**Primal Wild: Chapter 0 - The Calm Before the Adventure**
The streets outside were alive with the hum of the city, but inside the quiet apartment, Lucas was sprawled out on his couch, staring at the sleek VR headset resting on the coffee table. It was a holiday, and Lucas had no plans other than diving into the newest sensation: **Primal Wild**, a VRMMO promising survival, evolution, and endless exploration.
The 26-year-old programmer had been looking forward to this release for months, though not for the adrenaline rush or the competitive edge most players sought. For Lucas, it was all about immersion—he wanted to experience life in a tranquil world away from the chaos of reality.
His apartment was modest but comfortable. Stacks of books about animals, nature documentaries paused mid-stream on his television, and a small potted plant he'd named "Fernie" hinted at his love for the natural world. Lucas wasn't a social butterfly. He preferred the company of his interests over crowded gatherings.
"Alright," Lucas muttered, picking up the headset. "One last check before I'm stuck in there for hours."
He pulled up his phone and skimmed through the game's promotional material one more time:
- **Survive in a world where every decision matters.**
- **Evolve your avatar through experience, environment, and choices.**
- **No respawns. Every action has consequences.**
- **Will you adapt, dominate, or simply survive?**
"Great," he said with a wry smile. "Just what I need—another place to stress out."
Lucas wasn't a hardcore gamer. He'd dabbled in RPGs and survival games before, but he never stuck with them for long. The idea of gathering endless loot or min-maxing stats didn't appeal to him. But *Primal Wild* promised something different. No endless quest markers, no forced combat, just a living, breathing world where you could explore at your own pace.
His friends had tried to convince him to form a group for the game's launch, but Lucas declined. He wasn't against teaming up, but he wanted to experience the first few hours alone—to learn the mechanics, figure out his role, and maybe find a peaceful corner of the world to claim as his own.
Lucas set down his phone and slipped the headset on. The interface booted up with a soothing hum, and a holographic display welcomed him.
**"Welcome to Primal Wild. Please log in to continue."**
He keyed in his credentials, selected a casual difficulty mode—less punishing but still requiring resource management—and began the avatar creation process.
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**Avatar Creation**
Lucas chuckled when he saw the available races. Cats, wolves, bears, even exotic options like eagles and sharks—it was a zoologist's dream. He scrolled through the list, trying to decide.
"Do I want to fly? Swim? Stay grounded?" he mused. His cursor hovered over a small, fluffy figure.
**Pallas Cat**
- **Type:** Land Mammal
- **Default Skills:** Silent Step, Bite
- **Attributes:** High agility, moderate strength, low stamina
- **Traits:** Solitary, excellent stealth, temperature-resistant
"Perfect," Lucas said. He'd seen a documentary about Pallas cats a while back and found their grumpy, fluffy demeanor oddly endearing.
He customized his avatar, giving it gray fur and piercing amber eyes. The system prompted him to name his character.
"Let's keep it simple." Lucas typed in: **Rye.**
The confirmation screen appeared.
**Name: Rye
Race: Pallas Cat
Starting Zone: Alpine Ridge
Difficulty: Casual
Game Style: Survival**
**"Are you ready to enter Primal Wild?"**
Lucas took a deep breath, a mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through him. He pressed "Confirm," and the world around him dissolved into light.
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As Lucas transitioned into the game, his senses awakened to a crisp mountain breeze. The VR technology was so immersive it felt like he'd been transported to another world. Rye, his Pallas cat avatar, stood on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast, snowy expanse.
The tutorial prompt appeared but faded when Lucas swiped it away.
"No hand-holding," he murmured. "Let's see what this world has to offer."
And with that, Rye padded down the mountainside, ready to explore, adapt, and survive.
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**End of Chapter 0**