"The servers are up, the servers are up!"
Kuang Xin hugged his newly acquired helmet, seemingly unable to let it go.
The long-awaited "Galaxy Online" finally launched on schedule, much to the delight of this hardcore gaming enthusiast.
A future sci-fi world that's not only game-exclusive but also entirely realistic—let's see just how real you are?
He lay down in the gaming pod, donned the helmet, and entered the game—
"Should I create my character first?"
"Hmm... pretty standard."
"Let me create a wife first!"
[Detected gender as male, usage of female characters prohibited.]
"?"
Discriminate, eh? Why can't men use female characters? Shivering with indignation.
Kuang Xin blinked his eyes. In fact, he didn't see the familiar character customization panel, but some rather strange options—
[Physical Build Preference: ?]
[Facial Appearance Preference: ?]
[Ability Preference: ?]
[Race Preference: ?]
Physique from frail to robust was a slidable scale.
After a moment's hesitation, Kuang Xin opted for a balanced choice, as the people of Yan Kingdom always preferred a middle ground.
The appearance from handsome to ugly was also a two-dimensional choice.
Without a doubt, max out on handsomeness.
Ability preference... seemed to be a four-dimensional choice.
Physical strength, insight, reflexes, mystique.
It was like a quadrilateral that could be freely stretched outwards from any corner, but there was a limit.
And once any point was stretched to the limit, the other three could no longer change.
After randomly fiddling for a bit, Kuang Xin, familiar with online gaming routines, understood its meaning—these must be the character's personal attributes in the game.
Now he was setting up the base attributes.
All four attributes had a minimum threshold, and there were some undistributed points that you could freely add to any attribute, but the total number of undistributed points was limited.
Considering the scant information released on the official website, early game priority was clearly physical strength > insight = reflexes > mystique.
So... just slightly increase insight and reflexes, and put the rest into physical strength!
Then, racial preference?
Beast-ear girls, elf girls?
Heh heh heh...
There were also Bug Race, demons?
What kind of bizarre options are these?
Compared to those, humans and mutants seemed to be the most normal choices available.
If that's the case... I want a beast-ear girl!
[Race Preference: Beastkin.]
I just love that wild energy!
Character creation complete!
[Random character generation in progress...]
Enter the game!
Darkness enveloped Kuang Xin's vision, as the helmet's probes released gentle electrical currents.
As a deeper darkness encroached upon Kuang Xin's consciousness, a somewhat heavy physical sensation awakened within his mind.
He felt the wind... peculiar smells... vibrations of the earth... surges of thunder.
Two narrow slits emitting a dim grey light suddenly appeared before his eyes and fluttered twice.
Kuang Xin struggled to open his slightly heavy eyelids.
This was a human settlement.
Beneath his feet lay black soil, and wooden fences not far away enclosed simple huts.
The figures, like shadows, stooped and walked slowly against the grey backdrop.
Some people cast curious glances at Kuang Xin, who was slowly rising from the ground.
Kuang Xin also examined his own body.
Simple black ragged clothing covered his body, his feet were clad in shoes made of wood planks, and his hands and feet were full of black mud.
He touched his ears... no beast ears.
Was he still human?
Then he grabbed a handful of his crotch... such a soft touch.
The sour and cool feeling on his skin continuously pricked at his nerves.
"So realistic?"
Kuang Xin couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
[As you curiously observe your surroundings, you realize this is a whole new unknown world...]
The sudden voice from the system startled Kuang Xin, who had been immersed in the reality of the game, and then he deeply realized that this was the gaming world.
"Where's the panel?"
With his intentional call out, a light blue semi-transparent screen unfolded before him like spilt mercury—
[Name]: Unknown
[Race]: Human
[Template]: Player
[Health Points]: 60/60 (Base 50 + (Physical Strength – 10) * 10)
[Physical Strength]: 11 (Current) / 15 (Trainable Limit)
[Insight]: 9 / 15
[Reflexes]: 9 / 15
[Mystique]: 6 / ∞
[Genetic Optimization Degree] (Current Preference: Beastkin): 0/100
[Skills]: None
[Traits]: Peerless Beauty (Charisma +10, more likely to attract others' attention.)
[Expertise]: Brawny Physique (Unlocked)
[Mastery]: None
[Spiritual Energy]: Unmastered
[Technology]: None
[Mutation Risk]: Extremely Low
[Assets]: 100 Blackwater Coins (Starter Funds)
...
Having a trait is pretty good.
According to the official website, traits are innate attributes, and each player's birth character comes with randomness—anything could happen... or nothing at all, which is highly probable.
I deserve it, maxing out on looks has its perks.
Charisma +10, won't I become a hot commodity in the eyes of those NPCs?
It seems because of my charisma, someone quickly approached me.
"Wanderer? Where do you hail from?"
"Wanderer? Is that the background identity of this body?"
Kuang Xin contemplated quietly.
[You have tentatively accepted the identity of this world, and a brand-new world is opening up to you...]
Kuang Xin nodded at the prompt, affirming his thoughts, completely unaware that the gaunt-faced man in front of him, missing a front tooth, was looking at his face with a somewhat mesmerized smile.
"Over there…"
Kuang Xin casually pointed in a direction as an answer to the question, and then he eagerly asked, "Do you have any work for me to help with around here?"
Usually, the first person you meet should be the guide for newbie quests, right?
Newbie quests! Newbie quests!
"Work to help with?"
The man shook his head sadly, "Apart from food, we common folks don't need much. Winter's almost here, and the few wild vegetables we planted are nowhere near enough for my family of three. Sigh... I don't know how many more will starve to death after this winter."
[Side Quest Triggered — Food for the Winter.]
[Food for the Winter: Mr. Hans and his family are troubled by the coming winter. Collect enough food for them! Quest Requirement: Submit "Fresh" Meat Chunks *0/50. Quest Reward: 100 General Experience Points, Item Reward Unknown.]
A quest!
What's there to hesitate about!
As for what Mr. Hans said? Emmm… what did he say again?
"I accept!"
Kuang Xin was extremely excited, everything felt familiar, "Where to? How many do I need to kill?"
Seeing the exceptionally handsome wanderer accept his request so eagerly, Hans felt puzzled and with a cautious heart pointed to a place that was relatively less dangerous.
"Over there lies the Black Forest, it's home to some beasts with mild mutations, you may be able to rely on your skills to hunt a few..."
Skills?
I refuse!
The wisdom of humanity is to use tools; aren't we supposed to save the starter funds for something else?
Moreover, the official website also had some newbie tips, suggesting that in the early stages before you can withstand a nuclear bomb with your bare body, firearms are definitely more useful than fists.
Kuang Xin wore a passionate smile that was out of place in this dreary environment.
"Mr. Hans, do you or anyone nearby have any merchants? I want to purchase some stuff to arm myself."
Hans squinted his eyes, a greedy look fleeting across his face.
"I have some right here…"
...
[Poor-Quality Flintlock—Quality: Grey (Light Firearm)]
[Basic Parameters: Fire Rate 1 round/S; Mag Capacity: 7 rounds (pistol ammunition); Range 50 meters; Base Attack Power (Type: Piercing): 8~10; Power Output Level 10; Durability 7/10]
[Usage Requirements: Physicality 8 (Can Use), Character currently has no Light Firearms Specialization, Shooting Accuracy -10%.]
[Trait: Crude and Shoddy, Shooting Accuracy -10%; poorly made, with a chance of exploding during use.]
...
[Poor-Quality Bullets—Quality: Grey]*5
[Basic Parameters: Pistol ammunition, Attack Power Modifier -2]
[Usage Requirements: Compatible with pistol types.]
[Trait: Manually produced in a primitive way, inconsistent specifications, with projectiles highly likely to deviate, Shooting Accuracy -10%.]
...
Newbie equipment... as expected, it's trash.
100 bucks for this junk, seems like the in-game prices might be pretty high?
But the transaction was simple, money for goods, no trade panel, the real-world method is commendable.
But none of that matters, my legendary gaming life starts here!
"Are you prepared to set out now?"
Watching the spirited Kuang Xin, Hans felt a twinge of a long-dormant conscience.
"I don't even know your name yet?"
Maybe I can build a tomb for him if he dies?
Kuang Xin was slightly startled.
[A new life, a new name, you have one chance, what do you tell them your name is...]
The system's prompt gave Kuang Xin a full sense of immersion. No wonder they didn't let me pick a name when entering the game, it was waiting for this moment?
"My name is Kuang Xin."
Kuang Xin smiled brightly, "You can call me Kuang Xin. This name is destined to spread to every corner of this world!"
[Hello, respected wanderer 'Kuang Xin', you have officially joined the world of Galaxy Online. Now, please explore freely as you wish!]
Hans nodded.
"Alright, Kuang Xin."
(Alright, fool.)