Chapter 1: Out for Blood

9 February 2396. This was the day the game 'World Bender' was to be released. Hundreds of millions of people from all over the Solar System and beyond were awaiting the launch with held breaths.

The game itself did not require any hardware to function. In the 24th century, everyone was outfitted with a brain-machine interface called the 'Neuranet' at birth. It allowed them full access to the Internet and also provided them with a wide variety of functions. Telepathy was no longer a problem for Transhumans.

But of course, mobile phones and PCs also existed alongside Neuranet. However, their popularity was questionable.

After all, Neuranet was capable of running virtually anything including VR games. It was possible to dive into the VR world wherever and whenever. Playing a game while walking or running wasn't a problem either. Auto-pilot was Neuranet's one of the many functions.

Among the myriad of VR games which were available, 'World Bender' was a VRMMORPG which was rated 10/10 on average by thousands of famous game reviewers when it was still in its beta phase. The critically acclaimed game utilized state of art technology which promised a realistic VR experience like no other.

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"Unlike the last major hit 'Radioactive Decay', which had its setting built upon the gruesome 20th century, 'World Breaker' has a classic fantasy setting. It takes place in the world of 'Terra', based off the Mother Planet Earth, this fantastical world is not only home to the extraordinary creatures of the mythologies but also to the many newly discovered alien species from the colonies. Clearly, it has become an all-time favourite of our brave colonial pioneers as well."

Many holographic displays covered the horizon, they continuously reported on all the recent developments over World Bender's launch. The game was due to launch in just over 10 minutes.

A young man with black hair and sharp eyes stood perched upon the terrace of his 160th-floor apartment. This was Jonas. As of this moment, he was glaring at the holographic displays.

"Shit. Such a nuisance.", he muttered to himself clicking his tongue.

For various health-related reasons, adverts were banned on the Neuranet, therefore, these translucent holographic displays which veiled the skies were used to serve that purpose. They were primarily used for advertisements and news.

As a few minutes passed like this, Jonas confirmed the time of launch through his Neuranet. Only a minute remained for the game's launch.

He headed back into his apartment through the glass door. His apartment was rather large with 15 different rooms which served his needs.

Jonas entered his bedroom and lied down on his warm bed.

Sleep was naturally not a need for the Transhumans, resting their bodies was unnecessary as medical science in the 24th century had already produced drugs which could replenish their energy immediately. The countless number of nanobots in their bodies provided them with such drugs in their every waking moment.

However, they could voluntarily put themselves to sleep through their Neuranet whenever they so pleased.

When Jonas closed his eyes, the Neuranet automatically navigated him to the game he was about to play, World Bender.

Jonas has had over a year for contemplation. In the beginning, he had been frustrated over the ridiculous bet he had made. But of course, he didn't even consider backing out.

Ten years were nothing to the Transhumans who had a lifespan of four hundred years. Nevermind Jonas who was still young.

Jonas trusted in his own capabilities. His friends might not have taken his bet seriously but he definitely did. Jonas would fool anyone with his words but he would never fool himself.

He had set up death to be the condition for his failure but clearly, that was already at the back of his mind. After all, he didn't even consider that he would ever fail.

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[5]

[4]

[3]

[2]

[1]

[Welcome to 'World Bender', Player. World Bender takes place in the world of 'Terra' with...]

"Blah, blah, blah"

Jonas rolled his eyes as he was introduced to the same descriptions he had heard for over a thousand times in recent years.

He skimmed through the introductions and went straight to character creation. He couldn't be bothered with the same useless tutorials when his own research on the game was dozens of times better.

[What would you like to name your character, Player?]

The silvery voice prompted again. In World Bender, like many other VR games, the voice of the system could be freely customised. Jonas had just picked the least annoying of the default options provided.

"Legion."

He didn't think much of his name. He had played too many games and couldn't be bothered with a careful deliberation over his player name. In World Breaker, the same player name could be under use by hundreds of other players. What differed such players from another with the same player name was their unique ID.

[Acknowledged. Would you like to change your gender?]

"Hell no.", he grumbled.

[Acknowledged. Would you like to customise your physical appearance?]

"No."

[Acknowledged. Please wait momentarily while we simulate your character...]

[...]

[Completed. In 'World Bender', 9 playable races and 12 Experimental races are available. Please select one.]

[Playable races include:]

[Human][Beastman][Dwarf][Gnome][Elf][Dark Elf][Half-Elf][Giant][Orc]

[Experimental races include:]

[Caution! experimental races are discovered to cause disorientation and a serious 'loss of self'. Please play them at your own risk.]

[Undead(4 races available)]Draconic(2 races available)][Magic Beasts(2 races available)][Holy Beasts(2 races available)][Demonic Beasts(2 races available)]

"Hmm..."

Jonas had researched well over the topic of races before. He wanted a race which was not only the best at causing destruction but was also the best at hiding in the shadows when push comes to shove. He skipped the normal races first. He also abandoned other experimental races like the draconic and beast races. Experimental races were dangerous and their side effects were a cause for concern but Jonas didn't think much of them. In any case, there was nothing modern medical science couldn't heal.

Jonas had considered the Dark Elves who had an affinity for the Dark Element, which was essential for the casting of Dark Attribute spells. Spells of the Dark Attribute were notorious for being the most destructive and additionally, amazing at stealth.

However, Jonas quickly dropped that idea. There was another race which had a Dark Element affinity alongside an affinity with a unique element which was exclusive to their race, the Blood Element. The race Jonas wanted to play as was a Vampire.

"Select Vampire"

[Acknowledged. Would you like to check the details of the race?]

"Yes. Go on."

[Race: Vampire(Rank: 2)

Description: A race of undead which roams freely on the Terran lands. Unlike demons, the light of God Terra does not influence the vampire race. Known for their deadly magical capabilities and their thirst for blood, the vampires are feared by all humanoid races. The humanoid kingdoms employ a large number of vampire hunters to keep the vampires off their cities. The only abode of the vampires is the Crimson Kingdom.

Racial Abilities: Bloodsteal[Lv. 1], Blood Affinity[Lv. 1], Dark Affinity[Lv. 1], Blood Servant[Lv. 1], Curse of Undeath[Lv. 1], Crimson Charisma[Lv. 1], Night Vision[Lv. 1]

Racial Skills: Poison Claws[Lv. 1], Stealth[Lv. 1]

Racial Spells: Blood Bullet[Lv. 1], Blood Shield[Lv. 1], Blood Drain[Lv. 1], Poison[Lv. 1], Dark Veil[Lv. 1]

Weakness: Holy Magic(!!), Fire Magic(!), Sunlight(!), Bloodthirst(!!)]

Jonas absentmindedly skimmed through the description and nodded to himself. He had already known of its contents. Next, he decided to quickly get through stats distribution and get character creation over with.

[Would you like to distribute your stats?]

"Yes."

[Acknowledged. Please distribute your stats.]

[Stats:

Stat points available: 10

Strength: 0

Agility: 0

Vitality:0

Intelligence: 0

Mind: 0

Charm(Racial Stat): 0

Dark Energy(Racial Stat): 0

Blood Energy(Racial Stat): 0]

The stats were the usual as with many other fantasy games. The strength and vitality stats increased Health Points while the intelligence and mind stats increased Mana. In 'World Bender', Mana alone didn't help with spell casting. Elemental Affinity was also necessary to be a Mage. As such, the vampires who had double affinities were considered natural-born Mages.

Other than that, blood energy and dark energy were special stats and couldn't be increased with stat points. They increased by killing and feeding on blood respectively. It was no wonder that races like vampires and dark elves who possessed those special stats were hated. Furthermore, the charm stat was also a special stat possessed exclusively by races known for their beauty like vampires and elves. The means of increasing the charm stat depended upon the race. For example, the vampires could increase their charm stat through feeding, much similar to blood energy.

Jonas wanted to be a Mage, he wouldn't let the potential of the vampires go to waste. After some quick thinking, he put 5 stat points in Intelligence, 3 in mind and the last 2 in vitality.

[Acknowledged. Please select your spawn point.]

"Fort Yvona. The Crimson Kingdom."

[Acknowledged. Please get ready for spawn transfer.]

Jonas closed his eyes and a nauseatic feeling overcame him. When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in that white world where he created his character but in a massive fortress of the damned.