There once existed a game that transcended boundaries—a game of martial arts and magic, where power flowed like rivers and abilities could shatter mountains. Within its digital world, those who mastered the system were worshipped like deities. The game was called Martial Road. And I—Angel Shirasagi—was its reigning champion. They called me the Martial God.
My journey to the top had been a long and arduous one. I had poured years of my life into the game, mastering countless techniques, grinding stats to astronomical levels, and challenging every player who dared stand in my way. There wasn't a single peak I hadn't conquered, no secret art I hadn't acquired. In Martial Road, I was invincible.
But reality was cruel.
The company behind Martial Road—once a titan of virtual fantasy—crumbled under financial pressure. Lawsuits, server maintenance costs, and internal disputes led to its downfall. And just like that, the game that had defined my life was scheduled to be shut down.
I couldn't believe it. No—I refused to believe it.
All those years… all those victories… were they destined to vanish into the void?
I couldn't let that happen.
Determined, I logged into the game one final time, my heart pounding with urgency and desperation. If this world was going to die, then I would make sure to leave behind a perfect legacy. I spent the entire day grinding what little was left, maxing out every single stat, skill, and technique I possessed. The stat cap was unimaginably high—measured in noctillions—but I was already close. I pushed through the fatigue and the pounding headaches. My fingers moved on their own, muscle memory guiding me even as my vision blurred. The office was quiet, my coworkers long gone. Just me, the hum of the computer, and the glowing world of Martial Road.
Eventually, I finished. My character, the Martial God, stood as the pinnacle of creation—invincible, eternal, flawless.
But in my obsession, I hadn't realized how far I had pushed my body. I had skipped sleep for days. I hadn't eaten, hadn't even drunk water. My limbs trembled, and my head spun. Then, all at once, my strength failed me.
I collapsed.
The last thing I saw was the bright light of the screen… and the silhouette of my avatar, staring back at me with unblinking eyes.
---
I awoke in darkness.
An endless, suffocating void stretched around me, a silence so absolute it rang in my ears. I couldn't feel the floor beneath me, couldn't tell whether I was standing, floating, or falling. Was this death?
Just as panic began to set in, a glowing message appeared before my eyes—like a holographic interface ripped straight from the games I loved.
> [You have died.]
> [You have been selected by the Upper Ones for transmigration.]
> [Angel Shirasagi, do enjoy your next life.]
I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and stared again. It was still there—legitimate system text, just like in an RPG. The air around me shifted, and a massive door of radiant light materialized before me. It pulsed with power, its edges shimmering like molten gold.
Was this real?
Why me?
Before I could ask any more questions, the door opened. A warmth enveloped me, beckoning. Without thinking, I stepped through.
---
The sensation of falling returned—but this time, I landed on something solid.
I found myself standing in the middle of a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees and the chirping of strange, bird-like creatures. The light was dim, filtered through thick foliage, and the air was filled with the scent of moss and damp soil.
Then, the screen appeared again.
> [Injecting character data...]
> [Data transfer in progress...]
> [Injection complete.]
Pain exploded in my skull.
I screamed and dropped to my knees as a torrent of data flooded my mind. Every stat, every technique, every ounce of progress I had made in Martial Road was being etched into my very being. It wasn't just knowledge—I could feel the power.
My body was surging with strength.
I looked down at my hands, clenching them into fists. My skin radiated with qi, and the air around me seemed to bend slightly under the weight of my presence. I didn't need to test it to know—I had truly become the character I had spent years building.
My strength was real.
"I need to test this," I muttered, eyes scanning the forest.
As if on cue, a growl echoed from the shadows. A hulking beast emerged, baring its fangs. It stood on all fours, fur as black as coal and eyes burning like embers. A notification flashed in my vision.
> [Demonic Beast: Dire Forest Bear detected.]
Perfect.
I raised my hand and channeled my qi.
"[Seven Destiny Sword Rend]," I called out, invoking one of my most powerful martial arts.
Seven glowing swords formed around me, each one humming with celestial energy. They floated in perfect synchronicity, then surged forward with blinding speed. The beast had no chance to react.
The swords struck as one.
Schwing—!
The demonic bear was sliced into seven perfect pieces, blood and flesh spraying across the forest floor. The force of the attack flattened the trees behind it, splitting a massive boulder clean in half.
My breath caught in my throat. I staggered back, hands trembling—not from fear, but from awe. From disbelief.
"...I really did it," I whispered. Then I vomited.
The sight of the eviscerated corpse was grotesque. The smell of blood, the torn flesh—it was far more visceral than anything the game had ever shown me. But beneath the nausea, a realization settled into my chest.
This power was no longer fantasy. It was real.
And so, my life in this strange new world had begun—not as a lost wanderer or humble farmer, but as a god among mortals. The Martial God had descended.
And the world would never be the same again.