Ryota blinked as his vision adjusted to the bustling streets of Asgard, the starting city in Vanguard Genesis. The vibrant marketplace sprawled out before him, filled with players and NPCs alike, bartering, shouting, and moving through the endless labyrinth of shops and stalls. The sheer scale of the city was overwhelming, a reminder of how vast this virtual world truly was.
Raijin, the name Ryota had chosen for his character, stood out from the crowd in his beginner gear, simple leather armor, and a basic sword strapped to his back. His inventory was nearly empty, and his wallet even more so. But despite his humble beginnings, he felt a spark of hope. Here, in this world, he had the chance to rewrite his future.
"This is it," he muttered to himself, taking a deep breath. "The first step."
As he navigated through the crowded streets, Raijin's eyes darted to the quest boards scattered across the city square. Dozens of tasks were pinned up, ranging from simple gathering missions to high-level monster hunts. But Raijin knew he had to start small. He wasn't strong enough to take on the bigger challenges yet.
Approaching the board, he scanned the available quests, his fingers hovering over the options. His eyes landed on a low-level mission: "Goblin Extermination in the Misty Woods". It promised a decent reward enough to buy better gear if he completed it. The quest was marked as recommended for beginners, which meant he had a fighting chance.
"Good enough for now," Raijin muttered as he accepted the quest.
A small notification popped up in his field of vision, confirming the quest. With a mental command, he pulled up his map, the Misty Woods highlighted just outside the city gates. It wasn't far, but the journey would still be dangerous for someone as low-leveled as him. Every step out of Asgard meant facing the unknown and the possibility of failure.
As Raijin made his way toward the city gates, he couldn't help but overhear the conversations of the other players around him. Many of them were already forming parties, groups that would help them tackle quests and share the rewards. It was the smart thing to do in a game like this, safety in numbers.
But Raijin wasn't here to make friends. He didn't have time for distractions or alliances that could slow him down. He was on a mission, not just to win the tournament, but to survive. Every moment counted, and he couldn't afford to split his focus.
Once outside the city, the landscape quickly shifted. The towering buildings of Asgard gave way to rolling hills and dense forests, the air thick with mist as Raijin approached the edge of the Misty Woods. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating, and the sound of rustling leaves and distant growls echoed in the fog.
Drawing his sword, Raijin stepped cautiously into the woods, every sense on high alert. The mist curled around him like a living thing, obscuring his vision and making it difficult to navigate. His heart raced as he ventured deeper into the forest, knowing that goblins could strike at any moment.
Suddenly, a flash of movement caught his eye a small, hunched figure darting between the trees. Raijin tightened his grip on his sword, his pulse quickening. This was it, his first real battle in Vanguard Genesis.
Without hesitation, he lunged forward, closing the distance between him and the goblin. The creature turned, baring its sharp teeth and hissing, raising its crude dagger to strike. But Raijin was faster. He swung his sword in a wide arc, the blade cutting through the air with precision. The goblin let out a screech as it collapsed to the ground, disappearing in a burst of pixelated light.
Ryota exhaled sharply, his heart pounding in his chest. It was only a low-level goblin, but the fight felt real, every movement, every impact. The sensation of the sword in his hand, the adrenaline coursing through his veins, it was all so vivid. Vanguard Genesis wasn't just a game, it was a second reality.
As the mist thickened around him, Raijin pressed on, encountering more goblins as he ventured deeper into the woods. Each battle became a little easier as he adjusted to the combat system, his movements becoming more fluid and precise. By the time he reached the heart of the forest, his confidence had grown.
But as he wiped the sweat from his brow and prepared to return to the city, a sudden chill ran down his spine. The forest around him had gone silent, too silent.
Raijin froze, his instincts screaming at him that something was wrong. From the corner of his eye, he saw it a shadow, larger and more menacing than any goblin he had faced so far. Slowly, the figure emerged from the mist, its glowing red eyes locking onto him.
It was a Goblin Chief.
Far stronger than the regular goblins, this creature stood nearly twice Raijin's height, wielding a massive club that could crush him in a single blow. Raijin's heart raced. He wasn't ready for this. He was out of his depth.
But there was no turning back now.
As the Goblin Chief roared and charged, Raijin tightened his grip on his sword. This wasn't just a battle for experience points or loot, this was a fight for survival. If he failed here, he wouldn't just lose the game. He'd lose his only chance to save his family.
With a deep breath, Raijin steeled himself. This was the first real test.
And he wasn't going to back down.