2 First Steps

A blank white room appeared around me. I glanced around, hoping to see something out of the ordinary, but nothing popped out

[Thank you for your purchase of 'Legend'! Should you encounter any issues, feel free to contact our support team, but please be patient as the sheer number of players logging on may delay individual responses.]

[The system will now auto-generate your character's appearance. Using patented Gene-Trace technology, the system can approximate a slightly different version of the player's real life appearance in a variety of possible ages. Character stats and abilities are not affected by visible age. (Note that character ages are restricted to real-life age for minors, due to legal concerns.)]

It seemed that adults would then be presented with an age selection dialog, but since I was 16 I couldn't select any other age.

~Ah well.~

[Character generated.]

A 3D representation of my character appeared before me, rotating slowly. It was almost identical to me, with some slight differences in height and proportions. But instead of my normal clothes, the model was wearing a plain white dress, stopping around the knee. It seemed to be the standard starting clothing - I wasn't getting any gameplay hints from the system just yet.

[Character loading into world. Generating tutorial text.]

~Here we go…~

[Welcome to Legend! This text is simply a basic guide to the game, so don't assume there's nothing else to be discovered in the world of Legend. This guide contains just a small fraction of all that the world has to offer.]

[Every player in Legend begins with the same stats, and with no class. Stats may be improved through leveling up, skill books, equipment, and other buffs found in the world, while classes may only be discovered in the world, or granted by NPCs. Classes provide unique skills, stat boosts, and other bonuses, so they are very valuable commodities.]

[All players begin the game with either the <Plain White Dress> or <Plain White Shirt and Pants>, along with 100 copper pieces. With the exception of this starting equipment, all gear must be either bought, or crafted - the only other exceptions are unique items and artifacts.]

[Skills can be purchased, or found in the world, but some levels provide basic skills as well.]

[Experience can be gained from killing monsters, or completing quests. Quests vary in scale and type, as do monsters.]

~Oh lord… how is this going to be balanced for the pro scene…~

I began having doubts, and worry grew within me. But the system proceeded onward nevertheless.

[The basic tutorial is now complete. Please name your character.]

"Romula."

[Character name "Romula" confirmed. Character successfully loaded into Region: North America. Please enjoy.]

The white room faded away, and I was transported to another world.

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The light that surrounded me was blinding, but after some furious blinking, it slowly returned to bearable levels. A crowd slowly began to build as I looked at my surroundings, as more and more people logged into the game. I was surrounded by what appeared to be the main street of a city, market stalls crammed between side streets and shops.

~I can't waste any time. I need to pull ahead of the pack as quickly as possible.~

I took two steps over to the nearest stall and waved to the NPC vendor, who smiled as I approached.

"Hi, do you know where I can get a map of the area?"

"Sure thing, little lady! I happen to have a spare right here. I could let go of it for… 30 copper?"

~I don't have much time, but I might need that money later…~

I glanced at the bearded man, frowning slightly.

"Can you do 20 for now? I'm short on cash at the moment, but I'll mark your shop on the map and come back once I've got some copper to spare."

The vendor chuckled, and pulled a rolled up map out from under the stall counter. He unrolled it, snatching a quill from off to his side, before marking a dot in one area and scribbling "Harry Hemsworth's Bargain Goods".

"Sure thing! Do stop by again."

I handed him 20 copper coins, thanking him, and grabbed the map.

~I need to find a good source of quests, since it didn't throw me into a tutorial mission or anything…~

Beginning to scan over the map, I soon had a good idea of where I was - Skybound City. One note on the city map stuck out to me: Hunter's Guild. It was on the opposite side of the city, right up against the city wall, so I took off at a run in that direction.

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The map led me through increasingly empty streets, the occasional NPC strolling along the road as I dashed from block to block. After passing just a few intersections, there was no sign of other players, who were likely still looking for a map of the city. I made a mental note to visit a cartographer's shop later, but I had the one I really needed already.

I kind of regretted my need to move so quickly, as I caught glances of beautiful shops and homes packed tightly together in this sprawling city.

~The sacrifices we make for victory, I suppose.~

In short order, I arrived at my destination. A massive building spanned across an entire block, sculptures of beasts and men in hunters' garb lining the road all around it. I slowed to a light jog just before reaching the entrance, before stepping inside a massive doorway. Two massive wooden doors lay open, ornate carvings visible as I passed by.

"Welcome to the Hunter's Guild! Are you looking to set a bounty, purchase materials, or join the guild?"

A voice broke through my awe at the sights around me - I jumped, my head swivelling to the right to reveal a long desk next to the entrance. A pale old man sat behind it, staring at me with a smile on his face as he dipped a quill into an inkwell.

"I'd like to join the guild, please."

"Alrighty then, that'll be 80 copper for the Novice Registration and a basic Hunter's Kit."

~Damn that's a lot - I'm sure glad that I got that map at a discount.~

I dumped the remainder of my coin pouch onto the counter, knowing that somewhere in the character menus I had yet to explore, a "Money" counter had just dropped to 0. I winced unconsciously. As if he had read my mind, the old man waved his hand and smiled.

"Not to worry, child, you'll be swimming in copper coins soon enough. Let's get you registered."

He disappeared under the desk for a moment, before lifting a massive tome up onto the desk with significant effort. With a brief turn of the cover, he wrote my character's name on the very first page, circling the rank "Novice" in a list next to it.

"Look at that - you're the first player to join the guild."

[System Announcement: Player <Romula> is the first player to join the Hunter's Guild. Rewards: <Badge of the Pack Leader>, 50 XP]

Seeing the notification in the world chat, I hurriedly opened my inventory, seeing a wooden badge in the grid of boxes that appeared in front of me. I grabbed it and pinned it to my chest, not bothering to look at the stats since I was in a rush.

"Alright, head on back to Miss Farstead, she'll get you kitted out with the right gear. I should have a few bounties for you when you return."