chapter 2:
A New World
Wan Jie departed the human town brimming with confidence. The wide world of Dragon Realm Online now lay before him, ripe for the taking. With the Modification System at his fingertips granting him unlimited potential, what challenge could stop his meteoric rise to glory?
Consulting his map, Wan Jie decided to head south toward the capital city of the human kingdom, Imperial City. More opportunities to equip himself would surely be available in the economic center. From there he could also venture into the disputed frontier lands, proving his might against ever greater foes.
As he trekked down the forest road, Wan Jie hummed cheerfully. Sunlight shone through the verdant canopy overhead. Birds twittered melodically among the branches. It truly felt like he had been transported into a living, breathing world.
Of course, Dragon Realm had always prided itself on immersive realism. But to literally exist inside the game world as his avatar rather than experience it through a screen was exhilarating beyond anything he could have imagined.
Wan Jie breathed deeply, the crisp air filling his lungs. He reached out and trailed his fingers along the rough bark of a tree as he walked. It scratched his skin, solid and present. Even the dirt beneath his boots felt springy and real, so unlike his soft bedroom carpet.
Up ahead, the road opened up into a valley where a small stream cut through the grassy terrain. Wan Jie approached and knelt by the burbling watercourse. Cupping the clear water in his hands, he splashed it over his face, feeling the cool liquid trickle down his skin.
These sensations were incredible compared to just pressing keys and watching animations. Wan Jie laughed aloud at the possibilities. He could now experience the thrill of battle beyond vicarious fingers tapping buttons. The fiercest monsters of Dragon Realm could be challenged head-on, conquered by his own strength.
As he stood, Wan Jie spotted movement further down the valley. A large, dark shape lumbered out of the tree line - an Ironhide Bear, one of the low-level forest monsters. The hulking beast raised its head, sniffing the air before fixing its gaze upon the lone human. Letting out a throaty growl, it started to charge.
Grinning, Wan Jie drew his rune-etched sword, the blade humming eagerly for battle. He welcomed the oncoming bear, feet planted firmly into a ready stance. Closer and closer the beast thundered until a flash of steel halted its advance.
With a swift uppercut, Wan Jie's sword sliced cleanly through thick fur and flesh. The bear's head toppled from its shoulders, falling inert to the ground with a heavy thud. The remainder of its body slumped down, dark blood pooling into the grass. Just like that, the first true battle in this world had been decided in an instant.
As the adrenaline rush of combat subsided, Wan Jie flicked blood from his blade before sliding it back into the scabbard. The System made him powerful beyond measure against low-level foes like this, but he yearned for more meaningful tests. Each new triumph only stoked his hunger for the next.
Glancing around the valley, he noticed some rabbits and deer had poked their heads out from hiding spots to nervously survey the aftermath. Wan Jie snorted in amusement. On his old computer screen, beasts like these were just randomized NPC spawns mindlessly carrying out scripts. But seeing them here displaying primal fear and self-preservation instincts in response to his actions made the world seem that much more real.
He pushed deeper into the valley, senses alert for more threats. However, the remaining creatures scurried away at his approach. Wan Jie decided not to waste effort chasing them down for now. He had a schedule to keep if he wanted to reach Imperial City by nightfall.
The valley ended in a rocky ridgeline, cliffs looming overhead. According to Wan Jie's map, a tunnel cut through here towards the capital region. He scanned the rock face until he spotted the dark mouth of the cavern entrance. Unsheathing his sword again just in case, Wan Jie headed inside.
The sunlight streaming in from outside quickly faded as he moved deeper into the tunnel. Aside from distant drips of water and his own echoing footsteps, all was quiet. As Wan Jie's vision adjusted to the dim surroundings, he noticed old mine cart rails running along the ground. This route probably facilitated trade and transit between the kingdoms.
Up ahead, soft squeaking noises broke the stillness. Wan Jie's senses immediately heightened. Rat-type monsters often spawned in areas like this, emerging from side passages and crevices. His suspicions were confirmed when several giant rats scurried out of holes in the tunnel walls towards him.
With almost casual slashes of his blade, Wan Jie dispatched the rodents before they could close in and attempt to gnaw or scratch him. Only the largest rat lasted more than a single strike, squealing angrily as it tried to bite his leg. A swift kick knocked it onto its back before Wan Jie's sword tip impaled it into the ground.
Flicking viscera from his boots, Wan Jie progressed down the echoing tunnel. He passed side passages and mine shafts occasionally, but his map indicated sticking to this main route was the fastest way through. The occasional groups of rats or bats were barely enough to even warm him up.
Finally, Wan Jie spotted daylight filtering in up ahead rather than just artificial torchlight. He quickened his pace, eager to be out of the dreary caverns. Passing the final bend, the tunnel opened up onto a ledge overlooking a sprawling landscape of villages, forests, and farmland.
In the distance, a titanic city surrounded by high white walls and towers came into view. Even from this far, Wan Jie could make out throngs of people moving about packed streets, residences cramped together roof to roof. Imperial City in all its glory.
Compared to the sleepy starter town, this instantly felt like a seat of power and culture as befitting the kingdom's capital. Wan Jie's excitement rose at all the possibilities within. The auction house would surely offer even more wondrous artifacts and equipment than before. Fame, glory, and conquest awaited!
After asking some passing NPC travelers for directions, Wan Jie set off down the snaking mountain road leading toward the capital. He marveled at the sprawling country scenery around him. Back in the real world, he had never strayed far from his own city. Yet now an entire vivid virtual continent was his to roam.
By early afternoon, Wan Jie reached the capital outskirts. Seeing the massive gates and walls up close made him feel suddenly small and insignifcant. The starter towns had seemed like such a big deal initially. But this was the true center of power and culture in the kingdom.
The crowds grew thicker and noisier as Wan Jie passed through the bustling slums right inside the city gates. Like any huge metropolis, the capital had its share of crime, filth, and poverty defining the outskirts.
He stayed on guard, hand resting on his sword hilt while making his way toward the central districts. But most denizens seemed too wrapped up in their own lives to pay him much mind outside of the occasional curious glance.
The deeper Wan Jie went, the taller and more opulent the architecture became. Intricately carved towers loomed overhead as he navigated pristine paved roadways. Luxuriously dressed nobility sat atop sedan chairs carried by servants as they shopped and socialized without a care.
By early evening, Wan Jie located the commerce plaza and auction house. He booked a room at a posh inn nearby to serve as his base of operations while in the capital. The astonished staff couldn't believe a seemingly common wanderer could afford their high prices, but Wan Jie's coin purse never ran empty thanks to the System.
Now comfortable in his lavish accommodations, Wan Jie eagerly prepared for a night seeing what treasures the auction house here could offer. Rare artifacts from fallen kingdoms, mythical bestiaries, ancient tomes unlocking untold power - these were now all within his reach to obtain. What heights he could not reach in this world with such resources?
Tomorrow he would venture into the disputed territories and truly begin his ascent by vanquishing so-called horrors that terrorized mortal men. But for tonight, he would equip himself like the conquering hero he was destined to become. Those who looked down on him, mocked him, dismissed him as a nobody - soon all would know his name and tremble!