Prelude to Huge Disaster

The day before.

Today was the day before Mina and Jinan's birthday. Their mother had decided to celebrate their birthday today because she knew that their VR Pods would arrive the next morning. So today, they were having a birthday supper at the small dining room table.

There were four people present. Jinan and Mina, of course, Allise and Anamai.

In the past few months, Anamai had found a variety of excuses to come back visit the Tearan household. She had also went to visit Yukiro at the hospital but she never had the courage to write anything to him.

In any case, she had created strong ties of friendship with the members of the Tearan family, especially Mina. Enough that it was an obvious decision to invite her over to celebrate the occasion.

It was a disparate bunch: one dark haired woman, two brow-reddish ones and a single blond boy were sitting at a small four-person table. In the entire family, Jinan was the only one with their father's hair. But his eyes were the same doe-brown as his older brother, sister and mother.

They were eating roast pork: Jinan's favorite, with French fries: Mina's favorite.

The conversation obviously circled around the topic of Mina and Jinan's upcoming debut in New World. They were both very excited.

"Your pods are supposed to arrive tomorrow morning, right?" Asked Anamai.

"Yes! At around 10 am."

"I'll go to the hospital before that to tell Kiro we are coming!" Announced Jinan for the 20th time.

No one at the table raised the objection that he could inform Kiro of their arrival in-game. His earnest desire to inform his big brother of the good news was too evident.

The twins had both spent the last year preparing themselves for the game. Jinan, having heard that people with good physical ability had an advantage early in the game, had decided to train his body. Anamai had offered that he train at her family's dojo but Jinan preferred to go to the same dojo that Kiro used to go to.

Mina had spent her time gathering intel on the game. Her middle school was called Samurisa High. It was a joint Middle School and High School. Anamai also went there, in the High School section, as the school belonged to her family and her uncle was the Principal. Mina spent her every break pestering her upperclassmen to gather their personal experiences in New World. It had led her to form friendships with several unusual individuals, such as a high schooler named Demian who had introduced himself as a hunter in New World. He was a little creepy but he had given Mina a lot of good information about the game and seemed to be a very high level player.

She had also scanned through the internet, looking at hundreds of websites, forums, wikis and blogs for tips and info.

She and Jinan had already figured out their races and had a tentative idea of what class they wanted. But they still were undecided as to what city to start in.

"Ana-chan, are you still in the Pyros Dungeon?" Asked Mina.

"Yes, I almost reached the boss room yesterday."

"Are ghouls really that hard to kill?"

"Most undead creatures are a problem to me, because I can't make them bleed to death. But I'm getting better at defeating them by aiming for the joint in their bones."

The Pyros Dungeon was a level 225-250 level dungeon. It was infested with skeletons and ghouls.

After Anamai's defeat at the hands of Kiro, she decided to take his advice seriously. She left the safety of Lutenberg and went off in search of strong monsters. Her step naturally brought her towards dungeons. Dungeons, where strong and/or unusual monsters gathered in great numbers, making it the perfect training ground for Anamai.

She would visit a dungeon and stay there a few weeks to clear it, before moving on to a new one.

She preferred dungeons with specialised mobs, which provided a challenge to her swordsmanship, like the undead of the Pythos Dungeon or the mage types of the last dungeon she had cleared.

Her exploits had earned her a solid reputation as a solo dungeon clearer.

"It's going to take a long time for me and Jinan to arrive at your level, Ana-chan." Mina said, looking dejected.

Seeing such a cute look, Anamai couldn't hold back the urge to pat her head. "Don't worry, you two will catch up in no time. Maybe we could party and go dungeon clearing together, sometime."

"Yeah! Going dungeon clearing with Ana-chan and Kiro-niichan! It would be so fun!"

"Ana-san", interjected Jinan. "Is Kiro-ni strong?"

It was a question he often asked. But Anamai answered him all the same, understanding that he was looking for reassurance on his brother's well-being. "Yes."

"Stronger than you?"

"Much stronger. He was stronger than me when we fought, and he must have grown even more incredibly strong since then."

Jinan nodded, satisfied.

"Oh! It's almost 7 o'clock!" Said Mina, looking at the stove's clock. "New World Daily is about to start."

"Can we watch it, Mom?" Asked Jinan.

"Oh, you two! We haven't finished supper yet."

"Please Mom! Tonight they invited VIPs from the game to interview them. It's a special episode."

"Fine! Since it's your birthday, I'll allow it this once."

"Yeah!" "Yes! Thanks mom."

"Let me help you with the dishes, Allise-san."

"No, I can manage, thank you Anamai. Go watch it with them, they will be happy to have your company."

*****

New World Daily, just as it name suggested, provided daily news coverage on the many events happening in New World. Produced by Sun Television, it was their number one most popular show, watched by many players and non-players alike.

One of the most appreciated features of the show is that they divulged useful tidbits of information, helpful tips that were helpful for beginners.

Today was a special episode. They had invited several well know players to interview them. The interviews would be about various hot topics pertaining to the game of New World.

(*Note: From this point on, the words in italic come from the television)

"It's already started." Stated Mina. She and the other two were seated on a long red couch, in front of the tv, in the living room. It was situated just beside the kitchen-dining room.

Jinan turned the tv to the desired channel.

In the same fashion as news reporters, the stage for Daily New World include a raised table behind which stood an elegant women in her earlier thirties, dressed in a red robe, with carefully done blond hair and artful makeup that highlighted clear blue eyes. Her name was Ana Satila, a famous anchor of Sun Television.

Besides her stood a bespeckled young man in his twenties, with a pale complexion. He had messy brown hair and a face full of freckles. He seemed awkward and ill at ease besides the stunning hostess. Mrs. Satila was already in the middle of a sentence.

"…and now I would like to introduce our first guest for this evening. Known in game as a fierce fire mage. He is a member of the famous Crimson Wing guild. He goes by the name of ThePyroMan! Please give a round of applause for Mr. Kim Johnson!!!"

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

"So, Mr. Johnson …or do you prefer ThePyroMan?"

"Kim is fine."

"Kim it is then. Tell me Kim, you have visited the city of Mutianelis, currently occupied by the guild DrakeXScales, is that right?"

"Yes it is."

"Can you tell us a bit about your experience? For starters, could you tell our viewers a little bit about DrakeXScales?"

"Ehm, ok. DrakeXScales is a middle-sized guild with about 2 or 3 thousand members. Their members are relatively high-leveled, with the weakest member having levels in the 190 and the strongest members being in the 250's. Their average level would be around 210, maybe…"

"You seem well informed."

"Haha, well, it's my business to know. As a top member in my guild, Crimson Wings, I have to keep an eye on potential rivals to our guild."

"So DrakeXScales is considered a threat?"

"Well… not really. We keep an eye on them because their used to be a few negative rumors floating around about those guys."

"What kind of rumors?"

Now in his element, Kim Johnson displayed none of the nervousness he had at the beginning. He was now talking in an animated manner.

"There were a few rumors about them indulging in PK – player killing. Also, they were caught scamming newbies, exhorting gold and stuff like that. Oh, and there was also talk about them doing some dungeon hoarding."

"Dungeon hoarding?"

"Ah, sorry, that's an expression we use a lot in my guild. It's when a group of players, or a guild, tries to take possession of a dungeon by killing or imposing a fee on those who try to enter it. It's of course frown upon by most players. But for the past one or two years in game, they really cleaned up their act. They have relocated their headquarters at Mutianelis and since then, the whole region has benefited from their presence."

"How has the presence of DrakeXScales benefited the region they have been staying in?"

"The members of DrakeXScales have been doing subjugation quests in the vicinity of Mutianelis. This has helped the players of the city a lot and helps make Mutianelis one of the best starter's city in New World."

"Would you care to elaborate on that?"

"Certainly. Mutianelis is a fortified city. It holds a keep in the middle, where all the administrative officials are located. It is situated at the foot of the mountains which divide New World, making it a favorite target for monster raids. Because of this, it is a city were a newbie can pick up almost any battle-related class, from battle-mage to berserker. But, also because of this, the level of the monsters, excluding directly around the city, was too high for beginners by almost a hundred levels. The beginners were therefore 'trapped' in the city for an excessive amount of time until they leveled up enough to break the encirclement.

But since DrakeXScales have established themselves in the city, they have spent a considerable amount of time hunting these high level monsters. Because of their efforts, the average level of the monsters has gone down, enough that newbs can fight them without too much difficulties."

"In other words, you feel that DrakeXScales' influence was a positive one?"

"Yes, definitively. They have made Mutianelis an ideal city for beginner players!"

"I see. Thank you, Ken, for your time. We wish you good luck in game. We will continue after the break, where we will talk about…"

Jinan interrupted the anchor's voice by pressing on mute. He turned towards his sister. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Do you think we should start there?"

"I don't know. Isn't it a bit far from where you are, Ana-chan?"

"Yes, but I can always come over."

"What about Kiro-niichan?"

"We don't know where he is", pointed out Jinan. "So any city would do. Worst case, we could always meet him after our four weeks are over."

"Yes, I guess you're right. Ok, it's settled, we'll start in Mutianelis."

Jinan put the volume back on. Ana Satila was introducing another guest:

"My second guest is a man known for his many exploits as a knight. He is the leader of the Pendragon guild. In New World, he is known as Sir Arthur. Ladies and gentleman in the audience, please welcome Mr. Arthur Simons!"

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

The man sitting in front of her was distinctively calmer than the one before. With a large, muscular build accentuated by short black hair and a sharp gaze, he really fit the description of a knight. He was wearing a clean black jacket over blue jeans. He nodded his head in greeting.

"Now then, Mr. Arthur… Or do you prefer Mr. Simons?"

"Arthur is fine."

"Arthur it is then! Now, Arthur, in the past two months, a lot of strange rumors have been circling, talking about the possibility of dual classes. Can you tell us about it? Are the rumors true?"

He hesitated for a second. "Yes, in a sense, they are true. But it is not dual classes. It is the possibility of getting a second class."

"Would you care to elaborate?"

"Dual implies equality. But what we have discovered recently, the subject of those rumors you have mentioned, is that it is possible for a player to acquire a second class."

"A second class?"

"Yes. This second class would give half the bonuses it would give had it been the primary class."

"I am not sure I follow."

Arthur adopted a lecturing tone. "It's quite simple. We all know that a character that has a mage class gets a certain bonus to his maximum mana at each level. Well, someone that has his second class as mage would get half the bonus of mana than the man that has it as his primary class, in addition to the bonus he gets from his own primary class. You follow?"

"Yes." She nodded. "Then someone who has two classes has an advantage over those who don't, right?"

"Undoubtedly. But as I said before, there are limitations to this second class. For example, we already know that you cannot advance it past Advanced level 1."

"I see. So it will never be as powerful as the primary class, right? But tell us, Mr. Arthur, how do you get a second class?"

"What my guild and I have discovered, is that once a player reaches level 250, he may approach certain Npcs to get a second class from them."

"So getting a second class necessitates having a high level."

"Not necessarily. I know of a player whose main class is a cook. He spent every minute in-game cooking food. And after he reached Advanced level 1 at cooking, he was able to get a second class. I also know some players that I suspect have acquired a second class through a quest, not that they'd ever admit it."

"Well, that was interesting, Mr. Arthur. Unfortunately we are out of time. We thank you for giving some of your time to us."

"Not at all, it was my pleasure."

"We will return after the break with our last guest for this evening. Stay tuned."

There were a couple of boring commercials, which the three didn't watch, before the show resumed.

"…My third and final guest is a man that really doesn't need any introductions. He is the leader of the Armageddon guild, the highest leveled player in new world, where he goes by the name of Grandis. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to Mr. Charles Smithson!"

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Sitting across from her, in a three-piece suit like one would wear at a funeral or a wedding, was a tall and muscular sand-blond haired man. Each and every inch of his posture seemed to ooze confidence and arrogance. He was smiling with the kind of professional smile one reserved for the camera.

It almost seemed as if he was in competition with Mrs. Satila over whom would host the show.

As she said his name he stood towards the audience. "Thank you, thank you everyone for coming all this way just to see me."

"Nobody went there just for you, dumbass!" Murmured Anamai.

He turned towards the anchor. "Thank you for inviting me over to the show, Ana."

She starred at him for a few seconds, dumbfounded. But then she visibly reasserted herself. It was her show, she was the one leading. With a smile, she started talking. "It was my pleasure, Mr. Smithson. Or do you prefer Charles?"

"Please, call me Grandis, I insist." He replied in the tone of one granting a favor.

"Very well, Mr. Grandis." She smiled again. It didn't have any particular warmth to it. "As you surely know, Future V. has already declared its intention to host its third iteration of its 'Race to 100', entitled 'Race to level 300'. Now tell us, as the winner of the last two races, how are you seeing your chances of winning this one?"

"As assured, Ana."

"You are very confident."

He smiled, turning towards the camera. "Ever since the start of the game, I've worked hard at raising my level, accomplishing quests and have been a forerunner at discovering and clearing dungeons. It's only natural that my hard work earns me some side benefits."

"Yeah, hard at work with your army of flunkies." Muttered Mina.

As if to echo her thoughts, the hostess ventured a question: "What about your guild, Armageddon? I do believe it now has close to a million players. How has it been a factor?"

"Their assistance has been invaluable. I don't know what I could have done without those guys." He flashed another smile at the camera.

"Nothing!" "Not much!" "Nothing!" This time the three viewers were in sync.

Grandis continued: "Yes, it's truly hard work building up a guild." Another smile. "But it pays off. It plays an important role in my success."

Ana decided it was time to go back on tract. "That was very interesting, Mr. Grandis. Now, tell me. What do you think about the additional prizes that Future V. has decided to award…"

Jinan turned the tv off. "I can't watch this anymore." The other two were in agreement.

*****

The next morning, Jinan went to the hospital to see his big brother, then came back.

After that, the VR Pods arrived, and were placed in the basement of the house.

To Mina and Jinan, they looked like futuristic coffins with a tainted glass cover.

Impatient to start, they immediately jumped in.

*****

Mina was now standing in a whitespace. All around were silhouettes of the various races playable in New World.

Then, a female voice spoke: "You do not have an account in New World. Would you like to create your account at this time?"

"No I want to stand around doing nothing." Mina replied sarcastically.

"Very well."

… … …

"On second thought, I would like to create my account at this time." It seemed the A.I. didn't understand sarcasm.

"Very well, please select a name for your avatar."

"Taname." It was a random name, but Mina thought it sounded cool.

"Please choose your race. You have the choice between…"

"Elf."

"Please choose your gender."

"Female."

"Do you wish to customize your appearance?"

A 3-dimensional image of her character appeared. It looked like her, with slightly more elongated features, and characteristic pointy ears.

"Can you change my hair color to blue? Wait, add some red and purple highlights too. Hum. Can you change my eye color to green? Ok perfect!"

Her new look pleasing her greatly, Mina grinned.

"Please choose your starting location."

"Mutianelis."

Everything around her disappeared in a swirl of multicolored lights.

The next thing she knew, is the sensation of cobles under her feet. She lifted her head.

Ding!

You have started in the free city of Mutianelis. City alignment: Good. The city has obtained a fragile peace. Try not to disturb it.

Besides her, a Half-Giant, that was almost a meter taller than herself, with the same facial features as Jinan turned towards her.

"Hello there stranger!" Mina introduced herself with a grin, while giving a mock bow. "This one's name be Taname, tis a pleasure to meet you."

The Half-Giant grinned in response. "Well hello there, Miss Taname. This humble Half-Giant is known far and wide as Jinandis, the great conqueror!"

She giggled, while his laughter sounded more like a rumbling mountain.

They looked around to see where they had started.

They were two of many beginners that crowded a gigantic coble plaza. All around, the stone wall, with towers sprouting at strategic locations, of the city enclosed them. There was a gate at the end of the plaza which lead to the outside.

Every building Mina could see from her position was squat and made out of greyish stone.

In the distance, a tall stone keep stood, framed by mountains. To the side a forest made of tall pines was visible over the wall.

The city was full of beginners, both those that had just started, like Mina and Jinan, or rather, like Taname and Jinandis, and those would had just finished their four weeks of being stuck in the city.

Here and there she could see higher level players, easily identifiable by their gear.

The great majority of them were dressed similarly, with green gear sporting a stylised fiery X on their chest, over the heart. Taname was pretty sure that they were members of the DrakeXScales guild, the reason why the town had become so popular.

"What should we do now?" Asked Jinandis.

"Let's start by exploring the city a bit." Decided Taname.

They took a few steps, and Jinandis fell flat on his face. Ignoring the laughter erupting from all around, Taname asked: "Are you okay?"

The sheepish Half-Giant responded: "Yeah, it's just that this body is hard to move in."

"You shouldn't have made yourself so much taller than you are."

They started walking to explore the city.

Most of the buildings were identical: short and made of grey stones, with barred windows. It certainly looked like a city ready for a siege.

The merchant district had bigger buildings, but they were also heavily fortified.

Everywhere in the city, Taname and Jinandis could see members of the DrakeXScales guild, lounging about or walking with the air of people on a mission.

Almost every Npc the two talked to had something nice to say about the guild, or would explain in great detail how the DrakeXScales guild had improved the city since they arrived almost 3 years ago.

While they were walking, Taname sent Kiro a message to inform him that they had arrived. He replied a few minutes later, saying that he was coming to them, but that it would take him about three weeks of travel.

"Three weeks, eh. That's good. It means he won't have to wait that much for us to be able to leave the city. Do you think we should go exploring together?" Asked Jinandis.

"Idiot. Kiro-niichan has been playing New World non-stop since the beginning. He must be crazy strong. We would just be in his way."

"Do you think he's stronger than Grandis?"

"He must be, let's ask."

Taname sent another message:

Hey, Kiro-niichan, what level are you?

His reply came back almost immediately:

Level 16, why?

She stared at his response for a few minutes. Then shook her head: "Geez, Kiro-niichan, just what exactly have you been doing?"

"So, what's his level?" Asked Jinandis.

"He says he's level 16."

"Seriously?!!"

Their reaction was understandable. All over the internet, the importance of levels was stressed out. It was simple. People associated level with strength. Grandis, considered the strongest player, was considered such because he was the one with the highest level.

Just then, another announcement popped to life in front of them:

Ding!

The ownership of Mutianelis has passed to the DrakeXScales guild.

All players are asked to head to the main plaza.

*****

Some 15 days later…

Kiro was running through the plains, heading towards Mutianelis.

It had been almost 15 days since he hadn't received any messages from his siblings. He was getting very anxious. Even the messages he had sent to them had been met with silence.

He was getting a bad feeling about this.

Just then, he received a message.

A quick look at the sender informed him it was Jinandis.

Ding!

Kiro-ni. /sob. Sorry i'm dying. Can't play more.

??? What the f*ck???