PLAYER SYSTEM C24 BACK TO THE GAME

Jack’s consciousness reemerged inside the BEYOND system lobby—a bright, endless white void lit by the colorful interface of the system. Only the vibrant menu and floating game library gave the space any life.

He swiped through the game list until it stopped on one title: «The War of Eve».

A grin tugged at his lips. His voice dropped to a murmur. “Here we go.”

Just before he tapped Start, something caught his eye—a news feed box blinking next to the game title. Curious, he opened it.

Several headlines scrolled into view, each one authored by a virtual journalist—a digital woman with flawless features and a glowing smile. The top headline read:

[Lar** becomes the first player to defeat an Elite Monster! Top guilds offering massive benefits to recruit this mystery player!]

Jack raised an eyebrow.

Another headline popped below it:

[Dozens of “Lar” usernames now claiming to be the original! Chaos erupts as guilds chase the wrong players.]

Jack burst into laughter. “Seriously? That Elite Monster was newsworthy?” He shook his head in amusement. “And now guilds are scrambling to find me? Tempting… but nah. Going solo’s better. I don’t need a bunch of eyes watching my every move.”

He scrolled further.

[Second player, Jura**, defeats an Elite Monster—now also being hunted by top guilds.]

[Third, fourth, fifth... up to seventh players defeat Elite Monsters within hours of launch.]

[Alert: Bonus rewards for defeating Elite Monsters will end after the tenth player!]

Jack scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Well, I’m not the only one, huh? Not that surprising. Some of these players probably haven’t even logged off since launch. Just pausing to eat, take a dump, and pass out for an hour.”

He sighed. “If I could play full-time, I’d probably be way ahead by now. Every level I gain in the game helps me get stronger in real life, too…”

He leaned back for a moment, eyes narrowing with resolve. “No choice. I need to get stronger. Which means I need to earn more money in real life. If I can afford more time for gaming, I can level faster, grow stronger.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, thinking.

“I could earn money inside the game,” he muttered, “but the average income from virtual games isn’t enough to keep up with living costs in this world.”

As he continued reading, one headline made his eyes narrow:

[Rich players hiring pro gamers to power-level their accounts. Developers remain silent, claiming no rule violations.]

Jack clicked into the article and read closely. His eyes widened as he found a key paragraph:

[Wealthy players have started paying top-tier gamers in crypto and credit points to grind and level their characters. Some players report being paid per hour, others by milestone.]

Jack frowned. “So much for ‘fair play.’ Rich players are buying their way up the ranks while the rest of us hustle.” He snorted. “Who said The War of Eve wasn’t pay-to-win? That’s total BS. It just has hidden pay-to-win mechanics.”

There were always loopholes—even in a top-tier game like The War of Eve. Jack knew that well. The developers did their best, and the game’s mechanics were undeniably fair on paper, but still… cracks existed. And no system, no matter how solid, could ever be perfect.

At least some of those cracks gave struggling pro players a chance to earn real money from the rich.

Jack muttered under his breath, “The rich always find ways to show off... It’s the same in the real world and now, even in a damn game.”

He scoffed, shaking his head.

“They’ll do anything to flaunt their wealth—throwing money just to be above the rest. Even the so-called 'humble' rich—those who dress plain or act modest—they’re just feeding a different kind of ego. Pretending to relate to the poor like it’s a game, a cute aesthetic.”

Then a thought struck him like lightning.

“Wait a second…” He blinked. “Technically, I’m from a rich family too.”

But then he shook his head, scoffing again.

“No. That’s my parents’ money. I’m just borrowing space in a penthouse. I’ve got no part in that wealth—not really. If I want to stand on my own, I need to earn.”

His eyes narrowed as he focused back on the article. An idea formed.

“These rich players… they’re hiring people to carry them, huh?”

A grin tugged at his lips. “I could totally do that. Get paid to grind in-game, level up, earn real money and experience… Sounds like the perfect part-time gig.”

Excited now, he tapped Start Game.

In an instant, the system pulsed with kaleidoscopic colors, warping the world around him as he logged in.

---

[Luke Town]

The vibrant digital world snapped into focus.

Jack opened his eyes to the familiar streets of Luke Town, standing just outside the grand gates of the Guinevere Villa.

But this time, the atmosphere had shifted.

Not only were the NPCs wandering about their usual business—players had started pouring in too. Adventurers of every kind passed by, chatting, shouting, laughing. The air buzzed with energy, making the town feel even more alive.

Jack glanced around and smirked. “Looks like things are finally getting interesting.”

He walked through the bustling streets of Luke Town, watching the chaos of capitalism blend into the fantasy setting.

Some players shouted while holding banners:

“Watch My Lady is a Beast! Now in theaters across the Silver Nation!”

“Skincare that blocks radiation from the Old Root Tower! Protect your face before it mutates!”

“Download Star Battle! The best bang-for-buck space shooter out there!”

Jack passed by without much interest, but a thought lingered. ‘So even The War of Eve isn’t safe from marketing pollution…’

Then a thought crossed his mind. ‘I wonder… If I play other games and use new avatars, will they be added to my PLAYER system avatar slot automatically? I mean, I know I can add them manually—but will they be as stable and detailed as this current avatar? Would the stats even scale properly? Or depend on the game’s quality?’

It was an intriguing question. Still, he pushed the thought aside and focused on the current goal.

Opening his system panel, he checked his game coins.

[Current Coins: 538]

‘Not bad.’

He’d gotten a decent amount from farming slimes and low-level beasts—though half went to Albert’s party.

“Hmm... maybe I should buy something that boosts my stats,” he muttered to himself, glancing around.

He wandered toward the city board and tapped the map display.

The town sprawled out larger than he expected, split into four sectors—north, south, east, and west. “No location marker for shops? Really?” Jack frowned. “Guess I’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way.”

He asked around, targeting NPCs that looked like locals. After a few directions and pointing fingers, he finally arrived in front of a quaint yet refined-looking building.

Above its door read: «Artifact Store»

“This must be it,” he said, stepping inside.

The soft chime of the enchanted doorbell greeted him, followed by a cool rush of scented air. Items shimmered behind glass displays—rings, pendants, bracelets, even ornate earrings—each glinting with a faint aura. They were arranged with the elegance of a high-end jewelry boutique.

And then, behind the counter… stood an elf.

She was tall and statuesque, her silver hair cascading over one shoulder like a moonlit river. Her eyes were sharp, shaped like cut gems, with lashes so perfect they looked drawn. Her skin was flawless, glowing with a gentle luster that caught the light just right. Her lips were plump and slightly parted, her expression cool and confident. Her curves were the kind you’d see on magazine covers or fantasy posters—dangerously alluring yet poised with grace.

The elf looked at Jack and offered a simple greeting, her voice smooth, low, and unintentionally seductive. “Welcome to the Artifact Store. Let me know if you're looking for something… special.”

That voice practically made the air around him hotter. Jack blinked rapidly, trying to compose himself. ‘Damn… That’s one dangerously attractive NPC…’ He gulped, then mentally slapped himself.
‘Focus, Jack.’

But still, his eyes drifted back to her just a second longer than they should have.