In a state of confusion, a flicker of awareness stirred. Thoughts wandered aimlessly, like a fly trapped in a spider's web, desperately seeking an escape. Then, as the awareness grew, it instinctually reached out for the familiar sensation of its bed sheets, slowly recalling the scent of an apartment and the muted buzz of the city outside its window. Yet, its senses remained unresponsive. The body seemed to have vanished, leaving only a mind adrift in an infinite void.

"Hold on," it pondered, reconsidering the notion of its missing body. "Could this be a dream?" it speculated, its thoughts reverberating through the emptiness. Lucid dreams were not unfamiliar, but this one felt different—somehow more authentic yet sluggish and detached.

A faint glow materialized before it as if in response to its musings. The light intensified, taking shape, forming a screen suspended in the abyss. Straining its vision, or whatever faculties remained, it attempted to focus on the words that danced across the display.

"Welcome to the world of Etherea," greeted the screen. Below the friendly message, a bold "Start Game" button blinked eagerly, inviting the user to click on it.

Becoming increasingly intimidated by the spectacle before them, the speck of consciousness tried to stay calm. "Just another game screen," they reassured themselves. "You've had weirder dreams. Enjoy this while it lasts." With a deep breath, or the mental equivalent of one, they focused their attention on the start button.

But before beginning the game, an instinct from deep within their subconscious gave them pause. A small sliver of nostalgia from wavering memories was projected at the screen as a simple code, "Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A..." Even though no physical controller was present and the consciousness expected nothing to happen, the screen flashed and transformed into something new.

"Character Creation" appeared at the top of the display, instantly instilling the consciousness with growing anticipation. "This is getting interesting," they exclaimed inwardly with a grin that only existed in their disembodied mind. Years of cheating at video games seemed to have unlocked a hidden feature.

Curiosity piqued, the consciousness dove into exploring the various options for character customization while giving the character sheet a quick scan. The information was presented as a giant blob of text, like a database being dumped into a text document. With every bit of their information coexisting simultaneously, the consciousness was left in a state of confusion about which aspects to delve into first. Yet, interacting with the interface felt remarkably tangible, responding to their thoughts like pressing buttons on a keyboard.

"Let's start with something simple," the consciousness thought, undeterred by the initial blob of text. "Name."

The screen cleared, and the information slowly reorganized into a more cohesive form. The name Gary Bollinger returned to memory as the text appeared on the screen as the default option. Seeing his name made Gary pause and briefly reflect on his life, or at least what scant scraps he could remember. For a moment, he considered using his real name. But then, a mischievous thought crossed his mind, and he decided to have some fun.

"Princess Plumb," he projected at the system, chuckling internally at the ridiculousness of it all.

A strange sensation washed over Gary as the new name materialized on the display. It felt as if Princess Plumb had always been his name as his few scattered memories adjusted to fit this new reality. He could feel the weight of a jeweled tiara on his head. The sensation was both intriguing and unsettling.

After contemplating whether to use his real name, Princess Plumb, the consciousness decided to try their gaming handle. With a slight hesitation, Princess Plumb sluggishly entered the name Vex. The consciousness wanted to enter more characters, but renaming himself a second time made the lucid dream feel like it was pushing back.

As the letters formed on the screen, that same peculiar feeling of having memories shift to fit the new narrative occurred again. However, this time, it felt more natural and familiar. Vex had always been Vex, and any recollection of being called something else, such as Princess or whatever that first name had been, seemed absurd. The name Vex carried significance, as it was both given by his parents and part of an unassuming gaming handle.

Now that he had settled the matter of his name, Vex shifted his attention to another intriguing aspect of the character editor: age. Curiosity sparked within him as he cautiously examined his current age of eighty-four.

In this state of consciousness, it was a surreal number, serving as a weighty reminder of the passage of time. Some memories from those years seeped into the dream world, reminding Vex of his life and the real world. Yet, there was a hint of unease about creating a character that was also an octogenarian. While Vex took pride in earning his wrinkles, he couldn't help but wonder if this game would allow such a character to handle the challenges that awaited someone at such an advanced age.

Lost in thought, Vex contemplated the ideal age for an adventurer. Should he be young and full of energy, ready to conquer any obstacle with boundless vigor? Or would wisdom and experience serve him better, with a bit of age and accumulated knowledge guiding his decisions?

Vex's mind was wandering, envisioning the endless possibilities before him. Each age range held a unique allure, but as he delved deeper into his thoughts, a specific number caught his attention: twenty-six. There was a certain balance to it, a perfect blend of youth and maturity that appealed to him. While that period of his life felt nostalgic through the scraps of memories, Vex felt his decision was largely about the potential and the promise of adventure.

Decisively, Vex adjusted the age value, feeling a sense of clarity and newfound energy wash over him. The fog in his mind dissipated, leaving him feeling revitalized. A pleasant warmth spread through his consciousness as he embraced his new virtual age of twenty-six. He could almost sense the vitality of his younger self, an invigorating sensation that permeated his being.

"Now that my name and age are settled let's uncover what other surprises this character editor holds," Vex thought excitedly. Anticipation bubbled within him as he eagerly prepared to explore the remaining aspects of his character within the strange, lucid dream.

However, Vex's excitement turned to confusion as he scoured the screen for his character stats. He expected to find a numerical display showcasing his strength, agility, intelligence, and more. Yet, no matter how intently he searched, the system refused to display a block of stats. Instead, Vex had a prompt that read "Stats," accompanied by a small information icon.

"Alright," he muttered in perplexity and mild frustration. "I suppose I'll have to figure it out as I go." Hovering over an information icon, hoping to find answers, Vex was surprised when a message materialized before him. It explained that stats were not visible in this world, as they were values assigned based on one's actions and subject to fluctuation. Furthermore, one's trait combination, or class, could significantly alter their capabilities.

"Intriguing," Vex mused, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Vex's gaze returned to the character editor, his mind brimming with possibilities. If stats were not visible, maybe he could influence them through his choice of race. He eagerly clicked on the race tab, excited to explore the potentially playable denizens. But as he perused the available options, his excitement was quickly dampened. His race appeared to be locked, and instead of a dropdown menu offering various choices, there were only two words: "Realm Walker."

The description for the Realm Walker race mentioned that he would retain his previous appearance but would receive modifications to fit into the world of Etheria. Every aspect of his body, including scars, would be faithfully recreated in this new realm.

Feeling a pang of disappointment, Vex's attention shifted to the racial bonus section. His racial bonus was called "Augmented Perspective." According to the description, it would grant him enhanced perception and interactions with the world around him. Despite being just a dream, Vex felt constrained by the enigmatic character-creation process. He wished he could explore other possibilities and make personal choices.

Setting aside his momentary irritation, Vex decided to find another way to make his character unique. Excited to differentiate himself, Vex mentally called up the traits menu. A captivating display of branches, filled with untold choices, unfolded before him, each representing a unique ability waiting to be acquired. The possibilities seemed boundless, like untouched marble brimming with potential before a sculptor.

As Vex delved into the traits trees, he noticed different categories labeled on each major branch: combat, magic, support, and crafting were at the top of a sizable list of options. His eyes widened with anticipation as he explored each category, discovering what seemed like a never-ending swath of possible builds.

In the combat section, Vex found traits like "Blade Dancer's Grace," promising increased agility in battle, and "Thunderous Strike," which added lightning damage to his attacks. He envisioned himself gracefully dancing amidst the chaos of a battlefield, each strike crackling with electrifying power.

Moving to the magic section, Vex marveled at traits such as "Elemental Conduit," which would allow him to perfectly harness and control elemental forces, and "Arcane Scholar," deepening his understanding of magical theory. Visions of manipulating fire, summoning storms, and unraveling arcane secrets filled his mind.

Within the support category, Vex discovered traits like "Inspiring Presence," which boosted the morale and abilities of allies, and "Master Medic," which would enhance his healing skills. He pictured himself leading a group into battle, inspiring them with his presence and tending to their wounds on the frontlines.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

In the crafting section, Vex found traits like "Master Blacksmith," which enabled him to turn his forged weapons and armor into artifacts, and "Alchemy Savant," which granted mastery-level knowledge of potion-making.

As Vex scrolled through the traits tree, he felt overwhelmed by the wide range of possible builds. He wished there was a way to choose every trait, but that seemed impossible.

However, an idea struck him - what if he became a summoner? That way, he could contract creatures and tap into their unique traits. Excitement filled Vex's heart as he considered the possibilities. Almost immediately, he searched through the traits tree, hoping to find summoner-specific abilities that would allow him to cheat the system a bit.

Unfortunately, most of the summoner traits seemed generic, offering bonuses to familiar creatures or enhancing their power. The traits enhanced abilities rather than guaranteed the diversity of his summoned creatures. However, as Vex was losing hope, he stumbled upon a branch of the trait tree called "Guildmaster's Dominion."

Within the Guildmaster's Dominion traits, Vex discovered various options for summoning specific creatures to assist his guild and act as a supplement to members. Each trait allowed him to call forth a different type of creature with unique abilities and specialties.

Vex carefully weighed the advantages of each summonable race, contemplating which would best suit his playstyle. His mind brimmed with possibilities as he considered the merits. Should he go for brute strength and choose the hulking Goliaths known for their powerful blows and unwavering resilience? Or perhaps he should opt for the agile and elusive Sylphs, masters of stealth and swift maneuvers?

Then, his attention turned to the Delphians, an ancient race of scholars said to possess profound wisdom and arcane knowledge. Their ability to cast potent spells and decipher mysterious texts could prove invaluable in smiting enemies and uncovering lost magical secrets.

But what about the Celestials? These beings radiated divine grace and ethereal beauty while also being renowned healers capable of restoring life. With them by his side, Vex could become an unstoppable force, keeping himself and his allies alive even in the most perilous battles.

Though each summonable race in the Guildmaster's Dominion trait branch offered unique advantages, they still felt limiting. Each race had its specialties, leaving little room for true diversity. Vex desired summonable creatures that could wield different powers.

As if sensing his frustration, the Guildmaster's Dominion traits slowly reorganized, bringing several selections to the top of the screen. At the start of the list was a summonable creature called Shadowlings. Intrigued, Vex chose the trait and read its description.

According to the relatively vague text, the summonable creatures were an ancient race of elusive shadow creatures known as Shadowlings, possessing unparalleled stealth and a connection to the realm of darkness. While vague, the description led Vex to believe that the summons would fall somewhere between being classified as an elemental or a demon. They were intelligent beings whose skills surpassed the role of being mere thieves or assassins, capable of learning all skills and spells common to humanoid races. Individual Shadowlings could even specialize further, unlocking unique traits and enhancing their skills as they grew.

Unfortunately, to utilize the Shadowling trait, Vex's character had to be a guild member and invest in various magical skills such as summoning magic, magical contracts, and ritual magic. Moreover, Shadowlings were vulnerable to light and relied on their summoner to unlock their full potential. Vex knew he would have to spend time honing his skills before the Shadowlings reached their true power.

Despite the disadvantages, excitement rushed through Vex's veins. The Shadowlings would suffer from a lack of immediate strength but could grow based on their summoner. Commanding an army of shadow creatures instilled Vex with cold, thrilling tingles. He imagined the countless possibilities that the Shadowlings presented. They seemed to call out to him, promising an entirely new level of strategic gameplay. With their stealth, he could orchestrate devastating surprise attacks, slipping through shadows like a phantom and instilling fear in the hearts of his enemies.

Recognizing that he needed the ability to establish a guild to unleash the potential of Shadowlings, Vex’s search focused on finding complementary traits to help him create and manage his guild. Luckily, he didn't have to look far, as the Guildmaster's Dominion branch offered parallel paths with a wide range of traits suited for this purpose.

One of the first traits that caught Vex's attention was "Guild Architect." Intrigued, he selected it, and a description unfolded before him. It spoke of the ability to construct guild halls, fortresses, and even entire cities. With this trait, Vex could shape the world around him, creating a home for his guild that would reflect their values and aspirations.

Another trait, the Master of Organization, ensured Vex would possess an innate ability to efficiently manage resources, streamline administrative tasks, and maximize the potential of his guild members. With this skill, he could establish a well-structured hierarchy within his guild, assigning specific roles and responsibilities to each member.

Unfortunately, none of these traits appealed to Vex. He didn't want to deal with other players or manage a guild. He preferred a more solitary experience where he could gather skills, build his power, and achieve his goals. The appeal of having the Shadowlings was being self-sufficient enough not to rely on others, let alone manage them.

Vex imagined scratching his head while pondering the dilemma. He didn't want the hassle of dealing with unpredictable players in a guild but still yearned for the power and versatility of the Shadowlings. It seemed like a difficult decision to make.

As Vex contemplated his dilemma, he felt a flicker of inspiration. He realized there might be a way to have the best of both worlds - harnessing the power of the Shadowlings without managing a regular guild. Determined, he delved deeper into the Guildmaster's Dominion trait tree in search of a solution. After what Vex felt was several hours, he found "Guild Domain (Mystical)." Intrigued, Vex selected the trait, and a description appeared.

The trait would create a pocket dimension within the guild master's soul or on an alternate plane based on the player's desires, traits, and world experience. The pocket dimension was a natural defense against intruders, limiting entrance to only those the guide master designated. As the owner of the new realm, Vex would be recognized by the system as the guild master. However, he still needed to construct a guild.

Unfortunately, the realm would also be tied to Vex, meaning it could be lost with his death. Considering his goals, Vex eventually decided this wasn't a true drawback. As with the Shadowlings, the trait required additional skills. Vex would also need to assign points to mysticism, planar scholarship, and guild management this time.

Deciding on two of his five traits, Vex wanted more abilities to complement his current path. After a focused search and far too much debate, he settled on three more Guildmaster's skills: One for All (Guild Dominion), Guild Acquisitions, and Ethereal Vaults (Guild Dominion).

Based on the traits' descriptions, looting and personal storage did not appear automatic in the game. Guild Acquisitions allowed guild members to loot corpses and research items. While the items would be destroyed, it created a recipe that skilled crafters with guild membership could use to recreate and improve upon a researched item. Ethereal Vaults, a strong counterpart, provided guild members access to personal and guild storage spaces, accessible from anywhere.

The final trait, One for All, was a gamble. Once a skill was maxed, the trait allowed guild members to keep gaining experience in the skill, which would automatically be shared with all other guild members. Vex hoped the Shadowlings' skills and traits worked similarly to his own. If so, he could share bits of experience to improve skills across the guild or enhance his own beyond the minimum required to acquire each specialized minion.

Eager to optimize his character for the summoning build, Vex moved to the skill trees. There, he discovered he needed more free points as they were already allocated based on his life experience up to the age of twenty-six. Thankfully, he could reallocate skill points. However, he soon hit a roadblock—at twenty-six, Vex didn't have enough points available.

"Wait a minute," Vex mentally murmured with mischief in his eyes. "I might have a loophole." What if increasing his age would grant him access to more skills acquired later in life? It was worth a shot. With a quick toggle back to his age, Vex mentally held down the up arrow and the number on the screen until his age rose to 90. When he hit confirm, a bone-chilling cold trickled into his core. His consciousness, not to be left out, was dimming with a sudden fog as a creeping unease replaced the excitement within him.

"What's happening?" Vex mentally stammered, panic gripping his heart. Fear drove his every thought as he desperately tried to reclaim his skill points and revert his age to twenty-six.

The fog of his consciousness thickened, making it nearly impossible to focus on the screen. Swirling around him, it obscured his vision and chilled him to the bone. Vex fought against it, determined to reclaim his points.

The cold was seeping deeper into his bones, sapping away his strength with every passing moment. Mentally, he did his best to remain focused on clicking and reclaiming all points that may or may not exist. After several agonizing moments, Vex felt something click. Hoping it was his reclaimed skill points, his sole focus became setting his age back to twenty-six as the world around him faded into darkness.

For an unknowable amount of time, Vex plunged into a void of nothingness, where time seemed suspended, and his existence felt almost nonexistent. Moments stretched into eternity, and just as Vex's spark of consciousness had nearly dwindled, a faint glimmer of light pierced through the darkness. It grew brighter and more radiant, calling out to him like a beacon of salvation. Vex reached out towards it, feeling warmth return to his body as he gravitated towards the light.

With a final burst of determination, Vex found himself blearily staring back at his age, which was again set to twenty-six. A sign of relief escaped him as he felt the frosty grip on his soul receding, leaving Vex panting in relief. "That... that was too close," he whispered, his voice shaking from the lingering cold.

Refocusing on his character sheet, Vex felt satisfied and excited. He had managed to keep all of his skill points. Grinning with anticipation, he prepared to buy the unique set of skills that aligned with his desired play style.

"Time to spend it all," Vex murmured, purchasing skills based on his trait priority. Each addition flooded his mind with knowledge. Images of commanding people's attention or deciphering complex contracts filled his thoughts.

"I'm starting to feel...smart," Vex mused. The sensation of having so much knowledge at his fingertips was exhilarating.

But as he assigned skill points, Vex realized the cost of his build. It had taken a lifetime of skill points to afford these abilities, and practical skills like cooking and camping now seemed like distant memories.

"What a trade-off," Vex mentally muttered, running a hand through his nonexistent hair.

"Alright, let's finish this up." Vex's mind raced as he finalized the skills for each trait he had meticulously chosen earlier. His chosen path was anything but ordinary, and he reveled in that fact. "Guild Domain (Mystical), Guild Summon (Shadowlings), One for All (Guild Dominion), Ethereal Vaults (Guild Dominion), and Guild Acquisitions. Perfect."

After purchasing the final planned skill, Vex felt a tingling sensation wash over him. He looked down at his character sheet and saw a class title had been added. In bold, shimmering letters, it read: "Ersatz Guildmaster."

Excitement bubbled over as Vex envisioned commanding his future guild summons from a cozy office in his pocket dimension. He wanted this life—the life he had chosen for himself. It was unconventional for an adventurer, but that made it all the more enticing. He savored the quiet satisfaction of forging his path and defying convention.

With one final glance at his character sheet, Vex knew there was no turning back. This was his destiny, chosen by him alone. And he was ready to face it head-on—alongside his soon-to-be-summoned guild of Shadowlings, of course.

"Alright, world. Let's see what you've got," he mentally muttered with a determined grin.

As the screen faded, darkness enveloped Vex, swallowing up the last lingering traces of his old life. He felt his disembodied consciousness adrift in the void as a new wave of mental fog drifted in. Then, just as before, Vex's awareness grew cold and faded into nothingness.