"Welcome to Rift Online."

A simple message appeared, floating in front of his eyes as Mark slowly adjusted to the stimulus from the bright light. He has just joined along with another billion people into the new world which as usual promised a new beginning. Unlike the other games, Rift Online was able to make reverse RMT a reality, thanks to the trillion dollar conglomerate behind the wheel. Like many teenagers, Mark too had the dream of living off of playing video games, which was exhausted when one day his father threw him out with no mercy.

Currently, at 24 years of age, he was lucky enough to get a part time job as a janitor at a local mall, which thankfully enabled Mark to pay for rent and groceries. Of course, he had no reason to give up gaming considering there was nothing else he would do in his free time. Rift Online came to him as a golden opportunity awakening his inner gaming addiction as it promised everything one needed.

"Select name:____"

"M A R K"

Everything was simple. Select the name and fix the character design.

"Please select a race. Please note that the races obtained through character creation are at most of rare qualify. For higher quality races one can evolve them with corresponding race gems available at each advancement."

Countless race models appeared in front of his eyes ranging from minions to dragons. There was even one that violated the medieval fantasy setting of the game, a space trooper with laser guns, showing how vast the scope of the game was. Even with all those races, Mark still couldn't figure out which one to select. There was too much candy and each of them was on par with the other. After walking around looking through each one, Mark finally found one that was bizarre. There was nothing but an empty space with the race name being called "unaligned". Remembering that he could easily switch races after reaching an upgrade, Mark thought why not. After all there was a possibility that he might even get a legendary race.

"You are unaligned with the world of Rift. As a non-citizen of the Rift, you might encounter difficulty obtaining recognition from the various aligned forces."

"Please select a preferred class.

"Currently in use (rounded to thousands)

Melee classes: 1,829,423,000.

Range classes: 422,351,000.

Magic classes: 2,710,344,000.

Healing classes: 98,184,000.

Production classes: 137,000."

"Can the production class be efficient in fighting?" Mark asked the voice that helped him guide.

"Production classes are always inferior to any combat classes when in the same quality and game stage."

"Then why would anyone select them? Are the products produced by the production class essential?"

"Production classes are not essential. The cities provide all services and have an infinite supply of regular goods from food to weapons. If you would like to change classes, it is possible at the capital city of any kingdom you are aligned with for a price."

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"I would still like to check out the production classes. Since the supply is very low there might be a higher demand somewhere."

"It is possible. Currently unable to make sufficient predictions due to a lack of data points." And with that the room was filled with countless different production classes. Each a variation of the other."

"Show me something that is versatile and reputable at the same time."

"There are three potential options:

Runesmith, Craftsman, Enchanter."

"What's a Runesmith?"

A small workstation appeared before him showing a man working on a sword. There were countless artifacts lying around the man who slowly started etching some words onto the sword blade.the ink glowed golden and soon the weapon emitted a shine, suggesting a successful rune engraving.

"Why is this versatile?"

"Runes can be carved on any surface depending on the level of the engraver."

"Ok. How many players have selected this?"

"32,240 and counting."

"That's a lot. Show me the one that no one has picked."

"There are 20,000 classes available. Please further filter down."

"I should be able to craft everything."

"There are 500 classes remaining."

"Can they also dismantle items to gain the base resources?"

"40 remaining."

"Is there any that doesn't require any additional items than base items?"

"There are 4 items available. Spawning template."

"Spirit Blacksmithy, Enhancement Smithy, Blackheart alchemist, Meruvian Artificer."

The four templates of Smithies appeared in front of Mark's eyes with each one performing their corresponding tasks. Seeing how concentrated each of them were working, Mark immediately gave up on them.

"This won't do. Show me something that's easier to learn."

"Basic crafting professions are the easiest to learn and upgrade."

"What's the easiest that has no restriction on them but is also capable of combat?"

"Blacksmithing and carpentry are potentially the easiest. Blacksmithing allows the user to equip any weapon they crafted outside their Smithy. Which carpenters can equip any wood based items including bows, spears and shields."

"I'll just go with blacksmithing for now. Is there anything else?"

"You are ready to enter the Rift. Please stand back. Hope you have a wonderful stay."

With that, a small opening appeared ahead of Mark as if the air was split apart by someone. Mark approached it and fell through.

There was an incomparable darkness and then slowly he came back to his senses. It looked like he was lying down on a stone paved floor which was a little damp.

"Is there anyone there?" Mark yelled trying to get attention but sadly there was noone around. There was nothing else to do but wait for someone to come and rescue him from this prison. Slowly he drifted into a sleep.

A loud bang woke him up. Mark nervously looked around. There was no one around but the sound struck again. It shook the entire building, as if someone was mauling onto the building with a ramp.

'Am I in the middle of an active war zone?' Mark couldn't wonder but soon realized that he must be in the middle of one. Afterall it was a typical opening for many RPG games.

"Check the dungeons and capture anyone present. We move out in 20 minutes before their reinforcements arrive."

"Hey, hey. Over here." Mark screamed at the top of his lungs trying to reach their attention. He soon heard footsteps approaching.

"Boss, we have a captive. What do we do?"

"It's too risky to take them with us. Just finish them off. Let's move. Leave no one alive."

The last thing Mark saw before passing out was a spear penetrating his ribs.

"You have died. Your level has dropped. You will spawn at the closest safe town."