MTL NOVEL Chapter 3: chapter 3 ethan return
Ethan Vale's Return – 20 Years in the Past
Ethan's eyes snapped open.
For a moment, he couldn't breathe. His body felt strange—too light, too unfamiliar. His mind raced, still trapped in the chaos of his final battle. He remembered the storm, the battlefield, the betrayal. Miranda's dagger piercing his heart. The laughter of the super guilds as he was erased from existence.
And then… the gods.
Lirion and Zerathis. Two exiled beings, far above mortals, arguing over his fate as if he were a mere pawn. He hadn't been given a choice. His life—his very existence—had been decided for him.
His hands trembled as he slowly sat up.
This room—he knew it.
The wooden walls, the small bed, the desk covered in old books, and the creaky wardrobe in the corner. It was his childhood room, the place he had lived before Eldoria became his world. But that wasn't possible.
He scrambled to the desk, his heart pounding as he grabbed his phone.
The screen lit up. [Date: Year 2105]
His breath caught.
Twenty years ago.
His grip tightened around the phone as reality set in. He wasn't just back in time—he was back in his younger body. No powerful skills, no legendary weapons, no reputation. He was nothing again.
Ethan closed his eyes, taking deep, steadying breaths.
The gods had thrown him into the past without a word. No instructions. No warnings.
His fate was already decided for him.
But this time…
He would decide how it played out.
Eldoria – The Game That Shook the World
A Mysterious Game Appears
In the year 2105, a seemingly ordinary day turned into one of the most shocking events in gaming history.
At midnight, without any warning, a mysterious company known as EldorTech released an announcement across every major platform. A game trailer, marked only by a cryptic title:
> "Eldoria – The Ultimate Immersive MMORPG."
No advertisements had ever teased its release. No beta tests had leaked details. There were no known developers, no investor records—nothing. EldorTech simply appeared.
And yet, within hours, the world was in chaos.
The trailer was unlike anything ever seen before.
There were no forced action sequences, no scripted events. It showed an endless, living world—towering mountains, sprawling ancient cities, lush forests where every leaf rustled in the wind. A kingdom at war, soldiers clashing in brutal, realistic combat. A lone adventurer standing atop a ruined castle, gazing down at a city that players could one day rule.
And then, a simple message appeared:
> "Who will carve their legend in Eldoria?"
That was all. No forced marketing slogans. No promises of "best graphics" or "next-gen AI." Just the world itself, daring players to step inside.
And it was enough.
Within hours, every gaming forum, news site, and social media platform was on fire.
The Mystery Behind Eldoria
Unlike past games that relied on traditional VR, Eldoria claimed to be fully immersive.
Key Features That Shocked the World
1. Full-Dive Neural Connection:
Eldoria wasn't played with a VR headset or controllers. Instead, it used direct neural synchronization, allowing players to experience the game as if they were physically inside it.
2. NPCs with True Intelligence:
Every Non-Player Character (NPC) had a memory. They reacted to player actions, forming alliances or grudges that lasted forever. Some NPCs could even rise to power and change the world if given the chance.
3. No Resurrection for Some:
While most deaths resulted in temporary penalties, certain players could be permanently erased from the game. The conditions were unknown, but rumors spread that it had something to do with the game's mysterious artifacts.
4. No Main Storyline – True Freedom:
There was no scripted "main quest." Players were thrown into the world with nothing but their skills, choices, and ambition. The fate of kingdoms, wars, and alliances was left entirely in their hands.
5. Realistic Pain and Sensation:
Eldoria's full-dive system simulated everything—the warmth of the sun, the sting of a wound, the exhaustion from running too far. It was as close to real life as possible without stepping outside.
Conspiracy Theories Begin
The more people learned about Eldoria, the more questions arose.
Who was EldorTech?
Some claimed it was an underground company with technology far beyond anything in the industry. Others whispered about government involvement, saying the game was too advanced to be man-made. A terrifying rumor began spreading that Eldoria wasn't just a game—but a gateway to something else.
Even major gaming companies were caught off guard. How could a company with no track record create something that surpassed even the biggest industry giants?
The World Watches – 3 Days Before Launch
With only three days until launch, excitement reached an all-time high.
Gaming forums exploded with speculation. Players debated which factions to join, which cities to claim, and who would rise to power first.
Celebrities and pro-gamers announced they were diving in on day one. Some even formed alliances before stepping foot in the game.
Governments issued warnings. Some feared Eldoria was "too real," warning players about potential addiction risks.
And yet, none of it mattered.
Everyone was going to play.
Ethan Vale – A Man Who Knows the Future
For the average person, Eldoria was a mystery.
For Ethan Vale, it was his second chance.
He sat in his room, staring at the news feed scrolling across his screen. Every new headline about Eldoria was something he had already lived through. He had played the game before—fought, ruled, and ultimately died within it.
Now, he was back 20 years before his betrayal.
His heart pounded as he read the words again.
> "Eldoria Launches in 3 Days."
The game that had shaped his entire life. The world where he had risen to power, only to be erased by those he trusted most.
Ethan clenched his fists.
This time, it wouldn't be the same.
He wouldn't just play the game.
He would own it.
Governments Investigate Eldoria
As Eldoria's launch approached, it wasn't just gamers who were paying attention.
Global governments, intelligence agencies, and cybersecurity experts were scrambling to uncover the origins of EldorTech, the shadowy company behind the game.
No registered headquarters.
No employees on record.
No funding sources.
It was as if EldorTech had appeared out of thin air.
Even the most advanced AI and tracking systems failed to trace its origins. The game's servers existed in a decentralized, ultra-secure network, immune to hacking or surveillance. Some theorized that the game was running on quantum computing, technology far beyond human reach.
A Classified Government Report Leaks
Three days before launch, a leaked document from an anonymous source spread across underground forums. It was a top-secret government investigation into Eldoria.
The report contained chilling conclusions:
> "Eldoria is unlike any system ever created. Its technology surpasses anything currently available. We have no information on its creators, no ability to monitor its inner workings, and no control over its launch. Proceed with extreme caution."
The leak sent shockwaves through the public.
Governments were afraid of Eldoria.
And yet, they couldn't stop it.
Ethan Vale – A Player Who Knows the Future
Ethan Vale wasn't surprised.
He already knew all of this.
In his past life, he had lived through the mystery of Eldoria, the conspiracy theories, and the global obsession that followed. But this time, he had an advantage no one else did.
He knew what was coming.
Preparing for the Future
Ethan sat in his old bedroom, his heart pounding as he stared at the pre-order page for Eldoria's Virtual Synchronization Gear (VSG-9X).
The cutting-edge neural interface device was required to enter the game. Unlike old VR headsets, the VSG-9X linked directly to the player's nervous system, allowing them to fully experience Eldoria as if they were truly inside it.
In his past life, Ethan had waited too long to buy one. By the time he had realized Eldoria's importance, the device was sold out, forcing him to use an outdated model for months.
This time, he wasn't making the same mistake.
He was planning to order.
Ethan exhaled.
His hands trembled—not from fear, but from anticipation.
Three days.
That was all the time he had before stepping back into Eldoria.
This time, he wouldn't just play the game.
He would change everything.