Chapter 1: The Gamer, The Goddess, And The Trickster(1)
Eternal Empire.
It is a game but it is also a new world that can change his destiny.
Hiding away his grandpa’s letter, Gen immediately went to work.
First, he made test runs to the capsule, ensuring that all parts are working properly. Next was attaching and testing the Synch Program. A test run that also provides a desirable result.
The only thing left to do now is entering the game. But before that, Gen needed to familiarize himself with the game first.
This is an uncharted territory for him and he is not the type that recklessly throws himself into the unknown.
Virtual Reality Game
According to the files he found among his great-grandfather’s collection, in order to make Eternal Empire the unparalleled virtual reality game in the planet, the virtual world that Jenova Corp created for the game was perfected to be similar to a parallel world. All the Non-Player Characters are equipped with an advanced Artificial Intelligence and free will, making them no difference from actual intelligent living beings.
Hence, it will be a mistake to assume that the game will only be controlled by the will of the players. In the standard of that world, the NPCs are real living beings too. They have emotions, and they make decisions and their actions whether small or grand influences the virtual world and the players as a whole.
“So I’m literally entering a new world with actual inhabitants and not just a game.”
Common to all games, power is measured by visible numerical values. The higher the value, the stronger the player. However, the number isn’t everything. Since the game is a virtual reality where the player will control their avatar as their own body, real life experiences as well as the intellectual and mental states of the players if applied, can provide an advantage.
“Hmmm, so if I have battle experiences in the real world I can also use it in the VR world.” Gen smiled upon learning that. “Good. Then I can use everything I’m capable of to my advantage.”
As an upcoming VR gamer, such advantage would be very helpful when it comes to leveling up and fighting.
He then surfed the web and browsed the Jenova website for some beginner’s manual.
For hours, Gen had read and memorized them all, from the basic to the most complex elements. After that, he went to blogs and articles provided by the ongoing users.
His preparations lasted for a couple of days supplemented with his daily routine workouts and meditations to condition his body and mind. Then, once he had completely accomplished all his set preparations, Gen entered the capsule.
He turned on the power and a piercing light enveloped his sight before everything turned dark.
______________________________
Do you wish to Connect to ETERNAL EMPIRE?
[YES] [NO]
______________________________
“Yes!”
______________________________
Scanning….Scan Complete.
You are an unregistered user. Do you want to create a new account?
[YES] [NO]
______________________________
“Yes!”
______________________________
Loading….ETERNAL EMPIRE has a selection of Twenty Seven Races.
Which race do you choose?
______________________________
“Human!”
Soon after, a character dressed in a white shirt bearing a similar appearance to Gen appeared in front of him.
______________________________
You have the option to alter the appearance of your Avatar.
Do you wish to employ modifications?
[YES] [NO]
______________________________
Gen contemplated for a few moments. If he uses his real appearance, a lot of trouble will come. Considering that, he decided to create a new one.
“Yes!”
He detuned his facial feature and decreased the hue of his complexion, making his face and complexion plainer and paler.
“That should do it.”
______________________________
Please select the name of your Avatar.
______________________________
“Grimm.”
______________________________
Loading….Your Account has been Activated.
Select a City and Kingdom you want to start.
______________________________
“City of Latona, Komina Kingdom.”
______________________________
Latona City, Komina Kingdom….loading….CONFIRMED!
ENTERING ETERNAL EMPIRE….loading….
______________________________
–SUCCESS–
______________________________
WELCOME TO THE CONTINENT OF AVELOT!
______________________________
◆◆◆◆◆◆
FLASH!
With another blinding flash of light, Grimm entered the city of Latona, the capital of Komina Kingdom.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“So, this is Eternal Empire?”
Grimm said with eyes full of amazement as he looked around. The noise of those quibbling and chattering NPCs and users rang in his ears. The view before his eyes bears no difference from the real world.
‘Eternal Empire is truly a parallel world. Discerning its difference from reality is nigh-impossible.’
Grimm moved his hands and feet followed by more complex movements. Unbelievable but not surprising, controlling his avatar is similar to controlling his real body.
Ding!
A translucent message window appeared in front of him.
______________________________
Congratulations! You have entered Latona City
Enjoy your stay
You have acquired [Map of Latona City]
______________________________
The Map Window automatically activated showing the map of the entire city where the red dot indicates his current location.
Closing the Map, he investigated his other system windows.
“Avatar Window!”
______________________________
In-Game Name: Grimm
Race: Human
Alignment: -
Level: 1
Profession: -
Title: -
Fame: 10
Infamy: 0
Health: 100
Mana: 50
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 10
Intelligence: 10
Agility: 10
Vitality: 10
Luck: 10
Satiety: 100%
Stamina: 100%
Attack: 18
Defense: 21
Magic Attack: 14
Magic Defense: 7
Critical Attack: 3
Critical Defense: 5
Attack Speed Status: Normal
Movement Speed Status: Normal
Hit: 12
Dodge: 12
______________________________
Next was his Inventory which carries 10 Wheat Bread and 5 Bottles of Water.
For the other windows like for the Skills, Friend List, etc., he didn’t bother since they’re surely empty.
Once done checking with all the functions, Grimm then paused and pondered. ‘What to do next?’
The usual routine that beginners do in all games is exiting their starting city and immediately finds an easy hunting ground or a party to hunt and gain levels.
‘But that won’t do any desirable advantage if I rely on that.’
Different from others, Jenova applied an altered Stat System in Eternal Empire.
Normally when players level up, they are given unallocated Stat Points and distribute it to the desired Stats that contributes to their profession. But in this game, that privilege is abolished. When players level up, the points are added equally to all their Stats.
If they are Warrior Classes, they cannot focus their points to their STR and VIT which are their main Stats. Same is true with the Magician, Thief, and the other Classes.
But if that were the case, then how do the players compensate for the absence of control over the stat allocation.
Simple. Through tasks, quests, and special events that reward a permanent increase in stats as well as gears, blessing, titles, scrolls, and elixirs that provide the same effect, and since the game grant 100% flexibility and freedom to the point of anarchism, such options are limitless.
However, expected from any game, these means for stat increase are not spoon-fed. Players will struggle in order to find the appropriate items, actions and events that will enhance the stats compatible with their profession.
‘I don’t know which profession to choose yet but I need an addition to my strength before starting a fight with any monster outside the city.’ “Maybe I should look around first.”
Grimm strolled around the central square, stopping briefly in front of each establishment until he came across the city’s Dojo.
“Entrance fee is 5 Copper,” said the Dojo Master who is hulking bald man with a huge scar on his left cheek.
‘It’s not free.’ Grimm clicked his tongue. “Thank you, I’ll be back later on,” he said politely and exited the establishment.
Grimm walked around the central square again. In order to enter the Dojo, he needed money and the only way to earn money is to find a job.
“There it is,” he exclaimed when he saw the Wanted Sign posted at the front door of a restaurant.
______________________________
WANTED: Chef Assistant/Errand Boy
Salary: 20 Copper a day
Working Time: 8 Hours
______________________________
Grimm immediately tore the posted sheet and met the restaurant owner.
Ting!
______________________________
The kitchen crew of Honeypot Restaurant is a man short. They needed an extra pair of hands to help them serve food faster to their customers.
Goal: Look for the restaurant owner, Ms. Maria and officially accept the job.
Warning: If Ms. Maria is unsatisfied with your work by the end of the day, she will terminate your employment and you might not get paid as well.
Reward: 20 Copper
______________________________
Maria inspected him from head to toe with probing eyes and the glint in her eyes hinted that she’s appraising him positively.
“Alright, you’ll do.”
“Thank you so much Ma’am.”
______________________________
You received the job.
______________________________
The task was simple but the restaurant was quite popular among the citizens of Latona so the number of orders was quite high, thus, increasing the labor demand on Grimm.
Then, after five hours of nonstop kitchen work, a pop-up message unexpectedly appeared.
Ding!
______________________________
Due to your continuous effort of performing your task in such admirable speed and precision, your STAT had risen
Dexterity has risen by 1 point (+1DEX)
______________________________
Grimm’s eyes widened when he saw the translucent message. “What the?”
His Stat had gained an increase after continuously chopping ingredients without pause.
“But how?” In Eternal Empire, there are selected places like the Dojo where players can increase their stats through training. “But this is a restaurant.” Grimm fell into contemplation but a few seconds later, a smile curved from his lips. “So that’s how it is,” he said as he finally grasped the logic behind it.
An establishment like a restaurant might not be a place for training but the area where he is right now is a kitchen.
Just like a training ground, a kitchen is also a place for skill honing. So unlike his initial assumption, it is not just battle related but even cooking or any other task when done in places meant for self-improvement also reward an increase in Stats.
“Alright, there’s no time to waste. I only have 3 hours left on my shift.”
After the discovery, Grimm performed his duty with greater vigor. Hence, before the end of his working time;
Ding!
______________________________
Your precision is unbelievable. More than meticulousness, it is also a stroke of good fortune.
Your STAT had risen
Luck has risen by 1 point (+1LUK)
______________________________
“You’ve done well,” Ms. Maria said with a warm smile as she hands him his 20 copper.
______________________________
Your Intimacy with the Restaurant Owner Maria has risen.
______________________________
When he left the restaurant, it was already nearing sundown. Fortunately, the Dojo was still open when he arrived.
Ding!
______________________________
You have entered the Iron Fist Dojo
Your STAT had risen
All STATS has risen by 2 points (+2ALL)
Growth Rate: +20%
______________________________
The pop-up message appears after entering the Dojo. In game, Dojos grant permanent Stat increase for the first entrance and the Growth Rate increases the physical enhancement capability of players while inside the establishment. But despite that, Dojo training is among the unpopular methods of Stat improvement.
Main reason is that most players are fixed on other things or are too lazy to submit to the tedious works at the gym.
He then gave his Stats another look. So far so good but he still has a long way to go. The freebies are nice but it’s not yet the outcome that can satisfy him.
“Alright, let’s get started.”
He aimed to become the mightiest and the path to that goal officially starts now.