A lush green forest. Towering trees are covering my vision. Golden rays creep through their leaves, illuminating the dark path ahead.

Massive scratches on the tree trunks hint that dangerous animals inhabit this area.

The unknown flowers decorate the grassy path like a natural garden. It is reminiscent of the prehistoric era... I wouldn't be surprised if a T-Rex suddenly peeks out from behind the trees.

But those beams of light trailing across the hexagonal sky, beautifully, keep reminding me that this is not Earth.

No, this isn't a scene from a new sci-fi movie.

I can smell the sweet scent of the flowers, feel the moist air, and feel the gentle breeze brushing against my skin. Yes, it's very much real.

"Rustle, rustle."

I can hardly hear my tiny footsteps as I sprint across the soft, grassy path. To someone else, my outfit might seem out of place here— a black jacket with white laces, paired with a short skirt over shorts, white sneakers, and oversized black headphones.

It's not like I'm here by choice.

"Huff, huff."

My breath is coming out in short bursts. Sweat collects on my delicate forehead and drips down. My golden eyes, usually bright like the stars, are starting to dim. My silky black hair whips behind me, like waves crashing over rocks, as I dash through the wilderness, crossing the bushes and vines in my path.

It's catching up... Why won't it just give up?

I halt my steps, looking around in a panic.

That's... a fallen tree trunk, and it's hollow! I crouch down, adjust my skirt, and crawl inside, holding my breath. If anyone is watching, they might think that I'm just a little girl playing hide-and-seek with her friends.

Unfortunately—my pursuer is not a friend. It's not even human.

"Swoosh!"

A shadow moves between the trees at incredible speed, like a gust of wind. A canine, coated in jet-black fur, with a spiked metal collar around its neck, complementing its menacing form.

A dog lover might mistake it for a Doberman. But it's much worse...

Its crimson eyes are staring into my very soul. Blood-red gems are attached to its limbs. Sharp blades extending from its joints glitter in the dim sunlight—resembling the scythe of the Grim Reaper itself.

If this place were hell, this beast would fit as its gatekeeper.

And I know its name. How? Because the information flashes on the flickering screen of the box hanging from my pocket.

[Name: Dobermon]

[State: Wild]

[Level: 4]

[Attribute: Vaccine]

I mash the buttons on the box—but nothing. Is it bugging?

The beast stops near the tree where I'm hiding. Its spiky ears twitch, and it tilts its head upward toward the sky.

"Owooooo!"

A bone-chilling howl echoes through the forest. The sound pierces through me. Instinctively, I press my headphones tighter over my ears, but it's no use.

"Thud, thud."

My heart is pounding as I hear footsteps coming closer. Move! My legs! But, they refuse to obey—they're paralyzed. I'm used to pressure, but this is different...

If only this were just a nightmare… Maybe I shouldn't have logged in today.

"Crack!"

The demon beast's blades cleanly slice through the top of the tree trunk, like a knife chopping through fresh vegetables. Our eyes meet, and my body freezes in place.

Its jaws open wide, and a jet-black sphere starts to form between the sharp fangs as if the darkness of night itself has been compressed into a single point.

Wait… this… this is a special move—a finisher.

Is this it?… I wonder if anyone will find my body back in my cramped apartment.

"Thud!"

The demon beast leaps into the air. My heart races as the dark aura swirls around its jaws, locking onto me like a sniper zeroing in on its target.

There's no way out... I can't even say that I lived a good life. Friends? Family? My life was filled with overtime, day after day.

I close my eyes in fear.

"Schwarz Strahl—"

The attack's name rings in my ears, sending a chill down my spine. Most people, when faced with death, probably think of their loved ones. But me? A different thought crosses my mind. If only there were someone who cared for me. Someone who would stand by me and protect me. But that's a fantasy for someone like me.

I squeeze the box tightly. A tear slips from my eye and lands on the rough surface.

Fine—I lied! I don't want to die... Not like this...

"Whoosh!"

The charging phase is complete… any moment now, the beam will strike through my body.

It's over... Please... someone...

As if answering my plea, warmth spreads through my palm. It's gentle, and soothing, like a touch that washes away all my fears.

I open my eyes just in time to see a blinding light shoot from the box. A bright comet cuts through the sky… No, it's more like a golden trident, flying straight at the demon beast's jaws. The impact twists its head, and the black sphere vanishes into nothingness.

And then she appears.

A young girl, no older than twelve or thirteen, with smooth, pale skin and long, silver hair that flows like a river. She wears a white habit adorned with golden designs, similar to what you'd see a nun wear, but with a frilly petticoat and knee-high boots trimmed in gold. She's cute—almost silly-looking. Her silver eyes have crosses stitched into them, and her pink klobuk, with its rabbit ears and wing-like cape, gives her an angelic appearance. The strangest part is the face on her klobuk—it mimics her every expression.

I've seen her many times before. But this time, she feels too real. Her form was like a little angel who answered my prayers, telling me "Everything will be okay".

Her petticoat flutters, and for a moment, I catch a glimpse of her white panties.

She glances at me with a reassuring smile before turning to face the demon. Her cherry-colored lips part as she speaks.

"How dare you…"

Her voice, sweet yet filled with fury, rings not through my headphones but directly in my ears... This voice—doesn't sound artificial.

"You stupid mutt!" She easily spins the golden trident in her tiny, soft hands, pointing it straight at the stunned beast.

"How dare you threaten my dear big sister?! Blanc will tear your data apart and scatter it across the Dust Kingdom!"

"…Wait, sister? Since when? I didn't add it to your status!" I blink at the girl as she makes an absurd declaration. Didn't the handbook say that they only repeated scripted lines?

The box in my hand flickers, the screen has changed without me noticing.

A new window pops up, showing a familiar menu.

[Name: Blanc (Sistermon Blanc)]

[DP: 3000]

[State: Main Partner (Active)]

[Level: 3]

[Attribute: Vaccine]

[Special Move: Divine Pierce (Finisher), Protect Wave (Support)]

[Battle Starting…]

How did I end up in this situation again?... Just a few hours ago, it was the same monotonous life...

It was a rough day as usual.

I open the door of my shabby one-room apartment and look at the wall clock illuminated by the dim streetlight peeking through the open window.

[9:05 pm]

I clean the drops of sweat on my face.

Late again… Why am I the only one always stuck with these unreasonable shifts?

["Lily, can you go fetch those documents?"]

Why don't you bring them yourself for once?

["Lily, I have some urgent matters to attend to. Can you do my part for today? I'll make it up to you later."]

Well, you never do. But it's not like I can refuse, right?

["Overtime pay? Ms. Lee, this is just a minor work."]

Sure, but I should still be paid for my service after work hours are over.

["We got a complaint again. Ms. Lee, you're on the product team, right? You better prepare a written apology letter within today."]

Why? I'm not the only person on the team.

Of course, I can't say no to any of these. In these companies, unless you have strong connections, it's hard to keep your job without pleasing the higher-ups. Especially for an introvert like me.

You'll get promoted as long as you work hard... It's just naive thinking. All you can do is shut your mouth and obey your superiors.

"Clutch, clutch,"

The floor is rustling again, thin cracks, like spiderwebs are visible over the floorboards. Honestly, the cheap rent is the only reason I'm still staying here.

Entering the dim light of the bathroom, I take off my clothes and wrap the towels around me.

"Hiss."

The warm shower water washes over my rough skin.

"Sigh." It's September already, just a month away from my 29th birthday... It's getting tiring...

"Buzz."

I walk out of the bathroom while drying my hair with the cheap hairdryer I bought online. Tiny drops of water, like gemstones, fall over the cracked floor.

Every day is almost the same… Wake up, work, come back late, eat, sleep, repeat. Sometimes I wonder why I'm even going on, without any purpose…

Except for today. Today is different.

I quickly slip on a casual white t-shirt with the word "Dive" printed on it in a blocky font. Hmm, a short skirt will do just fine.

I tie my hair with the pink hairclip, resembling a flower over the dark bushes.

"Chug!"

This energy drink is almost tasteless. A cheap brand, it's all I can afford anyway.

"Now, next is…" Why I'm so excited today? Today is the new update of my comfort game "Digimon Daydream".

The full dive metaverse-based VR game with over 35 million players worldwide. This game was a hit even from the first week. Although, some say that the backing of the global IT company, Abadin Electronics plays a huge role in it.

Whatever it may be, the game is praised with overly positive reviews by every critic.

A fully immersive MMORPG where you can interact with the AI pets called Digimon. This game allows a massive amount of activities—from brainstorming your team building to just playing with your partners in the virtual landscape or aiming for the top of the ranking. On top of that, every single object in the game can be interacted with. You can even design your base and manage your own Digimon village in the game.

There are very few games in the market that give this much freedom to the player. It's the only place where I can forget about my daily struggles and immerse myself in enjoying the world.

What was the new content you ask? The Infinity Tower. A procedurally generated map filled with rare new items and Digimon. There are even rumors of a new boss Digimon that'll be sitting at the top of the tower and defeating it will give a super powerful loot. Well, not like that part matters to a casual player like me, good luck to the hardcore gamers.

"Okay, cable in. Headset on."

I put on the pitch-black VR headset and lay down on the bed.

Switch on!

"Well, goodbye mundane world!!"

["Digimon Daydream"]

[Start game?]

[Yes] [No]

"Yes!"

And then, my senses were pulled into the virtual world.

At that time, I had no way of knowing that this game had other plans for me.