Chapter 3: A Step Into the Unknown
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Before Adam could understand the administrator class, the avatar standing in front of him tells him, "Now check your status window."
Adam stared at the newly updated status window before him. The sleek blue interface glowed faintly, displaying his character's details:
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Name: AlphaBoss
Species: Human
Class: Administrator
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
Physical Stats:
Stamina: 5
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 8
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Luck: 3
Unassigned Points: 0
Skill: Reality Manipulation (Level 1)
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Adam's eyes lingered on the words "Reality Manipulation," his mind swirling with questions.
This wasn't a skill he had encountered in his previous experience with the game.
Before he could delve further into its meaning, the golden avatar reappeared, clapping its hands in a gesture of congratulations. Its glowing eyes locked onto Adam as it spoke in a calm, formal tone.
"Welcome to Row Online," it began. "This is an open-world game, but it also contains a storyline that you are encouraged to explore. We grant our players freedom to discover, experience, and utilize their unique powers. Exploration is the core of this world."
Adam had neither seen this avatar in his previous life nor had he heard about it in the community.
The avatar bowed slightly before continuing, "You may now design your character. Alternatively, you may choose to retain the appearance from your previous account."
Adam's mind flashed back to the character he had painstakingly designed in the PC version of the game.
His avatar had been a reflection of his ideal self—striking and mysterious.
He remembered the flowing black clothes, the half-face mask that added an air of enigma, the small dagger tied to his waist, his stark white hair, and piercing blue eyes.
He smiled faintly, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. "I'll keep my previous character design," he said confidently.
The golden avatar nodded in acknowledgment.
Instantly, Adam felt a shift in his appearance. His hair turned pure white, falling in soft strands around his face.
His eyes transformed into an intense, glowing blue, their color almost otherworldly. The black clothes materialized over his body, and the dagger hung securely at his waist.
As he examined his new form, a faint flicker of pride crossed his face. This was who he was in this world—AlphaBoss, the enigmatic adventurer.
Before Adam could say anything further, the golden avatar spoke again, its voice steady and commanding.
"Welcome officially to Row Online. Your tutorial ends here, and your journey in the real game begins now."
With those final words, the avatar vanished in a shimmer of golden light. The space around Adam grew eerily quiet.
He stood alone, suspended in the vast void of space, the planet below him still rotating majestically.
Adam's heart sank slightly as he realized what was about to happen. His fists clenched instinctively. "I hate this part," he muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, he felt a force pulling him downward. Gravity took hold, and he began to plummet toward the planet at an alarming speed. The wind roared in his ears as he fell, the planet's surface rushing up to meet him.
Through the chaos, Adam gritted his teeth, his body tensing as he braced for impact. Moments later, he crashed onto solid ground.
Despite the tremendous force of his landing, Adam emerged unscathed. The ground beneath him showed no signs of damage, no cracks or disturbances, as though the impact had never occurred.
Pushing himself up, Adam dusted off his clothes and surveyed his surroundings. A small, dry chuckle escaped his lips.
"No matter how many times I experience this," he said to himself, "I can never fully get used to it."
The chapter concluded with Adam standing tall, his eyes scanning the mysterious new world around him, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Adam steadied himself as he looked around the bustling area where he had landed.
Other players, scattered around him, were logging in and observing their surroundings.
Eight other figures were nearby, their attention shifting between Adam and their own status windows.
For a moment, Adam's eyes locked onto the symbols hovering over the players' heads. Beside their symbols was the word Anonymous, reminding him of a feature that allowed players to conceal their real usernames.
This was a memory from his past life—a feature that had been widely used by cautious and strategic players.
Some of the other players glanced at Adam with curiosity, their expressions hinting at awe and envy.
His striking appearance and premium gear, relics of his achievements from the previous game version, stood out in stark contrast to the more modest outfits of the beginners.
"They must think I'm rich," Adam thought with a faint smirk. His attire, a sleek black outfit paired with a dagger strapped to his waist, gave him an air of mystery and authority.
The ensemble wasn't just for show—it provided stealth and speed bonuses, making it both stylish and functional.
As Adam scanned the players, he noticed their gazes fixated on his outfit and equipment. "It's just as I remembered," he murmured, his eyes tracing the intricate details of the graphics.
The game's realism was breathtaking, every thread and seam of his clothing rendered to perfection.
Gradually, the players began dispersing. Some headed toward a dense forest visible on one side of the area, while others wandered in different directions.
Adam let out a sigh, his gaze shifting to the surrounding structures.
Adam turned his attention to the terrain. He realized he had spawned at the edge of a Beginner Village, just as he had in his previous life.
To his left, the forest loomed, its tall trees forming a natural boundary.
He remembered the forest well—it was home to three types of monsters, ranging from harmless slimes to level 20 beasts like the ferocious Boss Wolf.
As he looked toward the village, he noted that it was surrounded by forests on all sides. At the center of the settlement stood a massive tree, its towering form a symbol of the village's heart.
The NPCs in the village began to notice Adam. They whispered among themselves, their eyes darting toward his distinctive appearance.
Adam smiled and raised a hand in greeting. Some of them waved back briefly before resuming their tasks, though their gestures were more polite than warm.
"At least they're not ignoring me completely," Adam muttered under his breath, suppressing a chuckle.
With a deep breath, he turned away from the village and headed toward the forest.
He didn't intend to linger in the village; he had more pressing matters to attend to. Testing his new class and skill was his priority.
The forest's atmosphere shifted as Adam entered its boundaries.
The ground beneath his boots was uneven, a mix of rocks and dirt that made each step deliberate.
The towering trees cast long shadows, and thick bushes obscured much of the view ahead.
Adam's keen eyes scanned the area, ensuring no one was around to watch him.
He summoned his system window and navigated to his class description. Typing "Administrator" into the search bar, a detailed explanation appeared before him:
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Administrator Class -
This unique class grants the player control over multiple aspects of Row Online.
With this class, the player's skill tree develops in relation to administrative abilities.
Additionally, the Administrator can access skills from other classes, unlocking unprecedented versatility. The higher the level, the greater the accessibility.
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Adam's eyes widened as he read the description.
His mind buzzed with possibilities. This class was leagues above anything he had encountered before.
"With this… I could take on even the top players in the future," he thought, excitement surging through him.
However, his excitement was tempered by a growing sense of caution. "If anyone finds out about this class," Adam murmured, "I'll be in danger—not just in the game, but in real life too."
Memories of his previous life flashed before him.
He recalled stories of players who had acquired unique items or rewards, only to be targeted in the real world.
Some were robbed, others injured—or worse.
"I can't let that happen to me," Adam resolved. "I'll keep my identity hidden and only introduce myself as AlphaBoss. No one can know who I really am."
His decision made, Adam closed the system window and looked around theforest.
The dense foliage swayed gently in the breeze, the rustling leaves blending with the occasional chirping of unseen creatures.
Shadows danced on the uneven ground, creating an eerie yet captivating scene.
The realization of his new class's potential left Adam with a mix of exhilaration and trepidation.
He clenched his fists, determination etched across his face.
From now on, AlphaBoss wasn't just his username—it was his shield, his identity, and his promise to himself.
The chapter ended with Adam standing amidst the towering trees, the weight of his choices settling heavily on his shoulders.
Hidden within the forest, away from prying eyes, he prepared to explore the true extent of his abilities, ready to rewrite his destiny once more.