In the vast canyon, the air was filled with the sounds of shouting and neighing horses. An allied army of humans, elves, and orcs was battling against the forces of darkness. Robed mages hurled massive fireballs with all their might, while beautiful archers in exquisite leather armor pulled their bowstrings again and again, their sharp arrows turning into streaks of cold light that rained down upon the enemy ranks. At the front lines, hordes of berserkers wielded long spears and battle axes, their bodies glowing blood-red as they charged into the midst of the dark skeleton soldiers. With each sweep of their axes, the skeleton soldiers were shattered to pieces!

On the other side, dark elemental mages shrouded in black robes let out terrifying low growls. As their dark staffs waved, countless scorching meteors rained down from the sky. Amidst the bursts of fire, the berserkers were instantly engulfed in a sea of blood, their heavy armor seared red-hot in a flash!

White light flashed continuously as gentle elemental healing spells fell upon the berserkers. Priests of the light camp began chanting healing magic, while several shadows slipped quietly into the dark camp amidst the chaos. With flashes of ghostly light, a few dark elemental mages were beheaded, their black bones flying through the air.

Just then, snowflakes suddenly began to drift down from the sky, each one landing in the canyon!

As the snowstorm swirled, massive chunks of ice crashed down from above. In an instant, countless warriors of the light camp were killed or wounded. When everyone looked up, they saw a four-winged demon flying in the air, arms outstretched, loudly chanting an obscure incantation!

Within the canyon, a thousand miles were frozen, and countless living beings struggled on the edge of death.

Suddenly, a brilliant light flashed by, and a bone-chilling sword aura swept across the canyon. The great demon let out a miserable scream as both of its wings were sliced off in an instant!

The forbidden-level spell was abruptly cut off, and the great demon plummeted into the canyon, where it was torn to pieces by the countless berserkers!

The perspective gradually shifted upward. Atop the high cliff above the canyon stood a handsome young man, a sharp sword hanging low in his hand, its blade gleaming with a chilling light. Yet, what was truly shocking was that his hair was already snow-white. As he gazed down at the vast multitudes below, his eyes were clear, but filled with deep loneliness and sorrow.

Thunder rumbled across the sky, as if heralding the arrival of the next storm!

Faintly, two large glowing blue characters appeared high in the sky: “灵恸”!

Perhaps the game’s 100% realism was simply too lifelike—I was stunned on the spot, unable to utter a word for a long time. But one thing was certain: this game helmet was truly the helmet from 灵恸! That meant the identity of the girl in the room was even more intriguing. How did she get her hands on this game helmet ahead of time, and her account number was 000000002? That meant the helmet I was using was the second one ever issued!

There was still nearly a whole day before the game would open, so I logged out, took off the helmet, and found myself drenched in sweat. After this first experience, it was clear that this game, said to be the result of ten years of effort by the world’s top online developers, truly lived up to its reputation. Whether in realism or in-game detail, everything made you feel as if you were really there, your blood boiling with excitement!

In the promotional images, that handsome young swordsman defeated a four-winged demon with a single strike—could it be a sign that players could reach such heights in the game?

Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but smile. If I could really reach that level in the game, wouldn’t I be able to roam the world and have both power and beauty at my side?

At that moment, I suddenly smelled something burning and remembered that my vegetable porridge was still on the stove!

I rushed into the kitchen and turned off the power. Looking at the porridge, it was a miserable sight, completely unappetizing.

In the room, the girl named Ashley Carter was sleeping. She was dead drunk and definitely wouldn’t open the door for me. I had no choice but to pull the yellow cloth from the dining table outside, cover my stomach, and make do for the night in the living room! Damn it, everyone else gets lucky with beautiful women, but I, damn it, run into such a stunning little beauty and it’s nothing but bad luck!

Half-asleep, I didn’t know how long I’d slept when suddenly a bright light shone on my face. I opened my eyes to see a fat man shining a flashlight at me!

I was instantly furious and about to explode, but then I realized this fat man was that damn Mr. Parker!

Mr. Parker looked at me with utter contempt and said, “Brian Cooper, your rent for next month is due. If you keep delaying, I’ll have to kick you out! Why are you sleeping out here so late?”

I looked up at the big clock in the living room—it was already past two in the morning. So I asked, “Mr. Parker, what are you doing here so late?”

“I came to check the circuit breaker. Some tenants said the power was out. But you—when are you paying the rent?!”

My heart sank. The money I’d set aside for rent had been stolen by that thief. Where was I supposed to get the money now?

Just then, with a creak, my door opened, and standing there was the lovely and charming Ashley Carter!

Ashley Carter’s clothes were loose, but they perfectly accentuated her graceful figure, and she looked even more alluring with her lazy, drowsy expression.

“I want some water!” Ashley Carter mumbled, her eyes half-closed, still half-asleep.