"Earth" Release

What would happen if our world turned into a computer game? It might sound tempting at first, but there's one small detail you should know: in this game, people are nothing but non-playable characters, useful only for the service they provide to the real players. Experience, development, loot, levels-none of that is for us. Our role is merely to dance to the tune of our masters, who have come to our world to turn it into a character farm and a space for their own entertainment. Doesn't sound quite as nice anymore, does it? But nobody ever gave us any choice in the matter: the update known as "Earth" has already been installed! If anybody has a problem with that . . . well, that's their own personal problem. The system will devour everyone!

The game has devoured Earth. Players have gotten down to business as usual-farming, taking out monsters, leveling up their items, and wiping out dungeons. All the NPCs can do is accept their unenviable fate and try to survive in this complicated new world. But will they all be content to sit on their hands and accept it? Michael, a Universal Combat Mage, is one of a number of people who refuse to let fate lead them passively along. He wants to decide his own fate. And really, it should be pretty simple: he'll just need to make his way out of the depths of the local dungeon, and thereby reclaim his right to call himself a human. The rest will fall into place.