Overgeared: Babylon

The sleek, futuristic capsule sat in the corner of Youngwoo's room, its smooth metallic surface gleaming under the soft glow of the overhead light. It was a state-of-the-art VR pod, designed specifically for Satisfy, and it looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Youngwoo stood in front of it, his heart pounding in his chest as he ran a hand over its surface. This was it. The moment he had been waiting for.

He had spent weeks preparing for this—researching the game, studying strategies, and even upgrading his VR equipment with the little money he had saved. But now, as he stood there, staring at the capsule, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Youngwoo took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time. The servers for Satisfy would be going live in just a few minutes, and he wanted to be among the first to log in. He had already created his character, choosing a class and appearance that reflected his new identity. But now, as the moment of truth approached, he couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. Youngwoo double-checked his equipment. The VR headset was fully charged, the sensors were properly calibrated, and the capsule's cooling system was running smoothly. He had even set up a small fan nearby, just in case the capsule got too warm during long gaming sessions. He wasn't taking any chances.

He glanced at his reflection in the capsule's glossy surface. His blonde hair, now fully transformed, caught the light, giving him an almost ethereal appearance. He smiled faintly, a sense of determination settling over him.

"Alright! Let's do this."

He then opened the capsule's door, revealing the padded interior and the array of sensors that would connect him to the game. The seat looked comfortable, but he knew it would be anything but relaxing once he was inside. Satisfy was known for its intense, immersive experience, and he was ready to dive in headfirst.

With one last deep breath, Youngwoo stepped into the capsule and settled into the seat. The padding molded to his body, and the sensors automatically adjusted to his movements. He placed the VR headset over his eyes, the world around him fading into darkness as the system booted up.

A soft chime sounded in his ears, followed by a voice. [Welcome to Satisfy. Please prepare for immersion.]

Youngwoo's heart raced as the countdown began. The screen in front of him displayed the game's logo, a swirling vortex of light and color that seemed to pull him in. He could feel the capsule's systems humming around him, the sensors on his body tingling as they connected to the game.

[Five... four... three...]

He closed his eyes, his mind racing with anticipation. This was it. The moment he had been waiting for. The moment that would change everything.

[Two... one...]

The world around him dissolved, replaced by a blinding flash of light.

***

As the world of Satisfy materialized around him, Youngwoo felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the scent of grass and flowers. The sky above was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds, and the ground beneath his feet was soft and springy, covered in a carpet of green grass. In the distance, he could see towering mountains, their peaks capped with snow, and a sprawling forest that seemed to stretch on forever.

But before he could fully take in his surroundings, a translucent screen appeared in front of him, displaying his character information:

===========================

Name: Gilgamesh

Level: 1 (0/20)

Class: Warrior

Title: -

_________________________________

Health: 94 Mana: 15

_________________________________

Strength: 6 Stamina: 7

Agility: 4 Intelligence: 5

===========================

Youngwoo—no, Gilgamesh—stared at the screen, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it. The beginning of his journey.

The name Gilgamesh came to him like a flash of inspiration, a connection to something deeper. In his past life, Youngwoo had been a fan of mythology and epic tales. He had always been fascinated by the story of Gilgamesh, the legendary king of Uruk from ancient Mesopotamian mythology. Gilgamesh was a figure of immense strength and ambition, a hero who sought immortality and wisdom. But what resonated with Youngwoo wasn't just Gilgamesh's power—it was his journey.

There was another layer to the name, one that tied into Youngwoo's love for the Fate series. In the Fate universe, Gilgamesh was portrayed as the "King of Heroes," a figure of unparalleled strength and arrogance, yet also one of profound complexity. He was a character who embodied both the heights of human potential and the depths of human flaws. Youngwoo had always been drawn to this version of Gilgamesh—not just because of his power, but because of his duality. He was a reminder that even the greatest heroes had room to grow, to change, and to find meaning in their journey.

For Youngwoo, choosing the name Gilgamesh was a way to honor this duality. It was a reminder that he wasn't just starting a game—he was starting a new life. And like the Gilgamesh of myth and fiction, he wanted his journey to be one of growth, discovery, and ultimately, redemption.

However, there are other factors such as his past life name which was Gil, and his current appearance that matches with Gilgamesh from Fate series.

For his class, he had chosen the Warrior class because of its versatility and potential for growth. It wasn't the flashiest class, nor the most powerful at the start, but it was a solid foundation for his preparation when he finally got his hand on [Pagma's Rare Book]. And with his preparation and determination, he knew he could make it work.

___

The Fortified City of Patrian, the city ruled by Earl Ashur. It was Ashur who had commissioned Grid to undertake the quest for the Cave of Northern End, a mission that had tested even Grid's formidable persistence.

The Patrian's streets were alive with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, children laughing as they played, and the distant clang of blacksmiths hammering away at their forges. The air was thick with the scent of spices, fresh bread, and the faint tang of metal. Towering stone buildings lined the cobblestone streets, their windows adorned with colorful banners and flower boxes. It was a city of opportunity, a place where adventurers and dreamers alike could find their footing.

Gilgamesh stood at the city gates, his blonde hair catching the sunlight as he took in the sights and sounds. He adjusted the simple tunic and pants he had been given as a starting set, feeling the weight of the basic sword at his side. He wasn't much to look at yet—just a Level 1 Warrior with modest stats—but he was determined to change that.

As Gilgamesh stepped into the city, he was immediately approached by an elderly woman with a kind face and a basket of apples. Her name was Martha, a fruit vendor who had been working in Patrian for decades.

"Welcome to Patrian, young man," Martha said, her voice warm and welcoming. "You look like you've just started your journey. Care for an apple? They're fresh from the orchard."

Gilgamesh smiled, pulling out a few coppers, and then handed them to her. "Thank you, ma'am. I'd love one."

Martha's eyes lit up as she handed him the apple. "You're a polite one, aren't you? Not many adventurers these days take the time to show respect to an old woman like me."

Gilgamesh took a bite of the apple, savoring the sweet, crisp flavor. "Respect is important," he said. "Everyone has a story worth hearing."

Martha chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "You're a rare one, indeed. If you're looking for work, the innkeeper at the Golden Feather is always in need of help. Tell him Martha sent you."

Gilgamesh nodded, tucking the rest of the apple into his bag. "Thank you, Martha. I'll do that."

Following Martha's advice, Gilgamesh made his way to the Golden Feather Inn, a cozy establishment with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The innkeeper, a burly man named Garrett, was busy wiping down the bar when Gilgamesh approached.

"Martha sent me," Gilgamesh said, his tone respectful. "She mentioned you might have some work for me."

Garrett looked him up and down, his expression skeptical. "You don't look like much, but Martha's never steered me wrong. Alright, here's the deal. We've been having trouble with rats in the cellar. Nasty little buggers keep chewing through our supplies. If you can clear them out, I'll pay you 10 silvers and throw in a hot meal."

===========================

[Get rid of mice!!]

Difficulty: D

Help Garrett by eradicating the mice in his cellar!

Quest Clear Condition: Kill all the mice in the cellar.

Clear Reward: 10 silvers and a nice meal.

Quest Failure: Garret's favorability toward you will decrease

===========================

Gilgamesh nodded after inspecting the quest window in front of him, accepting the quest without hesitation. "Consider it done."

___

The cellar Gilgamesh went was dark and damp, the air thick with the smell of mildew and rotting wood. Gilgamesh lit a torch, its flickering light casting long shadows on the stone walls. He could hear the skittering of tiny feet and the occasional squeak of rats.

As he moved deeper into the cellar, he encountered his first enemies.

[Cave Rats, level 2]

They were small and quick, but Gilgamesh's training and preparation paid off. He moved carefully, using his sword to dispatch the rats with precise strikes. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was a start.

[You have killed Cave Rat.]

[30 experience has been acquired.]

[Your level has risen.]

"Put 8 points in agility and 2 points in strength"

[You have invested 8 points in agility. Is this correct?]

"Yes."

[Once the points are invested, it can't be reversed. Do you want to proceed?]

"Yes."

[You have invested 2 points in strength. Is this correct?]

"Yes."

Feeling his stat grow even a little put a smile on his face, he then turned his face to the remaining Cave Rat and said with glee.

"This gonna be fun!"

***

As Youngwoo's consciousness fully immersed itself into the world of Satisfy, something extraordinary happened in the real world. Inside the sleek VR capsule, his body lay still, his breathing slow and steady. The soft hum of the capsule's cooling system filled the room, a constant background noise that had become familiar over the past few weeks.

But then, something changed.

A faint, ethereal light began to emanate from Youngwoo's body, starting as a subtle glow around his fingertips before spreading outward. The light was soft and golden, like the first rays of dawn breaking through a dark sky. It pulsed gently, as if in rhythm with his heartbeat, casting faint shadows on the walls of the room.

The glow intensified for a moment, bathing the interior of the capsule in a warm, otherworldly radiance. It was beautiful, almost mesmerizing, like the light of a distant star captured in human form. The air around the capsule seemed to shimmer, as if the very fabric of reality was bending to accommodate this strange phenomenon.