My name is Ambrose Valier, eighteen years old and supposed to be starting university the following year. Note the phrase 'supposed to be', right now I'm nothing more than dead. It was my first time driving after getting my license, and everything was going well until a car skidded down the road while speeding and crashed into several other cars. Mine was the first to be hit and after a moment of noise and hazy vision everything went pitch black.
I guess I was expecting... well something other than this when I could finally see again!
Looking around I can see nothing but white. My first thought was 'Is this heaven?'. But if this is heaven then heaven is pretty lackluster. I mean, it’s small for one thing, about the size of my bedroom. The white comes from the painted walls, but they aren't glowing or anything. Just ordinary paint as far as I can tell. A far cry from the fluffy white clouds and serene angels that are often pictured.
As a matter of fact, the only thing apart from me is a small box, once again white in color. It's right in the center of the room. Strange though, there isn't even a shadow, from both me and the box. Am I a ghost? That would explain that... But aren't ghosts supposed to haunt the place where they died or the person responsible for their death?
Not that I want to be stuck by a road for the rest of my life, I don't want to be some kind of phantom stalker either. But it would be marginally more interesting than being stuck in a white room with nothing but a white box for the rest of my life. Un-lifelike as it were. This sucks, I'm already bored.
Even in life I always had a hatred for the mundane stuff. Forget studying, I'd much rather be reading a fantasy novel, or better yet playing a computer game - when I was allowed on, that is. My parents were kind of distant, but the one thing that did matter to them a bit were grades.
Which is why I actually got into university, my desktop was held hostage if I got anything less than a C. Like I said, they only cared a bit, either for the sake of their reputation or simply to make sure that I had to leave home at some point when I got accepted to some third rate university. Well, that did leave me with more time to play computer games so I wasn't too bothered.
Ah, I wish I could play something...
"Wish granted."
Uh, what? Is there someone actually here? Maybe it's a robot or android, because I just know that something was off with that tone. It wasn’t like any human one that comes to mind. Even the weirder accents I've heard, or even the weirder attempts at an accent didn't resemble it.
“Proceed to the terminal for ability allocation."
The box promptly lights up, while somehow managing to change shape into a fully functional desktop computer. There's a keyboard, mouse and a monitor as well, none of which are branded. Does heaven have its own technology brands? Or maybe this place isn't heaven... Well, might as well see what is going on over there, it'll be something to do at least. If only there was a nice cushy chair to sink into while using it...
What? No wish granted this time? Well, that's great, I get a free wish and waste it on a pc. Not that computers are bad, but if I could wish for anything I'd definitely have gotten my dream one instead of this old thing. Beggars can't be choosers though; I guess I'll make do with what I've got. Wait! Why is there a picture of me on the screen? And the words... I'm hallucinating, must be hallucinating!
Okay, okay, breathe... in and out... in and out... I'd say what the hell is going on - but since there is still a chance, however small, that this is heaven I'll refrain for now. Though the afterlife being one big video game seems slightly off?
Ambrose Valier: Age 18: Points: 18
Level 0: EXP 0
Job: N/A: Title: N/A
Race:
Stats:
Strength 10: Vitality 10: Stamina 10
Flexibility 10: Coordination 10: Speed 10
Intelligence 10: Perception 10: Charisma 10
Magic 10: Control 10: Luck 10
Skills:
None
Perks:
Unique Perk: Gamer: Allows at will interface usage and activates questing system
Flaws:
None
…
When I mouse over a section an explanatory paragraph appears, though it only tells me the basics of what this-and-that does, and so on. And I already guessed what was what with a high accuracy, well, it is a pretty normal interface after all. So yeah, points can be used to raise any stat, gain/upgrade skills and perks. Lastly it can remove flaws, not that I actually have any in the first place! Though if I choose to get a Flaw I receive points rather than get them deducted. The opposite is true for perks, all of them save for unique ones can be removed in exchange for points.
Out of curiosity I looked at the list of potential flaws, the very, very, very long list. Talk about information overload... and since I don't know how much of a hindrance any of them would be I'll pass for now. Anyway, I've got 18 points to start off with, I hope that's a decent number. Probably not - it equals one point per year of my rather laid back life, anyone older than me, or who really trains hard could beat me. If my hypothesis is true, that is...
Working downwards from the top, I am currently pathetic. No job, no title, level 0! Absolutely nothing there to recommend me. I'm curious about the buttons next to race though, and what options there could possibly be. Tentatively, I give it a click, instead of
Ambrose Valier: Age 18: Points: 18
Level 0: EXP 0
Job: N/A: Title: N/A
Race:
Stats:
Strength 20: Vitality 25: Stamina 20
Flexibility 8: Coordination 7: Speed 10
Intelligence 8: Perception 10: Charisma 3
Magic 5: Control 5: Luck 10
Skills:
Language Comprehension [Orcish] (8/10), [
Perks:
Unique Perk: Gamer: Allows at will interface usage and activates questing system
Racial Perk: Tough Skin: Reduces damage taken, stackable with armour
Racial Perk: Keen Sense of Smell: Odours are easier to detect, trace and recognise
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Flaws:
Racial Flaw: Uncontrolled Emotions: A skill check is required when acting contrary to your current feelings
Racial Flaw: Bulky: Actions requiring stealth are trickier, as is dodging in combat
…
No, no, no, no, no! No way am I being an orc. Aside from the almost inevitable placement as one of the bad guys, just look at those stats! Those flaws! And me! I was already unpopular before, so I am not going to go into a new world looking like a... well... an orc. The measly charisma of 3 doesn't exactly hint at a good social life either.
Hurriedly I press the arrow button and move onto the next race, which is a troll. Appearance changes again, but somehow remains equally repulsive, click again. Goblin... smaller and slightly more humanoid looking, but still a no, click! Half-orc and half-troll? Ugh, a charisma of 2, and the looks to match. Click, click, click, are they really going to make me see myself as every type of vaguely bipedal species with sentience? Not to mention the hybrids of said species, which so far make up the majority of my clicks.
I hope this is just a list of every species, and not a representative sample of the population of this world. And the latter possibility is a seriously scary thought! Click, click, ah, an imp, that's new, click, and click. Well, I suppose being a dwarf is better than being a troll, still don’t particularly fancy it though. Back to the monstrous category with lizardmen and dragonewts. All those scales, although they did have better stats than some of the previous races. Where is the human race anyway?
My fingers are tired as anything, but I still keep up a steady stream of clicks. Dwarf is the best option so far, with a kobold being in second place. Wait? I don't look like I normally do in this race's picture - I look better! Which one is this? As long as the stats aren't terrible I think I've made my choice.
Ambrose Valier: Age 18: Points: 18
Level 0: EXP 0
Job: N/A: Title: N/A
Race:
Stats:
Strength 4: Vitality 5: Stamina: 6
Flexibility 10: Coordination 15: Speed 10
Intelligence 11: Perception 11: Charisma 12
Magic 10: Control 14: Luck 10
Skills:
Language Comprehension [Elvish] (7/10), [Chantish] (7/10)
Perks:
Unique Perk: Gamer: Allows at will interface usage and activates questing system
Racial Perk: Night Vision: In absence of a light source, you can still see clearly
Racial Perk: Adaptable: Half the normal penalties apply when in unfamiliar terrain or situations
Flaws:
Racial Flaw: Fragile Bones: Weaker bones are easier to break and take longer to heal
Racial Flaw: Dual Heritage: No social bonuses apply when talking to others of related races
…
Well the main physical stats are horrid. Strength isn't even half of what I would guess is standard! But other than that they don't seem to be so bad. As for the languages, I know what Elvish must be, and the description given for Chantish says that it’s the most commonly spoken language among humans. So right in line with being a half-elf then. The question is if the lack of decent physical stats outweighs the positives. Of which there are admittedly many. One I'm not a troll, two I'm not an orc, three... well let’s just put 'reasonably good looking by human standards' as one big plus. I don't want to recall the many racial variations. Ugh, just thinking about some of them is enough to make me shudder.
There's also the fact that they have a higher than average control, intelligence and perception - in my mind at least those are more important than being able to lift heavy weights for a long time. I'm still going to see what other options there are, simply for my peace of mind. If I don't do this now I won’t be able to stop wondering what if...? Because you never know, some even better race could be right at the end, waiting to be discovered.
On and on I click and click and click some more, oddly enough so far I haven't seen head or hair of the human race. They have to exist though, since they have shown up as half of several hybrids parentage. Maybe they aren't playable? Because I've just reached
In reality, can I say that now? Well, in whatever warped mimicry of reality I'm currently in, I feel more at ease with that particular race. They could pass for human save for some slightly pointed ears, which is more than can be said for the various demi-human species. Ears and a tail can be cute on a cute girl, but on me? No, just no. And they are far too stamina orientated, which would be useful in prolonged fights or manual labour, but neither of which I have any intention of doing. Since I can rationalize my decision (barely), I will go with my gut instinct and choose half-elf. Whew, finally sorting that out is a relief.
...And another tough choice comes along to stress me out. What should I spend my points on? Some sort of skill, one like alchemy or healing which would be sufficiently rare to ensure an income would be great. The only problem is my number of points, or more specifically, my low number of them. Unlocking a new skill comes at a cost of 5 points, unless I manually learn it - which is clearly not an option at the moment. And even then the skill won't be usable, to do that it has to have a level. Getting it to [Level 1] costs 1 point, [Level 2] costs 2 points and so on... I could only get a single skill to [Level 4] at best!
Alternatively, I could get one skill to [Level 1] and another to [Level 3], or two skills to [Level 2]. It would be safer to have a backup skill, in case of either one of them being ineffective in this new world. I just don't know, and that is before I've seen the available Perks, or thought about increasing my stats via points. In a situation like this I could use some extra luck. What to pick?
Healing Magic seems to be a safe option, not only can I treat myself if I get injured accidentally, it could provide a steady income. Yeah, I'll go with Healing Magic to [Level 2]. And almost half of all my points are gone just like that... kind of scary come to think of it. Those points were most likely equivalent to 8 entire years of life experience. It's final though, under Skills I can see the new additions.
Healing Magic: (2/10): Techniques: [Diagnose] [Sterilize] [Small Heal] [Dress Wound]
Information doesn't exactly come flooding into my mind, but there is a definite sense of stuff having shifted slightly to make way for the newly ingrained knowledge. It's not that I deduced what each technique does, I just know, though the names are obvious enough. Also I can automatically recall the chant needed for the magic to work. A bit disappointing that I actually have to say it out loud, no simple hand wave here, but I'll live. A state secret it is not.
Now what should choice number two be? Survival might be a good one, if I end up some distance from a settlement. Got to eat and drink in order to live after all. Then again some kind of attack magic sounds good to me, now that I come to think of it there might be brigands preying on lone travelers. So even if I don't intend to fight I might end up forced to in self-defense. Wind Magic [Level 2] nips that potential problem in the bud.
Wind Magic: (2/10): Techniques: [Wind Whispers] [Wind Arrow] [Divert Projectile] [Breeze Blast]
Four techniques for this type of magic as well, I wonder if all of them follow the same pattern of two per level? Never mind, what matters is that I now have a defense against long range physical attacks, in addition to two potential combat techniques. [Wind Arrow] is designed to pierce, while [Breeze Blast] is a non-lethal gust of wind with many uses, from providing wind for a becalmed ship to knocking back an enemy.
Two points are all that's left now, not enough to buy a perk with, or remove a flaw. Clicking on the small box in the corner however, leads to a very long list of tangible items I can buy with points. Some items have a 'Legendary' rank placed alongside an astronomical figure. 1000 points!? How can anyone accumulate that many? Before my brain explodes I check the box in the on-screen filter, confirming that I only want to see items that are currently affordable. It sucks being poor.
There's a problem with that as well though. I can see stuff I really, really want. Like a ring which granted the bearer +20 Luck, but which on further inspection required 20 near death experiences in order to equip. Not only is that near unattainable, there is no way I'd take such a huge risk. You only get one life... or two or infinite if reincarnation is actually real. Stop confusing me brain and get back to work! I guess I'll filter the available selection a tad more, now it only lists currently affordable as well as useable items. Not good, there's only one item left for me to investigate. So why show me all the awesome stuff earlier, huh?
New Player Pack [2 Points]: A collection of essentials for the beginning gamer
Contains:
Adventurers Outfit x1
Basic Short Sword x1
ID card x1
10 Bey Coins x10
Daily Rations x5
Local Map x1
Water Flask x1
…
This is an absolute must-have, which sucks. What happened to getting starting kit for free or as a default option? That is a staple of video games! Well not the food or water, but getting clothes and a weapon should be standard. And to think that I almost missed this out completely. Whose idea was it to hide such important and potentially life-saving equipment in this section? If I hadn't been so thorough I could have ended up penniless and naked in a foreign world! Just what I need, to get a second chance at being popular and ending up with a reputation as a nudist!
Well, that would be the case unless the world is currently in the prehistoric stages of development. Man, I hope it's not, I like my modern conveniences thank you very much. Don't fancy existing as a caveman of some sort either. Additionally, being naked could very well get me arrested, or worse, killed. There's got to be a law of some kind against indecent exposure. Again, please let that be the case... But anyway, poverty and jail time do not frequently lead to a comfortable life, even a primary school kid could tell you that. Click!
No Points Remaining: Finish Character Creation?
What the - the message this time catches me completely by surprise. Not because of the content, it's hardly a shocking statement. No, the reason I jumped backwards was because the screen physically manifested in front of me! In solid form - as I discover when I press the button confirming I'm done. I would speculate more on the how and why of it, but the world is spinning around me at record speed. Roller coasters can't compare with this level of motion sickness-inducing speed. And I never liked going to theme parks anyway. Fingers crossed I won't throw up as I enter this other world.