***
Faint light flickered in the corner of a blackened room. An eerily long-limbed figure orbited the glow, silent yet imposing. Dancing along, the light enveloped the figure's face, soon fading into oblivion. The figure didn't have a voice, but they can be understood.
"It's time…"
A familiar golden hue sparked its way to life inches away from the figure's face.
{ All preparations are complete! }
{ The last planet has finally integrated into the game. . . }
{ ...Developer, are you ready to announce its finalisation to the- }
The words were cut short as golden hues ran off the edge of the scroll and were picked up by the Developer. Their reply boasted confidence and eagerness:
"Don't waste letters now."
"We had this on our schedule, no?"
The Developer's face contorted; it was resemblant of a proud smile.
"This marks my debut… Can you feel it?"
"The universe will have no choice but to watch in awe."
"This is the one."
{ Very well! }
{ I'll be sending you to the stage. . . }
The light faded, and the Developer began to move. New sparks engulfed the room – the unidentifiable surroundings now outlined – finally visible to the naked eye.
Then, in a moment's flash, the darkened body of the Developer had light from all directions emanate towards them. They could be seen fitted with outstanding attire from head to toe. Dazzling in the finest fibres of robes and garments from across the cosmos, but their face was still hidden.
In an instant, they began to walk through unveiling curtains that slowly revealed an omnidirectional theatre. Chatter and noise echoed, and those seated were beings that oozed a great sense of authority and importance. Eyes from all across the theatre fell upon the one who was unveiled.…
"Ehem! So good to see you all again!"
"Did I keep you waiting for too long?"
The chatter and gossip of the silhouettes ceased, and only their fierce eyes remained. Each figure had a unique outline to them, their stature boasted a similar sense of importance as the one onstage, but not quite to the same degree...
"No heckler? Hmm… Well then!"
"There is less of you than before, but that is understandable. I probably dragged this announcement out for far too long..."
"However!"
"This time, marks the beginning of the universe's best!"
"My magnum opus!"
The audience members all rose, their dying interests piqued once more as their curious gazes fell onto the figure's hand of which cradled a sphere. The sphere projected an image just above the Developer's head, which showed:
"These solar systems I have gathered…"
"I will use them to create a spectacle that will mark the pinnacle of ██!"
The Developer's words wrung in distorted vigour, and their long limbs flaunted gracefully in exaggerated fashion. Undoubtedly, everyone had expressions of rekindled awe, they couldn't help but feel inspired and extremely eager once more.
"I may be a rookie, but I do not hold back with my efforts. I will meet... No..."
"I will exceed your expectations."
"So, I ask of you, come bear witness."
"This masterpiece of mine!"
"I implore you! Be part of my history. . ."
***
Faint golden sparks seeped into Will as he struggled midair.
"Agh! That burns!"
He could feel his body against air, almost as if he had been free-falling. Free-falling? Will realised that he wasn't on solid ground. His body entirely bound, unable to see beyond the restriction.
His mind went back to that last golden message he saw before being teleported, he couldn't keep it out of his head, his persistent overthinking taking reign once more.
"What the hell is going on?!"
'Outcome concluded', what the hell was that about?
However, he knew he couldn't afford to think about that. Right now, he had to group up with Amy and anyone else who chose to accept.
Suddenly, the embers that enveloped Will dissolved. Without hesitation, he quickly checked his surroundings. To his dismay, he was the only one around. No one else was nearby, for as far as he could see. Will felt his heart sink.
"Dammit, wh- where am I?"
Twisting his head from left to right his eyes fell onto the cave entrance in front of him. Undoubtedly, that cave was the start of this 'game' – it just had that feeling oozing out of it.
Panicked, he turned and what lay behind him was a sight to behold.
Will's body froze close to the edge of where he stood. Like a dear in front of headlights, he was left awe-struck, taking in the serene beauty of the land in front of him. He had a hunch that it was Earth, but ultimately, he was wrong. Wherever he was, it felt like Earth; however, it wasn't exactly Earth.
To make this even stranger, the wind that grazed him felt weirdly more realistic than Earth's. Not to mention the rich flora that surrounded his position. There are forests that stretched along the horizon, of which had a mature, saturated green to it. This place was more ethereal than Earth itself. Only one word could describe the sight Will saw and that is 'sublime.'
As his vision scoured along the horizon, he noticed a momentous, mountain? Could it be called a mountain? Whatever it was, it was lonely and large. It vaguely resembled a finger, that passed through the heavens and penetrated its way into space.
Will wondered if the others were also able to see this sight. He hoped that he could meet them soon. He stood there for a couple of seconds, taking it all in. This was the map visible to him and it was therapeutic to see…
Cshht~
Will glanced over and realised that he had received a notification.
[ Nice! You have discovered a secret! ]
[ This early on, too? Don't get too greedy now! ]
[ Haha, just kidding, do you! ]
He couldn't get over how cynical this scroll was with its messages. It didn't help that it was aesthetically displeasing. After all, it was only baked with different shades of grey. It also didn't help that the other scroll had a better and unique design.
[ Secrets discovered in the Tutorial: 1/3 ]
[ Mini map has been awarded. ]
[ You have received 100 EXP and 10 Coins! ]
-
Landmark discovery:
Titan's Reach
A finger that breaks through space.
Wayfinder has been automatically added to your mini map!
-
'A reward. For doing basically nothing?'
Unknowingly, a smile tugged on Will's lips. Was he happy that he received a reward? He couldn't tell. This felt strange and odd. He thought that it was natural for most to look around their surroundings – so a reward like this felt undeserving.
There was an electrifying feeling that Will felt. This reward just now, felt utterly satisfying. Stepping away from the edge, he moved towards the cave entrance. He had to find Amy somehow, so going through the cave entrance was a definite start to finding her. If he couldn't, he at least wanted to find someone he could pair up with.
Moving with eagerness, he rushed to the entrance. This definitely felt weird – was the reward really that stimulating? Or was he just eager to find someone in this cave. Hmm, how curious. What he felt, was like an itch he had to satisfy.
This sensation just what is it…
'Ah, whatever. It probably is nervous excitement.'
Reaching the cave entrance, he was unable to dwell on his emotions for too long. Will hesitated for a bit, before finally making his way in. He prompted himself to be ready for a scare or a secret ambush…
[ Welcome to the Tutorial! ]
[ You may audibly select or press to select your choice. ]
[ Please select your starter equipment! ]
The boring scroll popped up; this time a selection of gear had been displayed.
[ Gear 1: ]
The first set of gear was a tunic, a helmet, an 'E-grade sword' with 'decent' durability and a miscellaneous tool which was a lighter with max fuel.
'So it really is like a game.'
This set in Will's mind wasn't all too bad but he had never used a sword before, so it was out of the question.
[ Gear 2: ]
The second set of gear was chain mail for the torso, an E-grade bow that had 'meh' durability, a quiver and 20 arrows, and an empty water bottle…
These sets were abysmal, Will had never used a weapon in his life let alone a bow, and an empty water bottle. Seriously? This too was a bust.
[ Gear 3: ]
The final set of gear was a bronze helmet, an iron chest piece, an E-grade shield and a sling with no rounds.
This set, although most-likely the heaviest, posed itself as the best choice for Will. Its ease of use was its most compelling factor, all he has to do is endure carrying it.
Before making his decision, he couldn't brush off the fact that it felt like he was in a trance right now, again this sensation... Hasty, maybe he was just being too hasty. He wavered, but felt urged push away these sceptic thoughts.
In his mind Will eerily and coldly accepted this new reality – although still somewhat resistant to the idea.
…
Scratching his head he sighed while looking at the scroll. He wanted to retaliate at these unfair choices but couldn't at all. Trying not to lament too much on this, his mouth opened revealing his chosen gear set:
"I think, I'll choose gear number th-"
His words unnaturally stopped at the last second. Very weird.
Nevertheless, Will tried again.
"I choose gear number th-"
Strange, Will was simultaneously thinking and saying that he wants to select gear 3, but it won't come out. He tried pressing it too, but that failed.
In frustration he cursed.
"Are you messing with me?"
"I choose gear th-"
Speaking and pressing at the same time, a wave of frustration flushed over him. Just why couldn't he select gear three. Was the game already bugged somehow?! Or maybe it was just gear three that couldn't be chosen.
"I choose gear tw-"
Again, he couldn't finish his sentence. He grimaced and braced himself, it was either this last gear set or no set at all.
"I choose gear one."
A brief pause took over. Suddenly, the golden sparks of the unique scroll appeared. Will was pleasantly taken aback with its unannounced appearance.
{ PLaYer. . . }
{ Your odds of survival in the Tutorial. . . }
{ Are the best. . . With this. . . }
{ Please trust in me. }
Will read the words on the unique scroll. Its golden hue radiated a warm feeling for some reason, but he reassured himself that it was probably placebo.
He felt compelled to place good faith in the messages he read. After all, he didn't have a choice regardless.
[ You have selected Gear 1! ]
[ equipping. . . ]
A short bronze sword spawned itself into Will's hands as well as the complementary armour that fitted itself snuggly onto his body. And finally, the lighter, which found its way into his side trouser pocket. Will lifted the sword with no set back, its weight was no more than a kilo, so he could swing relatively well.
His eyes set to the descent onwards. The cave's path was eerily compact with only – what he could estimate – two and a half metres of length across and slightly less than double of his height of cave height.
The floors of the cave had uneven footings, as well as serrations of ragged sediment which were bulging outward, itching to pierce anything that grazes it. The walls were also equally unforgiving too.
Grasping his sword tightly with both his hands, Will began his descent. A final notification prompting itself into view.
[ Starting the Tutorial! ]
[ Let's see if you've got what it takes… ]
[ 1 of 3 mobs to encounter. . . ]
. . .
[ You have encountered… 25 Murodents! ]
Chapter 3 – New Start – End