I felt a bit weird as the tiny connection I had left to my body faded, and was suffused by a wave of panic. What did I do? What did I do? I should have thought more about it… After a half hour of panic, I decided to continue on, I didn’t have a choice anymore, did I? I was going to die there anyway, it doesn’t matter. No time like the present to continue on with the present. The past is the past and it is past time to accept that. I opened the map, shaken, to see where I could start. After hunting for a little, I found a place that was perfect for my desires. It was a city state in an isolated part of the world, but that wasn’t what interested me. I wanted to discover all kind of things, to create a kingdom of power and technology, to unlock the mysteries of magic and lay bare the secrets of the universe. All very ambitious, but I had eternity, so why worry? I found a large area, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a river passing through. It surprised me that no one had settled there, but the river was the only one in a large area, and rather recent. An earthquake far upstream had changed the path of the river and before it was inhabited by monsters. Of course, this is probably just an excuse to have some territory that can be exploited by the new… what? Not players… residents? Sure, residents. Anyway, I selected the city and confirmed that I wanted to choose it.
[Do you wish to sleep until the game commences? Y/N]
Yes.
When I woke up, I found myself watching an introduction.
“As long foretold, a momentous event has come to pass. The Goddess has summoned Chosen Ones to many towns. With no knowledge of this world, they will take a long time to become powerful, but as they are immortal, they could become unstoppable. They could use their power for good or evil, creation or destruction. Help them or hinder them, the choice is yours.”
The cutscene showed many creatures, goblins, dwarves, kobolds… appearing in cities, towns and villages bathed in a golden glow. The last one was a dragon-kin, named Jiro, the one I created. Apparently you couldn’t choose the name, but I was satisfied with it. Before starting to move around, I sat down and opened my stat page.
Name :
Jiro
Level :
1
00%
0 XP
0 XP
Race :
Dragon-Kin
Platinum
5
Gold
0
Silver
0
Copper
0
Stats
Intelligence :
10
00%
Willpower :
10
00%
Wisdom :
10
00%
Agility :
10
00%
Stamina :
10
00%
Dexterity :
10
00%
Strength :
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
10
00%
Charisma :
10
00%
Constitution :
10
00%
Luck :
10
00%
Unspent Stat Points :
0
Mana :
100/100
Mana Regen :
1 /Minute
Energy :
97/100
Energy Regen :
1 /Minute
Health :
100/100
Health Regen :
1 /Minute
Abilities
Dragon Form
Nightvision
Skills
%
%
%
Fame: 1000
Title: Chosen One
Alignment:
0
I also played around with the settings till I was happy with it. My health, mana and energy were displayed at the top, and my notifications at the bottom. I stood up, stumbling a bit because of my height. Maybe I shouldn’t have made myself quite so big. I slowly walked over to a map of the town and the surroundings. I decided to walk over to an inn first.
“Hello, may I ask how much a room for the night costs?” I inquired to the innkeeper.
“A Chosen One!” he exclaimed “No, no it’s free, don’t worry.”
“It is fine, I’ll pay.” I had to learn the prices, and also increase my reputation a bit.
“Well, with a 50% discount, 50 copper.”
1 silver a night? With 100 copper to silver, 100 silver to gold and 100 gold to platinum I was rich. “I’ll pay the full price.”
“Thank you.” He agreed, “But then free meals, no negotiating.”
“Free meals only while I stay here.” I compromised.
“Agreed.” I gave him seven silver, luckily, I didn’t have to make change, I reached in my bag and I instantly could get the needed amount. “I’d like a room for a week please.” He gave me a key to a room. “Thank you.”
I walked to the room of my door and unlocked it. I looked in and sighed with a smile. He had managed to put over me; the room was about the size of two normal rooms. I sat down on the king-sized bed and checked my notifications.
Trading Neophyte 2:
+2% to selling price
-2 to the effective Trading level of the other party
+1 Charisma, (11)
Well, an easy stat increase. While in the privacy of my room, I triggered my race specific ability. “Dragon Form.”
You have initiated Dragon Form for the first time.
Choose an Attribute:
Knowledge of a Dragon: +10% to Intelligence and Wisdom
Fortitude of a Dragon: +10% to Constitution and Willpower
Power of a Dragon: +10% to Strength and Stamina
Speed of a Dragon: +10% to Agility and Dexterity
Cunning of a Dragon: +10% to Charisma and Luck
No question, Knowledge of a Dragon.
You have chosen Knowledge of a Dragon:
+10% to Intelligence and Wisdom
This will increase at Level 25
I then examined myself in a mirror. I had a few scales, but that was about it. Well, as I level, more changes will appear. I reverted to human form and decided to go to discover how magic worked; otherwise my decision would have been useless. I exited the inn and walked to the town’s Mage’s College.
“How much do lessons cost?” I asked the guard at the gate.
“Five silver per week. It includes access to the library, lessons and access to the practice room.” He declared.
“Sounds reasonable.” I passed him the money.
“No, no,” he corrected and gave me back my money. “You must give the money to one of the professors. I’ll go get one.” The other guard pointedly ignored me. I guess he doesn’t approve of Chosen Ones. About five minutes later the guard came out with a rather strong young man. Not really my idea of a professor, but in this world, who knows?
“I understand you wish to learn magic.” He established as he approached.
“Yes,” I confirmed, “Do I give you the money?”
“Yes, you… give me the money.” His voice had a note of distaste in it. Another one. I exchanged the money for a medallion with a glowing rune in the center. “The rune glows for long as you have paid in order to display your membership.” With those words, he left, still with his sneer.