Before I could do anything else, before panic or doubt could take hold of me. I made a decision to enter DIVINE DESCENT first.
I need to see it for myself.
The interface hovering faintly at the edge of my vision responded to my thoughts. Just like in the old VR games, all it took was my intent.
Log in the game world I thought.
In an instant, a flash of brilliant light engulfed me. The walls of the stone room blurred and warped, dissolving into streaks of energy.
My body felt weightless.
My senses twisted the sight, sound, and even gravity seemed to rearrange themselves. I wasn't just logging in, I was being transported. This was no simulation. This experience was something else entirely.
When the light faded, I found myself standing in the center of a bustling village square, bathed in the soft glow of a twilight sky. Cobblestone paths stretched out in all directions, lined with timber-framed buildings and lively stalls.
New players in mismatched armor mingled with robed merchants and curious NPCs. In the distance, massive crystal pillars floated lazily in the sky, ancient ruins loomed beyond the forest line, and beasts of legend could be seen prowling near the horizon.
This was no longer just a game.
This was real.
Entering the game, I didn't even have the chance to admire the vibrant world around me when a mechanical voice abruptly echoed in my mind stopping me in my tracks.
[Ding! Host detected...]
[Initiating the Daily Upgrade System.... Loading...]
[System Initiated]
[The Host will gain 1 Daily Upgrade Chance every day. This can be used to upgrade any one of the following: Skills, Class, Stats, Pets, Items, Bloodlines, or Abilities.]
I blinked in confusion and not long after recovering a bit I reacted.
"Wait… What?" I spoke out, instinctively looking around, half-expecting to see a floating AI screen or something, but there was Nothing.
A few moments of silence followed.
"Hello?" I tried again. "System? What are you? Can you talk?"
No response.
I narrowed my eyes, lips twitching. "Figures. Not one of those talking AI's like in web novels. No sassy assistants or cryptic old men in my head. Just a plain robotic voice with zero personality."
With a shrug, I sighed. "Well at least it's not trying to manipulate or enslave me. That's a good start."
Focusing again, I spoke the command. "Status."
A glowing interface materialized before me, translucent and floating in the air. It looked almost the same as the one I remembered from the previous Adrian's memories except for one thing. A bright golden tag labeled [Daily Upgrade Chance: 1] gleamed at the bottom of the panel.
[Status Interface]
[Name: Adrian White.
Class: Harem Master (E).
Level: 0 (0%).
Bloodline: Human (Common).
Attributes:
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Physique: 5
Intelligence: 5
Mana: 5
Charisma: 5
Perception: 5
Luck: 5
Willpower: 5]
[Daily Upgrade Chance: 1]
I stared at it all for a moment.
"Harem Master... still sounds like a joke," I muttered.
With the memories of the former Adrian still fresh in my head, I couldn't help but feel the weight of his failure. Chosen on a whim, ridiculed by others, abandoned by friends and ultimately driven to suicide. This class was seen as a trap. A gimmick for perverts or desperate fools. A path few ever dared to walk.
But now… I had something different.
The Daily Upgrade System.
One free upgrade. Every single day.
And it wasn't limited to just stats or skills. It could affect anything: my class, bloodline, even items or pets I didn't have yet. If I played this right, even a trash-tier class like Harem Master could become something monstrous.
Or at least… fun.
I cracked a slow grin.
"Well then… I guess the original Adrian left me with a cursed deck," I said, eyes gleaming, "but now I've got my own cheat card."
My fingers hovered over the upgrade option.
"One free upgrade a day… Let's see what happens if I start by upgrading this stupid class."
[Are you sure you want to use your Daily Upgrade Chance to upgrade: Class: Harem Master (E) →Harem Master (D)]
[Confirm: Yes / No]
I didn't hesitate.
"Confirm."
[Upgrading Class...]
[Upgrade Complete.]
[Class Evolved: Harem Master (D)]
I blinked.
"Well damn. That... worked. Doing this a few more times might actually be useful." I thought.
My heart pounded a bit faster now. The world that once felt heavy with tragedy suddenly looked a little more… promising.
I clenched my fist.
"Alright, I'll do it. I'll take this ridiculous class and this rejected life and I'll turn it into something legendary."
And so began my journey, not just to survive in this game-merged world… but to conquer it.
One upgrade at a time.
It's been six days already, and I've successfully upgraded my class to the peak.
SSS-rank Harem Master.
Just the thought of it makes me grin.
I opened my status to admire the fruits of my careful planning.
[Status Interface]
[Name: Adrian White
Class: Harem Master (SSS)
Level: 0 (0%)
Bloodline: Human (E)
[Attributes]
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Physique: 5
Intelligence: 5
Mana: 5
Charisma: 5
Perception: 5
Luck: 5
Willpower: 5
[Daily Upgrade Chance: 0]
A peak class at Level 0. If this were any other system, people would call it a bug. But here… it was strategy.
Now comes the next step, attributes.
Unlike classes, attributes are locked at a same level for everyone, no matter what class you choose or how weak or strong you are in the real world.
That's the key everyone get's to start from the same starting line here.
The only difference is that at every 50 levels there is a trial that players have to complete. These trials can be accepted at the job change temple anything like basic missions or hidden missions depending on the level of breakthrough missions they choose.
Doing these breakthrough missions is mandatory as without getting a breakthrough potion you cannot start leveling up ever again. There are 5 types of difficulty levels for these missions namely: Moderate, Challenging, Dangerous, Catastrophic, Apocalyptic.
Many players choosing modes difficult for themselves to do are still stuck at a low level and are all unable to complete it at all stuck at the same level.
[Attribute Upgrade Countdown]
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Physique: 5
Intelligence: 5
Mana: 5
Charisma: 5
Perception: 5
Luck: 5
Willpower: 5
I'll gain 1 statpiont in every basic attributes per level. If after leveling I breakthrough by a high level breakthrough potion the attributes will increase
Then I'll be ready to level up and when I do, I'll rocket past the competition like they're standing still.
The temptation to level now is strong. I could kill a slime and ding instantly. But that would ruin everything.
I took a deep breath and stood up from the meditation circle.
Time to head out.
Let's see what this real parallel world looks like now with my own eyes.
I stepped outside my apartment and blinked against the glowing twilight. It was Earth or at least, it used to be. Now, runic glyphs floated faintly in the sky, like thin cracks in reality. Cars still drove down the streets, but some were hovering now. Sword-wielders in casual gear passed by like it was normal.