As soon as Damien logged in, his entire consciousness was pulled into the game, and in an instant, he lost all sense of the pod he had been lying in or even his own body. The world outside faded away, and yet, he didn't panic although he was a bit surprised.
Joe had already described this sensation—an all-encompassing immersion—and what to expect when entering the game. All he had to do was say the words "Log In," and here he was.
He found himself standing in a pitch-black void. A small gift box suddenly appeared, hovering before him, and the game's theme song erupted, booming throughout the empty space.
"This is it," Damien muttered under his breath, his fists clenching tightly. His breathing became ragged, and his heart thudded louder with every passing second. His eyes were glued to the box, curiosity swelling inside him. What could be inside?
The handle on the side of the box began to unwind slowly. It ticked away for five seconds, and then, as if triggered by some hidden mechanism, the surrounding darkness shattered. The void cracked like black glass, the shards falling away to reveal nothingness. The gift box, the music, the darkness—they all disappeared, leaving Damien floating in a vast blue sky.
The air was cool and fresh. He could feel the breeze rushing past him, a sensation so vivid it took his breath away. Damien inhaled deeply, savoring the crispness of the wind, marveling at how lifelike it all felt.
Before he could fully take in his surroundings, a soft voice rang out behind him, startling him. He turned swiftly, his curiosity piqued, but he held his tongue and listened.
"Welcome, human. I am Eleana, and I will be your guide today."
A tiny fairy hovered in the air before him, her two shimmering pink wings fluttering gently as she spoke. She bobbed up and down in the air, her glowing presence radiating warmth and energy. Damien quickly realized he, too, was floating, suspended above the world by the fairy's magic. A soft glow surrounded his body, holding him aloft.
"This is Origin Online," Eleana explained with a smile that revealed her dimples. "A new and exciting world. Would you like to be an adventurer here?"
Damien nodded once, then spoke clearly, "I agree."
Though the question sounded simple, he knew it carried weight. Joe had warned him about this moment. Some players had foolishly said 'no,' thinking it was a minor decision, only to be locked out of the game for an entire month. By the time they were allowed back in, they were hopelessly behind.
Eleana's smile widened, pleased with his quick response. "Wonderful. Let me give you a brief introduction to our world," she said, her wings fluttering faster. "This is a free world, where you can be anything you want to be. However, keep in mind that every action has consequences, so be cautious in your choices."
Damien listened intently. Although Joe had written a few things, there was clearly much more to learn. He absorbed every word Eleana said, understanding that he was just scratching the surface of this new reality. Eleana nodded in approval as she noticed his focus and attention.
"Now," she continued, "I will conduct a full scan of your body, player Damien. Once the scan is complete, your in-game character will be finalized."
Damien felt a ripple of energy wash over him. It was a strange sensation, as though his very essence was being analyzed, laid bare before the fairy. He felt vulnerable, like nothing could be hidden from her, as if she was peering into his soul. After a moment, Eleana spun around mid-air, beaming with excitement.
"Congratulations! You are now ready to enter our world. I wish you the best of luck, player Damien."
Before he could react, the space around him warped once again. Instinctively, Damien closed his eyes. The sensation of floating gave way to something solid beneath his feet, and as soon as he felt ground under him, his eyes snapped open.
He was now standing in the middle of a bustling street, surrounded by dozens of other players. The once-silent air was now filled with a cacophony of voices.
"Woah! What the hell is this game?"
"I was playing something else, and now I'm here?"
"This looks way too real! How is this even possible?"
"Why am I still fat in the game too? I thought I could change my avatar!"
Around him, players complained, laughed, and shouted in confusion. Some were clearly frustrated, expecting the game to follow more traditional mechanics, while others marveled at the hyper-realistic experience. One player near him groaned loudly.
"At least now, when I'm with a girl, I know it's really a girl," someone quipped.
The street was crowded with new players, all of them just as confused as everyone else not Damien though. They were all trying to make sense of 'Origin Online,' which had seemingly forced them into the game without warning. The game was unlike anything that had come before it—it felt real, far more real than any other game on the market.
Some players speculated about the nature of the game. A few were worried, comparing it to a popular anime where death in the game meant death in real life. There was a certain level of paranoia in the air, but it didn't stop the more enthusiastic players from diving headfirst into the experience.
Many immediately sought out NPCs, eager to grab their first quests and start their adventures. This was, after all, the obvious way to begin any RPG.
Damien, however, had no interest in joining the frantic scramble. He didn't need to rush around begging for quests like the others. He had come prepared, with a plan already forming in his mind. Calmly, he walked through the chaotic crowd, making his way out of the novice village. The noise and chaos faded as the players thinned out, leaving him in relative peace.
"Alright," Damien muttered to himself, "let's check my status screen."