Player Hoshigari
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Exo-Arcana Online
better known as EAO—has taken the world by storm. This next-generation full immersion VR MMORPG is a global phenomenon, praised for its breathtakingly immersive world, high-intensity combat, and cutting-edge AI-driven NPCs, monsters, and bosses that rival human intellect. With a vast array of classes, weapons, and endless strategic possibilities, EAO has drawn in over 100 million players worldwide, cementing its status as the ultimate VR experience...
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A storm of steel and sorcery raged within the throne chamber of the Demon King. Marble pillars stood cracked, the once-grand banners of a dark empire torn and tattered from the battle's ferocity. The air smelled of scorched stone and blood as two figures clashed in an explosive display of skill and power.
One was a knight clad in obsidian and gray armor, a flowing black cloak billowing behind him. In his right hand, he wielded a massive purple greatsword, its edge crackling with a faint, ominous glow. His left hand gripped a crimson dagger, its blade dripping with the energy of his latest strike. This was Hoshigari, the enigmatic player feared and revered across countless MMORPGs.
His opponent, the Demon King Alvirikdt, loomed before him, adorned in royal battle garb of deep crimson and jet black, a crown of darkened obsidian and burning orange horns marking his demonic lineage. His blade, a colossal, jagged greatsword pulsating with corrupted energy, met Hoshigari's weapons in a shower of sparks.
The battle had been relentless. Alvirikdt's strikes were brutal, each swing of his demonic weapon capable of leveling fortresses. But Hoshigari danced between them, weaving through the storm of steel with calculated precision. The Demon King snarled, frustration creeping into his attacks. Hoshigari had already deciphered his attack patterns, feints, and openings.
CLANG! CLANG! SCHIIIIING!
The knight parried a downward cleave with his greatsword, then twisted his wrist—a flawless redirection! Alvirikdt staggered slightly, just enough for Hoshigari to go on the offensive. With a sudden dash, he unleashed a vicious flurry of slashes, thrusts, and sweeps—a seamless fusion of speed, skill, and raw force.
"YOU ARE NOT EVEN HUMAAAAAAN!!" the Demon King bellowed in rage, his voice shaking the chamber.
Hoshigari's eyes gleamed coldly beneath his helm. With a final pivot, he surged forward, his purple greatsword carving through the air in a flawless arc. The blade met resistance for only a fraction of a second before slicing cleanly through.
SCHLLAAAAK!
The Demon King's head spiraled through the air, his body crumbling into disintegrating pixels. The grand throne room fell into eerie silence.
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Then—
WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT: PLAYER [HOSHIGARI] HAS SUCCESSFULLY DEFEATED THE DEMON KING ALVIRIKDT!
As the system notification blared across the game world, chaos erupted in the world chat.
[WORLD CHAT]
Random Player 1: "Hoshigari AGAIN?! SERIOUSLY?!"
Random Player 2: "This guy is on a ridiculous win streak! How does he do it?!"
Random Player 3: "I heard he's mastered EVERY melee-type class in this game already. Insane."
Random Player 4: "Wait, REALLY?! No way, that's gotta be an exaggeration!"
Random Player 5: "Nah, it's real! He just shot up into the top 10 ranked players!"
Random Player 6: "Dude, I heard he's played and COMPLETED over 50 MMORPGs worldwide. Like, conquered ENTIRE GAMES before moving on."
Random Player 7: "Yeah, but the craziest part? He always plays solo. No guild, no team—he just outplays even the strongest clans."
Random Player 8: "And he's not afraid to counter-kill PKers either. A total Anti-Hero."
Random Player 9: "But no one even knows WHO HE IS!"
Random Player 10: "I mean, his name sounds Japanese, right? Probably from Japan."
Random Player 11: "Yeah, but that's all anyone knows. NO interviews, NO streams, NO voice chats. He's a ghost."
Random Player 12: "A guy who mastered every melee class across 50+ VR MMORPGs, outplays top guilds, and takes on Player Killers without hesitation… HOW IS THIS GUY NOT ON AN E-SPORTS TEAM?!"
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...
Alert: You have successfully defeated Demon King Alvirikdt.
A young voice erupted with excitement. "YES! I'm done with this game... FINALLY! HAHAHAHA! DSO, you have been completed and conquered! YEAH! Another MMORPG done and dusted!"
"Little bro Akito!~ Dinner's ready!" Akito's big sister, Akiko, called out to him.
"Alrighty then! SO LONG, DEAD SET ONLINE!" Akito logged off, removed his VR headset, stretched, and placed DSO's game chip back into its case before exiting his room.
"Comiiiiing!~" he shouted, cracking his neck as he walked into the dining area. "What's for dinner?"
"We're having curry! And Mom and Dad are arriving late again!" Akiko replied.
"Curry, huh?" Akito mused, sitting down with his sister. "ITADAKIMASU!"
Surprised? You never would have expected the infamous Hoshigari player to be just a second-year high school student, huh? Well... that's the truth. My name's Akito Hoshigane, and yes, I am that Hoshigari. Everything those players were saying? It's true. I always play solo, go rogue, and master every melee-type class in every MMORPG I touch. Outplaying guilds and clans? Yeah, that part's mostly true too. I've finished missions before some guilds even started em, wrecked jealous players, and climbed the rankings despite being a lone wolf. And counter-killing Player Killers? Hell yeah, I play the Anti-Hero, and I take pride in it.
"So, did you finish that game you bought four days ago?" Akiko asked between bites.
"DSO? Yeah, pretty mid level stuff though" Akito replied casually, shoveling more food into his mouth.
Only my sister, Akiko Hoshigane, and my parents, Ayane & Ren Hoshigane, know my secret identity. My folks don't mind my gaming as long as I keep my grades high. But here's the thing: I've only played old, low, and mid-rated MMORPGs—maybe two high-rated ones. That means I'm only known in the mid-tier VR MMORPG world. Why don't I play those high-end, never-rate-dropping, ultra-popular VR MMORPGs? Simple—I can't. Our family isn't financially well-off. My parents work their asses off, my sister juggles college and a part-time job, and I... well, I'm still in high school. Honestly, I wish I could help with our financial problems. But to be brutally honest, gaming is all I have.
"Thanks for the food, sis! It was great as usual!" Akito said, placing his plate in the sink, flashing a warm smile.
"Awh!~ Don't mention it, little bro!" Akiko chirped, then internally panicked. "I CANNOT let my cute lil' bro know I just bought this from the convenience store! It would ruin my reputation as the best big sister!"
Yeah… my big sis is a brocon. She tries not to show it, but... it's way too obvious...
Back to the point—I've always wondered how I could help my family. I never found an answer to that… until the next day. My birthday. Unfortunately, it's on a school day. Sigh Just let me get through tomorrow without some teacher dumping a pile of stress on me. That's all I aaask.
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The next day…
Akito sat in class, lazily rummaging through his bag. His ears perked up as he caught wind of his classmates' conversation.
"Yo! Did you hear about the latest EAO news?!"
"Yeah! Atylfa has been on a roll! She just wiped out the Super Boss Megranzel!"
"She's insane!"
"Well, duh! She's literally Nozumi Nozuki from Class 2-A! One of the most popular and smartest girls in school!"
"The 'Cool Flower!' And in EAO, she's known as 'Snow Light!'"
The conversation blurred into the background as Akito's mind fixated on one thing.
EAO... Exo-Arcana Online, huh? That VR MMORPG that's been breaking records nonstop… He sighed. Damn, I'm jealous! I bet that game is crazy fun to play... Ugh, so un-flippin'-faaaaaaiiiir…!
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As the school bell rang, signaling the end of classes, Akito Hoshigane stretched his arms before lazily grabbing his phone. With a few taps, he dove into the latest news about Exo-Arcana Online (EAO), the ever-popular VR MMORPG that had captivated players worldwide.
His eyes skimmed through articles on the fighting mechanics, balance updates, and casual playstyles before landing on a leaderboard update showcasing the top five ranked players:
Rank 5 - Striking Eagle
Title: Unbounded Wind
Nationality: Emirati
Real Name: Naseem Al-Ameer
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Class: Greatsword Tank
Sub-Class: Enhancer
Exo Ability: Armor Hardening
Clan: CloakedxShield
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Rank 4 - Yukihikari (Snow Light)
Title: White Spear of the Snow
Nationality: Japanese
Real Name: Nozomi Nozuki
Gender: Female
Age: 18
Class: Spear Striker
Sub-Class: Appraiser
Exo Ability: Weapon Buffer
Clan: Lamp Lyte
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Rank 3 - Feihong 601D3N
Title: Silent Phantom Thief
Nationality: Chinese
Real Name: Jin Xiahong
Gender: Female
Age: 21
Class: Assassin
Sub-Class: Thief
Exo Ability: Realistic Holo-Clone
Clan: Lamp Lyte
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Rank 2 - Fin Fisher
Title: Great Cast Magician
Nationality: Australian
Real Name: Finn Strathmore
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Class: Mage (Specializes in Water and Wind Arcana)
Sub-Class: Enchanter
Exo Ability: Neurotic Multi-Cast
Clan: Ocean-Striders
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Rank 1 - NeoXPrisma
Title: Cyber Bladed Paladin
Nationality: American
Real Name: Orion Vance
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Class: Sword Saint
Sub-Class: Hacker
Exo Ability: Doubled Strike
Clan: Plasmic Trigger
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As Akito walked while fixated on his screen, his mind wandered. Yukihikari huh... Hmm?... Wait... why is it so noisy?
Before he could react, he bumped into someone—hard.
"Sorry! Didn't watch where I was goin'," Akito blurted out, rubbing his forehead from the impact.
"Oh, uh... no, it's okay! It's not really your fault!" came a gentle yet surprised response.
Akito looked up, blinking as he realized he had just walked straight into none other than Nozomi Nozuki—EAO's renowned Yukihikari, but Akito never recognized her.
A dense crowd of students had gathered around her, chatting excitedly. Some gushed about her recent exploits in EAO, others tried to get her attention, and a few even recorded the moment as if meeting a celebrity.
Akito, however, barely reacted beyond an awkward shrug. He muttered to himself, "Dang, it's noisy... and crowded... Excuse me..." before squeezing his way out of the scene, completely uninterested in the surrounding commotion.
Nozomi turned slightly, watching Akito's back as he walked away. Unlike most students who swarmed her for attention, he didn't even seem to care who she was. But what caught her eye wasn't just his indifference—it was his phone screen.
He was looking at EAO's leaderboard...
A classmate nudged her. "Nozomi, what's wrong?"
She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head with a small smile. "Nothing, really."
With that, she continued on her way, but a lingering curiosity remained in her thoughts.
Who was that guy?
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Akito strolled down the familiar path home, his mind occupied with a swirling mix of anticipation and dread.
"Hmm... I wonder what Mom and Dad have planned for my birthday this time..." he mused, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I just hope it won't be too fancy or extra like last year..." He sighed. "And knowing Sis, she's definitely going to go overboard with it. No doubt about that."
As he reached the front door, he took a deep breath before stepping inside—
"SURPRISE!"
The sudden burst of voices made him flinch, his eyes widening as he took in the sight before him. The living room was decorated with colorful banners, a modest number of balloons, and most importantly—a birthday cake surrounded by an array of delicious food.
"Mom? Dad? Don't you guys have work?" Akito asked, blinking in disbelief.
"Oh, don't worry, hon~!" his mother chimed in, her voice filled with joy. "Me and your father took an early leave just so we could celebrate your birthday properly!"
"Uhh, well... Me and your mother bought the cake and drinks... everything else..." His father let out a small chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "That was all your sister's idea."
Akito's gaze immediately shifted to Akiko, who stood off to the side, blushing while mumbling something under her breath.
"Of course, it was her..." Akito thought to himself, sweatdropping internally in a comedic fashion.
"Oh, and here's your present, son!" His father grinned, holding out a wrapped box.
Akito accepted the gift, staring at it curiously. "Oh... what is it, Dad?"
His father smirked. "Hoho! Knowing you, son, I'm sure you'll absolutely love it! Go on, open it."
Without hesitation, Akito sat down on the couch, his family gathering around as he unwrapped the present. The moment he saw what was inside, his jaw practically hit the floor.
"HAAAAA?! EXO-ARCANA ONLINE?!!! WASN'T THIS GAME CRAZY EXPENSIVE, DAD?!" he exclaimed, nearly dropping the game box in sheer shock.
His father let out a hearty laugh. "It certainly was! Your mother and I pitched in, but honestly, your sister contributed the most. She even used her own money to help pay for it. We told her she didn't have to, but well... uhh... you know how she is when it comes to you..."
Akito felt a vein pop in his head as he screamed internally. "OF-FLIPPIN'-COURSE SHE WAS THE ONE WHO CONTRIBUTED MORE FOR PAYING FOR MY DANG BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!!"
Akiko, still blushing, looked away. "It's not that big of a deal..."
"But... why this game?" Akito asked, still in disbelief.
His mother smiled warmly. "Well, we know how much you love VR games, and despite playing them so much, you've never let your grades drop. We're really proud of you, so we wanted to get you something special—something you'd really enjoy."
Akito felt a warmth spread through his chest. He looked down at the game box, gripping it tightly. "Thanks, Mom... Dad... and... big sis." He muttered the last part, embarrassed but grateful. As he stared at the game, a determined glint appeared in his eyes as he thought, "I'll make sure my family's hard-earned money doesn't go to waste!"
The celebration continued, filled with laughter, food, and the warmth of family. As the day stretched into night, they finally cut the birthday cake, bringing the perfect end to the festivities.
Later that evening, Akito sat on his bed, staring at the game box of Exo-Arcana Online. With a deep breath, he opened it, taking out the game chip before carefully inserting it into his VR headset.
"Alright, here we go..." He muttered, putting the headset on and lying down on his bed. He powered it on, and in an instant—
A brilliant, multicolored tunnel of light surrounded him, rushing past at exhilarating speeds. The sensation of being pulled into a new world sent a thrill through his body.
As the title card Exo-Arcana Online flashed before his eyes, he grinned.
"Start!" he declared with confidence.
His body felt weightless as he shot forward through the tunnel, the world of Exo-Arcana Online awaiting him on the other side.
"Alright! We finally meet, EAO! The unstoppable juggernaut of the VR MMORPG genre!" Akito thought as the rush of adrenaline kicked in. "You better not disappoint me! SHOW ME WHATCHA GOOOOOOOT!!!"
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