Overgeared: Babylon

"Son... did you dye your hair?" 

Hearing his mother's question. Youngwoo's head snapped toward Sehee, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Sehee..." he said, his voice low and accusatory. "Did you...?"

Sehee held up her hands in mock innocence, her expression the picture of wide-eyed innocence. "Don't look at me! I didn't say a word!"

Youngwoo sighed, running a hand through his hair as he turned back to face his mother. She stood in the doorway, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised, waiting for an explanation.

"Mom, it's not what it looks like," Youngwoo began, his tone calm but slightly defensive. "I didn't dye my hair. I mean, why would I? You know I'm not the type to do something like that."

His mother stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied his hair. "Then why are your roots blonde, Youngwoo? Don't tell me it's 'natural.' I've seen your baby pictures. You were born with hair as dark as midnight."

Youngwoo hesitated, his mind racing for a plausible explanation. He couldn't exactly tell her the truth—that his hair was changing because of some mysterious reincarnation gift from a higher being. So, he did what he did best: he improvised with a lie.

"Okay, okay," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. "You got me. It's... it's stress. Yeah, stress. You know, after the whole lightning strike thing, the doctors said my body might go through some... changes. They said it's rare, but sometimes trauma can cause weird stuff to happen. Like, you know, hair turning white or falling out. I guess I got lucky and it's just turning blonde."

His mother's expression softened slightly, though she still looked skeptical. "Stress? Really? That's your explanation?"

Youngwoo nodded, doing his best to look earnest. "Yeah. I mean, think about it, Mom. I was in a coma for weeks. That's a lot for my body to handle. And now I'm trying to get back into shape, running every morning, going to the gym... It's a lot of stress, you know? My body's just... reacting."

His mother sighed, shaking her head. "Youngwoo, if you're feeling stressed, you need to tell us. We're here to help you, not judge you. But dyeing your hair—or whatever this is—isn't the solution."

Youngwoo winced, feeling a pang of guilt at her concern. "I know, Mom. And I'm not trying to hide anything. I promise this is just... one of those weird things. It'll probably go back to normal once my body adjusts."

His mother studied him for a moment longer before finally relenting. "Alright. But if anything else changes—and I mean anything—you tell me right away. No more secrets, understand?"

Youngwoo nodded, relief washing over him. "No secrets. Got it."

Sehee, who had been quietly observing the exchange, couldn't resist chiming in. "Yeah, Oppa. No more secrets. Like, say, if you start glowing or shooting lightning bolts out of your hands, you'd better tell Mom first."

Youngwoo shot her a glare, but his mother was already turning to Sehee with a raised eyebrow. "Glowing? Lightning bolts? What are you two talking about?"

Sehee grinned, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, nothing. Just... you know, Oppa's new superhero phase."

Youngwoo groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Sehee, I swear..."

His mother shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You two are impossible. Just... try to stay out of trouble, okay?"

"We will, Mom," Youngwoo said, shooting Sehee another look. "No trouble. I promise."

As their mother left the room, Sehee turned to Youngwoo with a smirk.

"Nice save, Oppa," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Stress, huh? You're lucky Mom bought that."

Youngwoo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, well, it's not like I could tell her; 'Hey, Mom, my hair's turning blonde because I'm the chosen anchor of a fateless world.' That would've gone over great."

Sehee laughed, the sound bright and carefree. "True. But you'd better come up with a better excuse if it keeps changing. Next thing you know, you'll be full-on platinum blonde while some kind of aura enveloping you, and then what? You'll blame it on... I don't know, alien abduction?"

Youngwoo groaned, shaking his head. "Don't give me any ideas."

***

Time-skip

More than a month had passed since Youngwoo's hair first began to change, and the difference between the person he was now and the person he had been just two months ago was nothing short of remarkable. The most noticeable change, of course, was his hair. What had started as a few blonde roots had now transformed into a full head of golden blonde locks, the color so striking that it was impossible to miss. It gave him an almost otherworldly appearance, as if he had stepped out of a fantasy novel rather than the quiet, unassuming life he had once led.

But the changes didn't stop there. Youngwoo's once-average build had undergone a dramatic transformation as well. The daily runs and gym sessions had paid off, chiseling away the excess fat and replacing it with lean muscle. His posture was straighter, his movements more confident, and even his sunken cheeks had filled out, thanks to a proper diet and regular meals. He looked healthier, stronger, and more vibrant—a far cry from the pale, exhausted figure who had woken up in the hospital just a few months ago.

The changes were more than just physical. They were a reflection of his growing confidence and determination. The discipline required to stick to his new routine had spilled over into other areas of his life, making him more focused and proactive. He had started keeping a journal, jotting down his thoughts and plans for the future. He spent less time aimlessly scrolling through forums and more time researching strategies, studying, and preparing for his eventual journey into Satisfy.

But it wasn't just about Satisfy. Youngwoo's new habits were also bringing him closer to his family. The simple act of leaving his room, of engaging with the world around him, had opened up new opportunities for connection. He found himself sharing meals with his family, joining in on conversations, and even helping out around the house. It was a small change, but it made a world of difference.

And the evening before the launch of Satisfy, Youngwoo sat at his desk, his fingers drumming nervously against the surface. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of his computer and the occasional rustle of papers as he flipped through his notes. His desk was a chaotic mess of scribbled strategies, character builds, and maps of the game's starting zones. Two months of preparation had led to this moment, and now, with less than 24 hours to go, the reality of it all was starting to sink in.

Tomorrow was the day. The day Satisfy would finally launch, and Youngwoo would step into the virtual world that had consumed his thoughts for so long. He glanced at the sleek VR capsule in the corner of his room, its metallic surface gleaming under the soft glow of his desk lamp. It looked almost otherworldly, a portal to a new reality. And tomorrow, it would become exactly that.

Youngwoo leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his now fully blonde hair. The past two months had been a whirlwind of change—not just for him, but for his life as a whole. His physical transformation was undeniable, but it was the mental shift that had truly defined this period. He had gone from a passive observer of Satisfy to someone ready to dive in and make his mark. And now, with the launch just hours away, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness that was almost overwhelming.

He glanced at the clock on his desk. It was late, but he knew sleep would be hard to come by tonight. His mind was racing with thoughts of the game—the classes, the quests, the possibilities. He had spent countless hours researching every aspect of Satisfy, from the best starting zones to the most efficient leveling strategies. But now, as the moment of truth approached, he couldn't help but wonder if he had done enough.

"You've got this," Youngwoo muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "You've prepared for this. Just stick to the plan and stick to the rules."

He glanced down at the open notebook on his desk, its pages filled with scribbled notes, diagrams, and strategies. At the top of the page, written in bold letters, was a single line: Rule #1: Be nice to NPCs.

That rule was the most important one. It wasn't just a reminder to be polite—it was a guiding principle, a way to ensure he didn't make the same mistakes as so many other players. Youngwoo had spent countless hours studying Satisfy, not just its mechanics but its history and lore. He knew how crucial NPCs were to the game's world, how they weren't just lines of code but characters with their own stories, emotions, and agency.

He thought back to what he had learned about Rebecca, the Goddess of Light. She was one of the most powerful beings in Satisfy, a deity who had watched over the world since its creation. But what stood out to Youngwoo was her relationship with players. Unlike many of the other gods, Rebecca still held hope for coexistence between players and NPCs. And the reason for that hope was Grid.

Grid, the legendary player who had become the Overgeared God, had started his journey as an ordinary, even selfish, person. But over time, he had changed. He had learned to treat NPCs with respect, to see them as more than just tools or quest-givers. He had formed genuine bonds with them, and those bonds had shaped the course of his journey. Rebecca had watched it all, and it was Grid's actions that had convinced her that players could be more than just invaders in her world.

Youngwoo traced the words in his notebook with his finger, his mind racing. He wasn't Grid. He didn't have Grid's skills, his experience, or his legendary items. But he could learn from Grid's example. He could start his journey with the right mindset, treating NPCs as allies rather than obstacles. It wasn't just about being nice—it was about building trust, forging connections, and creating opportunities that other players might overlook.

As the clock struck midnight, Youngwoo felt a surge of excitement. The launch was just hours away. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. This was it. The moment he had been waiting for.

"You've got this," he whispered to himself again, repeated his mantra to calming himself, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside him. "This is your chance. Don't mess it up."

With one last glance at the VR capsule, Youngwoo turned off his desk lamp and climbed into bed. Sleep would be hard to come by tonight, but he needed to rest. Tomorrow was going to be a big day. The biggest day of his life.