Chapter 2: Awakening

Shi Feng stood motionless in the dimly lit room, his mind racing to process the impossible. The familiar scent of old wood and wax lingered in the air, grounding him in the reality that this wasn't some fleeting dream. This was real. Twelve years of hard-earned experience, countless battles fought, and betrayals endured were now his greatest weapon. And he was back in the year when it all began.

Taking a tentative step forward, Shi Feng half-expected the floor beneath him to give way, as if this strange reality might collapse under the weight of impossibility. But the wooden planks creaked softly underfoot, solid and tangible. This was his past, yet he was armed with the knowledge of the future—a treasure trove of secrets that had taken a lifetime to uncover.

He approached the mirror, hesitating for just a moment before gazing at his reflection. Staring back at him was a younger version of himself—vibrant, unscarred by the hardships that had once weighed so heavily on his soul. The weariness that had settled in his eyes over the years was gone, replaced by a sharp, determined gaze that burned with a newfound purpose.

*September 3, 2012.* The date on the calendar loomed large, a beacon signaling the start of a journey he had already walked once before. But this time, it would be different.

Shi Feng clenched his fists, feeling the power of his resolve surge through his veins. He had been given a rare opportunity to change everything, and he wouldn't waste a single second of it. *Quantum Realms: Genesis* was set to launch in just a few days, and this time, he would enter the game not as a mere player, but as a master of its secrets—a force that would reshape its history.

He remembered every hidden dungeon, every rare item drop, every obscure technique that had once taken him years to discover. The knowledge from his past life was his most valuable asset, and he would use it to propel himself to the top from the very beginning.

But before he could dive into the world of *Quantum Realms: Genesis*, there were matters to attend to in the real world. Shi Feng knew that to secure his dominance in the game, he would need resources—both virtual and real.

With his mind racing, Shi Feng sat down at the small wooden desk in the corner of the room and powered on an ancient-looking computer. The low hum of the machine booting up was a far cry from the cutting-edge technology he had grown accustomed to in the future, but it would serve its purpose. The screen flickered to life, casting a pale light over the room as Shi Feng's fingers moved with practiced ease across the keyboard.

He navigated through various forums and websites, gathering the information he needed with the efficiency of someone who had done it all before. He looked up strategies to quickly amass wealth, scoured investment forums for stock tips that would pay off handsomely in the coming years, and identified key players who would rise to prominence in both the gaming and real-world spheres. He even compiled a list of guilds that would become powerhouses in *Quantum Realms: Genesis*, deciding which he would ally with and which he would crush underfoot.

Hours passed in a blur as Shi Feng meticulously laid out his plans. His fingers flew across the keyboard, inputting commands, taking notes, and calculating outcomes with the precision of a general preparing for war. By the time he was finished, the first light of dawn was beginning to filter through the curtains, casting a pale glow over the room.

Shi Feng leaned back in his chair, a sense of satisfaction settling over him as he reviewed his plans. He now had the resources and knowledge to dominate not just the game, but the real world as well. But there was still one crucial task left to accomplish before the game's launch.

He needed to secure his in-game character—the foundation upon which his empire would be built. Shi Feng knew that in order to dominate *Quantum Realms: Genesis* from the very start, he would need to acquire the most powerful class available—the *Sword Saint*. It was a class that had only been discovered years after the game's launch in his previous life, and only a handful of players had ever managed to unlock it.

But this time, Shi Feng knew exactly how to obtain it.

He reached for the VR headset resting on the desk, his fingers brushing against the cool metal. A surge of anticipation coursed through him as he prepared to enter the world that had once consumed his life. He was no longer the hesitant, uncertain player he had been all those years ago. This time, he was a force to be reckoned with.

As he put on the headset and lay down on the bed, the familiar sensation of weightlessness enveloped him. His vision darkened, and for a moment, he was suspended in nothingness. Then, the world of *Quantum Realms: Genesis* began to materialize around him—vivid, immersive, and brimming with endless possibilities.

He found himself standing in the starting area, a vast city of towering spires and bustling marketplaces, where players from around the world would soon converge. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the cobblestone streets as NPCs went about their daily routines. Shi Feng couldn't help but smile. He was back.

Quickly, he navigated through the character creation menus, selecting the human race and customizing his appearance to match the one he had before. When it came to choosing his class, he hesitated momentarily. Instead of selecting the standard swordsman class that most players would pick, Shi Feng scrolled down to a hidden option—a placeholder for an unknown class that only a select few knew about.

Without hesitation, he selected it.

The screen flashed, and a message appeared: **"You have chosen the Unknown Class. Your destiny is shrouded in mystery. Proceed?"**

Shi Feng's smile widened as he confirmed his choice. The game had just begun, and he had already set himself on a path that would alter the course of history.

As his character materialized in the game's world, the weight of his decision settled on his shoulders. He had a long road ahead of him, filled with challenges and dangers that would test his skills and determination. But Shi Feng was ready.

He drew his starting weapon—a basic longsword—and gazed out over the sprawling city. The future was his to conquer, and this time, nothing would stand in his way.