Megacity 17—one of the largest strongholds in the world.
A massive metropolis housing over 50 million people, spanning a colossal 20,000 square miles. But its most striking feature?
It wasn't built on solid ground.
Instead, the entire city rested on a raised platform, nearly 10 meters high, separating it from whatever lay beneath.
Why was the megacity constructed this way?
There were countless rumors—some says about ancient disasters, others spoke of hidden dangers lurking below. But for the ordinary citizens, these questions didn't matter.
They had neither the luxury nor the freedom to explore beyond their confined world.
Even Raizel himself had never questioned it.
Oblivious to the truth beneath their feet, Raizel and his family made their way home.
Their destination? A small, run-down cottage nestled within the lower district—a modest shelter that barely kept the elements at bay.
Yet, despite its poor condition, to them, it was still home.
Because what they lacked in wealth, they more than made up for in love.
As they walked under the setting sun, Raizel's parents couldn't hide the pride in their eyes.
Their son—who had defied the odds, worked tirelessly, and risked everything—had taken a step closer to achieving the impossible.
They knew that securing a place in the Apex Guild was nearly unthinkable. The competition was brutal, and the requirements were almost impossible to meet.
But the fact that Raizel had qualified…
That alone was enough to fill their hearts with pride.
His father, a weathered man with calloused hands and a tired expression, worked long hours at a nearby construction site, barely making enough to cover their basic needs.
His mother, a gentle yet strong woman, devoted her days to caring for her children and maintaining their humble home.
Together, they had sacrificed everything to give their children a chance at a better future.
And Raizel had never forgotten that.
He had studied relentlessly, pushing himself beyond his limits, earning a place in one of the top colleges on a full scholarship—a feat that should have secured his future.
But in this era…
Scholarships held little value.
The world no longer belonged to scholars, engineers, or thinkers.
It belonged to Players.
Those who wielded supernatural powers, those who could dominate in the Supreme Game—the true rulers of today's society.
Without power, wealth and influence were forever out of reach.
And that was why Raizel had made his decision to join Supreme Game.
Despite his parents' fears and protests, despite the immense risks involved in the Selection Ceremony, he had stepped forward.
Not for personal glory.
But for them.
To give them a better life.
And now against all odds he was one step closer to making that dream a reality.
Once inside the house, Raizel took another look around, his gaze lingering on the worn-out walls, the creaky wooden floor, and the dim lighting that barely illuminated their humble home.
This wasn't the life his family deserved.
He would change that.
With that thought burning in his mind, he headed straight to his small room, shutting the door behind him before pulling out his phone.
He had given Kierra his bank account number earlier so she could transfer the money she owed him.
As he unlocked his phone, his eyes immediately caught a notification in bold, striking text.
$10,000 transferred.
All for a single F-tier spell.
But Raizel was calm even after seeing so much money.
Because to the wealthy, $10,000 was pocket change, an amount they could throw away without a second thought.
But to his family?
It was three months of survival, with rent, food, and utilities all covered. No more scraping by, no more watching his father exhaust himself every day just to keep them afloat.
Yet, this wasn't enough.
If he wanted to truly change their lives, he needed far more than just $10,000.
And the key to that?
Supreme Game.
The competition inside the game was fierce, but if he could climb the ranks, he could earn more money than he had ever dreamed of.
And if he managed to join the Apex Guild?
Their signing bonus alone would be enough to elevate his family's standard of living overnight.
The tests would be held tomorrow, and if he wanted to become a member of the Apex Guild, he had no choice but to pass.
Shrugging off his worries, Raizel decided to freshen up, heading for a much-needed shower. His sister had been teasing him endlessly about his torn-up, bloodstained clothes, and honestly, he could use the reset.
As the warm water cascaded over his body, he closed his eyes, feeling its soothing embrace seep into his muscles.
Then, as he ran his hands over his torso, he froze.
His abdomen—it had changed.
He had abs now?
Raizel blinked in surprise, taking a closer look. His once lean and ordinary body had undergone a transformation. His muscles were now firm, well-defined, and brimming with vitality, like those of a seasoned athlete.
He clenched his fist. Strength.
It was real.
And it was all because he had invested heavily in his Physique stat.
Most mages typically prioritized Mana and Intelligence, refining their control over spells while remaining physically weak. But Raizel had chosen a different path.
And now, his body reflected that choice.
Knock, knock!
A sudden knock on the bathroom door snapped him from his thoughts.
"Big Bro, your clothes!"
It was Ruby.
Raizel sighed, reaching for a towel before cracking the door open slightly. He extended his right arm to grab the clothes, unintentionally revealing his sculpted muscles in the process.
There was a brief silence.
Then—
"W-Whoa..."
Ruby's voice faltered, her previous teasing forgotten.
"What's wrong?" he asked, frowning.
"N-Nothing!" she blurted out, thrusting the clothes into his hand.
The next second, her hurried footsteps echoed as she rushed away.
"What's wrong with her?"
Raizel scratched his head, confused.
Shaking off the thought, he quickly dried himself and changed into the fresh clothes Ruby had brought.
As he stepped out of the bathroom, the aroma of home-cooked food drifted under his nostrils. His stomach growled in response.
It had been so long since he'd had a proper home-cooked meal.
That applied to his past life and this life as well.
Back in college dormitory, meals had been nothing more than a necessity—a rushed sandwich between classes, or some bland cafeteria food that barely passed as edible.
Even in the Supreme Game, hunger wasn't an issue, yet nothing could compare to the warmth of a real family dinner.
And now, after everything that had happened, he realized just how much he missed it.
As he stepped into the small dining area, he saw his mother setting the table, her face beaming with relief and happiness. His father was already seated, wiping his hands on a cloth after what was likely an exhausting day of work.
And Ruby?
She was avoiding eye contact, her cheeks slightly pink.
Raizel smiled but said nothing.
"Come, sit down, Son" his mother urged, gesturing toward his reserved seat. "The food's getting cold."
He didn't need to be told twice.
As he sat down, the familiar warmth of home settled deep into his bones.
For the first time since waking up in this new life, he felt truly at peace.