In the year 2082 according to Earth's calendar, Hoàng Việt Corporation stood as the wealthiest and most powerful conglomerate. Founded by a mere 22-year-old, it had, in just four years, ascended to the top ranks, strong enough to rival long-established corporations of that time. Decades later, Hoàng Việt firmly held the number one spot among the world's wealthiest corporations. On the uppermost floor of Hoàng Việt Corporation, an old man with a serene aura sat relaxed on a single sofa. His short, neatly trimmed silver hair framed a scholarly face, now showing the gentle marks of age. He was turned towards the vast glass window, which offered a panoramic view of the outside world. His gaze drifted into the distant space beyond the pane, and a peaceful smile graced his lips, yet it seemed tinged with profound regret.
He was Đỗ Việt Hoàng, none other than the chairman of Hoàng Việt Corporation – the very young man who, in just four years, had transformed a fledgling company into the formidable conglomerate it was today. As he sat on the sofa, that distant gaze, though seemingly relaxed, was in fact laden with regret. While he was profoundly content with his life, there was also an immeasurable sense of incompleteness, as if he had left something undone in this lifetime. He was 82 years old.
Anyone who knew anything about him would know he was a serious gaming addict. Don't assume he founded the corporation out of a passion for making money; he simply believed he needed a lot of money to play many great games. By the time he realized it, he had already established a corporation.
His entire life was intertwined with gaming; he had conquered countless games across every genre imaginable.
Don't assume that with all his money, he simply topped up his accounts to effortlessly reach top combat power or conquer games.
He was a true 'grinder,' never once spending money to top up in games. The money he earned was simply used to purchase games to play, or to acquire licenses for foreign games so they could be played in his country.
Any seasoned gamer would undoubtedly recognize the nickname Việt Hoàng – a player who consistently topped leaderboards in numerous games, always with a VIP status of 0. His achievements were truly astounding, given that his VIP level remained at a mere 0. He consistently held the top spot in combat power for grinding games, and the highest ranks in PvP or MOBA titles. To call his 'number one' status formidable would be an understatement; who could count how many times he had achieved it throughout his life? This was the lifelong pride of pursuing his passion, of living his entire life dedicated to his hobby, a life he considered well and truly fulfilled.
But life wasn't solely about passion. To achieve the success he had today, he had sacrificed many things.
At 82 years old this year, he had no children, no grandchildren, no friends, no one to tend to his personal life, no 'home front' to return to after his grand endeavors.
Having spent his entire life dedicated to games and working to earn money, he had no time to find a life partner. His whole life was solitary, with only game consoles as companions. Sitting in the most powerful chair in the corporation, he was still gazing out at the distant sky beyond the window. The sky was aglow with the twilight, casting a fiery red hue across the entire room through the window, where the lonely old man's figure leaned back in the chair. He suddenly smiled faintly, thinking to himself, "If there's a next life, I'll go find a wife." After this thought, he closed his eyes, seemingly in contemplation, but in reality, he had passed away. The old man, as if shedding a heavy burden, leaned back comfortably in the chair, eyes tightly shut, indifferent to the dull twilight shining upon him. The chairman of Hoang Viet Group had passed away at the company.
Darkness? Darkness, pervasive darkness. Where am I? Viet Hoang felt powerless. The space surrounding him was entirely black. It wasn't merely colorless; in fact, there was nothing here at all – no sky, no earth, just nothing.
He vaguely perceived himself drifting in this undefined space, being swept along, unable to feel the state of his own body. The only thing he knew now was that he was still moving, moving in this space with no beginning and no end.
Unable to perceive time, he didn't know how long it had been, but finally, he saw something he had once glimpsed.
"Light," he saw light emanating from a certain point, the only distinct point in this space.
He also knew that he was getting closer and closer to where that light was.
"Am I about to reach heaven?" was one of the things he was thinking now. As he felt himself approaching the light, he pondered all sorts of things vaguely: Was this place heaven or hell? Would he be reincarnated as a human or an animal? Would he retain the memories of this life? A myriad of questions arose in his mind. He didn't know when he had gotten so close to his destination.
Suddenly! An anomaly occurred. He was just about to reach that place, but he was suddenly pulled off course, gradually moving away from where the light appeared. Finally, he realized that at some point, a smaller light than the previous one had appeared and was drawing him in... Too bright! The sensation was like a blinding glare in his eyes. He also realized he could feel a faint sensation of having a body; at least, he felt he could see.
After the blinding light, faint figures gradually appeared before his eyes until they became clear.
It was a group of people, men and women, staring intently at him. Among the men, some were majestic and valiant, others handsome and dashing. The women were all breathtaking beauties, with an aura of regal grace. The commonality he sensed from this group was that they all exuded an ethereal, god-like aura, and all their gazes were fixed on him.
Finally, he realized his current predicament: he was naked, having just woken up, and being observed by a group of people. — "What... what the hell is going on?"