The Return of the Genius Ranker of All Times

Chapter 3

[The emergence of an unprecedented virtual reality game!?]

[The grand debut of God of Savior!]

The first-ever virtual reality game.

With that title, God of Savior made a flashy entrance right from the start.

When news spread that the game, once considered a joke, had actually been released, gaming communities everywhere erupted.

“???”

“No way, it’s real?”

“A real virtual reality game?”

The impact was immense.

From VR gamers to PC gamers, and even those with no interest in gaming, everyone had heard about God of Savior.

And it was no surprise.

“Isn’t VR already virtual reality? What’s the big deal? It’s not like it’s the first time VR has come out.”

“VR is virtual reality? Technically, yes, but let’s be honest—it’s pretty far from true virtual reality. The third generation’s better, but up until the second generation, calling it ‘4D’ would’ve been more accurate.”

“I heard someone tested the device, and they said it’s like the virtual reality games in novels.”

“Wow, and the device isn’t even a helmet, it’s a capsule. Is this really a virtual reality game?”

Unlike previous VR games, this one came with the genuine title of a “virtual reality game.”

Whether it was bait or not, it was bound to attract attention.

“But can this even be done with current technology?”

“Isn’t it just an upgraded version of the third generation?”

The game company’s response was swift.

Before those doubts could grow, they invested heavily in recruiting additional testers, and the testers confirmed the truth.

[It was an unforgettable experience… It’s another world, yet it feels like reality.]

[It was breathtaking. The vividness, the high-level AI that felt like real people, the beautiful otherworldly landscapes… It’s in a completely different league from any VR that’s come before.]

[I’m terminally ill. I’m thankful I got to experience a game like this before I die. The only regret I have is that by the time this game releases, I’ll already be gone from this world.]

Not a single person offered criticism—every review was full of praise.

Some even shed tears of emotion, while others shared sad stories, leaving everyone more curious.

“Seriously, how amazing was it?”

“Wow, I know that person. They’re pretty famous in the UK, and I’ve never seen them this moved before.”

“They said it was a final gift before death?”

Knowing that even notable figures had taken part in the test made the game’s reputation all the more believable.

Before long, doubts were replaced by growing excitement.

There were even people who couldn’t sleep at night, wondering if the dream-like virtual reality game had finally arrived.

People all over the world, including in South Korea, were eagerly awaiting the official launch of the game.

But not everyone viewed the game with such anticipation.

[Virtual reality games are the work of Satan.]

[Virtual reality games lead to death!]

[Is it safe to trust this unprecedented virtual reality game?]

[A capsule-shaped device, not a helmet… There’s still a lack of data on its effects on the human body…]

Some people had always considered games to be a form of devilish temptation, dating back to the days of PC games.

With the emergence of this unprecedentedly large-scale game, various anti-gaming groups began to rise up.

Among them were even a few experts.

Unlike the helmet devices of the third generation, which had undergone extensive data testing, the newly released capsule-shaped device was said to lack sufficient data.

This dampened the enthusiasm of those who had been cheering for the game.

It couldn’t be helped since the concerns raised by the experts were reasonable.

“They’re saying you could die playing a virtual reality game. Something about an overload in the brain.”

“They said there’s not enough data yet?”

“You didn’t hear? An expert said it. I’m too nervous, so I’ll wait and see.”

Rumors began to spread, and before long, people were saying that playing God of Savior could kill you.

-God of Savior

Perhaps that’s why.

When God of Savior officially launched, people were hesitant at first.

The capsule was much more expensive than the helmet devices, and the game itself was also quite pricey.

But during times like these, there are always those who are eager to take on a challenge.

“Hello, everyone! God of Savior’s launch is hot right now, isn’t it? There’s been a lot of talk about it being a death game or a new brain torture device, but I’m going to try it out and review it for you all!”

“I know you all want to play God of Savior, but you’re too nervous, right? I get it~. So! I, Jinjinjara, am going to play it! I’ve spent a whopping ten million won, so please like and subscribe!”

That’s where YouTubers and BJs (Broadcast Jockeys) came in.

Those always hungry for content weren’t going to miss this opportunity.

And that was the start.

“Alright, everyone, I’ve logged into the game. So far, nothing seems off. Let’s head over to the town… Wow…”

“Is this… really a game? Are you serious? That scenery is virtual?”

“No way, this is insane. I can literally feel the wind brushing past me.”

Through personal broadcasts, the overwhelming realism of God of Savior spread worldwide, and it quickly captivated people.

The game’s quality was on a completely different level from any VR game before it.

The AI, which felt more real than actual people, and the vividly implemented sensory experiences left everyone in awe.

Kraaah!

“Wow, the intensity is no joke.”

To top it all off, when battle footage featuring lifelike monsters was added, people stopped hesitating.

Safety? Die from playing a game?

“That’s nonsense. Look at me—I’m perfectly fine right now.”

“Holy shit! That’s definitely a trick by the top-ranked players to scare us. Look at me, I’m totally fine!”

“If you’re not playing this, you’re missing out big time. Anyway, I’m off to play. See ya.”

At that point, anyone who still avoided the game due to concerns was considered foolish.

And in reality, millions of people played the game, and no one had any issues.

The rate of side effects was 0%.

Even third-generation VR hadn’t achieved such a low number, and the experts who had staunchly opposed the game were driven out, shamed by the public.

People, as if releasing all their pent-up desires, flooded in like a tidal wave.

Three hundred million concurrent players worldwide.

One billion players total.

At this point, God of Savior wasn’t just a game anymore.

From movies and dramas to sports like soccer and martial arts, and even entertainers like singers, all industries were being swallowed by virtual reality.

It was only possible because God of Savior offered such freedom and variety.

It was truly another world.

But even so, the heart of an MMORPG was still its combat.

Battle footage from the massive guilds was the most popular content, and also the most profitable.

And when it was revealed that many of the stars in those battles were veterans of DemRock, interest in the now-defunct game surged.

“They say Myeolsal from the Execution Guild was a DemRock player.”

“I heard there are tons of DemRock veterans in the top 10,000 rankings.”

“Even Myeolsal wasn’t number one in DemRock.”

“Huh? Then who was number one?”

Naturally, this led to interest in the high-ranking players of DemRock.

The wall that even Myeolsal couldn’t surpass.

A legendary figure who, after reaching the top rank, had never once relinquished their position.

-Kaiser.

The moment that name was revealed, countless people began searching for Kaiser.

It was inevitable.

Of course, people were curious about the person ranked higher than Myeolsal, but God of Savior was, after all, a sequel to DemRock.

There were bound to be many similarities in the systems.

It wasn’t a coincidence that DemRock veterans were dominating the ranks in God of Savior.

So, what about the man who was the overwhelming number one?

-Kaiser? He’s a god.

-That’s not just a metaphor. He’s literally a god. He’s never lost.

-The skill trees he created were revolutionary. He was the founder of the meta.

-No matter how bad something was, if it passed through Kaiser’s hands, it became a shining gem.

-15-player raids? Those were just small-time bosses to Kaiser.

-I guarantee that Myeolsal wouldn’t last a minute against Kaiser.

-A minute? Nah… I bet my friend’s left ball that it would be a 10-second KO.

-What do you mean Myeolsal’s a nobody? He was one of the top players even back in the DemRock days. That’s just too much.

-I agree. Myeolsal’s in a league of his own. They never had an official one-on-one, did they?

-How dare you question the god! Blasphemy!

-Oh no, I repent…

As former DemRock players exalted Kaiser like a deity, curiosity about him only grew.

His achievements were so awe-inspiring that they seemed exaggerated.

“How good was he at fighting, really?”

“Wait, was his movement invisible or something?”

Naturally, people started searching for videos featuring Kaiser, and everyone was shocked.

His control was more precise than a machine, his combination of skills endless, and his combat footage was so overwhelming it was almost violent—it left viewers mesmerized.

“What’s Kaiser doing now?”

“Why hasn’t he started playing God of Savior yet?”

“I want to see Kaiser’s gameplay in a virtual reality game! Ah, it’s already a form of art. Watching his battles gives me inspiration.”

“Find Kaiser!”

It was only natural that people began searching for Kaiser.

Kaiser.

Those three syllables quickly flooded every online community and topped real-time search rankings.

Even foreigners were searching for Kaiser, so that said it all.

But the man himself never appeared.

One month passed.

Then two months.

Six months turned into a year.

“By now, isn’t Kaiser dead?”

“Kaiser? Oh, the number one in DemRock?”

“I am curious to see him start playing, but… It’s been over a year. Even if he starts now, he’ll just be a side character.”

“You never know. Maybe he started, but he didn’t make it into the rankings, so he’s hiding.”

“Hey, the Execution Guild’s raid is about to start. Get ready to jump into the link.”

People stopped searching for Kaiser.

Some still missed him, but most had moved on to watching the new rulers of God of Savior.

Time passed, and about two years later… or more precisely, 1 year and 6 months later.

[Breaking News) Execution Guild succeeds in legendary raid boss Abtartel raid!]

-Wow, Myeolsal is amazing… He’s flying all over the place.

-He really is a legend… Isn’t Myeolsal the strongest solo player?

-Nah, Myeolsal is popular, but Celestial Guild is the strongest. There’s a reason they’re called Celestial.

-I like the top 10 guilds, but I’m a huge fan of the Empress. She moves alone, like a noble wolf. Isn’t she a one-person army?

-True… Even the top 10 guilds don’t mess with the Empress.

No one in God of Savior was searching for Kaiser anymore.

He had been forgotten.

Too many powerful and dazzling figures now dominated the game for anyone to remember an old hero.

No one cared about a figure lost to history.

And just as everyone was forgetting…

“Loyalty! Sergeant Kang Do-hyeon! I’ve been discharged as of April 11, 2023!!”

In the office of the battalion commander of the 51st Infantry Division.

A young man, Kang Do-hyeon, wearing a military cap over his now-grown hair, was saluting.

There was a faint smile on his lips.

Kang Do-hyeon, 23 years old.

1 year and 6 months since he entered the army.

And 1 year and 6 months since the release of the virtual reality game, God of Savior.

Kaiser had finally taken off his uniform and returned to civilian life.