers from earlier were beating up a child NPC.

  “You NPC prick! You’re weak! You shouldn’t exist!” one shouted, ughing as they kicked him.

  “It’s not my business,” I said. “But I can’t stand by and watch this. Whether he’s an NPC or a real person—it’s my business now.” Even Chairman Meow wouldn’t tolerate this.

  With a calm but firm voice, I yelled, “Pick on someone who can fight back.”

  The hammer-wielding pyer turned. “What was that?”

  “I said, pick on someone your own size.”

  He ughed mockingly. “Go away before I change my mind.”

  **[AUTHOR INTERJECTION]**

  With a quiet rage, Fūzen unsheathed his daggers. “Let me expin something. You don’t know their names unless they tell you—or unless you kill them and their names are revealed in the world chat.”

  The hammer guy growled, “You guys keep beating the brat. This punk’s mine.”

  He swung. I vanished.

  His two companions dropped instantly.

  **[SYSTEM ALERT]**

  Pyer ‘Brutok’ has been defeated.

  Pyer ‘Flicker’ has been defeated.

  With shock, the hammer pyer shouted, “What the f—” and vanished into the respawn zone.

  I stood over the defeated pyers. “They’ll regret ever meeting me again.”

  I approached the child—white-haired, barefoot, wrapped in a small cloak. He looked up at me, eyes wide with fear.

  “Hey kid, it’s okay now. They’re not coming back.”

  The child whispered, “My sister, Mizuhana Eira, told me not to talk to strangers.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “…Ren Eira.”

  A wave of calm sadness washed over me. “I’m gd I made it in time, Ren.” I hugged him, tears in my eyes. “No one will ever hurt you again. I know what it feels like to be bullied. To feel small and fragile.”

  From a distance, a voice echoed, “Ren! Where are you?”

  And then… she appeared.

  Radiant. Ethereal. A woman with long, snow-white hair and emerald green eyes. She wore simple farm clothes—but she glowed like an angel.

  “Sister!” Ren cried, running to her.

  She embraced him tightly. “Where have you been? I was so worried…”

  “He saved me, Sister,” Ren said with his adorable voice.

  Mizuhana turned to me—and hugged me.

  It was… indescribable. My heart pounded. I had never been hugged by a woman before.

  “Thank you,” she said. “You saved my brother. Is there anything I can do to repay you?”

  “No. I just did what was right,” I replied. “I can’t stand to see the weak being bullied.”

  “Then… come with us to our farm. I’ll give you flower cake and sheep wool

  They are very valuable.”

  I tried to decline, but both Ren and Mizuhana took my hands and pulled me along.

  “What’s your name, Mister?” Ren asked.

  “Fūzen.”

  “Aww, he’s adorable,” I thought. “How could anyone try to hurt this sweet kid?”

  Mizuhana smiled warmly. “Thank you again, Fūzen.”

  “She’s so beautiful… skin as clear as water… I don’t know how to act around her,” I thought.

  **[AUTHOR]**

  Bro… what are you gonna do? Do something, man!

  “I will,” I muttered.

  The farm appeared before us—lush, vibrant, full of life. The animals, the crops, the stables—it was paradise. Even the sheep were different. Their wool gleamed, soft and radiant.

  “This is my family’s farm,” Mizuhana said. “Ren is the captain of the animals.”

  “I’m the great shepherd!” Ren said with pride.

  **[AUTHOR]**

  Aww, I wish I was in this story.

  “Don’t ruin the moment,” I snapped.

  “I’ll make something to eat,” Mizuhana offered.

  “O-Okay…” I stuttered.

  “Come on, Mister! I’ll show you the animals,” Ren said, pulling me by the hand.

  “Don’t go too far,” Mizuhana called out.

  “Don’t worry! Mister will protect me!” Ren shouted.

  “Aww… a well-rounded sheep,” I said, while patting it.

  “Baa,” it responded, as if saying, “You better prove yourself worthy before taking our dy!”

  Am I imagining this?

  I wish Chairman Meow was here, new friends await him.

  **[From a distance]**

  “Ren! Fūzen! Food’s ready!”

  “Coming!” Ren yelled.

  I picked him up and dashed forward.

  “That was awesome!” he squealed. “I’m ready to eat some flower pancakes!”

  “Wow… this looks delicious,” I said, while blushing.

  “Eat as much as you like,” Mizuhana smiled.

  I handed her a flower. She blushed. “Thank you.”

  “Mister likes my sister,” Ren whispered with a grin.

  “Quiet,” Mizuhana said, while blushing too.

  “If you’d like,” she said, “you can stay the night.”

  **[AUTHOR]**

  Look… if you had.. One shot.. One opportunity… to seize everything you ever wanted…. One moment…. Would you capture it? Or just let it slip?

  **[Fūzen’s thoughts]**

  I will. I’m not letting this slip.

  “Yes,” I said. “Thank you.”

  “You saved my brother—I’d never be ungrateful.”

  “Yay! Mister’s staying!” Ren shouted.

  Mizuhana smiled. “Let me prepare your room.”

  “I’m coming too!” Ren jumped, excitement in his voice.

  And just like that… for once, I felt at peace.