Chapter 1

Upon entering Malignancy online, Dean was asked to create his character. He was also told that this was to be taken seriously as the action cannot be redone.

" Wow, how many more options did they add?"

The options were either manual modeling, body structure copy/paste, or choosing a base template.

Bing*

[ Yes/No]

" Yes"

Woosh!

****

When he opened his eyes, he was in a crowded street. Filled to the brim with other new players like him. He felt like he couldn't breathe and pushed himself free from the crowded street. ' Woah! look at that.'

In front of him, was a giant castle surrounded by a moat. ' Yeah...Im back.'

Dean moved like he had been in Malignancy before. His movements were not perfect but they allowed him to avoid any traffic blocking his path.

Entering the castle he could see many eager players forgoing the training ground, and heading straight for the counter. Where all of them got their first quests and left without a care. Instead, Dean went ahead inside the training ground.

" Hello, Boya! I'm your instructor, Sumae! And for you new ducklings, it's best if you start with the basics! So here, catch!"

[Wood Training Sword] ~equiped

" Now! Follow me."

Sumae the tutorial instructor proudly leads Dean toward a dummy. Then she left him alone to train as she went back to greet the other players.

' Whew, she's still the same huh, the same old over-energetic person.'

Dean grips the wood sword handle tightly. Then brings the sword high above him, before he pushes down the sword. Hitting the dummy hard but no damage was inflicted.

'whew....'

letting out a breath as the energy he created leaves his body. Then he holds the sword in a low stance, close to the ground, swinging upwards with all his might. 'Ha..ha...ha.'

Dean falls and catches himself by stabbing the ground with the sword, using it as support. He was exhausted. His palms were wet and his hands were shaking.

" Yea, still the same huh."

Dean stashes the wood sword, he then walks toward Sumae. Passed by other players who too were hitting the dummies. But far in the back, he sees a young girl, who was really impressive. ' Wait, isn't that.'

Dean felt like he knew who she was. Then he recalled the so-called swordmaster of the alpha era of Malignancy. When everyone including himself was stuck in the beginning stages of alpha Malignancy, she and 4 other players were exploring and conquering dungeons to their hearts' content.

" Hey, you know it's not nice to stare."

" Oh sorry, I was just baffled that anyone can use a sword so well."

" Same here! But you too weren't so bad. Just need a little more elbow grease!"

" Yea thanks... Um can I get the training wood colossal sword"

" Sure! Right over there on the weapons rack! If you need anything just grab it!"

Grabbing ahold colossal sword brings back memories that Dean had hidden away.

" I have to try at least, no I must change..."

****

'Haht!'

thud!*

" Hey? How long has it been since he started swinging that colossal sword?"

"Hmm? I think it has been half a day since then."

" Damn, I can't even imagine the backlash he will feel when he logs out"

****

'Haht!'

thud!*

'Haht!!'

Boom!*

[Ding

[+1 STR]