PROLOGUE: Epic World

There is a game called Epic World.

The story itself is utterly clichéd. A crisis befalls the continent, and the protagonist and his young companions band together to save the world.

The game's difficulty is high, but clearing it isn't impossible.

Epic World features playable characters. You can play as the protagonist-tier character or others on a similar level.

As usual, I booted up Epic World to play.

I hit Y.

While it updated, I scanned the patch notes. Nothing special. Just fixes for a few minor bugs.

But as I scrolled down, my eyes began to gleam.

To sum up the patch: a new version was out, and beyond the playable characters, I could now create a custom character.

I quickly clicked the character creation button.

Hell difficulty?

Epic World only had Hard mode. Honestly, even for me, Hard was getting stale. I'd been hoping for something new.

Jackpot.

I moved the mouse and hit Y.

A status window popped up.

The character creation screen was straightforward.

Just one choice, huh.

A quick look around: anything below S-rank was fair game, except Ex-grade talents.

Well, yeah. Ex-rank would make the game too easy.

S-rank options abounded. Great Potential (S+), rated top-tier for latent ability. Tuner’s Eye (S+), which peeks at monster weaknesses or character info. Tempting stuff.

But most I'd already acquired and tested. I toyed with a speedrun but craved something fun instead.

Perusing talents, techniques, and constitutions, an old combo buried in my notepad resurfaced.

If I do this, I could pull off that combo?

I'd found a "theoretical" route before. Honestly, even theoretically impossible—scrapped it. But now? No issue.

I could pick the alpha-and-omega constitution right away.

I selected it.

But Epic World is a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠game where risks come with rewards. The Reverse Heaven Body circulates a special energy, nullifying mana use. The Reverse Heaven Energy itself rejects mana.

And with this, I can learn that.

Bearers of the Reverse Heaven Body can master a wildly unique "martial art." No mana use is a huge edge—blocks mana-based powers.

Still, Epic World revolves around mana, even if not entirely. What others enjoy, I can't. Not all upside.

With the constitution slotted, the customization screen appeared.

"……."

A man who oddly resembled me stared back. Like a character modeled after my own face.

Coincidence.

I tweaked lightly. Pale skin, high nose bridge, taller stature, smaller face, long legs. Fiddling, I widened the shoulders, trimmed fat for a muscular build.

……Not bad.

The monitor showed a peerless hunk. 185cm, black hair with a brown tint, sharp eyes, a smile that charmed.

I hit character creation.

What name? I pondered—then typed my usual handle, PineapplePizzaIsDelicious.

Or tried to. For some reason, my hand moved on its own, typing my real name.

Lee Seoha. Those three characters.

I clicked Y with the mouse.

The monitor flashed blindingly.

……That's how it all went down.

I woke up inside the game.

Classic academy isekai setup. But with me as the lead? Utterly grim.

"Does this even make sense?"

I'd just been playing a game. No 5,500-character backstory dump, just occasional community gripes—anyone does that.

I slammed my head on the table in despair, but reality didn't budge.

Three days.

For three days, I assessed my situation.

For some reason, I was in a hotel. Paid in full, meals covered—no worries on food, shelter, clothes.

But everything beyond this temp setup is the problem.

Even the hotel had little time left. About two weeks. After that? Over.

If I don't enroll in Korea Hero School, I'm on my own in this world, penniless.

Silver lining? This body's a total stud. Honestly, a relief. Good looks mean survival options.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

And ID exists. I pulled it from my wallet, along with cards.

Photo: blank-faced me. Phone check: cards held about ten million won.

Too iffy to restart from scratch.

I drew the curtains, opened the window. Clear blue sky outside.

"Oh? Sky Island season already?"

"Time flies……."

Pedestrians paused, gazing up. Then a massive shadow engulfed the ground.

There, at its edge. An island floated lazily in the sky.

Sky Island. Exactly as named—an island adrift in the heavens.

"Ha."

A sigh escaped. I clutched my face.

This sight confirmed it: I'd fallen into the game world.

Phone with ten million won. One ID. That's my start here.

No way out.

Truly hopeless. If it were an evolvable Ex-rank, insane Great Potential, god-tier Tuner’s Eye? I'd scrape by.

But Reverse Heaven Body? Straight to suffering.

If I could turn back time, I'd pick Great Potential and grind it out.

Hell, I wouldn't touch this game at all.

I sighed deeply, flopping onto the sofa.

Since arriving, I'd pondered: could the protagonist-tier playable character save this world?

Kim Seohyeon. Probably, yeah.

But me meddling? Question marks everywhere.

This world has "demons" called villains.

No guarantee it'd protect me. Sure, noble heroes abound, but they're strangers.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

In the end, only I can save myself.

So, no choice—enroll in school, whatever it takes.

Luckily, options exist. One way to cheese the entrance exam with Reverse Heaven Body.

Can't rely solely on that. Need backup safety nets.

Cost? All ten million won. But for my life? Bargain.

As resolve hardened—

Ding.

A mechanical chime. A blue window floated in my retina, black text materializing.

"……."

A quest window hovered before me.

I eyed it sourly. Timing too perfect.

Scanning the details: at this point, fretting feasibility is luxury. Must succeed, no matter what.

I read closely. Eyes gleaming brighter.

Buy Talents, Techniques, Constitutions?

This could shortcut my original route in a flash.

Honestly? Pretty playable.