William clenched his fists, feeling a surge of raw power coursing through his body. It was as if the strength he wielded in the game had fused with his real-world self. So, it's true… the states of my in-game body and my real one are connected, he thought, his brows furrowing in concern. Something about this game was off, more than just a strange anomaly, it felt deeply unnatural.
He stared at his hands, now equipped with intricate gear straight from the game. A sigh escaped his lips. How odd… He could access the game panel even in the real world, open his inventory, and pull out items like Little Red Riding Hood's slingshot. Yet, there was a glaring limitation: real-world objects couldn't be stashed in the game's inventory.
His mind wandered briefly to his physical stats. Before this mysterious connection, his physical fitness score had been a modest 0.9, typical for someone his age, with his body still in its developmental stage. He knew that once he hit adulthood, his fitness would naturally rise to the expected 1.0. But now, after whatever power had been unlocked by the game, his fitness level stood at a staggering 2.4, far beyond that of an ordinary person.
But something didn't quite add up. William realized that although his stats had skyrocketed, his physical abilities weren't simply 2.4 times what they used to be. The mechanics behind these new abilities had to be more complex, likely involving hidden variables or factors that weren't visible to players.
It's not just a matter of higher numbers, he mused. There's more to this than I understand.
Determined to get to the bottom of it, William scoured the game panel, hoping to find some sort of player forum or communication system. But no matter how deep he searched, there was nothing; no forum, no community, no way to connect with others who might be going through the same strange experience.
So, no way to talk to other players… great.
If his theory was correct, there could be about a thousand other players in this beta test, which wasn't a small number. But spread out across the vast expanse of human society, finding another player would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
In this early phase of the internal test, William imagined most players were still grappling with the same bewildering questions, probably reshaping their entire understanding of reality. Unlike others who might panic or resist, William had always been easygoing, adaptable. What's the point of resisting something you can't change? he thought, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Might as well ride the wave and see where it takes me.
At least the power was real, undeniably so. Whatever lay ahead, he would deal with it when the time came.
He pulled back the curtains, letting the morning sunlight flood the room, chasing away the remnants of last night's confusion. With a sigh, he set about tidying the place. Suicide… what was I thinking? The thought flickered in his mind, an unpleasant reminder of the darkness he'd briefly flirted with. It felt like a distant memory now, a shadow of a weak moment. Cowards run. I won't be a coward.
After cleaning up, a familiar gnawing sensation hit his stomach, and it hit hard. Hunger overwhelmed him. William grabbed a fistful of money and hurried out of the apartment, his steps quick and determined.
He lived in a modest neighborhood in New York City, surrounded by the bustle of everyday life. His family had been ordinary, and after his parents' passing, their inheritance had been enough to carry him through to adulthood. It wasn't luxury, but it was stability.
Outside the residential area, the streets were alive with activity. Shops lined both sides of the road, offering everything from grains and oils to fresh produce and street food. The scent of sizzling pancakes and steaming bread filled the air, blending with the aroma of beef broth from nearby stalls.
He stepped into a bustling breakfast shop, downing two bowls of spicy beef ramen with ease and tearing into a hot dog stuffed with pure meat sausage. Yet, his hunger barely diminished. He wiped his mouth and, feeling unsatisfied, moved on to the next shop. There, he ordered two servings of breakfast sandwiches, devouring them with gusto.
Still hungry.
With relentless determination, he stormed into a third store and bought three shawarma, thick pita bread stuffed with savory, shredded chicken. The vendors barely registered his presence amidst the morning rush, and no one noticed the young man who seemed determined to eat his way down half the street.
I'm a master eater! I eat, I devour, I conquer! The thought echoed humorously in his mind as he continued his culinary rampage.
By the time half an hour had passed, William could finally eat no more. He stood unsteadily, his stomach stretched to its limit, paid for his meal, and let out a deep, satisfied burp.
I might not know where this game is going… but at least I won breakfast.
When William got home, an overwhelming drowsiness hit him like a wave. He collapsed onto his bed, sinking into a deep, dreamless sleep. It was the kind of slumber that felt like it could last forever, free of worry or care.
Hours passed, and when William finally stirred, he felt completely refreshed, his body brimming with energy. He glanced outside his window to see the night sky blanketed in darkness, not a star in sight, but the distant lights of homes twinkled like beacons in the city's skyline.
I slept the whole day away, he thought, somewhat amused. The first thing he did after waking was instinctively open the game's property panel.
[Player ID: Wallace Bethhovenish]
[Player number: 049]
[Level: 3]
[Status: True form]
[Constitution: 3.2]
[Spirit: 3.8]
[Energy: 3.1]
The panel flashed before him, and a wave of satisfaction washed over him. The seal's lifted, he mused. I'm at full power now, no more weakness, no more holding back.
His stats had grown impressively. With his constitution at 3.2, injuries that would leave an ordinary person bedridden were little more than a temporary inconvenience for him. Even significant blood loss wouldn't pose a fatal threat anymore; his body could now recover rapidly from almost any damage.
Feeling sharp and alert, William reached for his phone to check the time, only to notice six missed calls and a flood of messages. The caller ID displayed "Teacher Anna."
He tilted his head, recalling his teacher, Anna Jones. Only 24, she had recently become the homeroom teacher for Class 3, Grade 1 at Brooklyn Public High School. Though she was relatively new to teaching, with just two years of experience, she had already taken on the responsibility of managing their class. Unfortunately, this School wasn't exactly known for its well-behaved students, and being a class teacher here required a firm hand.
But Anna Jones, with her youthful beauty and gentle demeanor, lacked the authoritative presence needed to command respect. The students had quickly pegged her as soft, a pushover, something they spoke about behind her back. William suspected she didn't realize how she was perceived, and if she did, she certainly wasn't the type to address it.
The evaluation among students? "Tender."
It was already 8 o'clock in the evening, and William figured it was about time to return her calls. He dialed back, and before the phone had barely rung, she picked up.
"William! Finally, I've been trying to reach you all day. Why didn't you return my calls earlier?" Anna Jones's voice carried a mix of relief and concern.
"I fell asleep," William replied with a chuckle, "just woke up."
There was a brief pause on the other end, as if she was weighing his words carefully. Anna Jones knew about the difficult circumstances William had been through recently, about his parents, his isolation. She had been worried he might be struggling mentally, and now, her concern seeped into her voice.
"Are you… okay?" she asked hesitantly.
"What could be wrong?" William responded, his voice light and unconcerned. He took a quick glance at his attributes panel; everything was in top shape. If anything, he had never been better.
Anna Jones, not quite reassured, pressed on gently. "I just wanted to check. Derek and the others have been causing problems for you, haven't they? I had no idea things had gotten so out of hand. I've already spoken to them, and they'll be apologizing to you in class. Can you come back to school tomorrow? I know things must be hard for you right now, but remember, you have to keep moving forward."
She sounded genuine, but there was also a trace of guilt in her tone, as though she felt responsible for not stepping in sooner.
"You're right, Miss Anna," William said, his voice calm but firm. "We should always look forward. I'll be back at school tomorrow." Without giving her a chance to respond, he hung up the phone with a smile.
Some things just need closure, he thought, stretching his arms and cracking his neck. The past, his classmates, the troubles, all of it needed to be dealt with.
His stomach grumbled, reminding him it had been hours since his last feast. Without a second thought, William headed downstairs and into the cool night air. He walked until he found a bustling barbecue stall, the smell of grilled meats drawing him in like a magnet. Time for another meal, he mused, his hunger already getting the best of him.
The barbecue stall was run by an uncle from Russia, a man known for his hearty portions and no-nonsense attitude. William sat down and ordered a feast: ten skewers of lamb, five skewers of chicken, five more of grilled beef, five servings of fish, one grilled eggplant, and three large nan bread. When the food arrived, he wasted no time, diving into the meal with ravenous enthusiasm.
The stall owner, watching from the counter, assumed William was waiting for a friend or two to join him. But as the minutes ticked by, no one came. Yet, in the blink of an eye, all the dishes were devoured, leaving nothing but empty plates in front of him. The owner raised an eyebrow, genuinely shocked. Is this kid a glutton? he wondered, unable to hide his surprise.
William casually wiped the corner of his mouth, unfazed by the man's reaction. He felt a pang of lingering hunger but decided it was best not to draw any more attention. No need to shock the world, he thought to himself, so instead of ordering more to eat there, he asked for two kilograms of meat skewers to be packed to-go.
As William left the stall, the owner watched him with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. He hesitated, then called after him, "Hey, kid! Next time, you'll get a discount." William flashed a small grin and nodded, making his way home.
Back in his apartment, William pondered over his day. All I've done is sleep and eat. He let out a light chuckle. But who cares?
He leaned back, thinking about his laid-back philosophy. When the house is on fire, I take pictures. When life's a mess, I sleep. Disasters? Eh, I'll run if I have to. I'll deal with today's problems tomorrow if I can. I'm not about to stress over anything. I'll just keep taking it easy, and if I hit a wall, I'll find a way around it. Hehehe…
Humming a tune to himself, William returned home, fully relaxed. He knew that when midnight came, the health system in the game would refresh, and the restrictions would lift.
Time for the sequence game to begin again.
...
Soon, William re-entered Moonlight Village, stepping back into the familiar yet strange world. As he approached the village's entrance, the scarecrow standing guard immediately yelled, "Moonlight Goddess! I thought you died up in Crow Hill! Those magical creatures are no joke, you know? To hunt them, you need to be prepared for death! I made bets with others that you'd return, but no one would take it!"
William chuckled, standing confidently before the scarecrow. "I made it back with more than just my life," he said, pulling out the wolf spider and black crow from his in-game backpack.
The scarecrow's eyes, if it had any, would have widened. "Damn! That wolf spider's from the Black Forest. That place is a real nightmare. Even the creatures on its outskirts are fleeing. You've got guts, kid!"
"I've got these creatures," William said, "but I have no idea what to do with them."
The scarecrow seemed to think for a moment before responding, "Well, after a black crow dies, it loses its magic. You can sell the meat to the tavern owner. He's always happy to buy game like that. But be careful, he despises black crow feathers. Says they bring bad luck to his tavern."
A tip suddenly appeared in William's vision: [The villagers here are opposed to magic. They believe it brings disaster and misfortune.]
William frowned slightly. "So, there's no way to use these feathers?"
The scarecrow nodded. "Bob Jr, the hunter's son, knew how to make use of things like that. But he disappeared on the night of the full moon. Little Red Riding Hood was furious for days... There used to be a magical grocery store that bought all sorts of magic materials, but that shop vanished without a trace. Maybe the village chief knows more."
With time running short on his game session, William figured he needed to head into Moonlight Village immediately. But before he could move, the scarecrow stopped him again.
"One more thing! You should try to find Bob Sr, the hunter. He's an expert at setting traps with spider silk. If anyone can teach you how to use what you've got, it's him. Though, don't count on him being generous with his knowledge... If only Bob Jr was still around."
"Got it," William said, nodding thoughtfully. He found himself feeling oddly fond of the scarecrow, it seemed more reliable than the sequence game itself.
With that, he pressed forward, ready to face whatever Moonlight Village had in store for him next.
"This crappy game is impossible to play," William muttered under his breath as he trudged along the dusty path. "Sure, they say it has a 'high degree of freedom,' but let's be real, only the game planner's family could be happy with something this poorly designed."
William had spent hours wandering through the world, only to realize that so far, only the main quest had been released. Everything else? It was either vague, hidden, or downright frustrating. Nevertheless, he pushed forward, heading towards the small village up ahead.
Enter Moonlight Village.
The houses here were simple, modest structures, with a peaceful, almost eerie calm hanging over the area. The villagers seemed content, moving quietly about their daily routines. The folk here were friendly enough, but they seemed like people who didn't meddle much in others' business.
William's first task was to find the village chief. After asking a few villagers, he was directed to a humble yet well-kept home near the center of the village.
[Hint: You met the chief of Moonlight Village.]
The village chief was an elderly man, his silver hair tied neatly behind his head. Despite his age, there was a sharpness in his eyes, a sign of wisdom and experience. He wore simple clothes, but they were clean and carefully maintained.
"Hello, village chief. I'm an adventurer from afar," William began, bowing slightly. "I heard you might know about the magical grocery store. Could you tell me where it is?"
The chief studied him for a moment, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm and measured. "The Magic Grocery Store moves often, never staying in one place for too long. It was last seen here in Moonlight Village three years ago. Recently, I've heard whispers that it's now in Iron Mine Village."
[Hint: The Magic Grocery Store is a magic house. It rarely stays in one place for long. The villagers here are wary of its presence.]
[Map Tip: You have obtained the route to Iron Mine Village.]
Moonlight Village, like several other small villages, stood as part of the kingdom's border defense. William nodded in gratitude, thanked the chief, and left. His next stop: the village tavern.
The tavern was quaint, its counter worn from years of use. The tables and chairs bore a weathered patina, a testament to their age and the countless patrons they had served. Farmers and villagers came here daily, sharing drinks and stories, seeking solace in simple pleasures.
[Hint: You met the tavern owner.]
A pot-bellied man with a gruff demeanor greeted him from behind the counter. "Ah, fresh game!" he exclaimed, eyeing the black crow and wolf spider William had brought. "Where'd you hunt it? This'll really help me out. Since Bob Sr's kids vanished, he hasn't been hunting much, and my meat supply's been dwindling."
William didn't hesitate. "How much can you give for it?"
The tavern owner rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I'll give you one silver coin and 20 copper coins. That's two copper per pound of meat. Fair deal, right?"
William accepted, and the exchange was made.
[Hint: You have received silver and copper coins.]
[Hint: Some older currencies are said to possess mysterious magical properties.]
As he held the silver coin up to the light, something unusual caught his eye. A faint glow seemed to emanate from it. Maybe it's because my spirit value is higher now… he thought, intrigued but not overly concerned.
In the corner of the tavern, he noticed a beggar; an old man with ragged clothes, his white hair tangled and unkempt. A small puppy lay beside him, both of them basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun. Quietly, William slipped a copper coin into the old man's bowl. The puppy barked twice in gratitude as William made his way out.
His next destination was the hunter's house. William needed to find Bob Sr, the man whose son, Bob Jr, had gone missing on the full moon. Unfortunately, Bob Sr wasn't home. After asking a neighbor, he learned more about the situation.
"Ever since Bob Jr disappeared, Bob Sr's been locking himself away. He used to be so lively, but now he's a shell of himself. Last I heard, he was down at the blacksmith's. If Bob Jr were still here... That kid was a brave and strong hunter. He vanished after that night when the moon was full."
William wasted no time and made his way to the blacksmith's shop. The village wasn't large, so he arrived there quickly. The blacksmith was a large, muscular man, his skin tanned from long days working near the forge. Tools of every kind lined the walls, axes, sickles, hoes, and furniture. It seemed the blacksmith did more than just forge weapons; he made all the essential items the village needed.
"Looking for Bob Sr?" the blacksmith asked, wiping his hands on his apron. "He went to the Black Forest. I should've known better than to help Young Bob make those weapons. He kept talking about some crisis brewing in the forest. He went out there alone on the night of the full moon, and... well, you know the rest. He never came back."
William nodded thoughtfully, glancing around at the items for sale. Most were farming tools or wooden furniture, nothing that caught his eye. But there was something about the atmosphere here that felt important. Blacksmiths and hunters were probably the highest-ranking professions in a village like this.
"Do you sell weapons here?" William asked, breaking the silence.