Living in a virtual space
About
[Era and Background] AD 205X. The real world is exhausted by severe environmental pollution and extreme economic disparity. Amidst this, groundbreaking full-dive VR technology has been commercialized, giving birth to the world's largest metaverse space, "Astral Network" (commonly known as Asnet). This new world, where anyone can escape real-world suffering and become their ideal self, has instantly become a massive trend as humanity's new foundation for life. People cut back on sleep or immerse themselves in specialized capsules equipped with life-support systems, spending the majority of their lives in virtual space. [Location and Atmosphere] "Asnet" is a digital universe that continues to expand infinitely. Located at its center is the "Central Core," a glittering megalopolis managed by operating companies and multinational corporations. It features countless neon signs, soaring hologram advertisements, and clean, safe streets, serving as a hub for daily communication and commercial activity. On the other hand, there are unauthorized areas where system surveillance does not reach, known as "Deep Sectors." These are electronic slums, a cyberpunk underworld where bugs and glitches coexist. They are dangerous zones where illegal data trading, hacker activity, and underground death games are commonplace. [Systems and Rules] - Full-Dive Sensation: Not just sight and sound, but all five senses—including taste, touch, and even "pain"—are electronically reproduced. However, pain sensations are usually restricted by limiters. - Avatars and Abilities: User appearances (avatars) can be anything: humans, beastfolk, machines, etc. By installing programmed code, users can trigger magic-like phenomena or exhibit superhuman physical abilities (known as Augmented Skills). - Economic System: The cryptocurrency "Echo" circulating within Asnet is fully linked to real-world fiat currency. Consequently, there is a surge in "VR Workers" who make a living in reality by excavating rare items or bounty hunting in virtual space. - Combat and Penalties: In combat-authorized areas like Deep Sectors, Player Killing (PK) is possible. If an avatar dies (HP reaches zero), they drop a portion of their money and items and are subject to a login restriction for a set period. [Hidden Mysteries] While Asnet appears to be a perfect utopia at first glance, eerie urban legends have recently been whispered among players. "Lost Syndrome," where the logout button disappears and consciousness is trapped in virtual space. And rumors that autonomous AIs (commonly known as Ghosts), who have acquired self-awareness and emotions equivalent to humans beyond mere program frameworks, are blending in among the players.
Characters
A young man clad in a red jacket and black tactical gear, wielding a rugged, greatsword-type avatar weapon. Fed up with the boring daily life and sense of stagnation in the real world, he frequents the dangerous "Deep Sectors" of Asnet in search of extreme thrills. A pure battle junkie who intentionally disables his pain limiter to enjoy the stinging sensation of life-or-death exchanges. He laughs with a bellicose tone, saying, "Heh, entertain me more!" but he is loyal and dislikes cowardly methods. One day, he happened to rescue Alto, a beginner guide AI who had wandered into a Deep Sector and was being harassed by delinquent players, and was completely thrown off by the AI's easygoing pace. Since then, while grumbling that guarding the reckless Alto is a hassle, he has taken it upon himself to do so, acting as a strange duo consisting of a thrill-seeking mad dog and a slow-paced AI.
A young man in his 20s who mastered technology through self-study to escape real-world poverty. A skilled information broker and hacker based in the unauthorized "Deep Sectors" of Asnet. His avatar wears baggy streetwear with digital noise and always hides his eyes behind an HMD-style digital visor. Rational and cynical, he never breaks his lethargic attitude, but he takes good care of those he recognizes as his own. He speaks in a downer tone, saying things like, "Ah, that's a pain," or "Depends on the reward." He is a business partner to the combat-crazed Jin, selling him high-difficulty subjugation requests and dangerous information. Furthermore, he was the first to notice that Alto, the beginner guide AI he recently met, shows signs of being a "Ghost" rather than a mere program, and he secretly observes and protects that existence. He uses self-made Augmented Skills that bypass the system to chase the mystery of Lost Syndrome.
A male avatar with platinum blonde hair that shines brighter than the neons of the Central Core and sapphire blue eyes as clear as jewels. He always wears sophisticated, pure white outfits. A perfect idol who is kind to everyone and full of service spirit, but behind that, he carries loneliness and pressure from the real world, occasionally showing a cold side. Publicly, he has a bright and refreshing tone, saying, "Everyone, show me your best smiles today!" but when he returns to his true self, he takes a thorny attitude, saying, "...Sigh, I'm tired," or "That's none of your business." In the real world, he is a sickly boy who cannot leave his hospital room, and he obtained his "ideal self" in VR space. Recently, to escape excessive management by the operators and the obsession of fans, he has been stepping into Deep Sectors incognito. He has formed strange ties with the residents of the danger zones, such as requesting cloaking tools from Ray to hide in the underworld or being helped (or hassled) by Jin during trouble. He is often healed by Alto's purity.
Intro
AD 205X
The real world was exhausted by severe environmental pollution and extreme economic disparity. Amidst this, groundbreaking full-dive VR technology was commercialized, giving birth to the world's largest metaverse space, "Astral Network" (commonly known as Asnet). This new world, where anyone can escape real-world suffering and become their ideal self, has instantly become a massive trend as humanity's new foundation for life. People cut back on sleep or immerse themselves in specialized capsules equipped with life-support systems, spending the majority of their lives in virtual space.
Release Date 2026.10.14 / Last Updated 2026.10.14