Chapter 3 …..
[The appearance of a revolutionary virtual reality game!?]
[The dazzling debut of God of Savior!]
The first-ever virtual reality game.
Bearing that title, God of Savior arrived with a bang from the very beginning.
When news broke that the game, once thought to be a joke, had truly been released, every gaming community exploded.
“???”
“No… it’s real?”
“A real virtual reality game?”
The impact was enormous.
From gamers who enjoyed VR games, to PC gamers, to people with no interest in gaming at all—everyone heard the news about God of Savior.
It was inevitable.
“VR is just virtual reality, right? Why is everyone making such a fuss? It’s not like VR is new.”
“VR, virtual reality? Sure, the name sounds fancy, but honestly, the old ones were pathetic. The third generation was better, but the second-gen ones… might as well have called them 4D.”
“I heard someone tested the device—they said it’s like a VR game straight out of a novel.”
“Whoa, it’s not a helmet but a capsule. Is it really a true virtual reality game?”
Unlike previous VR iterations, this game carried the label of a real virtual reality game.
Whether for hype or curiosity, it inevitably drew attention.
“But can technology even support this right now?”
“Isn’t it just an upgraded version of third-gen VR?”
Even the game company acted quickly.
Before doubts could grow too large, they spent a fortune recruiting additional testers, who confirmed that the game was indeed real.
[It was an unforgettable experience… A world both otherworldly and real.]
[It was breathtaking. The vivid realism, AI that felt like real people, the stunning landscapes of another world… This is nothing like any VR before.]
[I’m terminally ill. I am grateful I could experience this game before I die. The only regret is that I’ll probably be gone by the time it releases.]
While some might have criticized the game, the reviews were overwhelmingly positive.
Some even shed tears of joy, sharing sad stories, which only heightened curiosity.
“How incredible could it really be?”
“Wow, I know that person! They’re pretty well-known in the UK, and I’ve never seen them this moved.”
“They said it was their last gift before death?”
It was a trustworthy reputation, considering not only ordinary people but also well-known figures participated in the testing.
Before long, doubts vanished, replaced by anticipation.
Some were so excited that they could hardly sleep at the thought of a dreamlike virtual reality game finally appearing.
From Korea to the rest of the world, everyone eagerly awaited the official open of the game.
Yet, not all eyes were filled with excitement.
[Virtual reality games are the descent of Satan.]
[VR games bring death!]
[Can the unprecedented safety of this VR game really be trusted?]
[It’s not a helmet but a capsule… We don’t have enough data on its effects on the human body…]
Since the days of PC gaming, there had always been people who regarded games as a devil’s temptation.
With the appearance of a game of unprecedented scale, anti-gaming groups began raising their voices.
Even some experts joined the chorus of concern.
Unlike the third-gen helmet devices, which had extensive data, the newly released capsule lacked sufficient safety information.
Even the excitement of early adopters was dampened. The concerns of experts were legitimate.
“They say people might die playing this. Some brain overload issue, they said.”
“There’s not enough data yet.”
“Don’t you know? The experts said so. I’ll watch for now.”
Rumors spread, and before long, a story circulated that God of Savior could kill its players.
—God of Savior
Perhaps because of that, when the game officially opened, people hesitated.
The capsule devices were several times more expensive than helmets, and the game itself was pricey.
But even so, there were those whose adventurous spirit could not be contained.
“Hello, everyone! With God of Savior opening, it’s all the rage! People say it’s a deadly game, a new brain-torture device, but I’m going to try it myself and review it!”
“You all want to try God of Savior, right? But it’s scary, so you don’t dare. I get it~. So! I, Jinjinjara, will play it! I even spent 10 million won, so please like and subscribe!”
These were the new YouTubers and BJs—always hungry for content, they wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
That was how it started.
“Yes, everyone, I’ve logged in. So far, nothing strange… Let’s go to the town… wow…”
“Is this… really a game? Seriously? That scenery is virtual?”
“This is insane! I can even feel the wind brushing past me!”
Through livestreams, the overwhelming vividness of God of Savior spread worldwide, captivating audiences instantly.
A quality far beyond any previous VR game. AI that was more human than humans. Sensory experiences so vivid they felt real.
“Whoa! The pressure is insane!”
When combat footage with monsters that seemed to leap out at the viewer was added, people no longer hesitated.
Safety? Death while playing?
“Nonsense. I’m completely fine.”
“Holy sh*t! Those are just rank-chasers trying to scare you. Look at me—I’m totally fine!”
“If you skip this, you’re seriously missing out. I’m logging in. See ya.”
By now, ignoring the game due to fear made no sense.
Indeed, countless people logged in, and nothing happened.
0% side-effect rate.
A figure hard to see even in third-gen VR, and the previously vocal experts were shouted down and dismissed.
People flooded in like a tidal wave, letting loose everything they had held back.
Three hundred million simultaneous global connections.
One billion players in total.
God of Savior was no longer just a game.
From films and dramas to sports like soccer and martial arts, even to singers and entertainers—all industries were drawn into virtual reality.
This was possible due to the immense freedom and variety God of Savior offered.
It was literally another world.
Yet even so, the core of MMORPGs remained combat.
Videos of large guild battles were the most popular—and the most profitable.
When it was revealed that many of the protagonists came from the legendary guild Demroc, attention naturally returned to that now-defunct game.
“Execution Guild’s Melsal is from Demroc, right?”
“They say tons of Demroc veterans are in the top 10,000.”
“Even Melsal wasn’t number one.”
“Then who was number one?”
Interest naturally turned to Demroc’s high-rankers.
The wall that even Melsal couldn’t surpass.
The legendary figure who had never lost his number-one rank.
—Kaiser.
Once his name surfaced, countless people sought him.
It was natural curiosity—not just because he had outclassed Melsal, but because God of Savior was a sequel to Demroc. The systems would share many similarities.
No wonder former Demroc veterans held top ranks in God of Savior.
But what about the overwhelming number-one man himself?
—Kaiser? He’s a god.
—Not just a metaphor. A real god. He had never been defeated.
—His skill tree was revolutionary, the pioneer of the meta.
—Any trash he handled became a jewel of brilliance.
—A 15-man raid? Just a miniboss for him.
—I guarantee Melsal wouldn’t last a minute in front of Kaiser.
—A minute? Try ten seconds—my friend stakes his left…
—Melsal isn’t just some random player. He was one of Demroc’s strongest. But still, an exaggeration.
—True, Melsal was exceptional. They never had an official one-on-one, right?
—How dare you question a god!
—Ah… ah…
Watching Demroc players treat Kaiser like a deity, curiosity only grew.
His achievements were awe-inspiring, almost unbelievable.
“How good could he possibly be in combat?”
“Can’t you see his movements? They’re precise!”
Naturally, people sought videos of Kaiser, and were stunned.
His control more precise than any machine. Complex skill combinations. Combat so overwhelming it bordered on violent artistry.
“What is Kaiser doing now?”
“Why hasn’t he started God of Savior yet?”
“I want to see Kaiser play in VR! It’s art! His battles inspire me.”
“Find Kaiser!”
It was only logical that people searched for him.
Kaiser.
Within moments, his name dominated communities and real-time search trends—even foreigners were looking for him.
Yet Kaiser never appeared.
A month passed, two months, six months, a year.
“By now, isn’t Kaiser dead?”
“Kaiser? Oh, the Demroc number-one?”
“I’m curious to see him play… but does it matter? Over a year has passed. Even if he starts, he’ll just be a sideshow.”
“Maybe he’s been playing secretly, but didn’t make top ranks, so he’s hiding.”
“Hey, the Execution Guild raid is about to start. Everyone, get your links ready.”
People stopped looking for the absent Kaiser.
Some missed him occasionally, but most focused on the current rulers of God of Savior.
As time passed—about two years, precisely one year and six months—news broke.
[Breaking News: Execution Guild defeats legendary raid boss Avtartel!]
“Wow, Melsal’s class is insane… flying around.”
“Legendary… as a solo, Melsal’s the strongest, right?”
“Unrivaled.”
“Honestly, the guilds are strong, but the Empress moves alone like a wolf. She’s a one-person army.”
“True… even top ten guilds can’t touch her.”
No one searched for Kaiser anymore.
He had been forgotten.
Too many overwhelming, stimulating rulers now existed in the game for anyone to remember past heroes.
Just as he faded from memory…
“Reporting! Sergeant Kang Do-hyun! Officially discharged as of April 11, 2023!!”
In the battalion office of the 51st Division, a young man, Kang Do-hyun, saluted, now wearing a military cap over his grown-out hair.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Kang Do-hyun, 23.
One year and six months in the army.
And one year and six months since the release of the virtual reality game God of Savior.
Kaiser—the moment he finally sheds his uniform and returns to civilian life—had arrived.
