Chapter 3: Shadows Stir in Dream Land

Zihad's heart raced as the world around him shifted from the physical to the digital. The hum of the full-dive system in his pod was the only sound accompanying him as his body transitioned into the game. The moment his vision blurred, his consciousness was pulled into Dream Land Fantasy.

Dream Land Fantasy – System Booting

Identity: Masked

Player Verified

Welcome, Player Kairo Yuma

His surroundings took shape with a sudden burst of color, and before him stood a sky of violet and pink hues, with towering trees of crystal stretching far above. The ground beneath him was soft, unlike anything he had ever felt, as if reality itself had been rewritten. The air smelled fresh and wild, filled with the scent of something ancient and untamed.

Hidden Class Activated: Phantom Reaper

Subclass unlocked: Shadow Caller

Unique Perk Gained: Soulchain—50% damage reduction for summoned undead.

Zihad felt his body change, not physically but in the sense of how his mind connected with the environment. His virtual avatar, Kairo Yuma, stood tall and silent, cloaked in a dark shroud, the spectral blade he wielded humming with dark energy. He glanced around—no one was near. In fact, the area was eerily empty. He was isolated in this piece of the world, far from where most new players had spawned.

With a subtle shift of his thoughts, he activated his first skill: Soulchain. His hands flexed, and in an instant, a gust of cold wind swept across the land. His surroundings rippled with power, as if the game itself had begun to recognize him.

Summoning Undead: Spectral Minion x1

A faint wisp of smoke appeared before him, slowly materializing into a translucent figure. The skeletal minion stood silently, awaiting orders. Zihad observed the faint green glow of its eyes and the hollow sockets beneath its hooded cloak.

He smiled, satisfied with his new power.

"Let's test you out," he muttered to the minion, his voice barely a whisper in the air. Without a word, the skeletal figure stepped forward, awaiting his next command.

Zihad moved, instinctively stepping into the shadows cast by the crystalline trees. The game had only just begun, but he was already miles ahead of the others.

Warning: You are entering an unauthorized zone.

Level Range Warning: 20-50.

He didn't hesitate. The Phantom Reaper class didn't care for warnings. This was his world now. Zihad pushed forward, making his way deeper into the shadows of Dream Land Fantasy.

Meanwhile, on the global scene, the excitement about Dream Land Fantasy was overwhelming. It had only been a few hours since the game's release, but it was already everywhere. Players were streaming their first steps in the game, giving opinions, and sharing tips. Thousands of discussions about characters, classes, and strategies were already flooding online forums.

[Global Chat]

Player1: "Did you guys see Kairo Yuma? Who the hell is he? No guild, no stream, and he's already killing bosses."

Player2: "Dude, no way. He's gotta be a dev account, right? No way a new player soloed a boss like that."

Player3: "It's real. I saw it too. He doesn't even have a rank. He's just... not like the rest of us."

Zihad ignored the chatter. While others were scrambling to get ahead in the early game by hunting basic monsters and rushing through tutorial quests, he had already ventured into places no one else could reach. And that was exactly how he wanted it.

As Zihad ventured deeper into the game world, the atmosphere grew thicker. The further he went, the more oppressive it felt. He arrived at a darkened cavern, its entrance obscured by large rocks and foliage. A faint glow emanated from within, casting an eerie light on the surrounding trees.

A prompt appeared before him.

Quest Unlocked: Reawaken the Forgotten Army

Reward: Summon – Bone Legion (Elite)

He stepped forward, the dark energy around him intensifying. The quest felt dangerous, but that was exactly what Zihad wanted. The game had been designed with hundreds of quests, but this one felt… different. It spoke to him in a way the others hadn't.

Inside the cave, rows of skeletons lay scattered across the floor, like forgotten remnants of another age. Dust covered their ancient armor, and their bones were frail.

Warning: Zone contains hostile entities beyond your level range.

But Zihad didn't care for warnings. He raised his spectral blade, and with a single motion, slashed the ground in front of him. Dark energy surged through his body, coursing into the walls. The skeletal figures began to stir, their hollow eyes flashing to life.

Bone Legion Awakened – 12 units available.

New Skill: Chain Command – Control multiple summons with a single thought.

Zihad stepped back as the skeletons slowly rose, their bodies cracking and shifting as they formed into a defensive line. He grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. For the first time, he felt that rush—an unexplainable thrill that coursed through his veins. This was the power he had built up to, the game he had been dreaming of.

The Bone Legion stood at attention, awaiting his command.

"Let's see what you can do," he muttered, as he took control of the summoned army. The skeletal warriors moved with fluid precision, each one responding to his every thought.

Back in the real world, news of Zihad's mysterious exploits began to spread quickly. His name was already popping up in global discussions. Players and viewers around the world had noticed something odd: the way he played. The way he moved through the game as if he was born in it, moving effortlessly past the most difficult areas.

[Global Chat]

Player4: "Kairo Yuma just soloed a dungeon boss with a spectral weapon. How the hell is that possible?"

Player5: "No clue. But I've been watching his movements. His style is weird, like he knows the game too well. It's almost as if he's not just playing it—he's controlling it."

Zihad continued to play in silence, his mind focused on the task ahead. He didn't care about the rumors or the chatter. His focus was entirely on the game, the world he had created, and what was coming next.

For now, the players of Dream Land Fantasy were just beginning to unlock the mysteries of the world. But Zihad knew better. This wasn't just a game. It was something far more complex, something he would have to control if he ever wanted to see it fully realized.

And with every passing moment, he was getting closer.

End of Chapter 3