Chapter 2

Assimilation

As Steve confirmed the opening of the character profile, an unexpected torrent of information surged into his mind. A searing headache gripped him, causing him to writhe in pain.

"Arrrggh!! What is this!" he exclaimed, feeling overwhelmed as a massive load of data about his game character and memories flooded his consciousness. The onslaught of information became an intense and disorienting experience, leaving Steve struggling to make sense of the deluge of virtual data assaulting his mind. The consequences of his impulsive decision to delve into the character profile were unfolding in ways he could never have anticipated.

As the flood of memories continued, Steve found himself overwhelmed with the realization that he now possessed the memories of Sylas Oakenheart. He learned that his character had lived in an academy 3000 years ago, in a world that had merged with another realm called Earth. This merging had given birth to a new reality, where the game world of Arkadia became intertwined with the old Earth, creating a complex and unfamiliar existence.

In this merged world, players from Earth, including Steve, pretended to be residents of Arkadia, adopting the roles of gods to wield the powers they possessed. The lines between reality and virtuality had blurred, and the players had become influential figures in the lives of those within this newfound realm.

The weight of this revelation hit Steve hard. He now grappled with the understanding that he had not experienced a mere game glitch; instead, he had been reincarnated into the body of his game character, becoming a new person in this intricately entangled reality. The challenge ahead was accepting and adapting to this new existence, where the boundaries between the virtual and the real had become indistinguishably blurred.

Processing the newly acquired information, Steve, now Sylas Oakenheart, began to sort through the details that had flooded his memories.

"Alright... let's see... I am a demon elf now. I should stop using my old logic," he muttered, acknowledging the shift in his identity.

As he continued to analyze his memories, he grasped the reality that every player in Arkadia had proclaimed themselves as gods. With the game powers becoming real in this merged world, they had transformed into all-powerful beings. The 500 players still active online had become formidable figures, seemingly secluded in their own domain, beyond the reach of the standard game systems.

"I should refer to myself as Sylas from now on. Speaking of which, there's also an important piece of information about this world," Sylas contemplated.

He realized that the quests from the previous game world still persisted, including the questline to become the Demon God. This revelation added a layer of complexity to his situation, as the challenges and objectives from the virtual realm now intertwined with the reality of this merged world, creating a unique and unpredictable narrative that he had yet to fully comprehend.

As Sylas delved deeper into his newfound identity, he sensed a profound change within himself. The main questline of the demon race, a significant aspect of his character's history, now resonated with him in a tangible way. A sense of liberation washed over him, and he felt unburdened, free from the constraints of the previous moral and ethical standards he had adhered to as a human. The transformation into a demon had altered not just his appearance but his very essence.

"I feel... more free," he murmured, acknowledging the shift in his nature. The values and humanity that once defined him seemed to be slipping away, replaced by a different set of instincts and impulses that came with being a demon. The memories of Sylas, now an integral part of him, echoed in his veins, influencing his thoughts and actions.

"Now that I've gained Sylas's memories... I can feel it in my veins," Sylas exclaimed, realizing a surge of energy coursing through his body. The revelation hit him with surprise as he discovered he could now wield mana and perform magic. The boundaries between game mechanics and reality had dissolved, and the fantasy elements of the game were now tangible aspects of this new world.

Sylas, with a growing understanding of his altered state, began to piece together the puzzle of what had happened to him. The intricate threads of the merged reality began to weave a complex narrative, and he found himself at the center of a story that transcended the boundaries between the virtual and the real.

"All that matters is I'm strong now. That is all that I care," Sylas muttered to himself, his single-minded determination evident.

Driven by an unrelenting desire for power, Sylas, whether in the confines of a game or the reality of this merged world, had always sought to be number one, the strongest player in the world. His obsession with being the best had catapulted him to the pinnacle of the global hall of fame players. Now, in this new reality, that hunger for dominance persisted.

His thoughts immediately turned to his guild and the glory they had achieved in the game. The competitive spirit within him ignited, pushing him to regain that glory in this unfamiliar world. As the realization of his transformation settled, Sylas entered a serious mode, gears kicking in as he set his priorities straight.

Aware of the gravity of his situation, Sylas prioritized his own survival above all else. In this new reality, the stakes were higher than any game he had ever played. The 500 active players in this merged world were not potential rivals; they were potential threats. Each one represented a potential enemy, and Sylas couldn't afford to engage in battles where the outcome was uncertain.

"This is not a game anymore. This is real life," he reminded himself sternly. In this reality, death was permanent. If he were to die, there would be no respawn, no second chances. Failure was not an option.

The need for caution and precision became paramount in Sylas's strategy. Every move, every decision had to be calculated and strategic. He couldn't afford to make mistakes, and his survival depended on meticulous planning and execution. As he threaded through this new world, Sylas was acutely aware that any misstep could lead to irreversible consequences, and he was determined to navigate this reality with utmost care and cunning.