In a pub, six friends were drinking and laughing while sitting in a table. They were all young adults and all of them had one thing in common, they loved games. They made their whole lives around games, making money from it one way or the other.
"How have you guys prepared for the release of the new game?" Asked Keith, he was slender but he was very active and like to move around.
"I guess we can only play it. No info has been released about the content of the game so far." Said Allan. Allan was also slender since he spent most of his time playing games, but he was calm and centered.
"It's amazing how they managed to keep it all under the wraps, like there was not even one leak. I wonder how they managed to keep their employees quiet." Said Jasper. Jasper was lively and smiley, he behaved a little foolish, but he was very good at acquiring information.
"At least we'll be able to stream the gameplay. So we can keep make a living while playing it." Said Sasha. She was Keith's girlfriend. They lived together and made a living by streaming games and making videos.
"Yeah, also even though RMT isn't recommended by the devs, they aren't against it either. I guess they're just lazy to actually create a safe system for player trades." Said Allan.
"That might be true, but they're being too mysterious for my taste. If we had to actually to stay awake to play it, I wouldn't play it at all." Said Tory. She was Allan's girlfriend. She was pragmatic and hated wasting time.
"Parallel online is gonna make us rich!" Exclaimed Jasper.
"We gotta grind levels very easily. We'll have 2 days time inside the game according to the company. So time is faster by 4 times. We can't waste too much time by talking to NPCs. We gotta level up quickly." Said Keith. He could only see himself fighting and grinding.
"They said it's gonna be very realistic. What if we need to know how to fight beforehand?"
Asked Jasper.
"Then we copy the moves from another game. The important part is making the weapon hit the enemy and deal damage." Said Keith with a knowing all expression.
"I think that in this game information is everything. So Jasper don't waste too much time fighting, try to understand the most of this world at you can. Sheila, you're also good at this department, so try to do it as well. Sasha and Keith, start streaming as soon as you can and don't worry too much about lore. I know you guys practice HEMA so you'll have an easier time fighting for levels. I'll try to understand the economy and how to get rich. In case we get separated we need to learn the names of our starting places. Jasper, try to get a map or something when you can. Tory, I know you don't wanna play it too much, but try to play it and level fast when we find each other, I'll be needing your protection I guess, since I'll focus in making money." Said Allan. He was the strategic leader of this group. Whenever they played together, he was the one to call the shots.
"Aye aye, captain!" Said Keith. He was a hothead, but he wasn't dumb.
The others only nodded.
Allan then looked at Tory and caressed her head while saying. "It's just a game, and it's on only during nighttime, so instead is sleeping, let's just have fun."
She then leaned against his chest and mumbled in a low voice. "I know, it's just the area too many unknowns, this frustrates me."
After talking a bit more and chatting about strategies as well as their memories of glory, each one headed to their homes.
Allan and Tory prepared themselves to go to bed after fooling around a bit. When the time was close to 8 P.M., they closed their eyes while activating their helmets, thus entering the game.
Allan opened his eyes and found himself in the void of the universe. He could see many stars and nebulas in the horizon. To his left there was a mirror, and in front of him there were some letters explaining some rules of the game.
[Welcome to Parallel Online!
This game is very complex. The only thing you'll have access is the character page, but it doesn't allow changes, the only changes you can make is through playing the game.
Death is taken very seriously in here, your character you'll lose everything, including yours stats and you'll start anew.
To ensure fairness, all your stats will be equal to every other player and when you die, these stats will be applied again.
The mirror to your left shows your appearance, which can only be changed through your actions. Eating too much will make you fat and exercising will build muscle, just like in real life.
Hunger and survival is also a factor of this world. As well as pain, so try to avoid getting hurt because you'll feel the pain in full.
Players have to discover the language is this land, so you'll be given a month of a spell that allows you to communicate with the locals for a month, after that, you're on your own.
Press ready below when you're done reading so you can join the game.
Countdown for game start 00:06:33]
[[Ready]]
Allan thought about seeing his stats and it was shown to him.
[
Age: 17 years.
Lifespan: 85 years.
Strength: 4 Agility: 4 Vitality: 4
Meridians: 1 Core: 0
Body:
Refinement: none
Rank: mortal.
Power: 0
Spirit:
Roots: none.
Rank: mortal.
Power: 0
Soul:
Gate: none
Rank: mortal
Power: 0
]
"Wow seems very balanced and weak. I guess we're going to be bottom feeders." Allan thought. After waiting a little while the game finally started.