Stumbling and faltering, the wanderer makes his way home—a few words upon the book’s release.

This book is, at its core, a "power fantasy" novel. If there is anything that sets it apart, it is my desire to write a story with as logical a progression as possible, a brisk pace, clearly defined power tiers, and a structure that remains coherent even deep into the endgame.

The purpose of starting this book is to please the reader, to provide an exhilarating experience, and to serve as an outlet for the pressures of reality. That is why this book exists and why I have returned to the game-lit genre. Since *Abyss Dominator* won the 2014 Game of the Year award, I haven't touched this genre. This is a promise I made to many old readers who have followed me for over a decade: "Futuo, even if you flop, I’ll still buy every chapter. Just write me a power fantasy like your old books—the game-lit style, the Spartan style, where you hack and slash your way through everything."

Today, I have returned to fulfill that promise. I have completed the overall framework of this book. I am doing my utmost to make it as satisfying as possible. If I feel there is too much exposition, I cut it—even if I have to overhaul chapters I’ve already finished. If the pace feels slow, I accelerate it. I adjust based on reader feedback because the original intention of this book is to give the reader a thrill and to give back to my audience, without any unnecessary bells and whistles. I have my pen ready; tell me what you want to see, and I will write it.

That is how it is.

Volume One: Human Vessel No. 1, Medieval Era—Barbarian Invasion. An Overlord scenario. Style: *Spartacus*, *A Song of Ice and Fire*, with a Xiang Yu archetype. This is already set in the outline. The style of each volume will be different. Once the protagonist ascends, he is essentially a quasi-god, standing in an invincible position. Aside from needing to descend via human vessels, his true form only needs to fear entities of the Over-God level.

Volume Two: Human Vessel No. 3, Future Hive City. Steampunk Cyberpunk, Era of Change. A Dark Godfather archetype. The style is gloomy—punching outer-gods, stealing their arrival vessels, and using the "Purge Protocol" to wipe out the entire dark hive city, carving a path through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. This is the Godfather scenario set in the outline.

Each volume is a different life story, a different power fantasy. As the title suggests, you are a player who has ascended; the real world is your playground. The writing style will change with each volume—some rugged, some passionate, some epic, some with a touch of Gothic gloom. I have written in these styles before. Different scenarios, adapted to reader feedback; if something doesn't work, I change it. It’s simple and straightforward.

I’ve written a Xiang Yu archetype for the Overlord scenario, so I won't write Lü Bu again. Xiang Yu’s bravery is unrivaled in history. The *Records of the Grand Historian* dared to write it, and the Liu family dared to acknowledge it, so I dare to drop Xiang Yu’s script into a medieval European setting and let him run wild. Even if compared to the power systems of *The Lord of the Rings*, Xiang Yu would still carve a bloody path. In the name of God, he will sweep across Europe.

The protagonist is a cross-dimensional existence. He can be a continental overlord, a dark godfather, an astral wanderer, a space marine who sets the galaxy ablaze, or the world-ending dragon of the end-times. He has many identities, but he can also be an ordinary person. Perhaps, after experiencing a common life, he will "retire" and leave the human vessel to the laws of causality. He is a trans-dimensional entity, living out the various power-fantasy lives he desires according to his own will.

The hardest part of the framework is ensuring the power system doesn't collapse. That is where I spend the most energy and where my ability to manage the narrative pace is tested. I am here to listen. We will brainstorm, and I will sort out the scenarios step by step. I hold the pen, and you tell me how to make it satisfying. After writing for over ten years, I still have that much skill.

We may return to the same world in the future—perhaps as a different human vessel, or perhaps as a hero summoned by a ritual. Last time he was a continental warlord; next time he might be an insignificant nobody, but he will not repeat the same life. I call this the "afterglow of the climax" at the end of a volume.

Some might ask why the second volume is Human Vessel No. 3, and where No. 2 is. Well, No. 2 is a "pendant"—the first unconventional human vessel. One that can live for thousands of years.

I’ve said a bit too much, but this is the general idea of the book: to do everything in my power to make the reader feel satisfied. A wanderer returning home after a long, stumbling journey. Venturing out to hit walls in other genres is something for after this book is finished.

Now, onto business.

First, there has been some "noise" recently, and negative reviews have suddenly increased. I don't know how to manage a fan community; I only know one move: permanent bans. But as long as you aren't trying to stir up trouble, I won't ban you. This book has just started, and old readers are teasing me about my ups and downs, but that’s normal. Everyone has different tastes—even I have genres I don't like. As long as you aren't looking for trouble on purpose, it's fine. Everyone has their own preferences and is a mature individual; it's not that easy to be influenced by others. I’ve kept the negative reviews from ten years ago to show readers that the book has both highlights and flaws. But for those who disrupt the reading experience for others, I only have that one move: permanent ban. In a word: don't stir up trouble, don't affect the reading enjoyment of others. The original intention of this book is to be a power fantasy that allows for catharsis.

Second, if you have any suggestions, bring them up. I will read them and adjust the story based on reader response. Since the stories are independent volumes, if readers don't like a change in style, I will switch it. Just don't be malicious; don't affect others.

Third, if you are able, please give a "first subscription." Just one subscription is enough. If you enjoy it, keep following; if not, set it aside. This book is a gift back to my readers. It was born for those old-timers who made me feel ashamed by subscribing even when they weren't reading. The Overlord scenario in the first volume is my Spartan gift to them. Of course, I’m still asking for that first subscription.

The follow-read count should be over ten thousand now. Let's push for more and see how it goes. I leave it to you all.

I wish everyone a prosperous and happy New Year!

As stated above.

—Futuo, the "flop" who returned to keep his promise, doing his best to write a decisive and satisfying power fantasy for you.