Chapter One: Carrying a DNF Game System Everywhere
“Ah, my +18 Galactic Annihilator!”
Lin Xiao jolted upright in bed, finding himself sitting on a mattress with flickering light casting uncertain shadows, making it barely possible to discern the surroundings. The room was dilapidated, as if abandoned for decades, with a chilling, sinister atmosphere seeping through the air that left him shivering uncontrollably.
“How did I end up here? Wasn’t I just at my computer, trying to enhance my +18 Galactic Annihilator, only to fail? I remember picking up the computer and smashing it on the desk, and after that, everything went black.”
Lin Xiao, a minor streamer on a certain fish platform, mainly broadcasted DNF—Dungeon & Fighter. Unlike the extravagant Baby Xu Xu, who spent lavishly to draw crowds of fans, Lin Xiao, who was perpetually broke, could only grind hard as a ‘liver emperor’ in hopes of gaining attention.
Recently, after Baby Xu Xu succeeded in enhancing a +16 Galactic Annihilator, causing quite a stir, Lin Xiao decided to push for a +17 version, thinking it might help him attract more followers.
After grinding for seven days and nights, he finally gathered three +16 Galactic Annihilators. Luck was on his side; after two failures, the third attempt produced a +17 Galactic Annihilator. The chat exploded with gifts and rows of “666,” with viewers calling their friends to join the spectacle.
He was on the verge of a breakout when someone egged him on to try for +18. If he succeeded, he’d have the only one in the entire server—a guaranteed fame magnet.
Lin Xiao hesitated, knowing the odds plummeted with each enhancement. The chance of success at +18 was abysmally low. Yet, the chat goaded him relentlessly, threatening to unfollow and block him if he backed down.
For the sake of the show, Lin Xiao steeled himself. If he succeeded, he’d surely become a star—maybe not a top-tier anchor, but at least he’d draw a sizeable crowd.
The Galactic Annihilator, known as the “one-shot axe,” had left a deep mark among DNF fans. Even after newer gear like the Sacred Dawn and Celestial Eclipse weapons appeared, its popularity never waned.
With trembling hands, Lin Xiao removed the +17 Galactic Annihilator and placed it in Kaylee’s enhancement machine. With a click, a glaring “Failure” message flashed mercilessly across the screen.
In that instant, his composure shattered. He hurled the computer down, and the last thing he remembered was the image of his +17 Galactic Annihilator being dismantled.
“So, did I die suddenly and cross over to another world?”
No sooner had this thought surfaced than a flood of memories surged through his mind, clarifying his situation:
He really had transmigrated—into the world of the American TV series “Stranger Things,” merging with one of its main characters: Will’s older brother, Jonathan Byers.
“I was just watching the third season of ‘Stranger Things,’ planning a supernatural-themed live stream. Who could’ve imagined such a twist of fate, ending up inside the show’s world?”
Muttering to himself, Lin Xiao gradually calmed down. Nowadays, crossing into another world was hardly worth a fuss—it was almost embarrassing not to have done so.
“Stranger Things” revolves around the events of 1983 in Hawkins, Indiana, where a national laboratory discovers a child with psychic abilities.
This girl, known as Eleven, uses her powers to open a gateway to another dimension, unleashing monsters from the Upside Down.
Will, one of the four main boys—Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas—vanishes under mysterious circumstances, triggering the events that follow.
The character Lin Xiao had become was Jonathan Byers, Will’s older brother.
Yet something felt off about his current surroundings—they didn’t seem part of the real world.
The Upside Down!
Having watched “Stranger Things” three times, Lin Xiao’s deepest impression was the show’s depiction of the Upside Down—a parallel shadow world teeming with monsters and demons, most notably the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer.
“So, I’ve landed in the Upside Down. Perhaps this is just another form of reincarnation.”
He climbed off the bed, which was covered in rust and a sticky residue—hallmarks of the Upside Down.
“Ding! Your new player welcome gift has been delivered. Please check your inventory.”
A sudden voice startled Lin Xiao, who glanced around but saw no source.
At that moment, a colorful interface appeared before him—it was the basic DNF game menu.
“A golden finger? This is the legendary cheat plug-in for transmigrators—how delightful.”
Elated, Lin Xiao thought that although the monsters in “Stranger Things” weren’t all-powerful—after all, a group of kids could handle them—there were bound to be other dangers lurking in the Upside Down.
As Will’s brother, even if he didn’t want to be a martyr, just living in Hawkins meant he’d inevitably be affected by the Upside Down—his current predicament was proof enough.
But now, armed with the DNF game system, he would at least have the means to protect himself, his brother, his family, and the friends and neighbors of the town.
He sensed, with Jonathan’s memories now part of him, that Will truly felt like his own little brother, and Jonathan’s family and friends were now his as well. He was determined to protect them from the monsters of the Upside Down.
But first, he needed power.
With practiced ease, Lin Xiao navigated the game interface and quickly noticed some differences. In addition to the basics—current HP, character level, item hotbar, multi-function menu (character info, skills, inventory), skill bar and extended skill bar, current MP and SP, and storage—there were several new options:
Disassembly device, production unit, forge, alchemy table, enchantment station, and the infamous Kaylee’s enhancement machine. This, the very device that had devoured his +17 Galactic Annihilator and brought him to this world.
In other words, his game system included most DNF functions—the cheat was almost overpowered, but he had no complaints.
He clicked on character info, and a personal status window popped up:
———
Character: Jonathan Byers (Lin Xiao)
Level: LV0 (0/10)
Source Energy: 0 points
HP: 90 (Vitality x10)
MP: 0 (locked)
Strength: 10
Spirit: 12
Vitality: 9
Intelligence: 11
Physical Attack: 10 (Strength x1)
Magic Attack: 0
Physical Defense: 9 (Vitality x1)
Magic Defense: 0
Physical Crit: 1%
Magic Crit:
Attack Speed: 1%
Cast Speed:
Class: None
Title: None
———
“Judging from my stats, 10 points seem to be the average for a normal person—my vitality is only 9, below par. Being a grind king isn’t as easy as it looks. At least my intelligence and spirit make up for it a little.”
After reviewing his stats, Lin Xiao sighed. These were basic human attributes, even a bit below average.
He recalled how, not long ago, he was a level 95 True Dragon Star Sovereign after the second awakening—a demi-god in-game. Now he was back to square one.
“No, wait—this isn’t a game. If I die here, there’s no respawning. I can’t let that mindset take over or I’ll get myself killed.”
Having finally crossed over, Lin Xiao had no wish for another untimely demise. The story of “Stranger Things” was set in 1983 America; perhaps he’d even find a way back to China, to see his parents in their youth, or even himself as a child.
Lost in these thoughts, he opened the equipment menu. What was once a fully stocked inventory was now empty except for a single axe-shaped icon.
He tapped the icon, and a line of unexpected text appeared:
Damaged Galactic Annihilator:
Class: Priest
Weapon Type: Battle Axe
Required Level: None
Grade: Common
Weight: 4kg
Durability: 50/50
Physical Attack: +10
Magic Attack: None
Accuracy: +2.0%
Special Effects: None
Repair Requirements: Smelted in the Abyssal Heart, soaked in Twilight Blood, forged with a Fallen Star Core—only then can its legendary brilliance be restored.