8KLP

A good-for-nothing NEET has spent his entire life playing one MMORPG to become the top player in every possible aspect of the game. When the game is announced to shut down, he is crushed, as his entire life's effort is completely gone. 

Fortunately, a new "Second Phase" to the game is announced, to which he is allowed to carry over some of his current progress in the game. However, this new game isn't what he was expecting - the platform for this game is... the real world. 

A shut-in who hasn't gone outside for as long as he could remember must find a way to defeat the monsters destroying the planet and rise again to become the greatest player the world has ever known, and maybe, with the help of his friends and family, learn how to confront his fears and trauma to finally face the world outside of his parents’ basement.

Next-Level NEET

The day that the new game from the Orpheon Online developers launches.


I've been waiting for this! Oh, May Day. What a wonderful day!


Today, I woke up extra early - 1:00 pm rather than the usual 3:00 pm - so I could get the news. I went into the devs' website.


On the home page there stood in large, bold letters: "ORPHEON PHASE 2 GRAND OPENING!"


Oh, man, it's out already? I have to get to it! Where can I find it?


I searched throughout the website. In the Games tab, where they list their games, there was Orpheon Online, but nothing else. What's the deal with that?


I had no idea how to get the game. How am I supposed to play it when they don't even tell you how to get it?


I decided to contact ken about this through the Grand Cross guild Discord.


orpheon #1 player: hey ken! you there? do you know how to get the new game from the orpheon devs?


orpheon #1 player: hey! are you there? @kentaros! @kentaros! @kentaros!


kentaros!: best, is that you? what are you doing? are you safe?


orpheon #1 player: wtf you saying? do you know how to get the game?


kentaros!: what? what have you been doing until now?


orpheon #1 player: i just woke up ok now tell me how to get the game man


kentaros!: you've been sleeping? the game's started since noon!


orpheon #1 player: ok so where can i play it JUST TELL ME


The nerve! This guy tells ME to go outside? Nobody tells me to go outside, or to touch grass, or to--


kentaros!: i have to go, man. please just look out the window and see what's going on


I got off my chair and walked towards the basement exit. I haven't gone out for... as long as I can remember, it seems.


Slowly, I made my way up the stairs and emerged onto the earth. The house was completely empty, and the front door was dangling open, letting in the cool breeze. What's going on?


I made my way out the door, my eyes closing from the brightness of the outer realm, the world above my underground lair. The smooth wind caressing your skin, the radiant sunlight flashing upon your eyes, the fresh scent of burning flesh... I've forgotten how being outside feels like...


I rapidly opened my eyes to see flames arising from the buildings across the street. Within those flames seemed to be dark, gigantic humanoid creatures on a rampage. A sudden gargantuan figure flew over my head, casting the shadow of a human.


I dashed back into the house as soon as possible.


"What the hell, what the hell, what the hell..."


I was struggling to even comprehend what was happening. Is it a dream? Have I finally gone delusional from all my days locked up in my isolated cave?


Just then, blue window flashed in front of me. Kind of like a window on a computer, but... in real life? A hologram?


Welcome to the second phase of Orpheus Online!


We have developed all-new, cutting-edge technology to bring players a much more immersive experience!


With the use of advanced augmented reality, we are now able to bring the game from the screen, into real life!


We hope you enjoy the new game! And remember, Keep Adventuring!


Prologue Part 3: May Day