Chapter 1: Destiny's Chatroom

  I had no idea that an old internet forum would alter my life. I was procrastinating on my homework, perusing random websites, and getting lost in a web rabbit hole of pointless information when it began, just like any other dull evening.

  I discovered it at that point.

  Deep in the search results was an odd, out-of-date forum. It featured a single discussion thread with the following title, blue text, and a simple bck background:

  "Save our kingdom, oh great one."

  Only a few minutes had passed since it was posted.

  Ordinarily, I would have disregarded it. Most likely some strange role-pying game. However, I clicked on it for some reason. Slowly, the page loaded, and then—

  Username: High Priest Eldrin

  "We implore you, Great One, to grant us wisdom. Only you, the One Who Sees All, can save our kingdom from impending destruction."

  Dozens of responses appeared, each from a distinct user with a name that sounded medieval.

  Username: Sir Gareth the Brave

  "Our enemies get stronger while our armies get weaker! There is no hope left if you desert us!

  Username: Lady Mirabelle

  "Oh Great One, grant us your wisdom!

  Strange. It appeared to be a complex role-pying game of some sort. I looked at the homepage of the forum, but I couldn't find anything. Nothing—no moderators, no rules. Only one thread with people in dire need of assistance.

  Curious, I chose to comply.

  Username: Yuuto

  "Well, what specifically are you guys in need of assistance with?"

  The page instantly reloaded.

  Username: High Priest Eldrin

  "He responded! “The Great One has spoken!”

  Username: Sir Gareth the Brave

  Glory be! It's the Return of the One Who Sees All!

  Suddenly, messages flooded my screen. Numerous people have expressed gratitude, referred to me as a god, and asked for my divine wisdom.

  I was pretty sure by now that this was some kind of complicated joke. But I was bored, so I decided to push it as far as I could.

  Username: Yuuto

  "All right, rex. What is the issue?

  Username: High Priest Eldrin

  "The Dark Lord Makar has risen again, oh Great One! Our forces are helpless against him as his army advances on our realm!

  Makar, the Dark Lord? That sounded like something from a fantasy book. I rubbed my chin while leaning back in my chair.

  Perhaps I should just mess with them and Google the solution?

  I typed "how to defeat an evil overlord" into a new tab.

  Numerous articles that listed common fantasy tactics and clichés appeared. I gnced through the "Top 10 Ways to Beat a Dark Lord" article after clicking on it.

  Then I typed my answer with the assurance of a man who had never been in combat.

  Username: Yuuto

  "You must first determine the Dark Lord's vulnerability. Every vilin has one.

  Username: Sir Gareth the Brave

  "Sage advice! The Great One's wisdom is unparalleled, but he speaks in riddles!

  Username: High Priest Eldrin

  "Obviously! We have to identify the Dark Lord's vulnerability! Oh Great One, thank you!

  I ughed. It was somewhat enjoyable.

  Username: Sir Gareth the Brave

  "We looked into it! The Dark Lord is said to derive his power from a forbidden artifact called the Heart of Shadows.

  I arched an eyebrow. These guys gave their rolepy their all.

  I typed "how to destroy a cursed artifact" into a new tab. Numerous fantasy clichés appeared. I chose the traditional response.

  Username: Yuuto

  "The Heart of Shadows must then be destroyed. You can only make the Dark Lord weaker by doing this."

  The responses poured in a few seconds ter.

  Username: High Priest Eldrin

  "The wisdom of the Great One is limitless!"

  Username: Lady Mirabelle

  "We'll get the word out! We have to destroy the Heart of Shadows!

  Then an odd thing occurred.

  My room's lights flickered. There was a brief glitch in my ptop's screen, and the speakers made an odd humming sound.

  I scowled. Was there something wrong with my Wi-Fi?

  Another message came up before I could check.

  Username: High Priest Eldrin

  "We are blessed by the power of the Great One! His power makes the sky itself shiver!

  I blinked. Hold on a minute.

  There was another message.

  Username: Sir Gareth the Brave

  "The Heart of Shadows It's broken! The power of the Dark Lord is waning."

  My heart pounded faster as I gazed at the screen.

  This seemed like a joke to me. Is it a joke? A high-tech AI role-pying game, maybe?

  The messages persisted even after I reloaded the page.

  Username: Lady Mirabelle

  "The battle's tide has shifted! Our knights are charging ahead! This is something we can win!

  Username: High Priest Eldrin

  "Oh Great One, we have won thanks to your divine intervention! "The Dark Lord is descending!"

  I took a swallow. The only sound in my room was the soft hum of my ptop.

  The st message then arrived.

  Username: Sir Gareth the Brave

  "The Dark Lord has been killed. We've prevailed. All because of the Great One's wisdom.

  My hands were cold as I gazed at the screen.

  This wasn't typical.

  I sat there trying to take in what had happened for a full minute.

  Then there was another message.

  Username: High Priest Eldrin

  "Oh Great One, please give us your wisdom that never fades. You will always be needed in our kingdom.

  I had a dry mouth.

  What on earth had I just gotten myself into?

  I hesitated before typing my response after reaching out.

  Username: Yuuto

  "Well... Later, I will return.

  Staring up at the ceiling, I quickly shut my ptop and reclined in my chair.

  It was not a game. It wasn't role-pying. Somehow, some way. I had just advised actual people in a different world.

  They also believed that I was their god.

  I exhaled a long, tremulous breath.

  I was in serious trouble.

  To be continued...