Windchesterftw

In a future where cutting-edge holographic technology blurs the line between games and reality, Mercenary World emerges as the most advanced and immersive MMO ever created—backed by global governments and boasting a 98% reality simulation rate. Players are thrust into a living, breathing world of myth, magic, and warfare, where completing god-level missions can earn real-world riches.

Dawei, a nearly 30-year-old veteran gamer down on his luck, quits World of Warcraft and watches helplessly as other players become millionaires overnight. Driven by desperation and a spark of ambition, he spends his last savings on a full VR setup and logs into Mercenary World, determined to turn his life around.

But fate plays a cruel joke—or perhaps a hidden blessing—when he’s randomly assigned a notoriously impossible S-class mission: Kill the Three-Headed Dragon. Without gear, skills, or allies, he’s dropped into a crumbling city under siege by a monster that no player has ever defeated.

Yet in this ultra-realistic world, Dawei stumbles upon an unexpected loophole: the mission doesn’t immediately fail if he flees. Realizing the game rewards creative problem-solving over brute strength, Dawei begins to uncover the true nature of god-tier missions—ones not designed for brute force, but for those bold enough to think beyond the system.

Armed with only his wits, gaming instincts, and a system-assigned name as unimpressive as “Burdock,” Dawei begins his journey—not just to beat the game, but to beat the odds stacked against every underdog.

The Mercenary World Of Online Games

"Maybe you'll find the answers you seek."

With that, the NPC turned and walked back into the tent, not sparing Dawei so much as a glance. The flap closed behind him with a whisper, but the chill of his words lingered like a cold wind.

Dawei stared at the tent, then sighed and opened his map.

The Cursed Forest.

It sounded like pure side-quest bait. Completely unrelated to his god-level mission. The NPC's tone was clear—if you want answers, go there. But Dawei knew the language of games. That kind of vague clue was a classic dev trick. No quest marker, no objective—just a breadcrumb and the hope you'd take the bait.

Still, it was the only lead he had.

"No choice. If I go, it's probably a pit. If I don't go, I'm definitely in one."

Decision made, he set off toward the west.

The trek was long and punishing. As the morning sun rose, casting a gray light over the wasteland, a massive gate loomed into view. Its design was grim and gothic—like something ripped straight from a Holy See cathedral in a dark fantasy epic.

Dawei stepped beneath its arch, and the system pinged again.

System Prompt:Player is about to leave Dakazan.

In god-tier missions, every prompt matters. Especially ones like this. If the system just warned him of the map change, but didn't say "mission failed," then it meant leaving was part of the mission.

He didn't hesitate. He walked forward.

System Prompt:Player has entered [Cursed Forest].

The map name glowed purple on his screen, and a warning klaxon sounded in his interface.

Warning: The energy in this area is extremely dangerous.

He almost facepalmed. The alert wasn't red, like most danger zones—it was black and purple. That was new. Danger level: Mystery Meat.

In standard games, map danger scaled with level. Walk into a high-level zone at level 1, and you die. Simple. But Mercenary World didn't play by traditional rules.

Still... it hadn't kicked him out. That meant it was possible. Right?

No time to cry now. He took a deep breath—and stepped into the forest.

System Prompt:Scene loading...

This is a high-end map, he thought, only accessible in special circumstances. It's gotta be part of the main path. Has to be.

System Warning:You are being attacked by an unknown creature!

He didn't even see the enemy. A flash of white. A blink of light. Then everything went black.

System Prompt:You have been killed by an unknown creature.

No scream. No epic death animation. Just instant deletion.

He stared at the message, completely stunned. Just like that? That's how I go?

You have died...Not: Mission Failed.

There was still hope.

Moments later, another message appeared:

System Prompt:Player has been rescued by: The Great Sage?

Dawei sat bolt upright—virtually speaking.

Any NPC with a name like The Great Sage—complete with a question mark—had to be something big. And the name glowed purple, just like the three-headed dragon and the guardian NPCs.

A voice echoed gently in his ears.

"My child, you are awake."

Dawei's vision returned. He found himself lying on a stone altar surrounded by eerie red light. Standing over him was a cloaked figure, crimson robes flowing like liquid flame, face shadowed beneath a deep hood. The name above his head pulsed with vibrant, blinding purple light:

[Great Sage Diose] — S+ Rank NPC

If the dragon and the guardian were S-rank, this guy was S+. Absolute top-tier. His entrance wasn't just dramatic—it was story-changing.

Dawei's years of gaming instincts screamed: This is it. This is the moment the story turns.

He clenched his virtual fists and straightened up. Now was not the time to screw around.

Hold the line. Play it cool. The real game starts now.

Great Sage (2)