There was only a short time left until the final exams. Yet Laum was still playing Warland. He really didn't care—an average grade was good enough. He really loved this game. He immersed himself in it like he was actually inside the game.
Over the years, he had played 1,999 hours, and tonight, he was really happy and proud, waiting to hit 2,000. Part of the reason he played so much was because he was also a modder, and he was receiving quite a lot of donations.
And suddenly a donation came in. He was about to ignore it—until he saw the amount.
2,000 freaking dollars.
He immediately opened the donation note box, dancing and singing, "Money, money, mon-ney... Yeah! Let's see what they said."
His benefactor had left a link and a message:
"I'm a modder too, and I admire your work! ^_^ Can you please use my mod and enter your 2000th hour with it? It would be nice to have someone like you playing my mod."
The link led to the Nelgus Modding website, so it seemed safe. Out of curiosity, he clicked it.
There was a mod—but it looked really basic. No explanation, no images, nothing. Still, he was curious, so he downloaded it. It was only 100MB.
As he waited, he thought about his download speed and his crappy computer. His own Wi-Fi and system weren't good at all. But with this 2K donation, he could finally upgrade. The donation was a huge help.
Grinning like a lottery winner, he clicked 'Install' without a second thought. "I'd even STUDY for my exams in advance if my benefactor wanted!" he shouted. "Thaaaaaaaaank you so much! Let's install the mod!"
He opened Firegate, then started the game after selecting the options he wanted for the character, he finally clicked the sentence to begin the journey—
Suddenly, everything went black.
He turned—or at least tried to turn—his head. He couldn't move. Couldn't scream. Couldn't hear. Nothing.
So, he waited.
Slowly, sounds returned. Lights. Though he wasn't sure if he was hallucinating.
A few minutes passed, and then—with a flash of white light—he came to his senses. He could move freely now. He opened his eyes. That whole experience? One of the worst feelings he had ever had.
He heard a clean voice. It was English.
"Hey, wake up. We arrived at Tulgan."
Tulgan? Wait—like the city in the game?
He looked to his right, where the voice was coming from. A cavalryman looked at him seriously.
"The caravan has been waiting long enough. Don't make us wait!" said the cavalryman with an impatient tone.
Laum was terrified. He didn't understand what was happening, but he somehow knew—he should get off the horse.
Wait. I'm on a horse?!
The sudden realization struck him hard. In fear, he tried to get down but fell, smacking his head against the ground.
He blacked out. Lost consciousness.
---
He woke up in bed.
His eyes stayed closed for a moment. He felt tired. His head hurt. Was it all a dream? He remembered falling off the horse. The pain was real.
He opened his eyes. This wasn't a hospital. And it definitely wasn't his room. The room screamed Middle Ages.
No way… Did I really Isekaid? Time travel? Where am I? The cavalryman mentioned Tulgan... Could it be? Am I in Warland? Are there readers reading my life?
His mind went silent. Then—he smiled.
He was happy. Happy that his head hurt. Happy that he had transmigrated.
He didn't care if it was a dream or madness.
I should enjoy this, he thought. I can become a swordmaster. A mage—though probably there's no magic here—and even marry princesses!
Sure, I might've been a virgin before, but this time… I'll marry and never work a single day. I'll—wait… is this world scripted, or is it realistic? If this world is realistic... There is no limitations on what to do. I can even go to other universes. Hehehehehehehehehehehehe…
He laughed like a maniac. But after thinking for about five minutes, realism hit hard.
There was no tech. No hygiene. No clean toilets. Lots of problems. Still, strangely he had no emotional or existential crisis. His life was now a game. A novel. A webtoon. He had always wanted his boring, monotone life to turn into something like this.
Wait… where's my golden finger?
"Status Window."
He waited a moment.
Nothing.
"Status Window. Status. Settings. Exit. Marketplace!"
Still nothing.
Come on! No golden finger? No system? Maybe it only opens under certain conditions? What could it be...?
Freaking author! Don't you trust me to be a successful protagonist?!
[Yes I don't.]
Laum stumbled back as white text appeared in the air, against a black background.
Hold up... the author's real? And he is actively replying? What kind of fourth-wall-breaking nonsense is this?!
[Don't assume my gender.]
"Oh, so you are a girl?" he said mocking the writer. Trying to be all inclusive and woke for the broader audience, huh? Real subtle, writer.
[Do you want your golden finger or what?]
"OF COURSE, MY DEAR AUTHOR~NIM! WHATEVER YOU LIKE!" he said, instantly changing his attitude with a 180° turn.
[You gained a Flip Coin.]
&$###&#&$#& "WTF DO YOU MEAN A FLIP COIN? YOU F... Ah I see trying to be funny. Hahaha. The joke is over man! Come on show me! Where's my overpowered cheat skill? My isekai package deluxe edition? My harem system?!"
[I am your system. ;)]
Laum fainted.