The federation government panicked. News went out to all media stations. The Virtual World had to be organized. Emergency plans were rolled out to tighten security and start the recruitment of players.
Even the surrounding alien races showed similar reactions.
However, Liam didn’t know about any of that. He calmly sat in his training room until a green light lit up on his VR console.
“Is it time?”
Liam pressed a button on the lower part of his console. A shock ran through his body. Liam was used to this feeling, his mind growing tired.
Closing his eyes he suddenly found himself in a black void.
“Welcome, Player, to Fate of Crunaboul.”
C’s mechanical voice rang out accompanied by festive music. The world changed, placing Liam in a closed room.
A fireplace nearby spent a comfortable warmth. Strange items floated above small displays.
A colorful flower emitted a comfortable smell, luring a fly to come close. As soon as the insect was within reach, the flower suddenly shot out web like a spider, swallowing up its prey.
An artful grandfather clock ticked slowly, its pendulum swinging in a hypnotic rhythm.
Liam let out a smile as he scanned the room. He recognized it.
This was the room of Vasily, one of humanity’s most famous mages.
“Player, a fascinating world filled with ancient myths, famous warriors, and powerful magic awaits you.
But a few prep…”
“Ok, C. We both know that I need no introductions. Can we get to character creation?”
[…]
[…]
[Ew Othb Wnko…!]
“What? Are you… swearing?”
“… a few preparations have to be completed.”
“Let me introduce myself. I am C, the omnipotent AI making sure your gaming experience will be fair as well as fun.
The world of Crunaboul was designed by me. If you find some glaring mistakes, please report them any time.
Next, some basics.
Player, please open your status. To do so think ‘Status’ in your head.”
Liam rolled his eyes.
Status.
>>> <<<
Name:
Liam
Level:
1
Race:
N/A
Class:
N/A
Primary Attributes:
STR:
5
INT:
5
AGI:
5
HP:
27
Mana:
11
(show more)
>>> <<<
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Great. You should now be able to see your most important stats.
Your Primary attributes will be STR = strength, INT = intelligence, and AGI = agility.
All your combat relevant attributes, including health and mana will be derived from them, as well as from your secondary attributes.
Now, please press (show more).”
Liam was impatient, a new window already in front of his eyes.
>>> <<<
Secondary Attributes:
PRES:
5
MRES:
5
DEX:
5
CONST:
5
HASTE:
5
SRC:
5
(show more)
>>> <<<
“These are your secondary attributes. You have physical and magical resistance, dexterity, constitution, haste, and source.
Together with your main attributes those dictate the strengths and weaknesses of your character.
With each level up you will always be able to allocate at least three points to your main attributes and four to your secondary attributes.
There are also tertiary attributes, but you can’t influence them directly. If you want to take a look at them, you should by now be able to figure it out by yourself.
On top of that some attributes exist which can only be gained through equipment, skill, titles, etc., for example elemental damage and elemental defense.”
At this point C fell silent to give the player some time to think. However, Liam naturally already knew everything C was telling him and more.
He noticed for example that C didn’t mention the two hidden stats Luck and Charisma.
“Player, do you have any more questions for me?”
“No, thank you.”
“Great then let me help you in creating your character.”
Suddenly a large mirror appeared before Liam. A handsome young man, too thin from years of not eating enough, with short black hair, confident blue eyes, long legs, and high cheekbones looked back at him.
Liam already resembled the elves in the game, safe for the characteristic pointed ears.
He tilted his head upwards, looking at the portraits which had appeared together with the mirror.
Seven big frames showed the main playable races in Crunaboul. Next to them hung multiple smaller ones, their pictures blurry just to tease the players.
“Player. All these portraits show the proud races of Crunaboul. Do you want me to introduce them to you?”
Liam already recognized the races as a glance.
The proud elves, resilient humans, savage orcs, tenacious dwarfs, righteous godspawn, chaotic infernals, and torn nephilim.
Even some of the blurry pictures couldn’t hide their secrets in front of him.
“No, th…”
But suddenly Liam stopped himself.
It might be wise to make sure nothing changed from the past. Let’s go for a quick test.
“C, please show me the human race.”
Without a sound all portraits vanished, only the one depicting a human emperor remaining. It enlarged, separating into three pieces in the process.
“Humans are separated into three distinct groups. Should I int…”
“Show me the Tarraner, please.”
After Liam spoke, his vision changed. It was like watching a movie from a bird-eye view. Humans built mighty ships, leaving their homes to explore the fabled main continent.
Even C’s voice changed to a deep, male voice giving a short introduction about the Tarraner:
“Tired of constant fights against the merfolk, human ancestors crossed the ocean to search for peaceful lands. But they only found war-torn plains and various races. With incredible resilience and a huge population humans spread across the land, soon founding cities and empires throughout most of Crunaboul.”
Returning to the earlier room, Liam nodded slightly.
Still the same.
Receiving conformation Liam decided to continue with his original plan.
In his past life he started a few characters but played most of his time as an elven hunter.
However, Liam never considered choosing the same combination again. It didn’t bring him any excitement to play the class he knew like the back of his hand.
No, the young man had his own considerations.
In my past life a certain class was considered the most difficult in the later stages of the game. I hope it can prove challenging…
“C, show me the nephilim.”
The earlier process repeated itself, leaving behind a large frame showing three groups of nephilim.
“Original nephilim, please.”
The world changed again. A few blurry figures appeared. They didn’t dare to show their faces as they made a pact with an arrogant devil-like being.
A moment later these figures could be seen bowing towards an angel emitting righteous light, forming another contract.
Time moved on and the nephilim appeared in the form of beautiful beings resembling humans or elves but carrying even some characteristics of other races. Behind their backs they proudly showed a pair of feathery wings half black and half white.
"The original Nephilim, considered a mistake of nature by some, are an unholy mix of Godspawn and Infernals. Yet they are allowed to wield holy magic as well as dark magic seamlessly. Only since hell has been invaded are the nephilim's dark powers cut off. Still, to the displeasure of many, this arrogant race refuses to swear off their dark side."
Liam nodded, satisfied with his choice.
“Player, do you want to know more about the original nephilim?”
“Show me.”
“Nephilim race: Walking between light and dark.
Grants additional defense against light and dark magic based on level.
Original Nephilim: Tricking gods and devils
Additional holy magic damage: 15%
Additional dark magic damage: 5%
Will bonus: 15%
Malus in HP regeneration
Are you ready to make your choice, player?”
Liam scanned the information quickly. Nephilim was an interesting race. The player had to be able to use holy and dark magic skillfully.
A good player could use the combination to deal a lot of extra damage while a bad player might negate his own spells.
Additionally, original nephilim started with the will stat, which reduced the duration of all non-physical crowd control, its physical equivalent being control.
“C. I choose to be an original nephilim.”
“Accepted. Please adjust your look to your liking in the next step, player.”
Liam looked at the mirror where multiple instructions popped up.
In his old life he was a pro player. Naturally, he kept his original appearance.
But now he wasn’t interested in fame.
Liam knew he would never be short of money as long as he played the game. This was enough to afford himself, his sister, and even his friends a good life.
There was no need for people to recognize him in real life.
Thus, Liam began to adjust his appearance drastically. He made himself smaller, his face more ordinary. His hair would change to half white and half black anyways.
As he planned to continue training in martial arts, his body would inevitably get healthier in the future.
All in all, no one should be able to recognize him if he didn’t want them to.
“Is this your final choice?”
“Yes.”
“Accepted. Don’t worry player, we are almost done. For the final step please choose the name you will go by within Crunaboul.”
There was no need to think much.
“Bleary Mirage!”