New Game Plus

"Congratulations on choosing New Game Plus player Liam!

You are allowed to advance shortly. But before that two choices must be made."

While the mechanical voice continued to talk, Liam gradually sobered up. He looked at the surrounding darkness, his voice ringing endlessly:

"C? What's going on?"

C was the incredible KI controlling the world's largest VRMMORPG Fate of Crunaboul. This magical world has enticed nearly two billion players with its endless fantasy world.

All those players found themselves in a similar darkness when entering the game for the first time. C spoke to every player, explaining some basics and helping them create their character.

But Liam had never heard of any instance where C spoke to a single player again.

However, the AI obviously didn't plan on explaining itself.

"Tw choices have to be made."

"Hey, C? Do you hear me?"

"Two choices have to be made."

Laim rolled his eyes.

"Ok. What are my choices?"

"Player Liam. Please choose the difficulty of your New Game Plus."

[Normal]

[Expert]

[Hell]

Liam furrowed his brows. He couldn't figure out how a VRMMORPG was supposed to have varying difficulties.

But the repeated champion didn't hesitate long, choosing [Hell].

With Liam's knowledge about Fate of Crunaboul and his incredible use of movement and skills, this was the only option which might offer a hint of challenge.

"Difficulty [Hell] selected."

"Good. What now?"

"Player Liam. Please chose one thing you want to bring with you in New Game Plus. All requirements will be waved."

"What? Are you joking?"

Liam was taken aback. Didn't this mean he could bring a level 100 weapon, have its level requirements waved, and use it from level 1?

"C, are you for real? Where is the balance in that? Wouldn't I just stomp the entire game?"

"Player Liam, please choose."

"Or wait… am I the only one starting a New Game Plus or is everyone doing so? Or only the top players?"

"You are the only one, Player Liam."

"Oh, so you do know how to answer me?"

"Player Liam, please choose."

Liam could only shake his head. Thousands of items, skills, and titles ran through his head. But a seed of doubt was growing as well.

What exactly is New Game Plus? How can I be the only one?

Liam wasn't able to figure it out, but a strong confidence built from all his achievements allowed him to continue without worry.

He knew that whatever life threw at him, he would be at the top eventually. That's how it always has been for the last thirty years.

Thus, Liam finally came to a decision, remembering an item which was fairly useless in game, but still held some sentimental value for him.

"C, I choose my championship ring!"

"Choice accepted."

Suddenly Liam felt something on his hand. He looked down, finding a golden ring inlaid with a large blue gem.

The game's logo was engraved on the gem, a valiant sword in front of two pairs of wings, one angelic and one demonic.

It was a work of art, infinitely detailed.

Liam admired the ring for a moment before C's voice echoed again.

"All preparations completed. Player Liam, good luck.

New Game Plus. Start."

Abruptly Liam fell unconscious, his body dissolving in the dark.

***

"What?!"

Suddenly Liam's eyes shot open. He was disoriented, taking a few seconds to make sense of his surroundings.

But there wasn't much to see, his eyes staring at the grey wall of a tall building.

Liam's body shivered. A freezing cold invaded his bones.

"What's happening?"

Focusing on his body, Liam had a strange feeling. He realized that his clothes were thin, rough, and too short. Especially since the weather was more than harsh for humans.

What is this? Am I in Crunaboul? It's so cold. Did I start in the eastern mountains? But what's with the strange building?

Chaotic thoughts raced through Liam's mind until he looked down on his own body.

Suddenly his mind turned blank.

Liam found himself in an unfamiliar body. It was the body of a young adult, malnourished and his limbs numb from the coldness.

But even more confusing was the young girl snuggled up in his arms. The poor girl's state appeared to be even worse than his own.

While Liam was sitting against a cold wall, feeling completely lost, a voice appeared in his head.

[Welcome to New Game Plus, Player Liam.]

[I will be offering you several quests in the future.]

[Please complete them in ord…]

"C?! Is that you? What's going on? What quests?"

Liam wasn't weirded out by the voice in his head. This was the way C communicated with players, for example during server announcements.

[Please complete them…]

"C! F*ck your quests! Tell me what's happening!"

Liam looked like a crazy person, angrily talking to himself. It took a few seconds until C answered.

[I received your complaint.]

[I will be offering you challenges in the future.]

"Please... C!"

[Please complete these challenges in the future in order to earn various beneficial rewards.]

[To understand your current situation, please refer to your memories.]

"Memories? What memories?"

With C's reminder Liam began to actively dig into his memories. Suddenly he found various strange information.

"I'm still Liam Varsmith. I'm on a planet called Falva Star? It's the year 1874 in the federation calendar?

My parents are famous explorers who never returned from exploring some ruins a few years ago, leaving me and my sister, Serena, alone?

Eventually we lost our home, forced to live on the streets?"

Liam was frozen in shock. He felt like stranded on a lonely island. Only the mental fortitude built during his endless hours of harsh training allowed him to barely hold on.

What am I doing here? Why is my situation so terrible? Is this the so-called [Hell] difficulty? Can I go back? What should I do now? Did I really transmigrate?

Countless questions let Liam freeze in inaction.

[Player Liam, your first challenge has arrived:]

[Save the life of your sister!]

[Your rewards will depend on the degree of completion.]

Challenge? Right! I'm here for a challenge!

Liam forced himself to suppress his doubts for now. He stared at the frail girl in his arms.

Her blond hair was unkempt, a coarse dress barely offering any warmth. Even her little shoes were riddled with holes.

Serena's limbs had an unhealthy blue color, her body shivering. Even Liam's movements didn't wake her.

"She doesn't look good. What should I do?"

Liam felt pity in his heart. Although his feelings for the young girl were vague, looking at the cute face stained with dirt would melt anyone's heart.

Rummaging through his memories he managed to understand more about their current situation.

We were on our way to a doctor who even helps those without any money to pay. But I fell in this alley. I don't know if the original owner of this body died.

Ok, Liam, time to get a grip! It's not far.

However, what about the degree of completion? Does it mean the better treatment Serena receives, the better my reward?

Hmm if I can make some money, the doctor will probably show more effort.

Liam was pondering his options when his gaze fell on his right hand. There, on his thin ring finger sat a peculiar ring. His championship ring.

"How?""""H

Liam could only shake his head. But another idea came to his mind.

There should be a pawn shop not far away…

Taking a deep breath, Liam dragged his body up. The cold made his body tremble as his thin shoes stepped on the stone floor.

It was winter right now on Falva Star. This planet, which hasn't been populated for a long time, was blessed with hot summers and bitter winters.

Liam subconsciously looked upwards searching for the sun but high-rise buildings and elevated streets blocked his vision.

This was the fate of the homeless in Red Oak City. They lived on the bottom of the city literally and figuratively, spending most of their time in the shadow of others.

Liam smiled wryly. The contrast to his old life was too brutal. As the son of two billionaires, he was never even able to imagine how harsh life can be to the less fortunate.

While Liam was lamenting, he soon reached a point where two allies were crossing. A few others were curled up on the ground here.

Liam ignored them, carrying his sister in his arms and turning to the right. His legs felt heavy, his body tired like never before.

Even after the most brutal sprint training in his past life Liam never felt this exhausted.

It took him a great deal of effort to finally reach a small square. This was a popular gathering place for those forced to live in the lowest parts of the city. Mainly because a hint of sunshine reached this place for a few hours every day.

Thus, a few shops had settled here. Among them was Liam's target:

Ben's Pawn Shop.