-I will declare the ultimatum.
The viewers lean forward nervously in anticipation of the next words.
-Elves has no breast, no waist, and no curves! They will also never give off such a bright and free atmosphere as you! I could not tell last time because you had armour on, but in conclusion, you are a fake elf--!!
-Isn't that racist?!
-No! It is the universal truth, the law of nature, science!
-Don't defile the ultimate foundation of our world!!
Everyone laughs and are hooked on one of the most popular in gaming stream of the most realistic VRMMO, hosted by the Song Princess, April. There are many famous players in this game, but only her, Merchant Yenni, Blacksmith Drom, and few others who are famous outside of fighting and adventuring.
But most realistic does not mean most popular. While the players had peaked at five hundred thousand on the first month, the realism repelled most players and they dwindled to only twenty thousand loyal players. The real number of players are higher, but only that many players actively explore and seek progress.
There is stamina, hunger and fatigue which thrown off many gamers expecting a game like setting. Unfortunately there is no bias between the Fel and the wanderers. They have to eat, sleep and rest appropriately like in real life.
Next is the Fels, the residents of the world of Orin. Equipped with the newest AI technology, they simulate actions and personality indistinguishable from real human. Shopping, questing and apprenticing means interacting with simulated real people. That destroyed the dreams of many social rejects which makes up a good number of gamers.
Jokes aside, since the Fels are like real people, they can be equally treacherous. There have been many cases of players being scammed and betrayed by their clients because the players treated them like hardcoded NPCs. Not to mention the state of the world resembles the medieval era so there is a huge lack of order compared the modern times. They are unused to the new culture.
After that is the power levels of this world. Currently the only way to increase their basic stats is through training, not grinding monsters but real physical (or virtual) training. There are no levels that will magically raise their strength just by killing monsters and completing quests. The only level that exists are skill levels that's incredibly hard to raise. Right now, level 3 is the average highest skill level while few has gone beyond level 5. The requirement spikes harshly after that level. The only people that have gone beyond level 5 are experts in real life who transferred their experience into the game.
The point is that most players are scared of this world, they are disillusioned about the fantasy world they yearned to live in. Sure, it is realistic to an astonishing degree, like it is ripped out of a story itself, but it made the players understand that they are just another Villager A.
Not many manages to live like a hero in the story. Those who stayed loyal to this game after being hit by reality are either experts of a field in real life, or freaks that does not understand what give-up means. The streamed contents of these players are very popular right now, and currently, Alni and her party of real life friends are watching the streams while resting from adventuring.
'H-hey, why did your sister's mood suddenly worsen. Weren't we all happy just a while ago?'
'I don't know! Don't ask me, I don't wanna die-!'
"What are you talking about."
""Hiek!""
"Watch quietly."
""Yes!""
The Song Princess' stream was not very popular before because her stream has little action and she only travels and explore new cities. That is until recently when she met a Goblin Lord called Aruk who fought Schwarz while disguising as a player. It sparked a large controversy about fairness, mostly caused by Schwarz's party and his fans, but he is someone with a lot of haters due to his womanising behaviour, and the problem ended with the developers words.
'The promised world has infinite possibilities. If you're not up for it, don't play!' (Abridged)
They are a software company before being a game developer.
In the end, the strongest Swordsman, Black Dragon Sword Master is no more, and no one dares to put 'Black Dragon' into their name anymore.
Ever since, more and more people started watching Song Princess' livestream and videos because she is travelling together with Aruk, an eccentric high level power of this world. The popularity exploded when a video of Aruk pulling out a huge war bow and shoot down an Alpha Wyvern from miles away.
The reason? The colour of the wyvern was black.
And that video made its way to Alni, making her and her party a part of the viewers watching their adventure.
"…Sis, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I just feel cheated."
'Didn't he say they can't leave the city?' Is what Alni is thinking now.
Alni and Rou has yet to move far from the departure, yet Aruk is already a few kingdoms away. Even Rina who tamed a Great Hawk with the help of Lirthusia, and Goruk who is taking care of her cannot catch up to their speed.
Aruk and April's journey continues at an insane speed towards the center of the continent as more about the world is out picked from their conversation.
Their destination is the ancient tower beside the Holy City of the Holy Kingdom, to attend the Magic Gathering.
"Alright, that's over. Let's move."
After finishing todays stream of the Song Princess, Lina, Alni's little sister, and the leader spoke to the party of 6.
No one chose a human avatar, nor the iconic fantasy elf or dwarfs. The chosen classes are matched horribly with their race. The most normal one is the tiny white lizardman Lina who wants to be a magic using all-rounded fighter, ambitious as her sister, and the most abnormal one is… well, everyone in the party is abnormal. No one has a class that fits their fighting style, it is a party full of misfits, yet still oddly successful.
They are currently in the Underground Tomb spread across the entire continent, the spawn for most Undeads. They are in a dead end room with only one exit and surrounded by a translucent barrier cast by Alni. The only things in the room are caskets spaced neatly between each other as if it's a morgue. Attacking any of them will incur heavy penalties and weirdly, cleaning them gives a small monetary reward.
"But this barrier spell is so good~. It lasts quite long."
The Giant speaks.
"If you weren't such a big lug it will last longer."
The Mouse Werebeast quips.
"I don't think that's how it works."
"Why are we in this creepy and decrepit place anyway?"
Looking at the corridor fully packed with Zombies, the Fox Beastkin and resident Ghoul speak in succession while shivering in fright.
Undeads are difficult to defeat, and they don't have anything of value either unlike beasts. At least they can dismantle the beasts' hide, claws and fangs to sell, but undeads has no value anywhere on their body. Not to mention the Tomb is always dark, smelly, and swarming with undeads, it is one of the most unpopular hunting grounds.
"Well, it's because I can level my priest skills easily against a hoard of undeads."
Alni answers her party.
"Moreover, they are not as scary as slimes."
The party is confused, but perhaps 3 more souls can back her words.