Max landed on a patch of grass. He got up and looked around. He was in a forest opening. Definitely not the same one he had been before all of this crazy shit had happened. Max was certain he wasn’t even in his home country anymore. This forest was lush and vibrant with leathery leaves and tall bushes. The forests of his home country mostly consisted of pine trees and other conifers. No. This wasn’t home. This was somewhere warmer.

But when Max looked up, expecting to see a blue, tropical sky, instead his heart skipped a beat. Forget about being in the same country. This wasn’t even the same planet.

The sky was a mesh of different hues of blue, indigo and purple. There was a sun, but it was a distant thing in the sky, looking more like an impossibly large star than the actual sun. Faraway as it was, it seemed to provide enough light and warmth. Further in the horizon of the sky, dark storm clouds struck out lightning, but it was so far Max could not hear a rumble of thunder.

When he brought his gaze down he gasped and took a stumble backwards. In front of him was a strange creature.

The closest description to it would be a jellyfish made of plastic. If the iPhone was made a jellyfish it would look like this. It floated in mid air, its tendrils waving around eerily. Two eyes stared at Max. They were uncanny strange eyes. Nothing like human. They were digital or otherwise augmented. Clear whites with black rectangles for irises. A gaze as piercing as ancient studied Max. Then it spoke in that unlilting robotic voice Max recognized.

[Welcome human. Please try to remain calm. This is not a hallucination or a simulation. We have used quantum teleportation technology to transport you to the planet you may call “Alpha Ludus”.]

Max blinked a few times and then rubbed at his face. “At this point I would really appreciate being told what the actual hell is going on.”

[Your race has been chosen by the Zoos-collective to represent us in the Cosmic Games. You are welcome for this high honor.]

“...Thanks?”

[Your race was facing inevitable self-extinction in the next twenty to thirty years of your measure of time, and was thus chosen to be a candidate. The Zoos-collective picked your race for your tendency towards violent conflict, your extreme instinct to preserve your life and your proclination towards playing video games for recreation.]

“What? Is this pre-recorded? Are you there?”

[Yes. We are here.]

Trying not to hyperventilate, Max closed his eyes and took a breath. He tried to ignore his heart pounding like a panicked humming bird and spoke slowly and deliberately. “What. Is. Going. On? What are the Cosmic Games?

[The Cosmic Games is a device the Intergalactic Consortium of Civilized Beings have made. ICCB for short. The purpose of Cosmic Games is to divide limited resources fairly, such as planets with the ability to sustain life, without resorting to violence or deceit.]

“And what exactly is my role in this game of yours?” Max asked.

[You are a representative of your race. The four major factions of the ICCB have each chosen a race of beings that are in a similar situation to yours. A race of sentient beings on the brink of their own extinction. Of these four races, three will perish, as they would have if left to their own devices. Their home planets will henceforth be property of the faction which chose the victorious race. Winners of the game will receive amnesty. The victorious race will be returned to their home planets, with instruction to guide their technology and civilization to a non-destructive direction.]

Sweet virgin Mary, mommy of holy Jesus Christ. This is a dream right? I knew I shouldn’t have eaten that expired pickle.

“R-rules,” Max stammered. “What— What are the rules?”

[The rules are very simple. When the planet Alpha Ludus has only members of a single representative race, the game ends. If you are to gain victory for your species, all other three races must face total annihilation. You will fight for your right to exist.]

Max swallowed. And swallowed again. The lump in his throat did not go away.

“Uhhuh… Anything else I need to know?”

[There are some noteworthy stipulations. You are not allowed to cause permanent damage to the planet with nuclear weapons or similar technology. You will not physically age while on the planet if you are a fully grown adult. You will be provided a specific Framework to work within. The Framework was created to generate an equal footing to all species involved. Are you familiar with video games of the roleplaying genre, featuring elements such as Hitpoints, Mana, Stamina, Skills and Attributes?]

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Yeah… I’m familiar,” Max said. “Adept even.”

[Very good. We will skip the lengthy explanation. You will receive a four-option prompt message in your System Messages after our discussion concludes. The options will determine your specialization. They will be called Classes. Choose carefully. There are mechanics to respecialize, but they are rare and come with conditions.]

“How do I do that?” Max asked. “Choose a class.”

[To access your system messages, simply sub-vocalize your name and ‘Messages’. To access your Inventory, sub-vocalize your name and ‘Inventory’. To access your stats you will sub-vocalize your name and ‘Stats.’ To access your skills and talents, sub-vocalize your name and ‘Skills’.]

Max tried it out and lo and behold a row of messages with an insistent red dot jumping on each line opened in his field of vision. It was transparent, but he wouldn’t want to ride a bike with this intruding his vision. Max subvocalized the command again and the row of messages vanished.

[This concludes all of the relevant information to be imparted to you. The rest is up to your resourcefulness. We are not allowed to disclose any more useful information at this point in the Games. But there will be further contact. Remember that the Zoos-collective is your ally in this. Your only ally. With that said, good luck.]

“Wait!” Max yelled. “I have questions!”

The jellyfish creature blinked out and left Max to stare at the empty space it had been, utterly stunned. There was a firestorm of emotions swirling inside him. This wasn’t real. This can’t be real. If this was real, and Max understood correctly, some crazy super-advanced alien race just folded goddamn space-time or something to teleport the entire human race on some distant planet somewhere to participate in hunger games of gargantuan scale using some kind of game system?

Yeah, this is a dream. A feverish, expired-pickle-induced nightmare.

Max sighed. He took stock of the situation. His weapons were gone. As were his clothes, now that he noticed. He was wearing a pure white jumpsuit that hugged the skin. It felt kind of nice. The shoes were white too. Light ankle boots with a simple clasp buckle. They fit just right.

Good shoes, Max thought. Then he decided to have a look around.

He was in a forest opening. Not in immediate danger of any crazy demons it seemed. But food, water and shelter would be an issue he would rather solve sooner than later. Not aging sounded really neat, but Max doubted this was a package deal that would ward off starvation. He wasn’t exactly hungry now, but Max had the presence of mind to understand that could change really fast after some wholesome trekking in an alien forest. But before he got to that, what was this whole class thing and this barrage of system messages he had waiting for him.

Max opened the system messages. There were five messages in total. He started reading them from the bottom up.

[Starter Package]

Reward: [Minor Healing Potion], [Minor Stamina Potion], [Knife, (Basic)]

[Achievement: World’s first: Defeated a World Boss]

Reward: [Unique Toolbox]

[Achievement: World Boss Killer]

Reward: [Class Upgrade Box]

Well well, these could be pretty interesting. Now what’s this last one?

[Compensation]

The Zoos-collective apologizes for any inconveniences resulting in your incorrectly calculated initial spawn point. We thank you for your patience and understanding and want to offer you compensation.

Reward: 2x [Rations], 1x [Bar of soap]

Wowww… So generous. Totally worth almost dying for.

Finally, Max got to the final blinking red dot. On top of the pile was a message titled “Class selection”. Max opened it and four boxes with text and images.

The first box read the following:

[Combatant] class:

Specialize in fighting for your species. This class has limited ability to produce or utilize resources, but has enhanced combat capabilities. This class allows specialization in various forms of melee, ranged and magical combat.

+1 Constitution per level

+1 free attribute point per level

The second box read the following:

Artisan class:

Specialize in refining raw materials into usable produce for your race. This class allows specialization in various forms of work, such as leatherworking, metal working or woodworking.

+1 Dexterity per level

+1 Precision per level

The third box read the following:

[Leader] class:

Every enterprise needs leaders. This class allows for creating institutions that will give members bonuses. Most importantly, settlement. But also institutions such as guilds or armies. In addition to establishing institutions, the Leader class allows for buffing and efficiently organizing other classes. Due to the dynamic need for leadership in relationships, this is a specialization that can be swapped out of without penalty before reaching level 10. Additionally, applications to change your specialization into or out of the class can be sent to the Patron faction, which will be reviewed.

+1 Charisma per level

+1 Wisdom per level

The fourth box read the following:

[Laborer] class:

The backbone of every civilization. This class specializes in gathering resources, such as food, wood, metal ores. In choosing this class, you will receive bonuses in gathering speed, inventory management and Stamina regarding your gathering specialization.

+1 Strength per level

+1 Constitution per level

Max didn’t even need to think about it. He barely bothered to read the rest after combat class. It wasn’t because every little boy wanted to be a warrior hero deep inside them. Okay it was that too...

But it was mainly the harrowing visage of that horrible demonic creature lumbering towards him. He had felt helpless. If there were monsters such as that here, Max knew he would not have second thoughts regarding the class choice. Besides, that’s what they were summoned here to do, right? To fight for their right to exist.

After he chose the class it felt as if a gust of cold, refreshing wind passed through him. In his mind he heard a voice. This one was robotic as well, but not as monotone as the one he had dealt with previously.

Level up! [Level 1 Combatant]

+1 Constitution

+1 Free attribute

Talent acquired: [Basic Weapon Handling]

[Basic Weapon Handling]: You now have proficiency in all kinds of basic melee and ranged type weapons

Talent acquired: [Fighting Spirit I]

[Fighting Spirit]: Stamina expended in combat is reduced by 15%

Now then, what’s inside these boxes?