In the middle of a lab, the stink of alcohol stung straight into my nostrils. The lab was located right in the middle of the Nevada desert. I was sitting in front of the table while three people with lab coats were sitting down right in front of me.
They were probably in their 50's. One of them was bald, and the others had white hair. I held my pen. In front of me, there was this document, probably a 20-page thick. It was a waiver for me.
So, what I was doing in the middle of the Nevada desert, if you might ask? Not because a mafia was dragging me down to bury me, but what I was doing in here at the moment was the equivalent of that thing at the moment.
"So, I just need to sign this waiver, and people will let me go?"
"Better than to be buried in the middle of the desert, don't you think?" One of the professors said.
"Yeah, I guess so," I signed the waiver. I had read it, and the outcome was way better than any of those mafias in Vegas would offer to me. And I fell into this complex situation thanks to my deadbeat father, who was dead now.
Ten mafias were sent after me. I killed them all. Well, guess what, now they were pissed off more than before, probably sending a hit squad after me. This lab, or rather, this facility, was owned by one of the security contractors who had ties with the military.
NSATP Program Waiver of Liability Agreement
I, [REDACTED], acknowledge that I wish to participate in Neural Scan and Transfer Program at [REDACTED] on the 12th of January, 2054.
I understand that certain risks are coherent in researching and the other activities I will participate in this project, and I am fully accountable for any personal risks that might or might not happen to me. The risks include but are not limited to financial, property, or loss of life to myself.
I understand that there may be many other risks not known or reasonably foreseeable. I acknowledge that [REDACTED] will not be responsible for any harm that might occur. [REDACTED] also suggest for I sign my wills before to mitigate any losses related to this project. [REDACTED]'s research has been fully authorized by third-party observers and followed current medical guidelines. I also will donate my current body to [REDACTED] if loss of life is unavoidable.
I fully release [REDACTED] and its employees, officers, and agents from all liability in connection with my participation in this project on the condition that [REDACTED] keep good faith with the terms and conditions in Clause B.
Signature
███████
███████
"Alright, follow me."
One of the researchers led me outside of the white room. I followed him to a series of white hallways. From the hallway, I could see several people were working on some sort of pod. It seemed to be malfunctioning, judging from the smokes.
"Don't you worry, I won't put you in that machine? And I bet your father wouldn't want you to," he said.
"Yeah, pops was kinda something, but well, thanks for the help."
"No sweat. You're still my student, and you seem to be stuck in this situation with the mafia. Besides, your father and his gambling addiction are ruining his life. I've told him that, but he wouldn't listen. I know you run away from your father to the military because of that," he said.
"Are we going to talk about the past again, professor?"
"No, of course not. Besides the fact that you are closer to death thanks to the mafia in here than in Eastern Europe."
"For how long will I stay here?"
"Until the project is done, at least. Well, we only need to scan your brain and be done with it. Are you ready?"
"Yup," I nodded.
The professor led me to this room with a device that would be attached to my head. I was told to lay down in that bed. The doctors there put several diagnostics devices on my chest and my head.
"This device will transfer your neurological system to a machine, then it will return you back to your body. Is that clear enough?" He asked.
"Yup, it's clear enough."
===============
[You Have Died]
What?
After that professor turned on the machine, my consciousness faded away, and I ended up in this intense darkness and void in the middle of nowhere. I could feel my legs and my arms, but I couldn't see it.
Every time I moved it, I didn't see it. It was odd. And there was this screen in front of me. The screen is on a black box with its text bold in red. The text was clear. I have died. But how? Complications in operation? Or what? Should I just accept this fate, or should I learn more about it?
[Respawn?] [Yes] [No]
Huh? Say what now? I pressed the [Yes] button.
[Searching For Player Database…]
[Player Database Not Found]
[Generating New Character]
[Confirming Character Appearance] [Yes] [No]
Then, an avatar with the same appearance appeared right in front of me. It literally looked like a mannequin of myself. It wore a uniform, a woodland digital camouflage if I wasn't wrong.
I adjusted my character's appearance, making it a little bit taller and a little less muscular. For the other parts, I still kept my black hair and the rest of my body the same. I pressed the [Yes] button.
[Confirming Character Stats]
[Remaining Points Left: 12]
Strength: 0
Vitality: 0
Agility: 0
Dexterity: 0
Besides, it was a description of what each stat would do to the character. And here I was, still confused about where I was. Could it be that I was in a game world? Well, I had died, so it was kind of makes sense. Let's see what did these statuses do.
Strength: Determines your total weight capacity. It also determines the damage of any melee attack and determines the maximum weight of the weapon the player can handle. It also determines weapon handling.
Vitality: Affects maximum HP of body parts and damage reduction rate. HP regeneration is affected by this stat alongside the effectiveness of healing items. Reducing the rate of fatal damage and CRBN damage. Increase total stamina of the player. Also increased the durability of hydration and hunger.
Agility: Determines the moving speed of the player, walking, crouching, and crawling. Reducing the chance of being detected in stealth. Determines stamina drain from running. It also determines aiming time and reloading time.
Dexterity: Determines the weapon's accuracy alongside the critical damage at vital points. It also determines the amount of sway on each weapon. It also gave a significant boost in manipulation time and gadget usage.
I distributed some of the points according to my preference. As much as I wanted to put many points on vitality, I preferred to focus on dexterity due to the increase in critical damage.
[Confirming Character Stats]
[Remaining Points Left: 0]
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Agility: 2
Dexterity: 4
The next screen appeared, and I was asked to put a username. It confirmed it. I was indeed in a video game world. Now, what should I put? Sure as heck, I wouldn't even put my real name on this screen.
[Username: Beuer]
[Confirmed]
[Analyzing Traits]
[Showing Character Traits]
Special Forces: (-20% on aiming down sight time) (-20% scope sway) (+20% movement speed) (-10% price on ammunition and guns) (Ability to join Special Operation mission earlier than other players)
Surgeon: (-50% use time of medical items) (+50% effect on medical items) (-20% price on medical items) (More medical support mission is available for the players)
"Sweet."
[Please Select Your Faction]
There were lots of factions with lots of its descriptions. However, two factions immediately caught my attention. Those two factions weren't the largest one, but I felt familiar with both of them.
North Carmine Federation: A country located on the north part of the Panlantic Continent. This country is well-known for its advanced research and development in several subjects for its military-industrial complex.
Avoset Union: A country located in the Eurasian continent. A country well-known for its labor-intensive factory alongside its authoritarian regime. It's also a country famous for its successful public welfare program.
Yeah, it was probably easy to know which one I'd pick. I closed the character confirmation screen, and my whole player status appeared right in front of me. It summarized all of the traits that I had taken.
[Beuer]
Level: 1 [0/1,000 RP] | Private of North Carmine Federation
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Agility: 2
Dexterity: 4
Traits: Special Forces | Surgeon
Current Weapon: None
[Credits: 500]
Simple, to be honest, compared to an RPG of some sort. There were only my traits and my stats. Nothing too fancy, to be honest. I expected that I would get some sort of skills, but well, l couldn't ask for anything better.
[Welcome to Contract Battleground]
Yup, that was a game. The black screen started to fade away, being replaced by the view of a small cabin inside of a helicopter. I opened my eyes. Several people with the same kind of uniform were sitting inside that helicopter.
It was a UH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopter judging from the seating positions. Funny, it felt nostalgic for me. The helicopter doors were open, so I could see where we were heading for. It seemed that we were heading to an outpost in the middle of nowhere.
From the air, the outpost could be seen. Tall concrete barriers were surrounding that outpost from all sides, including several tents and a main building that looked like a command center due to the appearance of the satellite dishes on its roof. The outpost itself was surrounded by grassland and forest.
"To all passengers, we will be arriving shortly at Outpost Charlie-12."
Outpost C-12. That was the name. These people were as clueless or as excited as I was. I really didn't know why. If this was a game, then this place was the starting location. Hmm, interesting, to be honest.
The helicopter landed in the middle of the base, and every single one of us disembarked from the helicopter. Where should I even head to? I didn't have any direction, nor any tutorial yet. Until….
[Welcome to Outpost C-12]
Welcome to your starter outpost. This place is where you can start your journey as a freelance contractor. You can get a quest from the command center. The armory/gun shop is also available. To sleep or eat, you can go to the tents on this outpost. Happy playing.
It was too late to ask what was going on with my soul at this point. It was better to follow the flow for now. I could ask questions later.