A piercing light invaded Velgrin's consciousness, pulling him from the abyss of nonexistence. His eyelids fluttered open, revealing a sterile, white ceiling that seemed to stretch endlessly. The sensation was foreign; he had never experienced such vulnerability. As the final boss of Altherion, a formidable fusion of dragon and human, he had always been an omnipotent entity, observing the world from his grand dojo. Now, he felt... human.
He attempted to sit up, muscles aching as if unused for years. The cool air brushed against his skin, sending shivers down his spine. Lowering his gaze, he examined his hands—slender, pale, devoid of the dark scales that once adorned them. Panic surged within him.
"What is this? Where am I?" he thought, heart pounding.
A soft chime echoed in the room, and a translucent blue interface materialized before him.
[System Activation Detected]
[Initializing Player Profile: Nullen66]
[Welcome, Final Boss – Velgrin]
His breath hitched. The title "Final Boss" was a cruel reminder of his former glory. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms.
"Is this some twisted joke? Have the developers decided to mock me?" he pondered, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
Determined to find answers, he voiced the command, "System, open."
The interface responded instantly, displaying his current stats:
Player: Nullen66
Level: 3
Class: None
Race: Human
Age: 18
HP: 100/100
Beneath the basic stats, a blinking notification caught his attention:
[Awakened System: Please Update Info]
Velgrin's—no, Nullen's—eyes narrowed. The term "Awakened System" was unfamiliar. He had been part of Altherion's core code, privy to its deepest secrets, yet this was new. Hesitantly, he commanded, "Update Info."
The interface flickered, and a surge of information flooded his mind. Memories of his defeat resurfaced with brutal clarity.
The dojo had been his sanctuary, a vast hall adorned with intricate tapestries depicting legendary battles. Shadows danced along the walls, responding to his very will. Few dared to challenge him, and those who did were swiftly annihilated.
On that fateful day, the heavy oak doors creaked open, revealing a lone figure. Cloaked in tattered robes, the visitor's face remained obscured by a hood. In his hand, he gripped a staff pulsating with an ominous purple glow—a weapon of unparalleled rarity.
Velgrin's lips curled into a disdainful smirk. "Another fool comes to meet his end?" His voice resonated through the hall, dripping with arrogance.
The stranger remained silent, stepping forward with an unsettling grace. The air grew thick, tension mounting with each passing second.
Velgrin's eyes flared. "Silence? Very well. Let's end this quickly."
He summoned the shadows, tendrils of darkness coiling around him, ready to strike. With a roar that shook the very foundations of the dojo, he unleashed a barrage of shadowy spears toward the intruder.
The stranger moved with inhuman speed, sidestepping the assault effortlessly. Closing the distance, he swung the staff in a wide arc. Velgrin barely had time to react, raising an arm to block. Upon contact, searing pain shot through him—a sensation he had never known.
Staggering back, he examined his arm. Dark scales had been shattered, revealing raw flesh beneath. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Impossible. No weapon should harm me." He gritted his teeth, anger replacing shock. "Who are you?"
The stranger finally spoke, his voice a chilling whisper. "Your end."
Before Velgrin could respond, the staff was thrust forward, piercing through his chest. Agony erupted, his vision blurring. He felt his essence unraveling, code disintegrating.
As darkness consumed him, a system message echoed:
[Respawn unavailable. Time until reactivation: 20 years.]
Gasping, Nullen clutched his chest, half-expecting to find a gaping wound. Instead, his fingers met the smooth fabric of the standard-issue player outfit. The realization was sobering.
"I've been reborn... as a mere player." Disgust welled up within him.
He rose unsteadily, seeking a reflective surface. Spotting a polished metal panel on the wall, he approached. The face staring back was unfamiliar: jet-black hair falling messily over pale yellow eyes, a complexion almost ghostly. The white outfit hung loosely on his slender frame, the number "66" emblazoned on the shoulder.
He sneered. "From a dragon to this frail form. How pathetic."
A sudden chime interrupted his thoughts.
[System Update Complete.]
[Welcome, Final Boss – Velgrin. Identity Synced with Nullen.]
[All Memory Access: Unlocked.]
The irony wasn't lost on him. The system recognized his past identity, yet confined him to this weak vessel.
Determined to understand his new reality, Nullen moved toward the dojo's exit. The doors slid open with a hiss, revealing a world he had only observed from afar.
The city sprawled before him, a cacophony of neon lights and towering skyscrapers. Holographic advertisements floated mid-air, showcasing the latest gear and guilds. Players of all races and classes bustled about, engaging in trades, forming parties, or simply exploring.
His eyes were drawn to massive digital billboards broadcasting news updates. One headline dominated them all:
"Final Boss Velgrin Slain in Brutal Display – Respawn Disabled for 20 Years!"
A montage played, showing clips of his defeat. The stranger's face remained hidden, but the battle's outcome was clear.
Players gathered around the screens, murmuring excitedly.
"Did you see that? Velgrin went down like a chump!"
"Yeah, and now he's out of the game for two decades. Serves him right."
Nullen's fists clenched, nails biting into his palms. The humiliation was unbearable.
"They celebrate my downfall. They mock me." His jaw tightened. "I'll make them regret their words."
Pushing through the crowd, he made his way toward the city's outskirts. He needed space to think, to plan his next move.
As he approached the boundary of the safe zone, a group of players blocked his path. At their center stood a tall, blonde-haired youth with a cocky grin. His armor gleamed, and a massive sword rested on his shoulder.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the youth sneered, eyes scanning Nullen's attire. "A level 3 newbie venturing out alone? That's brave... or stupid."
Nullen met his gaze, unflinching. "Step aside."
The blonde youth raised an eyebrow, then chuckled, stepping forward until he towered over Nullen. "Ooh, look at this one. Got some backbone. What's your name, rookie?"
Nullen didn't answer. His yellow eyes burned coldly, focused.
Another in the group, a girl with dual daggers, snickered. "He's mute? Or just scared stiff?"
The blonde guy scoffed. "No, he's just dumb. Figures. Level 3 and already playing the edgy silent type."
Nullen clenched his fists. His body may have been weak, but his pride—Velgrin's pride—burned within. He had once stood above all. He had crushed heroes, warlords, dragonslayers. Now he was being mocked by low-tier scum.
"I said," Nullen repeated, voice sharp as a blade, "step aside."
The leader's eyes gleamed. "You got a death wish, kid."
He swung his oversized sword down—not with killing intent, but like someone trying to teach a lesson.
Nullen tried to dodge, but his new body was sluggish. The sword's blunt edge slammed into his side. Pain exploded through him. He crashed into the dirt, breath stolen from his lungs.
Laughter erupted from the group.
"That's what happens when you mouth off, noob."
But Nullen didn't cry out. He didn't groan. He just stared at the sky, gritting his teeth. His pride stung worse than the hit.
[System Notification: Damage Received – HP 26/100]
[System Notification: Unique Trigger Detected...]
A soft chime echoed in his head. The others didn't hear it.
The girl leaned over him. "Aw, is the baby gonna log out?"
Nullen spat blood to the side, smirked faintly, and whispered, "You'll regret that."
The air shimmered faintly above him.
[System Message: Hidden System—Awakened Core... Activating.]