Unexpected
---Welcome To Eternia----
Opening his eyes, Ethan found himself in the centre of what appeared to be a wooden hut. Initially disregarding the lines of blue words hovering around him, he focused on assessing the sense of reality in his surroundings. To his amazement, everything felt incredibly real.
Eternia's level of realism was mind-blowing to Ethan. As he stood within the wooden hut, he couldn't help but marvel at the astounding level of detail and immersion that enveloped him. The graphics were so lifelike, surpassing any virtual game he had previously played. The textures were astonishingly realistic, allowing him to almost feel the roughness of the wooden walls beneath his fingertips. It was a stark contrast to the pixelated worlds he had explored before, and he couldn't help but be in awe of the remarkable advancements in gaming technology.
Taking a step forward, he was struck by the uncannily realistic sensation of his body in motion. He glanced down at his virtual hands, astounded by the intricate details and the lifelike skin tones. The movements were fluid and natural as if he truly inhabited the virtual space. Gone were the clunky controls that always served as a reminder of the digital realm. Instead, he found himself fully immersed, with the virtual world responding to his every action.
The sounds in Eternia were equally impressive, further enhancing the immersive experience. Meticulously designed environmental audio created a rich and believable world. The creaking of wooden floorboards, the rustling of leaves outside, and the crackling of a distant fire were so convincing that Ethan could almost forget he was wearing a headset. The audio technology in Eternia surpassed anything he had previously experienced, bringing the virtual world to life with depth and realism.
Yet, it wasn't just the visuals and sounds that astonished Ethan; it was the meticulous attention to detail and the integration of advanced physics simulations. Every object in Eternia possessed weight and substance, responding to his interactions in a remarkably realistic manner. When he picked up a mug from the table in the wooden hut, he could feel its weight in his virtual hand, and the sensation of the liquid sloshing inside was astonishingly accurate. The developers had gone above and beyond, ensuring that the virtual world behaved just like the real one.
"Just the realistic detail alone is a 10/10 for me," Ethan muttered with a grin, his excitement evident. He returned his attention back to the line of blue words hovering in front of him, eager to delve deeper into the game.
"The hut should serve as a character creation space since it's a common setting in the beginning of most games. But how do I create my character?" Ethan pondered aloud, his gaze fixed on the hovering blue words. He had tried various actions to prompt a change but to no avail. Touching the words yielded no result, and even uttering "Status" didn't trigger any response.
"The game developers surely left out some details in their briefing," Ethan muttered, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice. He wondered whether the current situation was intentionally programmed or if it was an unintended bug. If it were the former, he could accept it as part of the game's design. However, the thought of encountering a frustrating bug made him cringe, and he hoped that wasn't the case.
"Come on now, just when I was starting to get into the game," Ethan muttered, his frustration mounting. Almost as if in response, the blue words that had previously hovered regardless of his movement suddenly dematerialized, replaced by a blue panel that materialised in front of him.
----------
Status Creation
-Character Name: [Enter Name]
-Race: [Select Race]
-Class: [Select Class]
-----------
"Seems like the wait was intentional after all," Ethan muttered with a smile as he proceeded through the panel in front of him. He reasoned that the game developers had purposely included the waiting period to allow players to familiarise themselves with their surroundings.
"As long as there aren't any early-game bugs, I'm good," Ethan thought as he entered his player name: Aurora. Seeing that the system accepted his chosen name, Ethan nodded in satisfaction, relieved that no other beta tester had taken it. Aurora had always been his go-to alias in previous games, though variations like Aurora203, Aurora_Drakon, DaoistAurora, and others were necessary due to a large number of players. This was the first time he successfully secured the name Aurora without any additional modifications, and it brought him great happiness.
"Aurora is not only a fantastic name, but it also holds a special place in my heart," Ethan reflected. It was the endearing nickname his mother used to call him before she passed away. Since his father's untimely death in a tragic accident when he was young, his mother had played a significant role in his life.
With his player name successfully chosen, Ethan moved on to selecting his race. With years of gaming experience, he knew what to anticipate, wondering whether the game would introduce a new or rare race or stick with the familiar classics. Regardless, his excitement for the game remained at its peak.
--------
Status Race Selection
- Race:
- Human
- Humans are a versatile and adaptable race, capable of excelling in various roles. They possess a wide range of skills and talents, making them a well-rounded choice for any endeavor.
- Elf
- Elves are graceful and connected to the natural world. They embody elegance and possess heightened senses. With their affinity for magic, they bring a touch of mysticism to any adventure.
- Dwarf
- Dwarves, a race known for their sturdy build and exceptional craftsmanship. They excel in mining and blacksmithing, creating powerful weapons and durable armor.
- Gnome
- Gnomes are a race filled with curious and inventive beings with a natural affinity for technology. They possess a keen intellect and excel in engineering and tinkering.
- Take your race with caution!
--------
Just as Ethan had anticipated, the available races for him to choose from consisted of the classic options commonly found in popular games. Without dwelling too much on the decision, he opted for the race he was most familiar with—the human race.
Although the human race lacked the distinct advantages possessed by other races, as stated in the panel, it was a well-rounded choice. What Ethan appreciated about the human race was its versatility. While it might be challenging to play in the early stages, humans didn't have any significant weaknesses like some of the other races.
For instance, the elves, known for their magical prowess, often struggled in close combat.
Perhaps due to his selection of the human race and being a human himself, Ethan didn't notice any visible changes in his appearance. Setting that thought aside, he refocused his attention on the hovering blue panel and tapped on the option to [Select Class] eager to explore the available choices.
--------
Status Class Selection:
- Class:
- Warrior
- Warriors are formidable fighters, specializing in close combat and wielding a variety of weapons. They excel in strength and endurance, making them frontline tanks.
- Mage
- Mages are masters of arcane magic, wielding powerful spells to unleash devastation upon their enemies. They possess deep knowledge of the mystical arts and can manipulate the elements.
- Rogue
- Rogues are agile and stealthy, specializing in swift strikes and cunning tactics. They excel in stealth, picking locks, and dealing critical damage to unsuspecting foes.
- Priest
- Priests are holy healers and protectors, using divine magic to restore health and provide support to their allies. They possess the ability to cleanse ailments and provide powerful blessings.
- Take your race with caution!
--------
Ethan's mind raced as he considered the available classes. Each had its unique appeal and playstyle, and he knew his choice would shape his experience in the game.
Ethan had always been fond of playing as a warrior, charging head-on into battles and leading the front lines. The sheer strength and resilience of warriors had always fascinated him. However, the allure of magic was also tempting. The ability to wield powerful spells and command the elements had a certain mystique to it.
Rogues appealed to his strategic side, utilising stealth and precision to take down enemies swiftly and efficiently. And then there were priests, the healers and protectors, providing invaluable support to their allies. Ethan knew the importance of a good support class in any team-based game.
"Should I stick to my usual playstyle and choose the warrior class?" Ethan contemplated, weighing his options. As per the information released by the gaming company on the Eternia forum, players had the ability to switch classes at level 10, either to an advanced class or an entirely different one. Nonetheless, Ethan recognized that the initial class choice laid the foundation for early-game strength and future progression, a fact well-known to a seasoned gamer like him.
However, just as Ethan was about to confirm his selection of the warrior class, he decided to go against his own rationale and instead opted for the mage class. Besides wanting to try something different from his typical playstyle, he sought to inject more excitement into the game. The challenges and difficulties were what made a game truly enjoyable for him, and any potential disparity between him and other beta players was inconsequential. Competition was merely an added bonus to the overall fun of the game.
Although this decision carried the risk of repercussions down the line, the worst-case scenario would involve deleting his character and creating a new one upon the official game release. Considering this possibility, Ethan confidently chose the mage class, causing the Status creation panel before him to undergo a change.
---------
Status Creation
Character Name: [Aurora]
Race: [Human]
Class: [Mage]
---------
After his status creation was updated, a second later, the words on the panel disappeared and new ones appeared. The content on the panel this time was basically telling him to confirm his status creation which Ethan did without hesitation.
After this was done, another panel appeared.
-----WELCOME TO ETERNIA, AURORA!------
"Finally!" Ethan exclaimed with a wide grin, eagerly anticipating his teleportation to one of the beginner villages mentioned in the game's forum. However, his excitement quickly turned to alarm as an unexpected event unfolded. The wooden hut he was in suddenly began to shake violently, throwing Ethan off balance.
"What the hell is going on?!" Ethan shouted, struggling to maintain his footing as the interior of the hut became a chaotic mess. Objects flew around, adding to the chaos and destruction. The shaking intensified, making Ethan fear that the hut might collapse at any moment. But just as he braced for the worst, the trembling abruptly ceased, and a serene calmness replaced the chaos as if the entire incident had been nothing more than an illusion.
"Was this part of the programming too?" Ethan questioned cautiously, a hint of unease in his voice. Just as he was about to approach the hut's door, still expecting to be teleported to a starting village since no such teleportation had occurred yet, a panel materialised before him, catching his attention.
-W%÷%elco×π%me{πhshafga-
'Huh?'
-$62#}}}¢™¢°÷€}£×£×£π-
"What the heck is happening?!" Ethan couldn't help but exclaim, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration. He was completely in the dark about the situation unfolding before him. However, before he could lose his composure completely, the panel that had appeared vanished suddenly.
"Could this really not be a major bug or something?" Ethan muttered sceptically, suspicion creeping into his thoughts. He contemplated reaching out to the game interface to initiate a log-out, but just as he was about to take action, another panel materialised in front of him.
--------
WELCOME TO AETHERIA, AURORA!
---------
Quest Received
---------
Survive for Three Days
Time Left; 85 hrs: 59 mins: 52 sec
---------
"Survive?" Ethan questioned aloud, his voice filled with uncertainty. "Survive what?"
Just as he thought the situation couldn't become any stranger, a piercing scream echoed through the air. Ethan's ears perked up, and he realised that the scream belonged to a female. Without hesitation, he flung open the door of the hut and rushed outside, bracing himself for whatever awaited him. However, what he encountered took him completely by surprise.