Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented

Tap.

I was hungry, so I immediately started my meal.

With my usual dexterity, I unwrapped the triangle kimbap and took a big bite from the pointed end.

Chomp.

“Ugh…!”

The sharp, spicy taste of chili powder tickled my nose. I shivered slightly and took another bite.

Chomp Chomp.

Today’s pick was fried kimchi kimbap.

As expected, it was a choice I wouldn’t regret.

With my small mouth busy, I quickly devoured the kimbap and turned on the coffee pot.

Bubble bubble.

The water I had prepped started to boil in no time.

Even though many years had passed in the world I knew, convenient items were still in use.

While I lived in another world, I had longed for such easy food.

Of course, there was something else I wanted to eat the most after returning to Earth, but with my current circumstances, this level of luxury was the limit.

Feeling a light happiness from my casual meal, I glanced around my small one-room flat.

Hmm, still a bit small.

Now that I was back on Earth, over a decade had passed since I lived there.

When I first returned, I felt quite a disconnect in various aspects.

Fortunately, South Korea’s welfare system, still intact in this era, ensured that someone in my condition wouldn’t be left homeless on the street.

Adequate financial support, decent assistive device provisions, regular welfare visits, and employment aid systems.

While it had progressed in its own way, it was still different from the Continent of Astria, where vulnerable groups were often neglected. I suppose this is what modern society is like.

Well, I did refuse the welfare visits and job assistance.

Should I be thankful to the deities of Astria for allowing me to blend into this society without any connections?

As I absentmindedly scanned my small flat, my gaze settled on a newly acquired peculiar piece of furniture.

“I finally came.”

I let out a big sigh.

Today, the reason I planned to drink—something I usually didn’t think about—revolved around this piece of furniture.

A virtual reality capsule.

I had squeezed out what little savings I had to buy it, accepting the welfare discounts that I normally wouldn’t bother applying for.

Even with the advanced technologies of this era, they couldn’t heal my legs, which lost their nerve function below my thighs.

Yet, it seemed that in this era, the virtual reality capsule also served as a mental therapy aid.

There’s nothing happier than someone who had never used their legs or arms being able to move freely in a world that feels real.

Of course, I didn’t buy it for those therapeutic purposes.

“Astria Online.”

The world I had escaped from, filled with intense pain.

The name of the game echoed the name of the continent I had adventured through.

Is it a coincidence?

But after seeing the landscapes in the promotional video, I couldn’t help but acknowledge it.

‘Astria Online’ was indeed a game inspired by the continent of Astria where I had lived for over a decade.

I snickered softly, curling up for a moment.

“Is this the after-service?”

They might as well fix my body for me.

It was clear that the gods from that world or the gods of Earth had played a trick on me.

Or maybe both.

Nevertheless, I had no choice but to decide to start that game.

I briefly looked down and gazed at my legs.

Now motionless, my legs.

Would I be able to move freely if I step into this capsule?

That lack of realism.

Would I feel real in there?

Tick tock.

As I sank into thought, the time had come.

Midnight.

The official opening time for ‘Astria Online.’

Whatever it may be, I had to face it.

*

Woosh.

[Welcome to the full dive virtual reality game, the Continent of Swords and Magic, ‘Astria Online.’]

The screen went black and a guide voice echoed, engulfing my body in a strange sensation of weightlessness.

The title OST began to play, and soon the screen lit up.

The continent stretched out before my eyes as if viewed from the sky, a place I had both hated and longed for.

“The Continent of Astria.”

Before I could even lose myself in my reflections, the guide voice demanded me to create a character.

[Would you like to customize your character’s appearance?]

“Hmm….”

The character’s appearance that appeared before me looked strikingly like me, as if it had scanned my body.

It was truly a beautiful girl.

One eye slightly covered, silver-tinged white hair flowing down past her shoulders.

Bright shining black eyes like obsidian.

A petite figure, barely reaching 150cm.

An almost non-existent chest.

Distinct yet delicate features.

A face that could rival any celebrity.

I fiddled with the interface and made slight customizations.

“Race: Human. Hmm, I’ll leave the rest as is?”

[Due to the customization for race and body type, strength stats may be limited. Are you sure you want to proceed?]

“I don’t care.”

I puffed out my chest.

It had already been over a decade since I had this body, and it was too late to feel embarrassed about being in a female form.

As much as my companions in the Continent of Astria had complimented and adored me, I had my share of pride in my appearance.

Even if I did focus intently on customizations, I probably couldn’t have done better than this.

From what I had briefly searched about beta service experiences, people who were confident in their appearance often chose minimal customizations for hair color or eye color and went with their natural looks.

Since I hadn’t made any new connections on Earth, nobody here would recognize me either.

[Character appearance customization complete. Please set your final nickname.]

An interface appeared before me, displaying the name I hadn’t recognized yet.

Without hesitation, I began typing.

‘Drizzle Rain’

[‘Drizzle Rain.’ Do you wish to set this nickname?]

“Yes.”

Drizzle Rain.

That would be my name in this place.

The name I received on a rainy day in front of the church in the Continent of Astria.

Far more familiar than the dim, old name or the new name I was given on Earth.

‘Rain is really pretty. The silver hair is just lovely.’

‘Haha! Dwarves love gems! Rain, your eyes resemble obsidian! Please let me have some someday!’

‘Oh my, Ain! That’s such a spooky thing to say!’

‘Hee hee. I feel like I’m going to hate Ain!’

‘Haha, he probably didn’t mean anything by it. Dwarves tend to blurt out random stuff without thinking about gems?’

I could almost hear my companions’ laughter echoing.

As I momentarily slipped into nostalgia, an oddly crackling guide voice interrupted my thoughts.

[…fizzing. Error code AAECA…crackle.]

[‘Drizzle Rain.’ Are you really sure you want to set this nickname?]

“……?”

Wait, I already said yes. Why are you asking me again?

“Yes. Please set that name.”

I made an effort to shake off my confusion and confirmed once more.

[Character creation complete. May your adventures in the Continent of Astria be a delightful experience.]

Then, the world faded to black again.

Splash, splash.

The sound of waves.

Is the starting location for beginners by the beach?

Feeling the caressing sea breeze on my body, I slowly opened my eyes.

“…….”

Raising a small hand, I checked myself.

Perhaps because I hadn’t done any customizations, I felt no sense of incongruity.

It was my body, just as it was.

After a moment, I propped myself up, placing my hands on the sandy beach.

And then my legs.

“Ah.”

My legs. I stood.

“My legs.”

They move.

Pitter patter.

I can walk.

How long has it been since I couldn’t move my legs?

A year since returning to Earth?

I could finally walk with my legs again after a year.

Thud thud.

I didn’t think at all.

I just aimlessly strolled along the beach, lightly moving my little feet.

“Ugh, um.”

After wandering for a while, I stroked my chin and fell deep in thought.

Is this a moment to be moved?

Is it a monumental event for someone who couldn’t walk to feel the sensation of walking?

But somehow, I didn’t feel overwhelmed with emotions.

It felt like doing something that was only natural.

And I strongly felt a sensation I had forgotten all this time.

“Realism.”

Drifting in the space after returning to Earth, I felt like an irregular entity intruding into a world that was running smoothly.

That feeling had vanished here.

Paradoxically, I was feeling a stronger sense of reality in virtual reality than in actual reality.

The strong sea breeze hitting my skin.

The salty, briny smell that could be appreciated in this place.

Is virtual reality really that amazing?

Guess I’ll know when I live a long life.

I chuckled softly, feeling like a little old person who thinks they’ve seen it all.

But it’s just a game.

To confirm that, I uttered the common command in virtual reality games.

“Status window!”

Beep.

An interface appeared before me.

[Drizzle Rain]

[Novice Adventurer]

Below, initial stats like HP, strength, intelligence, agility appeared.

And at the very bottom.

[Sync Rate: 100%]

“Huh?”

I tilted my head.

Before starting this game, I had researched a lot about previous beta testers.

Since a lot of people aimed for an early start, finding detailed information was tough, but I had familiarized myself with things like status window interfaces.

However, I had never seen any information about a stat called “Sync Rate.”

In fact, I knew a bit about sync rates, even with my limited knowledge of virtual reality.

The higher this value, the stronger the feeling of realism and sensations you experience, even pain.

In fact, in combat-type games like this, there were laws in place limiting the sync rate to keep it low due to the risks involved.

Yet here I was—100%?

Unease began to creep in.

Isn’t this dangerous?

---