Waylon stared at the interface before him, the virtual display flickering with an otherworldly vibrancy. The past few days had been a blur of anticipation. The highly touted game, The Catalyst, was finally live, and his mind was consumed with the possibilities it offered. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about it. This was no ordinary VRMMORPG—no, this game was said to be revolutionary, blending reality with fantasy in a way that players had never experienced before.
This wasn't just about grinding levels and defeating monsters. This was about living within the game. There were whispers of a new system that could adapt, respond, and even learn from players. Waylon, always eager for a challenge, couldn't resist diving in headfirst.
His fingers hovered over the keyboard, a mix of excitement and curiosity swirling inside him. The glowing holographic interface that appeared before him felt almost real, the soft light flickering as if it could physically touch him. He had prepared for this moment—he had anticipated it. And now, it was time to begin.
The system prompted him with the first task: Avatar Customization. He instinctively tapped the option, eager to begin shaping his in-game persona. The interface was far more detailed than he had expected, with countless sliders and options for every physical attribute imaginable.
His mind raced as he considered the possibilities. The choice of race was the first hurdle. The list was long, each race offering a different set of skills and potential—Human, Elf, Dwarf, Orc, and more. But Waylon's gaze fell upon something strange, something that wasn't supposed to be there.
At the very bottom of the list, in faded text, was an option marked Regressor. The words were grayed out, as though this option was locked for everyone except a select few. Waylon's curiosity piqued immediately. He had heard rumors that the game had special unlocks, but he didn't expect to see something so… peculiar. What was it? A glitch? A hidden feature?
He couldn't resist. He clicked on it, and the system responded with a brief error notification, but then, just as quickly, it resumed as if nothing had happened. There was no explanation, just a brief flash and then the option to proceed. For some reason, he felt a strange pull toward this choice. It was an unknown variable—an anomaly.
Without thinking too much about it, he selected Human. After all, The Catalyst was a game about possibilities. Humans were adaptable, versatile—perfect for someone who didn't want to be tied down by rigid characteristics. He felt a subtle satisfaction at his choice, even though the Regressor option was still lingering at the back of his mind.
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Body Type appeared next. Waylon tapped through the selections—muscular, slender, average—and chose Average. He didn't need to be overly muscular or too slender. His avatar needed to be a reflection of who he was, not an exaggeration. It was about balance, and for now, balance was what he wanted.
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Next was Facial Features. This part was always the most fun. His fingers hovered over the options for eye color, hair texture, and face shape. Waylon had always found it intriguing to give his virtual self a unique appearance, something that might feel familiar yet distinct. His gaze lingered on the eye color options. He had always been drawn to green eyes—sharp, vivid. He adjusted the sliders, giving his avatar deep emerald eyes that seemed to sparkle with curiosity. The hair was short and spiked, adding a bit of rebellious flair.
As he finalized the look, Waylon felt a sense of connection to the character taking shape. It was more than just customizing a digital image—it felt like creating an alter ego, a persona he could slip into and become.
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Class Selection:
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Finally, the system prompted him to choose his Class. This was the crucial step. Every class in The Catalyst came with its own set of abilities, weaknesses, and strategies. Waylon's eyes scanned through the list—Warrior, Mage, Rogue, Healer, Archer—familiar selections that he had seen countless times in other games. But then, once again, his attention was drawn to something unusual.
At the bottom of the list, there it was again—the Regressor class. The text was still grayed out, though now the system seemed more hesitant. It flickered, almost as if it were testing whether he would select it. Was this some kind of test? A bug? A special unlock?
Before he could second-guess himself, he clicked on it.
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Regressor
Grants the ability to recall and manipulate past memories, as well as alter the flow of time within the game's boundaries. Designed for those who have experienced a reversal of fate and seek to change the course of their lives.
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The description didn't offer much more than he had already expected. It was as if the class had been designed specifically for someone like him—someone who wanted to alter the past and shape the future.
A sense of unease gripped him for a moment. This wasn't the typical class choice. This wasn't a class for a player who wanted to rush into combat or cast powerful spells. This was a class designed to manipulate time itself, a class that could change the course of events and challenge the very rules of the game. But there was no turning back now. He had made his choice.
The system accepted his decision with a soft chime, confirming his class choice. But as the screen transitioned to the next section, something unexpected happened. The system lagged—just for a brief moment—but in that moment, a new notification popped up.
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Error Detected: Unresolved Talent Request
Waylon stared at the notification, his mind racing. What was this? An error in the system? Something had gone wrong. He was about to dismiss it when, without any warning, the interface began to load a completely new set of talents.
These weren't the usual combat-based abilities he had seen in other games. No. These were something else entirely. The list included Time Dilation, Temporal Recall, Reality Anchor—all abilities that seemed to enhance the concept of manipulating time. But at the bottom of the list, something caught his eye.
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New Talent Unlocked: Eternal Sovereignty
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He clicked on it, unable to tear his gaze away. His heart skipped a beat as the talent description materialized:
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Eternal Sovereignty
Grants the user complete control over time and reality. Allows manipulation of the game's systems, altering events, memories, and even the world itself. This talent is not intended for normal gameplay and was mistakenly unlocked due to a system error.
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Waylon blinked, his mind unable to fully process what he was seeing. He had been granted Eternal Sovereignty—a power so immense it could reshape the very fabric of the game world. This wasn't a talent anyone should have access to. It wasn't supposed to be available to players, let alone someone like him. His hands trembled slightly as he read and reread the description.
This wasn't just another boost or ability—it was a systemic anomaly, an error that had granted him god-like power. His mind raced as the implications sank in. Could he really control the game itself? Could he alter reality, change the past, shape the future? And if he could, what would that mean for him—and for everyone else who played this game?
He paused, deep in thought. This wasn't just about playing a game anymore. This was something entirely different.
His gaze shifted to the next section: Enter IGN (In-Game Name).
It was time to make his mark.
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Waylon typed without hesitation, his fingers moving swiftly across the virtual keyboard. WaylonX. It was simple, direct, and fitting for a player about to rewrite the rules.
The confirmation ping sounded, and the system whirred to life.
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Character Creation Complete
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The world around him shifted. In the blink of an eye, the surroundings changed. The quiet hum of his room faded, replaced by the vibrant sounds of the forest, the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves. The ground beneath his feet felt firm, real even. This was The Catalyst—the world that would become his new reality. His avatar materialized in the middle of a lush, expansive forest, towering trees stretching far above him, sunlight filtering through the dense canopy.
For a moment, Waylon simply stood there, overwhelmed by the sensation. The world felt alive in ways no game had before. The wind, the warmth of the sun, the sounds—all of it was tangible. Real.
But as he took a deep breath, the weight of his newfound powers settled heavily upon him. Eternal Sovereignty wasn't just a passive ability. It was a responsibility. One that he hadn't asked for, but now had to wield.
The game had changed. The rules had changed. And now, it was up to him to decide how far he would go with the power he had been granted.
Here's the next chapter continuing from the moment Waylon steps into the game world with his newfound powers:
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Waylon stood frozen in the midst of the lush forest, a sense of awe sweeping through him as his senses processed the environment around him. He could feel the soft sway of the trees, the warmth of the sunlight filtering through the leaves, and the distant chirping of birds. It was like stepping into a new world—one that felt far more alive than any game he had ever experienced.
His first instinct was to check his surroundings, to get a sense of where he was. The forest stretched endlessly in all directions, towering trees that seemed to reach for the heavens. The ground beneath his feet felt real—each step was solid, each movement of the wind brushed against his skin with a crispness that made him doubt this was just a simulation.
But that doubt was quickly replaced by a creeping unease. The power that had unlocked within him, the Eternal Sovereignty talent, felt heavier now. As much as he had been excited about the potential of this game, the consequences of possessing such a talent were beginning to sink in. What did this mean for him? Was this really an accident? Or had the system chosen him for a reason? A reason he couldn't yet comprehend?
Taking a deep breath, Waylon opened his system interface. It was time to assess the situation.
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System Interface:
Name: WaylonX
Class: Regressor
Level: 1
Health: 100%
Mana: 100%
Stamina: 100%
Attributes:
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 10
Intelligence: 10
Vitality: 10
Charisma: 10
Luck: 10
Active Talents:
Eternal Sovereignty (Active)
Temporal Recall (Unlocked)
Time Dilation (Unlocked)
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The talent list caught his attention immediately. He had expected something simple, perhaps a few combat-based abilities, but this... this was different. It wasn't just about gaining new skills. It was about bending the rules themselves.
Eternal Sovereignty. The description still echoed in his mind: Complete control over time and reality... the power to manipulate the game's systems...
He had to know more. He selected the talent and was immediately bombarded with new information.
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Eternal Sovereignty:
Effect: Grants the user dominion over time and reality within the game's parameters. Enables manipulation of game mechanics, altering past and future events, and even rewriting specific memories of characters or players. This ability is classified as a system anomaly and is not intended for normal gameplay.
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That was the most unsettling part: not intended for normal gameplay. The very fact that this was a glitch—something that had been erroneously granted to him—made the power feel more dangerous. The idea that the system had miscalculated was enough to make his stomach churn.
But before he could contemplate further, his attention was drawn to the other unlocked talents. Temporal Recall and Time Dilation. The implications of those abilities were equally staggering.
Temporal Recall seemed to offer a way to access and even alter past events. What he could change, how far back he could go, and what consequences his alterations might have were unknowns for now. It felt like having a rewind button in his hands, but what would happen if he rewound too far? What could he erase, and what might he lose in the process?
Time Dilation was perhaps the most intriguing. It didn't just manipulate time—it could stretch or compress time at will. In practical terms, that could mean speeding up tasks, freezing time, or even slowing down entire environments to observe and manipulate them. The tactical advantages were overwhelming.
Waylon's pulse quickened. With these powers, he could change the course of anything—his life, his relationships, the entire world of The Catalyst. The question was: should he?
A low growl from the underbrush broke his thoughts. His attention snapped to the movement, instinctively preparing for whatever might emerge. His hand hovered over the button for his inventory, but there was no weapon in his hand. Nothing. He was a Regressor, not a typical warrior or mage. He didn't have access to weapons, magic, or combat skills.
The growl grew louder, and from the shadows of the forest, a large creature emerged. Its sleek, muscular form was covered in dark fur, with glowing eyes that pierced through the underbrush. It was an Alpha Beast, a creature that was known for its ferocity. It eyed Waylon with a mixture of hunger and aggression.
Without thinking, Waylon activated Time Dilation. The world around him slowed, the Alpha Beast's movements almost coming to a halt as its paws hovered mid-air. He felt an immense rush of power as time bent to his will. Everything was moving slower, and yet, to him, it felt as though he had all the time in the world.
His next move was instinctive: He lunged forward, his body moving at a speed far greater than the beast's. Grabbing a nearby branch, he swung it towards the Alpha Beast, knocking it backward with a force that seemed unnatural. The creature, struggling to regain its bearings, had no chance. Waylon watched as it tried to react, but to him, it seemed like everything was in slow motion.
Time Dilation faded, and reality snapped back into place. The Alpha Beast, stunned and disoriented, stumbled to the ground with a growl of frustration.
Waylon took a deep breath, his heart racing. That was... easy. Too easy. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was only scratching the surface of what he could do with his powers. But at the same time, he was cautious. He couldn't just go around bending the game's rules without understanding the consequences. What if he broke something? What if there were hidden forces in The Catalyst that could punish him for using such overwhelming abilities?
As the Alpha Beast regained its composure and turned to flee, Waylon made a decision. He would explore, but he would do so carefully. There were far too many unknowns for him to risk running wild.
He glanced down at his hands. The raw potential of his talents was intoxicating, but that made him wonder: What had the Eternal Sovereignty talent meant for him? Why had it been unlocked by the system error? Was he truly the only one to have received this gift, or were there others who were similarly burdened with such power?
As he stood alone in the forest, the weight of these questions pressed heavily on him. There was no turning back now. The game world was no longer just a game—it was a reality. And in this reality, Waylon was something far more than just a player.