~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“…and it looks like we’re almost out of time for this segment. As the owner of Free World Online, the first ever VR, are there any last words?”

“Yes, Mary, I have a statement to make.” The man swathed in an expensive business suit looked straight at the camera, his face deadpan and menacing whereas moments ago it was vibrant and sparkling.

“For all of you who enter this game, I want you to be aware of what I’m going to say. My game, Free World Online, is not simply another game. It's a second life. Your choices, and actions, will have consequences. Remember this.”

“…”

“Wow. How exciting. I hope the VR lives up to everyone’s hopes and expectations. That’s all we have for the interview, thank you for tuning in.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I put my headphones down, excitement shining in my eyes. That statement quickly became famous around the world. Many scoffed at what he said, but I felt he was speaking from the heart. At the very least, I hope he’s achieved what he says he has. A second life. Perhaps that’s what I need. Something to escape the rage I feel in my heart. To escape from the betrayal that shatters my heart every day. Well, I’m about to find out. Free World Online is set to start in less than a minute. I quietly enter my capsule, and set it to Life Support Mode. One of the inbuilt safety features of the VR capsule, is that you can survive in it for over a month. I don’t plan to leave it until I have to. It’s not like I have anything to keep me here. I set the capsule to Start, and suddenly everything flashes white. The next time I opened my eyes, I was in an expansive dark grey area, void of anything.

Welcome, Crystal, to Free World Online!

Please select your Gender!

Male

Female

Normally I wouldn’t found it odd that they knew my name, but once you get a VR you’re registered for life. Any capsule you go into recognizes who you are. It’s to stop people playing multiple characters. I select Female. I prefer my own gender in games.

Please select your Race!

This time various figures start appearing before me, blinking in one after the other until a solid number of 18 was reached. There were many interesting races, such as elves and orcs and even titans, but there was only one that really captivated me. The race was called Draconite. They had the same form as humans, however the skin was replaced with scales. Along with this was a tail, swishing behind casually. The rest of them, however, looked just like a human! Hair and all. I absolutely loved it. The eyes got to me a little bit, as they constantly glowed. I’m hoping that it was just to show off, and didn’t do that all the time.

[Crystal]: Show Race Draconite.

Suddenly a screen pops up showing the differences between the other races. It seems in this game, the only difference between races is in their Racial Skills. I look through them.

Celestial Understanding:

Large cognitive improvement.

Adaptive Body:

Body changes depending on the stats you choose.

Zero Start:

All stats, besides Health and Stamina, start at 0. Health and Stamina start at 1/5 of normal.

Wow. That’s horrible. Zero Start really makes me weak compared to the other races. Yet Celestial Understanding would be extremely useful. Being able to adapt to situations quickly will come into handy. Adaptive Body however…well, I’ll find out when I start investing into stats. It may turn out to be OP. one can only hope. I’m happy with the decision.

[Crystal]: I’ve decided on the race Draconite.

Processed.

Please customize your Character!

I hate this part. You get a million options, most of them making very little difference to your character. Besides, it’s a VR, so being as close to your own body as possible will benefit you.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

[Crystal]: Match my body.

The Draconite body glows suddenly, its shape shifting until it matched mine. I looked at myself, or rather the Draconite version of myself. A little below average height, I had a slim build. I sigh at my lack of breasts, a sore point for myself, but I decide to keep it anyways. No use lying to myself. I glance at the tail behind myself, amused at the way it swishes in the air.

[Crystal]: Change scales to purple.

Again, the Draconite glows brightly. The scales change to purple. Really ugly looking purple. Purple is my favourite color too. I cry silently, in my heart.

[Crystal]: Change scales to black.

This time, the scales looked beautiful. When I looked into them, I felt myself sinking into unimaginable depths. I loved it.

[Crystal]: Make my hair red and my eyes purple.

I love red hair, and seeing it offset the black made it look just that much better. The purple eyes also fit well, I might be a bit biased to purple but I thought they suited my Draconite body. Especially when glowing, it almost looks divine. I shake myself out of my self-appreciation.

[Crystal]: Accept character.

Processed.

Please select your Class!

Different versions of my Draconite body starts blinking in rapidly. I start looking through them all, seeing some iconic classes such as ‘Warrior’ and ‘Mage, and some more interesting ones like ‘NecroDruid’. Seems contradictory, but interesting nonetheless. It wasn’t until I got to the end, however, that I found a class that captivated me. I wielded a small sword, broken and dull. I had only tattered clothing on, as if I experienced severe hardship. When I looked closer, some information came up.

Class:

Wanderer

Description:

Forsaken by the Gods, you must face the fate you have chosen. You start in an unknown area. Cannot interact with any players and most NPC’s. Gods seek your death. You start with max Infamy.

Equipment:

Broken Shortsword: It's useless. Why are you using this?

Damage: 0

Durability: 0/10

Tattered Clothing: It's useless. Are you a masochist?

Armor: 0

Durability: 0/10

A…interesting class to say the least. I couldn’t help letting out a mad laugh when I read it. No-one would accept this class. It was that horrible. I collapsed on the ground when I started to really think about it, tears in my eyes. I couldn’t contain myself, I continued to laugh maniacally for quite a while. When I finally calmed down, I knew what I would do.

[Crystal]: I choose the class Wanderer.

Processed.

Please name your Character!

This class is a challenge. No, it’s an adventure. The game might as well be putting up a sign saying ‘I dare you’. I prefer solo play anyways, and I’m not one to take the easy road. I started laughing like a maniac again.

[Crystal]: LET EVERYONE ELSE CHOOSE THEIR SAFE CLASS! NOT ME! I’M GOING ON AN ADVENTURE!!

Name denied!

Please choose an appropriate Name.

Phew, dodged a bullet there. There’s no confirmations in this game, I really wouldn’t want to be going around the game with a name like that. That’d be embarrassing. Well, I’ll choose the name I’ve always liked. It is a fantasy game after all, let me fantasize.

[Crystal]: Luna.

Name accepted!

Welcome, Luna.

To Free World.

Everything flashed white, and I felt myself being transported…