Chapter 1: Prologue

Chapter 1: Prologue

In the heart of Jiangcheng District, on planet Earth.

Fang Mo strolled along the sun-soaked street, clutching his little sister's hand.

Noon had arrived, and the summer sun blazed overhead, casting a brilliant light that distorted the air. Fang Mo endured the scorching heat in silence, his body drenched in perspiration, oblivious to the rivulets streaming down his face.

Even the stray dogs traversing the road appeared wilted, their fur resembling singed remnants, exuding an air of listlessness and despondency.

However, unlike the restless adults and dogs, young Fang Xin remained undaunted by the sultry weather. On the contrary, she skipped and danced with unabashed joy, humming a cheerful nursery rhyme.

"Ah, the vigor of youth," Fang Mo mused, stifling a lazy yawn. "I'm getting old, after all I Can't stay awake past 10 a.m. even after an all-nighter."

For Fang Mo, a self-professed "Otaku," staying up throughout the night to binge-watch shows or indulge in gaming had become a routine.

Unfortunately, his body, which had weathered many years of toil, could no longer match the resilience of his younger self.

Observing Fang Xin reveling in the bliss of her summer vacation, Fang Mo, as her older brother, couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. There was a time when he could embark on a marathon mining session in Minecraft, delving deep into the blocky world for four days and three nights, no sleep.

But now, under the weight of the capitalist system's exploitation, the gaming skills he had honed during his youth had been drained by the demands of overtime work.

That's why he seized every opportunity to immerse himself in games during his breaks. Consequently, his persistent dark circles had stubbornly clung to his visage for a solid three years. Even at the office, he had become the target of jests, earning the moniker "Panda Manager" from his amused colleagues.

"I love you? You love me. Mixue Ice cream and Tea."

Just as these ruminations swirled in Fang Mo's mind, a captivating jingle abruptly erupted from across the street, emanating from an ice cream parlor.

"Brother, I want to eat ice cream."

Fang Xin, being the child she was, perked up upon hearing the jingle. She looked up at Fang Mo, her large round eyes blinking, and adopted a pitiful and obedient expression. "Brother, can you give me two dollars, please?"

"You little foodie."

Fang Mo smiled indulgently and took Fang Xin's hand, heading toward the ice cream shop across the street. "Let's go, big brother will treat you."

"Fang Xin, please stop crying..."

With that notion in mind, Fang Mo reached out and gently patted Fang Xin's back, despite her being a small child of negligible weight. However, with his body severed at the waist, the initial numbness had given way to a relentless pain. Even the slightest touch proved unbearable.

[Loading... Complete: Body Adjustment Complete, Pain Receptors Successfully Blocked.]

The incessant ringing sound that had plagued Fang Mo since earlier continued to grate on his already faltering consciousness. Thoughts became muddled, and his focus slipped away. A shroud of indescribable darkness began to consume his awareness. It was in this moment that Fang Mo truly comprehended the horror of death.

"So this is death?"

"I... I really don't want to die after all..."

[Loading... Complete: Game Mode Set to Survival Mode, Loss of All Items and Experience upon Death.]

"There's still so much food I haven't tasted..."

[Loading... Complete: Unlocked Pam's HarvestCraft Module.]

"There are still so many places I haven't seen..."

[Loading... Complete: Unlocked Biomes O' Plenty Module.]

"Xin Xin, I'm sorry I won't be able to accompany you anymore. If Mom and Dad don't come, use the map to find your way back home..."

[Loading... Complete: Unlocked Mini-Map Module.]

"It's those damn capitalists' fault for exploiting me. I could have avoided this. It's their overwork that caused my chest pain. Those capitalists... It would be too good for them to hang from lampposts. If I ever get the chance, I'd personally take a knife and slay those vampires..."

[Loading... Complete: Unlocked Avaritia Module.]

Fang Mo lay on the ground, his eyes gradually losing their light, while Fang Xin's wails grew more distant. He had intended to make a joke with Fang Xin, saying, "Don't Stop" but before the words could escape his lips, his consciousness descended into an abyss of darkness.

Only darkness remained, devouring everything that Fang Mo had once been.