In the real world Gideon Thistlethwaite is the genius creator of the MMO Realm of the Nine Circles and super rich CEO of the company that runs it. In the game world he plays Mylos, the monster lord.  A terrifying bullheaded, tentacled, magic flinging creature most players think is a high level NPC.

When his employees create technology for the world's first full immersion rig, Gideon starts to change the game to make the NPCs artificially intelligent. When his employees discover the secret behind this amazing leap in A.I. they oppose him both in the real world and in the game with a little ‘inside help’ and the new immersion technology.