"Each participant has unrestricted access to the rooms you saw on the way over, except for the maintenance and staff quarters.”, Cara said in her usual bubbly voice, snapping James out of his awe.

“The only exception is during security emergencies, then you will be confined to your room for your own safety. Don’t worry, though, we have some super strong security guards!”, she continued.

“Wait.”, James stopped her. “Security emergencies? Like someone invading the building? Is that really a concern you guys have?”

The smile Cara sent his way irked him, it was as if she were looking at a naive child.

“Well, we have technology in the building that could revolutionize the world. It would be stranger if there wasn’t anyone trying to steal it, right?”

James was taken aback. He hadn’t seen anything like this in the contract. Wait, no, there was one part.

‘Participants will not hold DGS responsible for any mental or physical trauma gained related to the device being tested.’

He had assumed that part was to make sure people didn’t sue the company for the pain or experiences they had in the virtual world. Now, James wasn’t quite as sure.

“Other companies you mean? Wouldn’t the government stop them?”, James asked incredulously.

Cara gave that same smile again. It was really starting to get on James’ nerves. It made him feel small, like he was starting to get in over his head.

“James... What do you think this kind of technology could mean for the country if they got ahold of it? A completely virtual space where time runs three times slower. A place where you could train soldiers without them getting hurt, where scientists could work with any of the materials they could need, where weapons could be tested without harming the environment. It would change things, James.”

Was this woman serious? She was telling him the government would likely try to attack? This was getting way to heavy for James. A few months ago he was just a cripple who liked video games, now he was suddenly part of some kind of worldwide conspiracy?

He took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

‘This is so I can walk. So I can walk, jump, run. So I can be normal. I can handle this. It’s just a puny government, DGS should have no problem right? Yeah... Got nothing to worry about. They’ve held the technology for this long, they should be able to keep me safe at least...’, he reassured himself.

“I... See. But, if there’s so much risk, why haven’t I seen any guards? I really doubt a few thick doors could stop them if they’re serious about getting in here.”

“Heehee! There are actually lots of guards, you’re looking at one right now!”, Cara pointed at herself proudly.

James raised an eyebrow and looked at her doubtfully. “... You?”

She nodded rapidly, and said, “Yep! Every assistant is an expert in at least two martial arts, and proficient in most firearms. I’m a black belt in Muay Thai and Aikido!”

She put a hand on her waist and gave a thumbs up, smiling widely at him.

“But, enough about all that, just leave the security to us! Wouldn’t you like to learn a bit more about the game?”

James acquitted reluctantly. He would have liked to know a bit more about the security, but she seemed confident enough.

“Alright, let’s start with the stat system.”

She had gotten the drop on him in the cafeteria, but now he wouldn’t let her go without thoroughly drilling her about the game.

She cleared her throat cutely, and adopted a pose like a teacher about to give a lecture.

“Stats in Dimos are very similar to those from retro role playing games. You’ve got your six starting stats, which are Strength, Agility, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Luck!

The stats are just as you’d expect, Strength affects your lifting capacity and spontaneous exertion, Agility your overall speed and stamina, Dexterity your hand-eye coordination and accuracy, Intelligence your calculation speed and mana pool size, Wisdom your ability to make decisions and connections, and your mana regeneration, Luck your, well, luck.”

“Wait, this came can affect how your brain works?”, James cut in.

“Yes, but there’s no need to worry. If we were going to use this for malicious purposes, we wouldn’t be able to sell it now would we? Besides, the human mind has an innate ability to resist outside influences.”, she reassured him.

“Now, continuing on, these main stats are the basis of your character. There are hundreds of unique hidden stats in the game world that you can gain access to by completing certain quests or doing certain actions. I won’t go into too much detail on these hidden stats, but I assure you they are a huge part of the game and will affect your character’s strength greatly.”

She paused to make sure James had understood everything, and at his prompt, she continued.

“Now, while stats are very important, true strength will come from your class. Classes are essentially your profession in the game. There are combat classes, crafting classes, and everything in between. Classes will give small to large boost to stats relating to the class, and will give skills every five levels of the class.

Now, class levels are different from your character level. While you get stat points every level of your character, you get class points every class level. Class points can be used to be perks relating your class and even stat boots.

For example, you reach level 5 in blacksmithing. You get the skill ‘Precision Strike’, and have amassed 5 class points. You then spend 4 class points to buy the perk ‘Copper Specialty’, increasing your ability to use copper to create things. With your last point, your buy a 1% increase in your Dexterity.

Now, don’t worry if you get a class you don’t want. While your primary class, which will always be a combat class, cannot be changed, you have two other class slots which you can switch out for other classes. Your secondary class will gain half the experience compared to your primary, and your tertiary class will gain a third.”

“The final thing you’ll need to know before you go in is the race bonuses. Basically, no matter what race you pick, your starting stats will be 10. However, that does not mean there is no advantage to choosing a particular race. Each of the main races has bonuses to class advancement and abilities. For example, if you choose to become an elf, you will level magical classes slightly faster than non magic oriented races. Your class will also give more stat increases.”

The lesson sounded well rehearsed, and James doubted she had come up with it all on the spot. Most likely the other participants were hearing the same thing right then.

Cara put her finger on her chin thoughtfully. “Hmmm, I think that’s about all I can give you in terms of stats and classes. Most of the other stuff I’m s’posed to let you figure out on your own.”

James nodded and said, “That’s fine. More than I expected considering the secrecy up to this point. So, when do I get to go in?”

Cara grinned and clapped happily. “Right now! Just place your hand on the black pad and it will open up!”

James walked over and did as instructed. The pad flashed green and gave a happy little beeping sound, and there was a hiss of air. A seam appeared just above the pad, and the whole top flipped up, revealing the interior of the device.

It actually looked quite comfortable. There was ample cushioning on every side, and even a small pillow where the head should rest. A silvery helmet on a hydraulic stick hung just behind the pillow, which James assumed was the device that would tap into his mind.

He turned back to Cara, and hesitantly asked, “I just... Climb in?”

“Yep! Once it senses you’re inside, the lid will close and after a quick scan, you’ll be sent right to Dimos!”, Cara told him brightly.

James turned back to the device and swallowed nervously. Despite his resolutions, he was still nervous. What if it turned him into a mindless slave or something? Cara herself said it could affect the brain to make it do things.

James gave himself a mental slap. Thinking of ‘what if’s like those would do him no good.

Ignoring the ominous feeling that he was climbing into his own coffin, James made his way inside. Since he couldn’t well haul himself in with his emancipated arms, he leaned over the side and just let gravity do the work, rolling his body into position.

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When he got himself settled, there was a familiar hiss of air and the lid began closing. Simultaneously, he felt the helmet position itself over his head.

Just before the lid closed and he was sent into darkness, he heard Cara call out, “Have fun, and good hunting!”

Then, the lid was closed and he was alone.

A few short, tense moments went by as he waited for something, anything to happen. And then he was asleep.

And found himself in another world.

James lay there for a moment, admiring the new sky above him. A few lazy clouds drifted by. A flock of birds flew gracefully above him. Judging by the light, it was daytime, but for the life of him James couldn’t find the sun anywhere.

He sat up and cautiously looked around. He had apparently been transported to a grassy plain that seemed to stretch on forever. Way off in the horizon, he could make out a long range of snow capped mountains, though they looked like houses from the distance.

There didn’t appear to be anything but him in the area, so he took a minute just to admire the sheer reality of the place.

A gentle breeze blew across the grass, making it wave in intricate patterns, and bringing with it the sweet smell of fresh air, a scent sorely missed in the urban sprawl James was from.

He looked down at his hand. A small earthworm had found itself onto his knuckles, its gentle squirming tickling the skin faintly.

He dug his other hand into the ground, pulling out a clump of rich grass and loamy soil. He rolled it between his fingers, feeling the texture of the dirt and plant matter splitting apart.

“Incredible...”, he muttered.

“Isn’t it?”, a soft feminine voice called out from behind him.

Surprised, James turned quickly, causing his back to pop sharply. He winced. Yep, that hurt.

More carefully, he rose to his feet and turned to the speaker.

He found himself standing a few meters away from a goddess.

That was the only way to describe her. She was incredibly beautiful, like the best artists of any time had come together to create a masterpiece, and then it breathed.

She had soft blonde hair like morning sunlight that splayed around her back and shoulders in gentle curls. It framed a face that held no marks or imperfections, and was perfectly symmetrical. Mellow brown eyes stared across at him, eyes you could stare into for hours.

She wore a flowing pristine white toga that was cut in such a way that it accentuated her curves masterfully. Normally a conservative robe, the toga was transformed into a beautiful dress that fit the woman perfectly.

For a few moments, James simply stared dumbstruck.

She smiled with her luscious lips understandably, and spoke.

“This is my world, Dimos, I am glad you enjoy it so. My name is Vitae, and I welcome you.”

“Uhhhh. T-thanks.”, James said, still shell shocked by her beauty.

Vitae held a dainty hand up to her mouth and giggled cutely. James felt as if his heart would explode right there.

“I suppose that is the normal reaction to meeting a goddess. I apologize if I caused you any discomfort.”, she said.

“Uh, no, no! It’s okay, don’t worry!”, James waved his hands frantically to try to assuage her worries, his cheeks burning in embarrassment.

“That is good.”, she smiled at him happily.

James swallowed nervously, and said, “So... You said you’re a goddess? Are you here to help me with my character creation?”

“Character creation...”, she tasted the phrase thoughtfully.

“Hmmm, yes, I suppose that is an accurate description. You will be designing your avatar for the mortal realm here. First though, I’d like to know a little bit more about you”, she pointed a finger at him playfully.

“M-me?!”, James asked, surprised.

“That’s right. You’re the first world traveller that I’ve met. There will be more of you coming soon, no?”

“A-ah, that’s right. So that’s what you meant.” James was somewhat disappointed. “Well, ask away then, I guess. I’m not in any particular hurry.” He was starting to get used to her. At least he wasn’t stuttering every second word anymore.

Besides, by the way she was acting, she was probably an AI that DGS created for the game.

Vitae smiled widely at him, showing off perfect white teeth. “Thank you! Then, first of all, who are you world travellers? Why do you come?”

“Why? Well... For entertainment, I suppose. Or escape. There’s a lot of reasons someone might want to come here. For me, it’s freedom. My other body is crippled, I can’t walk or even move normally, so I’ve come here to do so.”

Vitae looked thoughtful. “I see... You seem to be telling the truth.”

She stood there for a moment, muttering for herself. “Entertainment... Heh, I see...”

“Then, would you like to design your avatar now?”, she asked him politely.

“Eh, that’s it?”, James asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yes. If what you say is true, then my other questions will be answered in due time.”

“Ah, well, alright. What do I need to do?”, James asked.

“First you must choose your race.”, Vitae told him.

She waved her arms behind her, and like a line of shirts at a dry cleaner’s, a large line of figures slid up behind her. James could see all manner of creatures in the line; dwarves, elementals, beastmen, and even more incredible options. A few weren’t even humanoid. To the far right James could see what looked like a giant spider with a human torso where the head should be, next to a centaur and a naga.

“Erm, well, these all look incredible and all, but I think I’d like to stick with human. I think I’d have enough trouble learning how to use my regular limbs, I don’t want to have to deal with any extras.”, he said to her.

“Very well.”, she said shortly, and waved her arms again. Every figure except one turned to smoke and disappeared. The remaining figure, a human shape that looked sort of like a mannequin, moved up in front of him and morphed into his visage.

It was a bit like looking into a mirror, but weirder.

“The next step is to choose your appearance. You may choose anything about yourself, but keep in mind that physical abilities are determined entirely by your stats.”

“Ah, well, there’s no need to change anything. I’m fine with what I look like.”, James said.

Immediately after, he stopped her, saying, “No, wait! I... I guess I’d like a little bit more muscle? And make me a few inches taller.”, he asked sheepishly.

Vitae nodded in understandingly, and the James figure increased in size a bit. Now he looked normal, and not emancipated in the slightest.

Gaining a little more confidence at the sight, James also requested that she remove a few imperfections from his face; a mole here, a few freckles there.

In the end, he was left with a somewhat taller (about 5’11”), more handsome version of himself.

James nodded, happy with the changes, and said, “Alright, that should be good. Thanks!”

“It is my duty.”, Vitae told him shortly.

“As a human, your relationship with the human faction will be automatically friendly, while your relationship with the beastmen is hated, and all other factions neutral. You will begin in the human nation of Austira, in the capital city Leudenshire. Humans gain slight proficiency in technological crafting and melee weapon classes. As a world traveller, all of your stats will be defaulted to 10. You begin with 100 health, stamina and mana.”, she explained.

Briefly, James considered the reason the relationship with the beastmen could be hated. A common scenario came to mind of humans enslaving the demi’s for labour and... More R rated work.

“Are you ready to take your first steps into the world?”, Vitae asked him.

James took a moment to consider, going over everything that had happened. He didn’t want any screw ups.

After a few moments, he nodded affirmatively. “Yes.”

The world turned white.