"Thanks!"
Ethan express after receiving the box from the man who was wearing a company cap. This person was a delivery man from the branch store of ERIXIS company.
The delivery man slightly scanned his apartment seemingly wandering why the said person has time to buy such expensive headgear even his place was not that decent.
Ethan, not caring about the gaze continue to sign the paper as an indication he received the item.
After the transaction was done, he excitedly went to his bed and open the box. Revealed from it was a gray-black helmet with simple yet imposing line designs.
This helmet was the UTOPIA VR headgear.
At last, after two weeks of force diet, he finally obtained it.
The game, on the other hand, had already been running for five days. Though he wasn't concerned about it because this time, he wasn't in a race.
Ethan was just playing to relieve his boredom and have some fun.
He can, however, quickly catch up to the mainstream players if he desires. After all, he was the 'almighty' guild leader.
He reached for his phone and check the time.
The time was currently quarter to five pm. So he decided to eat up dinner first before diving inside the game. Yeah, those delicious cup noodles lining up on his table.
Someone asks 'what about work?'
Ethan changes his shift to half-day and places it in the morning.
Since his entire savings was used to buy the VR headgear, he can't possibly quit work—at least for the meantime until he gained enough credits from the game.
The game UTOPIA was designed to be played while sleeping. He doesn't know what kind of mechanisms or programs did the ERIXIS implemented for it to be possible.
As long as he knows, past VR games were also the same. So it was proven several times that these kinds of things were safe for human brains.
The game's server would be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. It has a short duration of 12 hours. However, the time inside the game was nearly twice that of the real world.
When a player logs in at 6 p.m., he or she will wake up at 5:30 a.m. in the game world. The game will then close at midnight.
This equates to 12 hours in the real world and almost 19 hours in the game!
This is a fantastic feature, especially for students who want to study a lot and for people who want to enjoy the feel of the fantasy world.
After eating his fill, Ethan lay on his bed and immediately put on the helmet.
Upon wearing the game helmet on his head, a metallic click resounded in his ears as Ethan suddenly felt that everything in front of him had gone black.
Slowly, the darkness was gradually replaced by a white light and a huge hall appeared in front of him, painted with white walls.
He cannot feel his entire body as if only his consciousness was present.
The truth is, he became a wisp floating in the middle of the hall.
An entity wearing a hood was standing near his front. The figure has a face devoid of darkness.
"Welcome, Seeker! You've arrived in a foreign world of Utopia."
The hooded figure exclaimed. In UTOPIA, the people who entered the game would be called Seeker.
Seeker of adventures, seeker of wealth, seeker of power, seeker of truth— whatever reason does a person seeks, it can be found in this world.
"In this vast world, you can find anything you want. Here, in this place right now, was the starting point of your journey," the entity continues.
"Please create your identity name."
Being said, a blank screen suddenly appeared in front of Ethan.
"Samael," he replied and the words he had just uttered littered the blank screen.
Previously, he also use this in-game name. He was a fan of archangels archetype names and one of these names he has taken a liken to was Samael—the angel of death.
Fallen angel but at the same time under the command of God. He claimed his personality to be the same as Samael since he was both good and bad, kind and evil.
"Understood. Now please select your race," the hooded entity urged him to choose the races that appeared in front of him.
Utopia has more than 100 races, from Humans to Elves, Dwarfs, Beastmens like Cat people and fox-eared, Fairies like Pixies, Vampires, Demons, and even Succubus were included.
However, several races will only be unlocked inside the game. The only playable race at the moment was the seven races displayed in the front.
HUMANS— the very weakest race in the world of Utopia. As for compensation for their lack of [Innate Ability], the human race was gifted with one superior [Talent] instead.
They have starting attributes of 3 Intelligence (INT) and 3 Dexterity (DEX). Each level increases Intelligence and Dexterity by an additional 1 point.
ELVES—the very noble race in the world of Utopia. Said to be the child of nature and has an affinity to mana. They were also adept in archery and hunting.
They have starting attributes of 3 Intelligence (INT) and 3 Perception (PRC). Each level increases Intelligence and Perception by an additional 1 point.
DWARFS—the race that loves crafting deep in their blood. Short as they may, they were the makers and inventors of a big amount of crafts in the world.
They have starting attributes of 2 Constitution (CON) and 4 Dexterity (DEX). Each level increases Constitution and Dexterity by an additional 1 point.
BEASTS—a warrior race is known for its strength and explosive power. Their bodies can withstand the different types of attacks. This race was divided into several subraces.
They have starting attributes of 4 Strength (STR) and 2 Endurance (END). Each level increases Strength and Endurance by an additional 1 point.
DRAGNIL—the race said to be the child of Tiamat, the mother Dragon. They have tough skin and high agility.
They have starting attributes of 3 Constitution (CON) and 3 Agility (AGI). Each level increases Constitution and Agility by an additional 1 point.
PIXIE—a fairy race that has wings. Very adept in casting light magic and spells.
They have starting attributes of 4 Magic (MGC) and 2 Intelligence (INT). Each level increases Magic and Intelligence by an additional 1 point.
DEMON— a race born by the residual mana of the previous great Demon Lord. A race that was very adept in casting arcane magic.
They have starting attributes of 3 Magic (MGC) and 3 Dexterity (DEX). Each level increases Magic and Dexterity by an additional 1 point.
The seven races are displayed on their respective screen.
Ethan didn't hesitate to tap one of the panels.
After selecting a race, he, a mass of energy began to expand on its own until he acquired a body, legs, and arms.
The system created his avatar after integrating 95% of his real-life image into the race he selected.
Traits such as two small pointed horns, small fangs, and eyes dyed with slight crimson red were reflected in his character.
"You have chosen the Demon race. You have obtained the innate ability of 'Arcane Specialist' and the talent of 'Demon Blood.' Now please choose your profession according to your race," muttered the entity.
The profession in Utopia was always dependent on a person's race.
When a player for instance chooses a Dwarf race, it was expected that the list of professions he'll get would not include the Mage category class.
It was either Non-combat professions such as Artisan or classes in the Warrior category like Shield Warrior and Paladin.
This setting could also test the gaming knowledge of a player since the bonuses in each race will have a certain impact on the chosen profession.
In his previous life, he chooses the Human race.
Many will choose this race because it was the only race that occupied all the job professions of the game and also because of the superior talent it possessed.
That time, he choose the Swordsman profession.
In this life, however, he will choose a different path. He already experienced the playstyle of the Human race, now he will choose the Demon race!
Aside from him anticipating this new experience, there was also a reason why he choose this race.
He planned to play a profession under the Mage category.
Elf race for mage? Nah, he wasn't fond of pointy ears.
Though Elves have always worn a beautiful face, he still didn't choose it. What for? He was already handsome (self-proclaimed).
He skips the Pixie race also because he hates to have fancy wings on his back. So the only remaining choice was the Demon race.
After choosing his race, what appeared on his front were several small square panels with different professions.
Monk?
Swordsman
Assassin
Cursemancer
Necromancer
Witch
.
.
.
Warlock
Shaman
Without hesitation, Ethan taps the class he was planning to get in the first place.
"You have selected the Witch profession."
The hooded entity snap his fingers once.
Ethan's naked body a while ago had now clothes on it and a simple pointy hat was resting on top of his head.
"You have been equipped with the default Witch's garments and a Novice Staff. You have also been granted five spell books to learn. The duration was one day, after that, the books will vanish in your inventory," the entity continues.
"Please select your starting place."
Without even waiting for the whole map to roll in his front, Ethan had already selected a specific place.
"Kingdom of Hardenia, City of Palak."
"Very good. You'll arrive in one of the beginner villages of Hardenia Kingdom."
The hooded entity bowed slightly at him.
"Enjoy your time in this world, our respected Seeker."
Shrook~
The mysterious figure warp on the spot.
Ting!
[Transporting in ten seconds]
10
9
8
7
6
.
.
.
.
1
!!
Following the countdown reaching zero, the surroundings became distorted and the sight in front of Ethan was bathed in bright light.
He closed his eyes. After a second, he was now standing in the street.
Around him were buildings that quite resemble a town in medieval times.
"So much popularity..."
Ethan muttered after seeing the bustling place. Players with different attire and race were busy loitering around.
"I'm back, huh? This is it! I can't help but be excited."
He smiled broadly and spread his arms shamefully without a care to the people who were passing by.
"But first, I'll earn some money! I've been eating cup noodles and cup noodles for two weeks, so I might as well treat myself to some luxury food."
Ethan stated firmly before beginning to walk away from his position. Hands in his chin, pondering what he should do on his first day of the game.