God Emperor - Chapter 237 - Miles to Kill

In 2173, the world’s first Full-World Virtual MMORPG game ‘Astral Online’ went on sale globally, forever changing the blue planet Asteria!

With its revolutionary Digital Capture System, astonishing graphics and ability to scan yourself into the game with up to 20% beautification, countless defenders rallied to play the game.

Fifty million players logged in on launch. There were no queues or lag on launch, leaving countless critics impressed and willing to try the game. Because the game used a 6-hour play limit a day, it allowed even working adults to keep up with young students and the unemployed.

A resounding success, as more people poured onto the game servers, families and friends alike. Astra Online became a household name overnight.

One month later, the game opened its first RMT system, which made earning a living from the game easier... Thus began the Astral rush!

Professional players formed guilds and factions to increase their profits, but nobody could know this prosperity was a mere joke.

One year later, players fused with their avatars, gaining powerful abilities in the real world, which tipped the power and caused chaos.

Two years later, demons and monsters from inside the game invaded the real world.

Three years later, over 90% of humanity perished, leaving the rest to hide like rats, unable to fight back in fear.

Four years later, this world is no longer ours. The demons march on our last bastions, one by one. They exterminated us.

Zell was an average player who liked to collect beasts in the game and evolve them into humanoids, as they were primarily females.

He spent most of his life working two jobs to make ends meet.

Thanks to the excellent healthcare of his country, there were no crippling debts. There was only emptiness.

When the end came, he was powerless and alone. His only companions were his cute pets and Rika, his cherished Flame Rabbit.

She was the only beast he evolved to a humanoid form after his late start to the game.

He died saving the life of a strange girl with white wings and his pet Rika, the sad eyes of Rika and the girl’s sorrow floating through the air as he slowly passed away.

However, instead of dying, he awoke inside an empty white room with a single computer and a strange, game-like screen that allowed him to edit his IRL avatar and persona.

Who offered him this second chance?

For what reason did they help him?

Can he meet Rika again?

Zell could never know; he only knew his second life’s goal.

Survive!

Twenty years ago, the Gu family’s eldest daughter, Gu Wan, went missing without any news on her whereabouts.

The Gu family was left with only the youngest daughter, Gu Chu, so they doted on her.

Twenty years later, Gu Wan returned. Gu Chu was thrilled and she showed her sister around the city, even giving her everything she treasured.

However, Gu Chu gradually realized that Gu Wan was here to take everything away from her, including her fiance! Their mother said, “We owe Gu Wan all of this. We all do, especially you! Gu Wan only went missing back then because you insisted on having a candy.

That’s why Gu Wan went out and ended up going missing!

She had suffered for twenty years out there! You will never be able to fully repay Gu Wan what you owed her!

Hence, the engagement with the Feng family should be given to Gu Wan!”

Their mother even said, “When we arranged this marriage with the Feng family, although we didn’t specify if it was for Gu Wan or Gu Chu, the elder child should take precedence.

Gu Wan should’ve been the first choice. And now that she’s back, she should take what was rightfully hers. What’s wrong with that?” Gu Chu wanted to defend herself.

She didn’t understand why Gu Wan would lie because she didn’t go missing because of her. Yet, the man chose to marry her sister, and that was when Gu Chu regained her senses.

It was just a man. Men weren’t reliable, so she didn’t want him anymore! Their mother even used their family’s shares to bribe Young Master Feng.

However, Gu Chu was surprised when the quiet and unsmiling Young Master Feng suddenly had a change of personality.

Three times a day, he would propose to her. Gu Chu asked, “Are you in such a hurry to have a wife?” Young Master Feng answered, “I’ve been planning this for a long time. Please bear with me.”

Later on, Gu Chu found out his secret. So he had actually been planning for a long time after all…

“Hah..Hah..”

In the midst of what seemed like a battlefield, a young boy with white hair knelt on the ground, struggling to catch shallow breaths. A short sword pierced his heart, his arms and legs were broken, making him unable to stop the crimson blood from coloring the ground.

“That's what you get for betrayal,” a red-headed teenage boy sneered as he stood before him.

“A pathetic person like you could never be my brother,” added a purple-haired girl, her voice seething with anger, as she stood alongside the redhead.

With great effort, the young boy shifted his gaze forward. He could see many familiar faces in front of him—his so-called family, his so-called friends but his gaze remained fixed on her.

“Wh..y, A.nna,” he uttered with immense difficulty and sorrow in his voice, his vision blurring as he locked eyes with the blonde-haired girl, who regarded him with emotionless eyes.

“I did that so I could save you,” he said, his voice gradually growing louder.

“I DID THAT SO YOU COULD LIVE!” he shouted, making everyone present flinch in fear.

“I never asked you to do this” the blonde-haired girl replied, her words crushing the very soul of the boy.

“A...nn.a,”

the young boy whispered one last time, a small tear slipping down from his eye as he breathed his final breath.

================================

Neil survived eight grueling years in a post-apocalyptic world only to die and be reincarnated in the body of Eden Morton, a character from a game he

used to play as a teenager, by an unknown entity for unknown reasons.

Eden's life was a pitiable one, plagued by the constant manipulation and betrayal of those around him – whether it was the princess, the famed hero, or even his very own family. Eden died without ever experiencing genuine love. Now, as Neil took over, he was determined to embark on a new journey, seeking the one thing he and Eden never had : a life worth living.