The next day He woke up unfulfilled, his sleep hadn't left his exhaustion, although there were warnings about mental exhaustion he had never thought it would hit him so hard. Despite the wariness He logged in cause he wanted to spent every moment he could on the game, until his holiday was up. He entered the game and went to Allastar he had 6 days left before his Desros character was ready to play.
He Pressed the Altgaia world.
"Altgaia, a 3D copy of earth, in a science fiction future world, a bit more futuristic world, where the hunters roam, kill or be killed a perfect PK experience"
He went through the character creation menu, there were four races available. The Pure Human who had the ability to mutate or change into hidden races in the game. Mutants who were hunted down but had supernatural abilities like much akin to super heroes. Bionics who were a fusion of man and machine like cyborgs or enhanced humans. Aliens start on the planet and merge with the population, they start with high tech gadgets and are hunted no less than mutants. He Chose the Bionics, there were four subspecies to the Bionics.
"Cyborg" A Machine or a man a strange mix of technology and biology, a living weapon used in the army due to their high survivability.
"Enhanced human", a human being on the outside but on the inside they hide metallic bones and organs, they are used as special agents to infiltrate other organizations or as a secret police for the street.
"Amalgam" a fusion of machines and flesh they can change their shape(face and skin color) and they are only used as spies.
"Nano-man" a Robot with Artificial Intelligence rivaling that of a human, they can tiny nano machines that can control dead bodies, be it a human or a dog, they are relatively weak while outside a dead body but inside it's like they are zombies. He chose the "Enhanced human" as it seemed good to him, mostly due to it combining both offensive and defensive capabilities.
-Scanning has recognized you as a male, you can change your appearance but your real gender will show if you try evolving in any sexual activity identifying what you are in real life, this measure was created after trial and error, any Inconvenience this might implicate is non of the company's responsibilities-
-you have been warned!-
And yet again Chris chose the Male
-You may not change your appearance for Altgaia, but know that your appearance in game will be affected by your race and actions in game -
-Choose your Avatar's name-
He kept his Avatar name at "Darknym"
-Chose Three Object for your spawning location know that your spawning location will be the location of your capsule-
Darknym clicked healing capsule,Cyberspace access and a mini research lab those things were three of the most expensive items in the list.
-Would you like a brief tutorial?-
"Skip"
A flash of light and he appeared inside a room a lot different than his own, the room was a lot bigger than his own and was half empty. There was a capsule, more like one of those cryogenetic chambers seen in sci-fiction movies. The Cyberspace access was a small computer terminal where he could see the news or enter the cyberspace.
(normal computer terminals had no access to the cyberspace but had better speed and could be expanded with millions of plugins)
The mini-research lab was a small table with a few testing tubes,a few tools and a small pc on it, although there was too much room for expansion to it.
(in the forums there were many comments about mostly about it being too expensive and not worth it's price but the things you could do with it made you awe in comparison to the price, well most of the things were trivial, like making poisons or replicating pets and other strange stuff but the list was so long it would take ages to finish not to speak of the unlisted stuff that were probably monopolized by some players)
There were no windows in the room, only a small vent going up on one corner, the walls were made of metal and as he was about to say "status" a ringing sound was heard and a screen opened in the open space in front of him, displaying a dandy mustached guy in a black suit, wearing a black tie matching the color of his suit.
"Welcome to Altgaia agent, your first mission is to come to the headquarters to receive your training and profession, you have ten days to report at HQ"
Darknym said "status"
============================================
Race - Bionic
Subspecies - Enhanced human
Gender - Male
Level - 1
Physical
Hp 100(health)
Sp 100(stamina)
Tp 100(tech)
Mind
Electronics - 5
Biologics - 5
Morality - Neutral
Soul
Aura Color - Dark Purple
Integrity - Unharmed
Ki - 1000
Detailed stats
Physical
+Strength - 10
+endurance - 0
+constitution - 0
+Agility - 10
+speed - 0
+reflexes - 0
+Intelligence - 10
+wisdom - 0
+leadership - 0
Mind
Willpower - Low
Social status - Unemployed
Fame title - None
Soul
Daily luck - (default)
Karma - 0
limit break - Astral projection
Abilities
None
Racial traits
-Can dive into the cyberspace(Racial)
-Can equip bionic enhancement chips(Subspecies)
-Can equip Nanotech regeneration(subspecies)
-Can't equip bionic prosthetics(subspecies)
-Can't use robotic assistants(subspecies)
==========================================================
Checked his Inventory He was wearing a strange black jumpsuit and had 1000 credits for his starting expenses.
He looked at the map and saw it was exactly the same as the real world map, even the stores were located in the same location. He went into his Square's super market and saw that there were forty robotic counters. Each had a different sign and sold basic equipment and consumables for each and every class. Rumors say there are secret shops that sell class exclusive gear that are far higher speck and even some illegal stuff.
(leave that to your imagination)
He had no profession yet so he only browsed through the consumables for some cheap foodstock like bread and water but his gaze couldn't move from the screen when he saw that they sold recipes and blueprints for consumables. He would have gone for it if not for the stinging expensive prices, on second thought he could just search those on the net.
He logged out and surfed for a bit there were millions of pages and guides. Ranging from how to play the game to theories about how damage is applied or other what ifs, the only thing everyone agreed on was you have to by more hardware for your capsule, and more precisely three devices that made your life easier.
First was the Gamecom device which allowed communication with the outside world through the capsule,through emails,chats,calls and even videocall.
Second was the bookcopy device, you could copy books and other paperwork and send an electronic copy of them into all three of your games making it easier to work and play at the same time.
Last was the life support system which was primarily only meant for the sick people but in time all the hardcore gamers bought one ending never leaving the game not even for the toilet, they even sleep inside the game.
Chris had already ordered the Gamecom and the bookcopy but he was not yet at the hardcore stage, he they were due to come in a weak or so, near the time his destros character reactivates.
He entered the game once more and bought some ingredients for chemistry and some food, of his 1000 credits only 10 remained.
He now had 3bunches or 10 plants, 3 bandages, 2 medical tapes and 3 breads to eat through his adventures to come. Without a care in the world he walked down the streets at least until his spider senses tinged or more like he felt bloodlust all over the streets he looked around and he could see at least 12 people spying on him, if he wasn't close to his house flat, he would have been a nice target for shooting practice as bullets stormed one after the other before he could close the door.
In Altgaia your house is an Impregnable fortress, no thief can enter or destroy, that was made so that players didn't know where other players lived in real life, there were many flats and even if in real life there was a lone house with a garden, in Altgaia there would be a complex of many houses bound together starting from the the closest house.
In other words you couldn't enter another's house even if you wanted him to enter, only exception were npc characters and the most disturbing were the npc burglars. Of course being robed by one of those meant you just gained a quest to regain your stolen stuff.
Inside his house Darknym was now safe, he had gained three abilities just by going for to the shop.
-Soft walk gained-
now he had it in all three games
-Danger sense-
Due to so much bad intent targeting you, you have acquired
a skill to survive, know it won't direct you to the danger,
just warns you.
-adrenaline rush skill gained-
Running for your life made your adrenaline rise in a struggle for
survival.It diminishes stamina usage and afterwards raises your
speed and reflexes. It will activate by itself when the most needed
time comes
He left the abilities at that and went for the lab, he had what he needed for the for four chemical substances.
The three plants were used for a healing drug, a paralytic poison, and a sleeping drug. He tried to make the first and failed miserably but gained the recipe for the light healing drug(-2 healing plants). He tried to create the other two drugs and failed once more(-3 para-mushrums) (-2 sleepflowers), from this action he had gained a single point in biologics, and he needed at least 10 to create the healing drug. The reason for him buying these plant wasn't because of their effects although they are good, it's mostly because of their prices they were the cheapest stuff around.
He now had all three of the recipes in his schematics list.
"light healing drug"
only heals pure humans, needs to be injected
into a blood vessel, heals 10points.
"Useless paralytic poison"
Only paralytic for pure humans, needs to be applied to
a weapon or a needle. affects the target with a 2sec of
paralysis, non stackable.
"Potent sleeping drug"
Only drugs pure humans, needs to be consumed by the
target and kicks in 30minutes making the target sleep for
8hours, damage to the body won't awaken the target.
All three were useless for him but they could be used to gain a few points in biologics, which would affect his available professions, in the future.
He used up almost all of his plants getting stuck with one para-mushroom which he cut with the tools on the lab into tiny pieces, he then took a piece of bread and cut it into a sandwich, stuffing it with the mushrooms.
He had just created a poisonous mushroom sandwich, he could had cut it in two halves but he saw it was not a good Idea. Next he cut the bread into 8 loafs and did the same with the others two, he had 28 loafs of bread and a...
"Poisonous mushroom sandwich"
A deadly creation that will cause weakness and
potentially knocks out anyone foolish enough to
eat it. It drains 1 stamina per sec for the duration of
8 hours it will silently drain all their stamina.
He gained 20 tech points for this creation and a point in Intel. Every first creation has that effect, it gives 20tech points, in the start it might seem good but in the long run it's not as great as it sounds.
Darknym took a look at the clock and next at the map, the location of the HQ was miles away and he had used all him money on crafting materials.
Why was it that no one in their Guides said anything about this, was a good question but it could be explained after looking at the computer terminal, there were already 28 invites from different agencies each offering to help him in his nooby days but he had different plans, he dreamed of freedom no restrictions, no restraints.
(In some opinions it's called chaos)
He looked around and saw that there was little to do inside the house, it was somewhat spacious but it had little for him to do. He broke his head thinking about what to do when finally he walked to the computer terminal and entered the Cyberspace.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
It was a strange world where there were roads made of green numbers outlining where he could go, if he strayed from them he would fall into the nothingness or into a lower path, he saw others walking paths far away from him he could exit anytime as with a single thought he appeared once more inside his room.
He needed to know what awaited him in the Cyberspace, he logged out and surfed the net once more for answers.
The Cyberspace as it appeared was even more dangerous than the real world as you could die just by touching a malevolent "program"(person), you can gain Info and tech points inside the Cyberspace. Rumors go that you can even steal credits from other players or gain credits by destroying viruses and spywares. It appears you need a special tool in order to not die immediately and even destroy the malwares, which he lacked.
He logged in and entered the Cyberspace by staying inside for a long time he could gain a point or two in electronics and a few tech points if he interacted with another person or program, if he died a 10min ban would be applied as if he died normally.
He lied down on the path for a few minutes thinking what to do next. His body was that of a small globe and as he was caught in his thinking a ping and his danger sense sounded in his head, he left the Cyberspace the next second.
He didn't know what was coming for him but if he had stayed a few moment more a lightning fast red participle would had killed him asap.
He was once more trapped in his room, but there was a good exit to the situation, he just logged out and entered Allastar.
There was a flash of light and next he only saw darkness it was the middle of the night and he could not see so well in the darkness of the run down town of Rubrick.
He sat in the dark and did the meditation to raise his Mp gaining a crushing 60mp.
He called out his "status" screen
==================================================================
Race - Human
Subspecies - valley people
Gender - Male
Level - 1
Physical
Hp 241(health)(10)
Sp 201(stamina)
Mp 384(Magic)(14)
Mind
Art - 1
Charm - 0
Rage - 9
Morality - Neutral
Soul
Aura Color - Dark Purple
Integrity - Unharmed
Ki - 1000
Detailed stats
Physical
+Strength - 11
+endurance - 10
+constitution - 0
+Agility - 13
+speed - 1
+reflexes - 3
+Intelligence - 14
+wisdom - 14
+leadership - 0
Magic
control - 0
Focus - 0
Augmentation - 0
Affinity with gods
- Wind 50mp
Mind
Willpower - Low
Social status - Homeless
Fame title - None
Soul
Daily luck - Godly
Karma - 0
limit break - Astral projection
Skills
Meditation - N/A
Cleaning - beginner 3
dishwashing- beginner 2
Soft walk - beginner 6
Berserker Rage - 3 beginner
Climbing - beginner 1
backstab - beginner 1
Twisted stab - beginner 1
Professions
1.Mage - Unwanted Novice (2/1.000 skillpoints)
==================================================================
He was a step closer to becoming a mage, a mediocre one but that was okay by him.
Today his luck looked great, luck was a stat that changed each day, the better the luck the better the monster drops and other luck based things like criticals,gambling etc.
He went towards the the only light in town, the broken hide Inn. He gave his best smile to Theo.
"How have you been my beautiful lady?"
"Work's going better, after the monster appeared"
"Can I do anything to make you sleep safer at night?"
"Don't you dare laying a finger at it, it's our hen that lays golden eggs"
"Whatever you say milady"
"By the way we don't need your services anymore so you can leave and make a better use of your abilities"
"Well It was getting tiresome but I didn't come for that today I was wondering if you knew about any gambling dens nearby"
"Well gambling is one of few charms of life, if you like I could play you a round of cards"
"I wouldn't dare It would pain me greatly to see you lose money"
Her face had a strange expression, a mix anger and surprise.
"You're so confident that you'll win, is your luck so good tonight that you pity me, how much do you have on you anyway to think you can win big in a gambling den, ten gold or a hundred maybe"
It seems her temper towards gambling was something he hadn't included in his predictions.
"I only have a meager 55silvers but now that you mention it why don't we play a few dealings, do you know blackjack"
The night was long and his winnings went up with each deal. The beautiful elf lost miserably as she looked at his pile of winnings that only went higher with each game, but with each game his bet went up as well he bet more and more, it was like an all in gambit, if she only won once she would take all her losses back, It hit her even harder when his winnings went beyond her capability to bet.
"Would you mind If I offer you an Alternative to betting"
"And what would that be, losing?"
She said in an irritated and obviously angry voice
They had already closed the Inn to have their game that only went beyond proportions.
"I will buy a room in the Inn and we will continue there, I'm sure I can rent it for the whole year with all my winnings"
She was skeptical for a few minutes rubbing her hand on her forehead, she wanted to accept but continuing to play afterwards would cost her probably more than a single room and for some time she went still until a wicked smile overcame to her face.
"Under the condition that you rent the most expensive room I might consider it done"
He didn't consider it much as he knew how run down the place was, how much could their best room cost.
"I accept but under the condition that we will continue our gambit"
She took all of his winnings and his original 55silvers,
"those will be enough to cover you for 1month and 7 days, food and cleaning included, do you still want to continue?"
He took out 23 copper and said
"of course"
She looked irritated as her scheme fell down the drain, with 23 coppers it would take him some time but she would live the defeat streak once more.
They went upstairs, his room was the one next to the last. She gave him the key and told him that the room was absolutely safe from thieves and any sort of detection spells, it even had a silencing enhancement that would block sound from coming and exiting, completely soundproof and the many other bonuses that he will probably never use.
"If you need anything My room is next door so don't be afraid to knock"
They went inside and he couldn't keep his mouth closed from what he saw, the room was like one taken from a palace, decorated with paintings and silverware and a large triple bed with sheets so fluffy and soft he could just sleep there all day. There was a small table there and four antique chairs, the system sure plays mean tricks on the players. He was sure the place was just created for him to lose all his money, there was even an alchemy room and other craftsmen oriented rooms like a small forge and a kitchen.
They sat on a chair but after he felt the bed's softness it didn't feel as good.
"would you mind if we play on the bed, it's just so soft"
She slapped him in the face and shouted
"How dare you insinuate such things, if it wasn't for the game I would have been already out of here"
He didn't speak and just showed an awkward expression and stood up moved the table next to the bed and sat on the soft bed at his end.
Seeing what he did Theo also understood her tiny error but couldn't find the strength to apologize. The game went on for a while as he started with coppers but in the end he was exactly where it all begun 55silvers.
"I think we should end it here for today"
He said in a rather tired fashion, in the real world it was probably night now as he had spend hours in Altgaia.
"Not yet, I feel my luck will change"
It was probably true as a new day had started and even his luck would change in a few minutes.
"Be my guest"
He said and continued the game, their lucks changed and his new luck was only a Best but it was fine as well. Now it was more of a gamble and he even refrained from playing all his money on an all in and still slowly and steadily he was winning, he had lost a few times but his winnings were more than his loses.
Theo looked as tired as him but her excitement and phenomenal for an NPC gambling addiction made her want to play more and more, the switched the dealer's role and she always did bet all his money's worth and lost but afterward won as well he could feel her hand getting better and then like a twist of fate with the last card she lost it all. She tried for the 21 while he was satisfied with a anything fate passed him. He did risk sometimes and after some time they stopped, they both had about the same amount in gold, 268gold each not counting silvers and coppers which by that time were considered too small a bet.
"I think we should continue the next time I come or some time when we will be more a bit more awake I'm beginning seeing doubles"
He said and she nodded. He passed her two hundred gold and said
"will those fill the bill for a second month"
She looked at him with a smile,took 30 more gold from his winnings and said
"With a small discount they will just make it"
And she laughed as she went away.
He logged out and swiftly looked what's up with the rooms on the net and found exactly what he feared he would find.
!!Warning about the royal suit fraud!!
Rooms in the Inns change according to the price you pay, some player wanted to buy the best room in a countryside Inn and fell from the clouds when the Innmaster took every single penny from his pocket and even his bank account. Inn owners will take your words literally so don't even bother saying anything about the room's quality unless you know what you are asking for.
It also Included the room namings and what's included in the price.
"Cheap room"
1silver per day*(14hours) a dirty room, if not for the
well rested buff it would be better sleeping on the streets.
No food or cleaning included in the price
"Normal room"
10silver per day*(14hours) a small room with a
bed and a chest to save your Items in.
One meal is included in the price but
no cleaning until you leave the room.
"Merchant's room"
20silver per day*(14hours)
Two rooms, one with the bed and chest and
a second for your preferred crafting.
A good meal and cleaning of the room when you
leave is included.
"Noble's room"
1gold per day*(14hours)
A large room with a single luxurious bed
and two chest. Two crafting rooms of
your preference. Two meals a day and a
servant to clean the room and serve your meals.
"Bridal suit"
5gold per day*(14hours) a large room with a
luxurious double bed and two chests.
comes with a kitchen and two crafting rooms
of your choice. four meals of you choice
and two servant to clean the room and serve you.
"Royal suit"
10gold A VIP room, inaccessible by normal means,
the few players that have bought it for a day
say it's so good you won't want to log out.
It contains a triple bed a dining table and a chest.
It also has all crafting rooms and two chests in
each of those rooms.
The meals are served my the four servants you are entrusted
with and believe me they are worth the price. You can eat
however much you like and not even get a pound.
(in real life)
Lastly for the servants you are given the service bell that calls the servant, it's magical so don't get surprised when from puff of smoke an NPC appears.
He shut the pc, blinked a few time, yawned and fell to sleep.