Registration and Weapon
DREAM HARD.
This was the name that was given by the masses to this machine.
The miracle machine allows a person to enter the virtual world.
The creator and inventor of this machine, the one who instigated this situation, is a complete madman.
Having Ph. D. in Neuroscience, Engineering, Computer Science, Psychology, and many other fields, a complete genius in any field.
And that genius decided to finally make this machine.
Nobody knows what he was actually thinking. All they know is about the concept that they are working with.
In the past, there are theories about what constitutes Dreams.
One of those theories was selected by this eccentric genius, it was the theory that says:
"Dreaming is a state of entering a different world. Nobody really knows why we have it, nor how we see it. Explanations were made but a concrete one was never to be found."
"I theorize that there are two worlds present that are interacting with each other. If we are in this world right now, once we sleep, we could enter the other world."
"Then, what if, this world is the dream and the other one was real? That may be true too. However, I cannot prove it with the current technology that humans have."
Dream Interaction Hardware, in short DREAM HARD.
This was the crystallization of his research and the result of the efforts of many of the best engineers and scientists working together.
In essence, it was just a cloud network connecting several clients under a single massive server.
However, the clients are not common computers.
It was a large network of Human Consciousness. A Biological Computer.
The more users, the faster the main server runs.
And, by applying unique theories, architectures, and conventions, they finally managed to create a game in this Dream World.
After a total of 4 years of development, their first game, WEXO.
- - -
"So this is the guild."
Walking leisurely around the town, he finally reached his destination, the Adventurer's Guild.
A lot of traffic seems to come and go as there are many players and NPCs entering and exiting the place.
It was literally the cornerstone of all Adventurers of this world.
After entering, the wide space surprised him.
Tables with chairs were set in regular intervals, leaving more than enough space to pass through.
On the far end, the counter was located, manned by brown-haired ladies wearing an apron over their clothes.
Zeus immediately walked there.
Being just a newbie, not many of those present were looking or paying attention to him. But, the occasional stares still made him feel a bit itchy.
"I want to register."
The lady smiled at his words, then he was then told to wait for a moment.
After waiting for about half a minute, the lady attendant came back carrying a small black card. The card was clean without a single writing on any side.
"Please take this card."
After being told to do so, he took the card from her hands. As soon as he did, the card shone a little, and then letters were formed.
- - -
Name: Zeus
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
Rank: ---
Class: Adventurer
Title: Newbie
Health: 100
Mana: 25
Attack: 10
Defense: 5
Strength: 13
Agility: 12
Wisdom: 7
Intelligence: 6
Vitality: 11
Endurance: 8
Concentration: 10
Luck: 1
Money: 1,000 D
Skills:
- None
Status:
Newbie
- You will receive bonus 2x experience for the first 180 hours.
- Commodities will be priced half for you.
- - -
It was his character information. Slightly below it, a small rectangular space could be seen. Strings of words suddenly floated there.
- - -
- Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild!
- This is the information window. Tips and system messages will be placed here.
- For convenience, it can be dragged out as a semi-transparent screen that is only visible to you.
- Since you are a beginner, tips will be given at regular intervals.
- You can disable it by saying 'disable tips'
- - -
Being told about it, he tried dragging the window using his fingers.
Then, the information window turned into a light-blue transparent rectangular window, about a square foot in area, was shown floating in the air.
He immediately placed it on one corner of his vision. Physically, it was placed an arm's length diagonally to his lower left.
Every time he turned his head, the window followed. It was really convenient.
"Now that I finished registering, the next is…"
He still has approximately 3 hours and a half before he can go out.
Time-wise, he planned to first acquire a weapon since its location was closer to the guild than the remaining two tasks.
He immediately walked out of the guild and started walking toward the market where he could acquire a weapon.
He passed through it before going to the guild as it was in between the guild and the plaza.
As he passed earlier, he already searched for suitable equipment for him.
He entered a certain shop that caught his eye earlier.
"This sword looks good."
Zeus spoke to the owner as he examined one of the swords displayed. A short sword.
"Ahh, you got good eyes, that's an Iron Sword. It is the best equipment for any newbie."
"Hoho… Its workmanship is good and is not that heavy."
Zeus claimed as he tried lifting the sword.
"It even has slight blessings. I can offer it to you for a friendly price of 5,000 Darks."
5,000 D! It was too pricey. And that is considering that he picked the one which looks to be the cheapest.
"Hmmm… The price is a bit… Can I swing it for a little?"
"Of course!"
Having received the owner's permission, he took a few steps back.
Then, he bent his waist a little and placed the sword on his side. In one clean motion, he swung it horizontally with amazing speed, causing ripples in the air. At the end of the swing, he used the momentum to turn around and added a downward stroke.
"OOOOH! That was one fine swordsmanship! If you want that sword I can offer it to you at 2,500 D!"
Just by showing his swordsmanship, the price went down by half. However, his money still couldn't afford that level.
"I'm sorry but, right now I only have 1,000 D. In exchange, can you give me a good weapon available within my range?"
"Ah, is that so… Then how about this."
The man bent down a little and took out another short sword.
"This is one of the cheapest that I have. A normal Iron Sword. Normally, it's priced at 1,800 D but I'd give it to you for 1,000 D."
"Thanks."
He immediately took the sword. Having applied his half expenses, he paid 500 D.
With the remaining money, Zeus bought a pair of gloves for 100 D, a gauntlet for 400 D, and a holster for 150 D all at half the price so he still had some change left.
"Thanks for the patronage! Come and drop by anytime, and I'll give you discounts!"
"My pleasure."
The man selling the sword was an NPC. However, his diverse reactions and words would make one mistake him for a player.
"Next is the training grounds."
After using about an hour buying and traveling, there were approximately 2 and a half hours left before he could go out. Spending about 30 minutes more, he arrived at the training grounds.
It was a wide area. There were several trainees swinging their swords uniformly. Some were training on using the bow. Some were practicing riding a horse and using a lance.
Zeus walked to the counter. There, a sturdy-looking man was standing conspicuously.
"Are you here to train?"
The man's low baritone voice gave Zeus chills. His voice was cold, almost devoid of emotions while filled to the brim with killing intent.
"Yes."
Zeus answered straight, not letting his inner turmoil show.
"You got guts. Here."
The man showed a hearty grin. A pair of training clothes was given to Zeus.
"Wear that. Put your equipment on this bag."
A small bag was thrown again. In the game, it was called Magic Bag, Magic Pouch, and other forms. It was a bag that has magical properties that allows a person to store things with a 10th of the size and a quarter of the weight.
It was one of the basic pieces of equipment that a newbie needed.
After changing, he picked up a wooden sword and went toward the instructor.
The instructor looks the same as the guy who mans the counter except for his muscles which are a bit tighter.
"You lot will be entering the basic training! I, Panzer, will be teaching you all personally! Be grateful!"
He spoke with a loud and clear voice that makes the air vibrate. All of the trainees that lined up were quite startled by his voice.
Without missing a beat, the training started.
As the name implied, it was really basic. From how to swing a sword, basic footwork, and breathing. Then, at the last stage of the training after 1 hour, the instructor bestowed something to them.
"You all have now officially finished this training. As a reward, you will have the chance to learn a skill. Choose well."
As he finished his speech, he walked away. As he did, bright light swirled on each of them.
- - -
- You have earned 100 experience points.
- You have leveled up! You are now Level 2.
- All stats increase by 1.
- Strength, Agility, Wisdom, Intelligence, and Concentration increased by an additional 1 point.
- You can now learn Quick Slash.
- You can now learn Helm Breaker.
- You can now learn Evasion.
- You can now learn Warrior's Heart.
- Of the above, you can only choose 2 for now.
- - -
This is one of the benefits of having information. Quick elevation! The fast-paced increase in power!
"Evasion and Warrior's Heart."
Zeus immediately selected the skills he wanted. Since he wants passive skills first, he chose those two.
- - -
- You learned the skill Evasion.
- A new stat has been added, Evasion, with a total of 1 point.
- You learned the skill Warrior's Heart.
- Health is increased by 50 permanently due to the skill.
- - -
After the confirmation, Zeus picked up his card and checked. Under his skills, two of the skill were listed. He then tried to check his skills.
"Skill information"
As he shouted one of the commands, the card's appearance changed. It was now showing the description of all his skills.
- - -
Skills Information
Evasion – Level 1 (0%)
The skill of using your speed to dodge enemy attacks. Relies greatly on Luck and Evasion. The more you successfully evade or parry an attack, the higher the skill level will rise.
Warrior's Heart – Level 1(0%)
A skill perfect for brave warriors. Increases maximum health. The more damage you receive, the higher the skill level will rise.
- - -
"So that's how you raise it…"
As he read the description of the skills, he learned that the skill could level up. Even how to level the skill up.
Then, an idea came up to him.
"If that's how it is then, maybe… Status Information"
As he once again mouthed a command, the card changed once again.
- - -
Status Information
Strength – 15
Highly affects the damage output of the user. Can be increased through any sort of physical labor. Can be increased through training.
Agility – 14
Affects the maximum speed of the user. Can be increased through performing tasks that requires moving. Can be increased through training.
Wisdom – 9
Affects the maximum mana capacity of the user. Can be increased through reading books and learning. Can be increased through training.
Intelligence – 8
Affects the damage output of skills and magic of the user. Can be increased through the use of skills and magic. Can be increased through training.
Vitality – 12
Affects the maximum health and stamina of the user. Can be increased through receiving damage. Can be increased through training.
Endurance – 9
Affects the maximum resilience, stamina, and defense of the user. Can be increased through receiving damage. Can be increased through training.
Concentration – 12
Affects how efficiently the skill will come out. Can be increased through the use of skill and magic. Can be increased through training.
Luck – 2
Affects the critical rate and evade rate of users, the drop rate of monsters, and many others. Can be increased through experiencing 'LUCKY' situations.
- - -
"So not only leveling can increase stats… Better keep that in mind."
Again, there have only been about 3 months since the game was released.
Most players would keep the information to themselves as the early stages of a game, especially ones that didn't pass through an open beta, is basically a trial and error stage.
Basic information can be gathered through the few who shared their stories. Even the commands were all mystery up to now.
All the commands that Zeus knew through the net are Skill Information, Logout, Equip, and Un-equip.
In other words, there are too many unknowns. Even the main site of the game only talked about the game's background. Not a single piece of information about the playthrough was given. All that's said was "Everything's Possible".
He was given the bag that was passed to him before the training started. From the bag, he picked his gears and equipped them one by one. A thought passed him again.
"How about items… Item Information"
- - -
Leather Gloves
Gloves made of leather gathered from the moon rabbits. It is good equipment for newbies. When wearing this, the aggression of moon rabbits will increase.
Type: Gloves
Durability: 8/8
- Defense +2
- Moon rabbits within a 5-meter radius will attack you (effect does not stack)
- - -
By touching the gloves after the command, a bluish-white transparent window appeared. He then checked each of his pieces of equipment.
- - -
Iron Gauntlets
A protector used mainly by warriors. Protects the forearm of the user.
Type: Gauntlet
Durability: 10/10
- Defense +5
- Agility -1
Iron Sword
A sword forged from plain iron. Made with basic workmanship.
Type: Short Sword
Durability: 20/20
- Attack +10
Leather Waist Holster
Used to hold the sword to be ready for action at any moment. Made from Moon Rabbit's leather. When wearing this, the aggression of moon rabbits will increase.
Type: Accessory
Durability: 12/12
- Luck +1
- Wisdom +1
- Moon Rabbits within 5 meters will attack you (effect do not stack)
Leather Breastplate
Covers the vital parts of a user. Is slightly heavy.
Type: Armor
Durability:25/25
- Defense +4
- Agility -1
- - -
That was all that he could see. He tried checking the tunic, pants, and boots but there was no reaction.
Still, experimenting really worked wonders. Zeus felt that he is slowly getting the hang of the perks of the different system commands.
"Now, time for a quest."
And as he spoke, he headed towards the plaza once more.