Entering the Game

"Hello! Saras!"

Seeing me be lost in thoughts, Stivi snapped her fingers under my nose and waved her hand in front of my eyes. She effectively snapped me out of my daze.

As if she knew what I was concerned about, she consoled me by saying, "You start as a Deathless Being and can choose a faction and a race after you hit Lv5."

"You can only choose a Job class after you hit Lv 10 and reach your faction's territory. So don't fret about choosing a profession as soon as you enter the game."

This was good news as it gave me enough time to familiarize myself with all the other weapon classes and make an informed decision.

While talking, Stivi led me to the counter and the receptionist AI brightened. She rented a VR room for her own use and then gestured to me to do the same. 

This VR Room Complex on Mars worked the same way as the Internet cafes on Earth; You could rent a VR room for a set amount of time and the amount would be deducted from your VR Card.

The only differentiating factor between the two was that these VR Rooms were exclusively modified for the Dreamverse VR by Fantasy Builders Inc., the makers of VR equipment for all major VR games to date.

I moved to the front of the counter, and a camera scanned my face and features. An AI hologram of a beautiful girl lit up, and she greeted me. 

"Hello! Do you have a Dreamverse VR ID card, or would you like to purchase one?"

"I already have one. VRID 143143." I said, taking out the small card my mother had shoved in my hands.

A light from the AI image scanned the card, and soon I heard a chime.

"Please choose your IGN."

After giving it some thought, I decided to go with the IGN that I had used in all the previous games I had played.

It had been five years since I had last used it, but I still remembered the name like it was yesterday. Bittersweet memories were associated with it, but the name still rolled off my tongue naturally because it was given to me by Stivi and my other mates; a name that meant Battlefield Commander -

"Samar."

Ding!

"Samar, your Dreamverse ID has been verified. Your VR room no. is 121. Please follow the lit-up arrows to reach your VR room."

The AI gracefully smiled and disappeared as the directional arrows on the floor lit up. Stivi smiled at me and pointed the other way.

"My room is this way. Meet you here in the evening by 7?"

I nodded, and we parted ways. As if remembering something, Stivi turned back and called, "By the way, I am in Barbarian Village #089. If you end up in the same village, look for me."

I did not turn back to look at her and simply waved my hand. 

As if I was going to look for that trouble magnet…!

The arrows led me to the first floor of the tall complex. I turned right from the escalator, and there it was - room no. 121.

I saw a glass cabinet beside the door. Variety of weapons, ranging from swords and sabers to bows and arrows, could be seen inside. Even unusual ones like chain knives and whips were also placed on the shelf. 

There were also tools for Life professions like Hammer and Anvils, scissors and needles, and many more.

Using the weapon or tool corresponding to your character in-game could help you increase the realism when learning and using an in-game skill.

Not only Dreamverse VR, but the prior VR games had also used this method to some success.

I entered my ID card into the slot next to the door. A click sounded, and the door, as well as the cabinet, was unlocked. I then changed into the tight but comfortable VR nano suit and entered the room.

The VR room was spacious, just as I had expected. In the center of the room, there was a grip mat that worked as your movement platform. It was as large as a boxing ring, ensuring one had enough room for their movements during any situation or a fight.

I did not get the chance to explore the room much. As soon as I stepped onto the central grip mat, the game started, and a world was built around me.

A scene of green grassland underneath with countless flowers of vivid colors appeared before me. I could not only see the colors and visuals as well as in reality, but all my other senses were also stimulated.

I could smell the sweet scent of wildflowers and feel the gentle breeze tickling my skin. Even the tiniest sounds, like those of crickets and the su su from the wind, was emulated to perfection.

Then words began to appear on the blue sky, and the atmosphere darkened.

"Hundreds of years ago, a Throne of Power emerged in the center of Alucinor continent. The one who controlled the Throne would control the entirety of the continent."

A massive throne, surrounded by the mist appeared before my eyes. Its details were hard to see, but the Throne's radiating presence was intimidating enough. 

"The Throne's arrival ended the Eon of Peace. The three powers: the Holy Human Empire, the Coven of Elves, and the Kingdom of Dead, attacked each other, embroiling the continent in the fires of war."

"After hundreds of battles, none of the powers could overpower the others. Then a Seer saw a vision of Deathless Beings descending on the land. They could not be killed, only defeated." 

"Seer's Prophecy ended the Hundred Year War. Three Powers retreated and signed a treaty of truce, biding their time, building strength."

During the narration, scenes of the battlefield surrounded me. Broken flags, weapons, and chariots were scattered on the ground. The dirt itself was dyed reddish brown from the spilled blood.

The scene was horrific, but quickly changed as words appeared in the sky.

"Anticipating the descent of the Deathless, they have sent their scouts to the Barbarian Wastelands to recruit the heroes for their factions. Oh, Deathless Soul! Choose a faction and use your strength to help end the eternal strife by conquering all!"

The narration came to an end with this final hint. The scene changed as I was teleported inside the game.

I looked around and saw tents, large and small, all around me. This place seemed more like an army camp of medieval times than a village.

Everyone on the streets around me was dressed in simple white shirts and brown pants with a belt tied around the waist. I looked down at my attire, and it was no different.

Then I opened my status window.

—-------

Samar 

Level 1

Race: Deathless (-) Faction: NA

Combat Class: NA

Life Profession: NA

HP: 100 MP: 50

STR: 5 AGI: 5 

VIG: 5 INT: 5

Unused Stat Points: 0

Hidden Stats Unlocked - None

Skills- None

—----

Every game had different core stats. Dreamverse VR focused mainly on Strength for Physical attack and defense, Agility for movement speed, Vigor for defense and HP and Intelligence for Magical abilities.

There were also several hidden stats listed on the website, but unless one unlocked them, they played no role whatsoever. 

I closed the stats window and took inventory of things on my person. There was only a dulled knife and a rough snakeskin pouch used to hold water.

I did not find even a single other piece of equipment in my inventory. 

Tsk! Imagine Corp is really stingy!

If it was in the past, entitled pricks would've cried foul and taken to forums to boycott the game just because the initial difficulty was too high. However, quite a few VR games before had adopted a similar beginning process and Players had chosen to adapt to this new reality. 

It was almost like the VR companies behind the games were prepping players for an apocalypse-like scenario… 

Anyway I reigned in my thoughts from wandering and started to observe my surroundings properly. 

Just as I was about to go and explore the settlement, I heard commotion not far from me. 

"Oh? A show as soon as I arrived inside the game?" I was intrigued.

Like a curious cat, my legs moved toward the crowd to check it out.