It wasn’t his clothes, job, or salary I envied. It was that carefree attitude and the habit of finding joy in hardship, amidst this heavy society.

If I hadn’t been adopted by the Xuanyuan Clan, I might’ve ended up like Old Wang too. Probably.

I looked up at the sky, blocked by encircling skyscrapers. A bitter smile crept onto my lips.

I’d always thought helping the Guild Leader become the "Emperor" was just a whim. But maybe I was wrong. I simply wanted to be needed. To find my own place in this boring world.

After all, seeking so-called guild bonds in a game world—I really am a bit strange, huh.

1

In the icy-blue city, snowflakes drifted down like silk threads, dancing like petals.

Feeling the cold, I hugged myself.

Aimlessly walking toward the city gates, I checked my friends list. The Guild Leader and Alicia’s names were gray—both offline.

Without Alicia’s noisy chatter and the Guild Leader grinning as he watched from the sidelines, I felt a little lonely.

I opened the store and bought a name change card. I’d lost the bet with Alicia and had to change my name.

If this could help them forget yesterday’s unpleasantness, that’d be perfect.

“Is that the chuunibyou killer? He looks totally ordinary. All his gear’s white, and his ID’s got a typo. You sure you didn’t mistake him?”

What the hell’s a “chuunibyou killer”! You’re the chuunibyou one. Your whole family is.

“No mistake. It’s him. Yesterday he spouted a bunch of chuunibyou lines, then solo-killed a ton of people.”

Only two lines! What “bunch”? I was setting the mood.

Hearing the two by the roadside, all I could do was cover my forehead and smile bitterly.

“Oh right! I heard he did it to win a beauty’s favor. But can one guy really kill so many with white gear? Stats are trash.”

What “win a beauty’s favor”? Those idiots started it! And white gear? Sorry my gear sucks. Good gear doesn’t mean strong skills—but good skills always mean strong power.

Before I knew it, I’d reached the city gates. Hearing all the twisted rumors, I was speechless.

In just one day, the story had warped into wild versions. The internet’s terrifyingly powerful…

Version one: The guild was targeted. A big shot stood up—ordinary rage, blood splattering five steps.

Version two: To win a beauty’s heart, the big shot became a killer, hunting a group.

Version three: Faking it for fame. Just acting with extras.

Minor versions existed too… but only these three had crowds.

I stood at the gates. Outside, players gathered on the wild land, guild tags floating above their heads. Not boss-hunting. Waiting for someone.

“You finally showed! Today I take back the gear you stole from us yesterday!”

The apparent leader stepped forward.

ID: Verdant Blood Spear

Level: 25 Class: Spearman

“Stole? Did I steal your gear?”

I crossed my arms, leaning against the gate, smirking faintly.

“Don’t play dumb! You ambushed us yesterday, looted our gear! We’re here for revenge, brothers!”

“Kill him! Loot his gear!”

“Kick his ass!”

“Gang up on him!”

Hey, hey—what’s with your sexual orientations? Must you be so filthy?

“You want this gear?”

I glanced down. My Revenge Ring was the only thing worth anything. I slipped it off and headed into the city.

“Where the hell are you going! Chickening out? Are you even a man!”

The city’s a safe zone…

“Wait three minutes. Storing the ring in my warehouse.”

“…”

Besides the ring, my white gear wasn’t worth giving away.

“If you’re a man playing ‘Emperor’, come fight me! I’m Verdant Blood Spear. Don’t make me look down on you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Waving a hand, I walked toward the inn. Zero interest left.

After two steps, I opened the auction house. All Revenge Rings were sold. Hesitating, I listed mine for 10 million.

“Hey. Any of you have a Revenge Ring?”

I turned and asked them.

“So what if we do! So what if we don’t! If you’re a man, stop acting like a coward. Come out and fight! You ambush but won’t face us?”

“Ambush dog! Moron! Shameless!”

“Keep shouting. I’m not coming out yet. Walk alone, and I’ll kill every one I meet.”

Silence fell. Some players quietly left the group.

“Sorry, wrong scene. You guys continue.”

“Carry on. Don’t mind me—I’m just here for the show.”

Some fled fearing revenge, but more onlookers gathered, drawn by the buzz.

“Fresh sunflower seeds for sale!”

“Caught the live stream! Let me see the big shot’s skills!”

“See that? That’s the big shot.”

Wind blew past me, snow swirling. It felt uncannily like the Battle of the Forbidden City.

After a long pause, Verdant Blood Spear caved.

“Who here has a Revenge Ring?”

Players behind exchanged glances. No one spoke. Being targeted would suck—that guy could loot gear right off your body.

“Spear, don’t you have one?”

“Yeah, you’ve been hunting for it.”

“…”

Betrayed, Verdant Blood Spear’s face turned ashen. He’d paid 1.5 million for that ring. If it dropped, he’d cry.

“Ahem. I have it. Want it? Come kill me!”

Exposed, he had no choice. At least act tough to save face.

“Is that so? Then I’ll—”

Revenge-seekers chanted spells, gripping weapons as I neared the safe zone edge.

But my foot landed on the line. I didn’t step forward.

“One-sided rewards are boring. I’ll add a prize too.”

I opened the auction house, scanned gear, and spent 150,000 crystals on a level 20 spear.

Princess Kaguya’s Demon-Slaying Spear (Divine Craft)

Release +3%, Stun +50

10% chance piercing damage, ignores 15% physical defense.

“In the city engulfed by flames, Princess Kaguya danced gracefully.”

“Kill me, and this spear’s yours. Godly gear in seconds. One-hit 999 damage. In ‘Emperor’, you start with a knife and a dog—gear comes from PK looting.”

Players drooled at the weapon. Even onlookers joined the crowd.