A week had already passed since that day.
At first, he thought he'd fallen into the afterlife, but no, that wasn't it.
2035.
In other words, he'd returned to his youthful twenties.
To be precise, to a certain day when he was 29.
He'd been utterly shocked at first.
Then, upon seeing his family, tears had streamed down his face.
Knowing their hardships, he'd sobbed uncontrollably.
If it was a dream, he hoped never to wake.
Once he pulled himself together belatedly, a flood of thoughts came. He'd even secretly consulted a psychiatrist, and through that process, he'd reached one conclusion.
This was no dream.
It was undeniable reality.
Then, were the memories the dream?
Had he simply awakened from a long dream?
No, that wasn't it either.
The memories were far too vivid.
Comparing them to Illusion, it became even clearer.
The continents, kingdoms, rankers, and even the system—all matched perfectly.
Proof that what he remembered wasn't fiction.
That was when it happened.
"Kang Mu-hyuk!"
"Ah, yes!"
Kim Chajang called out to Kang Mu-hyuk.
"Anything you wanna eat for lunch today?"
"Uh, well..."
All eyes turned to him.
"Just say whatever."
Always dumps this on me.
If he said anything?
They'd furrow their brows and shake their heads, no doubt.
"There's budae jjigae nearby..."
"Budae jjigae? Hmm, too plain."
"Then noodles...?"
"Sick of 'em."
Just as expected.
Then one female office worker raised her hand.
"How about jeongsik, Mr. Kim?"
"Oho, jeongsik?"
"Yes!"
"Sounds good. You've got real taste!"
"Thank you!"
"Wrap up your work. We're heading out in 10 minutes."
Mu-hyuk smirked as he watched them.
Strange...
In the past, this would've pissed him off.
But now, rather than irritation, he felt a vague amusement, like he'd seen it coming.
Yeah, I'm back.
He could move again, laugh with his family, talk.
And with the VR game Illusion, open just five months ago, now within reach anytime—that alone was enough to make him happy.
No more pointless worries.
Dream or return—what did it matter?
The fact that he'd gotten another chance.
That was what counted.
"Alright, lunch time!"
"Yes!"
After eating together and returning to the office, Mu-hyuk sat down and opened a Hangeul file.
He began organizing info on Illusion—things he'd only thought about in his head until now.
Of course, using his own unique shorthand. Even if others saw it, they wouldn't understand.
Five months ago: global launch.
Rank 1 level: 51.
100,000th ranker level: 48.
Could he become the best?
No, even if not the absolute top, that was fine.
He just wanted to enjoy it.
Properly.
But to enjoy it right, he needed power.
Paralyzed, he'd consumed tons of Illusion videos and posts, realizing one thing.
It was a world ruled solely by strength.
If reality was dominated by money and power, that place boiled down to one thing: strength above all.
Pouring real-world money, influence, connections into transforming into Illusion power.
What could you do with that power?
Everything reality forbade.
Plunder, murder, threats, scams, and more.
Most crimes—barring the worst—were legalized within the content framework.
Even psychopaths killing NPCs or players faced no real punishment.
Many enjoyed the kill's thrill there, eerily realistic.
Yet no legal repercussions.
There were bounty hunter contents, but if you had the strength to beat them, no fear.
In short: as long as you were strong, anything went.
A madman could rampage unchecked!
Form guilds with like-minded folk, dominate from the shadows.
That was Illusion.
Without power, you were nothing.
Rage at guild tyranny, get swept away in future wars without a fight.
Plundered, PK'd for no reason.
While the strong waved and laughed upfront, the weak stared at their backs.
He hated that.
No point playing if he'd be the weak one.
Not the top, but strong! He wanted to be strong.
Treating this as a new life, he wouldn't bury himself under "defeat" again.
He had an edge.
Starting with info no one else knew.
His heart raced.
Time to think.
What was best?
Most effective?
A solo job that could do everything.
Unrivaled alone.
Did such a job exist?
One came to mind.
Gangster Necromancer.
Yeah, that could...
But it was brutally hard. Endless grinding, low efficiency for investment.
Only shone past mid-game.
Until then, he'd have to grit his teeth and endure.
But...
If he had the patience.
The grit and effort...
Mu-hyuk's eyes hardened coldly.
He gripped his fist tight.
*
He tallied his savings.
Fixed deposit maturing next week: 12 million won.
Installment savings same day: 3 million won.
Total: 15 million won.
Capsule price: 3 million won.
Monthly fee: 300,000 won.
Minimal living expenses: 1 million won.
That covered about a year immersed in Illusion.
He could earn in-game before then, but plan for worst-case.
Early capital might be needed anyway.
So, keep some buffer.
Illusion stock?
Great, but not now.
Current share: 2.3 million won.
It'd exceed 10 million later, but after 8 years.
Until then, slow climb—no urgency.
Grow fast using his knowledge now.
Sell info later for cash.
Buy stock then.
He shook his head.
Money mattered, but...
Illusion's world excited him more.
His dream for so long.
Living in Illusion.
How would it feel?
That fantasy had sustained him over 7 years.
So, no fearing the challenge.
Paralyzed, he'd regretted endlessly.
His timid self.
His frailty, inability.
His compliance.
This time would be different.
He'd make it so.
Mu-hyuk rose.
Exhaling deeply, he approached his boss.
"Bu-jangnim."
"Hm? What's up?"
He handed over his resignation from his pocket.
"Resignation?"
"Thank you for everything."
Office life hadn't been tough.
Even disoriented by regression, he'd adapted easily.
Thus, he'd saved diligently.
"Why so sudden?"
"Trying something new."
"Hmm... You serious?"
"Yes."
His voice was steady.
Realizing Mu-hyuk's resolve was ironclad, the boss took the paper.
"Fine. I'll process it in a few days. If you change your mind, say so right away."
Mu-hyuk bowed instead of answering.
Gratitude.
Didn't know other companies, but this one was good.
Even now: resignation accepted, grace period given.
That said it all about his boss.
"Thank you."
"Skip the thanks. Whatever you're starting, do it right."
"Yes."
Smiling, he turned, packed, and left.
No hesitation.
No regrets.
A new life began now.
*
His monthly rent: 450,000 won.
A bed and wall TV—that was it. Now, a large capsule filled a corner.
The empty space felt packed.
"Phew, installation done."
"Thanks for your work."
"Call if issues arise."
He took the tech's card, pocketed it, slipped on shoes, and saw him out.
Locked the door, activated the capsule.
A hum, lid opened.
Heart pounding, he lay down.
Dream becoming reality.
How he'd longed to log in.
Seven years staring only.
Today, finally...
Lid closed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Loading...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Connecting to Illusion.
A mirror appeared.
His reflection stared back.
Mu-hyuk lengthened his hair a bit, then proceeded.
-Select region...
He didn't wait.
Continent: Forma—locked in.
Asia's continent.
Now, empire or kingdom.
"Arsen Kingdom."
-Enter character name...
"Mu-hyuk."
-Is 'Mu-hyuk' confirmed?
"Yes."
-Have a great journey.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Character name 'Mu-hyuk' confirmed.
The mechanical voice faded into darkness.
Flash!
Bright light, pure white sky.
Clouds straight ahead.
Before awe could hit, it changed.
His body plummeted at insane speed.
Vast continents below, empires and kingdoms dotted across.
Finally, he halted above Arsen Kingdom's center—a fountain.
As if the fall was illusion, Mu-hyuk landed smoothly.
"Hoo..."
Hand to heart.
Great feeling.
Grinning, he moved.
Such natural fluidity!
Truly astonishing.
He'd only watched videos; this felt dreamlike.
Seven-plus years yearning for this game.
Virtual, yet drawing more than reality, where dreams were chased.
He'd finally entered Illusion.
"Ugh..."
Euphoria, thrill.
Memories surged.
Emotions swirled.
No, snap out of it.
No time for sentiment.
Knowledge or not, Gangster Necromancer was no easy path.
Far more effort than others.
Catch up to those ahead.
He scanned around.
There.
Headed straight to the Training Hall.
"Oh, welcome, stranger. Newcomer?"
The middle-aged instructor greeted Mu-hyuk.
"Yes. New place, no clue what to do. Want to train here first. Possible?"
"First-timers? Of course."
Training Hall requirement: level 1 exactly.
Fresh login, he qualified.
"Here."
The instructor offered a wooden sword.
Just as Mu-hyuk reached—
"Break those three straw dummies. Only diagonal slashes. Can you?"
📜 NEW QUEST 📜
[Training Hall's First Trial]
📍 Destroy the straw dummies using only diagonal slashes (0/3)
⏱ Time Limit: 10 minutes
🎁 Success: EXP. Proceeds to second trial
❌ Failure: Retry. No proceed
Mu-hyuk took the sword after checking.
"Possible."
"Confident one. 10 minutes. Looking forward."
Quest auto-accepted.
He approached a dummy inside.
Stopped, scanned.
No others on the quest.
Either no one cleared it fully, or solvers hadn't shared info.
He'd clear it.
Raised the wooden sword left overhead.
Three dummies in 10 minutes?
Quest not hard.
Just tricky.
Focus.
"Hoo..."
Steady breath, sword ready.