I felt a little overwhelmed even though I was just standing, doing nothing. This was a game world, but it was unlike any game I had ever played. I looked around, trying to get my bearings. The forest was quiet, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. I walked around my starting point wondering if there were any other players or at least an NPC nearby with the intention to ask for directions to the nearest town. For some reason, I couldn't find a map in the system menu.
I took a deep breath and started walking, not sure where I was headed. I stumbled upon a clearing, and in the center of it, I saw two people talking to each other. I had no way of knowing if they were players or NPCs but I approached them, feeling a little awkward. They noticed me and stopped talking, turning to face me.
"Hey there," one of them greeted. He was tall and muscular but had a wide smile on his face. "Can we help you?"
I nodded, not sure what to say.
"Don't worry, we won't bite!" he said, and laughed rather loudly. It could've very well been mistaken for a roar. "I'm Marcus, and this is Chelly. We're both adventurers, just like you. I'm a warrior and she's a healer."
"I'm not sure if I'm an adventurer yet," I said, feeling a little embarrassed.
"That's alright," Chelly said, walking towards me. "My, my, you're so dusty. It's like you were rolling around on the ground, or just barely got out of a battle. Are you sure you're okay?" She examined me, and I felt a warm sensation wash over me. She was healing me, I guessed, and it felt great.
"There, all better," Chelly said, smiling. "You look like you're in good shape, but be careful out there. The forest can be dangerous."
"Thanks," I said, feeling grateful. "Do any of you know where the nearest town is?"
"Ahh, a traveler," Marcus said. "Stick to that path," He pointed to a path east from where we stood in the clearing, "Just follow it, it leads naturally to Woodpine Town."
I nodded. "Thanks, both of you."
"No problem," Chelly said. "Good luck out there!"
I watched them leave with a pang of relief in my heart. It was nice to know that there were friendly people in this world. I decided to follow Marcus' advice and stick to the path. I went on for a while, feeling a little more confident and enjoying the scenery.
As I walked, I marveled at the vivid colors of the trees and flowers surrounding me. Everything was so lifelike and beautiful, I almost doubted this was really a game. When I entered the town, I noticed several people milling about, some huddled together in groups while others stood alone. I felt a pang of loneliness as I realized I had no one to talk to or guide me through this new world. But then, as these feelings coursed through me, someone called out.
"Hey there! You look new around here. Need some help?"
I turned to see a petite girl with short, blonde hair and a warm smile on her face. She was wearing a white dress with a bold red cross on the chest. I wanted to know so badly if she was a player or not but didn't know how to check, so I did the obvious thing and opened my menu.
[Current activity:]
[Engaged in conversation with Helia]
I tapped on Helia.
[Helia Verosea]
[Mage-Potionsmaster, Level 23]
[Non-Playable]
Opening my menu paused gameplay so when I resumed, I replied, grateful for her offer, "Uh, yeah, actually. I don't really know my way around."
She giggled. "Don't worry, we were all in the same boat at some point, back when we were babies! My name is Helia, by the way."
I introduced myself as a new adventurer and she led me around the town, pointing out various shops and vendors where I could buy weapons and equipment. She also explained the different types of quests available and the important things about battling, leveling up and joining guilds.
As we walked and talked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Helia. Despite only knowing her for a few minutes, her friendly demeanor and willingness were calming.
Eventually, Helia had to depart to attend to some guild business, but not before giving me her contact information and offering to help me with any future questions I might have. Feeling even more confident now, I decided to try my hand at completing my first quest. According to Helia, I could pick up quests at the town's quest board.
The board was large, wooden and from what I saw from a distance, blank, but when I got closer, my menu opened up on the Player tab and my Quests section was highlighted, showing a list.
[#1 Slay a shadow sphynx and bring me its eyes — Mr Sonora
#2 Collect a strike of lightning from the thunderbird in a potion bottle for me — The Moonform Wizard
#3 I need 15 bundles of wood for a large project — Cherry, the carpenter
#4 Deliver a message to the town seamstress, Madam Goldhearte — Sir Nikolai Garund
#5 Investigate the mystery of the abandoned townhall — System Quest
#6 Find and retrieve my stolen earrings. They're an heirloom!! — Solana
#7 Defeat the hollowed goblin that has been terrorising Coal Village — Official Quest from the Chief of Coal Village]
The first two things were terrifying and tapping on them revealed a hefty amount of gold, XP points and valuable player items as rewards, but it was still too much of a task for a beginner like me. The third was much milder, offering a reward of 300 gold and 150 XP points. It was so perfect as if it had been waiting for me.
I accepted it.
[New quest: The Carpenter's Project]
[Status: Incomplete] [Tap here to cancel]
[Note: Anyone may accept a quest, but only whoever delivers it first may be rewarded.]
The quest was relatively straightforward but it still took me some time to figure it out. First of all, where was I to find an axe? I remembered there were many shops around this town and set off to find one that sold such items.
Upon finding a random one, I entered it and quickly found a nice, sharp-looking axe and only when I'd gotten to the desk where I was to pay for it did I see that I had no money.
[Player Info (0 gold)]
[Class: Unselected]
[Skills:]
[ • Absorb]
0 gold??? Were these people serious??? What kind of role-playing game like this has its players start off with nothing???
Steam poured out of my ears.
"Uh, sir?" The thin boy who held managed the desk called, looking bored. "Are you paying or not?"
"Shit," I said and turned to go, leaving the axe behind. What was I supposed to do now? I'd accepted the quest and I had to hurry before another player completed it. Hell, several were probably already on their way and here I was, poor and axeless.
Dejected, I wandered the streets of Woodpine, shoulders slumped and not seeing where I was going. And so it was, my journey as an adventurer had come to an end before I had even started. I sighed in frustration wondering whether to cancel the quest and pick one of the other ones that didn't require tools I didn't have when an idea occurred to me.
There was a carpenter in this town. Literally, the one whose quest I was on. I could find his shop and ask that he borrow me an axe. There was probably a lightbulb floating around on my head and tears nearly sprung in my eyes at this solution I'd found.
Next stop, the carpenter's shop!
I started walking and only when I'd gone a few steps did I realize something. I still didn't have a map, so I had no idea where the carpenter's shop was.
For fuck's sake.