Felix stood before the sleek FiVR pod, its surface gleaming under the soft glow of overhead lights. The device was an imposing blend of cutting-edge design and advanced technology, and it would soon become his gateway to the sprawling universe of Sol Online. Caroline, his AI companion, had been integrated into the system, and she now had access to a massive data dump from the game’s internal systems. It was her job to guide him through character creation, and Felix trusted her implicitly.
"Alright, Caroline," Felix said as he adjusted his headset. "Let’s get started. What are we working with?"
Caroline’s voice came through clearly, now tinged with a touch of snark. "Felix, Sol Online offers an unprecedented level of customization. I’m amazed you managed to handle Fury Online without me optimizing everything for you. There are 100 playable races, each with unique skills and starting stats. Additionally, there are over 10,000 classes, ranging from traditional archetypes like Warrior and Mage to hybrid and niche roles."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "Already with the sass? Guess the system AI integration has given you an upgrade."
"Oh, you have no idea," Caroline quipped. "Let’s focus, though. Based on your preference for sniper, stealth, and melee combat, I’ve narrowed the choices significantly. I’ll optimize for flexibility and survivability since you’ll be playing solo."
The holographic interface sprang to life before him, displaying the 100 races in a sprawling grid. Each race was represented by a rotating 3D model, accompanied by detailed stats and a description of their unique abilities.
"Let’s start with races," Caroline said. "I’ve filtered out options that don’t align with your playstyle. Here are the top contenders: Shadowkin, an elusive race with heightened stealth capabilities; Svarthari, known for their precision and agility; and Nightblade Elves, a hybrid race excelling in both melee and ranged combat. Additionally, they possess superior vision in low-light settings, making them highly effective in stealth and nocturnal missions."
Felix studied the models, his gaze lingering on the Nightblade Elf. Their sleek, muscular build and sharp features gave off a predatory vibe. "Nightblade Elf seems like a solid choice. What’s their racial ability?"
"Shadow Infusion," Caroline replied. "It enhances stealth and critical hit chance in low-light environments, taking full advantage of the Nightblade Elves' superior night vision. Combined with your planned stealth-focused playstyle, it’s a strong synergy."
"Sounds perfect," Felix said. "Let’s lock that in. What’s next?"
"Now we move to class selection," Caroline said. "With over 10,000 options, I’ve pre-selected the top five classes that align with your desired build. Here’s the list: Phantom Sniper, a ranged specialist with camouflage and long-range precision; Voidblade, a melee-teleportation hybrid; Shadow Operative, a stealth and sabotage expert; Blood Reaver, blending melee with life-stealing abilities; and Spectral Duelist, excelling in close-quarters combat with evasion skills."
Felix leaned forward, intrigued by the possibilities. "Voidblade sounds interesting. What’s their core skillset?"
Caroline pulled up the details. "Voidblade excels at teleportation-based melee attacks. Their core abilities include Blink Strike, a skill for instant movement to a target, and Veil of Shadows, which reduces enemy perception. It’s a high-skill ceiling class but offers unparalleled mobility."
"That’s tempting," Felix admitted. "But I feel like Phantom Sniper might fit better for my ranged focus."
"Agreed," Caroline said. "Phantom Sniper is a safer option for a solo player. It combines high-damage output with stealth capabilities, and its passive class trait, Deadeye, increases the critical strike chance on all ranged attacks, making it highly effective for precision-based gameplay."
"One key skill to note," Caroline added, "is Blinkstep. It allows you to instantly reposition within a short range, giving you an edge in evasion and survivability. Combined with Deadeye, this class offers a perfect balance of precision and adaptability."
Felix nodded. "Alright, let’s go with Phantom Sniper."
The interface shifted, presenting a stat allocation screen. Felix had a pool of points to distribute across attributes like Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
"Caroline, what’s the optimal spread?"
"Based on your class and race," Caroline began, "I recommend prioritizing Perception for accuracy and critical chance, followed by Dexterity for speed and evasion. Constitution should be your tertiary focus to ensure survivability. Assign 2 points to Perception, 2 to Dexterity, and 1 to Constitution."
Felix adjusted the sliders as Caroline suggested, watching his stats take shape. "For reference," Caroline added, "a score of 5 is considered the average human baseline. You, Felix, were apparently born with high Charisma. Maybe we should play into that—snark and charm, a deadly combination. Intelligence is also higher than average, which will make it easier for you to excel strategically."
Felix smirked. "So I’m a handsome genius? I can live with that."
"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves," Caroline replied dryly. "But yes, your higher Perception and Dexterity will complement your combat style, while Charisma and Intelligence will make social and strategic elements smoother for you."
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Felix adjusted the sliders accordingly, amused by Caroline’s commentary.
"Alright," Felix said, adjusting the sliders again. "So I’m a slightly better-than-average human with some edge."
"Exactly," Caroline replied. "Your higher Perception will be critical for accuracy, and the improved Dexterity enhances your evasion. The Wisdom and Charisma boosts will give you an edge when interacting with NPCs and navigating the more complex quest systems."
Felix paused, staring at the stats. "You mentioned puzzles and hidden mechanics before. Is that tied to Intelligence?"
"Absolutely," Caroline confirmed. "A higher Intelligence score will make solving puzzles and spotting hidden mechanisms easier. You’ll find bonus rewards, secret quests, and alternative paths that others might miss." She added with a smirk, "With my 20 Intelligence, though, I’ll help ensure you never miss a detail."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "So, you’re basically my cheat code?"
"Think of me as your tactical advantage," Caroline quipped. "But to be clear, you’ll still need to think for yourself. My assistance just makes you... sharper."
"Noted," Felix said with a grin.
CURRENT STATS:
* Strength: 5
* Dexterity: 7
* Constitution: 6
* Intelligence: 8
* Wisdom: 5
* Charisma: 9
* Perception: 7
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As Felix finalized his stats, a memory surfaced. He thought of his father, a Marine Scout Sniper who had spent countless hours with him at the shooting range. Those summers hunting together were some of Felix’s favorite memories. His dad’s advice rang in his ears: “It’s not about how many shots you take; it’s about making each one count.”
Caroline broke the silence. "Something on your mind?"
"Yeah," Felix said. "My dad. He’s the reason I’m so comfortable with sniper builds. Spent my childhood at the range and every summer hunting with him. He always said, ‘It’s about precision, not power.’"
"And what would he think of me?" Caroline asked, feigning innocence.
Felix chuckled. "He’d probably call you my secret weapon."
"Smart man," Caroline said. "Now, let’s talk weapon options."
Caroline’s holographic interface shifted, displaying a range of weapons spanning genres and eras. "Weapon selection is where Sol Online really breaks away from traditional fantasy conventions," she said. "You have access to everything from bows and crossbows to sniper rifles and assault rifles."
Felix’s eyebrows shot up. "Sniper rifles? AR-15s?"
"Precisely," Caroline confirmed. "While the game incorporates fantasy elements, its tech blend allows for modern and futuristic weaponry. For your Phantom Sniper build, I’d recommend focusing on high-power weapons with a slower reload time."
"Why slow reload? Wouldn’t something faster be better?"
"Normally, yes," Caroline replied. "But your Blinkstep skill combined with my Memory Infusion ability can compensate for the downtime. High-power shots maximize your damage per engagement, and with careful positioning, you’ll avoid prolonged firefights."
Felix nodded slowly. "Alright, so what are the options?"
The display shifted again, narrowing down to three weapons:
1. Longshadow Bow - A fantasy-inspired longbow with piercing capabilities and silent shots.
2. Specter .50 Sniper Rifle - A modern weapon with extreme range and armor-piercing rounds, but a three-second reload time.
3. Havoc AR-12 - A hybrid assault rifle capable of mid-range precision and burst fire, offering a balance between power and speed.
"The Specter .50 seems like a no-brainer for a sniper," Felix said, leaning forward. "My dad might say something like, ‘This is more power than you need,’ but I love the look of it."
The Specter .50 was a masterpiece of modern firearm design, its sleek black frame glinting under the holographic lights. The rifle’s body was angular yet streamlined, with a carbon-fiber finish that exuded both elegance and lethality. Its barrel was matte black, suppressor-ready, with faint etchings of intricate circuitry patterns near the grip—a subtle nod to its futuristic tech integration. The ergonomic stock and custom grip promised stability and control, while its advanced scope gleamed with a faint blue light, hinting at enhanced targeting overlays and range-finding capabilities.
"It’s an excellent choice," Caroline agreed. "Its armor-piercing rounds ensure you can handle heavily armored opponents, and its range exceeds most other weapons. However, its reload time is punishing if you’re not positioned well."
Felix tapped his chin. "You think we can make it work?"
"Absolutely," Caroline said with confidence. "The key will be maximizing your stealth and positioning. Remember, with Deadeye enhancing your critical strike chances, every shot counts."
Felix grinned. "Alright, Specter .50 it is. Let’s lock it in."
The interface confirmed his weapon choice, and Caroline added, "This weapon also synergizes with your Nightblade Elf’s racial abilities in low-light environments. Together, it’ll make you a force to be reckoned with."
Just then, the system AI’s voice chimed in, breaking the moment. "Welcome, Felix. Before we proceed to the tutorial, you must choose a name for both yourself and your AI companion. These names will be your permanent identifiers within Sol Online and recognized by the system and all other players."
Caroline interjected, "It’s worth noting that while this is only the tutorial, your chosen race, class, and stats will carry over to the main game when it launches. No take-backs, Felix. Make sure you’re absolutely confident in your choices."
Felix nodded, the weight of the decision settling on him. "Alright. Let’s go with ‘Lix’ for me and ‘Caro’ for you. Simple and efficient."
The system prompted him to confirm his selections. With a deep breath, Felix tapped the confirmation button. The AI’s voice resumed. "Selections confirmed. Welcome, Lix and Caro. We will now begin the tutorial. Prepare yourself to enter the world of Sol Online."