Episode 1: 4 AM and Instant Noodles

A coder asked Kobe, "Why are you so successful?"

Kobe replied, "Do you know what Los Angeles looks like at 4 AM?"

The coder said, "Yeah, I’m usually still coding then. What about it?"

Kobe: "Uh..."

I was happily slurping my instant noodles when I spat them all over the screen. As a coder with just a year and a half in the industry, I felt like I’d been shot in the knee.

Today was the final day of the company’s system-wide upgrade. I’d pulled overtime for half a month straight. The seniors had all gone home to sleep. The newbies were useless. Stuck in the middle, I was alone in the 27th-floor server room, upgrading systems and eating instant noodles.

"4 AM?" I glanced out at the heavy rain and forced a bitter smile. Truly, June’s downpour had trapped me here.

After this job, I’d apply to join the director on campus recruitment. Seeing energetic girls and their legs would count as a vacation.

"Hehe, if only I could recruit at my alma mater. I heard from veterans that the department beauty stayed on as faculty. Maybe I’d see her again."

Just then, the server emitted a *ding*—the system notification. The update was complete. Finally, I could go home. Could I still catch a taxi? This thunderstorm was intense; it had raged for hours.

Holding my deluxe braised beef instant noodles, I jogged to the main circuit breaker to shut off power to the entire server room. Before leaving, the boss had warned me, "Xiao Ma, cut the power before you go. Not a single server here can afford a mishap!"

"Seriously, the boss," I muttered, "why put such critical gear on the top floor? Every thunderstorm, we scramble to shut services down. These servers are only for internal use. If they served clients, we’d be bankrupt. Renting two floors lower wouldn’t kill him—saving money but causing headaches."

I took another bite of noodles, turned off the last row of computers, leaving only the main breaker.

"Damn, who designed this layout? The main switch is mounted so high." At 180 cm tall, I couldn’t reach it even stretching. Bullshit. No choice—I dragged over my swivel chair and stood on it.

"I’ve saved a year’s paid leave. After this, I can finally rest back home," I muttered alone. Talking to myself felt weird.

"Even Yao Ming wouldn’t be this tall." As I straightened to reach, I recalled the Yao Ming meme. I burst out laughing.

But I lost balance. The chair’s wheels slipped. I flew off, *crash*—landing on a pile of power sockets. My beloved deluxe noodles scattered everywhere.

A lightning bolt struck the building’s roof. The shoddy lightning rod instantly failed. Sparks raced down the wires, reaching the server room in a blink. Massive voltage surged through every server. They erupted in blinding white light.

*BOOM!!* The deafening explosion was the last sound before I lost consciousness.

In that instant, my life flashed by like a carousel.

"Mom, how much longer to Grandpa’s house?"

...

"Help! Damn, I crashed! Shit—the other driver’s dead. A woman and kid are still alive?"

...

"Shangshang, be good. Mommy’s just sleeping..."

...

"The court rules the accident was caused by the deceased Ma Jianguo driving drunk. The plaintiff bears full responsibility. Compensation falls to the deceased’s family."

...

"Shangshang, Grandma can’t hold on... Live well..."

...

"Who are you? Why destroy our family? Why kill us all?"

...

After finally regaining peace, was I dying now? So unwilling...

As current surged through me, I watched my body dissolve into data streams. Then, in the explosion, darkness.

"Damn, if I’d known this would happen, I’d have added a sausage to my noodles."

*****************************************************************

"Young man, wake up!"

"Young man, are you alright?"

"Hurry! Time’s running out!"

"Shit—8 o’clock? I’ll be late! My perfect attendance bonus!!" Something urgent snapped me awake. Dizziness hit as I tried to sit up.

A tree stood nearby. Leaning against its trunk, I slowly took in my surroundings. Towering trees loomed—things I’d only seen in videos. After years in a concrete jungle, this primeval forest brought unexpected calm.

"Young man, you’re awake! I was so worried," an old voice said.

I turned. An elderly man in a loose hemp robe stood there, white beard full, holding a wooden staff topped with a crystal-clear gem. His kind face was etched with concern.

"Elder, who are you?" The words slipped out—but the pronunciation felt wrong. What was happening?

"I am John Joseph, magic tutor of Crescent Town. Young man, you don’t know me?" He looked genuinely shocked.

This wasn’t right. I understood him, but it was a different language. Crescent Town? Magic tutor? Old man, no cosplay at your age—does your grandson know about this chuunibyou?

Questions swirled, but something felt off. With the situation unclear, I’d play along.

"Sorry, elder. I’m from elsewhere."

"Elsewhere? Separated from your companions? Irresponsible team—taking a newbie on an adventure, then abandoning him in the wild! If I find them, I’ll scold them properly."

Master Joseph seemed furious. Inwardly, I chuckled. His imagination was off the charts. I’d worried how to bluff, but now he’d labeled me a newbie dumped by careless partners. Time-saving, worry-free, effortless.

Sitting against the tree, my mind cleared. Memories returned.

I’d been indirectly struck by lightning in the server room—indirectly, shielded by all those servers. Then I saw myself digitize. The room exploded. Darkness.

A million curses raced through me: *Heaven, you can’t be serious! I’ve seen transmigration in shows and novels, but it’s really for everyone? Thanks a lot, universe!*

Don’t do this! I worked hard—overtime, near promotion and a raise. I’d saved a year’s paid leave for real rest. Now this? I can’t start over!

Master Joseph saw my face pale and flush. He thought his words hit home. "Young man, don’t dwell on it. Every adventurer starts as a newbie. Don’t sulk because others look down on you. Cheer up! When I began, I knew nothing. But I’m brilliant—I adapted fast. That year, I was so young..."

His sudden speech startled me. This wasn’t the time. In any world, a dense forest isn’t safe for an ordinary person.

I looked up at the old man still boasting. "Master Joseph, what did you mean—time’s running out?"

"Master? Hmm! Young man, you’ve good judgment despite being new. Ahahaha!" He clearly loved the title.

"As an outsider, you wouldn’t know this forest’s dangers. This jungle connects to the Blackrock Mountains. Outskirts have beginner-level monsters like other zones. But at night, high-level beasts wander from the Blackrock Mountains. Deadly for newcomers."

"You’re lucky you met me. Wait till sunset, and you’d be dead."

His words confirmed my transmigration. This world was different—adventurers fought monsters with swords and magic. I was in a monster-active zone.

Other matters later. Priority: escape to a populated area. Blend in, then investigate.

But this old man didn’t seem here to fight monsters. He’d said he hadn’t been an adventurer for years. Why was he here?

"Thank you for saving me, Master. Let’s leave this forest first. Look—it’s almost dark."

"Good, good. Follow me." Joseph stood and walked ahead. I hurried after him.

When we reached the same ancient tree for the fifth time, I snapped. "Master... are we... lost?"

He stopped abruptly. After a pause, he turned and laughed. "Hahahaha! Young man, what is a path? A path forms when many walk it! No paths exist—how can one be lost?"

"So we *are* lost, right?!"

"... Yes, we are lost."

Truly a Master—turning being lost into philosophy. But why walk the same path five times? Obsessed with the scenery? The sun was setting! That dangerous night was coming! Think, Master!

He planted his staff on the ground and let go. It fell toward one direction. "Good—we’ll go this way to escape."

"Master..."

"What?"

"We just came from there..."

"Uh... as they say, turning back is the shore."

Now I knew why he’d appeared here out of nowhere.