The moment Isaac pressed Enter, the world around him vanished. Darkness enveloped him, cool and quiet, punctuated only by the sound of his own breathing. There was a strange weightlessness to the silence, a sensation of floating somewhere in a space that was neither here nor there.
Then, in an instant, the darkness shattered. Light flooded his senses, overwhelming him with a sudden onslaught of colour and sound. It took a moment for his vision to adjust, but when it did, the sight was breathtaking.
He stood in the centre of a small village square, bustling with activity. Everywhere he looked, NPCs were moving purposefully—some were hawking goods at open market stalls, others were mending nets or hammering away at forge stations, the clang of metal on metal echoing through the air. A soft breeze carried the scent of fresh bread, and he could hear birds chirping in the background. The world of Evo-Realm was stunningly realistic, more than he'd ever anticipated.
Idan turned slowly, taking it all in. He lifted a hand to his face, instinctively checking his own features, and found that his avatar mirrored his real-world appearance closely, though slightly younger and with a more athletic build. His clothing was simple—rough, dark trousers, a faded shirt, and worn leather boots. The lack of armour or weaponry made him feel vulnerable, yet there was an odd thrill to it, the sensation of starting from scratch in an entirely new world.
He noticed a translucent display hovering just off to the side of his vision, filled with basic stats and prompts. His character's name,
Welcome to Evo-Realm, Idan. To begin your journey, find a class tutor in one of the nearby villages. Remember, every choice you make will shape your path. Choose wisely.
Idan exhaled, absorbing the message. David had mentioned that there was a lack of a starting class—no one in Evo-Realm was given any advantage from the start. Everyone began as a blank slate, forced to find and earn their class, making it both a test of skill and patience.
He started forward, his footsteps echoing against the cobblestone beneath him. As he moved, he noticed other players in the village square, some of them newly arrived like him, others clearly veterans judging by their gear. Some players were fully decked in plate armour, swords slung across their backs, while others wielded staffs with faintly glowing tips, suggesting that magic was indeed a force within this world. He made a mental note of that—magic could very well be something he'd consider if it suited his strengths.
Isaac's instincts as a researcher kicked in. He observed the interactions around him, noting how certain NPCs would engage players in conversation while others seemed disinterested. It was clear that not all NPCs were the same; some had more presence and more depth, and he suspected they might hold keys to quests or class assignments.
One NPC in particular caught his attention—a tall, robed figure standing near a well at the edge of the village square. The figure's face was hidden beneath a deep hood, but Idan noticed a number of players approaching him, only to be dismissed after a brief exchange. Intrigued, Idan made his way over.
As he approached, the robed figure turned as though sensing him. The hooded NPC inclined his head slightly, speaking in a low, gravelly voice.
"Are you here seeking knowledge, wanderer?" the figure asked, his voice carrying an unusual weight that set him apart from the other NPCs.
Idan nodded cautiously. "I am. But I'm also here to find my way. It's my first day in this world."
The robed figure paused, regarding him in silence. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he gestured to the village beyond. "Knowledge comes at a price, young one. If you truly seek power, you must prove yourself worthy. Find the Medic's Hut to the east. The one within may have need of you."
Idan's brow furrowed. The Medic's Hut? It wasn't the grand, powerful image he'd imagined for himself, but something about it intrigued him. He had always excelled at understanding people, reading situations, and approaching problems from angles others might overlook. In a world this complex, he suspected those skills could be as valuable as any weapon.
"Thank you," he said, nodding at the NPC before heading eastward, weaving through the throng of players. He caught glimpses of other quests being handed out—some players were directed to the forge, others to a nearby training ground. But no one else seemed to be heading toward the Medic's Hut. He had to wonder if that was by design.
The hut itself was modest, nestled between two larger buildings with a sign bearing a crude drawing of a potion hanging above the door. As he pushed open the door, the scent of herbs and antiseptic filled his nose, and he took a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dim interior.
A woman sat at a wooden table, sorting through bundles of dried plants. She looked up as he entered, her eyes sharp and assessing. Her appearance was practical—plain clothes, a small dagger at her hip, and a no-nonsense expression that suggested she wasn't one for idle conversation.
"You here to help?" she asked briskly, barely looking up from her work.
Idan nodded, sensing that she wasn't one to be impressed by flattery. "I was told you might have need of someone."
She made a small noise of approval, gesturing to a pile of bandages and herbs on the table. "I need more hands. This village has been overrun with injuries from the last raid, and I can't tend to everyone myself. If you're willing to get your hands dirty, you might learn a thing or two."
Idan's screen lit up with a quest notification.
Quest Received: Apprentice Healer Objective: Assist the Medic in treating five injured villagers. Reward: Potential Class Progression and 50 XP.
He accepted without hesitation, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction at the prospect of hands-on work. Moving through the small room, he began gathering supplies under the Medic's curt instructions, applying bandages, mixing salves, and delivering potions to wounded NPCs scattered throughout the village.
As he worked, he observed how detailed the interactions were. The wounded villagers didn't merely accept his help with mechanical responses; some grunted in pain, others offered thanks or whispered words of encouragement. The immersive realism was staggering, and he found himself slipping into the role with ease.
After what felt like hours, the final villager he'd tended to—a grizzled old man with a deep cut across his forearm—gave him a nod of approval. "Not bad for a greenhorn," he muttered, wincing as he flexed his arm. "You've got steady hands."
Idan felt a sense of accomplishment he hadn't expected, a feeling that transcended the game's virtual nature. It was more than a task; it felt like he was contributing, even if only in this fabricated world. He returned to the Medic, who was now watching him with a faint hint of approval.
"You did well," she said, her tone softening slightly. "Most would've turned their noses up at the sight of blood. But you worked quietly, focused. That's rare in these parts."
Idan's screen flashed again.
Class Obtained: Medic Specialisation Available: Mental Arts – Offensive Variant
Idan felt a surge of excitement as the words appeared before him. The Medic class wasn't the glamorous warrior path he'd once envisioned, but the mental arts variant caught his interest. If this path allowed him to wield powers of the mind, there was potential for something different, something strategic.
"Thank you," he replied, inclining his head respectfully. "What comes next?"
The Medic crossed her arms, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "What comes next is up to you. The path of a Medic is not an easy one. It's not about brute strength or flashy spells. It's about precision, patience, and knowing how to strike when the time is right. If you can learn that, you'll go far."
Idan nodded, her words echoing in his mind as he left the hut. Outside, the village had shifted into the late afternoon, with the light casting long shadows across the cobblestone square. Other players bustled about, many of them now armed with weapons or spells that hinted at their chosen paths.
But as he looked around, he realised he didn't feel out of place. The Medic class might not be the strongest, but he was starting to see it as something unique, something that could give him an edge. And if his power lay in strategy and control, he would play to that strength.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Idan set off toward the edge of the village, ready to see what challenges awaited him beyond.