As Shyri stood motionless, the world around her transformed. Time flowed while she remained frozen, the vibrant landscape of New Life Online shifting and evolving. When she finally regained control, she felt the weight of adulthood settle upon her. Her character was now a full-grown dark elf, exuding a sense of maturity and strength.
But the joy of growth was overshadowed by the haunting memories of her parents. The title Sinner lingered over her, casting a dark shadow on her reputation. The game mechanics weighed heavily on her abilities; no kingdom would trust her, and her stats would be halved in parties of more than two.
With Fung gone, Shyri was truly alone in her quest, left to navigate a world filled with suspicion and danger. The last image of her butler flashed in her mind—his unwavering loyalty and the promise he had made to help her uncover the truth. Now, that promise felt like a distant dream.
As the game officially marked her adulthood, the familiar interface of New Life Online displayed a message:
Congratulations! You have reached adulthood! The true journey begins now. Your character has been reset to Level 1 but possesses the strength and skills equivalent to Level 15!
Shyri took a moment to absorb the announcement. While she had lost her previous levels, her training and experience were not entirely gone.
“Alright,” she muttered to herself, determination filling her heart. “Let’s make this count.”
Now fully awake in the game, Shyri stood in awe as the world of New Life Online unveiled its full potential. The once limited HUD (Heads-Up Display) now expanded before her eyes, showcasing options, stats, maps, and menus she hadn’t been able to access before. It felt like stepping into a much larger and more complex world—a world where every decision would carry weight.
Shyri took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the newly unlocked HUD features:
* Mini-map: Now fully revealed, highlighting unexplored areas and points of interest.
* Inventory: A more detailed interface, showing all items, weapons, and armor available to her.
* Quest Log: Newly accessible, providing detailed information about current missions.
* Skills Menu: Displaying the full range of her abilities, allowing her to organize and upgrade them as she wished.
Among these new tools was a Friends List icon, reminding Shyri of Kame, her real-life roommate who also played New Life Online.
Shyri quickly navigated to the Social tab, eager to connect with Kame. She remembered their conversation earlier and the excitement they shared over playing the game together.
She pulled up the Search for Players option, typing in Kame’s in-game name. After a few seconds, Kame’s character profile appeared—her tiefling avatar standing proudly in its normal, yet powerful starting area.
Friend Request Sent to: Kame Waiting for approval...
With the friend request sent, Shyri turned her attention to the main quest, a task that had loomed over her since her parents’ death. The quest title The Darkest Night appeared in bold text on her HUD. She opened it, eager for guidance on her journey to clear her name.
MAIN QUEST: THE DARKEST NIGHT
Objective: Uncover the truth behind the assassination of the King and Queen of the Dark Elf Clan. The clues are hidden deep within the underground kingdom, shrouded by betrayal and dark secrets. Trust no one.
Hint: ??? (No hints provided)
Shyri frowned as she scanned the quest description again. There were no direct clues, no breadcrumbs leading her to a starting point. The game was truly testing her ability to investigate on her own.
“Not even a hint?” she muttered, frustration beginning to creep in.
But as she reflected on the title of the quest, The Darkest Night, Shyri realized that this would be no ordinary investigation. She’d have to navigate a world of deception, lies, and hidden dangers without guidance. Trust was a scarce commodity now, especially with the Sinner title attached to her name.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
a notification pinged in the corner of her HUD.
Kame has accepted your friend request. Message from Kame: Where are you? Let’s party up!
A smile crossed Shyri’s face as she replied:
Shyri: I’m starting a major quest. Meet me outside the underground kingdom when you’re ready.
It was comforting to know that she wasn’t entirely alone. With Kame potentially by her side, Shyri knew that New Life Online would be a little less daunting.
Before meeting up with Kame, Shyri had a bit of time to explore the new items in her inventory that came as part of her character’s transition into adulthood. After reaching full maturity, her royal lineage bestowed her with several powerful items, but one caught her attention immediately—a sleek Ebony Body Suit. The item glowed faintly in her inventory, marked as a special reward for her noble status as a dark elf princess.
Curiosity piqued, Shyri selected the body suit to examine its details.
As she hovered over the Ebony Body Suit, a window popped up, displaying the stats and special effects it provided:
EBONY BODY SUIT
Item Rarity: Legendary
Type: Armor
Class Requirement: Elementalist, Dark Elf
STATS:
* Defense: +30
* Agility: +20
* Stealth Bonus: +35%
* Dark Magic Amplification: +40%
* Mana Regeneration: +10%
SPECIAL EFFECTS:
* Silent Step: While wearing the suit, the user’s footsteps are inaudible, making it nearly impossible for enemies to detect movement.
* Shadow Merge: Allows the wearer to blend into shadows, becoming nearly invisible for a short duration. (Cooldown: 60 seconds)
* Mana Conduit: Increases the potency of dark magic spells, making them deal 40% more damage and last 20% longer.
* Flexible Armor: Despite its light and flexible design, the suit offers high physical resistance and can deflect minor melee attacks.
Shyri’s eyes widened as she took in the impressive bonuses. The Ebony Body Suit was designed not only to enhance her dark magic but also to make her an expert in stealth. The high agility boost and stealth percentage would make her even more elusive, while the magic amplification ensured her spells would hit harder and last longer in battle.
“This is perfect,” she thought. “With this, I can strike from the shadows and disappear before anyone even knows I’m there.”
Without hesitation, Shyri equipped the Ebony Body Suit, feeling its smooth, flexible material mold to her body. The suit felt lightweight, almost as if it became part of her skin, and yet, she could sense the protective magic coursing through it.
As Shyri continued to look through her inventory, she realized that the Ebony Body Suit was only one of several items she had received upon reaching adulthood. Being of royal lineage came with perks, and her transition had unlocked gifts that reflected the power and status of her heritage. Excited, Shyri scrolled through the remaining items to see what else had been bestowed upon her.
1. Shadow Warden’s Cloak
Item Rarity: Epic
Type: Cloak
Description: A long, flowing cloak made from a special dark silk that enhances shadow-based abilities. It carries the insignia of the Dark Elf royal family, signifying Shyri’s royal bloodline.
1. Ring of Ancestral Power
Item Rarity: Legendary
Type: Accessory
Description: A ring passed down through generations of dark elf rulers, it holds the latent power of Shyri’s ancestors. Wearing it grants her access to a small portion of their abilities.
1. Dagger of the Void Walker
Item Rarity: Rare
Type: Weapon
Description: A ceremonial dagger crafted from the rarest materials found deep within the caverns of the dark elves’ underground kingdom. It is said to be imbued with the power of the Void, allowing its wielder to phase through reality itself for brief moments.
2. Tome of Lost Knowledge
Item Rarity: Unique
Type: Book
Description: An ancient tome found only in the deepest corners of the dark elves' libraries, it contains spells and abilities long forgotten by most of the world. Only those with royal blood can unlock its secrets.
Shyri took a moment to equip all the powerful items she had just examined. As the Ebony Body Suit, Shadow Warden's Cloak, Ring of Ancestral Power, and Dagger of the Void Walker synced with her character, she felt a surge of magical energy. Her dark magic seemed to flow more smoothly, her body more agile and flexible, and a heightened sense of control over the elements filled her.
“This is unreal, Am I cheating cause I feel like i'm cheating” Shyri muttered to herself. With these upgrades, she was far stronger than an average player.