After earning enough money to buy the latest AetherLink Gaming Helmet, Alrune practically skipped home, clutching the sleek, black box with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. For months, he'd saved every extra coin, sacrificed his evenings to endless hours of work, and all to get his hands on this cutting-edge VRMMORPG equipment. The promise of a new life, an adventure waiting just a press of a button away, filled him with excitement.
Once home, Alrune tossed his bag onto the couch, not even bothering to change out of his work clothes. He set the box down on the table and carefully unboxed the helmet. The craftsmanship was incredible—gleaming silver panels with a subtle blue glow, almost like it was alive. It looked as if it were designed by someone who'd poured their soul into it, just like Alrune intended to pour his soul into the game.
Taking a deep breath, he placed the helmet over his head, feeling the snug fit as it powered up. The blue glow around the edges of his vision pulsed gently, and then, with a soft hum, he found himself in complete darkness.
Welcome to Verdant Realms Online, a smooth, soothing voice said. Where you live, breathe, and thrive in the world of nature.
He could feel his heart beating faster. The loading screen faded, and a panel appeared in front of him: Select Your Character Class. Alrune grinned. This is it.
Scrolling through the options, he marveled at the usual archetypes—Warrior, Mage, Hunter, even some unique ones like Tempest Seer and Steel Weaver. But the list continued on and on, and he realized this wasn't just a game; this was a whole ecosystem of possibilities.
Then he saw it: Mystic Class—known for its ability to harness the subtle magic of the natural world. He'd read online that the Mystic path was a rare one, reserved only for those brave enough to wield the forces of life itself. With zero hesitation, Alrune selected it, feeling a thrill as he typed in his IGN, the name he'd chosen to represent himself in this world: Aster Floram.
Character creation loading…
The screen went black for a split second, and then Aster's vision returned, though now it felt… different. He looked around, but there was nothing; only a vast, gentle green light surrounding him. He waited, expecting his hands and legs to materialize, to feel the familiar sensation of moving, but—nothing.
He tried to walk, to stretch, even to crouch. Still nothing.
Just as panic started to creep in, he noticed a text floating nearby: Character Species: Florae Class I - Flower Type
"A… Flower?" he whispered, dumbfounded. His words seemed to echo faintly as if the game were mocking him. This has to be a glitch, he thought, looking around at his surroundings again. Instead of feet or hands, he could feel a rooted connection to the ground.
He flexed—or tried to, at least—and realized his "body" was no more than a slender green stem with delicate leaves. His vision allowed him to see the sunlight filtering through soft petals above his head.
Aster's heart sank. How was he supposed to fight monsters or join legendary battles as… a plant?
Still, he took a deep breath and willed himself to calm down. This was the most advanced VR system on the market; surely, there was more to this than met the eye.
Just then, a small creature darted into view—a tiny, glowing sprite with wings that shone like gemstones. It paused midair and looked him over, then snickered, the sound like the rustle of leaves. "Oh dear, a Flower, are we?"
Aster swallowed his embarrassment. "Yes. But… what's wrong with being a Flower?"
The sprite laughed, flipping midair. "Nothing, if you don't mind being a tasty snack for a passing boar."
"Wait, snack?"
The sprite circled him, amused. "Every being in this world has a purpose. Even the lowliest Flower can thrive… if it knows how."
A faint spark of determination flared within him. Aster wasn't about to let some game mechanic keep him down. "What's my first quest?"
The sprite's eyes gleamed with mischief. "As a Flower, your journey begins with the basics: learn to photosynthesize and survive. Simple, right?"
Aster nodded, ignoring the sprite's mocking tone. He was going to survive, no matter what it took. He didn't buy the best gaming helmet on the market to give up in the first five minutes.
The sprite continued, "To start, you'll need sunlight and water. They're your fuel. You're not strong enough to absorb directly from the sun yet, so you'll need a water source nearby."
Aster tried to move but felt his stem strain. His surroundings shifted slightly, though he wasn't sure if it was him or the game compensating.
"First tip," the sprite added, "watch out for predators. If a creature decides you're lunch, you're finished."
"Right… thank you for that comforting advice," Aster muttered.
The sprite waved and flitted away. Alone, he looked around, spotting the shimmer of a stream a short distance off. With a mental push, he strained toward it, inching forward like a crawling vine. It was slow, frustratingly so, but he kept going. The familiar drive that had pushed him to earn the AetherLink now pushed him forward in this strange, unexpected journey.
After what felt like hours, he reached the water's edge and felt a sensation like drinking, though he had no mouth or stomach. A burst of energy shot through him, and suddenly, he felt more alive. He stretched a little taller, his leaves widening. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all.
A rustling nearby caught his attention. He froze, wondering what creature might emerge next.
A large, boar-like beast lumbered into view, sniffing the air. Aster felt a chill pass through him. Of course, it had to be a boar. He readied himself, unsure of what to do if the boar decided he looked tasty.
Just as the creature took a step closer, something shifted inside him. His leaves shivered, and a faint, golden light pulsed from his petals. The boar paused, confused, then shook its head and turned away, its attention lost to something else.
Aster let out a sigh of relief. Maybe, just maybe, he had a chance at surviving this after all.
As the sun set on his first day in the Verdant Realms, Aster stood a little taller, rooted but resolute. He might be a flower, but this world was his, and he was going to bloom.