I've become someone I never intended to be. I've built my own domain, and I've gained the approval of the world beyond my own. But what's next? Is this where I stop?
"Hey, Mom!" a kid lying in his bed shouted. "There's a new game I want to play! It's the most advanced game I've ever seen!"
"Beast Odyssey?"
"Alright, honey, let me read it first to make sure it's appropriate for your age, okay?"
"It's PG, alright. Just order the game and play it. Enjoy, honey,"
"Thanks, Mom!"
"Beast Odyssey, a VRMMORPG where players capture, train, and battle creatures known as 'Beasts,' with the potential to manage NPCs and lands. The game takes place in a vast, open world with diverse environments,"
"You're one interesting game. Let me purchase you and dive in!"
Welcome to 'BEAST ODYSSEY ONLINE!' In a world forever changed by the catastrophic event known as the Great Convergence, the boundaries between reality and the unknown have been shattered. The essence of countless worlds has merged, giving rise to mighty Beasts that now roam the lands.
You are one of the lucky few—a Traveler from beyond, brought to the magical world of Archelm by the Great Convergence. As you emerge from the unknown, you're met with a world both wondrous and treacherous.
The land is alive with ancient magic, and the Beasts that inhabit it are as fascinating as they are deadly. Will you form bonds with these majestic creatures, or will you succumb to the dangers that lurk around every corner?
The secrets of the Convergence remain shrouded in mystery, waiting to be uncovered by brave adventurers like yourself. As you embark on this epic journey, you'll forge a new destiny in a world where the impossible has become possible.
The odyssey begins…
That was quite a welcome there, BOO system! Thanks!
What a lucky boy, he must have come from a wealthy family.
I wonder who his father is…
Is it, that first person speaking?
Hmmm…
…
Oh…
I didn't see you there…
Hi reader!
I was just, you know.
Anyway, you must be wondering who I am? Just like I'm wondering about those previous narrators…
Oops. Losing track again.
Let me introduce myself, I am your conscience talking. You're about to enter a story that will take you on a crazy ride.
This story is DAAAARK.
Are you going to continue reading?
Are you sure?
I warned you…
Alright, tough guy or girl or kid?
Whatever…
Anyways…
Let me onboard you in the game where this story all began.
"Beast Odyssey" an online multiplayer game where players capture and train beasts, also, they can bond with the world's human inhabitants and make them their servants. Or they can just Gatcha them and if they have money and get them as a baby human, which will come out from an egg, I think.
Sounds good right?
No, it's not…
Mind you, this game is decentralized, nobody can predict things in this game. Those Gatchas they sell? They are TRGNs, the inhabitants it generates, no matter how much you've spent, will never guarantee a good outcome.
So, if you ever gonna play this game, just bond with the world generated inhabitants, at least it's free and they're grown and have visual stats. Do you agree?
It's like you can play this game ever…
Wait, have I told you how inhabitants age?
I have, right?
Did you really read?
Read again.
Anyways…
I've gotten a lot of screen time already, I gotta pass it to him.
He's gonna be with you for the most part. I hope I get to appear here again…
…
Alright, I'll go already!
Take it away First person POV narrator!
BTW, you can Gatcha a beast too. BYEEE!
"Lucien!" a deep, rumbling sound rang in my ear.
"You'll be my best buddy Lucien! You make that large amount of cash I spent on you worth it, okay?" The voice continued.
Who was this guy? What were those sounds he's making?
He's all blurry to me. But I can hear the sound he was making.
"I'm glad I built a muscular guy as my avatar, carrying you while fighting is easy."
Is his rumbling sound intended for me? I wanted to ask, but I couldn't.
"There's lots of beasts spawning around here."
His tone has changed.
"They say we can tame them, but I'm not interested. I've got you!"
Whatever the sound he was making doesn't make sense to me. But I feel he's happy.
What were we doing?
Were we travelling? Were we walking? I couldn't tell.
There were a lot of movements, I felt the motions.
But there were times I felt nothing, it was dark, and quiet and lonely…
What am I?
…
"Hey Lucien, I was wondering why you aren't growing older. I have been battling beasts for a few days now."
That sound was familiar. Was he the same person from before?
"Then, I read it online, they said, I need to appraise your acquired experience back in the tavern in a developers town."
"I'll definitely do that."
His pitch seems normal. I wonder what he's trying to tell me.
…
"He's gotten a ton of experience Traveler Deus. Congratulations, he's now at level 17!"
A female voice rang in my ear.
"That's great! He's no longer a baby."
A deep rumbling voice followed.
I opened my eyes. In front of me was a Muscular male bald male with slim legs. Who was he again?
"Lucien now entered his Childhood stage." A voice in the background said.
It wasn't the female voice I heard earlier. It wasn't the muscular male either. Who was that?
"Do you want to stop his aging process at this stage? Or do you want him to grow older in appearance?" The voice continued.
The muscular man replied, "Continue the aging process."
DING! "Aging process continuing"
"Alright, I think we're all set." He said
Then he directed his gaze at me, who was he talking to? I wonder.
"Hi, Lucien!" he greeted, his smiles felt warm and I couldn't help but smile back.
"Oh! You're already responsive! Do you know how to talk?" He asked.
I'm seeing his face clearly, what happened?
He asked? How did I know he was asking?
"He should be able to speak in a few, kindly allow a few moments for the AI to funnel down what a human at his age should know in his system."
Is that the female voice again?
Some part of what she just said just made sense to me.
"Ahhh… thank you Remi!" He said, after offering a warm smile.
Then, he turned to me again. "That's one helpful NPC, don't you think?"
He's asking, my thoughts suggesting an answer.
"Yes." I blurted out.
The muscular guy jumped in celebration. He was happy, I could tell.
"It seems the system has finally locked on!" He said.
While offering a warm smile, he asked me another question, "Do you know who you are?"
I ought to answer the question, but I don't know what to say.
I was just staring at him, waiting for anything he would provide.
"You're Lucien." He said, and repeated, "Your name is Lucien."
I looked down, I mumbled, "Lucien?"
"Yes! You are Lucien." He repeated.
"I am Lucien." I claimed.
The muscular man smiled, looking at me like a proud parent.
Parents? Do I have one?
I asked myself.
Is he my father?
…
Then I continued to watch him. He was sliding his fingers in the air, he was mumbling.
"His stats are much like I developed my stats." He stated, talking to himself.
Is he talking about me?
"Hmmm…" he sounded.
"Maybe, I can test his vitality now." he mumbled again.
Then with a swipe of his fingers, a wooden club appeared on his hands.
Then he turned at me, "by the way, Lucien. I'm Dues, your owner."
Owner? I wanted to asked, if it was the same as a parent, but he was continuously speaking.
Before I could understand what he was talking about. He lifted his arms and swung the wooden club directly at me.
Caught by surprise, I flung in the air, smacking into a wall.
I didn't know what happened or why he did that.
All I could do was grunt from the pain.
I looked back at Deus, he was just standing, swiping his finger still in the air.
I could help but wonder.
What am I?