The world of Hexamia suddenly enveloped me, hitting with such force that it nearly knocked the wind out of me. The transition from the real world to the virtual one was so abrupt that my stomach flipped, as if I had skipped a meal and devoured a stack of pancakes all at once. My senses were overwhelmed: my eyes assaulted by an almost blinding light, my ears filled with the hiss of wind and the echo of something distant, yet somehow too close. I tried to grasp onto something familiar, but Hexamia was not a place for familiarity. After that jump into the unknown, the ground beneath my feet finally felt solid, but something was… off. Something I couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was my brain knowing I wasn’t supposed to be here, or perhaps it was just the vertigo that hit me all at once. "I’m going to throw up," I thought.

Bending forward, expecting the usual wave of nausea, what came out was a… rainbow? Yeah, a freaking rainbow. “Okay, that’s new,” I muttered to myself, trying to regain composure. The ground beneath my feet was green, as vibrant as freshly cut grass in a cartoon. The perfection of it all was almost unnerving—every leaf, every blade of grass seemed meticulously crafted. I looked around, trying to figure out where I had landed. Rolling green hills stretched into the distance, interrupted only by what seemed to be a small human settlement, with structures that combined futuristic and traditional materials, almost in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature.

"Hey, how's it going? Already threw up?" Roy’s voice startled me. It was in my head—literally. No need to speak, yet his voice rang clear as if he were standing right next to me. I froze for a second, confused. I hadn’t opened my mouth. How the hell was this possible? "Roy… how are we communicating without speaking?!" I asked, trying to control the rising panic. This was insane, but somehow, it worked.

Roy chuckled. "Ah, I told you, didn’t I? We’re talking mentally. It’s one of the monitoring system’s features. I can communicate with you directly, without using my voice, like a telepathic channel. Convenient, right?" He acted like it was no big deal, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, but to me, it felt surreal.

"So, now that we can talk mentally… if I think about… a pretty girl, you can hear it?" I asked, embarrassed, trying to understand the limits of this new form of communication. The idea that Roy could read my every thought didn’t sit well with me.

Roy burst out laughing, breaking the tension. "No, genius, I can’t read your mind! It’s just an open channel for talking, like a private chat. Relax, your dirty thoughts about Guenda are safe."

"Guenda?" I asked, trying to recall the name. But Roy quickly shifted the conversation, diving into the basics of what I was experiencing.

"Okay, listen, as I said before, the game’s still in alpha, so there might be glitches or bugs. If you notice anything weird, let me know immediately. I can see what’s happening around you within a ten-meter radius, but I can’t do much more. The monitoring system I’m using is limited. But if you have questions, fire away. I’ve got some notes from the training I went through in the first few days." His voice, though distant, carried a hint of excitement. I could tell how thrilled he was that we were in this world together, even if he wasn’t physically present.

I let my gaze wander across the landscape again. The view before me was breathtaking. It wasn’t just visually stunning—I could feel the wind brushing against my skin, the warmth of the sun on my face, and even a faint scent of pine mixed with something sweeter, like wild honey. It was all so damn real. I furrowed my brow, reminding myself that it was just a game, an illusion.

Just as I was getting used to the strange sensation of being inside a simulated world, a voice behind me made me jump. "Hi, you must be Ekla! Right?" I spun around, and there stood a woman. An interface hovering above her head displayed the name: ‘Guenda’. She appeared as a young woman, with a look clearly designed to put new players at ease: blonde bob haircut, pink holographic glasses, and an outfit that blended modernity with an adventurous spirit. There was something impeccable about her—perhaps too perfect.

"Great, I haven’t even fully gotten into character, and you’re already asking questions!" I said to Guenda, who responded with a puzzled look. I felt the ground vibrate slightly beneath my feet.

Roy interrupted sharply in my head, “Ah! I forgot to tell you, but it’s crucial: you must stay in character at all times! You can’t make any references to our reality or talk outside your character. No metagaming, except for our telepathic communication. The game will detect it, and it’s not allowed. The entire world, including AIs like Guenda, learns from our interactions, so you need to speak and act as if you’re truly an adventurer from this world. Got it?”

"Okay, captain, sorry. Got it!" I replied to Roy. We were here for a specific mission, and the last thing I wanted was to mess things up for him.

"I don’t know if I mentioned it before, but this is Guenda," Roy said in my head, with a more relaxed tone. "She’s your personal tutorial. She’ll explain everything."

I looked up at Guenda, trying to seem focused, and gave her a smile.

“Welcome to Hexamia, a vibrant world full of mysteries,” Guenda began, her tone calm and assured. “This world is in a delicate balance, and you, as a MonMaster, will have the task of restoring its stability.”

I arched my right eyebrow and puffed out my chest, trying to pull off the most heroic expression I could muster.

“I’m Guenda, and I’m here to help you take your first steps in the world of Hexamia,” she said with enthusiasm. Her tone was polite and professional, but at the same time, it felt overly scripted.

“She sounds like she just stepped out of a breakfast cereal commercial, doesn’t she? Perfect, too perfect,” Roy mused dreamily in my ear.

Guenda continued explaining. “Hexamia is not just a world to explore, but also a land at war. The human cities, protected by ancient technologies, are few and scattered. Most of the land is dominated by the wild, where powerful and mysterious creatures known as MonMonster live, creatures you can bond with.”

“MonMonster?” I asked, pretending not to already know the answer.

“Yes, Ekla,” Guenda continued, her expression bright with enthusiasm. “MonMonster are creatures that can not only fight alongside you but also influence the world around you. Each MonMonster has unique abilities that you’ll discover only by interacting with them. Abilities that you, too, can use as you see fit.”

“So my job is to catch these creatures, right?” I asked.

“Not just that,” Guenda replied with a smile. “You must bond with them. Every MonMaster has the ability to form a special connection with MonMonster, based on trust and cooperation. It’s the only way to learn from them and fight in synergy.”

“Basically, if you level them up, they get stronger, and you learn new abilities too,” Roy chimed in quickly.

Even though I was clearly distracted, Guenda kept going, undeterred. “Only MonMasters, like you, have the ability to sync with MonMonster and use them in battles to defend our cities.”

I nodded, trying to appear attentive, though Guenda’s overly formal tone was making me want to yawn. “So, I’m the chosen one, right?” I asked sarcastically, fully aware of the classic narrative trope found in 99% of these games.

Guenda didn’t catch the joke and carried on. “Yes, exactly. You’re one of the few humans capable of syncing with MonMonster. Your purpose is to catch them, train them, and use them to protect Hexamia from threats. Every MonMaster has important responsibilities toward the world and the MonMonster themselves.”

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“Okay, Guenda… got it! What’s the next step?” I asked, eager to skip all the talking and get to the action.

Guenda moved with purpose toward what appeared to be a small fortress not too far from us. “Follow me, I’ll take you to the Karkiff outpost, where we train and study the MonMonster.”

I didn’t need to be told twice and quickly followed her.

“Hexamia is a living world,” Guenda continued as we walked down the path. “Every action you take has consequences. Every choice you make will affect not only you and your MonMonster but also the balance of the world itself.”

“Fantastic, so if I screw up, I ruin everything?” I asked with a sarcastic tone.

“Exactly,” Guenda answered, still smiling. “If your bond with the MonMonster, and with us, is strong, you’ll be able to face the challenges ahead. But if you fail… well, the future of our world could be at risk.”

“Yeah, like she knows you’ll be out of here in an hour and she’ll never see you again,” Roy joked in my head. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

As we walked along the path, I found myself taking in the breathtaking scenery. The air had a sweet fragrance—again, that mix of pine and wildflowers that made everything feel oddly real. I wondered how it was possible for the senses to be simulated so accurately in a virtual world. Even the wind brushing against my face felt authentic.

“Wow, this is incredible. It’s almost… too real,” I said mentally to Roy as I walked.

“I know, it’s crazy. But remember, it’s still in alpha. Things could get weird at any moment. If something feels off or wrong, let me know so I can log it,” Roy replied in a professional tone.

We finally arrived at the outpost. The structures were a perfect fusion of gleaming metal and natural materials, almost as if technology had seamlessly integrated with the environment. The walls seemed alive, with thin roots intertwining with the metal, and large holographic screens projecting images of creatures being trained.

Guenda led us to a clearing where a large holographic screen displayed images of MonMonster in battle. “Battles here are not like the ones you’re used to. You’re not just a commander—you’re on the front lines. You’ll fight alongside your MonMonster, and together, you’ll have to defeat your opponents. But it won’t be easy: there are other factions of MonMasters, each with their own goals and strategies.”

I stopped, watching the screen. The images showed MonMasters issuing commands while fighting side by side with their creatures. So I’d have to fight too, in person? My pupils widened, and a huge grin spread across my face.

Guenda continued walking, listing the types of battles I’d be facing. “Challenges in Hexamia come in various forms. You’ll be able to fight wild MonMonster to gain experience, defend cities from enemy attacks, or even challenge other MonMasters in one-on-one combat. And of course, there are the Ancients, the most powerful creatures in Hexamia, which will require precise strategy and strong alliances.”

We stopped in front of a massive observation tower. “Now it’s time to talk about how the relationship between MonMaster and MonMonster begins!” Guenda said as she entered, gesturing for me to follow her.

Step by step, I listened attentively to everything Guenda was saying until I found myself on the top floor of the tower. The view from up here was breathtaking. The entire outpost unfolded below me like a living map, with walls covered in metallic vines and silver-barked trees growing everywhere. However, what really caught my attention was a massive transparent dome that seemed to contain an entire ecosystem. From here, I could see everything.

“That’s the Biosphere, a kind of paradise where they raise MonMonster,” Roy explained telepathically, with his usual textbook enthusiasm. “Get ready, because this will be part of your challenge.”

I paused for a moment, taking in the scene. It was all so... realistic. Every creature, every habitat seemed alive, pulsing with energy. “Let the challenge begin,” I thought, a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling up inside me.

I realized Guenda was staring at me in silence. When our eyes met, she resumed from where she left off. “Welcome to the Karkiff outpost observation tower. Here, you’ll learn about the fundamental tools for your adventure: the Omnigron and the Quantum Pack.”

She pointed to my wrist, where a sleek bracelet with a small display read, New location unlocked. It was the Omnigron. “This advanced tool will allow you to capture MonMonster during battles. It also shows your health status, the status of the MonMonster you control, and contains a series of useful tools for your adventure. You’ll discover them along the way.”

“Wow! Does it also track sleep?” I thought, as Roy let out a telepathic chuckle.

Guenda continued, unfazed by my distraction. “At your command, the Omnigron emits energy that envelops the MonMonster you want to capture, but beware: it only works on creatures that are already weakened. If you try to use it on a fully powered MonMonster, the system could overload, leaving you vulnerable.”

“Wait, if I don’t weaken the MonMonster enough, the Omnigron overloads? Fantastic, a bracelet that explodes if I mess up,” I commented to Roy.

“Well, it doesn’t explode exactly... but it does leave you stuck for a few minutes. Think of it as a cooldown for an ability that needs to recharge,” Roy clarified.

Guenda pressed on with the technical details. “The light lasso emitted from the Omnigron not only surrounds the creature but also indicates the capture status. When the MonMonster is weakened enough, the light will change color and intensity, signaling that you can activate the Quantum Pack to complete the capture.”

I jumped at the explanation. “Wait, wait… Light lasso? So, basically, this is a magical version of a rodeo!”

“Well, in a way, yeah,” Roy responded with a laugh, as I tried to imagine myself capturing giant monsters by throwing a glowing lasso.

Guenda led us toward a panel that opened to reveal a series of high-tech backpacks. “This is the Quantum Pack,” she said solemnly, pointing to one of the units. “It stores captured MonMonster by transforming them into energy. However, the Quantum Pack has a limit: it can only carry four MonMonster at a time.”

Roy added, “Max four MonMonster on the go with you. But for our mission, you’ll probably only need one.”

Guenda continued, “The Quantum Pack is more than just a container. Once MonMonster are inside, you can either keep them active or in stasis. Initially, you can only have one active outside the Quantum Pack, with the other three in stasis. It’s up to you to decide which ones to bring into battle and which to keep in reserve.”

“Okay… sounds like the usual limited slot structure… nothing new here,” I reassured Roy.

Guenda added, with a hint of caution in her voice, “Keep in mind that the Quantum Pack also has a cooldown. You can’t capture MonMonster in quick succession without overloading the system. The same applies to summoning MonMonster already inside. So plan your captures carefully, Ekla.”

“Especially when dealing with packs of MonMonster. And, please, no ‘in-and-out’ spam,” Roy emphasized. I was beginning to understand the game’s strategic depth.

“Now that you understand the Omnigron and Quantum Pack, it’s time for a practical demonstration. You’ll need to choose your first MonMonster and capture it,” Guenda said as she pulled a lever.

“Oh, finally some action,” I thought, eager to test these tools.

Several large panels on the wall in front of me lifted to reveal three towering, life-sized MonMonster statues. They were massive, their imposing figures suddenly dominating the room. Each statue represented an intimidating creature, sculpted with painstaking detail. Even though they were only replicas, they seemed almost alive. My jaw dropped.

Guenda turned to me, keeping her usual calm and professional tone. “These are the three MonMonster we raise here, and you’ll choose one for your first capture. You’ll need to go to the Biosphere, face them in battle, and demonstrate your skill with the Omnigron to capture one and make it your traveling companion.”

I glanced upward, as if trying to look at Roy. A shiver ran down my spine. “Wait a second… I’m supposed to fight these things? With what army, exactly?” I joked, masking my growing anxiety.

Roy chuckled in my head. “Come on, relax! These raised MonMonster are much less aggressive and dangerous than the wild ones. Think of them as… pets. Just bigger and angrier.”

I tried not to imagine myself getting squashed by one of these giants, but it wasn’t easy. Guenda, with her serene calm, continued, “Your strength and cunning will be put to the test. Not only will you need to capture one of them, but you’ll also have to prove you can control them in battle.”

I took a deep breath. “Well, great. Can’t wait.”

Guenda pointed toward the entrance to the Biosphere, located outside the tower. A sense of inevitability washed over me. My next step was right there, waiting for me, and those monstrous statues would become my destiny.

“Ready to see what really awaits you?” Roy asked, his tone making it clear the real game was just about to begin.

“Let’s dance!” I replied, my eyes fixed on the entrance to the Biosphere.