Chapter 2 Resignation (2)

Hwang Ji-Hoon walked home, his steps waving beneath the sunset that adorned the sky. He inserted the key slowly into the keyhole, unlocking the door to his modest apartment. The room appeared plain, without any striking decorations. No one would ever suspect that this apartment belonged to someone who had once worked at a renowned company.

As usual, he took a careful shower and changed his clothes before preparing dinner. While concentrating on cooking, he enjoyed the television show that was playing. It had been a week since he quit his job, and currently, he was touring a shopping center in South Korea. He was searching for information about potential jobs that might suit him.

There, he stumbled upon information about a game that could be a source of income for many people. Hwang Ji-Hoon was captivated by the allure of the game. After gathering more information, he learned that the in-game currency could be exchanged for real money, and vice versa, real currency could be exchanged for in-game currency.

Once he gathered enough information, Hwang Ji-Hoon returned home. He deliberated whether he should also try to make money through the game. He researched the price of the required equipment to access the game and, after searching for quite some time, he found out that the price of the device was 15 million won. That amount was equivalent to his monthly salary plus a double bonus.

Hwang Ji-Hoon carefully weighed his options to avoid disappointing himself. He didn't want to make a hasty decision, so he decided to learn more about the game before making a choice. He searched for recorded adventures in the game as a reference. For days, he immersed himself in studying the intricacies of the game, from job acquisition, currency, maps, races, and much more, until he truly understood the game.

Today, Hwang Ji-Hoon ordered the necessary equipment for the game. After waiting for a few hours, the delivery arrived. A large cardboard box was handed to him, and he was asked to sign as proof of delivery. To play the game, Hwang Ji-Hoon needed a computer as the main device and a place to install the game. Luckily, he had a computer at home.

After setting up all the game-supporting devices, Hwang Ji-Hoon began to delve into it.

"Welcome to Beyond The Midgards."

"A virtual world that offers limitless freedom. In this world, you can embark on adventures freely, defeat formidable enemies, complete various missions, and shape the legend of your character."

"The character creation process involves several stages... Would you like to proceed?"

"Of course..."

"Character appearance customization can be based on your own appearance and can be altered up to 100%..."

Before Hwang Ji-Hoon appeared, a projection of himself dressed as an ancient adventurer. He was amazed to see his appearance matching the adventurous style. However, Hwang Ji-Hoon had considered various possibilities, so he decided to change his appearance. He altered his hairstyle to resemble an anime character and slightly increased his body size to emphasize strength.

"Character creation complete... Choose a race for further customization..."

"Human race..."

"Race selection confirmed..."

"Humans are a balanced race capable of learning various professions. Humans are also the dominant race in Beyond The Midgards, but unfortunately, this race does not have any additional bonuses... Are you sure about this race selection?"

"Yes..."

"Choose your character's name..."

"Siegrieds"

"In ancient times, Midgard was a peaceful and harmonious place. The peace lasted for centuries until the emergence of the Demon King, Lucifer. He and his forces sought to conquer the world and sow chaos. The war between the four races and the demon race lasted for years, claiming millions of lives. The four races were pushed back and took refuge in Midgard Central, establishing defensive fortresses. They realized that relying solely on their own strength would not be enough to defeat the demons.They pleaded for guidance and assistance from their God, hoping that this difficult time would soon come to an end.

The gods answered their plea by sending thousands of angelic races and summoning four Archangels to fight against the demon race.

The battle grew fiercer with the arrival of the angelic races. However, not long after, a group of individuals with extraordinary powers emerged, aiding in the fight against the demons. They called themselves heroes, sent to combat the Demon King, Lucifer.

After learning that the angels had only managed to seal the dark god, the heroes fought to seal all the demon races in another dimension and bring an end to the long-standing war.

"Choose a starting point for your adventure."

In front of Hwang Ji-Hoon, there sprawled a vast map with various terrains and lands within it. He read and selected a place he deemed suitable to begin his journey.

"Adenapool, the Lemmirene Kingdom..."

"Destination set... You will soon be transported to the city of Adenapool... Enjoy your game..."

Suddenly, Hwang Ji-Hoon's view changed to a bluish-green scenery, as if he had been teleported into an anime or comic creation. He marveled at the game's ability to create such sensations. In an instant, everything came to a halt, including the teleportation circle and the gusts of wind. A black hole drew him in, pulling him out of the teleportation path.

Hwang Ji-Hoon looked around in awe. The place was a beautiful mountainous region in South Korea, adorned with breathtaking scenery and a magical aura that filled the air. The gentle breeze whispered through the towering trees, carrying the fresh scent of the wild.

It felt as if Hwang Ji-Hoon had stepped into an entirely new world. His steps paused momentarily as he beheld the mesmerizing beauty of the surrounding nature. Majestic mountains soared in the distance, while a river flowed gently through lush green valleys. Colorful blooming bushes greeted him with their enchanting splendor.

"By God, this place is extraordinary," Hwang Ji-Hoon murmured, his eyes filled with wonder.

He realized that this place marked the beginning of his new adventure. The city of Adenapool, the Lemmirene Kingdom, awaited him with all its secrets and captivating challenges. Hwang Ji-Hoon retrieved the map he had obtained from the Beyond The Midgards game and eagerly traced the path he needed to take to reach the city.

After walking for several hours amidst the beauty of the mountainous landscape, Hwang Ji-Hoon finally arrived in the city of Adenapool. It was a lively place, filled with captivating traditional Korean architecture. Colorful tiled roofs and wooden windows faced bustling streets.

Hwang Ji-Hoon strolled among the spirited and excited crowds. Small markets tempted passersby with various fascinating goods. The tantalizing aroma of local cuisine wafted through the air, inviting him to sample the culinary delights.

Suddenly, a thunderous sound resonated around Hwang Ji-Hoon. He saw a gathering of people in an open area, right in the heart of Adenapool. Curiosity piqued, Hwang Ji-Hoon decided to approach the crowd and find out what was happening.

There, he beheld a large stage where a group of local musicians was performing. They played traditional Korean musical instruments with fervor, creating a captivating harmony. Their music stirred Hwang Ji-Hoon's heart and ignited his adventurous spirit.

He felt that this was the perfect opportunity to embark on his journey. Hwang Ji-Hoon decided to spend some time in Adenapool, exploring its intriguing places, deepening his knowledge of the Beyond The Midgards world, and meeting fellow players who shared the same passion.

On a bright evening, after a day of exploring Adenapool, Hwang Ji-Hoon discovered a beautiful spot by the riverside. With a glittering sky as the backdrop, the river flowed gently, creating a soothing melody of water. Hwang Ji-Hoon sat by the riverbank, letting his thoughts wander freely.

That night, the sky was adorned with thousands of twinkling stars, casting a magical spectacle. The moonlight painted shadows of the surrounding trees, adding to the mysterious ambiance.

Hwang Ji-Hoon took a deep breath, contemplating the upcoming adventure. He was captivated by the world he had entered, a world brimming with opportunities and wonders. He gazed at the boundless night sky, feeling the surge of energy flowing within him.

"Truly remarkable... I will conquer this world and become a proud legend," Hwang Ji-Hoon whispered confidently.

He knew that this journey wouldn't be easy. Challenges and obstacles would test his abilities. However, he remained undeterred. Hwang Ji-Hoon had prepared himself physically and mentally. He would find his path to glory through thrilling battles, encounters with intriguing characters, and the discovery of hidden secrets.

However, while Hwang Ji-Hoon was admiring the beauty of his surroundings, he suddenly found himself transported to a different location.

"Aaaaaa... Is this a technical error?"

After a few moments passed, Hwang Ji-Hoon realized he was in an unfamiliar place. He found himself amidst mountains surrounded by lush, towering trees, accompanied by the sounds of clashing swords and people's shouts.