1. Reborn
A lone middle aged office worker sat alone at his desk, typing away at his computer. He had been up so long to finally complete his life's work, he was so exhausted that the bags around his eyes resembled pockets. If it wasn't for his work he would have collapsed from exhaustion long ago, but this was far too important.
"Finally! It's done!" The man shouted out in the air as he jumped up from his desk with excitement that could make anyone feel revitalized.
"Now I just need to hit publish! Wait.. why is the sky falling?" Just as the man was about to publish his life's work he collapsed and soon died from exhaustion. Just like that he would never be able to show anyone his achievements.. or so he thought.
Shortly after seeing black the man awoke in confusion, he was surrounded by bushes and trees, he had no clue where he was but as he slowly got up and collected his thoughts he realized something.
"Wait.. I remember this place.. no. Was that a dream?" The office worker made his way onto his feet and quietly uttered out the word "Status.." And as he did so a large screen appeared before him with information.
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Name: Von Dear
Age: 19
Class: GM
Stats: N/A (GM)
Skills: N/A (GM)
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"Ah. I see. I accidentally opened the game, I have to publish the game so I should exit it now. Log Out!" He shouted but nothing happened. Not even a screen telling him it wasn't possible.
"That's strange.. Log out! Log out!" Von tried multiple times to no avail, he soon reached a conclusion.
"I've read about these situations too many times... it seems I've died. Hah. Well.. I guess my life work was for naught. At least I'm in my own game I guess. I might as well go to the Circle of Rebirth to find out my subclass.." As he started walking he thought to himself "I guess I'll walk there for now to at least see the scenery.. it's crazy to see every thing I created with my own hands be so life like.."
As he was walking he met with someone, it was a very large built man in iron armor and he was stunned, why would a low level looking kid be out in the Forest of no return? He had to ensure his safety.
"Hello there! You on your way to town? How about I be some assistance?" The man said directly at Von, Von was confused because he didn't recognize the man, this came to a shock as he personally created each NPC.
"Uh. Sure, what's your name?" Von asked with a straight face
"My name? In game my name is Tren but in real life its Trent, what about you?" Tren replied, then Von realized an insane fact. He did publish the game... meaning.. He was reborn as an NPC but still had his GM powers!
"My name.. is Nov. I'm a low level Shadow Piercer, you seem to be a mid level Guardian. Will you assist me on the way to the Circle of Rebirth? I'm trying to find out what my subclass will be." Von replied after thinking deeply, he didn't want to use his character's name because if another GM found out he was logged in while being dead.. who knows what would happen.
"Sure! As you know it's a Guardian's duty to assist things like this! I'll even gain Exp! I was on my way there anyway, I'm trying to upgrade my subclass" Tren replied chuckling, the two then began walking towards the Circle of Rebirth.
"Do you mind me asking how many people are currently playing the game?" Von asked and Tren made a weird noise and said "What do you mean? This is the most popular game in the world and you didn't even know that?!" After Tren blurted that out Von was shocked to his core.
'Is my game really that popular? Does that mean.. my life wasn't worthless?' As he thought this he involuntarily burst into tears, Tren pretended to not notice, he knew from the look that they were tears of passion. He didn't want to intrude.