Demon Lord Management Sim Game

I removed my VR helmet from my head and straightened myself out of bed. The gaming session only lasted a few hours, but I felt like it had been so long.

And after that epic battle with my subordinates, I felt exhausted, both mind and body. Something strange indeed. My body didn't move directly, and my brain should get refreshed. But that's how it is.

So, I decided to return to the real world, although I usually play longer than this.

"That's not right, Ethan. You have cheated."

I jumped out of bed and found a man sitting in my study chair, looking at me with a smile.

The rhythm of my heartbeat began to creep up, a chill crawled down my spine, and my mouth couldn't speak.

Vorn?

Even though he was in his human appearance, without horns and wings, this man's features were very familiar to me. He really is Vorn, my avatar in that game.

How could he be here?

"Ah, I used this form so you could see me." The man shrugged. "A mortal like you won't be able to comprehend my true form."

"W-what?" I was so confused, so that was the only word that could come out of my mouth.

"I'm just warning you, Ethan. What you did was bad." He stood up, walking while surveying my small room. "Seeking information from the internet is cheating."

I massaged my forehead, making sure this wasn't a dream. "Who exactly are you?"

"Something you can't comprehend. You can say that I am a cosmic being.

"A god?" I gulped.

"Maybe." He sneered. "It's up to you what you call me."

I tried to steel my heart to face this absurd situation. "Why are you here?"

Of course, I don't believe this guy. Maybe he's just a robber trying to distract me. However, since meeting him, I can't scream. I can't even run to escape or attack.

It's like an invisible force is holding me back.

"Before answering your question, I will explain what is really happening." He smiled again, fiddling with his fingers. "In short, what people say is true, games from the Fringe Softwork company are gateways to another world."

My eyes opened wide. "What did you say?"

The cosmic being spread out his arms. "In the multiverse, there are many versions of the world. There are many versions of the planet Mistrea like in the game you played, or planet Levidna before that."

Still unable to comprehend my current situation, I just laughed. "Very funny…. Your jokes are funny…."

However, in my heart, I knew that this man was serious.

"You feel that everything in that world is genuine, right?" He approached me. "You can feel the warmth of Phisovia and Xenora, as well as the coldness of Emily's touch. It's because they are real, Ethan Alexander."

The energy in my legs felt like they were being sucked out of me, forcing me to fall back onto the bed. My brain still can't process this man's description properly.

By playing the game, I really travel to that fantasy world? How could that be?

Is that what makes me feel like I have strong bonds with them?

"If your words are true..." I mumbled with quivering lips. "Why do you do that?"

The cosmic being laughed. "We can get bored sometimes, you know? So, I had an idea to send creatures from this boring realm to explore more interesting worlds. It will be an amazing spectacle."

"Why…. Why use games?"

"Ordinary people would be surprised if they were suddenly sent to the fantasy world. They will be confused and unable to survive." He explained. "There must be something that makes them able to comprehend things. So, they can adapt. That's why we use games."

I looked down, squeezing my head. Instead of making things clear, that explanation made my brain fucked up even more.

So, if one of my subordinates dies, will they really die? Does this also mean I've really done evil things?

"Well, we can send 'gods' to guide those who transmigrate to another world." The cosmic being sat next to me. "But I think it would be more interesting if they grew on their own."

"But you used that guiding concept in the previous game, right?" I don't understand why the question slipped from my mouth.

He chuckled. "But, in the end, the guiding god is still an ordinary human."

We both fell silent. I'm still trying to contemplate the words of the figure next to me. My heart didn't want to believe all this, but what I saw said otherwise.

That world, and its inhabitants, are too real to be made by mere humans.

"Back to the topic. If someone cheats, I'll make it hard for them to do it again. For example, they won't be able to find any information on the internet. You'll get that too." The man stood up, walking slightly away from me. "If you cheat in that world to conquer it, I don't care. However, doing underhanded things in this world to be used in that world is bad."

I lifted my face.

"So, I'm really in a campaign for world domination?" I hissed.

The cosmic being laughed even louder. "That's right, the fate of a realm is in your hands! It's up to you to do anything about it!"

All explanations of this figure are fucked up. Giving the fate of a world to an ordinary person? And it's just for entertainment? We are just toys for this cosmic being.

However, I can't suppress my excitement anymore. One world. I will rule one world!

"I love watching you play this game." The cosmic being added. "You're different, Ethan Alexander. Out of the millions of people who bought this game, you are one of the most interesting. "

"I have a request." My breath became heavy with anticipation. "Can you provide proof?"

He flashed another smile and snapped his fingers. In an instant, Phisovia appeared in front of me.

I was choked up.

The succubus glanced around, looking confused. As soon as she found the cosmic being, she asked. "Where are we, my lord?"

My feet automatically approach her. And without realizing it, I shed a single tear.

She is so real, and so are all my comrades in that world.

The succubus looked at me while raising an eyebrow. I was about to touch her face, but her figure vanished.

"You can meet her again when you log into the game." The cosmic being walked past me. "But, before that, I have an important piece of information. And your response will determine whether you can still play the game or not."

I wiped my tears, feeling the overwhelmed emotions inside of me. "What's that?"

"This time, you will feel pain if you get hurt in that realm. But don't worry. If you die in that fantasy world, you won't die in your original world. And after you die in the fantasy world, you will be reborn hundreds or thousand of years into the future. Yeah, basically it's still the same as before."

I'm speechless. I don't know how much pain will be felt later. However, everything in that fantasy world continues to grip my mind.

Phisovia and the rest of my underlings did not consist of computer codes as I first thought. If I don't say yes, I can't meet them again.

Plus, I'm on my way to world domination. That's my new purpose, and it was much bigger than being a football athlete.

"I'm waiting, Ethan." The cosmic being tapped his feet. "If you don't answer immediately, you won't be able to play anymore."

"I'm ready." I have no other choice. The fantasy world has had a significant impact on me, after all. Even if I can't stand the pain, I can quit anytime.

Getting no response, I looked around. I couldn't find him anywhere.