Looking around at the black damp spots within his apartment, Rukku could not help but frown. It seemed like there was now another problem that would require money to fix. And yet, where was he meant to get that money?
The man who looked like he was in his thirties was in fact only twenty. His body showed signs of well mostly everything. Lack of sleep, lack of proper nutrients, clearly stressed and depression and then there was the sign of being overworked too. Rukku was beyond down on luck, he was down on just about everything.
Laying against the cracked wall, he sighed. If only his brother had not been sent to war. If only he had just come home. The brother in question was Rukku's hope and dream. Having looked after him for so long, he had grown up and helped Rukku get this apartment. The day when he found out that his brother had been killed. Rukku did nothing but sit down.
His friends slowly disappeared and he was left with nothing. Ditching college and a promising career in medical technology. Rukku struggled to get work in the current climate that said it was lacking workers when in fact, it was just lacking jobs.
"Ding, Dong!" The sudden chime of the doorbell sent a minor shock deep into his heart. Rukku looked at the door with his eyes wide open. His mind was sent reeling from the thought that someone would even ring his doorbell in the first place. Let alone anything else that the person beyond said door would even want.
The bell then rang again, reminding him that he should get up and actually answer the door instead of just staring at it.
Walking forwards slowly, he opened up the door. Then as he looked out of his door, he was finally able to remember what this would be.
His last hope to make some money.
Stepping to the side, "If you would follow me, I will show you where the capsule can be set up." Following behind him were a few men as well as a corporately dressed woman. The lady was holding a clipboard and the men were carrying a gaming capsule, though some parts on it looked like they would still need to be installed at a glance.
The lady smiled a little, "Thank you," her soft voice seemed to lift some of the tension within his heart only for it to come back moments later. "Alright! You all heard the man, get moving!" The lady after yelling at her underlings soon turned back to Rukku.
"Well, Mr Rukku, there are just a few forms alongside some advisory information that you need to sign and confirm that you understand with me. Is there anywhere we can…" Her soft voice soon had found its purpose.
Rukku may be down in life but he was not going to be fooled into doing anything dangerous, with that in mind. He spoke to her as firmly as his voice could muster. "It is fine here. Could you show me the documents please?" The lady could not have been stunned enough at how the clearly poor and desolate man spoke to her.
"Sure…" She said absentmindedly as Rukku quickly took the documents and began to read them through. The documents were more about insurance and making sure that the company behind the game could not be blamed for anything. The anxiety within him lessened a little after finding nothing bad within the forms. Grabbing the ladies pen, he quickly signed where she had indicated previously to him.
"Ok, that should be fine now then. Enjoy the game Mr Rukku." With her final words, she quickly left the house with her underlings following behind her at the same pace, clearly, they had done this more than just a few times.
After seeing them all out and making sure that the apartment was locked up tight. He walked back over to the capsule. Having read the instruction manual the night before online, he knew that. Although the game would release later on in the day. The setup could be done now.
So without further or do, he pressed a small button on the capsule causing it to open up without any sound at all. Rukku smiled ruthlessly to himself as he slowly lowered himself into the gel-like foam. This was now the nicest thing that he owned. Well, the nicest thing that he owned by a long shot.
Quickly making himself comfortable, he then pressed a button on the inside of the capsule to close the hatch, it then closed just as silently as it had opened. The darkness did not bother him much. In fact, as he laid in the capsule he found it to be more comfortable than the mattress that he slept on normally.
Then he felt a sudden shock on the back of his neck.
At this moment, high above the world and universe. A group of beings in varying types of clothing styles and colours all stood around looking down at a planet.
The oldest looking of these smiled a little. "So our game can finally begin. I wonder if any will survive on this world." Then the old man laid back on his chair smiling. The others around him just nodded their head as they all agreed with what the man had said.
Rukku though was going through an experience which to those old men was called transference. To him though, it felt like a thousand needles were being pierced into his skin all around his body.
Then as it all stopped he found himself looking out over a vast and unending ocean. He himself was just hovering above the waves themselves. The gentle off spray from the waves and salty breeze was all he could feel and smell.
"Welcome Player Rukku, to the Ancient's Game! I am the system in charge of introduction and insertion into this vast world." A playful and happy voice soon greeted his ears.
Rukku was shocked though. Not because of what the voice had said but…
"When did games get so lifelike! It feels like I am in reality still! What is this!!!" His shock could be understood or well slightly understood. He had not played any kind of games within the last 6 years, which in the current world was rare indeed, he was an oddity.
Though unbeknownst to him. Games had not yet got this far, this was well for him. Reality now.
Then the system giggled a little at his words. "Well, I thank you for the compliment Rukku! But we should really get on now, or the other systems will tell me off!"
Rukku was once again stunned this time though he did not say a single word in response. This was simply just so life like, when had programs become so adaptable and real?
"Well my first question for you is, do you want to play in ruler mode? Or would you rather go into adventurer mode?"
These two modes were one of the games main standing points. Rukku having done a little research knew what he wanted to go for already. After all his aim here was to make money! And the best way for that was to rule and sell resources and land to whoever he needed to! Well, the best way to make lots of money that is.
"I want to go for ruler mode."
The system responded cheerily, "Sure! Next up is race selection. The world is a fantasy one! You can choose an individual race or let the system decide for you with random mode!"
This choice though Rukku had a very little idea what he could do. The races that one could choose from were the basics yet, in random mode there were hidden powerful races hidden there. Like angel desendents or the Eldar! The Eldar being the precursor race to the elves, an all-powerful badass race.
Feeling a little excited he yelled out, "Random mode!"
"Ok, sure! You have been selected... HUMAN!"
The most basic race…Rukku could not believe his bad luck. Or well he could, in this case, he was never lucky at all. What else could he really expect?
"Though as you seem so nice, mister. And the fact you choose the random selection and got the most basic race. You get to choose a bloodline! This is one of the best abilities of humanity. Now you have many choices so we will quickly pop over to the isle of bloodlines!"
The scenery suddenly flashed in Rukku's eyes, he could not help but feel a little upbeat! This was a good chance for him already to gain some personal advantage!
Quickly a new place took shape around him. It was just a plain island. But all over it was massive temples. Each one looks different. In the far distance, he could see some even more extraordinary temples too!
"You have ten minutes to enter a temple of your choice. I'll greet you inside! If you do not enter one your right to a bloodline will be forfeit. Permanently."
The harsh punishment made him flinch a little. But as he looked at the great temples in the distance. He could not be happier.