Only after a couple of minutes had passed did Midnight regain his composure.

This won't do. For the time being, exploring beyond the boundaries of Lesotte is out of the question. What am I to do with my physical fitness and a dull blade in my hand? Compete for who dies first, me or myself?? After lampooning and improving his mood, he thought about his next action. With the embarrassment pushed deep down and forgotten, he concentrated on the situation at hand.

His main problem was still the lack of general knowledge. Be it regarding Euclex, Lesotte, the NPC, or even himself, Midnight knew nothing. Well, I do know that I am poor. This is still something. And, I know that in Euclex hunger, thirst, and pain do exist. My throat is parched up and my shoulder is stinging from the prior collision. Heh...

Unsure if he should laugh or cry at this fact, Midnight pulled out the bellows of water and took a few sips. He felt the cool liquid sliding down and satiating his needs. The taste was even better than the water outside. It was sweet, refreshing, and lacked any additional chemicals.

Refreshed he considered his options and used his fingers to count, How should I gain information? I can tour and study the village, or talk with the NPC. I can still seek help from experienced players, or go to a library. Yes, in this god-forgotten village, there won't be a library. Though, a tiny bookstore is still possible...

Midnight glanced down at his hand, his lips curling up slightly. Those were all possible methods but they were slow, tedious, or required good skills in socializing with strangers; with his childish physics and introverted personality traits, Midnight wasn't confident in directly asking for help. Besides he wasn't aware if PK was a thing in Euclex. There was no guarantee that his ten copper coins, water, and apples wouldn't make him a target. Dealing with me is easier than stealing a lollipop from a child. Heh, this pun wasn't intended.

He clenched his left fist and gently knocked on his thigh creating a rhythm. His thoughts slowly formed an idea. Wasn't there a 'place' invaluable for all virtual games disregarding the detail? One that gathered human resources, could be accessed from anywhere, and guaranteed safety. A 'place' known as a chatroom!

I believe there should be a similar function even inside of Euclex. Heh, right now the majority of the players are still feeling bewildered. The chat will definitely burst with activity. Some will flaunt their findings, others will grumble and share their distress. Yes, I don't even need to speak up. Just lurk in there, read the comments, and use the good souls willing to share!

With this in mind, Midnight didn't drag out and put his thoughts into action. He spoke confidently with a steady deep voice, "Chatroom." The reason for his confidence lay in the cacophony of noises; the shouts and ado he faced in the plaza.

Back then quite a few people were speaking aloud into the air. They all seemed to interact with someone or something. Their eyeballs - expressing the notion of reading by shifting around. Unless Lesotte was the gathering spot of escapees from asylums, Midnight believed that certain functions were accessed by a verbal command.

Pa

With the sound of a nearly indistinguishable crackle, the window emerged. It revealed rows and rows of comments. They moved upward whenever a new entry was input.

|Local Chatroom - Lesotte.

Cockatrice: Guys I can't enter my character information! Is this a bug?

Leila: I can't either and I tried everything. Perhaps, it's really an error. And here I was expecting a lot from this VR. Euclex is so shit.

Oliver: It isn't. Someone tried to report the problem and the dev team denied it in an official statement. We just haven't found the appropriate wording just yet.

Leila: Then what is the fricking command? I tried status, personal information, character info, profile, personal details, my data, etc. Please, let my stupid self be enlightened.

Greg: Heh, can't you think for yourself? Like hell, I am spilling the beans and making it easy for you.

Distressed Princess: Isn't there a gentleman to help out a beautiful girl in need? It will be best if he is tall, handsome, and rich.

Leo: Depending on your needs, baby, I am very willing to help you. But you have to give me your address. Wink Wink. I promise you great satisfaction.

Leila: Disgusting piece of trash. To think that in this day and age, such scums still exist is appalling.

Leo: Bitch, I bet in bed you act like a slut. You moan loud enough to wake up the neighbors.

Popo: Hey, no need to cuss in the chatroom! There are minors as well. Don't forget that the minimum age for joining Euclex is 16. Mind your manners and words.

Shaoran: Help! I was killed by a rabbit. Damn, it was a single small rabbit, yet it trashed me so hard. Now, I can't log in for two real-life days! I even dropped half of my items, including my pants...If you see my humble half-naked self, please don't report me for flashing!

Angel: How are you chatting if you can't log into the game?

Johnny McMillian: Too late. I already died to the same rabbit. It was so painful! The pain setting is fixed at 35% of the value outside. Can you imagine getting a horn through your neck and drying from suffocating in your own blood while feeling this pain? My vitals spiked up so hard that the game ejected me even before I could breathe in my last...I am considering dropping this game. Otherwise, I will have to book a visit to a psychologist for regular treatment.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Popo: The death penalty is so bad? Thankfully, I didn't dare to go outside of the village. As for the question above, the interaction between Euclex and the world outside is quite deep. You can directly chat or call people to and fro both worlds. Some information was released with the launch and other functions will be available later. If you want you can check it on the official site of Euclex. You can access it without logging out of the game, through the use of your terminal.

HxxH: Twinkle, twinkle little star, I want to drown with alcohol my mental scar~...|

"..." Scrolling the chatroom, Midnight's eyebrows twitched and raised up in surprise, concern, happiness, confusion, and shame.

As expected he gained a lot of information just browsing casually for a few minutes. However, some of the things mentioned were worrisome in the least. It was especially so for the realism regarding the death and the following penalty. What does this have to do with me? I am a pro when it comes to receiving counseling and medication!

With a poignant remark, he closed the window and placed his hands on his thighs annoyed at himself. What he found concerning the most was his ignorance. I didn't even think about checking my profile. Indeed, my inexperience in gaming is staggering. I miss on matters that others find obvious...

Cluck

Even this chicken agrees. Midnight pulled one of his apples, took a small bite, and spat it onto the ground as an offering to the bird. Then he continued munching on the rest while thinking, The developers like to prank us and keep an air of mystery. However, they should abide by logic and can't set up a command we can't think of at all. If the common words don't work, then...

He sucked at the slightly acidic juice of the fruit and his eyes narrowed, The word should be unique, yet available for all players. Of course, it must be a command that makes sense and links to the desired effect. Something, one doesn't normally use in their everyday speech. This is why it evades us...Could it be a name? Only children refer to themselves in the third person, thus it can be overlooked easily. Besides it is unique enough for each player and points out in the correct direction.

He finished the apple in five to six bites and threw the leftovers onto the ground. He wasn't very concerned about polluting the village. First of all, there were no trashcans nearby. And second, the ground was already strewn all over with rubbish and animal droppings. One more apple core wouldn't make much of a difference.

With the spirit of an attempt, he spoke softly yet coherently, "Midnight."

Pa

With a flash of bright colorful light and the visual effects of fanfare, the window popped up, blinding him in the process.

I hope this visual effect won't happen every time I want to check on myself...Rubbing his eyes, Midnight was slightly distracted. He imagined this happening in the midst of a fight and shook his head warning himself to be careful. Then he inspected his personal information for the very first time. He was slightly excited.

|Midnight:

Race: Half-Ling

Title: Origin - Vespertin Scholar|

"...That's it? No skills? No stats? Nothing?"

The joy of cracking the code and reaching the desired conclusion was short-lived. With his brows furrowed Midnight found this outcome both in and outside of the scope of his expectations.

On the one hand, this was unexpected because it overturned all of his rudimentary knowledge. The lack of skills and statistics implied too many things.

For example, one couldn't gauge their strength or compare themselves with the enemy. The vagueness of this setting left too many things up to the player and their innate talents and wits. It was similar to reality and how one couldn't objectively observe themselves relying on numeric values.

On the other hand, it was indeed natural, considering the attitude of the devs and the basic law of Eclex. This setting fit perfectly in the realism praised by the public.

Even the death of a player is realistic and gory. If skills could be cast with a button or there were obvious stats, then the incongruity of both matters would have felt eerie and strange. However, there are exceptions as well; for example the items. From what I observed already, items and materials possess visible information. This will increase the value of good equipment and weapons. Heh, the craftsmanship path is correct.

Putting aside this matter, Midnight called out his sole title, "Vespertine Scholar." He already had an inkling regarding this Origin. And the clues were born from his memories.

The obligatory linking of his terminal and his personal history, the feeling of something looking inside of his mind, as well as the words spoken by the numerous voices when he was adrift in the darkness.

|Reading personal history...|

|Estimating knowledge...|

|Eastimating physical aptitude...|

|Eastimating behavioral pattern...|

All of these indirectly verified his speculations. The notion that Euclex used all of your real-life knowledge and abilities, to create a deep and unique character!

Pa

|Origin: Vespertin Scholar

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back into you.

While your body was trapped in the night, your mind was free, and your will stood unbendable.

Origin Skills:

Nightwatcher (Unique) - All of your senses, including your sight, are enhanced in the darkness. You have an abundance of stamina and find it hard to feel tired.

Sage (Legendary) - After two decades of temperance, you reached a state of enlightenment. You can swiftly regulate your emotions and straighten your mind. Like a true scholar, your concentration, reading speed, and memory are improved. You have certain resistance toward mental influences, blessings, and curses.

Clumsy (Rare) - Your appearance is ungainly, and under the sun you are prone to foolish mistakes. Beware not to trip up in front of an enemy.|

"Indeed." A small smile emerged on Midnight's face, however deep down he lamented with a sense of relief, Thankfully the negative properties of this title are limited! Is this a blessing in disguise, the AI's pity, or did the system consider that inabilities resulting from illnesses, disorders, and disabilities are involuntary? They do not relate to your actions and mindset, thus the incapacitating effects were reduced...

When he remembered the words about weakness detection and saw his Origin Title, Midnight's heart had skipped a few beats for a second. He was a man with glaring frailty in certain conditions! If the AI kept close to his real-life state, his journey inside Euclex would have ended right here and now. The supposed escape route would have turned to be just a dead-end from the beginning.

Whatever the reason, it was a close call. May the dev team members choke on their tea or step on a Lego!

Midnight tapped three points on his chest, silently praying. Then he added, slightly amused, Of course, I am an atheist in both body and heart. Besides being the sole god in Euclex, the AI could be considered a child of the developers' team. It's unlikely to listen to me even if I bribe it with something...I should be grateful for the leniency it showed.

The implications of his Vespertine Scholar were obvious and his skills were fully explained. Midnight didn't spend more time studying them, closed the window, and fidgeted with his bracelet. This terminal was still strapped on his hand, despite the body being an avatar. It was unknown if there was a deeper meaning to this.