"Welcome players, before your quest starts, I would like to introduce you to classes" a disembodied voice addressed.
NOVICE - A beginning adventurer, nurses low XP and carries no weapon for protection, else found or bought
APPRENTICE - Shows promise in combat or casting, with more varied gear & utility items. Aids Novices, scouts ahead partway in each quest area, if they choose to.
ADEPT – Unlocks a magical power. Provides buffs/heals, shares hard-earned strategies. Reaches midway landmarks as a solo player.
EXPERT - Highly skilled in multiple areas. Completes most challenges unaided. Offers aid freely, inspiring others to level up. Identifies rare clues & items.
HERO - A true champion, helping find the grimoire seems impossible without their epic feats! Reaches endgame areas first. Sought for guidance, leadership in climactic final battle.
LEGEND - Only a select few achieve this immortal status. Those who solve the full mystery and acquires all part of the grimoire.
"These classes are based on a player's achievements and progression. Once again, welcome players and thank you for playing. Your quest starts in 30" she continued.
"Wow, the quest hasn't even started and you're already an apprentice" Alex praised Greta as they walked to a shop where items were traded for money or other items.
"Look Alex, we don't have to be friends okay? Let's just get through with this game and go our separate ways. We don't have to force conversations" Greta said suggested rather harshly.
"We're allies, Greta. What part of that don't you understand?" Alex asked confused and annoyed.
"You think I saved you because I cared about you? I saved you cause I cared about the extra points. Edward said it himself. Do whatever you can to survive. That guy that I killed for you, that is it for him. He's out. He's not gonna be respawned. He can't buy another VR cause they are all sold out. If you're out, you're out. I'm not sparing anymore of my HP's for anybody" Greta stressed harshly.
"I'm not that weak, Greta. I don't need you to save me" Alex insinuated already pissed by Greta's comments.
"Then I guess we don't need to be allies" Greta suggested sternly.
"Fine, good luck" Alex wished then he walked away in search for Avia.
Greta then decided to peruse stalls for upgrades. After saving Alex, she had acquired coins from the defeated attacker. But her prized sword remained just out of reach at a prestigious weapons shop.
"Forty more coins for the Mythril Blade?" She sighed to the shopkeeper. Before he could reply, a booming voice echoed across the metal plaza:
"Players, your next quest awaits in the Crater Canyon Zone in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
Around Greta, players phased into light as their forms were transported to the new location. She felt herself dissolve into shimmering particles too. Reforming amidst the orange wasteland, Greta took in the harsh scenery: towering rocky cliffs, rusted machinery half sunk in dust. A lone figure addressed the assembled players - Edward Montenegro, appearing virtually before them.
"Brave adventurers, I come with grave news. Our robotic mining facilities have malfunctioned, threatening the workers within. A rogue hybrid AI is targeting their life support systems to ransom mining fuel. You must battle robot hybrids through dangerous trenches to the CPU core. Shut it down before the staff meet a grim end in 2 game hours! Let the search begin"
With that, Montenegro vanished. A timer appeared in the orange sky. Greta eyed her companions, including former ally, Alex. Readying her daggers, Greta called to herself: "The hunt is on"
Within the gloomy metal halls, the players listened for power signatures cautiously. Around each bend more hybrid drones may lurk. Their senses tingled as one player went dead. A hulking hybrid smashed the player in a flurry of savage blows. Its bulk blocked the horde now charging after surviving players. "Run!" Greta yelled.
One of the players fell to the ground right before Alex. He wanted to save himself but he decided to help the player up on her feet. He grabbed her wrist just as drones spotted them. "Stay close!" They sprinted amid a storm of gunfire, some players who had equipped a gun in their inventory, valiantly holding the line. Numbers seemed endless until a glimmering rupture in reality. A disembodied voice echoed: "This way, I've opened a portal!" Dragging allies through, the rift snapped shut behind. But hundreds more hybrids broke through.
Greta met their onslaught alone, each precise strike hacking away 70HP methodically. But even her skill found limits against such odds. Just as she fell, two more lumbered towards her vulnerable form. Seeing this, past tensions melted for Alex. He charged as Greta managed to pass him her twin daggers. He went up in the air and landed on the hybrid's back as the twin daggers went straight inside it. Then it fell lifeless.
"Thank you" Greta thanked as Alex returned her daggers.
"Anything for extra points" Alex smirked.
"Umm… guys, we gotta go. The portal's about to close" the female player Alex rescued interjected. They heeded to her advice, going into the portal. The surviving players all appeared into a new location when Montenegro appeared.
"Well done players. Some of you have shown great efforts of teamwork, whilst some have shown great combat skills. On this note, I would like to congratulate player 149,998 – 18inRehab, who has shown great teamwork and combat skills" he praised as his profile appeared up on a screen. Everyone saw his avatar and stared at him while he stood with Greta and the female player he saved.
"Congratulations on passing this level. You have all been granted extra five lives as you venture onto the next quest. Be back tomorrow for your next adventure and remember, the real quest is only beginning but until then, welcome and thank you for playing!" he concluded and then disappeared.
"You're now an apprentice. Congratulations" Greta praised with a smile.
"Thanks" he replied.
"Look, Alex, I'm sorry for being such a jerk. Allies?" Greta asked as she brought out her hands.
"Allies" he replied then they shook on it.
"I'm sorry, did you just call him Alex?" the female player asked.
"Yeah" Greta replied.
"18 in Rehab? Alex Gates?" the player asked Alex.
"That's me… wait a minute, Avia?" he asked surprised.
"Yes!" she squealed as she jumped right into his arms. Alex then introduced Greta to Avia as his best friend.
"You kinda look familiar but never mind" Greta said with a chuckle. "We gotta head back to the real world and prepare for the next quest" Greta continued.
"Yeah" Alex and Avia chorused.