Chapter 9: Customisation

"Isn't this a bit too much?"

"First impression, brother. It's very important."

Although, Alexander felt weird about Chibi Cillian calling him brother. However, he accepted it, as the little thing resembled his brother too much.

"Wait! Did you just say New World as in Eliot Games' recently announced title?"

"Yup!"

"What does a game have to do with Cillian's passings request," confused Alexander asked.

Chibi Cillian was not surprised that Alexander knew about the game. So he cut to the chase.

"New World is the main body's last project."

"Although he finished the overall story. He never assigned a banner bearer to push the plot towards the direction that he wanted."

"Hence, that's where you come in," Chibi Cillian pointed his finger at Alexander.

"Your objective is to complete quests left behind by the main body. Of course, you will be rewarded with perks alongside the Memory Fragment."

Now, being thoroughly confused by Chibi Cillian's exposition, Alexander asked.

"What do you mean by Memory Fragment?"

With a cheeky smile, Chibi Cillian snapped his finger. Thousands of images emerged from his sleave. They circled Alexander, forming a dome.

Chibi Cillian pointed his finger towards the rotating images.

"Each of these images represents a section of the stored memories."

With a gentle flick, Chibi Cillian separated an image toward Alexander.

It was a picture of a beautiful crystalline purple flower that stood upright with majesty against an endless hailstorm of stones.

Realising what the flower represented, Alexander froze for a moment.

"That's the family flower!"

Although Alexander was away from home for years, he, like many others, had the majestic symbol of Eliot engraved in their mind through the Eliot Industries' global reach and renown.

Alexander immediately tried to focus his eyes to view the other images, trying to decipher more, yet they all appeared blurry to him.

"Don't even try. Unless you accomplish your assigned tasks, you can't view these memories."

With another gentle snap, Chibi Cillian cleared the images.

"Any more questions before we continue?"

Alexander paused to think for a second. "What's with the pod that I entered, though?"

"Ah! That's the latest model of Deep-VR Capsule or DVRC, allowing synchronisation rate up to 100% rather than the normal 30% with standard headsets."

"Oh!" Alexander was surprised by the latest tech.

"You won't feel much different in this space. However, it will immediately be noticeable once you enter combat."

With all of Alexander's questions answered, Chibi Cillian changed the topic, "We have sidetracked long enough. Let's get to proper business."

***

Chibi Cillian clapped his hand. Beneath his feet, the newly created islands and continents lit up.

"As you can see, this is the game world."

Millions of islands, landmasses and continents radiated brilliantly around Alexander. The view was truly overwhelming. Anyone would feel like a god staring down at the mortal world below.

"Beautiful innit?"

Chibi Cillian clapped his hand again. A large landmass floated towards Alexander whilst the rest dimmed out.

"This will be your starting location. As it is also the default starting location for British and Ireland players."

"I will also be assisting. I mean giving you advice on your journey. The rest are up to you."

After finishing absorbing the sight of the beautiful overall landmasses, Alexander inspected the newly arrived land before raising his hand sightly.

"What are my tasks exactly?"

Chibi Cillian chuckled. "You will know it once you are in the game."

***

"Alright! Finally done with the initial introduction. Let's get to the fun part."

Soon, a humanoid white silhouette wearing basic dull-cloured tunics materialised on top of the landmass in front of Alexander.

An information list appeared to the left of it.

_ _ _

[Available point]: 500

[Species]: [+] [Culture]: [+]

[Stats]:

[Relation]:

[Gender]: [+]

[Traits]: [+]

[Affinity]: [+]

[Equipment]: [+]

_ _ _

Alexander's gaming experience kicked in immediately. He immediately interacted with the list.

[Species] had three options.

[Ærsylon] - They are the basic human of this landmass.

[Demi-Ærsylon] - Through forceful evolution, these humans became their species.

[Variant] - These are humanoid beings that have abandoned their humanity.

Strangely, [Demi-Ærsylon] and [Variant] were greyed out.

[Culture] contained all the cultures belonging to the selected [Species].

Alexander quickly spammed through its various options belonging to [Ærsylon].

Surprisingly as Alexander selected a [Culture], the white silhouette morphed into a character of that culture.

[Species]: Ærsylon [Culture]: Vetle

The white silhouette morphed into a burly man. His blue eyes gleamed with adventure whilst his leather armour etched with scars signified his victory. With a two-handed axe on his back, he was ready for another glorious saga.

However, that was not the only change.

The northwest section of landmass beneath him also lit blue whilst the south was light-red.

The list also updated itself.

_ _ _

[Available point]: 230

[Stats]: Strength*1.1, Endurace*1.1

[Relation]: South -25

[Gender]: Male [-]

[Traits]: [+]

[Affinity]: Minor Two-handed Weapon [+]

[Equipment]: Common Two-handed Axe, Common Leather Armour [+]

_ _ _

"So, [Species], [Culture], [Multiplier] and [Relation] are chained together," Alexander thought out loud.

Whilst Alexander was preoccupied with customisation Chibi Cillian somehow managed to materialise a yacht. Hearing Alexander's realisation, he raised his hand from the sun lounger and cheered, "Ye!"

Alexander decided to try the other options.

_ _ _

[Available point]: 150

[Species]: Ærsylon [Culture]: Centre-Ærsylon

[Stats]:

[Relation]: South -10, Southeast -25, Northwest -10, Flanagan -75,...

[Gender]: Male [-]

[Traits]: Minor Mana Absorption, Minor Mana Manipulation [+]

[Affinity]: [+]

[Equipment]: Wornout Grimoire [+]

_ _ _

The white silhouette morphed into a young adult. His dull brown eyes plus a grey robe gave him a scholarly look. He carried a small grimoire attached to his waist.

The centre of the landmass also glowed blue. The regions with negative relation turned red.

"So this is the magic centric [Culture]," Alexander thought.

Chibi Cillian glanced at him from his yacht and smiled slyly.

Alexander tried another option.

_ _ _

[Available point]: 230

[Species]: Ærsylon [Culture]: Southeast-Ærsylon

[Stats]: Agility*1.1, Stamina*1.1

[Relation]: South +25, Northwest +25, Flanagan +25,...

[Gender]: Male [-]

[Traits]: [+]

[Affinity]: Minor Sword [+]

[Equipment]: Common Ærsylon Standard Issue Sword, Common Ærsylon Standard Issue Armour [+]

_ _ _

The white silhouette morphed into a young soldier. His brave blue eyes plus the standard-issue armour gave him a dependable look.

Alexander understood these were specialisations a player can pick. He decided to see the other section.

He started clicking through [Traits]. However, Alexander soon noticed that they were incredibly expensive, especially for good traits.

[Lumious Eyes] - These eyes can see through an enemy's weak points - 150 points.

[Minor Comprehension] - Speeds up the user's mastery - 300 points.

[Minor Strength] - Increase strength multiplier - 150 points.

[Soul Harvester] - Absorbed the soul of those the user vanquished - 150 points.

[Minor Sword Saint] - Increase the user sword mastery - 150 points.

[Affinity] was expensive too.

[Minor Fire] - Increase the user's fire affinity, fire damage and reduce the consumption of fire-based spells - 150 points.

[Minor Lightning] - Increase the user's lightning affinity, lightning damage and reduce the consumption of lightning-based spells - 175 points.

[Minor Faith] - Increase the user's faith gain, faith actualisation and reduce the consumption of faith spell - 150 points.

Alexander didn't even bother looking through [Equipment] as he knew it would be too expensive for him.

"So many choices! Everything is so expensive!" Alexander ranted.

Chibi Cillian sniggered whilst enjoying his drink.

"By the way, didn't you say you would assist me?"

"I did say I will give you advice." Chibi Cillian calmly sipped his drink. "However, it is not the right yet."

Alexander decided to ignore the lazy Chibi. He scrolled through the various options again.

"Hey, why are [Demi-Ærsylon] and [Variant] greyed out."

"It is because you don't have enough points to even see them."

"How many points do I need then?"

"For Demi-Ærsylon, 700 points at least. For Variant, you will need 900 points."

Alexander was astonished at the ridiculous number.

"How am I supposed to get that many points?"

"You are not, normally at least," Chibi Cillian smiled.

"Then how am I supposed to unlock them?" Confused, Alexander asked.

"Oh look! It's advice time." Chibi Cillian put down his drink.

He manoeuvred his yacht towards Alexander's eye level.

"Tell me, Mr Alexander, are you a gambling man?" Chibi Cillian smiled with an extremely devious look.