The Second Life of Adam Cosmos

Adam stood at the city gates, ready to begin the Troll Hunting Quest.

The guard, seeing the gleam of the Gold Tessera in Adam's hand, allowed him passage without hesitation. Without that precious tessera, the guard would have questioned him, explaining the dangers of pursuing trolls ahead of the adventurer groups and Legionnaires. Adam felt a surge of pride, knowing he had earned this privilege.

Summoning Karva, his undead steed, Adam set off toward Gloom Hollow Forest, the last known haunt of the trolls. Most adventurers would need around eight hours on foot or six hours with hired horses, but Adam’s journey was markedly shorter. With Karva’s tireless nature propelling him forward, Adam arrived near the southern part of the forest in just four hours, easily outpacing the typical travel time and feeling exhilarated.

Yet, Adam knew this was just the beginning of a long and perilous journey.

The southern part of Gloom Hollow Forest, while the closest entry point, was notorious for its deadly creatures and hidden traps. Adam recalled stories of countless adventurers who had failed to enter here- both in his previous life and now. Three possible entry points lay before him, each fraught with unique risks and challenges that would test his mettle.

The first option was the southern entry, known as the Ruined Temple. This old, city-sized temple was infamous for being the nearest route into the forest, but it was also the most dangerous. The temple was teeming with undead and ghosts, making it a perilous path. To enter the forest through this route, one had to navigate the underground passages of the Ruined Temple. Based on the massive footprints and shattered stone fragments Adam encountered near the temple's entrance, it was clear that the horde of trolls everyone was hunting had stormed through the complex passageways beneath the structure, forcing their way into Gloom Hollow Forest. Despite Adam’s impressive record of dispatching undead, he did not feel confident about safely traversing this location. Many adventurers had met their end trying to navigate through the Ruined Temple, notorious for being a death trap.

The western route through Dreadshade Swamp posed its own dangers. This murky, fog-laden marsh was infamous for its treacherous, boggy ground and murky waters, which twisted navigation into a perilous challenge. Thick, toxic fumes hung in the air, threatening to ensnare any unwary traveler in a haze of danger. Beyond the marsh lies the Frostfall Cavern, an underground expanse filled with glittering ice formations and frozen waterfalls. The cavern’s intense chill is home to frost-themed creatures and valuable ice crystals.

Deep within the Frostfall Cavern was Mossy Grotto, a lush and overgrown area brimming with vibrant moss and creeping vines. This grotto was known for its healing herbs and medicinal plants, though it was also inhabited by venomous creatures that used the foliage for camouflage. Successfully navigating Mossy Grotto would eventually lead to the Gloom Hollow Forest.

While Adam was confident in trailing the Frostfall Cavern, he harbored concerns about the dangers within Dreadshade Swamp. The marsh's unpredictable nature and the potential for dangerous creatures made this route less appealing.

After careful consideration, Adam chose the eastern route through the Grimnar Grasslands, recognizing it offered a safer passage despite its distance. This vast, seemingly endless expanse was home to various beasts and wandering world bosses, each posing a different challenge on his journey. The grasslands were a formidable challenge, with potential dangers and unpredictable encounters.

It is said that the entire grassland serves as a natural border where the Undead Region- and the Lorikan Republic’s territory ends. And beyond this grassland is the orc’s homeland, Grimnarheim.

At the far end of these grasslands lay Grimnarheim, a rugged land known for its fierce inhabitants. Navigating through the Orcish Territory would grant Adam access to a much easier path leading to the Gloom Hollow Cliffs, which bordered the northern edge of the Gloom Hollow Forest.

Driven by the promise of a safer passage, Adam chose the longer route, hoping to avoid the lurking dangers of the southern Ruined Temple and the treacherous Dreadshade Swamp.

The path that Adam took, while safer than the other two, is still not free from danger. Despite being less perilous than the Ruined Temple or the Dreadshade Swamp, the route through the grasslands is fraught with its threats, where giant wolves and venomous plants lurked, waiting for an unwary traveler. Adventurers must remain vigilant, as the seemingly tranquil landscape hides its challenges. The journey may be less daunting, but it is far from devoid of risks.

The grasslands are alive with the prowling forms of giant wolves, their eyes gleaming with a predatory gleam. These pack hunters move with coordinated precision, their howls echoing through the open fields as they stalk their prey. Their speed and ferocity constantly threaten travelers, forcing them to remain vigilant.

Among the tall grasses and scattered trees, dire bears roam, their massive forms a testament to their sheer power. These imposing creatures can charge with earth-shaking force, their thick fur providing ample protection against the blows of any would-be attackers. Their presence is a reminder of the raw, untamed nature of the grasslands.

The smaller, but no less dangerous, giant spiders weave their webs between the swaying grass. Their silk strands glisten in the sunlight, creating a deadly trap for the unwary. These arachnids lie in wait, their venomous fangs ready to deliver a paralyzing bite to any who stray too close.

Swarming across the grasslands are Beetle Swarms, their relentless advance marked by a constant, chittering noise. These swarms move with a unified purpose, their pincers snapping as they overwhelm travelers with their numbers. The swarms can quickly become a harrowing challenge for anyone who ventures too near.

Goblins are in the shadows and undergrowth, their small, cunning forms darting between the grass and rocks. These creatures are known for their ambush tactics, using the natural cover to launch surprise attacks before retreating into hiding. Their traps and hit-and-run strategies make them a persistent danger.

Adding to the myriad threats are the venomous plants, their vibrant colors a deceptive lure for the unsuspecting. These aggressive flora strike out with thorny tendrils, injecting a toxic substance that can weaken or immobilize those who get too close. Their camouflage among the grasses makes them particularly hazardous.

Although this path is notably longer, it offers far greater safety than the other available routes. Typically, it would take about a week to traverse this path, even with the aid of a horse- and that's assuming one does not stop to rest or fight monsters. However, Adam is confident in his ability to shorten the journey to at least five or six days. His undead steed, tireless and requiring no rest, gives him a significant advantage, allowing him to navigate the path more swiftly and securely.

With his decision made, Adam stood at the edge of the Grimnar Grasslands, the golden sun casting long shadows across the vast, untamed expanse. The swaying grasses before him rippled like a green sea, concealing dangers that lurked in the tall undergrowth—giant wolves, goblin ambushers, and venomous plants. The challenges of navigating the grasslands were undeniable, yet Adam was confident in his chosen path. However, unlike most adventurers, he wasn’t planning to traverse the dangerous landscape step by step.

From his Spatial Ring, Adam retrieved a scroll—faintly glowing, its edges adorned with ancient symbols and delicate script. The parchment had a soft, otherworldly shimmer, marking it as no ordinary item. This was the Blessing for a Travelling Otherworlder, a rare scroll Adam had acquired from the Hao Wei Guild in exchange for his potion-making expertise.

The scroll's description flashed on his status screen:

Blessing for a Travelling Otherworlder

Description: A special scroll that allows a player to safely leave Pangea and let his avatar travel long distances. The avatar will be guided automatically and will avoid combat, item gathering, and any interaction. The effect lasts for 3 in-game days.

It wasn’t hard to see why most professional gamers avoided using such a scroll. While it allowed a player to “auto-pilot” across long distances, the user would forgo opportunities to gather valuable Essence or collect rare items from defeated creatures. It was a trade-off that no serious adventurer or professional player would usually consider. The thrill of combat, the rewards from slain beasts, and the potential for gathering rare herbs or materials were what kept many players fully engaged in the game.

But Adam wasn’t like most players.

He knew the true prize wasn’t in the grasslands themselves or the creatures that roamed within them. The real challenge lay far beyond the sprawling fields, deep in the Orcish stronghold of Grimnarheim. It was there that he would find the key to unlocking his next stage of power. The trolls, with their elusive and deadly nature, were the stepping stones to that goal.

“I’ll take a different kind of victory today,” Adam murmured to himself as he unrolled the scroll.

With a swift, practiced gesture, he activated the ancient magic inscribed on the parchment. A faint, ethereal light enveloped him, and the symbols on the scroll began to glow, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. His body felt lighter as if the world was fading from his senses.

Adam estimated that the entire journey across the Grimnar Grasslands would take roughly six in-game days to complete, far too long for just one scroll's effect. With the Blessing for a Travelling Otherworlder only lasting three in-game days, Adam planned to log back in after 24 hours in the real world, allowing him to reapply another scroll and continue his swift, combat-free journey toward the Orcish Territory. This careful planning would ensure that his travel remained uninterrupted and safe while allowing him to maximize his time away from Pangea.

For now, the scroll would guide his character through the grasslands, carefully avoiding any combat encounters or hazards, automatically charting the safest path toward the Orcish Territory. For three full in-game days, his avatar would make this journey while Adam could log off, returning to the real world for a much-needed rest.

"Three in-game days," Adam muttered as he felt the magic take hold, "which gives me 24 hours in real-time."

He leaned back slightly, already feeling the pull of the real world drawing him away. His journey to Grimnarheim was now set in motion, and his avatar would traverse the treacherous grasslands without him. Knowing that his undead steed, Karva, would tirelessly carry him across the terrain offered him even more reassurance.

With the scroll's effects firmly in place, Adam made the decision to step away from Pangea for the next day. He wasn’t worried about missing out on the potential rewards from the creatures that prowled the grasslands. Those would be small gains compared to what awaited him in the Orcish stronghold.

Back in the real world, Adam stretched his arms and let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. It wasn’t often he allowed himself time away from the intensity of the game, but today, with the Blessing ensuring his journey would progress uninterrupted, he could relax. He had twenty-four hours to catch up on other matters, recharge, and prepare for what would come once he reached Grimnarheim.

He knew the trolls would be his real challenge, and the road beyond Grimnarheim was fraught with its own dangers. But for now, Adam embraced the rare moment of respite, knowing that when he returned to Pangea, his journey through the Grimnar Grasslands would be complete, and he would be one step closer to confronting the trolls in Gloom Hollow Forest.

With a small smile, Adam closed his eyes, logging out and leaving his avatar on its journey. Three in-game days would pass quickly, and when he returned, he would be prepared to face whatever awaited him in the Orcish lands.

***

Adam rose from the game capsule, feeling his body regain full awareness after hours immersed in Pangea. He stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders, a subconscious reaction to hours in the capsule, even though its advanced systems prevented any real stiffness.

Checking the time on his wristband, he noted it was just a few minutes before lunch. 11:45 AM. Not feeling hungry yet, he decided a coffee and cigarette break would be a good way to ease back into the real world. He set the kettle to boil and stepped onto the small balcony connected to his apartment.

The crisp air hit him as he stepped outside, the faint scent of rain lingering in the breeze as it swirled through the streets below. Lighting a cigarette, Adam leaned back against the railing, savoring the contrast between this quiet moment and the intensity of his gaming life.

Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through his inbox—a flood of unread messages waiting. Hundreds had piled up over the past three days alone.

Dozens of emails from DreamWave’s Mercury Auction House flooded his inbox—transaction confirmations for everything from potions to enchanted armor pieces, each a small reminder of his thriving in-game business.

Transaction Confirmation: Sale of 52x Superior Healing Potion

Transaction Confirmation: Sale of 42x Superior Stamina Potion

Transaction Confirmation: Sale of 32x Superior Mana Potion

Transaction Confirmation: Sale of Enchanted Armor Piece - Aegis Plate

Transaction Confirmation: Sale of Frost Ward Scroll

The list went on, chronicling sale after sale. While it was great for his in-game currency and reputation, it also meant a constant barrage of notifications.

Amidst the transaction emails were player requests—some offering trades, others pitching collaborations, and a persistent number of guild recruitment offers.

Recruitment Offer: Join the Sons of the Abyss

Proposal: Exclusive Potion Deal with Night Stalkers Guild

Collaboration Request: New Crafting Ventures in Eastern Pangea

Adam had built a reputation as a skilled alchemist, and everyone from small guilds to major players seemed to want a piece of his expertise.

But one email stood out from the rest. It was from the Hao Wei Guild.

The subject line simply read: "Congratulations"

Curious, Adam clicked it open.

The message was short, but it carried weight.

"Congratulations on becoming the First 1st Class Auxiliary. We value our alliance and want to offer you a special deal. If you’re interested, we can help you earn extra from the recent Noble Rescue Mission you undertook. Let us know if you are interested."

Months ago, Adam had connected with Hao Wei after teaching alchemy to Hao Jun and his granddaughter, Hao Ling. He had declined their invitations to join the guild, but their relationship remained open for business.

The offer to maximize his gains on the recent mission intrigued him. He closed the email and leaned back, feeling the satisfaction of his efforts paying off. Becoming a valued ally of a powerful guild like Hao Wei had long-term strategic implications beyond this mission.

Aside from the business offer from Hao Wei, another email caught Adam’s eye. This one, however, came from a private account within the Hao Wei network.

Adam raised an eyebrow as he clicked it open.

The email wasn’t from Hao Jun directly—someone on his staff clearly wrote it. The formality of the wording and the structured tone gave it away immediately.

Subject: Dinner Invitation at 8 p.m., Hao Wei Palms International Hotel

From: [email protected]

The email read like a standard, well-crafted invitation, extending a formal request for Adam’s presence at a private dinner.

"Mr. Hao Jun has recently been taken out of the pod and would be honored if you could join him for dinner tonight at 8 p.m. at Hao Wei Palms International Hotel. Dr. Isaac Cosmos and his family may also be in attendance, and Mr. Hao looks forward to the possibility of seeing you there."

Adam smirked as he finished reading. 'Classic move, Mr. Hao,' he thought.

While it was technically an invitation to dinner, it was also a subtle maneuver—Hao Jun inserting himself into a family gathering and quite possibly a personal matter without appearing too pushy. But Adam didn’t see it as a negative thing.

He leaned back in his chair, reflecting on his interactions with Hao Jun. Over the past few months in-game, Adam had spent considerable time teaching alchemy to both Hao Jun and his granddaughter, Hao Ling. It was during those extended sessions that Adam had, for the first time, revealed his real-world identity to them.

Needless to say, it hadn’t taken long for Hao Jun to piece together that Adam was the son of Dr. Isaac Cosmos, the very doctor overseeing his treatment. Hao Jun, ever sharp, had quickly picked up on the significance of that connection, though they both had chosen to keep things professional afterward.

Adam considered the business offer he’d received earlier from the Hao Wei Guild. While the proposition was tempting, he decided to put that on hold for now. There was no need to rush into a decision—especially not when dinner with Hao Jun was on the horizon.

Without further hesitation, Adam confirmed his attendance for the evening’s dinner. Whatever Hao Jun had in mind, it would surely be an interesting night. With one last sip of coffee, Adam allowed himself a moment of calm. The real challenges awaited him in Pangea, but for now, he decided to enjoy the moment of peace.

After finishing his coffee, he went to bed to take a nap. But not before setting an alarm; he wouldn't want to be late for dinner.