"Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh."
Keno screamed as he was wildly flung to and fro as darkness consumed him. He was falling rapidly to a destination unknown. After more seconds of panic, Keno tried his best to look down.
A few hundred meters down a gaping oval of bright light was situated. Keno did what any person would do, he somehow positioned his body to align with the oval. He hoped he was making the right decision. He finally realized the Oval was expanding quickly as he fell longer and soon, it took up his entire peripheral vision.
He closed his eyes instinctively as he fell straight threw it, except no impact came. Eyes still closed Keno could feel a light tap on his shoulder.
"Am I dead?!"
Keno asked not daring to open his eyes.
"If you call being at the social hub area dead, then yes."
A young feminine voice said just above him.
Keno hesitantly unhinged his eye lids and took in his surroundings. Thousands upon thousands of humanoid figures walked about randomly. A few more seconds and he realized he was in a court yard of a huge cobblestone castle with a big wooden gate wide open. Huge numbers of humans, elves, dwarves, and scaled humanoids shuffled in. Many Swords, guns, staffs, shields, and odd clothing were attached to these figures.
"Hello?"
Keno took his gaze off the enormous crowd to take notice of the voice. It was short human girl, thank god, with a blue old western dress on and a set of scarlet hair. Saying she was beautiful was an understatement and Keno was at a lost for words.
"Uhhh, hello."
He managed to say through his daze of being awe struck.
"Hello Keno! I am Elizebith and I will be your guide for mostly everything. If you will follow me I can show you the basics of being in this world."
Keno nodded blankly as he relished her mouthing his name with joy. Shaking himself free of the thought, he stood up and kept his pace a few feet behind her. He could tell she had a nice body just from the back view...
"Keno?"
She glanced back to catch the boy staring downward and he quickly snapped his head up.
"What did you say, sorry?"
"I said how do you like it so far?"
She pulled her dress down a little further and kept to the path.
With another look of the area he spoke,
"A rough start but overall not a bad experience. I still am lost on a few things but I hope you can help me."
Her rose cheeks smiled and she winked at Keno, "Well that is my job."
Keno almost collapsed as he thought his heart skipped a beat, or did it stop entirely, he was not quite sure.
The duo were following the flow of traffic as it led to the big stone steps of the castle entrance. There was so much gibberish and the clank of metal as they came upon the castle stairs. A few guards in generic shiny armor stood with even more generic swords.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
One of them boomed really loudly, a few scaled humans winced when he did, a few finger gestures Keno understood were given to the knight.
"Elizabeth, Official guide of World one." She said annoyingly as she placed her foot on the first step. Keno followed, and as he took a step,he noticed. He had very plane black shoes on with no laces. Taking a look down he saw plane black pants with no pockets and a regular white shirt. His outfit screamed beginner.
After he was halfway up the steps a mental screen popped up in his head. He almost forgot he was in a game.
--- --- --- ---
New location found!
Adding Rook Castle to Map...
--- --- --- ---
Keno almost tripped as his attention was brought to the screen that was in his head. He tried to ignore it but it still hung aimlessly there. He tapped his head and just like that, the screen dissolved back to darkness. 'Hmm' Keno grunted internally.
"As we walk I will explain some things so of to cut time short, I have to go to a World meeting after this."
Keno almost forgot that she was not a npc but instead a real breathing person. She had things to attend to also. He could not honestly tell he was in a video game, which made him question himself.
"So you may or may not have noticed that you feel weird, that fuzziness is an after effect of losing your memories. And in the same sense they took your most basic traits which make you unique. Watch say "Status" and see what happens."
Keno walked in silence before he did what she said, "Status?"
--- --- --- ---
Username: Keno
Title: None
Level: Base
/ Level Specific /
Health: 100/100
Mana: 100/100
Stamina: 50/50
Defense: 20/20
/ Upgradable Stats /
Dexterity: 20/100
Swordplay: 20/10
Agility: 20/100
Sense:10/100
Intelligence: 60/100
/ Magic /
Affinity: None
Ability list-
...
Spell list-
...
--- --- --- ---
Keno walked silently as he read his "status" in the game. He guessed that everyone started out this way. He internally hovered over intelligence. Why was it sixty? It was the only upgradable stat that was above average.
"Why is my intelligence at sixty?"
She turned left,which led in to a long hallway with three doors on each side. The hallway was lit by flickering candles and a few sun rays from a single window.
"Depending on your past life, intelligence can change when starting out. However that is the only stat which is based like that."
Keno scratched his chin when she said this,
"So if you were already smart the game creators did not want you to be dumbed down or hindered at the beginning."
Elizebith nodded as she passed the window.
"And with the level based stats?"
Keno asked hovering over his level, "Base".
"Well the world is a level based one and since level zero sounds intimidating, they put Base to help reassure newcomers."
Keno laughed as he soaked up what she said. Apparently the game creators were nicer then what he had originally thought.
Elizebith turned right and sauntered down the new hallway as well, more windows lighting it.
"Wait."
Keno's cold eyes aiming at Elizebith,
"What about those who are not Adventurers? The insects and the animals that were once intelligent but were forced to play roles unwanted?"
A grim face formed on Elizebith,
"I think it's best if you don't pursue that matter. It would only lead to doubt and insanity."
Her joyful attitude washed over by a unwavering tone.
Keno took the hint and asked a different question,
"So what's with abilities and spells?"
Elizebith reverted back to her joyous self and nodded at the question,
"I'm glad you asked. Abilities are more or less perks that require no mana to activate or have activated while spells need mana."
So it was a way of not making players focus on just mana usage and not get crushed by those with bigger pools of it. Keno shuddered as he imagined fighting strong people who could move faster then he could perceive. Deep down he felt eventually that would become a reality.
"How does one come across getting abilities or spells?"
Elizebith stopped at the end of the hallway were a single wooden door was placed, nothing special about it in particular.
"Ah, you ask such great questions. Abilities can only be taken from beings you have killed and if they have, lets say five abilities, you would only get one of them randomly. Spells however are learned when one studies a discipline of magic."
Elizebith stepped to the side and opened the door, inside was a stone room with a single circle rug in the middle.
"I would love to answer more questions but its about time for you to get your first spell and abilities."
"First spell and abilities?"
She smiled and titled her head, "haha, I guess I can answer one more. When someone joins a game they are given a random free spell and two different abilities. A way of getting a leg up."
Keno smiled slightly, his mind still on the way you would get abilities. So if you did keep thinking about how everything use to be human, you might never gain abilities. Keno know understood why she was so sour about the subject.
"Okay, sounds great."
He stepped inside with a hop and Elizebith shut the door gently behind them. She pointed to the circle which Keno guessed as much. There was a hovering thin black screen just in front of it. After centering himself on the rug, he awaited for a sign of him gaining his new found abilities.
"Don't get your hopes up, its quite anticlimactic."
--- --- --- ---
New Spell learned!
Explosion Magic: Detonation
Mana use- 25
Stage (1/3)
Description:
After imbuing an object with mana, the holder can give a dynamite like effect to said object.
--- --- --- ---
Keno's eyes light up, his first spell was a very different one. He thought of maybe a fireball spell or a ice type one, but this one completely crushed his expectations.
"Woah, now that is amazing!"
Elizebith said refining Keno's confidence. He guessed from her reaction he got luckier then most.
--- --- --- ---
New Ability Acquired!
Gear
Stage- Always Active
Description:
You will now be assisted by an artificial intelligent based companion which will help in all scenarios. Gear is different depending on the user's personality.
--- --- --- ---
"Omg, you are so lucky! I never knew such an ability existed. You should be proud Keno, it looks as if the creators are looking out for you."
Her face came alive as she beamed at Keno who casually stood there dumbfounded. He wished it was more dramatic. The ordeal was just a dusty room with a red rug, why could it not have been a mystic orb or room of great wizards.
"It looks like it's time for your final ability to be received, maybe you will get even luckier this time."
Keno stared blankly at the stone wall as he waited patiently. Even if it was very dull and not high octane, he admittedly liked the cliche dodge he was going through. All of his luck so far was not over done or lack luster. He still had zero regrets.
--- --- --- ---
Ability landed on "Chance Roll"
Description: this can only happen when a new comer lands on the ability called "Chance Roll". It allows the player to roll for a very powerful spell or an ability which might hinder the player. Say "yes" to roll or "no" to move on.
--- --- --- ---
Keno and Elizebith gave each other looks of worry. He knew just from her gaze that this was the first time she had witnessed it. Keno delved in his mind for a second, thinking of the possible risk he should take.
'I say let's do it.'
Keno glanced at Elizebith who was looking at him in silence. The voice robotic and manly, coming from inside his own head. It was the ability "Gear".
'Hello Keno, My name is Gear and I am going to be your assisted AI for your lifespan. Do not fret, I usually only speak when asked a question but this is a opportune moment to introduce myself that I surely could not miss.'
Keno looked at his hands and gave Elizebith a unsure look before responding to his new companion.
'Is this thing on... oh it is. Hello Gear my name is Keno and it is a pleasure to meet you. I don't really know you or how far this ability goes but I will take your word.'
He nodded before puffing out his chest, "Yes."
Silence.
--- --- --- ---
New "Powerful" Spell learned!
Forbidden Magic: Extinction
Mana use- All
Stage (1/3)
Description:
After activating the spell, all known life in a entire known location will be eradicated immediately.
--- --- --- ---
'Oh dear, that sounds troublesome Mr. Keno.' Gear spoke in his ear but the words fell flat as Keno read over the details once again. The mental screen and real screen in front of him matching perfectly. No matter how much he tried to ignore it, the spell was easily there. The words sitting patiently for someone to dismiss them.
Then Keno heard it, Laughter. He heard laughter coming from behind him.
"I honestly thought I was going to really like you. You seemed so talented and calm."
Elizebith had her head down, shadows cast across her beauty.
"I'm terribly sorry Keno but under the protection of Rook City and of all the players of this game, I shall eliminate a world class threat, especially at such a low level."
She quickly jutted her hand out and red lines of energy escaped from her knuckles. After thrashing wildly they settled on the shape of claws. She took one menacing step toward Keno.
"Wait, whats wrong with you?!"
She exhaled loudly before taking another step toward him.
"Just look Keno, such an ability is too dangerous to be in the game. You could literally reek havoc and destroy the world many fight for, I cannot let that happen. No mater how much you beg."
Keno trembled as he saw the red claws grow longer to the point they reached the floor. The wood boards singing as they came close.
"Why would I do that, I'm not some asshole."
She lunged forward and slashed outward. Keno side stepped but one of the energy blades caught his shoulder, a deep gash forming instantly.
Keno collapse from the pain, blood oozing out of his wound staining his white shirt.
"What the hell?!"
Keno's mind lurched as he lost focus, his usual cool prowess crumbling in the moment.
Then a single thought appeared in his head.
"I'm so sorry Keno."
She mounted him with haste and pinned his right arm down. She raised the glowing claws which would easily slice through him like butter. The heat from them tickling Keno's cheek.
He smiled,
"This whole thing was really fun Elizebith, I thank you for everything you told me. I'm sorry for what I'm about to do."
She glared at him,
"You wouldn't dare use that spell!"
Keno winked at her, his eyes emotionless,
"You're right, I wouldn't."
<<
"See you later Elizebith."
All the air was ripped downward toward a single point. A tornado of winds circling Keno and Elizebith. A bright flash of orange and then white exploded from his hands.
BOOM