The following day, in the real world, I once again stepped into my beautiful capsule and started the game. I felt my senses and consciousness being transferred back into the machine.
This sensation had always been peculiar and slightly unsettling. After all, it was as if my real body ceased to belong to me, replaced by another body in a world of imagination and fantasy.
When I opened my eyes, the strange but fascinating sensation of inhabiting a different body washed over me. The wings, the feeling of belonging to another race, the heightened strength, the enhanced senses, and even the presence of a new kind of energy—it was both exhilarating and surreal.
In reality, the innovation of virtual reality had greatly benefited people in the real world. Consistent use of such games had been shown to improve sensory and cognitive abilities, help resolve trauma, restore sensations to those with numbness or other psychological issues, and even offer relief to individuals with physical impairments.
Of course, it wasn't perfect. Studies had already highlighted risks, such as the potential for new traumas, exposure to various forms of violence, stress, and psychological or subjective suffering. This was often attributed to the structured time dilation within the game or its mechanics, including battles, simulated sensations, and other events. There was also a more controversial aspect involving people with psychopathic or perverse tendencies, as described from a psychoanalytic perspective. For these individuals, virtual reality was seen as both a means of releasing such tendencies and, paradoxically, a tool that might reinforce them and lead to projections in the real world.
It was a contradiction, to be sure, but not one I was particularly interested in studying or investigating. Shaking off these thoughts, I stretched my body and focused on the day ahead.
....
Today, I planned to explore a region that had piqued my interest. Joey had pointed it out to me yesterday, and it seemed promising. But before heading out, I decided to take advantage of my privileges as a newly approved village guest and rent a mount for the journey.
I arrived at a stable—a massive structure overseen by a strikingly beautiful Naga. She had long black hair and vivid green eyes, her attire resembling something crafted from wood.
"Oh, you must be the young Beast Kind guest I heard about," she greeted me with a curious but slightly lazy expression. A cigar-like object rested between her lips, releasing wisps of smoke into the air. The scent left me feeling slightly lightheaded, but not enough to bother me.
I smiled politely, keeping a tone of elegance.
"Yes, it's a pleasure. You must be Joey's aunt, Jess, right?"
"My nephew mentioned me, did he? Well then, I'll give you a 15% discount. Are you looking to rent a temporary mount?"
"Yes. What options do you have?"
"That depends on your budget. Follow me," she said, motioning for me to follow as her serpentine tail slid smoothly across the ground.
The stable was well-constructed, made of wood and large, sturdy leaves. The interior was spacious and divided into two sections.
"Here we have two types of mounts. I'll start with the more expensive option," she said, leading me to the first section.
"For 80 gold coins, you can rent a Blackwater Lizard. These creatures are incredibly fast and agile, especially in swamps. They can traverse water and mud effortlessly, and they boast high defensive capabilities along with decent offensive power."
I observed the large creatures. With green or brown scales and teeth that were more flat than sharp, they appeared less aggressive than I had expected. Their bodies were sleek and medium-sized, with tails that featured sharp, dangerous-looking edges.
"By the way," she added, almost as an afterthought, "they can't carry too much weight, as that would compromise their agility. Their strength stats aren't very high."
I nodded in acknowledgment. The price was steep, but the animals looked well-cared-for and healthy, which was reassuring.
"And the other option?" I asked.
"Come this way," she replied, flashing a slightly mischievous smile that left me intrigued.
The reason for her smile became clear as soon as I saw the second type of mount.
Large frogs in various shades of green sat in the next section. They were smaller than the lizards, but still large enough to carry one or two people. Their skin had a slightly slimy sheen, but it wasn't overly repulsive. Looking at them, I guessed the mischievous smile was due to the frogs' appearance—probably an unpopular choice among other races.
Considering there were only five frogs compared to twelve lizards, it seemed like a reflection of their less popular status.
"These are the Lagoon Frogs. As you can see, they're a type of monster with a slick, slippery coating. Even with saddles, they aren't exactly favored by most people," she explained.
"However, they have greater strength, which makes them viable for carrying heavier loads. They have moderate speed and excellent jumping ability, but their defensive and offensive capabilities are quite limited. Because of this, they cost 35 gold coins."
I nodded, finding the price much more reasonable. I wasn't bothered by the fact that they were frogs or that their skin was slimy. I was just about to confirm my choice when she added two more pieces of information.
"I should mention two important things. First, since these are borrowed mounts, their capabilities will be limited while they're with you. They'll be adjusted to your level, and their skills will be somewhat restricted."
"Second, if the mount dies or suffers serious damage, the penalty fee is significantly higher."
I nodded again, understanding the risks. If I saved money now, I might end up paying more later.
After a few moments of thought, I made my decision.
....
3rd Person POV
Amidst a swamp, a young man clad in a black cloak stood out. His striking blue hair billowed in the air, and his enchanting eyes, brimming with charm, seemed capable of drawing anyone into their endless depths, like a vast ocean.
Currently, he was leaping across the area with great speed and agility—or rather, his large frog mount was making tremendous jumps. The creature expertly avoided water puddles, trees, and monsters, while the young man sat comfortably on a saddle padded with a woolen fabric.
In his right hand, he held a whip charged with water energy, and in his left, a wand.
With precise movements, he lashed the whip forward, unleashing streams of water that surged like a flowing river, striking smaller monsters and keeping nearby threats at bay. Meanwhile, his wand alternated between erecting water barriers to block incoming enemies and casting various spells:
Orbs of darkness, Traps of shadow, Water balls, Mana arrows.
He appeared cautious, almost wary, clearly concerned about the safety of his mount.
The leaps continued, as the swamp's hostile creatures failed to close in on him. Even serpents that dared to strike were pierced by magical arrows or shredded by the whip's watery might.
As he advanced, the terrain gradually shifted. The swamp gave way to an unusual forest, its trees veiled in a faint mist that added an air of mystery.
Bringing his massive frog to a halt some distance away, the young man dismounted, landing softly on the ground.
Taking a deep breath, he carefully surveyed the forest ahead, his gaze sharp and attentive.