activa-t Chapter 1: A Game, A Choice, A New Reality
Chapter 1: A Game, A Choice, A New Reality
Chapter 1: A Game, A Choice, A New RealityRen Kuroda rolled his shoulders as he sank into his chair.
He grinned as the sound of the fan in his CPU reached his ears, his custom gaming rig booting.
It had been a long day of classes and re
Ren unconsciously began to breathe heavily as he tried to take in this new reality.
He was inside the game he had just completed and it was real.
The threats he had spent years overcoming as a player were now something he'd have to face in the future, whether he liked it or not.
And the worst part? He wasn't the hero. He wasn't even close.
A soft knock at the door startled him. Before he could respond, the door creaked open, and a kind-looking woman in her fifties entered.
She wore a plain dress and carried a tray of bread and soup.
"Good morning, Master Terence." She said warmly. "How are you feeling today?"
Ren stared at her, his mind worked on identifying who was in front of him.
This was Margaret, his nanny. The memories of her flooded his mind, mingling with his own. She had cared for him since he was a baby, treating him more like a grandson than a charge.
"I... I'm fine." He stammered, his voice trembling slightly. "Just a headache."
Margaret frowned as she set the tray on the table. "You've been having those a lot lately. Maybe we should call for the physician."
"No! I mean, no, thank you. I'll be fine." He said quickly, forcing a smile. The last thing he needed was for someone to examine him and find out that he wasn't the real Terence.
Margaret gave him a concerned look but didn't press the issue. "Alright, but you let me know if it gets worse. Now, eat up. You have lessons with Master Halford this afternoon."
Terence nodded absently as she left the room, his mind already spinning.
He needed to think, to plan. This world was on the brink of disaster, and he knew exactly what was coming.
The Seven Minor Calamities, each one capable of wiping out entire regions. And beyond them, the Three Great Calamities, ending with Lilith Underwood, the girl he had just defeated in the game.
Except here, she wasn't just a final boss. She was real.
Terence groaned, burying his face in his hands. This wasn't just a game anymore. This was his life.
And if he wanted to survive, he'd need to start preparing.
"Alright." He muttered to himself, sitting up straight. "First things first. I need to figure out what's different in this world and what's the same."
He pushed himself to his feet, wobbling slightly as he adjusted to his smaller frame. The wooden floor creaked beneath him as he walked to the window.
Outside, the Ross estate stretched out before him. Fields of wheat swayed in the breeze, and a small village bustled in the distance.
It was peaceful for now, but he knew better. This was the calm before the storm.
Terence clenched his fists. He had spent years mastering this game, learning its every secret and strategy. Now, those skills would be put to the ultimate test.
If he wanted to survive the calamities he knew were coming, he couldn't stay a background character.
He needed to become more. Stronger. Smarter.
He needed to change the story.
Taking a deep breath, Terence turned away from the window.
This might be an uphill battle, but he had one advantage.
He knew this world inside and out.
And if he played his cards right, he might just have a chance.
"Game on."