Chapter 2 - Soul Link

'Good day summoner! This is the first step for your amazing journey here on Summoner's Path, nya. Hoping for your amazing adventure, dazzling the whole world, nya!.' A cute little white furred cat, sitting into a high chair, greeted me. Its tail systematically sway from left to right.

'What bullshit! You just want to pump some encouragement on newbies'

About a month after the official launch of the game, Sam decided to start her journey. She actually arrange first her business outside the real world before starting to play. She needs to delligate and plan carefully as it is the only source of her income.

'Oh we have nasty mouth here, nya' the little cat suddenly exclaimed. Its human-like expression sends shivers to my back. A felt a foreign emotion just by looking its human-like expression.

'Wait! This is illegal! You can hear my thoughts!?' I exclaimed while my hair stands throughout my body. Goosebumps is real.

The cat eyerolled. Yes, it EYEROLLED. How fitting!

'Sorry to break it to you, but I can't hear you thoughts, nya. It is just that my maker pumped me a lot of information on facial recognition, nya. I even hate it myself, nya?'

My eyebrows raised.

'It's okay of you did not believe it nya.' it jumps into the floor and walks around me. 'Sadly, I hate and Love it, nya'.

'BTW, you can just call me Cat. Embarrassingly, seems my name is lazily put, nya. So this game 'Summoner's Path would'

Suddenly it stops, look at me, and smile.

1... 2... 3....

'You may just want to discover it yourself, nya.'

'....'

'Just kidding, nya. First, let's do your character costumization, nya'. It said while walking around me. I really see its smug face.

It jumps back to its chair and suddenly, a mirror pops in front of me.

I saw my exact image. Plain shirt, an elegant face and black straight hair.

Luckily, I've read the gaming handbook before I enter. It start with my own avatar customization. Without waiting any instructions, I customize my own look.

'Yup, this is enough'. I feel satisfied.

On the other hand, Mr. Cat did not felt impatience. It looked at me with amused expression.

Lots of players were crazy doing their avatar. Any gender likes to be pleasant on someone's eyes. Creating avatar for about an hour is just normal occurence. Luckily, the maker put limitations or the world would become chaos.

An avatar must at most resembles the true body of the user. They may change a little bit of skin and hair color but most players are still recognizable. This also leads to frustrations of celebrities throughout the world, as their fans can still recognize them. However, other used this as their own advantage to create more opportunities and path for themselves.

Sam, on the other hand created a simple and elegant avatar. Her goal is to become rich on the game world and simplistic elegance is a good choice. Her hair is silvery white flowing until her waist. She just put a single pearl pin on the right side. She makes sure that her hair sways as she move, like it dances with the wind.

'Next, put your name on the box, nya'

Sam obliged.

'Where would you like to be teleported, nya?'

She comes prepared. Before logging it and creating her avatar, she research any information on different places, races, and different game knowledge that she think she needed. However, the game is on the beginning phase and a few articles were written.

Even with research and planning, she can't still grasp her future in Summoner's Path. However, the place she chooses has unique advantage and events that she felt she can used as her breakthrough.

'At Twin-Mountain Village, please.'

'At your service, nya!'

A white light envelops her. She felt a little dizzy and just a split second, she's in the different location.

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Inside the main office of Arcadia, two men sitting leisurely. A big screen hangs up and different scenarios can be seen. They are players of Summoner's Path, doing different quests.

'It was successful, my friend.' Jet Lenorde, the CEO of Arcadia said.

'We are still in the beginning.' a horse voice replied. The voice seems a combination of very far and very near source of sound.

'Yes, however I can really see a bright future of this game. We got 15 Million gamers signed up and increasing everyday!'

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It really looks real!

Sam looks around her surroundings. She can hear people whispers while looking at her, chirping of birds and laughing children. She inhales deeply and look above.

It seems unreal. Wow!

After several minutes of walking and observing her surroundings, she sit on a chair, shaded by a big tree.

It says I can chose between three spirits as my Soul Link.

Based on the manual she read, every person has its own unique Soul to create Soul Link.

*Soul Link - permanent source of power of the user. It would heavily adopt on the user's actual character and hidden personality in the real world. Future skills and class would rely to this. It may be a form of animals, things, etc.

'Soul Link, open'

Name: Sam

Level: 1

*Soul Link must be established before other attributes would open. Please choose between the three Souls below*

1. Soil

2. Wolf

3. Gloves

Sam looked at these three choices. This game can really creates different fate and scenarios. Just choosing between this three creates infinite possibilities. Choosing Wolf as your soul would create different path compare to the other two.

However, wolf soul may not give me what I really want. But, I can't also think the best scenarios of the two soul.

It's unfortunate that no utensils for cooking. I am planning to create a restaurant here.

However, what on Earth I have these three souls?

Sam dreamed of being a tycoon by creating the first restaurant inside the game. She learned that food can give buff and other utility skills aside from potions and herbs to players eating it.

Also, the Twin-Mountain Village is located at the foot of Twin Mountain, as the name implies, a Rank A Hunting ground.

Each hunting ground has its own rank stated by the company. Rank S hunting ground has a perfect ecosystem for different level of players, from beginner to Rankers. It means that monsters dwells within has different level, and with different boundaries. Ordinarily, S-Grade monsters dwells at the center.

However, the village lack alchemists. Alchemist are those responsible for creating different potions. This become a staple problem of this village, discouraging lots of players. The cost of potions here are more expensive compared to other cities and villages. Players planning to hunt here must carry numerous potions.

Thus, creating akin to potions feels right.

Distant neighbouring villages also poses a problem. It leads to a small number of players visited this hunting ground.

Sam liked to grab this opportunity. Unfortunately, she did not get a compatible soul for her grand dream.

But she refused to concede. Starting from her early childhood, she tends to be responsible on all her actions. She always rely on herself and judgement.

I must not restrict myself. Every obstacles has its own opportunities.

'Please open Passive Skills'

1. Soil - you have great affinity to an Earth Element. Choosing this Soul would increase your Stamina, Mana Regen, Health Regen, magical affinity to Earth and magic resistance.

2. Wolf - you have great affinity to an animal, wolf. Choosing this Soul would increase your Agility, Dexterity, and Strength.

3. Gloves - you have a great affinity of using gloves. Choosing this Soul would increase your Strength, Magical affinity, Magic Resistance and Physical Defense.

My brother said that this simple introduction is just the tip of an iceberg. How exciting!

After several minutes, Sam walks toward Summoner's Hall, at the Center of the Village. It is the place where beginners starts their own journey.