Chapter 2: Neverland

Neverland, or more notably, "Welcome to Neverland" (WTN for short) — though nobody actually calls it that because it's way too cringy — was one of those next-gen RPGs that was supposed to change the gaming industry, or so they said.

Of course, it didn't live up to the hype. The game barely sold 10,000 copies globally. With game-breaking bugs, an absurd price tag for its time, and gameplay that wasn't all that different from other RPGs, it flopped hard. Over the years, it became outdated. With its already low player count dwindling further, the game soon became dead.

Still, it was a live-service game. People never understood why the developers didn't shut the servers down as the player base decreased day by day.

But for me, it has a special place in my heart. It was my first RPG, my first real game. Sure, I played many other games later, but Neverland was pure nostalgia. Even though the bugs were fixed and the graphics updated over time, most players moved on to other RPGs. I couldn't blame the devs when they finally decided to close the servers.

What I don't understand is the screen floating in front of me right now.

"Damn, I thought this was some merch or maybe a Tsukumi action figure! sob sob."

"So what is this supposed to be? A system that grants me power, money, fame?!"

"Welcome to the World of Neverland."

"Huh? This feels like something straight out of an isekai novel. Was I supposed to go to this world but something went wrong?"

"So what am I supposed to do next… hmmm…?"

After poking the screen for a while, it finally changes. A blinding light shoots out from the floating screen.

"*Rub* *rub* *rub*. Ughhhh! Huh?! The screen changed!"

"Welcome to the World of Neverland! Complete quests and earn exciting rewards!"

"Ahahaha! I knew it! The gods have finally favored me! Through heaven and earth, I am the honored one!"

Ahchoo! *Rub* *rub*. "Alright, system, show me my first quest! What do I need to do to get overpowered?!"

"Affirmative, Player. Worry not! The quests are really easy. You just need to follow the game's storyline and do exactly what the protagonist did."

"Oh, so you mean I just need to complete the game's story in real life? Ha ha ha ha."

"Exactly! It's really easy."

"Isn't it? Ha ha ha ha."

"Yeah, I'm not doing it. No Thanks, "

"H-Huh? But why, Player? It's really easy, and it doesn't put your life in any danger. Plus, it's fun!"

"Fun, my ass! I'd rather die than play through that shitty story again."

Even though the game was average and bad in some ways, it wasn't so terrible that it deserved to be dead. Live-service RPGs don't last long, so it was a surprise this one lasted ten years. Yes, that sounds like a lot, but remember: it had multiple DLCs and sequels. It seems the Developers did everything they could to keep the game relevant.

The real reason everyone left was the story. It had every right to be great — the concept was excellent, and so were the characters — but the execution was awful. The story became the sole reason people quit the game.

At one point, they killed off an important and fan-favorite character just for fun. They forgot about old characters every time a new DLC dropped. And the worst part? The game didn't have just one protagonist. It had multiple protagonists, not side characters as no they would be too simple for the players .

Each has their own storyline. Keeping track of everyone's weapons, gear, and connections to the main plot was a nightmare. And when a new protagonist was introduced, they'd kill off another like it was nothing. Worse yet, when a character died, all the skills you leveled up and the gear you equipped were gone. Permanently. So, most players just avoided the story altogether. And it made no sense to play it. 

Eventually, the plot became so jumbled that even veterans who had played for ten years couldn't understand it.

"And now you're telling me to play through that? Yeah, no thanks. Also, how is that even going to work? I can't control a bunch of people and call them my protagonists. I can't level up their gear."

"Player, it's not that complicated. Just listen to my explanation. It's really easy."

"Nope. No way. Not in this lifetime."

"Player, that's—"

*Plang plang!* *Plang plang!*

"Huh? Who's calling—"

"REITO! WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"B-Boss?! W-What happened?!"

"What do you mean, what happened? Did you forget today was your shift? Everyone in the neighborhood is complaining their newspapers haven't arrived yet!"

"Y-Yes, boss! I'm coming! I just got caught up in something."

"Then hurry the hell up, damn it!!!"

"Y-Yes, boss! Right away!"

"Damn. He's definitely going to dock my salary for this."

"Player! Player!"

"Now listen, I have no interest in completing that crappy story. I've got a job to do. If you've got another quest, I'll do it wholeheartedly. But not this. Now stop bothering me."

With that, I'm sure the system will shut up. For now, I need to hurry and deliver the papers before my mom's luck runs out…

Come on, come on… this is the last house. With this, I'm done for the day!

*Pant* *pant* *pant*

"Okay, where *pant* is the mailbox *pant*?"

"Affirmative. The Player has reached the first story character's location. Well done, Player."

"Huh? What do you mean, first story character?"

"As the system stated, in this house lives the first story character you will encounter: [Noel Ark Vagabond]."

"WAIT, WHAT?!"

"Good luck, User. This quest will be a hard one. You're going to need it!"