The blockbuster game series Academy City's Failure Hero was, as its name suggested, set in Academy City.
It told the story of a hero from a failing student's background who carves out his place among the throngs of students gathered there, ultimately saving the world.
A storyline that could easily come off as clichéd, but surprisingly, the game had earned rave reviews from gamers.
A clichéd yet thrilling plot.
Exquisite artwork that was a feast for the eyes.
A combat system that ignited the challenge instinct.
These three elements intertwined perfectly, and by the time the sequel launched, explosive popularity hit thanks to playthrough videos from famous YouTubers the developers had advertised with.
Riding that wave of hype, the freshly released part 2 spread like wildfire among the masses, and even the earlier part 1 got treated like a hidden gem, enjoying belated success.
With part 1 booming late and part 2 smashing records, diehard Failure Hero fans were hyped for the next installment, part 3.
💬 Comments— Anonymous FanHolding my breath till part 3 drops! *inhale*— HopefulPlayerPart 2 was a smash hit, so part 3's gotta come soon, right?— DiehardDev team, drop the info on Failure Hero 3 already!
But the damn devs, having tasted success, committed the atrocity of not releasing a new series for nearly 10 years after part 2.
One year passed.
Three years passed.
Five years went by.
Users drawn in by the charm of Failure Hero naturally started drifting away one by one.
In the end, the massive fanbase vanished, leaving only a handful of brain-dead loyalists.
Even those who defended the devs to the bitter end turned black after nearly a decade of neglect, morphing into prime examples of deluded white knights for a dead game.
And then, out of nowhere, news of a new series!
💬 Comments— SurpriseAnonUh? Guys, part 3 is apparently coming out?— SkepticTrolling, pass.— CynicHeh heh, peeking from another timeline, eh? Come join us in the salt mines.— DesperateNo, for real, part 3 is out!— DreamerYeah, had that dream too?— PitierPoor soul...
At first, no one believed the news.
And why would they? What were the odds of a company that ghosted after part 2 with zero announcements suddenly dropping part 3?
Exactly eight years later, no less!
Naturally, most folks—including fans still hoping for a new Failure Hero—reacted with disbelief.
💬 Comments— RealistSay something that makes sense.— VeteranWhat kind of game do you think ours is?— MemeLordEven impossible conditions succeed like ghosts when paired with Failure Hero 3.— NostalgicI still can't forget that World Cup round of 8 advancement because it got memed with Failure Hero...— DisbelieverA game like this releasing Failure Hero 3? Sounds ridiculous...
But reactions flipped dramatically as users who bothered to search started chiming in, just in case.
💬 Comments⭐ Top Comment— BelieverIT'S HAAAAPPENING! I believed!— GodSkyanaSkyana is a god? Skyana is a god? Skyana is a god?— GratefulThank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
The community, which had been gathering firewood in anticipation for eight years, finally buzzed with life again.
Various posts went up, and topics flew back and forth, but the main focus was the PV video released alongside the announcement from Skyana.
📰 Breaking News[Analyzed the PV]📰 Breaking News[Analyzing Characters from the PV]📰 Breaking News[My Personal Notes on PV Reveals]📰 Breaking News[About 'Yeon Je-seong' in the PV]📰 Breaking News['Yeon Je-seong': Villain or Not? (Super Personal Opinion)]📰 Breaking News[Relationship Between 'Yeon Je-seong' and the 'Yeon Clan' in the PV]
Among them, the character that captured users' attention was none other than Yeon Je-seong.
The Student Council President representing all students in Academy City's Failure Hero.
The young man seated in that position exuded thick charisma and a decadent aura that gripped players.
It was only natural he'd draw massive interest, living up to the name of an alluring villain.
Meanwhile, the community big name "Strategy Hero" drooled over the PV upon hearing the news, savoring it like candy.
He saved it separately for collection and repeated viewing, scrutinizing every frame for strategy hints without missing a beat.
Diving into it frame by frame day and night, he grew so excited as launch day neared that he could barely sleep.
And on the long-awaited release day.
"A new game after eight years! My mouth's watering!"
He bought and launched it faster than anyone, only to lose consciousness in a burst of light right at the start—
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...Nngh?"
The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was the character "緣 (Yeon)", forcing him to grasp the situation.
───
His mind floated.
At the same time, a soft, cushy sensation enveloped his body, sparking unease.
Did I have a bed this plush in my room?
"..."
He lay there silently with eyes closed for a few minutes.
As his post-sleep brain pieced things together, cold sweat suddenly beaded on his forehead.
No way. No way. ...Right?
He recalled the moments before blacking out.
Himself, shoulders dancing excitedly as he started the game.
The brilliant light erupting from the monitor at the same instant.
Himself, screaming as he toppled from the chair.
Even an idiot could piece it together from that.
It's a dream!
Soul possession? Ridiculous.
A dream made way more sense.
And if it was a dream, no need to freak out.
Deciding as much, he slowly opened his eyes.
A single large hanzi etched prominently in the ornate ceiling.
『緣』 (Yeon)
Staring at the character boldly displayed in the center, he closed his eyes again.
Hmm, guess I'll just sleep.
Black out in a tiny studio apartment, wake up in some fancy mansion.
Even for a dream, that was overkill.
Surely it'd be fine after a nap.
Muttering comforting nonsense to himself, he drifted back into slumber.
.
.
.
.
"This is real...?"
He despaired at the unchanging reality.
They say the brain freezes in shocking situations.
It really felt like his thoughts halted for a moment.
No no no. Calm down. Calm down, me!
First, assess the situation.
How he got here could wait.
Right now, the priority was figuring out his current circumstances.
He scanned his surroundings.
The opulently decorated room screamed that its owner was someone important.
No immediate danger, at least... I think.
Too soon to relax fully, but whoever gave him a room like this probably wasn't out to kill him.
Unless it was a kidnapping, of course.
"...?"
Finishing a rough assessment, he got out of bed.
His line of sight felt oddly lower than usual.
"...What the hell?"
Looking down at his palm, his callused adult hand was gone, replaced by a soft, babyish one.
Spotting his stubby limbs next, he realized things were worse than thought.
Not his body intact—he'd possessed someone!
The moment he saw 緣 (Yeon), he'd sensed he'd fallen into the game, but he hadn't expected possession into a character.
"Mirror! Where's a mirror?"
Realizing it, he hurriedly searched for one.
If he'd possessed a game character, he could plan based on that character's info.
He knew growth paths and signature weapons for every character.
Just identify who, and he could leverage game knowledge to grow somehow.
Even without combat, merchant or support classes have tons of paths!
Eight stagnant years had turned obsession into demonic possession; he had every character from part 1 to 2 memorized.
Know who he'd possessed, and he'd have endless ways to power-level fast. Confident, he ransacked the room for a mirror.
"None in the room, huh."
After scouring without luck, he decided to step out.
The moment he cracked the expensive-looking door and stepped forward...
"Did you cough, Young Master?"
"Gah!"
He flinched back at the maids who appeared instantly.
A dozen of them, materializing without a sound, bowed politely with neutral expressions.
Eyeing his wary self with blank gazes, they approached and spoke briefly.
"We'll assist with your grooming."
"We've brought refreshments. Please quench your thirst first."
"Uh? Uhhh...?"
Guided naturally back into the room by their hands, he soon found himself neatly dressed and let out a gasp.
"Wh-what!?"
When did they even change me!?
His hair... it's slick! What is this!?
So this is pro-level work!
Gazing in awe at the maids who'd finished in a flash, one stepped forward.
"Is there anything you need?"
"Ah, uh. Could you get me a mirror...?"
"Please drop the formalities. We're mere servants. We'll prepare the mirror at once. Yes."
"Here it is."
At her call, a maid behind pulled a large mirror from her bosom.
Wait, where'd that come from!?
Ignoring physics much!?
As he stared dumbfounded, the maid held it up to reflect him.
Finally composing himself at her image, he examined his reflection.
Short limbs, baby-soft pale skin untouched by baby fat fully receding.
Golden eyes subtly gleaming under black hair.
Younger than expected, but unfortunately a face he remembered.
"Um, sorry, but could you tell me who I am?"
He asked blankly at the mirror, and the maid holding it replied solemnly.
"The supreme treasure of the Yeon Clan that upholds the Imperial Empire. The rightful heir of Yeon, future Young Clan Head 'Yeon Je-seong', Young Master."
She declared it without hesitation, and he let out a hollow laugh.
"Ha, haha..."
We're screwed.
Like, royally screwed.
Yeon Je-seong, of all people.
Not 1 or 2, but a part 3 character──!
Out of countless characters, why this guy!
Well, he'd gotten a bad vibe the moment he realized it was the Yeon Clan, but still!
"At least not Yeon Je-seong!"
"Y-Young Master?"
Even the stoic maids looked flustered at his sudden outburst.
"Hoo... It's nothing."
Brushing past their concerned faces and running a hand over his own, he forced calm and stared into the mirror.
I passed out trying to play part 3, so deep down I hoped it was that but tried ignoring it...
He'd forced happy circuits, chasing best-case scenarios, but confronted with the evidence, denial wasn't an option.
The Imperial Empire, dominating Failure Hero.
The Yeon Clan, its greatest power among continent-spanning hegemonies.
Looks like he'd become its Young Clan Head.