Chapter 2: The Game Begins
Liam blinked, his vision adjusting to the vibrant colors and surreal textures of the Eternal Realm. It was nothing like the trailers or the gameplay videos he'd seen online—it was infinitely better. The world felt alive. The grass beneath his boots was soft and dewy, swaying slightly in the breeze. The air smelled faintly of wildflowers and earth. For a moment, he simply stood there, marveling at the seamless realism of it all.
"Welcome to Eternal Realm, adventurer!"
A cheerful voice broke his trance. Turning, Liam saw a rotund NPC clad in a patched leather tunic and a wide-brimmed hat. The man had a thick, curling mustache and held a staff adorned with a glowing crystal at its tip.
"My name is Garlen, and I'm here to guide you through the basics of the game. You'll find life here both thrilling and dangerous, so take care to learn well!"
Liam nodded, his mind racing. His hands instinctively moved, summoning the game panel he'd read about in countless forums. A transparent interface appeared before him, displaying a dizzying array of tabs: Stats, Inventory, Skills, Quests, and more.
Before delving into the panel, Liam decided to pay attention to Garlen. Most players ignored the beginner NPCs, but he knew better. The hidden class he'd drawn demanded meticulous attention to detail, and every scrap of information could be valuable.
"First, you'll want to check your starting talents and skills," Garlen continued. "Your destiny lies in the talents you draw, so choose wisely!"
Liam already knew this part of the tutorial, but he played along. With a deep breath, he opened the Skills and Talents tab.
A golden glow burst from the screen as the words Hidden Class Obtained flashed before his eyes. Beneath it, a cascade of notifications rolled out.
[Congratulations! You have unlocked the Hidden Class: Primordial Sovereign.]
[As a Primordial Sovereign, you gain the following perks:
• EX-Rank Talent: Sovereign's Fortune (x1000 EXP, gold, and drop rates).
• EX-Rank Talent: Infinite Growth (stat and skill point gains doubled upon leveling).
• EX-Rank Skill: Primordial Command (dominates lower-rank enemies with overwhelming presence).
• EX-Rank Skill: Arcane Genesis (create and modify spells).
• EX-Rank Skill: Absolute Authority (immune to status effects below S rank).
• EX-Rank Skill: Eternal Flame (summon primordial flames that deal unresistable damage).
• EX-Rank Skill: Void Step (teleport short distances at will).
• EX-Rank Skill: Sovereign's Guard (summons an invincible shield for 10 seconds).
• EX-Rank Skill: Destiny's Call (summons a legendary companion).
• EX-Rank Skill: World Breaker (launch an attack that ignores defense).]
[Remaining Talents: 5]
[Remaining Skills: 5]
Liam stared at the notifications, his breath hitching. He wasn't just lucky—this was the kind of outcome that defied probability itself. He didn't know how or why it had happened, but he wasn't going to waste the opportunity.
"Five more skills and talents to draw," he murmured, his fingers trembling slightly as he tapped the Draw Talent button.
A glowing roulette wheel appeared, spinning rapidly before landing on another golden light.
[EX-Rank Talent: Astral Affinity]
• Allows the player to master all elemental affinities at an advanced level.
[EX-Rank Talent: Omni-Crafter]
• Unlocks maximum proficiency in crafting, alchemy, and blacksmithing.
[EX-Rank Talent: Sovereign's Resolve]
• Grants immunity to fear and mental control effects.
[EX-Rank Talent: Temporal Insight]
• Enhances reaction speed and foresight during combat.
[EX-Rank Talent: Arcane Well]
• Infinite mana regeneration outside of combat; significantly increased recovery in combat.
"I don't even know where to start…" Liam muttered, feeling overwhelmed. He still had his skills to draw, but his fingers hovered over the button. He could feel Garlen's gaze on him, expectant yet patient.
"Ah, quite the lucky start, I see!" Garlen said with a knowing smile. "Such power… but remember, young adventurer, power alone is not enough. You'll need to hone your skills and grow to truly master what you've been given."
Liam snapped back to reality and quickly tapped to draw the remaining five skills. This time, the roulette wheel spun slower, each turn feeling heavier.
[EX-Rank Skill: Sovereign's Gaze]
• Intimidate enemies, lowering their defense and morale.
[EX-Rank Skill: Primordial Restoration]
• Heals all injuries and debuffs instantly.
[EX-Rank Skill: Dimensional Rift]
• Opens a portal to a safe zone or a pocket dimension.
[EX-Rank Skill: Phantom Strike]
• Attack multiple enemies simultaneously.
[EX-Rank Skill: Chaos Manifest]
• Temporarily boost all stats by 200% for five minutes.
The sheer power of his newfound abilities made Liam's head spin. It wasn't just luck—this was an entirely different level of existence within the game. But he couldn't let it go to his head. If anyone found out about his class and skills, he'd become a target for every ambitious guild and top-tier player out there.
He closed the panel and turned back to Garlen, who looked thoroughly impressed.
"Not bad, not bad at all," Garlen said, rubbing his chin. "You might just be one of the lucky few to change the fate of this world. Now, let's move on to the basics. You'll need to learn how to fight, gather resources, and survive in this harsh land."
Liam followed Garlen to a small clearing, where a row of wooden dummies stood ready. He gripped the basic sword that had materialized in his inventory—a crude weapon, barely sharp, but functional enough for training.
"Your first task is simple: strike the dummy. Channel your strength and focus on accuracy."
Liam complied, stepping forward and swinging the sword in a basic arc. The blade struck the dummy with a dull thud, a small notification appearing in his field of vision.
[Basic Swordsmanship has been unlocked.]
[Skill Rank: F]
[Progress: 1/100 to Rank E]
The grind had officially begun.
Garlen clapped enthusiastically. "Well done! With practice, even the most basic skills can evolve into something extraordinary. Now, let's try something a little more advanced. Use one of your talents or skills to strike the dummy."
Liam hesitated, then activated Phantom Strike. The moment he did, his body blurred, splitting into three shadowy forms that attacked the dummy simultaneously. When the skill ended, the dummy had been reduced to splinters.
Garlen stared at him, wide-eyed. "Incredible… You're no ordinary adventurer, are you? Keep your abilities hidden until you're ready to reveal your true strength. Trust me, the world won't be kind to someone with your potential."
Liam nodded, Garlen's words solidifying the resolve already forming in his heart. His journey was just beginning, but he could already feel the weight of the challenges ahead. With power like his, the stakes were higher than ever.
As the sun set over the starter village, casting long shadows across the training ground, Liam opened his game panel one last time to review his stats.
Name: Liam
Class: Primordial Sovereign (Hidden)
Level: 1
HP: 500/500
MP: 1000/1000
Strength: 80
Dexterity: 90
Intelligence: 100
Endurance: 70
Luck: ???
Talents: [EX] Sovereign's Fortune, [EX] Infinite Growth, [EX] Astral Affinity, etc.
Skills: [EX] Primordial Command, [EX] Phantom Strike, etc.
He smiled faintly. This was his chance to change everything. No more struggling, no more scraping by. In this world, he could rise to the top.
And nothing was going to stop him.