Ryan's hands hovered over the VR headset, its sleek design gleaming in the soft glow of his cramped apartment's only working lightbulb. The promotional trailer for Soulbound Odyssey had been playing on a loop for hours, showcasing dazzling dragons, glittering treasures, and sprawling dungeons. The promise of glory echoed in his mind, louder than the silence of his barren room.
Rent overdue. Jobless. Another rejection email from some company I don't even remember applying to.
Ryan clenched his fists. He could feel the weight of failure pressing on his shoulders. But here, in Eterna, the sprawling VR world of Soulbound Odyssey, there was no rejection, no poverty—just an equal playing field. A chance to prove himself.
He slid the headset over his face, adjusted the straps, and whispered, "Game start."
The world dissolved into a cascade of prismatic light, his senses overwhelmed. A smooth, commanding voice echoed around him:
"Welcome, Player 321. Initializing Soulbound Odyssey."
When Ryan opened his eyes, the transformation was stunning. He stood in the heart of Briarwood Village, the cobblestone streets warm under the midday sun. Timber-framed houses lined the roads, their thatched roofs curling with wisps of smoke. NPC villagers bustled about, carrying baskets of produce or chatting near a fountain. The sound of a blacksmith hammering steel blended with the murmur of the market square.
The breeze carried the faint scent of pine from the dense forest beyond the village. Ryan took a deep breath, marveling at the vividness. Every detail, from the uneven texture of the cobblestones to the distant chirping of birds, felt real. Too real.
A notification chimed, and a glowing window appeared before him:
[Welcome, Swordsman! You have been assigned the starting class: Swordsman.]
Skills unlocked:
[Basic Slash] (No cooldown) - Reliable for consistent DPS.
[Parry] (Cooldown: 5 seconds) - Blocks 100% of an enemy's incoming attack, negating damage and leaving them vulnerable.
[Courage Strike] (Cooldown: 10 seconds) - Delivers a powerful attack, bypassing 20% of the target's defense. Best used against weakened foes.
Ryan's lips curled into a grin. "Alright, let's do this."
He took a step forward and immediately stumbled, nearly face-planting into the ground. His rusty sword clattered against his hip, the weight of his starter gear throwing him off balance.
"First day, eh?" A passing NPC chuckled, balancing a basket of apples on his shoulder. "Those boots take some getting used to."
Ryan flushed, straightening awkwardly. "Just testing my, uh, movement system."
The NPC nodded sagely and walked away, leaving Ryan to scan the bustling square. His eyes caught on a massive stone fountain at the center. Its clear water shimmered under the sunlight, cascading into a circular basin. Inscribed at the base was a plaque:
"Strength through Unity. Glory through Perseverance."
He frowned, brushing his fingers over the carved words. They felt significant, though he didn't know why.
Another soft ding interrupted his thoughts:
[Quest Alert: Welcome to Briarwood!]
Objective: Speak to Elder Ralston to receive your first task.
Reward: 50 EXP, 5 Gold, Starter Weapon.
"Alright, easy enough," Ryan muttered. He scanned the square and quickly spotted the quest marker hovering above a stooped old man leaning on a gnarled cane. The glowing name Elder Ralston floated above his head.
Ryan approached. "Excuse me, Elder Ralston?"
The elder turned, sharp green eyes locking onto Ryan. Despite his frail appearance, there was a commanding air about him. "Another brave soul joining the fight, I see. Let's hope you fare better than the last one."
"The last one?" Ryan asked, a twinge of unease creeping into his voice.
Ralston chuckled dryly. "Never you mind that. There's trouble in the forest to the east. Goblins. Filthy creatures have been raiding the village. Think you can handle them, Swordsman?"
A new window popped up before Ryan:
[Quest Accepted: Goblin Menace]
Objective: Eliminate 5 Goblins in the Dark Forest.
Reward: 100 EXP, 10 Gold, Iron Sword.
Ryan gripped the hilt of his rusty sword, its weight awkward in his hand. "Got it."
"Good," Ralston said, but his tone turned grave. "Don't let your guard down. The Dark Forest has claimed many who thought themselves invincible."
Ryan nodded and turned to follow the dirt path leading out of the village. As he approached the forest, the atmosphere shifted. The trees grew denser, their twisted branches clawing at the sky. Shadows deepened, swallowing the cheerful sunlight. The distant chirping of birds faded into an eerie silence.
A notification flashed:
[Entering the Dark Forest.]
Warning: Recommended Level 3. Current Level: 1.
"Well, this is a terrible idea," Ryan muttered, gripping his sword tighter.
The rustle of bushes made him freeze. He raised his weapon, sweat slicking his palms. A goblin burst out of the undergrowth, its wiry frame darting forward. Its beady red eyes gleamed with malice as it snarled, brandishing a crude dagger.
[Enemy: Goblin - HP: 50/50]
"Alright," Ryan whispered, taking a shaky stance. "Just a game. I've got this."
The goblin lunged, its dagger slicing toward his chest. Ryan barely managed to block, the impact jarring his arms. He activated [Parry], deflecting the attack and leaving the goblin staggered for a moment. His heart pounded as he activated [Basic Slash], slashing at the goblin and driving it back momentarily.
(Enemy HP: 35/50)
The goblin screeched, stumbling back. Ryan attempted to press the attack, but his swing went wide, leaving an opening. The goblin ducked and retaliated, its dagger grazing his arm with a sharp sting. He gritted his teeth and focused. When the goblin lunged again, he activated [Parry], deflecting the attack and leaving the goblin vulnerable. Without hesitation, he followed up with another [Basic Slash].
(Enemy HP: 0/50)
The goblin fell, dissolving into a shower of golden light.
[Enemy Defeated: +25 EXP]
[EXP: 25/100]
Ryan panted, his chest heaving as he stared at the glowing remnants. His arm throbbed where the goblin's blade had cut. He took a quick glance at his status, ensuring he was still in fighting condition. (HP: 92/100) That felt too real.
Before he could catch his breath, another rustle came from the bushes. Then another. Three goblins emerged, snarling and circling him. One barked something guttural, and the others spread out, their crude weapons glinting ominously.
"Of course," Ryan muttered, raising his sword. "Why wouldn't it get harder?"
From the shadows behind them, a massive figure loomed. A Goblin Chief stepped into the clearing, its glowing red eyes locking onto Ryan. It was twice the size of the others, with jagged armor and a spiked club that looked like it could cave in a skull with a single swing.
Ryan's grip tightened on his sword. His heart thundered in his chest. "This might be it for me."