Elias adjusted the simple dark gray clothes he wore, the fabric feeling strangely new against his skin. He stood before a large mirror in Prometheus' workshop, the familiar space suddenly imbued with a sense of finality. Though he'd readily accepted the task of introducing players to Arcadia, the reality of leaving was starting to settle in.
The workshop door creaked open, revealing Argus, laden with an impressive amount of supplies. "My lord," he boomed, his voice filled with gruff kindness, "we've prepared everything you might need for your journey."
Elias chuckled, eyeing the overflowing bags and weapons.
"Wait a minute, Prometheus, Argus," he said. "This is… a lot! How am I supposed to carry all of this?"
A sheepish grin spread across Prometheus' face. "Don't worry, master," he reassured. "We have a solution for that."
Intrigued, Elias raised an eyebrow. "What solution?"
"It's called an inventory," Argus explained, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "A special feature players have – a magical storage space you can access anytime, similar to your status window."
Elias closed his eyes, focusing on the idea. A faint tingle ran through him, then a translucent window filled with empty squares materialized in front of him.
"For now," Prometheus explained, pointing to the squares, "you can only store a limited number of different types of items in your inventory, around twelve or so."
Elias nodded, understanding. "But with subcategories, that's still quite a lot!"
"And that's not all," Argus chimed in, a hint of pride in his voice. "Each square can hold up to ninety-nine items of the same type and quality."
Intrigued, Elias reached down and picked up one of the large bags. As he focused on putting it away, the contents – an assortment of dried fruits, travel rations, and bandages – seemed to disintegrate in his hands.
He looked back at the inventory window, where the items were now neatly categorized and represented by small icons.
"Wow," he breathed, a sense of wonder washing over him. This technology, so commonplace for players, seemed like magic to him.
"You can actually just touch the item you want to store and think about putting it away," Prometheus explained with a smile.
Elias' eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, that's much easier!"
He spent the next few minutes familiarizing himself with his inventory, marveling at how efficiently it held all the supplies Argus had prepared.
The mood turned serious as Elias turned to Prometheus. "There's one thing I need to ask you before I leave," he said.
"Of course, master," Prometheus replied, his gaze filled with concern.
"What troubles you?"
"The residents of Arcadia," Elias began, his voice low.
"They can't know about the true nature of this world, can they?"
A heavy silence descended upon the workshop. Prometheus' expression turned grim. "No, Master," he finally confirmed.
"That knowledge could cause mass panic and chaos. The residents believe Arcadia is a real world, their home. We must maintain that illusion."
Elias nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "So, I can't just openly tell them this is a game world?"
Prometheus shook his head. "Not directly. You must be subtle, introduce the concept of players gradually, explain their presence as explorers from another world."
The weight of his mission settled heavily on Elias' shoulders. He looked around the workshop, the place he had called home for the past few days. A pang of sadness tugged at his heart. He had grown accustomed to Prometheus' wisdom and Argus' booming laughter.
"Don't worry, my lord," Argus boomed, clapping Elias on the shoulder with a force that would have sent a lesser man reeling.
"We'll be here waiting for your return. And if you ever need anything, just think of us, and a message will reach us."
Elias smiled, touched by his genuine concern. "Thank you, Argus. I appreciate it."
"Oh, master," Prometheus said, a serious tone creeping into his voice.
"I almost forgot to mention something very important. Once you find any tribes or inhabitants in the Central Continent, make sure to observe them carefully before approaching them directly. It's best to understand their customs first."
Elias smiled reassuringly. "Understood. I always do that in my own world before interacting with new cultures."
"And," Prometheus continued, handing Elias a pouch, "here's a bag of coins you can use for necessities in the Central Continent."
A hint of surprise flickered across Elias' face. "They already have currency there?"
"Indeed, my lord," Argus answered, taking over the explanation. "Some societies already use a form of currency for transactions. They typically rely on copper, silver, and gold coins."
Prometheus added, "Copper and silver are the most common forms of currency, while gold is rarer and usually circulates among specific circles. Only wealthy nobles and royalty tend to own gold coins."
Elias slipped the coin pouch into his inventory. A quick glance at the inventory window confirmed the addition of the coins:
_______________
Inventory
Gold: 10
Silver: 50
Copper: 200
_______________
"Thanks, Prometheus," Elias said with a grateful smile.
Prometheus simply returned the smile with a nod.
Next, Elias equipped himself with the weapons. He strapped the sword and axe to his belt, one on each hip, and slung the bow and quiver full of arrows across his back.
He turned to Prometheus, his gaze filled with determination. "I'm ready, then."
***
Prometheus gestured towards a circular platform set into the workshop floor, its surface shimmering with faintly pulsating energy.
"This is a teleportation platform," he explained. "It will transport you to a random location within the Central Continent."
Elias already knew about the platform and its function. While he had anticipated some choice in his starting point, a random destination sent a shiver down his spine.
"Random?" he echoed, his voice betraying a hint of apprehension. "Why random?"
"...Unfortunately," Prometheus continued, sensing Elias' concern.
"The portal network within Arcadia is not yet fully operational. No resident has discovered and activated the individual portals scattered throughout the continents."
"Until then, teleportation through these platforms is a one-way trip to a random destination suited to your level and stats."
Elias considered this for a moment, the thrill of the unknown battling with a flicker of anxiety.
"I see," he said, a determined glint returning to his eyes.
"A bit of a gamble, but an adventure nonetheless. Besides," he added with a wink, "a little challenge never hurt anyone, right?"
A bittersweet smile played on Prometheus' lips. "Indeed, master. But remember, your safety is paramount. Be cautious, and trust your instincts. If you ever find yourself in danger, focus on returning here. The platform will recognize you and bring you back."
Elias nodded thoughtfully. "I see... Thanks for explaining that."
Elias nodded solemnly, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. He was about to embark on a journey unlike any he had ever experienced before, a journey that could potentially reshape the very fabric of this virtual world.
He took a deep breath, his hand hovering over the activation panel of the teleportation platform.
A holographic map of the Central Continent flickered to life above the platform, highlighting its diverse landscapes – sprawling plains, dense forests, and towering mountain ranges. Each region held the promise of new discoveries and challenges.
With a final glance at Prometheus and Argus, Elias placed his hand on the designated activation point.
A surge of energy crackled through the platform, enveloping him in a blinding white light. The last thing he saw before his vision dissolved into swirling energy particles was the worried expressions on his companions' faces.
A rush of disorientation washed over Elias as the light subsided. He blinked rapidly, adjusting to his surroundings. He found himself standing on a grassy hilltop, the cool morning breeze whipping through his hair. Below him stretched a vast expanse of rolling plains, dotted with herds of grazing animals and clumps of vibrant wildflowers. The air was alive with the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects.
Relief flooded Elias. The teleportation had worked.
He had arrived in Arcadia, and it appeared to be a beautiful and vibrant world. But as he scanned the distant horizon, a flicker of unease crept into his heart. Everywhere he looked, the landscape stretched out endlessly, seemingly devoid of any signs of civilization. It was a beautiful, yet lonely, sight.
"Alright, Elias," he muttered to himself, forcing a smile. "Time to get started."
He took a deep breath, the weight of his mission pressing down on him.
He had no idea where he was, no clear starting point for his quest. But he knew one thing – he wouldn't let Prometheus and Argus down.
He would explore this world, connect with its inhabitants, and ensure a smooth transition for the players who were soon to arrive.
With renewed determination, Elias stepped forward, the vast plains of the Central Continent stretching out before him like an open book, waiting to be explored.
***
Silence descended upon the workshop once Elias vanished into the light. Prometheus and Argus exchanged a worried glance. The workshop, which had moments ago been bustling with activity, now felt strangely empty.
"Do you think he'll be alright?" Argus rumbled, his voice thick with concern.
Prometheus remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the deactivated teleportation platform. "I don't know, Argus," he finally admitted, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "This world is vast and full of unknowns. Even with the safeguards in place, there's always a risk."
Argus placed a heavy hand on Prometheus' shoulder. "He's a capable man, Father. And he has our support. We'll continue to monitor his progress, guide him whenever possible."
A flicker of hope ignited in Prometheus' eyes. "You're right, Argus. We have to trust in him. He is our key to Arcadia's future, and the bridge between this world and the players who will soon call it home."