The flickering neon signs of Neo-Shibuya cast long, distorted shadows across the rain-slicked alleyway. Kaito, a perpetually tired programmer with dark circles under his eyes, hunched over his battered laptop, the glow of the screen reflecting in his weary gaze. He was chasing a ghost, a legendary bug in the VRMMO "Elysian Fields," a game where reality and fantasy blurred.
"Just a few more lines of code," he muttered, his fingers flying across the keyboard. He was trying to find out how some players had access to abilities that were not in the games code. Rumors circulated of players with impossible stats, and skills that defied the game's very rules.
Suddenly, a surge of static erupted from the laptop, the screen flashing a chaotic array of code. A jolt, like a static shock, ripped through Kaito, and the world dissolved into a blinding white light.
He awoke to the rustling of leaves and the chirping of unfamiliar birds. The rain-soaked neon of Neo-Shibuya was gone, replaced by a lush, verdant forest. He was lying on a bed of moss, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers.
"Where...where am I?" he croaked, his voice hoarse.
A translucent blue screen flickered into existence before him, displaying lines of text:
[System Initialization Complete]
[Welcome, Player Kaito.]
[Synchronization with Elysian Fields: Anomalous Data Detected.]
[Compensatory Skill Allocation: Initiating...]
"Elysian Fields? But...this is real," Kaito said, his eyes widening.
The screen updated:
[Anomalous Data: Code Corruption Detected.]
[Compensatory Skill: 'Debug Mode' Acquired.]
[Debug Mode: Allows manipulation of game parameters and code.]
Kaito stared at the screen, his programmer's mind reeling. "Debug Mode? As in...I can change the rules?"
He tentatively focused his attention on a nearby tree, mentally picturing its code.
[Object: Ancient Oak]
[Health: 100%]
[Durability: 85%]
[Properties: Wood, Living]
A shiver ran down his spine. He could see the very fabric of this reality, like lines of code laid bare. He thought about changing the tree.
He thought, "Health: 1000000%".
The numbers on the display changed. The tree began to glow with a faint, golden aura, its bark thickening, its leaves shimmering.
"This is insane," Kaito whispered, a grin spreading across his face. "This is...perfect."
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the forest. A hulking wolf, its eyes glowing red, emerged from the shadows, its fangs bared.
[Object: Dire Wolf]
[Level: 10]
[Health: 100%]
[Attack: 50]
[Defense: 30]
"Oh, come on," Kaito sighed. He was still in his pajamas, completely defenseless. But then he remembered his new skill.
He focused on the wolf's stats. "Level: 1. Health: 1%. Attack: 1."
The wolf stumbled, its powerful muscles suddenly weak, its eyes dimming. It let out a pathetic whimper and collapsed.
Kaito blinked. "Well, that was easy."
He looked at his own stats, which had just appeared.
[Player: Kaito]
[Level: 1]
[Health: 100%]
[Mana: 100%]
[Skills: Debug Mode]
"Level 1? That won't do." He thought, "Player: Kaito. Level: 9999."
His level instantly shifted. The screen showed his new status.
[Player: Kaito]
[Level: 9999]
[Health: 999999%]
[Mana: 999999%]
[Skills: Debug Mode]
"Much better." Kaito said.
He then looked around the forest. "Well, I guess it is time to explore my new reality." He then began to walk, with a growing smile on his face. This was going to be fun.