RLRD Chapter 9

Kyro's dream was finally coming true. The countless videos he had watched while confined to his hospital bed, showing off the magical world of Shira—a world everyone seemed obsessed with—were now about to become his reality.

All he needed was to step inside the pod, and he'd be there. Before he even realized it, his body had moved on its own, and he was already lying down inside the machine. It was surprisingly comfortable, more so than he had expected, with soft cushioning and a pleasant coolness enveloping him.

Perhaps someone else might feel slightly claustrophobic inside the confined space, but Kyro had spent his life confined to a single room; staying in one place came naturally to him.

"Alright," Alex said with an enthusiastic grin, tapping the side of Kyro's pod. "Since this is your first time, the machine will scan you and ask you to create a unique username. Pick anything you like. Once you're done, you'll appear in the starter town. Just wait for me there, and I'll guide you as best as I can. When you're ready, press the button on your right, and the pod will close."

After giving instructions, Alex jumped eagerly into the pod next to Kyro's.

Kyro's heart raced with excitement. Unable to wait any longer, he pressed the button, watching with anticipation as the pod door slowly closed.

"This is it," he whispered to himself, smiling widely. "I'm finally heading into Shira!"

As the pod sealed shut, a strange scent filled the air, and Kyro felt cool air gently flowing from both sides. His eyes instinctively closed, and everything around him became pitch black. Suddenly, a system screen appeared before him:

[A new user has been identified]

[Please create a unique name]

"Slith… are you there?" Kyro called softly.

Now that he was inside the game, or transported into another world—or whatever exactly had happened—he worried briefly if Slith had been left behind in his original body.

"You thought you could get rid of me that easily?" Slith's deep voice replied reassuringly. "I'm here, and I see those strange words in front of you, too. Don't be alarmed; you're not alone."

"I wasn't worried about losing you," Kyro quickly responded, feeling relieved. Truthfully, he didn't want to do any of this alone. Although thrilling, almost everything was unknown to him—talking to new people, going to school, even playing this game.

Having spent nearly his entire life isolated, Kyro was comforted by Slith's presence beside him.

"It's asking for a name," Kyro said thoughtfully. "Since you mentioned you're a Legendary Dragon, why don't we use something related to you? What did others call you in your time—other dragons or the Purgers? Surely, you had some kind of title."

Slith paused so long that Kyro wondered if he'd asked something wrong. Finally, Slith spoke:

"I was called… the Ashen King," Slith said slowly, hesitation clear in his voice. "But I'm not sure that's a good idea…"

[Ashen King has been selected]

[You are now being transported to the Fallen Town]

"Sorry, what were you saying?" Kyro asked, realizing he'd chosen the name without waiting.

"It's alright," Slith answered quietly. "Don't worry. It probably won't cause any trouble. I'm likely just overthinking things."

The darkness around them began to shift and warp, spinning into an array of brilliant colors. Everything blurred and swirled until finally, the colors settled, and the scenery cleared before his eyes.

"So, this is Shira… this is incredible!" Kyro exclaimed, pumping his fist in excitement.

He found himself standing on gray cobblestone in what appeared to be a medieval village straight out of a fantasy novel. He stood in a vast, bustling square filled with people. There must have been at least two hundred others, milling around shops and stalls.

He could see vendors selling clothing right outside their homes, along with food, potions, and even weapons and swords. It was everything he'd read about—and more.

What amazed him most were the sensations he experienced. He could smell the unfamiliar greenery, feel the wind brushing past his skin—his body genuinely felt transported to a new, vivid place.

However, his clothes had changed. Glancing down, he noticed he wore simple brown trousers and a plain tunic, unlike others who wore detailed, beast-crafted armor. Still, there were a few others dressed like him; he'd learned this was typical for new players. He marveled at everything unfolding before him.

The VR pod was beyond extraordinary, activating all his senses. As he brushed his hand over his arm and pinched his skin, he realized something troubling: he could even feel pain.

'Feeling this much pain in a game doesn't seem like a great idea,' Kyro thought uneasily. 'I mean, adults might handle it, but this game allows anyone thirteen and older. If swords and weapons are involved, what happens when someone gets hurt? Won't that be traumatic?'

He wasn't eager to experience that particular aspect of Shira.

'Kyro, this world… and your presence—I can feel it,' Slith said seriously. 'It's almost exactly like when I was in my spirit form. I'm unsure what that machine truly does, but the reason you're experiencing everything so vividly is that this body—it's real. As real as Shira itself.'

Slith's words unsettled Kyro. From what he'd read, Shira was indeed a real place linked through portals accessible only by Purgers. People in the game could see Purgers in Shira, making the connection undeniable. But these avatars—how did they function? What exactly was happening to their physical bodies?

"The game's been running for ten years without significant issues," Kyro reasoned aloud, waving away his growing doubts. "Besides, the government wouldn't let these pods operate if they were truly dangerous."

"Right," Slith replied, sarcasm evident. "Because empires, kings, and governments always prioritize their people's interests. Kyro, you don't fully understand your place yet. Through my years, I've learned societies often view their citizens as disposable pawns, withholding information to control their movements."

Slith's words always gave Kyro much to think about. Still, ultimately, this wasn't his concern. He just wanted to find a way to repay his family and lessen their debt. If Shira provided a path, he'd give it his best effort—and enjoy himself along the way.

Suddenly, a glowing figure materialized beside him, radiating a bright yellow light that gradually faded into the image of a warrior in light armor—leather shoulder pads, boots, and a sword at his waist.

"Kyro, you made it!" the figure exclaimed.

Kyro blinked a few times before recognizing the familiar face beneath the armor.

"Oh, Alex, it’s you! With all that gear, you look completely different. You must've been playing this game a long time."

"That's right!" Alex nodded enthusiastically, smiling warmly.

Kyro couldn't help but wonder what Scarlett had warned him about regarding the VR club. Everything seemed fine so far.

"Since I'm here, I'll guide you. First, open your system screen to see what skills you've received. Everyone starts with different skills, ranked from F to S. Your overall character ranking is based on those skills—just like how Purgers are ranked in real life. Say 'System' to open your skills, and let's see what you've got!" Alex said eagerly.

Kyro didn’t hesitate. Raising his hand, he clearly spoke the command, anticipation filling him as he did.

"System, open!"

He couldn't wait to discover the skills awaiting him.