Chapter 2: Unveiling Shadows

Nearby, Jared's maid and friend Victoria was in her own gaming cabinet, second only to her master's mythical gaming cabinet.

During the two hours before the game started, Jared assimilated the body's memories and realized Victoria's importance when he heard her voice. He quickly ordered a diamond gaming cabinet for her and instructed her to join the game.

He instructed, "You can read the notes I have jotted down here to familiarize yourself with the game. You can do whatever you want and become whoever you wish to be in this game. Play to your heart's content. I hope you enjoy it as much as I had during the beta test."

Victoria followed her master's instructions and joined the game when the two-hour countdown finished. In the character-building space, she met the same grandfatherly figure Jared had encountered. He asked the same questions, and Victoria answered, "Jared's Maid" for her IGN, with white hair and silver molten eyes. Profession: Aeon Weaver.

Instead of leaving after his three questions as he did with Jared, the grandpa asked, "Why did you choose that profession? It was the only one on the list. Do you know what that profession entails?"

Victoria gave a naïve and unconcerned smile, "I chose it because it felt like it was right. Whatever it entails, I will play it to the best of my ability and make my master happy."

The grandpa nodded and said, "Farewell, little one. I hope you achieve your goal of making your master happy."

Victoria then entered the game while Jared finally opened the chest. Inside was a holographic building with "Master Of All Libraries" written in gold. Jared touched the hologram, and it disappeared. He looked around, wondering where it went, but saw nothing.

Thinking no more of it and realizing he had lost a few minutes while being distracted, he quickly entered the game. He landed in a meadow surrounded by many baby animals. He looked around, hoping to spot an NPC, but saw no one.

He remembered that when the previous Jared beta-tested this game, he chose to be a prophet and landed in a capital city. Now, he found himself in the middle of nowhere with no NPCs or other gamers in sight. He sighed at the game's obvious favoritism.

He checked his status to see what he had gained.

He saw his avatar: pink hair, yellow-purple eyes, a 6-foot-5 muscular, handsome body. He thought, this Jared is quite a lucky bastard. Rich parents and a handsome face. I wish my life on Earth was this great. He shook his head and continued to view his status page.

Below his avatar was the usual list seen in a game, detailing the avatar's attributes:

Attributes

Health Points (HP): 120

Mana Points (MP): 150

Core Attributes:

Strength: 8

Dexterity: 10

Endurance: 9

Intelligence: 12

Wisdom: 11

Charisma: Infinite

Agility: 10

Luck: Infinite

Spirit: Infinite

He wondered, based on his predecessor's memories and the research he had done, how he had gained luck, charm and spirit, which were hidden attributes, just after landing in the game.

His attention was drawn to a flashing light indicating a new message. He checked it to find the advantages of his mythical gaming cabinet: 10 high-level mana and health potions, three starter professions (common, rare, and diamond varieties), and a box providing three skills—one by choice and two randomly generated based on his profession.

He decided to leave the skill box and professions for later, focusing on his shapeshifter summoner skills.

As he suspected, the class description read: Shapeshifter Summoners can alter their own form and summon creatures from various realms. With a connection to the mystical and animal kingdoms, they adapt to any combat situation, shifting forms for defense, attack, or utility, while their summoned allies provide support and abilities.

The skills he had gained thus far were:

[Morphic Resonance]

Eagle Form: Gain enhanced vision and speed, ideal for scouting and quick strikes.

[Summon Spirit Ally]

Phoenix Spirit: Provides healing over time and a rebirth ability in case of fatal damage.

[Adaptive Aura]

Primal Call: Unleash a powerful roar or cry that varies from form, causing area effects such as fear, stun, or rallying boosts.

[Pact of the Wild]

Contract with a creature from the natural or mythical world.

Jared thought these skills were quite versatile, and if he gained more, he could see the advantage he would have over others.

A voice then sounded, "Young man."

Jared jumped and looked around but did not see anyone. The baby animals around him were not paying him any attention, so he knew it wasn't any of them that spoke. The voice sounded again, "Sit and meditate. Free your mind, then travel to your soul sphere."

Jared, curious, did as the voice instructed and found himself in his soul sphere. In his soul sphere, he saw the holographic library that disappeared when his hand touched it. A holographic man was floating before the library's entrance like a ghost.

"I am the librarian of the Master of All libraries. My name is Nordic. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Jared looked alarmed by this and asked, "I now have a library within my soul sphere? What exactly is this place?"

Nordic answered, "Enter the library and read to your heart's content. Anything you want to know or learn can be found here."

Jared, doubting this, entered the library and turned around, marveling at the millions of books on countless shelves. He turned to Nordic and asked, "How do I find the book I seek?"

Nordic stated, "Sit and call out what you seek."

Jared took the nearest seat and said, "Provide me with a book that explains where I am and where are the people are."

A blindingly golden book then flew from the depths of the library and landed in front of Jared. The cover displayed the name Serene Plane.

Jared took the book in hand and began to read. He learned that the meadow, or rather, this plane, was called the Serene Plane, a sub-plane connected to the game world. He landed here because of his unique profession. The book mentioned that the shapeshifter summoner was a unique profession, the only one of its kind.

He was here to take a test —a test to determine if he was qualified to keep this unique profession.

Upon reading this far, the book slammed shut, rose out of Jared's hand, and disappeared. Startled, he turned to Nordic to ask questions, but Nordic responded, "You are not powerful enough to read any further. How much you gain from books depends on your power. Go out and seek the trial that awaits you."

In another sub-plane called Piracy World, Atlas descended. Unlike Jared, who was confused, she knew about alternate planes but not how to reach them. She landed in a city built from remnants of ancient fortresses and sunken ships. The chaotic architecture mirrored its tumultuous society.

To the right of the square where she landed lay the Drowned Market, which buzzed with traders peddling exotic wares from across the seas. Raucous laughter and bawdy songs spill from a tavern further down the street.

She saw a man who looked more richly dressed than the other pirates around her, with a yellow exclamation above his head. Atlas knew this sign usually indicated a quest, so she went to interact with him. Above his head was his name: Javin Blackwater.

Atlas approached with a smile and said, "How do you do on this fine morning?"

Javin Blackwater answered, "I've been waiting for you."

Afterwards, Atlas heard a ding in her system. She was about to say something to Javin Blackwater, but he disappeared before her eyes. She shrugged at this and checked her status page.

 She saw her avatar, which had her blood-red hair and purple eyes. Her attributes mimicked Jared's:

Attributes:

Health Points (HP): 140

Mana Points (MP): 100

Core Attributes:

Strength: 10

Dexterity: 12

Endurance: 10

Intelligence: 9

Wisdom: 8

Charisma: Infinite

Agility: 11

Luck: Infinite

Spirit: Infinite

Her profession description read: Shapeshifter Pirates are notorious seafarers who use their shapeshifting abilities to thrive in piracy. They adapt their forms for various maritime roles, from navigating rough waters to boarding enemy ships. Combining cunning, versatility, and a touch of magic, these pirates are formidable foes and elusive targets on the high seas.

The skills she had gained were similar to Jared's:

[Mariner's Morph]

Shark Form: Enhance attack power and induce fear, ideal for aggressive boarding actions.

[Captain's Command]

Blackbeard's Fury: Temporarily increase damage output and resistance to damage.

[Treasure Seeker's Insight]

Key Form: Morph a part of oneself into a key to unlock chests or doors.

[Kraken's Call]

Maelstrom: Create whirlpools to disable enemy ships or aid in escapes.

She then checked the ding she heard. It was a quest from Javin Blackwater. It read…...

Just as Atlas finished reading the quest details, a sharp wind blew through the city, carrying a whispering voice, "Beware the shadows." Atlas felt unease as the bustling market fell silent. People vanished, leaving only their wares and a sense of foreboding.

She saw a hooded figure at the end of the street, beckoning with a skeletal hand. "The darkness comes for you, Atlas. You must be ready." A cold shiver ran down her spine as the sky darkened. She knew whatever was coming, she was not prepared.