Year 2025
The world welcomed the birth of the very first VRMMORPG — Phantasy Realm Online. Unlike the old games played behind computer screens, this was a fully generated fantasy world, a new reality. That year marked the beginning of an era.
Within just a week of pre‑registration, the servers were flooded with over two billion sign‑ups worldwide. The system nearly collapsed under the weight of global demand. Yet amidst the chaos, one person remained completely indifferent.
– 10 hours before the Grand Launch –
C Academy, a prestigious school where the children of the nation's elite gathered. It was a place that produced prodigies in every field. Among them stood Kim Ji‑ho — the only son of Kim Tae‑seok, the country's president and a powerful company owner.
Ji‑ho was the definition of perfection: handsome, wealthy, intelligent, and skilled. He mastered piano, guitar, and violin. He was a fencing champion and a taekwondo black belt. For three years straight, he dominated every exam, always ranked first. Truly, a genius among geniuses.
But perfection has cracks. Ji‑ho was cold, detached, and utterly indifferent to the world around him. To others, he radiated an intimidating aura that made approaching him nearly impossible. A bookworm at heart, grades were the only numbers that mattered to him.
On his way to the cafeteria, the halls buzzed with one word: 'Phantasy Realm Online.'
Even inside the cafeteria, the chatter continued. Ji‑ho ignored it as if the noise didn't exist, found an empty seat, and ate in silence while classical music flowed through his earbuds.
'Everywhere I go, all I hear is that game. If they spent half this energy studying, it'd be far more useful.'
Unaware of the admiring gazes from his fangirls, Ji‑ho ate calmly — until someone sat across from him and shamelessly stole a piece of his meat.
"Ji‑ho, you hate sausages, right?" the boy mumbled with his mouth full, grinning mischievously.
Ji‑ho's appetite vanished. He slammed his spoon down, silencing the entire cafeteria. The culprit trembled as he slowly avoided Ji‑ho's gaze.
"Didn't your father hire a table etiquette teacher? What happened?" Ji‑ho asked coldly.
"That boring class? I'd rather jump off a building than sit through it," the boy replied with a cheeky smirk.
His name was Choi Hyun‑soo — third son of Choi Sang‑woo, owner of Choi Biomedical. Unlike his father, Hyun‑soo was carefree, ill‑mannered, and a born prankster. He thrived on teasing others, especially Ji‑ho, who reacted with icy disdain. Despite their opposite personalities, Hyun‑soo and Ji‑ho had grown up together thanks to their families' long‑standing bond. Even Hyun‑soo himself couldn't explain why they were friends.
Ji‑ho rose from his seat. "Want me to find you a building to jump from? Consider it a farewell gift."
"What?!" Hyun‑soo shouted, half‑shocked, half‑amused.
Ji‑ho lightly tapped Hyun‑soo's cheek and smiled. "Relax. It's just a joke."
He walked away, only to be stopped when Hyun‑soo grabbed his arm.
"Wait! Where are you goi—," Hyun‑soo froze as Ji‑ho's icy glare pierced him.
"Don't touch me with those filthy hands."
Hyun‑soo quickly let go, laughing awkwardly. "Haha… sorry, my bad."
Hyun‑soo let out a shaky laugh. "Well... that was scary," he whispered, watching Ji‑ho disappear from the cafeteria.
Later, as the afternoon bell rang, students left with excitement for the game's launch. Ji‑ho, however, remained uninterested. At the school gate, Hyun‑soo jumped onto his back like a mischievous child.
"Ji‑ho! Let's go home together!"
Ji‑ho sighed in exasperation. "Get off, Hyun‑soo. Or else…"
Hyun‑soo leapt off immediately. "Or else what?! You'll traumatize me again, you heartless psychopath!" he yelled, half‑joking, half‑serious.
Ji‑ho ignored him. Hyun‑soo scowled but still chased after him, grinning all the while.
Despite their differences, they were neighbors. Their estates were only minutes from the academy, forcing them to walk home together almost daily — a situation Ji‑ho found unbearable. Silence was his sanctuary, yet Hyun‑soo's endless chatter turned it into torture. To Ji‑ho, it was nothing less than a living hell.
At a pedestrian lane, Hyun‑soo tried again. "Ji‑ho, what's yo—"
"Don't talk to me."
"Am I really your friend?"
"I said don't talk to me. Better yet, stop breathing. That would be best for both of us."
"No way! We need to talk! Let's go to that cafe!" Hyun‑soo said, dragging him along with a mischievous grin.
Inside, Hyun‑soo ordered food for both of them without asking. Ji‑ho didn't care — anything edible was fine. They ate quietly until Hyun‑soo's constant glances became unbearable.
"What do you want? Don't stare at me with those eyes — it's irritating."
Hyun‑soo flinched, then smirked. "It's good, right?"
"Not bad. As long as it's edible."
Hyun‑soo thought to himself, 'This guy could survive in the wild. I can already picture him eating a live snake.'
Then, out of nowhere, Hyun‑soo leaned forward with a sly grin. "Want some pudding?"
Ji‑ho paused, his expression softening ever so slightly. Hyun‑soo smirked wider.
'Got him.'
"Should I order some?"
Ji‑ho nodded obediently.
Hyun‑soo grinned in triumph, ordering pudding like an offering to a demon lord. When Ji‑ho tasted it, Hyun‑soo knew — despite the indifferent face — that he was satisfied.
'Perfect. He's in a good mood. Now's my chance.'
"By the way, Ji‑ho… you've heard about the new game launching tonight, right?" Hyun‑soo swallowed nervously, but his grin never faded. "Wanna play with me?"