The icy winter day saw snowflakes swirling in the pale sky.

Walking on streets glazed with ice, I felt the biting cold while dazzled by the elven city sculpted entirely from ice—a dreamlike spectacle that left me breathless.

This was *Emperor*, a VR fantasy world where minds linked to virtual space for full immersion. Its vast lore, extreme freedom, and perfect synchronization made reality itself feel questionable. Even I couldn’t distinguish truth from illusion here.

*Ding—*

As I wandered aimlessly, watching players rush through quests, a system chime echoed in my ears. A message icon floated before me.

**Qianxue Ruoxi:** Why did you suddenly leave the guild?

A message from my former guild’s vice leader. I kept walking as I typed my reply.

**Worldshaking Snow:** Just wanted a change of scenery. Nothing to worry about.

My old guild, Eternal Nobles, was packed with big spenders—though a few of us free players lingered, likely just padding membership numbers. High-tier guild perks were tempting, but I hated the restrictions: too many rules, too many petty conflicts. I rarely meddle, but sometimes… well, joking aside, I play the hero once or twice. Truth was, I just couldn’t stomach their arrogance.

Here’s how it started:

A fellow free player scored crimson (Divine Artifice) gauntlets from a boss. Some guild tycoon wanted them—but offered a laughably low price, even for auction standards. Fed up with his swagger, I spoke up for the player:

*"If you like gear that much, bid properly at auctions. With all your cash, skimping on this? Pathetic."*

The tycoon bristled immediately, ranting about "guild solidarity." Frankly, us free players were always looked down on in that gold-plated club. Before I could retort, I was muted in guild chat—banned for seven days. Watching the timer tick, I quietly quit.

No one here truly mattered to me. Despite the crowds, it felt like a single-player game. This place? Not worth staying. Chasing "guild bonds" in a game… yeah, I’m weird like that.

After I left, the free player apologized via message. Didn’t matter—I barely cared. Now, as a wanderer, I’d join some average guild. Games are for fun; taking them too seriously backfires.

**Qianxue Ruoxi:** Was it because of July? He’s just got that temper. You get used to it.

*Get used to it?* I almost snorted aloud.

The vice leader was genuinely kind—a rumored real-life beauty, gentle with free players, zero discrimination. Her in-game avatar? Stunning, dripping with rich-girl aura. "Goddess" wasn’t an exaggeration. We rarely chatted in guild, yet she reached out after my departure. Touching. Funny how she joined after me but rose higher—beauty gets privileges everywhere, huh?

**Worldshaking Snow:** Personal reasons. Nothing to do with others.

**Qianxue Ruoxi:** Alright… really not considering coming back? I’ll scold July properly.

**Worldshaking Snow:** Thanks for the offer, Vice Leader, but no. I don’t like being tied down.

No going back. Games are entertainment—no need to suffer.

**Qianxue Ruoxi:** Understood. Sorry for bothering you so long.

**Worldshaking Snow:** No problem at all.

So warm. So thoughtful. If not for my real-life fiancée, I’d chase her full throttle. (A silly thought—I’m not into online romance anyway.) Rumor says she’s engaged too.

*Sigh.* Just thinking about my fiancée gives me a headache. Zero warmth, never cooks or cleans, treats me like ice. If only she had a tenth of the vice leader’s kindness… no, a hundredth would do.

I made this promise. Even if it’s bitter, I’ll swallow it with a smile.

I sank onto a bench, watching the crowd flow past.

***Emperor***

This VR game exploded globally with its dreamlike world, drawing hardcore players by the millions. Day one saw over a million logins; now, it boasts 30 million+. Even after a month, new players flood in daily.

This continent—Miracle Realm—was once a battlefield of ancient gods. Now, with deities gone, only endless ruins and treasures remain across countless cycles. Players take on diverse classes, forming parties, clans, and guilds in a fiercely free world, all vying for the throne of *Emperor*.

*"In this life, I swear to crown you king—my blood shall seal your borders,"* the tagline roared. Just the trailer made blood boil. Unlike other games, *Emperor* mirrored its cinematic CGs perfectly. Stepping in left everyone awestruck. Even if grinding monsters bored you, becoming a wandering bard to admire the scenery held its own charm.

I’d been tricked into joining. My account and character name—"Worldshaking Snow"—were pre-set. At first, I dreamed big, ready to conquer the world with that cringey teenage ambition. But bosses crushed my spirit in two weeks. A month in, I’m still a bottom-feeder.

*Sigh.* Life’s lonely as snow. Being a luck magnet? Just a fantasy.

*Ding—*

Another message cut through my thoughts.

**Qianxue Ruoxi:** I’m tired of that place too. Want to help me build a guild with no class divisions? Be its first member?

**Worldshaking Snow:** …

A classless guild? Perfect for me.

But she’s vice leader of Eternal Nobles—the server’s third-ranked guild. Second only to the Guild Leader. Would she really abandon that status?

**Qianxue Ruoxi:** This is a special invitation. Miss it, and it’s gone.

**Worldshaking Snow:** Then I’m counting on you, *Guild Leader*. Hey, our names sound like a couple’s—fate, right? Might as well marry in-game too.

Pushing my luck? Absolutely. But how could I not be tempted? In just a few messages, she’d warmed my heart. I’ve always acted on impulse.

**Qianxue Ruoxi:** Sure. But I have a real-life fiancé. In-game marriage is just for the rewards.

**Worldshaking Snow:** Perfect. I’ve got a fiancée too. What a coincidence.

*Ten thousand wild horses stampeded through my heart.* Who the hell snagged the vice leader?!

**Qianxue Ruoxi:** R-Really? What a coincidence…

**Worldshaking Snow:** Yeah. Wild coincidence.

In a hidden in-game chapel, unknown to all… we married.

———— CHARACTER PROFILE ————

**Worldshaking Snow**

Class: Swordsman Corrupted by Demon Gods

Decades ago, a Demon God descended. After its defeat, its curse spread worldwide. The cursed lose over half their human form, surviving as half-human, half-demon beings, searching for a hollow salvation. Neither wholly just nor evil—their nature defies simple labels.

Gold: 324,107 | Crystals: —————— (100 Crystals = ¥1) | Boss Tokens: 2 (Earned from boss kills; exchangeable for special gear)

Level: 12

Attribute: Dark (Corrosive)

Critical Hit: 3 | Evasion: 17 | Luck: 0 (Affects crit/evasion rates) | Curse: 9 (Increases gear-drop chance)

**Class-Specific Weapon**

Demonic Blade: *Infernal Overturn—Adis* (Soulbound)

Tier: Mythic (Orange, Unique)

Status: Partially Sealed

One of the Twelve Divine Arms

The ancient Nether God, Adis, sought to rule heaven and earth. After being vanquished by deities, he became dust upon the land. For ten thousand years, his undying soul clung to this blade, awaiting rebirth to overthrow the world once more.

*When I return, the sky shall blush crimson, the earth drown in blood, laws shatter, the dead rise, and death reigns supreme.*

—Adis, the Nether God