Even before opening his eyes, Alois could feel the solid ground beneath his feet, grounding him in this new world. A cool breeze brushed against his skin, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth. As he inhaled deeply, the air felt clean and sweet, a stark contrast to the polluted atmosphere of the cities he had known. The symphony of rustling leaves and distant bird songs enveloped him, signaling the beginning of his adventure in Genesis Frontier.

When he finally opened his eyes, Alois found himself standing amidst a vast grassland that stretched as far as the eye could see. The short, lush grass swayed gently under the caress of the breeze, its verdant carpet undulating like waves frozen in time. In the distance, the grassland merged seamlessly with the outskirts of a dense forest, where towering trees stood sentinel, their canopies forming a dark green wall against the horizon.

Before him stood a sight that awed him—an immense medieval city gate, a testament to a bygone era's craftsmanship and strategic prowess. Towering stone walls, weathered by centuries of wind and rain, flanked the entrance with rugged grandeur. The surfaces of these walls bore the scars of countless seasons, their rough-hewn textures telling silent tales of resilience and endurance.

The gate itself was a formidable structure, crafted from heavy timber reinforced with sturdy iron bands and studded with imposing rivets. Above it loomed a portcullis, an iron lattice grating poised ominously to thwart any unwelcome intrusion. Flanking the gate, stout guard towers rose defiantly, their narrow arrow slits offering vantage points from which vigilant defenders kept watch over the surrounding expanse.

Alois noted the path leading up to the gate, its surface cobbled with uneven stones worn smooth by the passage of time and countless feet, hooves, and cartwheels. To either side, the city walls extended outward, forming an impenetrable barrier that encircled the entire city. Here and there, ivy and moss clung tenaciously to the weathered stones, injecting a touch of verdant life into the otherwise austere grey facade. Banners adorned with the city's crest fluttered proudly in the breeze above the entrance, hinting at a vibrant history and a proud populace within.

As Alois took in his surroundings, he realized he was clad in a simple brown tunic and black pants—attire that seemed oddly uniform among the other players gathering around him, regardless of their varied appearances and genders. They arrived in a steady stream until, after about ten minutes, new arrivals ceased, leaving a sizable crowd of players spread across the expansive grassland.

"Must be close to a thousand players here," Alois muttered to himself, marveling at the diverse origins represented among them. Despite the global scale of the game, he couldn't spot a single player from Nauru, his home island.

Conversations and hasty alliances began to form among the players. Alois engaged with a few strangers, surprised to find that he could understand them perfectly, despite their diverse languages. "Must be one of the wonders of Genesis Frontier," he remarked to a player named James Anderson.

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James Anderson is a robust, friendly Australian man in his mid-thirties. Standing at 6 feet tall, he has an athletic build honed from years of outdoor activities and sports. His sun-kissed skin and slightly weathered hands reflect his love for the outdoors and a life spent under the Australian sun. James has sandy blonde hair, kept short and neat, which complements his striking blue eyes that always seem to twinkle with good humor. He has a warm, inviting smile that puts people at ease, and his laugh is hearty and infectious.

Turning his attention back to the game, Alois requested to see his status window, and instantly, lines of text materialized before him:

[ STATUS ]

• Name : Alois Keke (!!)

• Age : 18

• Race : Human

• Class : None

• Level : 0

• Health : 100 HP

• Strength : 10

• Endurance : 10

• Speed : 10

• Agility : 10

• Skills : None

• Equipment : None

Having immersed himself in numerous MMORPGs, Alois grasped the fundamental roles of these attributes. Health, Strength, and Speed were intuitive, while Endurance fortified his physical defense and Agility sharpened his accuracy and reflexes. He anticipated uncovering their deeper intricacies as he ventured further into Genesis Frontier.

Upon focusing on the exclamation marks following his name, a game hint appeared:

[ Name can be changed once for free. ]

For now, he decided to retain his name unchanged. Turning his attention to his inventory, he found it disappointingly empty. Further investigation confirmed his lack of any currency.

"No money, no weapons, no quests, no game hints," Alois muttered incredulously. "What kind of insane difficulty is this game running on?"

After a thorough discussion with James, both men were puzzled by the uniformity of attributes among all players. They had expected some variation based on the diverse physical appearances, genders, and backgrounds of the players. Alois and James examined their surroundings more closely, hoping to find some clue that might explain the game's logic. Despite their combined knowledge and experience, they couldn't fathom why Genesis Frontier had chosen this approach. Finding no immediate answers, they redirected their focus to the pressing challenges ahead.

Fifteen minutes passed since the last arrival, yet none of the players had made any significant progress. Attempts to enter the city were rebuffed by vigilant guards prepared to enforce the city's rules with lethal force if necessary. Some impulsive players ventured into the nearby forest to confront monsters in hopes of leveling up, only to face dire consequences—the weakest creatures there were already level 10, resulting in the game's first casualty.

Frustration and confusion mounted among the players, trapped between the impenetrable city gate and the perilous forest. Half an hour had elapsed since their arrival, and no viable strategy had emerged. Unbeknownst to Alois and his fellow players, others in different starting zones faced similar challenges, prompting many to seek advice or withdraw offline in search of solutions.

Finally, there was movement near the massive gate. With a deep, echoing creak, it swung open to reveal a procession of figures emerging from within the city walls. Leading the group was a formidable figure who commanded attention effortlessly. Clad in sturdy armor that mirrored the weathered stones of the gate, he bore intricate engravings that spoke of both defense and honor. His helm, adorned with a crest of the city, cast shadows over a stern face etched with years of leadership.

The other members of the group showed deep reverence for their leader, their movements disciplined and respectful. Each figure bore insignias of the city guard, their armor polished to a shine that reflected the banners fluttering above the gate. As they approached, the leader's gaze scanned the assembled players outside, a mix of scrutiny and curiosity in his eyes.

With a booming voice, he addressed the players, "Welcome to Vella City, visitors from afar. I am the commander of the armed forces here. Those who wish to enter the city will be considered the property of Vella and must fight for our cause."

He then swept his gaze over the crowd, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Those who do not accept these conditions can always try their luck in the other city. But be warned, the only way to reach it is through the forest." His laughter echoed ominously, carrying a hint of challenge and mockery.