Suddenly, a loud and resonating 'ding' shattered the silence of the void. It caught Jason's attention, and as he focused on it, a system prompt materialised before him. The words on the prompt read: "Introduction has concluded. Gathering all participants."
Jason listened attentively as the system addressed the participants, its voice resembling the orbs. The system's words struck him with a mix of anticipation and confusion. It greeted them as humans from the 86th universe, indicating they had met the prerequisites to enter the multiverse. The tutorial's purpose was to equip them with the essential skills needed to return to their transformed planet, formerly known as Earth.
The mention of "formerly" made Jason feel uneasy. It didn't require much deduction to realise that Earth no longer existed in its previous state. The implications of such a revelation were massive, leaving him with a lingering sense of loss and curiosity about the fate of his home.
As the system provided more information, Jason's astonishment grew. It revealed that Earth had an unusually low amount of mana compared to other planets, prompting the need to combine it with four other low-mana planets to reach the required mana level. The concept of merging planets was wild to Jason, and he tried to grasp the enormity of the changes that had taken place.
The system then mentioned that the planet had naturally grown in size. It used the example of the planet's previous radius being 6,371km, now expanded to a staggering 123,978km. Jason's mind struggled to comprehend the sheer magnitude of this transformation. Jason's concern shifted to his family. If he were to return to Earth, he wondered how he would find them in this vastly altered world. He couldn't help but worry about their well-being.
The system's voice continued, providing more information about the tutorial. It stated that Jason was in tutorial 4212, participating alongside 1499 others. The primary goal was to advance in levels as quickly as possible. The system explained that due to the extremely low mana levels on "Earth," Jason started at level 0, and his skills were not automatically activated.
Finally, Jason had an answer as to why he was at level 0. The system then mentioned that as a level 0 participant, he had been provided extra tools to enhance his survival chances. With that, the system prompt disappeared. However, Jason was still left with lingering confusion about the overall goal and purpose of the tutorial.
As he contemplated these thoughts, a glimmer of light pierced through the vast darkness. Another bright light engulfed his vision, but it didn't cause any pain or discomfort this time. Slowly, the blurriness faded, revealing a green landscape beneath him. He stood atop a hill, overlooking a sprawling jungle with massive trees, a big bright sun, no clouds in the sky and birds flying around. Beyond the jungle, he noticed an enormous rock wall enclosing the area.
Turning around to observe his surroundings, Jason's gaze fell upon another person—a sight he hadn't witnessed in what felt like an eternity. It was Alex, and a surge of relief washed over Jason. He rushed over to his friend, who was standing with his back to him, clad in what appeared to be medieval-style leather armour. Jason called out to him, his voice filled with excitement and urgency. Alex promptly turned around, his expression a mix of confusion and surprise.
Before Jason could reach Alex, they were startled by a scream that echoed through the air. They swiftly turned their attention towards the source of the sound, and to their surprise, it was Caroline, a familiar face from the apartment building where Jason worked. Finally taking in their surroundings, Jason noticed that there were other people present, and not just any people, but some of them residents. Amidst the confusion, Jason and Alex hurriedly made their way towards Caroline, only to find Bernard, another familiar face, disorientated nearby. With everyone gathering around Caroline, Alex stepped forward to comfort and reassure her, his presence offering a semblance of stability amid their new and unsettling reality. It calmed her down, realising he was there.
And now, as everyone stood together in tense silence, a few seconds passed before Bernard broke the silence with his exasperation, "Okay, what the fuck is going on?" Alex responded, mirroring Bernard's confusion, "That's exactly what I'd love to know. Is this some sort of mass hysteria? Are any of you even real?" His words were filled with doubt, questioning the very nature of their reality. Without hesitation, Jason swiftly slapped Alex across the face, shocking everyone present. With a determined expression, Jason locked eyes with each of them and declared, "Wake the fuck up! This is not a dream. This is our new reality, and we need to survive. I don't know what our goal is..."
Before Jason could finish his sentence, a unique and striking system prompt appeared, unlike any they had seen before. While the previous prompts were bluish silver, this one radiated in a golden hue. Jason couldn't see anyone else's prompt but could tell they all got it. Jason looked at the prompt and read it.
Tutorial Console
Main quest: Survive
Secondary quest: Acquire tutorial points from defeating enemies
Side quest: Be the last one standing or gain 51% backing from the other participants
Duration: 3 months
Tutorial points: 0
Rewards will be calculated at the end of the tutorial.
The gravity of their predicament weighed heavily upon them, as they found themselves trapped in an unforgiving and perilous realm with no means of escape but surviving. Amid the rising panic, Caroline's voice trembled as she uttered the words that mirrored their darkest fears: "Oh my God, we're going to die."
Anxiety rippled through the gathered group, their thoughts spiralling into chaos. Yet, amidst the turmoil, Jason remained surprisingly composed, a cool calmness enveloping him. Sensing the need for order and unity, he took charge and addressed the trembling assembly.
"Everyone, please, calm down," Jason's voice cut through the mounting panic. "Let's begin by introducing ourselves. It's important to stay connected and support each other through this ordeal. Caroline, why don't you go first.”
Caroline took a deep breath before speaking. "Hi, I'm Caroline," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I chose the rogue class and didn't pick a subclass, I just wanted to be sent home. The metal orb said he would send me somewhere if I picked a class, so I did. Anyway, my class focuses on agility and finesse in combat, using my speed and precision. Don't ask me how I know all this, I just do. I hope it will help me survive in this place."
Jason nodded, taking note of Caroline's choice. He then turned his attention to the unfamiliar face in the group, a handsome young man that almost rivalled Alex. "And you," Jason said, "what's your name and class?"
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
The man smiled confidently and introduced himself. "I'm Adrian," he said. "I'm also a warrior, and I chose the berserker subclass. I'm all about unleashing unbridled fury and overpowering my opponents with relentless attacks. I figured it would be a thrilling and effective way to navigate this dangerous world."
As Jason listened to Adrian, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration. His choice of the subclass, the warlock, seemed quite distinct from the others in the group. But he kept his thoughts to himself, eager to hear the introductions of the remaining members and learn about their chosen paths.
Jason turned to another familiar face, Maria. "Maria, what class did you pick?" he asked. She hesitated for a moment before replying, "I'm a healer. I chose the alchemist subclass, focusing on potions and curing ailments. I picked the healer because I was a nurse."
Next, Jason looked at Mark, who seemed deep in thought. "Mark, what about you?" he inquired. Mark snapped out of his reverie and replied, "I am a healer as well, but I went with the druid subclass. I was a herbalist before this fucked up situation, but it's weird I seem to have a deep connection to plant life, I can…feel it."
Jason wondered what Mark meant by "I can feel the plant life," but he decided to let it go. He made a mental note to talk to Mark about it later and learn more about his chosen subclass. In this dangerous tutorial, understanding each other's abilities and roles would be crucial for their survival. Jason turned his attention back to the remaining introductions, eager to learn more about their companions and the unique subclasses they had chosen.
Turning his attention to Steven, Jason asked, "And you, Steven? What's your class?" Steven smiled and said, "I am a mage. I chose the Enchanter subclass, specialising in magic enchantments and imbuing objects with magical properties."
Jason was taken aback. This was the first mage he had encountered apart from himself. However, when he went to choose a subclass, he didn't receive the enchanter subclass. This shocked him, and he wondered to himself if this was the reason why the orb hadn't revealed the potential subclasses earlier. Could it be that the choices were influenced by one's previous actions or characteristics? Reflecting on the situation, Jason realised that each subclass seemed to align perfectly with the individuals in the group.
Mark's selection of the druid subclass made sense. Given his previous job as a herbalist and his hippie-like nature, the druid's connection to the earth seemed fitting. Even Steven, with his tech start-up company, was a perfect match for the enchanter subclass. It seemed tailored to his abilities and interests. These observations led Jason to question why he, with his unique background, had received the warlock subclass.
The more he thought about it, the more it intrigued him. If the system considered one's past when assigning subclasses, what had influenced his selection?
Jason then shifted his gaze to Mrs Doggart, who seemed slightly nervous. "Mrs Doggart, what class did you choose?" he asked gently. Mrs Doggart took a deep breath and replied, "I am a mage. I went with the illusionist subclass, allowing me to create realistic illusions and manipulate perception. And call me Dorothy.”
Jason's mind filled with questions about the subclasses and the limitations they imposed. He wondered how many subclasses existed beyond the ones he had encountered so far. Were there numerous options, or was the selection limited? And perhaps most importantly, did their chosen subclass bind them for the rest of their lives?
The next person Jason turned to was Bernard. "Bernard, what path did you take?" he asked. Bernard, with a stoic face, said, "I'm a warrior, and I chose the defender subclass. I specialise in tanking and protecting allies."
Jason then looked at Alex, who appeared determined. "Alex, what class did you decide on?" he asked. Alex stood tall and replied, "I am a warrior too. I selected the Paladin subclass; it has something to do with the divine arts and being a pillar of hope and righteousness."
Jason's thoughts swirled with curiosity and intrigue. The more he contemplated the subclasses, the more he saw a pattern emerging. Each subclass seemed to reflect the essence of the individual who possessed it. Mark's druid subclass resonated with his connection to nature and herbalist tendencies. Steven's enchanter subclass aligned with his tech-savvy and entrepreneurial spirit. Even Alex's paladin subclass embodied his unwavering sense of righteousness.
But when it came to Dorothy and her illusionist subclass, Jason couldn't make the connection. Dorothy had always struck him as someone more concerned with appearances and superficiality. The complexity and intricacy of illusions seemed at odds with her personality.
Jason considered the possibility of it being a coincidence, a random selection that didn't necessarily align with their true selves. After all, his warlock subclass puzzled him. However, he couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that there was a deeper significance to these choices.
With only one person remaining, everyone turned to Jason. Alex curiously asked, "Jason, what's your class?". Jason took a deep breath and responded, "I am a Mage like Steven and Dorothy, but I chose the Warlock subclass. I don't know why I got this subclass, I just got pulled into it like it was my only choice; it has something to do with dark magic, that's all I know."
Alex then spoke up, "So what do we do now?" Jason replied, "We must hunt monsters and level up as fast as possible." Jason shared his plan, and a mix of confusion and concern filled the air. The thought of actively seeking out and fighting monsters seemed haunting to some, but Jason's determination was unwavering. He understood the urgency of the situation and the importance of gaining levels quickly.
Caroline, still unsure, voiced her concerns. "But Jason, what if we get hurt or killed? Isn't it too dangerous?"
Jason acknowledged her worries but reassured her, "I understand your concerns, Caroline, but remember, we're in this together. We have weapons and each other. By working as a team and being cautious, we can minimise the risks. And the rewards of levelling up far outweigh the dangers."
Jason took a moment to outline a basic plan, suggesting they explore the nearby forest where monsters were likely to reside. He emphasised the importance of teamwork, communication, and being mindful of each other's safety.
Alex asked Jason if he thought it was a good idea to pursue danger actively. Jason replied with conviction, "Yes, we need to do this, and we need to do it now," as he looked at everyone with a commanding gaze. His expression struck fear into them as if he wasn't asking but telling them. Everyone swiftly nodded, except for Alex and Bernard.
Alex looked shocked, this behaviour was out of character for Jason. He couldn't explain it, but he sensed a slight darkness in Jason's eyes. Despite their concerns, nobody complained, also still very much shaken up, and they all began to follow Jason into the forest. The atmosphere drastically changed as they entered the dense trees, with only occasional beams of sunlight piercing through the canopy.
Jason marvelled at the breathtaking beauty of the forest, feeling as though he had stepped into paradise. The vibrant trees and the life around him were captivating. And Mark spoke up saying, “The trees are full of life here, they speak to me, they are telling me to turn right, for what I seek lies there.” Mark's words about the trees communicating with him intrigued Jason, prompting him to make a mental note again to have a conversation with Mark about it later. He couldn't help but wonder what connection Mark had with nature.
Considering Mark's words, Jason turned to the group and proposed following him. Everyone agreed, except for Caroline, who appeared shocked. Jason took hold of her shoulders and urged her to gather herself. He emphasised the need to adapt to their new reality, as the old world was gone. Turning his attention back to the others, Jason instructed them to prepare their equipment.
Jason then focused on Caroline, encouraging her to draw her weapons. After taking a deep breath, she retrieved her bow. Jason asked about her arrows, and Caroline explained that they possessed an enchantment, allowing them to generate arrows from the surrounding mana when the bow was drawn.
It wasn't long until they spotted movement in the shadows. Bernard instinctively drew his sword and shield, Alex gripped his spear tightly, and Jason stood there, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. And then, emerging from the darkness, appeared a large wolf with red fur. This was no ordinary wolf, for its fangs were visible, protruding from its mouth as if it hadn't eaten in a long time. The wolf stood still, and Jason used his identification skill, revealing its name: Savage Red Wolf (Level 3).