Lucas's vision cleared as the bright light receded, revealing a vibrant, bustling town square.
Cobblestone streets stretched out in every direction, lined with medieval-style buildings and colorful banners flapping in the wind.
The air was filled with a mix of cheerful chatter, the clinking of metal from nearby blacksmiths, and the faint hum of magical energy.
The town was alive.
Around him, players were rushing to and fro — some still gawking like him, while others moved with purpose, their glowing equipment marking them as more experienced adventurers.
A massive fountain stood in the center of the square, water cascading over its sides in mesmerizing patterns. Above the fountain, a glowing blue orb hovered, radiating faint pulses of light.
"Welcome to Nexus Haven," a voice echoed in his mind. Lucas jumped, spinning around to find no one speaking directly to him.
The words had come from the system itself.
"This is your starting location. From here, you can take on quests, trade with other players, or venture into the wilderness. Be sure to explore and grow your skills. Good luck, Player!"
The message ended, leaving Lucas standing awkwardly in the middle of the square. He realized then that he was still wearing the simple leather armor the game had assigned to him — a clear sign of a new player.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. "Let's figure this out."
He spent the next hour wandering the town, trying to get his bearings.
Nexus Haven was sprawling, with shops selling every kind of item imaginable, from basic healing potions to exotic weapons far beyond his price range.
Bulletin boards displayed dozens of quests, most of which seemed to involve hunting low-level creatures or gathering mundane materials.
Lucas felt a growing sense of unease. While the town was impressive, it was also overwhelming. He didn't know where to start, and his lack of funds wasn't helping.
As he stood by the fountain, trying to decide on his next move, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"Lost, huh?"
Lucas turned to see a young man with short, spiky hair and an easy grin. His armor gleamed faintly with an iridescent sheen, and a curved sword hung casually at his side.
"Yeah," Lucas admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just started. Kind of... figuring things out as I go."
The man chuckled. "You and half the people here. Name's Darren. I've been in since the beta, so I know my way around. You want some pointers?"
Lucas hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Sure. I could use the help."
Darren led him through the town, pointing out key locations.
"First thing you need to know is how to manage your resources," Darren said, stopping in front of a small shop with a wooden sign that read General Goods. "You're gonna need potions, basic tools, and maybe a map. Don't blow all your money in one place, though. You'll need some for repairs and upgrades later."
Lucas frowned. "About that... I don't actually have any money yet."
Darren raised an eyebrow, then laughed. "Figures. Alright, here." He opened his inventory with a quick swipe of his hand, and a glowing screen appeared in the air.
With a few taps, he sent a small pouch to Lucas.
[You have received 100 Nexus Coins from Darren.]
Lucas stared at the notification in disbelief. "Are you sure? That's — "
"Pocket change," Darren interrupted. "Hundred coins should be enough to get you started."
"Thanks," Lucas said, genuinely grateful.
"No problem. By the way, one Nexus Coin is worth about two dollars in real-world currency," Darren added casually. "So don't waste them on junk. This game's economy is no joke."
Lucas's eyes widened. "Jesus, that's a lot,"
"Yup. Everything you do here has real-world value. Complete quests, sell items, and you can cash out. That's why this game's blowing up — it's more than just a game."
Feeling slightly more prepared, Lucas followed Darren out of the town and into the surrounding wilderness.
The rolling hills and dense forests were stunningly realistic, the sunlight filtering through the trees in dappled patterns.
"Alright," Darren said, stopping in a small clearing. "Time for your first fight. You see that thing over there?"
Lucas followed his gaze to a small, rabbit-like creature nibbling on some grass. Its fur glowed faintly, and its long ears twitched at every sound.
"That's a Lumibunny. They're harmless, but they'll give you enough experience to level up. Go ahead — take it out."
Lucas hesitated, then unsheathed the plain dagger the game had given him. He approached the creature cautiously, trying to remember the combat basics the tutorial had drilled into him.
The Lumibunny noticed him at the last second and bolted.
"Damn it!" Lucas muttered, sprinting after it.
"Use your skills!" Darren called. "You should have at least one active ability!"
Lucas swiped his hand to open his interface. Sure enough, a skill called Quick Slash was available.
He activated it, and his dagger glowed faintly as he lunged forward, slashing at the Lumibunny.
A small health bar appeared above the creature, dropping to zero in an instant.
The Lumibunny vanished in a puff of light, leaving behind a few glowing orbs.
[You have gained 5 EXP.]
[You have collected Lumibunny Pelt x1.]
Lucas stood there, panting slightly as the notifications popped up.
"Not bad for your first try," Darren said, walking over and clapping him on the shoulder. "But you'll need to get a lot faster if you want to survive out here."
"Yeah, I figured," Lucas said, staring at the loot in his inventory.
Darren grinned. "Don't worry. Everyone starts somewhere. You'll get the hang of it."
They spent the next couple of hours hunting low-level creatures and gathering materials. Darren explained more about the game's mechanics as they went — how to manage stamina, the importance of dodging, and how different classes interacted in combat.
Lucas found himself growing more comfortable with each fight, his confidence slowly building.
By the time they headed back to town, he'd gained enough experience to reach Level 2.
"Alright, this is where I leave you," Darren said as they reached the gates of Nexus Haven. "You've got the basics down. Now it's up to you to figure out the rest."
"Thanks for everything," Lucas said sincerely. "I don't think I could've done this without your help."
Darren waved him off. "Don't sweat it. Just remember — this world's full of opportunities, but it's also full of danger. Keep your eyes open, and don't trust everyone you meet."
With that, Darren walked off, disappearing into the crowd.
Lucas stood there for a moment, staring at the bustling town ahead of him. He still didn't fully understand what he'd gotten himself into, but one thing was clear: this game was unlike anything he'd ever experienced.
And he was ready to see where it would take him.