For a moment, there was only weightlessness.
Then came the sensation of rushing wind, followed by the impossible colors. My vision blurred, and my body felt like it was being stretched and compressed at the same time. Panic surged, but beneath it was an undeniable thrill.
“Is this… really happening?” I managed to whisper, though I wasn’t sure if the words escaped my mouth.
Your Avatar Name:
It took me a moment to realize I hadn’t even thought about my character’s name. Hell, I hadn’t even told my friends I got the game.
LolGetRektNoob69.
That’s what I typed first, instinctively. Then I stared at it. Yeah, no. Delete.
Lance.
That one felt right. I’d once read about a heroic dragon master named Lance—a total badass. The name stuck with me ever since. I hit confirm.
Suddenly, three letters appeared before me:
H
A
R
The choices glowed ominously, their meaning unknown. My excitement drowned out any hesitation as I tapped H without much thought.
The vortex around me trembled violently, the colors shifting into a storm of chaos. Cracks of splitting thunder echoed around me. I glanced at my hands, and my breath hitched. Tiny square pixels swirled around my fingertips, forming intricate patterns as they began to crawl up my arms.
The pixels wrapped around me like living threads, weaving a shimmering suit that pulsed with faint green light. My chest and legs were quickly consumed by the strange material, its texture both metallic and smooth. The vortex shifted into a blinding white void, and for a moment, I floated weightlessly, utterly consumed by light.
Then, suddenly, solid ground met my feet.
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The first thing that hit me was the air. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced—crisp and clean, with a faint hint of wildflowers and damp earth. My bare feet sank into soft, lush grass, cool and springy underfoot.
I opened my eyes.
A sprawling valley stretched endlessly before me, a sea of vibrant green broken only by rolling hills and patches of bright, colorful wildflowers. Mountains loomed on the horizon, their jagged peaks dusted with glittering snow. Above, the sky was a brilliant blue, unmarred by clouds, with a golden sun that radiated warmth without scorching.
A breeze stirred, carrying with it the faint hum of insects and the soft calls of distant birds. The world was alive.
“This…” I breathed, taking in the staggering beauty around me. “This can’t be a fighting game.”
The vivid details overwhelmed me. I could see every blade of grass, hear the rustling of tiny creatures scurrying through the undergrowth. The faint scent of pine wafted through the air, mingling with something sweet and floral. It was immersive in a way that no screen, no VR headset, had ever managed.
On the horizon, I spotted a small town nestled at the foot of a hill. Its cobbled streets and stone buildings looked straight out of a medieval fantasy. Between me and the town lay a dense forest, its towering trees casting long, sprawling shadows.
The forest seemed to breathe, its ancient trunks gnarled and twisted. Leaves rustled softly, though there was no wind. The shadows beneath its canopy danced unnaturally, making my skin crawl.
My eyes darted to the top-left corner of my vision. Two bars hovered there, faint but unmistakable:
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Lance’s Hitpoints: 50/50
Energy: 10/10
“Huh,” I muttered. “Health and energy bars.”
Curiosity sparked, I decided to test the energy. I sprinted a few steps, expecting the blue bar to drop. Nothing. I tried jumping, crouching, even flailing my arms in a mock dance. Still nothing.
“Magic, maybe?” I wondered aloud.
I attempted a dramatic spellcasting gesture, muttering every incantation I could recall from fantasy movies and games. Nothing happened. Feeling like an idiot, I gave up, but my eyes lingered on the bars.
Level: 1.
“So I can level up,” I murmured. “But how do I get XP?”
My gaze returned to the forest ahead. The town was on the other side, which meant I had no choice but to go through.
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The forest swallowed me whole.
The air grew damp and heavy, clinging to my skin. A thick fog drifted across the forest floor, coiling around my ankles. Every step felt deliberate, the silence around me oppressive.
Strange plants lined the path, their shapes twisted and alien. Some pulsed faintly, like they were alive, while others oozed a dark, sticky substance. I kept my distance, but my unease only grew.
Pairs of glowing circles flickered in the shadows. Eyes, maybe? My pulse quickened as I realized I wasn’t alone.
A distant sound of rushing water caught my attention, piercing through my rising panic. My throat suddenly felt dry, and the thought of fresh water overpowered my fear.
I stumbled toward the sound, breaking through dense underbrush to find a narrow river cutting through the forest. Its surface shimmered like liquid crystal, reflecting the ethereal light filtering through the canopy.
Dropping to my knees, I plunged my face into the water. The coldness shocked me, but the taste—pure and refreshing—was unlike anything I’d ever had.
Then I saw my reflection.
I froze.
Staring back at me wasn’t my face. It was green, metallic, with large yellow, insect-like eyes that glowed faintly. My features were robotic, sleek and futuristic. There was no nose, no mouth—just smooth metal.
“What… the hell?” I whispered.
Tentatively, I raised a hand to my face, feeling its smooth surface. I glanced down at my body. The shimmering suit from earlier had evolved into full armor, with glowing green accents and a flowing, tattered cape.
I was humanoid, but clearly not human. Somehow, though, I could drink water, scream, and even feel the coolness of the river against my non-existent mouth.
The surreal nature of it all should’ve terrified me, but there was something undeniably cool about my new form. I felt like a makeshift superhero.
Rustling came from behind me.
I spun around, my heart pounding. My eyes locked onto a bush trembling violently. Instinctively, I crouched, grabbing a fallen branch.
“W-Who’s there?!” I shouted, my voice cracking despite my attempt at bravery.
The rustling stopped. A suffocating silence followed, broken only by the faint dripping of water.
Then, from the bush, something rolled out.
An egg.
It was massive, about a foot long, its smooth surface etched with glowing, golden runes. A crack ran along one side, and through it, a tiny eye peered out. The creature inside blinked at me.
“What… are you?” I whispered, lowering my branch.
Before I could examine it further, a deafening roar erupted from deep within the forest. The sound was guttural, primal, and terrifyingly close.
The ground trembled beneath me as a massive shadow loomed in the distance.
“Nope!” I yelled, leaving the egg behind to whatever beast lurked inside the woods.
I bolted.
Branches tore at my armor as I sprinted through the underbrush. My lungs burned, and my legs ached, but I didn’t dare look back.
A sudden drop caught me off guard. I tumbled down a steep hill. Rocks and roots tore into me, and I crashed hard at the bottom, landing in a thorn bush.
Pain erupted as razor-sharp thorns pierced my armor and skin. My health bar plummeted to 9/50.
Groaning, I stumbled to my feet, bloodied and shaking. But ahead, past the tree line, I saw it:
The town.
Small, medieval, with thatched roofs and cobbled streets, it looked like a haven. A stone fountain stood at its center, water glinting in the sunlight. Relief flooded through me as I staggered forward.
“Please… let there be a hospital,” I muttered.
Behind me, the forest stirred, the roar echoing once more. I muster the strength to book it to town, hoping I could find escape from the forest as quickly as possible.