Overgeared: Babylon

At their home, a small apartment was filled with the aroma of home-cooked food as the family gathered around the table. Sehee had gone all out, preparing a feast of Youngwoo's favorite dishes—spicy kimchi stew, grilled pork belly, and a mountain of steamed rice. It was a rare indulgence for their struggling family, and Youngwoo couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he looked at the spread.

"You didn't have to do all this," he said along with a sigh, his voice tinged with gratitude.

Sehee waved him off, her cheeks flushing with pride. "It's not every day my big brother comes back from the coma. Consider it a celebration."

Their mother smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Eat up, Youngwoo. You need to regain your strength."

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared memories. For the first time in what felt like forever, the weight of their struggles seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of warmth and togetherness. Youngwoo found himself relaxing, the tension in his shoulders easing as he listened to his family's stories.

***

Later that evening, as the family settled into the living room, Youngwoo found himself staring out the window, his mind drifting back to the higher being's words when it was about to send him to this world, "You will be the anchor that world. Its Fate rests in your hands." Recalling this, the weight of that responsibility felt heavier than ever, and he couldn't help but wonder if he was truly capable of fulfilling such a monumental task.

"I also have prepared a give for you when you arrive at your new world, and it will be active the second you log in to satisfy.

Live your life, Gil, live it well." And that was the last word of the being before he woke up at the hospital.

'Sigh I just hope it's not a generic system that gives some bullshit death penalty for when I'm not talking to a girl'

Sehee noticed his distant expression and sat down beside him, her voice soft with concern. "Oppa, are you okay? You've been quiet all evening."

Youngwoo hesitated, before saying. "I'm fine," forcing a smile while musing in his head, 'Let's just hope whatever reincarnated me would be kind enough to me to not give that kind of system'

He then continued, "Just... thinking about everything that's happened, but otherwise, I feel great, even I don't remember the last I feel so energized like right now."

Sehee studied him for a moment, her eyes seeing through his smile. She had always been perceptive, especially when it came to her brother. "You don't have to lie to me, Oppa," she said gently, her voice tinged with concern. "I know something's bothering you. You've been... different since you woke up."

"Well, It's just..." he began, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words. "A lot has happened. More than I can really explain to you right now. But I'll figure it out."

Sehee reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "You don't have to figure it out alone, you know. Whatever it is, I'm here for you. We all are."

Her words struck a chord deep within him, and for the first time, Youngwoo felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe he didn't have to face this journey alone. Maybe, with his family by his side, along with the future friend and comrade, he could find the strength to rise to the challenge that Fate will throw at him

'Yeah, as long I stick to canon as close as possible, I think I can do this. And I have months to prepare for future event.'

***

The soft glow of the desk lamp illuminated the small, cluttered room as Shin Youngwoo sat hunched over his desk, a notebook open in front of him. The pages were filled with hastily scribbled notes, diagrams, and timelines, all connected by a web of arrows and annotations. His brow was furrowed in concentration, his pen moving rapidly across the paper as he tried to make sense of the chaos in his mind.

One thing had become abundantly clear to him as he poured over the memories of his past life and the knowledge he had of *Overgeared*: almost every major event in the game was connected in some way.

He leaned back in his chair, tapping the pen against his chin as he stared at the notes. "Basically if one thing didn't happen, there is a chance some event will be different. Like for example when Bunhilder appeared in the 3rd National Competition, that caused Saharan Empire to survive and not be demolished as intended. And that happened just because small encounter between Grid and Kraugel, which lead Grid to unlock the true capabilities of Kraugel's sword... And because Saharan Empire was not destroyed, in the next few years it became a close ally to Grid and migration to the Eastern Continent didn't happen.

And it wasn't just the big events that were connected. Even the smaller, seemingly insignificant moments had a role to play. A chance encounter with an NPC, a hidden quest in a forgotten dungeon, a rare item discovered by a low-level player... all of it was part of a larger tapestry, woven together by the invisible hand of Fate."

Youngwoo's eyes narrowed as a thought struck him. "Or maybe it's not fate," he murmured. "Maybe it's the game's AI, adapting and evolving based on the players' actions. Or... something else entirely."

'And let's not forget, at the end of novel some old xianxia ancestors suddenly invaded the game and it become some bullshit cultivation story. Sigh'

He shook his head, trying to clear the fog of uncertainty, because all he was capable of right now was just prepare and whatever the case, one thing still certain: if he wanted to succeed in this world, he would need to understand these connections and use them to his advantage. He couldn't afford to be a passive observer, reacting to events as they unfolded. He needed to be proactive, to anticipate the twists and turns of the game's narrative, and to position himself accordingly.

With renewed determination, Youngwoo leaned forward and began writing again, his pen moving with purpose. He outlined a plan, a strategy that would allow him to navigate the complex web of events and emerge victorious. It was a daunting task, but he knew he had no choice. The fate of this world—and his own future—depended on it.

As he worked, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Despite the weight of his responsibility, there was a part of him that relished the challenge. This was his chance to make a difference, to leave his mark on a world that had captivated him in his past life. With the knowledge and skills he had gained from both of his lives, he was confident that he could rise to the occasion.

"Alright," he said softly, setting down his pen and closing the notebook. "Let's see what this world has in store for me."

***

Next Day

The first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the quiet neighborhood. The streets were still empty, save for the occasional early riser heading to work or the sound of birds chirping in the distance. It was a peaceful morning, the kind that felt like a fresh start.

Shin Youngwoo stood at the front door of his house, dressed in a simple pair of running shorts and a slightly faded t-shirt. He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from years of neglect. It had been a long time since he'd done anything remotely physical aside from construction work, but he knew he couldn't afford to be complacent anymore. If he was going to face the challenges ahead—both in the real world and in Satisfy—he needed to be in better shape.

As he stepped outside, the cool morning air hit his face, invigorating him. He took a deep breath, savoring the crispness of it, and began a slow jog down the street. His movements were awkward at first, his body protesting the unfamiliar exertion, but he pushed through it, determined to make this a habit. While this is happening, Youngwoo doesn't notice a disbelief reaction from his family for his small action.

___

Inside the house, Sehee stood by the window, her eyes wide with disbelief as she watched her brother jog down the street. She blinked a few times as if to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. "Mom! Dad! You're not going to believe this," she called out, her voice tinged with amusement.

Their mother emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "What is it, Sehee?" she asked, her tone laced with concern.

Sehee pointed out the window. "Oppa's... running. Like, actually running. I didn't even know he could run."

Their father joined them at the window, his expression equally baffled. "Huh. That's... new."

The three of them stood there for a moment, watching as Youngwoo disappeared around the corner. It was such a small thing, but it felt significant. For as long as they could remember, Youngwoo had never been one to exercise. He'd always been more of a homebody, content to spend his free time watching streams or playing games. This sudden change in behavior was... unexpected, to say the least.

"Do you think he's okay?" their mother asked, her brow furrowed with worry. "Maybe the lightning strike did something to him."

Sehee shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I don't know, Mom. But I think... I think he's just trying to be better. And honestly? I'm kind of proud of him."

Their father grunted in agreement, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, as long as he doesn't overdo it. The last thing we need is him collapsing again."