"It's been three days since I got here. Which means… this is all real."
Three days ago, Will had been transmigrated into this world, taking over the body of an eight-year-old boy.
The memories came crashing into his mind in the most brutal way possible – like a team of construction workers drilling through his skull while shouting, 'Keep going! Alright, bring in the jackhammer!'
At least, he learned who the boy was.
His name was Will Dragonium. Same first name as in his old world – only the surname was different. Sadly, this Will Dragonium had died of depression.
Ironic, considering his body was now possessed by the soul of an unemployed man who had never won a single battle against his bed.
For three days, Will had prayed this was just a dream. But when he bit his arm and felt the sharp pain, he knew – this wasn't a game server glitch.
"I can't believe I actually transmigrated into a game world… like a webnovel protagonist."
The game was called King of Knights. It followed the journey of an orphan who would one day become the King of Knights – the strongest man in the world.
And King of Knights just so happened to be Will's favorite game.
He loved its intense action and was addicted to collecting the thousands of skills it offered. How bad was it? He had beaten the game ten times. Ten. Whole. Times.
And now, being inside this world was a massive advantage.
"I know everything about this world. The plot, the hidden items, every enemy's weakness… I can use all of it to my advantage."
His life on Earth had been miserable. No friends, no family, no girlfriend. Just poverty, a bad neighborhood, and a life with no accomplishments to speak of.
But now? This was his golden ticket.
"I'm done suffering. This time, I'll get a beautiful girlfriend, mountains of wealth, and power beyond imagination!"
But then, one massive problem hit him.
"...Who the hell is Will Dragonium?"
Will blinked.
He combed through his memories of the game.
There was no such character as Will Dragonium!
Even after clearing the game ten times, there was no way he could remember every nameless background character who existed for five seconds of dialogue.
"Why didn't I transmigrate as the protagonist?!"
Who wouldn't want to be the protagonist? Who would want to live as an extra who doesn't even appear in major cutscenes?
"No. I refuse this. I'll take the protagonist's place!"
Fortunately, the main story wouldn't begin for another ten years. That gave him plenty of time to train and reach max level before the story even started.
Ten years later –
Will was now eighteen years old.
Thanks to relentless training, he had grown absurdly strong.
Not just strong – he had also gathered countless powerful items from around the world. Sadly, despite being superhuman, he still looked… plain. Even so, beneath his simple clothes were muscles that could make women scream.
Now, he had just arrived at the airport.
His destination? Dragonium Academy.
As he walked out, something caught his eye.
Someone was fighting a robber while protecting a girl.
Will instantly recognized it.
'The protagonist,' he thought. 'Ah, he's doing the tutorial event. Whatever. Something that trivial isn't worth stealing.'
But just as he walked past them – THUD!
The protagonist collapsed.
'...Huh?' Will frowned. 'The protagonist… lost?!'
In the game, this tutorial offered two outcomes: win or lose. Will had always chosen "win." But apparently, in the official story, the protagonist was supposed to lose.
Will had never known that.
The robber turned to Will with a snarl.
"Hey, kid! You that wannabe hero's friend?!"
"No, never met him."
"Good. Then you can die too!"
"Are your ears working?"
The robber slashed at him.
TING! The dagger snapped like it had struck solid concrete.
"EH?!"
The crowd gasped. The robber blinked in disbelief.
Will just sighed. "You're the textbook definition of an extra. Arrogant, never listen, loves bullying the weak… You check every cliche box."
Veins bulged on the robber's forehead. "Shut up!"
He tried to kick Will – but the result…
"...A wall?" the robber muttered in despair.
"Not a wall. Your god."
With a snap of his fingers, Will launched the robber like a rocket straight into a wall. BOOM! The onlookers froze. Will? He just sighed lazily.
"What a waste of time."
Casually, he walked out of the airport, dragging his suitcase.
Outside, a middle-aged man was waiting. Silver hair, light beard, dark skin. Roger Dragonium – his uncle.
"Uncle. Thanks for picking me up."
"We're family. Anyway, what happened in there?"
"There was a robber. I accidentally beat him up. Let's leave before the police arrive. I'm too lazy to deal with them."
"Unlucky for that robber to run into a genius like you."
"I even gave him a chance…"
"Put your suitcase in the trunk."
The "car" in question was a red two-door supercar. Will placed his suitcase in the front trunk and climbed in. They drove off toward Roger's house.
"Nice car."
"If you want one, why not buy it? You're eighteen now."
"I don't even have a house here. Where would I park it?"
"Then buy both."
"You're right. I want a mansion by the beach."