Parallel Memory - Chapter 6: Ace Academy [2]

Ethan is a man nearing forty who has squandered his life behind a screen. Since his teenage years, he has poured everything into online games, chasing digital achievements while real life quietly passed him by. Now, with reality finally weighing on him, he realizes how empty his existence has become.Despite decades of obsession, he has only one thing to show for it: the #1 account in the world’s most popular MMORPG, Lost World Online—a fully immersive virtual game operated through neural-link technology. It is an account powerful enough to guarantee fame, sponsorships, and a second chance at life.But overnight… it vanishes.No warnings… No errors… His account simply ceases to exist.Ethan spends the entire night frantically searching for answers, contacting the developers through official forums, only to be told that nothing can be done. Without the account, even streaming or professional contracts are impossible. Exhausted and hollow, he finally gives up and falls asleep, deciding to forget his regret, half hoping everything would be a dream when he wakes up.When Ethan opens his eyes, he finds himself standing before the character creation screen of Lost World Online.It feels like a dream, yet his mind is clear, his body well responsive, not even like a game. Paying little attention, he goes ahead and creates a character and initiates the game.Then, his vision is swallowed by darkness.A violent rush of wind slams into him, and when his senses return, he is standing inside a bustling town from the game. Before he can question the missing opening cutscene—something that should always play after character creation—his attention is seized by the scene around him.The town was celebrating an Annual Festival. This was a festival that only ever occurred once, a festival that marked the first day Lost World Online was launched.Realizing the impossible, Ethan hurriedly calls up his system interface—only to find that there is no options menu, no settings, no log-out button…“This cannot be real.”

Reborn as an Evolving Space Monster.The Paru is a peculiar Species that can be found billions of light-years away from Earth, on a small planet covered by strange minerals and crystals. The Parus are peaceful, as they can eat anything. From earth, to minerals, all suits their tastes. Why would such a peaceful Species develop the ability to Evolve by Devouring? The Parus Devour the minerals and crystals, which allow their shells to grow tougher and tougher every day. What happens when a person is Reborn as a Paru? What happens when a Paru isn't seeking a peaceful life, but one filled with adventure, adrenaline-pumping fights, and otherworldly beauties?The peaceful Species turns into a Calamity feared by this universe, and the next.

It was the year 2021 AD.

The game jointly developed by the entire world, “Heavenly Enlightenment”, was released. In this game, in-game coins could be exchanged for real money, which instantly attracted countless players from all across the world.

Various nations around the globe also competed fiercely for the resources in the game.

Lu Yuan was a player of “Heavenly Enlightenment.

At the start, he received the SSS rank talent — Infinite skills upgrade! Fireball LV999: Fireball descends from the sky and rains destruction upon the world! Heal LV999: the Angel descends to revive ten thousand people!

……

With his infinite upgrading talent, while others were still desperately trying to farm mob monsters, Lu Yuan had already killed the boss effortlessly. While others were still toiling to raise the favourability meter of NPCs, Lu Yuan was already sleeping on the same bed as the NPC queen.

The other players all started to protest!

“Report him, he’s cheating!”

“Lu Yuan had severely affected the balance of this game, we strongly demand to ban Lu Yuan!”

…….

[True to its genre: a creepy, rule-based horror story, highly refined and quality assured, but prospective readers seeking a thrilling experience should think carefully before proceeding.]In order to secure a substantial university life experience grant, Lin Yi and his roommate registered to attend a suburban university.A seemingly ordinary but slightly unsettling set of student regulations;Strange signs in front of the buildings and seemingly normal building rules;Mysterious figures threading through the campus under abnormal weather conditions…As the experience unfolded, more and more bizarre people and events emerged. To survive and leave the campus, Lin Yi had to navigate on the edge of the rules…[Note: The logical chain of this book was deduced by the author before it was written, forming a closed loop. All rules serve as clues, and all the inconsistent, mysterious occurrences will receive scientific (or quasi-scientific) explanations. There are no supernatural events or related phenomena (just kidding), you are welcome to try reading it!]