Author's Note: Do Not Unlock Yet. Chapter Is Still Under Construction.

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The warm hum of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Derrick's apartment as August leaned back in the couch, watching his friend tear open the sleek, obsidian-black box that housed the high-grade Immersion Pod. The polished chrome exterior gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the mixture of awe and hesitation on Derrick's face.

"Bro… you actually bought this?"

Derrick whispered, stunned.

August shrugged with a small smile. "AM Coven's been doing well. Besides… consider it an investment."

Derrick blinked. "An investment?"

"Yeah," August said, leaning forward and patting him on the shoulder. "An investment into your long-term survival. And your wife's peace of mind."

Derrick looked away for a moment, the weight of recent events clearly pressing on him again. His kidnapping. His wife almost losing him. The terrifying reality that supernatural forces were targeting people connected to August's in-game identity — Aleman.

It was all still fresh.

And yet… here Derrick was, ready to jump into the same world that started everything.

A world where skills weren't just virtual.

A world where magic was real.

A world where talents awakened.

August knew why Derrick wanted this. Not for thrills. Not for money.

For protection.

For strength.

To never be helpless again.

And August respected it deeply.

---

### **Setting Up the Pod**

"Alright," August said, clapping his hands together and rising from the couch. "Let's get the pod calibrated."

The two spent the next twenty minutes assembling the pod's frame, linking it to the central console, and syncing it to Derrick's biometric profile. The advanced model, a **VIR7 Quantum Dive**, came with a dozen customizable features—everything from neural latency tuning to mana-feedback stabilization.

Derrick stared at the screen as the calibration bars completed.

"Bro… I haven't played a real VRMMO since college."

"Relax," August said. "Enders Light is intuitive. And you'll have me."

That reassurance seemed to calm Derrick more than anything else.

When the final beep echoed and the pod clicked softly, Derrick swallowed.

"Alright… I guess I'm doing this."

August grinned.

"You're doing this."

---

### **Character Creation: The Beginning of a Legacy**

The pod opened with a sigh of air, and Derrick slipped inside. August sat beside the console, monitoring the neural link. After a few seconds, Derrick's voice echoed from the pod speakers.

"Yo… this is insane… the graphics… the character creator… holy shit…"

"Focus," August laughed. "Don't go giving your character a big ass chin or tiny T-rex arms."

"Man, I'm making my dude handsome," Derrick retorted. "My wife's gonna see screenshots."

August snorted. "Bro, just don't make him look like a 7-foot demon with a six-pack. You'll scare the NPCs."

"Too late."

August groaned.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity of adjusting sliders, picking a race, choosing a voice profile, and selecting starting cosmetics, Derrick exhaled sharply.

"Alright. Done. I think he looks sick."

"Good," August said. "Now for the important part — class selection."

Derrick hummed, scrolling through the holographic menu inside the pod.

Mage.

Arcane Knight.

Ranger.

Cleric.

Hammer Monk.

Spellblade.

Spirit Tamer.

Lance Herald.

And dozens more.

"This is too many choices, bro. Which one should I go for?"

"That depends," August said, steepling his fingers. "You want something defensive? Offensive? Mid-range? Support? Something balanced?"

"Balanced," Derrick said immediately. "I want to survive. And I want to protect people."

August smirked.

"I knew you'd say that."

He leaned toward the console.

"Pick the **Guardian Sentry** class."

Derrick paused. "The what? That sounds like a walking medieval CCTV camera."

"It's tanky," August said. "It's defensive. It scales off resilience and mana shield hybridization. And most importantly—"

He lifted a finger dramatically.

"—it's beginner friendly as hell."

Derrick huffed.

"So basically you're calling me slow."

"No," August grinned. "I'm calling you a dad."

"…Touché."

A chime rang as Derrick confirmed the class.

Then—

**Spawn point selected: Silverwood Hamlet.**

August blinked. "Silverwood? That's a beginner town near the Northern Ridge. Solo-friendly. Not bad."

"Yeah… now what?"

"Now," August said, rising from the chair, "you get isekai'd."

"Wha—"

The pod hissed as the immersion sequence triggered.

Derrick's consciousness slipped fully into Enders Light.

And from the outside, the pod fell silent.

---

### **Welcome to Enders Light**

A soft gust of digital wind swayed pixel-rendered leaves in the lush forest village of Silverwood. Derrick's new avatar — tall, brown-skinned, armored lightly in beginner gear — materialized in a swirl of blue particles on a cobbled path beside the settlement's fountain.

Dozens of new players were appearing all around, some waving excitedly, others staring around overwhelmed.

"HOLY— BRO! AUGUST! I'M HERE! I'M ALIVE!"

August burst out laughing from his position at the console.

He tapped a setting.

**Private Voice Link Established.**

"I hear you loud and clear, newbie."

"This is crazy!" Derrick shouted. "Everything looks so real— I can feel the wind! I can hear footsteps— yo there's birds!"

"Welcome to my world," August said with a grin.

Then Derrick froze.

"Uh… August? Why can't I leave the village? There's invisible walls."

"That's normal. Every new player is locked inside their first settlement until level 10."

"What? Why?"

"Too many idiots rushing into fields and getting eaten by rabbits."

"…Is that a joke?"

"No, it's a warning."

Derrick shuddered.

"Noted."

---

### **The Mentor Arrives**

A few minutes later, in-game, a ripple of mana tore open near the fountain — a teleport signature.

Several rookies gasped.

A tall figure wrapped in obsidian-black combat robes stepped through the portal, the cloak fluttering behind him in an almost theatrical breeze. Two curved daggers were sheathed at his waist, and faint arcane sigils glowed beneath his sleeves.

And over his head:

**ALEMAN — Lv. 45 (Dual-Class: Assassin / Mage)**

The crowd of newbies started whispering immediately.

"That's him…"

"Is that the guy from the tournament??"

"Ranked player— holy shit—"

Derrick stared.

"Bro… why do you look like you eat continents?"

Aleman walked toward him with a casual swagger.

"Welcome to Enders Light, Derrick."

Derrick's avatar looked around nervously. "Everyone is staring at you… this is embarrassing."

"They're staring at *you*," August said. "Because you're with me."

"That does not help."

"Don't worry," Aleman smirked. "Let's get you started."

He opened a trade window and dumped several items in.

Beginner's Mana Shield Charm

Reinforced Leather Bracers

500 Silver

Stamina Bread ×10

Health Vials ×5

Derrick stuttered. "Bruh— this is too much—"

"It's nothing. You'll need it."