The Guide AI's voice cut through the air, drawing everyone's attention. "Players, please gather around. We have an important announcement to make."
The players reluctantly tore their gaze away from Xiao Dou and gathered around a bigger Guide AI.
"As you know, the game is designed to test your skills, strategy, and of course teamwork. To facilitate this, we will be grouping you into teams of six. Each team will work together to overcome challenges, complete quests, and battle against other teams."
The players looked at each other, some with excitement, others with apprehension. Xiao Dou's mind was racing with questions. Who would he be teamed with? Would they be strong or weak? How would they work together?
The Guide AI continued, "The team assignments will be made randomly. Please stand by for the announcement."
The players waited with bated breath as thebGuide AI's began the team assignments. Xiao Dou's ears perked up as he heard his name being called.
"Team Esper: Xiao Dou, Leoni, Asher, Silke, Darba, and Myria."
Xiao Dou's eyes scanned the crowd, looking for his teammates. He spotted Leoni, and Asher standing nearby. Above their heads, their names and "Team Esper" hovered in the air, indicating that they were part of the same team.
Silke and Darba stood alone, looking around uncertainly. While Myria, stood with her arms crossed, her eyes fixed on Xiao Dou.
The Guide AI's voice interrupted Xiao Dou's thoughts. "Teams, please gather together and get acquainted. You will be receiving your first quest shortly."
Xiao Dou took a deep breath and approached his teammates. "Hey, I'm Xiao Dou," he said, trying to break the ice.
Leoni nodded and raised his hand up, telling them his name by having them look at his profile hovering above his head.
"Mister Xiao a pleasure to meet you, I'm Asher, from dimension X56, a oxygen based type extraterrestrial or what you humans know as Alien.."
Xiao Dou stared at Asher before nodding awkwardly and waiting for the ladies to catch up to them.
"What do we do now?"
Asher asked, he could feel the tension in the air and it was filled with confusion.
"We wait for the guide AI to tell us our quest, no need to be afraid or shocked you're only here because we all decided to play this game in our different worlds and we have experience in playing these type of games. Some might not though, might be their first time.."
Leoni replied, leaning against the wall, 3 humans, 2 aliens and what looked like a robot, probably another AI.
He looked at Xiao Dou next, he looked awfully calm compared to the rest players.
"Hey.."
As if on cue, the guide Ai appeared
{Team Esper, your first quest is to defeat the Goblin King, Gorthok, and his minions. They have been terrorizing the nearby countryside Bridlemark, and it's up to you to put an end to their reign of terror.}
The Guide AI's voice continued {You have 48 hours to complete this quest. Failure to defeat Gorthok and his minions within the time limit will result in a 2% reduction of your life line, 10% reduction in experience points and a 5% reduction in gold rewards for the next 3 quests. Your life line bar will be up and running once you stick start your quest, and you have only 100% for the entire game, life lost from punishment cannot be replaced.."
They felt a chill run down their spine when they heard the punishment, which meant they must complete each quest no matter what.
The Guide AI's voice continued {Your rewards for completing this quest will be:
{1000 Gold Coins}
{1000 Experience Points}
{A ordinary sword with +10 attack power}
{A grass shield with +5 defense power}
{Additionally, you will receive a bonus reward if you complete the quest within 24 hours}
{500 additional Gold Coins}
{500 additional Experience Points}
Xiao Dou made a mental calculation, these were all good rewards for a starting level.
{Another crucial thing} the guide Ai spoke again {A team leader must be picked, the player with the highest Xp and rank will become the team leader after each quest. Note one player can remain a team leader for a long time if the rest of the team can not catch up to his or her speed. But don't worry it's not your fault, losers are winners too}
"…"
That was a little harsh!
Xiao Dou stared at screen, the level of the monster wasn't showed, that would be a problem if it's rank was two levels higher than their ranks.
{Everyone has to click ACCEPT On their screans for the quest to begin, the map will be showed then} the guide Ai instructed before disappearing.
Xiao Dou was the first to click the "ACCEPT" button on his screen. As soon as he did, the world around him began to blur and distort. He felt a strange sensation, like he was being pulled apart and put back together again.
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in the middle of a bustling village. People in medieval clothing hurried past him, going about their daily business. Xiao Dou looked around, taking in the thatched roofs and the sound of hammering from the nearby blacksmiths.
As he waited for his teammates to arrive, he noticed a group of villagers huddled together, whispering among themselves. They glanced at him suspiciously, and Xiao Dou wondered what was going on.
They were all Npcs, they were probably programmed the way, he thought to himself.
Suddenly, the air around him began to shimmer and distort again. His teammates started to appear, one by one. Leoni materialized first, followed by Asher, Silke, Darba, and finally Myria.
Leoni nodded at Xiao Dou, and Xiao Dou nodded back. Now they had to gather information.
The girls, however, still needed to exchange introductions. "Hey, I'm Silke," the blonde-haired girl said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you," Myria replied, her voice husky. "I'm Myria."
Asher turned to Darba. "What are you...?"
"I'm Darba, a half-AI," she replied, her expression neutral as she grabbed a shield from her inventory.
Asher's eyes widened in surprise. "A half-AI? How's that even possible?"
Darba's expression didn't change. "It means I have a human mother and an AI father. I possess both human and artificial intelligence traits."
Silke's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "That's fascinating! What's it like being a half-AI?"
Darba shrugged. "It's...different. I have enhanced cognitive abilities and can interface with technology in ways humans can't. But I also have emotions and desires like humans do."
Myria nodded thoughtfully. "I can see how that would be both an advantage and a challenge."
The team stood there for a moment, digesting this new information. Then, the Guide AI's voice echoed in their minds again. {Team Esper, your quest is to defeat the Goblin King, Gorthok, and his minions. They have been terrorizing the nearby countryside, and it's up to you to put an end to their reign of terror.}
{Gorthok and his minions are hiding in a nearby cave system. You will need to work together to navigate the caves, avoid traps, and defeat the goblins.}
{Remember, you have 48 hours to complete this quest. Failure to defeat Gorthok and his minions within the time limit will result in a 2% reduction of your life line, 10% reduction in experience points, and a 5% reduction in gold rewards for the next 3 quests}
{Your rewards for completing this quest will be: {1000 Gold Coins} {1000 Experience Points} {A ordinary sword with +10 attack power} {A grass shield with +5 defense power}. Additionally, you will receive a bonus reward if you complete the quest within 24 hours: {500 additional Gold Coins} {500 additional Experience Points} }
{Good luck, Team Esper. You will need it}