I was walking to the living room, with a big flat screen on the front and a big sofa bed. As I was about to sit I heard a loud noise echoing the house. A grunt that can literally make me embarrassed,

"Here they go again...." I whispered,

I walked to the room of my mother, as I couldn't help but to see my half brother and my stepfather banging her. "Bulshit... I shouldn't have gone to this house" I said, closing the room as my eyebrows met, and my side lips raised.

I know more than anyone that I'm not welcome here, I have a house given by my father but for some reason I just want to stay here for a while.

As I walked through the hallway to get in the living room, I couldn't help but to hear their satisfying voice." Damn it ... Why am I here?" I murmured.

"News!"

I look at the big TV, as I sit on the couch. Staying here is the most ridiculous thing I did in my life.

“The Aimon Capsule is a cutting-edge device that transports users into a virtual universe, featuring advanced visuals, sound, and sensory systems.”

A capsule? That's new, in my past life there was no something like that, did everything change after coming back to the past?

“Once inside and equipped with VR gear, users are immersed in a 360-degree digital realm where seamless interaction is ensured by state-of-the-art sensors and controls.”

MMM ... This is good, maybe I can do my dream before becoming an Exorcist player.

“In the VR game 'New Underworld,' reality transforms around you. Here, you can shape your destiny and showcase your skills, magic, and aura without judgment.”

I see, new underworld ha! Is that the same with the underworld that my grandfather is controlling?

“This world is your canvas—be yourself and become anything you aspire to be.”

He-he, I see then I'll grab this opportunity, in this life I will not just be called a billionaire exorcist, though I died because of that stupid title.

"Not really, I died because of my stupidity I shouldn't have trusted them" I said, as I looked at my mother's room door

_____

“What? You plan on opening a cat café, Lu Shian?” he said, preparing our customers' drinks.

“Dang! Lower your voice. If my uncle hears you, I'll poison your coffee without thinking twice,” I replied, checking our stock.

He chuckled, “Don't worry. The manager left a while ago. Cristal-on, here's your drink.”

“It’s Cristalon, not Cristal-on,” the girl said as she took her drink and left.

He sighed, “What's the difference? It’s still the same. I can’t really understand girls.”

“Every time he hears me mention ‘cat,’ he glares at me. Not only that, if I even utter anything about cats, he gets enraged,” I said with a smirk.

“But even if we forget your stepfather's existence, I mean…”

“A cat café, with your attitude?” he added.

I rolled my eyes as I focused on counting the stock.

“Forget your attitude. All the cats seem to dislike you, not to mention that you’re allergic to cats.”

I stopped counting, “But… if it’s in ‘New Underworld,’ maybe.”

He looked at me with a serious gaze, “Are you for real? They did say you can do everything and be anything. But don’t you think people will judge you for opening a cat café in the underworld?”

I put the inventory folder in the cabinet and leaned back in the corner.

“So what? I saw someone in another VR world opening a restaurant. Besides, do you think my attitude cares about their judgment?”

He gave a crooked look and shook his head. “Ha ha… That’s Lu Shian for you. Though, what will you do if the manager finds out?”

“Well… you know I’ve been saving up all of my allowance and salary here.”

“And you also know that savings of yours aren’t enough to buy a capsule, right?”

“Though you could buy it if you ask your stepdad about it. You know how he likes you not being here because he always says that he and your mom can provide for you,” he added.

“No,” I said.

There’s no way he won’t join in. If he joins, he will find out I want to open a cat café.

He doesn’t like me being around cats or talking about them.

“You know how much he hates it. I’d rather suffer buying it myself than tell him and have him be disappointed in me,” I said.

He slapped his forehead and smirked. “Then do you want to go with me? I found a new VR café around my place.”

I looked at him in surprise. “Are you sure?”

He smiled and gave a thumbs up. “Thumbs up,” he said.

As I looked at the clock, it was already late. “Let’s close up. It’s already past 9.”

“Oh, I didn’t notice the time. Should we go after this or tomorrow?” he asked.

I thought it would be better to do it now rather than wait until tomorrow. I turned off all the lights. “They did say, if you can do it now, don’t do it tomorrow.”

“Sometimes I can’t understand your logic,” he muttered as he closed the shop.

“Let’s use my car,” I said as I entered my black sports car.

He opened the driver’s seat door. “Wow, young master, so I’m your driver now? I thought I was just your best friend.”

I shrugged. “Ethan, did you forget I don’t know where your place is? Idiom.”

“It’s an idiot, Lu Shian,” he mumbled as he started the engine.

“Guess you’re aware of yourself,” I said, looking out the window and resting my head.

“I remember this one afternoon when the sun was pouring through our living room window, making everything feel warm and cozy.”

“Hu-what? What the heck are you mumbling about?” he responded as he drove.

“Setting aside your nonsense, do you know what your stepbrother Aiden is doing?” I looked at him and could see the anger in his eyes.

“That he’s flirting really well with my girlfriend? Or that he’s spreading rumors that I’m my mother’s bastard?” I asked unconcerned.

“So you both knew? Then why do you act like you don’t care?” he asked.

I sighed as I looked out the window. “It’s not that I don’t care; I just act like I don’t know anything. It’s too troublesome seeing her cry.”

“So you also know she’s using you because your stepbrother has a kinky side, is jealous of you, and wants to take everything you have?” His tone was high, as if he was forcing himself not to shout.

I smiled. “I slept with her; Aiden didn’t. I guess she loves me more. Maybe she’s just confused about her feelings,” but I knew that wasn’t it.

She told me I was busy with work, which is why she clung to Aiden. But whenever I asked her out, her reason was that she had promised her friends, and the funniest thing was she thought I didn’t know it was Aiden.

When he was about to speak, I changed the topic. “You know… when I was a kid…”

“Yeah, right! Change the topic as you want,” he smirked.

“I drew a cat with big, curious eyes. When my uncle came in and saw my drawing, he sighed.”

“Uh-huh? And then?” he asked in confusion.

“I asked him if we could get a cat because I missed talking to them so much,” I added, making him raise his left eyebrow.

“So? What happened?”

“He got serious and reminded me that my allergy to cats was severe, and that we needed to avoid them for my health,” I responded, and that made him laugh really hard.

“I’ll guess it. You felt pretty frustrated and hurt, not understanding why you couldn’t even talk about cats?” he said, laughing while steering.

As the car stopped at a traffic light, I noticed him looking at me with a smirk.

I looked at him. “That’s who you really are, Shian,” he added.

“Tsk,” I said. I hate when someone acts like they know me.

I looked out the window again. “Later, at a friend’s house, I saw a cat and couldn’t resist petting it. The cat ran away, and I was really disappointed,” I mumbled.

I could hear him chuckling. He’s really an idiot. “And not only that, because I touched a cat, it led to an allergic reaction and I was rushed to the hospital.”

“Oh! I know that. Aunty told me they were really worried at that time,” he said as he started the car.

“Yeah, at that time I felt like they didn’t understand how much it hurt to not even talk about cats. I told Dad about it.”

“Hey, don’t you think you’re pitying yourself too much? You didn’t even think about how they felt seeing you having a hard time breathing?” he mumbled seriously as he drove.

“Tsk tsk tsk… That’s Lu Shian for you,” he added.

I sat up straight and crossed my arms. “I know. I understand that when we were at the hospital, my uncle sat next to me, looking really stressed, and explained again that avoiding cats was for my safety.”

“He also apologized, saying he was just scared and wanted to keep me safe, and that he wasn’t trying to dismiss my feelings,” I added with a smile.

“Cringed…” he whispered.

“How long will you drive?” I asked, annoyed.

“Almost there. Chill.”

As I saw the VR café, I couldn’t hide my smile.

“Here we are, sir,” he said, parking my car and releasing his seatbelt.

As I got out of the car, he did the same. “Alright, let’s spend some money,” he said, tossing the key to me.

As we entered the café, I couldn’t help but look around. It felt like I was in paradise.

“Dude, stop looking around so much. You’re making me embarrassed,” he said.

“Calm down. Don’t make it too obvious,” he mumbled as he walked into a capsule.

“You just follow the instructions and set the spawn point to ‘Asmea.’ I’ve been there before, so I can give you a few tips,” he added.

“Asmea? Isn’t that place for deaths? Why on earth would I open my cat café in a cemetery?”

“Didn’t I tell you I’ll open a cat café? Why would I open a café in a graveyard?” I said, crossing my arms.

“Why would I spawn in Asmea?” I added.

He sighed. “That’s the best starting point for new players. Besides, it’s easy to level up there if you’re just starting out.”

“Regardless of your cat café, it’s best to start there,” he added with a smirk.

This guy is pretty annoying. I already browsed starting points on a forum, and it wasn’t recommended.

I frowned. “I already looked up starting points on a forum, and Asmea wasn’t recommended.”

“Hey… if you’re planning on starting in ‘Elyium,’ just forget it. You might as well quit,” he rambled while holding his hair.

“Why?” I asked, confused.

“I know it!” He shouted, pointing a finger at me. “That’s a graveyard! You’ll be stuck there forever! That’s no good for a new player,” he added, sounding high-spirited.

It’s not that I don’t understand him, but…

“So what?”

“How can you level up if you can’t leave there? There are lots of crazy creatures, and half-demons have been spotted there,” he explained.

“I see, so that’s what it is. Isn’t that interesting?” I said.

“This… You nerd! You need a billion to get a ranker to help you out of that place,” he said, and I sighed.

“Don’t worry, I’m used to dealing with crazy creatures just like yourself,” I responded as I entered the capsule.

“Just start at ‘Asmea,’ okay?”

“Fine,” I answered disinterestedly.

“Next time, pretend that you’re listening to me—”

“Alright, alright.”

“Remember, starting in ‘Elyium’ is FORBIDDEN. If you want to open a cat café, you have to spawn in ‘Asmea,’ okay!?”

I clicked the button to close the capsule because Ethan never stops talking.

“I’ll meet you at the ‘Asmea’ starting hall. My ID is—”

[Choose your language]

[Successfully Completed]

[Customized Character]

[Completed Successfully]

[Select a starting point]

[Completed Successfully]

[Set a nickname ID]

[Start and explore the New Underworld]

“Guess this is fine,” I mumbled as I clicked the start button.

[Character is successfully created!]

[The ‘New Underworld’ VR game is having an event promo. Subscribe VIP to get a special account without anyone knowing.]

“Ha? Who’s this scammer at the starting game?” I said, crossing my arms.

This capsule feels so cramped; I’m finding it hard to move now.

[Do you want to purchase the VIP subscription?]

Yes

No

“This is so tempting. How much is it?” I gulped as I clicked “Yes.”

[New Underworld VIP Character Subscription - Premium Lifetime: $0.01 saves ($999.99)]

“Oh!? This is a miracle, right?”

[Payment Received Successfully]

[VIP Account Subscription Successfully]

[Subscription Agreement]

No one will know about your subscription, and your information will be greatly protected. You and the server ‘New Underworld’ are the only ones who know your details. You can’t tell anyone about the subscription agreement or the event bonus. Enjoy and just be yourself.

[Put your thumb on the screen as a replacement for your signature]

[Thumb mark is successfully created]

[Loading…….]

[Account was successfully created…]

[WELCOME TO NEW UNDERWORLD]

[SYSTEM UPDATE]

[Congratulations Player SPHYNX!]

[THE SYSTEM HAS SUCCESSFULLY GRANTED YOUR WISH]

Pardon? Did I wish for something that I didn't know?

[You wished to not leave here…..]

What!? That's a ridiculous claim! That's not my point.

The words floated in the air, shimmering like a holographic display. I stared at the screen, my mind struggling to process the implications.

I tried to move, but my limbs felt strangely heavy, as though they were bound by invisible chains. My heart raced, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

“What… what’s happening?” I stammered, my voice trembling as I tried to make sense of the surreal situation.

The guild master, who had been smirking with a sense of superiority, now wore a more serious expression. “It seems the system has a surprise for you, SPHYNX,” he said, his tone grave.

“What kind of surprise?” I asked, a note of fear creeping into my voice.

“It appears that the system has triggered a special event mode,” the guild master explained.

“This isn’t something that happens often, especially not with VIP statuses.”

I attempted to open my menu to check my status or access any other features, but the screen was filled with error messages. Lines of red text flashed across the display, rendering it completely inaccessible.

“No, no, this can’t be real. What’s going on?”

The guild master’s expression shifted from amusement to concern.

“You must have triggered something unusual. This is beyond standard protocol. We’ve never seen an event mode like this before.”

“Does this mean I’m stuck here?” I asked, my voice rising in desperation.

“I’m afraid,” the guild master replied.

“But you’re not alone. I’ll try to provide guidance as best I can.”

The air grew colder, and I felt a strange pressure on my chest, as if an invisible weight was pressing down on me.

[SYSTEM UPDATE]

[THE SYSTEM HAS ACTIVATED A SPECIAL EVENT MODE FOR PLAYER SPHYNX]

[WARNING: SPECIAL EVENT MODE MAY ALTER GAME EXPERIENCE SIGNIFICANTLY]

“Event mode?” I muttered, more to myself than to anyone else. The words on the screen seemed to pulse with an otherworldly glow.

I glanced at the guild master, who now appeared more like an enigma than a mere NPC. His demeanor was serious, and a hint of unease flickered in his eyes.

“Yes,” the guild master said, his voice taking on an almost mystical tone.

“It seems that your VIP subscription has unlocked a hidden feature. You’re about to experience something completely different from what other players encounter.”

“Different how?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “What should I expect?”

“Expect the unexpected,” the guild master said with a grave nod.

“The system is reshaping your game experience. You’ll face challenges that go beyond anything you've encountered before.”

“So, what do I do now?” I asked, my anxiety mixing with determination.

“You need to adapt quickly,” the guild master advised. “The system is pushing your limits. Be prepared for anything.”

My surroundings shifted rapidly, the familiar guild hall dissolving into a vortex of colors and lights. I felt disoriented as I was transported to a new environment.

“The heck is this place….” An eerie mist hung in the air, and strange, glowing eyes peered out from the shadows, watching my every move.

“Where am I now?” I wondered aloud, my voice barely more than a whisper. The oppressive silence of the forest was punctuated only by distant, unsettling noises—a rustling of leaves, a distant howl.

The guild master’s voice echoed in my mind, cutting through the eerie quiet.

“Welcome to the true New Underworld. This is where reality and the game world blur together. Your adventure is just beginning.”

“This is insane!” I exclaimed. “How am I supposed to survive in this place?”

The guild master’s voice was calm yet insistent. “You’ll need to rely on your instincts and adapt to the new environment. The forest is a living entity; it changes and reacts to your presence. Stay alert.”

“Any advice on what to look out for?” I asked, trying to gather any useful information.

“I wish I could provide more details,” the guild master replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. “This situation is entirely new. The forest itself may hold the key to your survival.”

“Great,” I muttered. “So it’s a game of trial and error. Just what I needed.”

The forest seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The ground beneath me shifted with each step, and the trees seemed to bend and sway in an unnatural rhythm.

“Are there any hints or tips you can give me?” I called out, trying to make sense of the surroundings.

“I can only offer general advice,” the guild master’s voice echoed. “Trust your instincts, and be prepared for anything. The forest’s behavior is unpredictable.”

“Alright,” I said, determined. “I’ll do my best.”