Genius Gamer Reborn into a Family of Heroes

Chapter 1: Prologue

“Ah, Ha-won, the player!”

The commentator’s shout echoed vividly through the stadium. Tens of thousands of spectators had gathered from all over the world, and millions were watching the live stream online.

“He has devoured all the virtual reality esports in existence and has lifted the fifth championship cup of ‘Legend of Fighter’ with just one sword! Glory to the true overlord of the virtual reality world!”

This year, Ha-won was twenty-five years old.

A pro gamer for ten years.

With overwhelming, monstrous talent, he mastered all genres and finally conquered ‘Legend of Fighter,’ the game with the most users in the world, becoming a true ‘champion.’

It was the moment he had dreamed of all his life.

He had chased the top spot that everyone in the world had to recognize as the best.

“Finally…”

He took a step forward and reached out for the championship cup. The 99% pure silver cup, shining brilliantly, looked exceptionally large and beautiful.

“What…?”

But why?

No matter how much he reached out for the cup, it didn’t get closer; instead, it seemed to move farther away.

Like a mirage.

What was happening?

Just as Ha-won panicked, the world suddenly turned pitch black.

A pain that gripped his heart spread throughout his body.

“Ugh!”

Beep- Beep- Beep!

“The patient’s condition is abnormal!”

“He should have been fine until this year, so why is he having a heart attack?”

“That’s not the problem! His heart isn’t beating at all, as if it turned to stone!”

“This, this condition… is unprecedented…”

Were those the voices of doctors and nurses?

It was familiar. Due to his incurable brain and heart disease, he had often heard such voices since he was young.

The world was dark. The championship cup had long since disappeared. Now, even enduring the pain squeezing his heart and brain was overwhelming.

“Ah.”

He realized.

“I am dying.”

The doctor had said he could hold on for another year, or at most two, but why had it come to this? Had he overexerted himself in the finals? After all, he had desperately fought against the runner-up gamer, who was strongly suspected of using cheats.

“I can’t die… yet…”

His goal had been to become the world’s best champion. Ha-won thought he would have no regrets if he died today, having achieved that goal.

But today, the moment he became a champion, he saw it.

The path of light that could elevate him not just in virtual reality, but also in real life, beyond his limits as a swordsman.

“If I could just go a bit further, I might reach it…”

His consciousness grew hazy, and even his hearing, the last remaining sense, began to fade.

So, this was how he would die.

This was the end.

At that moment.

Flash!

“Ugh?!”

Suddenly, a dazzling light burst forth, causing Ha-won to raise his hand to shield his face.

“My hand, it moves?”

As he hurriedly examined his hand… Ha-won instinctively looked up and witnessed an ‘overwhelming presence,’ leaving his mouth agape.

A pair of massive silver eyes.

Realizing how enormous they were, Ha-won stepped back in awe.

A gigantic silver dragon with a pair of horns and two pairs of wings.

That was the identity of the eyes.

“Wh-who are you?”

“I am Kalanthatis, the oldest guardian of the continent of Astera and the Dragon King of the Moon.”

A deep, resonant voice echoed in Ha-won’s ears as if it were coming from a cave.

“Great warrior standing at the end of death. I have come to prevent your unjust death.”

“Unjust… death? Didn’t I die from a heart disease?”

“No. It was the gods who planted bombs in your heart and brain.”

What was this nonsense? Was he dreaming a crazy dream just before dying?

“The gods feared that a hero too great might attain divinity surpassing their own, so they enacted a hero-killing.”

“Hero-killing?”

The words didn’t make sense.

After all, Ha-won was just a gamer.

A gamer who was much better than others, but still just a gamer.

“I am neither a hero nor a warrior.”

As he showed a tense expression, the silver dragon lowered its head slightly.

Though it looked like it was gazing down at Ha-won, the eyes did not carry a condescending look.

Rather, they seemed to hold infinite respect for him.

“Your achievements are great.”

“Countless battlefields, an undefeated commander.”

“You saved 419 worlds, achieved victories in a total of 1,000 battlefields, hunted millions of monsters and demons, and defeated hundreds of demon lords. Your accomplishments are undoubtedly something even the gods would fear.”

“…?!”

Ha-won was deeply shocked by those words.

“What have I done? A thousand battlefields… surely not?”

Today, Ha-won, as a champion, had achieved a total of 1,000 wins in official international matches.

“Are all those my virtual reality game records?”

His mind grew dizzy. Not just the gods, even the overwhelming presence of the dragon seemed to be under some misconception.

Realizing this.

A rising anger.

“Damn it…”

“Are you resentful and angry that you were killed by the gods?”

Ha-won nodded.

“I finally saw it. How far my sword could reach.”

To kill him just to obstruct that tiny dream.

“Then… how about making a contract with me?”

“A contract?”

Raising his head again, Ha-won faced Kalanthatis. The gigantic silver eyes no longer scared him.

“If you make a contract with me, you will become the second contractor to succeed Kaladan and gain a new life.”

“A new life…”

Ha-won pondered deeply.

So, basically, he was being offered another life… but there must be a price to pay, right?

“There is no such thing as a free lunch.”

The thought of possibly living again made his heart race, but he had to stay calm. Good deals always came with a significant price.

“What are the terms of the contract?”

“The will to endlessly strive and challenge to become stronger. How about that?”

At those words, Ha-won’s heart seemed to beat again, despite having already stopped.

“Is that really enough?”

“Yes. As you grow stronger, I will also gain power and will be able to revive for the world once more. If you wish, you could even take revenge on the gods.”

Ha-won clenched his fist tightly.

“It’s a deal too perfect to be true.”

“Are you glad to get a chance to take revenge on the gods?”

He touched his trembling chest.

The pain in his heart had completely vanished, leaving only excitement to dominate his soul.

“No… that doesn’t matter. If I can wield a sword again, that’s enough for me.”

“…”

Kalanthatis fell silent. Though it was an unexpected answer, the silver light that began to shine brilliantly suggested he was smiling.

“A splendid warrior.”

“Let’s make a contract. After all, I’m practically dead already, so what can’t I do?”

The silver dragon, seemingly satisfied, began to step back.

As the world started to be engulfed in darkness once more, an unknown pressure began to press down on Ha-won’s entire body.

“What the…”

As the excruciating pain of being crushed enveloped his body, he couldn’t hold back and let out a scream.

“Gasp!”

When he came to his senses, his consciousness was fully intact.

For some reason, he felt lighter, and there was no headache, only a refreshing feeling. As he instinctively raised his hand, Ha-won was shocked to see his shrunken palm.

“My, my hand?!”

Running to a nearby old, rusty mirror, he touched his cheek with a bewildered expression.

“What is this…?”

In the mirror, Ha-won had become a complete child.