Strength

The first week of Atlas Life was going smoothly. Henry Arundell was sitting at his study analysing the statistics on players. Everything was going as Atlas predicted. As he was sitting in his study, watching the progress of players, Arundell couldn't help but feel jealous. He too had tried his company's immersion technology and envied the player's drive for adventure. He had thought of joining the game as a player but felt scared to ruin the game's fairness. He knew too much. Stories, quest lines, world events -- he had taken part in developing it all. As such, he was cursed to watching the players have fun. He didn't feel too terrible, his game was successful and the use of Atlas was becoming more widespread. Soon, people would realise the game's true purpose.

As he thought of Atlas, he called out to his friend, "Atlas, update me on the progress of the players."

"The three hundred million players scattered across Atlas Life are progressing at a normal pace. Eight thousand four hundred and fifty-two players are performing outside of my initial expectations, but well within range. These players have adapted to Atlas Life almost perfectly," Atlas responded in its unique voice.

Arundell was overjoyed. He understood that his game was unlike any other. Although there were millions of gamers in the world, he understood that even these people would not hold any advantage over others in his game. Instead, it would be those people that truly embraced Atlas Life's ideal of a "second life".

Indeed, as he checked on the progress of these eight thousand players, he could see their attitude toward the game was inherently different. It was no mere game. To treat NPCs as simple bots or see everything as a way to gain experience was flawed. Eventually, most people will come to understand it. However, for now, these people will have an advantage over everyone else.

Little did Arthur know he was one of the eight thousand Arundell was currently tracking.

---

In a small village near a mountain, a young man without a shirt could be seen sweating as he cut down wood after wood. Edgar had been cutting firewood and going to the forest at night for the past five days. Although he had not yet finished the quest, he had plenty of rewards already.

He has gained three extra agility and five strength points from cutting firewood and hunting in the forest. He gained some exp after killing low levelled monsters, but he was still level one. However, with all the stat grinding, Edgar had gained two levels alone worth of stats. Edgar was nearing the 200th mark, and Myran could be seen smiling at his shop.

A sense of pride washed over Myran as he saw Edgar grow in front of him the past week. He was at first surprised at his progress but ultimately changed to respect. He respected Edgar for giving it his all each morning. Little did he know that Edgar was also training at night to raise his agility. Edgar's control of his body and strength improved with his agility, and his raw exertion of force improved with his strength. His training was entirely balanced on what he deemed the most important. He wanted to fight with his body. He didn't want to be one of those mages casting spells from a distance.

He wanted to be up and close and personal. He had pummeled horned rabbits with his bare hands these nights and loved the rush. Although he had suffered a few defeats, his constant training was allowing him to grow.

Now, Edgar was finishing up his 200th firewood for the first time in the past six days. He had finished the quest with one day left. As he cut the final piece of firewood, he received the notification he had been waiting for.

[Quest Completed: Chop Firewood for Blacksmith Myran]

[Rewards: Opportunity to see Blacksmith Myran work and gain insight.]

He knew that the true value of the quest came from the strength stats that he gained. He wasn't worried about the lack of material rewards. Myran walked up and patted him on the back. They had grown much closer the past days. Edgar became more and more comfortable with the old man and became strangely attached. Myran reminded him of his own grandfather. They had talked multiple times and each shared both of their struggles after a couple of pints of ale. Edgar was truly living Atlas Life fully. He would enjoy himself, train, and socialise with the villagers. He was establishing himself successfully, despite his low level.

Edgar looked at his stats and smiled.

[Arthur]

[Lvl 1: 55/100]

[Hp 100/100]

[Mana 0/0]

[Str 11]

[Int 3]

[Agi 13]

[Vit 3]

Although he was concerned about his other stats, especially vitality, he was still happy with his progress. Since each level gave five stat points, he had already invested two levels in his strength and agility. He had grown much stronger.

This time, Myran invited Edgar to join him as he crafted a sword. Edgar, although tired, perked up at his invitation. So far, he hadn't been able to watch Myran smith. He recalled the first time he saw him crafting a sword, and was excited for what was coming. He would try and remember all the details of Myran's work as he motivated himself to follow in Myran's footsteps.

Edgar had become addicted to the feeling of playing the game the past days. Besides his necessary functions, most of his time was spent inside the game. Thankfully, he didn't have to worry about anything else.

It wasn't just the game, it was the feeling of progress. Of achievement. Like the efforts he put in were actually rewarded. That's the feeling he'd been missing his whole life. What he lost after being a kid. He understood that in real life that feeling is but a mere phantom. Something people chase their whole lives. Yet, the reward? Pain. Death. Misery.

He'd long given up on trying anything in life. Nothing incited the fire inside of him anymore. Atlas Life was doing what he'd always been missing. What his grandfather wanted for him. He was truly living. He was sweating and struggling. Moving towards something he desired from his very bones.

It wasn't just a mere game addiction. He needed it to survive. To truly live.

Atlas life.

The path in front of Edgar was starting to show itself to him.