Standing up from my chair, I walked to my computer desk and unpacked the white box. While doing this, it struck me odd that this helmet had such an old-fashioned look—a full-head helmet. The latest VRMMORPG product typically required attachment at the back of the neck, resembling a choker design.


    Not to mention, it appeared heavier than it actually was!


    This weight alone clearly stated this device should only be used while lying down, not sitting or in any other position. But I knew that, even though it was heavy, when activated, its weight-balancing technology would act to reduce pressure points. Injuries would be minimal. Moreover, the device''s system included a neural interface that removed the need for physical movement; when logged into the game, physical body would be fully relaxed, perhaps similar to sleep paralysis, where the mind was active and fully immersed, but body remained still.


    This means VR:Scanner had unparalleled immersion, explaining why it could be heavy... and costly!


    The price, the weight, the design—deep sensory feedback was ineffective for general amusement. Perhaps this was why collectors, the wealthy, researchers, and die-hard players were drawn to it. On the other hand, the average individual (like me) could only dream about purchasing one.


    ''But I don''t know if this helmet is the same as one sold to the public.''


    After placing it on the bed while I sat on the edge, I opened the small section at the back of VR:Scanner to bring out the ReLink cable and connected it to my Helios. Once plugged in, the holographic interface automatically sprang to life from my metal bracelet.


    "Chen Luo, VR:Scanner is now connected to your room system and Helios. Please confirm if you need optimization."


    "As usual."


    "Understood. Initiating your preferred settings in your usual mode."


    While waiting, I lay down on the bed. This stage was tedious when installing a game but vital. Since Helios was already a part of each individual''s identity, whatever activities had to be connected to it for safety and the regulations themselves had required it. Although VR:Scanner device had provided its own security system, connecting Helios was crucial. It could connect to various other systems in my life, making the overall experience smoother and more integrated—adjusting the room''s environment for an optimal gaming experience or ensuring I stay safe while connected. My favorite part of Helios was it could use my historical data and preferences to customize the game.


    So, no more fiddly settings when logging into the game. And thankfully, this process never took too long.


    "Chen Luo, your room has been prepared with the usual environment parameters—lighting and temperature adjusted for optimal comfort, and all safety measures are in place. If you require any changes or additional assistance, please let me know. Enjoy your game!"


    Good. I crawled into the bed and found a comfortable position to rest. Then, I carefully positioned the helmet above my head. It automatically adjusted with a soft lining that fits my head curve.


    When the visor automatically descended, my bedroom view faded away. Eventually, this darkness shattered when silver cubes floated freely before me. And they gathered and were absorbed into one, releasing a logo that read "NeuroVerse System."


    [Visual Connection... synchronized]


    Then, the silence, similar to eardrums after taking off from the plane, melted. As I heard a sluggish voice, a little song tune emerged like a whisper around me.


    [Audio Connection... synchronized]


    This time, the feeling of my back lying down and touching the bed disappeared. And I felt lifted up before being released freely in an open space without gravity.


    [Sense Connection... synchronized]


    [Clear!]


    [All systems synchronized]


    Ding!


    [Entering the server, please wait...]


    I was sent flying through rings of light like a time machine in a sci-fi movie and arrived at a vast black place filled with twinkling white glitter that seemed far away. Or rather, I arrived in the vast expanse of space.


    Honestly, I was... impressed!


    Other games never showed anything like this (or maybe I didn''t play enough?). In front of me appeared cosmic dust. Eventually, the dust began to arrange and spin flat like a disk, which in some corners of the disk formed clumps that kept colliding with each other and sticking together, becoming massive balls.


    It was the formation of the planetary system.


    In particular, to a planet.


    Because then, my gaze was drawn to a white-blue globe with a thin ring. My eyes widened as the realization dawned on me. That globe was, without a doubt, my home planet! I knew it as I had seen augmentation—Huh?


    Wait, wait, wait...


    ''Where do I know this from?''


    Lessons on cosmic formations were part of the standard curriculum. However, firsthand augmented observations were reserved for society''s elite. I felt out of place with this knowing.


    The thought made me consider... if there could be experiences I might never fully process? Hmm. So far, what I remembered and applied in the real world has not clashed. Everything has worked out fine; I even benefited from this ability to remember things clearly. That was why discovering I had "forgotten" about VR:Scanner came as such a shock. Seems the anomaly of "I could forget" was ONLY related to the VR:Scanner? It further explained that my thoughts were suppressed by elements within this game.


    In short, I knew I had played World: The Origin, but one incident had fragmented my memory.


    My primary objective then... was to investigate the event or mechanism in "World: The Origin" I hypothesized might be linked to my issues or, at least, find more concrete evidence of this memory loss (because all was still my speculation). Returning to the game looked like the best way to figure out why I had forgotten about it in the first place.


    Having this clear roadmap made me excited to proceed! I took steps—


    Thud!


    —but hit an invisible wall instead.


    Uh, okay, too excited wouldn''t be good either. I rubbed my forehead and took a step back.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ''My recent days of normalcy made me lower my guard, huh.''


    Now... Instead of dwelling on that idiocy, I read the red screen that appeared just as I hit the invisible barrier ahead. My hand began to tap once, twice on the text with the big exclamation mark read [Notice!]. It brought up another screen filled with dense text from the top, on and on, down as I scrolled the screen to the end.


    ''Ah, yes, the most thrilling ToS reading.''


    What kind of crazy person would waste their time reading dense, clunky text when they were looking forward to play? But since I was in abnormal circumstances, I had to be that crazy person and start reading these "Terms of Service." In this one skim, I realized nothing unusual in their section; everything appeared standard—the usual legalese about user conduct, data usage, and liability disclaimers. But when I wanted to review it further, I could easily read it later.


    ''Reread them in my head, what I meant.''


    Because after I pressed the [Accept] button, the "Terms of Service" couldn''t be read anymore unless I visited their official website.


    This felt slightly ironic. Only minutes ago, I had questioned my memory''s reliability; now, I was trusting it again. Yet, the doubt wasn''t entirely misplaced—my skepticism was limited to World: The Origin and the VR:Scanner. That was where the anomaly lay. My ability to recall and revisit everything else in my mind... I still trusted.


    When the red screen disappeared, I saw a bunch of choices for changing how my avatar looks. There were so many options and styles. It felt like I was holding a bunch of paintbrushes. However, instead of using paint, I picked different looks and features for my character in the game.


    A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I stood there.


    And said, "Skip."


    I could never relate to players who would spend hours decorating their avatars. That was just cosmetic; it wouldn''t have much of an impact on the gameplay. Why should I waste my time on it? After all, using my usual appearance was a strategic ambiguity in itself.


    [You can''t change your appearance once you have decided on it; continue?]


    A full-body mirror appeared before me, a replacement for the invisible wall. And this was what I meant about strategic ambiguity.


    My hair was short and silvery white. There were distinctive streaks of red color that blended subtly into the strands. Even more... were my eyes, this bright red color. I already looked like a character out of a game. But actually, it wasn''t that remarkable. Since long ago, people with silver hair were considered defective; they had the lowest social strata until their existence became extinct and rare nowadays.


    I wasn''t and never proud of my looks.


    In the gaming world, however, it would appear normal; no one would realize this was my natural appearance. I had this tendency ever since I started playing VRMMORPGs.


    Thus, I said, "Yes."


    The full-body mirror then shimmered and vanished into light particles, accompanied by a strong wind. I turned away from the source with my hand outstretched, blocking a gust from my face. It was so strong that I was carried backward little by little.


    When my foot stepped back, instead of stepping on the invisible floor again, it fell downward as if the place where I stood had never existed.


    And my whole body went into a complete free fall.


    [You will be teleported to story mode location]


    Truly. The adrenaline rush from not expecting this high-speed falling experience caused tingles all over my body! My heart pounded. My stomach muscle tightened. But before I could react to this exaggerated feeling, sadly, a blinding light bombarded me. The more I dropped, the more dazzling it became, making me close my eyes as hard as possible and stretch my arms forward to block out the glare.


    Thankfully, as suddenly as it had begun, the sensation of falling ceased.


    My body felt like it was touching something as if I lay on a mattress. But with the air on my left and right, without even looking, I knew I was in a narrow place. And my eyes, which were still adapting to the excessive brightness that lingered, opened slightly. Closed again. Open. Blinked. I could faintly see that I was inside a... pod?


    Once my eyes had adapted and could open wide, the pod swung open; digital pieces came together to create a statement before me.


    [Welcome to World: The Origin, Rhuzerv!]


    ''Rhuzerv... who?''


    Before I could analyze what happened—whether by that name or shorting out my mind after being stimulated too much—a hand reached out to me. Instead of holding onto it, which I knew was intended to help me get up, I instinctively glanced at who was in front of me now. A woman with a cold expression. Her long, midnight-colored hair fell over her shoulders, while her eyes were a soft, moon-like blue.


    "Welcome to Vaughan Academy, new student. My name is Noir. I am the leader of the Discipline Department. I will be assisting you."


    ''A leader?''


    That drew my attention to see her more clearly.


    She wore a mix of burgundy and black uniform. Highlighted by gold buttons down the front. Black belts around her waist added formality. Her skirt was edged with black frills at thigh length. A long black cape, its collar lined with white fur.


    I was paying attention to these details because the Wikia of this game—created by players—didn''t fully describe each department''s leader. Even their illustrations were missing.


    Obviously, I became curious.


    Regarding her hand still reaching out to help me out of the pod, I''d prefer not to initiate physical contact if it wasn''t necessary. With a palm gesture, I shook my head and politely declined her offer. I swung my legs over the pod''s edge and landed on the ground. Noir withdrew her hand, an unreadable expression on her face. Typical of an AI, of course.


    "Very well, student...?" She tilted her head. And her tone began flat, then increased slightly, indicating she asked for a name.


    My avatar''s name, to be exact.


    It was abrupt, but her expectation of an immediate answer and the lack of a formal introduction suggested that the IGN (In-Game Name) could be changed freely and wasn''t fixed.


    So I just gave my usual one.


    "Luo."