Ryan woke up suddenly, the earbud's alarm of his infrared movement detector alerting him. He carefully raised his head and stared at the dark undefined shape of the bait silhouetted against the starlit sky hanging in the tree across the moonlit clearing. Although he could not spot his prey, his sixth sense sent goose-bumps racing over his skin. This was it, the Leopard was finally taking the bait. His uncle, William, had asked him to hunt and shoot the big wily tom that was decimating his calves, Ryan had attempted to track it, but lost its tracks several times on the hard rocky ground.
Eventually they had decided to bait it, utilising the area where it had previously killed and fed on the calves. They situated the hide and bait carefully, taking into account the prevailing winds and the probable avenue of approach. Three nights later and William was getting worried that they would be unsuccessful as Ryan would have to return to town and work the day after tomorrow.
Ryan slowly stood up and lifted his compound bow, not making a single sound. In a single instant the shape of the bait changed, a large hump on the branch above it bunched up, reached down and started pulling the bait up. Ryan nearly started hyperventilating, excitement coursing through his veins, the Leopard was a massive beast. He aimed at the dark shape, just behind the arm reaching for the bait, drawing the bow fully and slowly releasing his breath.
The instant after he released his arrow the world pulsed. Ryan grabbed his head in pain, trying and failing to stop the thrumming noise and flashing lights. An iridescent vortex of all colours imaginable swirled around and through him. Ryan collapsed and passed out.
When he woke up a persistent green flashing spot in the periphery of his vision grabbed his attention, no matter how he turned his head and blinked his eyes the spot remained. Thinking that he must have hit his head harder than he thought and seeing stars Ryan decided to turn on the flashlight to determine if his shot had been a success or if the Leopard would be a greater threat because it was wounded. Pressing the button on his flash resulted in nothing. Ryan was slightly disconcerted, as the flashlight had worked perfectly earlier that night when tested underneath the blanket in the hide. Staying in position, as following a Leopard into the dark would be the utmost folly, Ryan chose to activate the infrared movement sensor to provide an audible and flashing alert should it detect any movement in the area. The unit remained dead.
Now Ryan was getting somewhat worried, deciding to switch on his mobile to call his uncle to come pick him up with the truck. The fact that the mobile also failed to switch on was even more concerning. It appeared that any electronics in his possession were rendered non-functional. According to his admittedly lacking knowledge, the only reason for this could have been an electro-magnetic pulse, although as to the why it should have happened escaped him. Ryan recollected the pulse he felt after releasing the arrow and decided that it probably was an EMP.
Settling into his camp chair Ryan tried to get comfortable and wait until dawn so he could inspect the bait and follow the Leopard if necessary. Having got comfortable, keeping an ear out for any sounds that might alert of danger approaching, Ryan closed his eyes. The flashing spot remained, although it now moved to the centre of his vision and became clearer. Ryan gasped as he realised it was an exclamation mark. Intuitively Ryan mentally focused on the symbol and it expanded into a wall of text:
…Planet successfully connected to Hyperspace Algorithm Engine…
…Initialising Quantum System….
…Games Protocol initialised…
…analysing planetary history…
…analysing player’s history…
…analysing player…
…player kills Leopard (L5) with broad-head arrow…
…potential earned…
…error…player not initiated…potential deferred…
…achievement earned – First Kill…
…error…player not initiated, deferred…
…integrating quantum processors…
…initiating player…
…player initiated…
…potential earned…
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
…achievement earned – First Kill…
…achievement earned – Sneaky Bastard…
…achievement earned – David vs. Goliath…
…achievement earned – Hat-trick…
…initiating Welcome Mat…
…initiating interface…
Once Ryan read the last log entry his field of vision was bombarded with semi-transparent icons, bars, graphs and message logs of which one, flashing dark red, covered his entire field of vision. Suspending his disbelief at the surreal experience, Ryan, now assuming that the Leopard was dead and no danger, focused on the message, slowly reading it and trying to process the absurdity of his situation:
“Welcome to the Quantum System Games Player23789654*. Please read this message carefully as it will only be displayed once. When you are finished, acknowledge receipt by mentally clicking the yes button at the end hereof.
The System Administration has decided to initiate Humanity to the Quantum System Games* in order to protect it and the planet it resides on from itself. Humanity’s unauthorised and unsupervised meddling with Quantum Fluctuation* Energy poses not only a threat to Planet Earth, but surrounding galactic civilisations as well. Furthermore, due to humanities violent tendencies and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fusion, fission, electronics and petrochemical combustion have been rendered non-functional on Earth.
Due to the excessive resource cost that would have been incurred initiating the entirety of Humanity, the Administration has decided to initiate only humans between the ages of 15 and 45 Earth years. The remainder will be placed in stasis together with any wildlife that can be considered juvenile. Any remaining wildlife on Earth may evolve in unforeseen ways and should generally be considered hostile by any Player. Earth’s flora will mutate and certain characteristics thereof may be enhanced. The genome of every species has been recorded.
“Shit, shit, shit!” Ryan’s thoughts raced ahead in panic, considering that this meant that his parents, his daughter Victoria, his uncle William and aunt Helena ended up who the hell knows where and that he was powerless to do anything about it. His brother would be among the initiated, somewhat lessening his concerns. Worried that his family would be forever beyond his reach Ryan decided to continue reading the welcome message to see if there was any possibility to have his loved ones returned.
Initiated Players may, upon reaching Prime*, elect to purchase initiation packages for any entities in stasis. Please take note that once placed into stasis, a lifeform only remains viable for a period of 25 years. Should stasis exceed such period the lifeform will be processed for resources.
Ryan sighed in relief, at least there was a way to reunite with people sent to stasis, meaning it was up to him to figure out how to reach Prime, whatever and wherever it was, and obtain the necessary resources to release his loved ones from stasis. Ryan silently swore to himself to do anything and everything in his power to make it happen before they were lost forever. Before he could spiral into darkness and anger he chose to continue with the message.
Players are confined to Earth until reaching Level 25, whereafter they may elect to ascend to the Exodus worlds to continue their journey to *Prime. Please be advised that ascension can only be initiated at an *Ascension Obelisk.
Players will earn *Quantum Fluctuation Potential for killing any creature considered part of the System as a reward for releasing *Quantum Fluctuation Potential which the System can recycle. Players will earn a variable percentage of the accumulated *Quantum Fluctuation Potential held by any creature killed, dependent on creature type. These types currently include wildlife, players and *Creatures. The System Administration reserves its right to adjust the variable rate dependent on how the Game progresses. The System Administration has further decided to refer to this as earning Experience, which better conforms to Humanity’s accumulated lore.
Ryan smirked and then started to chuckle. The System’s Games Protocol seemed true to its name, so far greatly resembling the RPG Games and MMORPG he played excessively in his teens and still occasionally dabbled in when time allowed. “Let’s see what else the System Administration has in store for us.” he thought to himself before continuing with the wall of text.
On reaching Level 10 and touching an *Ascension Obelisk Players may select one *Main Class and two *Sub-Classes which will be hybridised allowing Players to choose a variety of class specific *Skills which they may train with System assistance. Currently known *Skills have been added to the Player’s *Character Sheet and together with the Player’s path to Level 10 will determine initial *Class availability.
Players will also be able to choose two combat supporting *Professions at Level 3, although they are able to learn any *Skill of any *Profession and any skills learned so far will naturally be retained. Players on earth will automatically be allocated the *Profession Scavenger when first choosing a *Profession. *Professions except those provided for choice will remain locked until Player has reached *Prime and paid guild dues for relevant *Professions.
Players are advised to familiarise themselves with their *Character Sheet and closely pay attention during the tutorial they have been provided with. Terms marked with an asterisk will either be covered in the tutorial or Players can elect to find further information in the *Help Menu. The System Administration wishes you an eventful journey to *Prime.
P.S. All blood-sucking insects have been eliminated and their genetic data has been deleted. Those suckers should never have existed: Administrative Note, Guardian 4038.
P.P.S. Please be advised that death is final and the System Administration accepts no liability for any injury or loss suffered as a result of participation in the *Quantum System Games.
Do you wish to continue to the optional tutorial?
Yes Yes
Having no other option Ryan selected Yes to start the Tutorial.