Prolouge Chapter 1: The Message

Congratulations!

You have reached the end of the story.

"Finally!"

My name's Hugo. I'm a twenty-three-year-old streamer.

Chat:

- Wow, someone finally cleared that damned Otome game!

- Damn, man, isn't that a new world record?

"Hmm, I guess it's a world record." I smiled as I read the comments. My eyes wandered through the comment section, which was filled mostly with praise. I clicked my tongue and moved my cursor. 

'I've won the battle.'

As a gaming enthusiast, I challenge myself by conquering hellish games. The thrill of entering new territory and the pride I feel when conquering a game that has defeated millions of players greatly boosts my deflated ego.

Ding. Ding.

"Time's up."

Chat:

- Eh? You're leaving so soon?

- What's the hurry, man?

- Must be a date. Are you going to ditch us for a girl?

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, I've got a date with this awesome girl." The comment section immediately erupted with criticism.

"Anyway, thanks for the donations, guys. I'll be back tomorrow." I waved goodbye and turned off the stream. I put down my headphones on the table and unplugged the cords.

"Time for work." 

I took a quick stretch and changed into my usual gray t-shirt and baggy black pants. After checking myself a few times in the mirror, I put on my shoes and checked my messages on my phone.

Message: Hey, you got the money ready, right?

"I guess it's that time of the month again." I sighed inwardly, gazing at my messy room. "I'll clean up later." I slipped my phone into my pocket and hurried to work.

I'll introduce myself again. My name is Hugo Lambert. I'm currently twenty-three, single, and on my way to my part-time job at StarStruck Café. 

You might be wondering why I introduced myself as a streamer a few minutes ago and now as a part-timer? Well, let's start from the beginning.

I was raised in an ordinary home with loving parents. They had normal jobs, and we lived a normal life. As the only son, I was showered with my parents' unconditional love.

That all crumbled when my father disappeared when I was fifteen, leaving me and my mother with a whopping 50 million in debt, all under my mother's name. It turns out, my father was involved with the mob.

My mother had to work tirelessly. Since I was still underage, I couldn't work part-time, so I took on gigs to help my poor mother, but it wasn't enough.

"Hugo, I can take care of the debt. Please, go to school." Faced with her pleading tone, I stopped taking gigs and focused on my education.

But school became unbearable too.

"He puked! I get another two points!" 

"Damn, man, he looks a wreck."

"Nah, he's fine. Ain't that right, Hugo?"

I became the target of school violence.

"Hey, answer me. You're fine, right?"

I wasn't fine at all.

"Y-Yeah. I-I'm fine."

Playing along was the only way to avoid more beatings. Many times, I felt like ending it all, but I was too cowardly, and the fear of leaving my mother, my only family, kept me alive.

When I turned eighteen, I found a note on the table.

*I'm so sorry, Hugo.*

My mother had run off, leaving me with nothing but a note. She'd waited for me to reach legal age before dumping my father's debt on me. Instead of anger, I felt relief.

I had watched her work tirelessly, and now that the debt was mine, it felt like my responsibility. The debt became my payment for all her sacrifices in raising me.

So, I worked, and worked, and worked some more.

"30 million... Maybe I can pay it all off by the time I'm thirty?"

I still had a long journey ahead. But for now, let's get back to reality.

"You're twenty minutes late, Hugo!"

"I'm so sorry, sir. The bus was late today."

"I don't need excuses! Hurry up and get to work!"

"Y-Yes!" I hurried to the staff room, changed my clothes, and headed to the counter. The café was packed today as winter approached.

"That'll be four dollars." I calculated quickly, feeling the menacing glare from my manager.

"Hey, I need a refund!" A customer's voice cut through the noise.

I blinked a few times and put on my usual gentle smile. "Can I ask what the problem is, sir?"

"Look at my coffee! There's a bug in it!"

I leaned closer, noticing there was no bug in the coffee. "Sir, I don't see anyth—"

Splash.

"Are you blind? There was a bug in my coffee!"

My face was splashed with semi-hot coffee. My eyes twitched uncontrollably as I wondered if I could get away with smacking this unreasonable customer.

"Oh my god, here, Hugo." Lilian handed me a handkerchief, and I wiped the coffee on my face.

"I'm on it, sir. I'm sorry, you're right. I may not have noticed the bug in your coffee. We'll give you a refund." I forced a perfunctory smile. Arguing would only lead to more trouble, and I couldn't afford to lose this job.

"Good. I'm glad you understand. But I'll still give this place a one-star rating." The customer turned and sat back down.

***

"Good job, everyone. You can all go home now."

I bid farewell to my co-workers and took the bus home. As soon as I arrived at my apartment, I collapsed on my bed.

Today had been eventful: my face was splashed with coffee by a rude customer, I slipped on my way to the bathroom, and I was reprimanded three times by the manager.

Ding.

I checked my phone, remembering I had to send my monthly payment. After sending the usual amount, I buried my face in the pillow.

A few minutes later, I got up to prepare dinner.

"Oh, I almost forgot again." I sighed, looking at the mess in my apartment. Chips, beer bottles, and other beverages, plus my comics, were scattered all over the floor. 

"Do I have to?" I pondered, but eventually, my laziness won. "Right, I'll clean this junk tomorrow!"

I turned on my computer and opened a kitchen drawer. I grabbed an instant noodle cup and sat in my comfy chair, facing my computer screen.

"Since I finished (Rose Covered in Thorns), maybe I can find a new challenging game for tomorrow's stream."

My account name is YuWon, short for "You Won." It's because many games glorify the player's victory at the end, so I dubbed my account name YuWon.

Many of my subscribers mistakenly thought I was Korean because of my username, but I didn't care. I've always kept a low profile on other social media accounts.

Although I created my ITube account just five months ago, I already have 100k subscribers, and my streams sometimes get over 500k views.

[You have one new email]

"Is it another one of those streamers?"

As I've gained popularity, I've received offers from other streamers to play multiplayer games with them, but I always decline. I don't want to draw too much attention.

I haven't seriously considered being a full-time streamer. It can be lucrative, the media, the slanders, and the journalists aren't my thing. 

I clicked on the message. It wasn't from another streamer or a subscriber; it was from HighTech.

[Hello Mr. YuWon,

I'm one of the lead developers of (Rose Covered in Thorns). I received news that you cleared the game. I'm sincerely shocked, as well as grateful. The game has been one of our prized products, but due to the hellish gameplay, no one has been able to complete its storyline—until you cleared it, Mr. YuWon.

As a token of our appreciation, we'd like to include your game character in the remake of (Rose Covered in Thorns). We've attached a file to this message. Once you finish creating your character, please send it back to us via email.

We hope you have fun customizing your character!

Sincerely, The Developers]

I was at a loss for words, but my smile didn't falter. I had heard they were planning a remake due to many complaints from players, but I never imagined I'd be included!

"Me? Inside the game?" That's every player's dream!

Without hesitation, I immediately clicked the file. It opened to reveal a white mannequin with a customization board on the side.

"This is so lit!" I set my cup of noodles aside and started customizing my character.

"Since this is an Otome game and my character will be added to the remake, I have to make him ultra-handsome!"

It was already agonizing to be born with an average face, but since my character will be in the game, I have to make him extra handsome—no, ultra-handsome—for my fellow average-looking men! This was justice!

"But first let's start with the height."

I checked my phone and researched. 

I checked one of the female forums and read.

: What do you think is the most ideal height for a guy? For me, it's 5'7.

: I do agree, but in my preference, I'd want a man over 6 feet.

: 6 foot? I want a guy with a height over seven.

: The heck? Do you have a kink with giants?

I groaned reading the comments and continued to scroll down.

: I think a guy with a height of 6'3 is the ideal type. He's not too tall, and not too short. I think it's perfect.

: Oh, me too. 

"Oh, I guess 6'3 it is."

I toggled the cursor and inputted the height. Next, was the hair, I was going for a cool and serious type of looking guy. I immediately edited the facial structure of my character.

 After over an hour, of pondering, editing, and changing the whole look, I finally achieved the perfect face.

Jet-black hair, and eyes, a slim V-shaped face, a tall bridged nose, and pinkish lips, a fair glowing complexion, his hair slicked back, a chiseled leaned body carved to perfection, the epitome of a serious and cool handsome main character!

"Hahaha! I have done it!"

I raised my head proudly looking at my character. 

I have finished with the whole customization.

Next, were the personalities and traits.

[You can input eight personality and ten traits]

That was the sheer number I could input.

"Let's start with the personality."

[1.Even-Tempered]

"This way, in any given scenario my character will remain calm and collected. As well as ponder his next move."

It was a fitting personality for a main character. 

[2.OCD]

[3.Mysophobia]

I added this personality to fit this character, but most of all I don't want him to be someone like me whose room is covered in garbage.

[4. Perfectionist]

[5. Prideful][

6. Serious]

[7. Hard-working]

[8. Unexpressive]

"Now for the traits."

[1. Swordsmanship Genius][2. Magic Genius]

[3. Quick Learner][4. Prestigious][5. Overly Charming]

[6. Intelligent][7. Multi-talented]

[8. Resistant Immune System][9. Kingly Aura]

[10. Heightened Senses]

"Okay, I think that's perfect."

My eyes gazed at the last row of the settings. I noticed a nobility function.

[Rose Covered In Thorns] was set in a modernized world, filled with magic and swords, but it was reigned by the nobility.

"Eh? I can choose?"

[Baron][Viscount][Count][Duke][Royal]

There were good choices, my character might even be introduced as a king in the game. It sounds tempting, but I set my eyes on the duke. 

"Duke it is!"

[Name]

Lastly was to input a name. 

Luckily there were many name generators, and I managed to form in my opinion a great name.

[Theodore Leclair]

After sorting out my character, I saved the character profile and sent it to the given email.

"I hope the lead developer doesn't think it's too much hehe."

I was excited for my character to be born inside the game. It felt like an honor was placed upon my head.

After checking my emails, and searching for a high-difficulty game for tomorrow's stream, I went to bed.