《Depraved Veracity》 Prologue Sacrifice was needed to save more humans. It always like that. Call it a sacrifice for the masses, but wasn''t sacrifice something you decided on your own? It shouldn''t be imposed on others. So what they really meant was... survival of the fittest. "READY YOUR WEAPONS!!" A ringleader raised his hand, signaling the troops behind him to maintain their position. Troops consisting of fully armored soldiers made them look like riding three-meter tall android robots, along with a wide variety of high-tech military vehicles. And the man a hundred meters ahead of them engulfed in a black mist like ink dropped into water, came to a halt, leaving smoke billowing, a ruined building spewing water from its windows, and flying cars hovering in the sky to falling like birds with broken wings that exploded into frenzied flames. As though an unseen line had drawn across the charred grounds, the tension in the air between them was oppressive. For a time, there was silence... until the ringleader raised his blade, which droned with energy and burned brightly. Those in power often trample over the rights of the weak. Those who lack strength would be subjugated. "FI¡ª!!" Before he could give his full command, a palm had already grabbed his face; palm from that shadowy man engulfed the ringleader''s head entirely, as in the blink of an eye, already in front of the soldiers. The dark mist swirled aggressively around their point of contact. Such hypocritical behavior from humankind. The ringleader was caught in the grip. Struggled yet futilely. His body was brought up in the air. And his sword, once alight with power, fell to the ground with a clatter. Its glow extinguished. "Phmmm...!!" But I also learned about human personalities. "CAP... CAPTAIN!!" The soldiers tensed. Their fingers hovered over triggers and grips tightening on their weapons, but none dared to move against the shadow that loomed before them. All frozen. All of their widened eyes seemed to know... they should never have been here. They shouldn''t have tried to come face-to-face with the figure in front of them. They should evacuate, like everyone else. As they knew the massive difference in power. I learned about human world. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. The captain''s attempts to break free were cut short as the shadowy figure''s grip tightened. Blood seeped from the seams of his suit, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and disbelief that also slowly oozed a thick red goo. "U-Upp...!! Khmmm!! AAGHH!!!" I became human. Splintered. Shattered. It was all the remains of his body that were destroyed against the backdrop of destruction. And soldiers who witnessed this could only look in horror as their resolve shattered along with the illusion of their safety in numbers. ? I couldn''t universally apply sweeping negative statements about humans; vital to take into account the diverse contexts and circumstances of each situation. "ALL, OPEN FIREE!!!" That agitated scream broke through the silence and stirred all the soldiers from the shock of the captain''s spectacle. They were instantly enraged. Click. Clatter. Their weapons were raised. A barrage of pulse energy, bullets, rays, and light ripped through the air toward a single point. All of it struck till it dazzled the city, which had been decimated in the hunger for blood. I felt disgusted. Of course... it was all for nothing. All the attacks pierced his body as if the man''s figure didn''t exist, even though he did. He stood. He was there. Facing them. Those who were one by one continued to cast the large machines. Yet, I was also confused. Despite the gunfire and explosions, the figure extended his hand to face the sky. The sky that was surrounded by a sphere of void as the dark mist swirled above him. With a mere snap of his fingers, the sphere exploded in a shockwave that swept across the battlefield like a tidal wave. Vehicles were overturned. Robots short-circuited and collapsed. Soldiers were thrown back as if they were mere dolls. The ground cracked under the force, and what remained from the surrounding buildings crumbled. "AAAHHHHGG!!" No matter how hard you want to save them, protect them, or prevent them from making mistakes, humans inevitably suffer. There was no doubt whatsoever that this horrific scene was witnessed by people all over the world from drones that kept coming, despite the destruction of the former one due to the man''s impact. Hovering above the battlefield, their cameras zoomed in and out. Viewers watched. Frozen. As the live feed transmitted the destruction that had ignited a wave of fear across the globe. "The mysterious man is slaughtering those soldiers..." Because humans weren''t designed to be happy. Military strategists scrambled for solutions. In hidden rooms, world leaders met in emergency sessions. Their faces were grim. The weight of their decisions was heavier than ever. Analysts and academics presented live comments based on what was seen from the drones, speculating on the origins and motivations of this being. But no one seemed to understand. The reason lay in the fleeting nature of happiness itself. Rarity gave it value. When it became easily attainable, its value diminished, eventually becoming meaningless. Thus, it was impossible to halt the cycle of suffering; happiness was only reserved for a fortunate few. As the shadowy figure advanced, the drones attempted to capture every detail of this threat. When the night fell, he paused. Head turned as if aware of the world''s eyes on him. For a brief period, it appeared that he would speak, maybe explaining the lingering question: Why? Why were we created for, then? But no words came. The answer was too obvious. He just turned and continued on his path. One step taken, a street pole collapsed. One step taken, a pseudo-knife seemed to slice through the houses on either side. One step was taken, and screams of those fleeing for safety ruptured their vocal cords as blood flowed forth. To the point one by one, the screens displaying his figure faded away. Disconnected. Gone. Signaling that the man has demolished the said location. We were simply a drama created by beings superior to us to observe. For that reason, I dismantled this stage play. In the vacuum of information, theories were born. Was that man a product of some forbidden experiment gone awry? An entity from another dimension? Or perhaps a manifestation of nature''s wrath? You could say I made a biased decision. A selfish one. Or whatever you want to name it. Those wouldn''t change anything. I''d made my decision. I would bring salvation to you all. I, myself, didn''t know why I had to witness this. To see and feel this horror. How hopeless, helpless, humans were. However, I knew, that man was¡ª After all, I already knew, I just¡ª "A monster." Chapter 1: You Cant Run Everything felt so burdensome. Opening my eyes was so challenging, my head spinning. My body felt heavy as well. How annoying. Even though I went to bed with my usual schedule, right at nine o''clock. Then I woke up properly, without any alarm. Not oversleeping as well. Yet, here I was, laying on the bed with my body and my head refused to cooperate. It must be that. That dream... I''ve already forgotten what it was about, but it was notable enough to drain me emotionally. How strange for something like this to happen. Also, it was unusual for me to be so overwhelmed by a dream that my body refused to get up. Even for those like myself who have exceptional memories, having a dream and then forgetting about it was normal. Remembering meant processing information from the outside in. While dreams emerged from within the brain and returned there. In essence, information processed in live events and dreams differs; it was pointless for me to rack my brain for this forgotten dream¡ªNo. The dream affected me in a way that I didn''t like the most. But again... ''Thinking so hard about it feels pointless.'' So, even though my body felt weak, I forced it to move; in spite, I ended up shivering. I tried my hardest to raise my limp hand and contact the wall. I did this not just to help me sit up (though that was the main reason). But also to give a command. "Window..." With my hand still pressed against this wall, RGB light gathered around the wall on my palm. That pool of light was then sent surging towards the window, like a wave of light flowing through the wall. The curtains opened, and my eyes, used to the dimness, narrowed. Blinding, indeed. Which was accompanied by a low voice echoed in my room. "Good morning, Chen Luo. Current time 06:15 AM. The weather outside is pleasant with a temperature of 67¡ãF, light breezes, and clear skies. Opening window for fresh air." And my bedroom window opened automatically. Now, the remaining problem was this heaviness in my head. "Urgh..." Annoyed¡ªand perhaps with a bit patience¡ªI massaged the bridge of my nose, which slowly rose to my forehead. Then, my head. I ended up grasping my hair during the process. Starting the morning with this kind of feeling and condition wouldn''t be good; I might end up grumbling or making a terrible expression. I usually did that even without this headache. But I could have given off a stronger negative aura. Ah, well, to hell with feelings. I forced myself to stand up. The coldness of the floor spread to the point that I got goosebumps as soon as my feet touched the floor. My hands reflexively slipped under my clothes, feeling the warmth of my own body as I walked. Worse, this disgusted emotion had a heavier impact than anticipated, enough to make me stumble till my room system responded. "Chen Luo, you seem unsteady this morning. Would you like assistance or a health check?" ''Heck with health check.'' I waved my hand, struggling to do something so basic. "Understood. I will keep the lighting soft for now. Remember, hydration can help with morning grogginess." Yeah, yeah, hydration; that was why I wanted to take a shower. Entered the bathroom in my room. Allow the sensors to detect me. Opened my clothes. Went to the shower stall. And finished cleaning up. But even after all that effort, including the shower, the weight from my unsatisfying sleep still lingered. Look at how messy that face stared at me in the mirror; every detail, from slightly wrinkled brows to hair, which stuck up no matter how many times it was brushed, revealed exhaustion. ''Seemed that dream really affected me a lot...'' But what could I do? Sometimes, even if I had a plan or even did scheduled activities as usual, there were always unexpected things I couldn''t fully control. Life was full of surprises, indeed. Exactly like what was happening right now. When I was done changing in my room, I saw a white box occupying the top of my closet without permission. Who the hell put this in my room¡ªWait. I never saw it. ''A box that... escaped my memory?'' HOW ABSURD! There was no way I could forget something like this! I meant, let me emphasize: my memory was perfect, and I clearly remembered every experience, every item I had, every move, every place, every¡ªUrgh! I meant EVERYTHING!! So what was that? What was this?! My feet reflexively stepped back, but my eyes couldn''t escape from the box. ''Maybe I am still asleep?'' Right! As I discussed about the dream, it was natural to not remember it, right? So I tried to pinch¡ª Slap! Urgh, my hand preceded me. I didn''t enjoy it. But slapping myself was faster and more effective than pinching. "Hurts!" This meant I wasn''t asleep. I am fully awake, sane (maybe?), and aware! So what was the box? When did I get it? How did it evade my notice until now? And most importantly, why didn''t I have any memory of it?! If I forgot, what else did I forget when I wasn''t even aware I could forget?! Ahhh! I stepped back even further. B-But then, what about that time?! When exchanging information, it seemed like there was no problem? Of course, I never let my parents or even my sister put their stuff in my personal zone. Even if it was just their socks. So, this item''s presence was puzzling. It couldn''t be theirs. So why? How?! Try to think! Thiiink, Chen Luo, THINK!! Remember why you owned this thing! I hit my head¡ªCouldn''t! I couldn''t remember any about this white shit! My memory seemed to betray me! How could I trust myself if the memories I held dear, those that created my identity, could vanish?! Because... uh, people were molded from experience, right? What if it turned out that, all along, my experiences were fake. I didn''t exist. Nil. All just bullshit. It was like being dead, but the brain was still working, only to show mere illusions. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. So, how would I describe the situation? Not to you, him, her, or anybody else but to me? ''How to make me understand myself if it comes to this?!'' Dizzy. My legs unexpectedly failed to sustain me. With the impact of my dropped knees, water dripped onto the floor, reminding me that I had already broken out in a cold sweat. All along. Yet, my hand chose to cover my mouth instead of sweeping it as I endured the disgust, nausea, sickness wrapped around my stomach¡ªUrgh, no, no, no. Who allowed emotions to take over?! Take a breath. Take a BREATH, damn it! Good, good. Just like that. Keep breathing, Chen Luo. Life wasn''t all about memories; there were choices, consequences, paths. Relax. Nice! Your breathing started to regain its regularity. And to soothe your aching heart, let''s try the following approach. Re-sorting my thoughts. ''Could this have something to do with my dream?'' Actually, that was just the result of a quick thought, but let me think about it carefully. In psychology, real-life objects might turn into symbols in our dreams, indicating unconscious feelings. So, even though I couldn''t remember that dream, it might have been my mind''s way of thinking about these hidden things¡ªthe existence of the box led to the fact I could forget. When I woke up and saw the actual anomaly¡ªthe box¡ªit instantly made me more sensitive. That was why I aware only now. Ah, yes, it was genuinely soothing to make absurd things appear more reasonable. I started to feel somewhat energized again. I wiped the remnants of the tears, the sweat, or whatever it was, from my cheeks and sat. To get rid of the residual vertigo, I massage my head. ''It is time to make sense of everything.'' About why and how I got this box. Yesterday was just my high school graduation day. This box could have been a surprise gift from my family. Or even from him. ''Considering he likes to come in as he pleases...'' Just to be sure, I snapped my fingers, and a holographic screen appeared before me. My hands quickly navigated through the interface, pressing a few keys and entering the PIN to access the system deeper. After a sequence of swift taps, another screen popped up¡ªthe surveillance settings display. This allowed me to check my home''s CCTV and pinpoint when this unknown item had been placed atop my wardrobe. Finally, a notification flashed: Data sorted. Ready for playback. I hit [Play] and discovered two facts. One: the box had appeared well before my graduation¡­ not just a few days or weeks. In fact, the footage went as far back as years¡ªthree years worth of evidence, showing that the box had been there, untouched and unnoticed, all this time. Two: it was me myself who put the box there! ''Damn, this is getting hard!'' Now seemed to be the time for action, as thinking and considering things like this raised more questions. I rose up, grabbed the back of my computer chair, and moved it closer to the wardrobe. Then whispered, "Stabilize for ascend." It was a directive to lock the chair; I wouldn''t slip when stepping on it. I stood tall on the chair and towered eye-to-eye with that box. But before I went to get it, I paused, eyes darting here and there. Even after that pause, my hands reached up to brush or rearrange the items on top of the wardrobe. Who knew if there was another anomaly like a recording device or such? ''Ah, now, me, being paranoid again...'' This habit of being pessimistic was difficult to escape, whether I liked it or not. With one long exhale and feeling that everything was fine¡ªexcept for the white box¡ªI enclosed my fingers around it. ''There, and... whoa!'' It was heavier than it looked! With a size similar to that of a helmet box, it required both hands to hold securely. Carefully, I climbed down from the chair while clutching the box tightly to my chest. The moment my feet touched the ground, the chair emitted a chime. I kicked it, causing it to slide back to its original location, allowing me to walk freely. The mysterious box ended up on my computer desk. Not new. There wasn''t a seal on it, and I could easily open the top, front to back, side to side. The interior featured a dark velvet that visibly absorbs the light around it, a contrast that highlights the objects lying within. A silver-ish helmet looked quite expensive at first glance. I brought it up and observed¡ª "A VR:Scanner?!" Yes, I was so shocked that my voice echoed in the room! Because there was no way! This device... it was the crowning jewel of the NeuroVerse system! Owning just one copy of this device was the dream of many! Honestly, this was also my own personal want. But the current situation made it feel wrong! Why did this problem get more complex the more I wanted to solve it?! It was so tiring! The longer I kept this thing here, the worse. I''d rather¡ª "¡ªsell this." Yeah. Rather than wasting time attempting to solve a problem with no meaningful feedback, it was better to think about income to attend university. Selling an item for a fixed price was an easy way to make money, but determining the correct value could be challenging; rare stuff like this was often hard to price accurately. As VR:Scanner was no longer in production. ''And auction up we go!'' That encouraged me to get moving, close the box, and repackage the VR:Scanner so it would exit my life. Forever. But as I reached to put the VR:Scanner back in the box, I noticed a slight "white." My hand froze. I set the helmet down on the table and looked closer. Inside the helmet, between the padding, there was a folded piece of paper. I took it and unfolded it. As its words met my eyes, my breathing stopped when I saw a simple yet enigmatic message... [No matter what, you can''t run] Chapter 2: Burn That Ship "No matter what, you can''t run, huh?" From that sentence alone, I understood the impact¡ªnot only endangers myself but also my family. Why was that? Simple. If I could avoid whatever I couldn''t run off from, there would be a shortcut to bring someone down by targeting their loved ones. This was why most fiction I watched or read had main characters who didn''t have families, so as not to appear weak and easy targets to be taken down. This was also why a "Hero" could casually jump into trouble without familial obligations. The thing was, this wasn''t a made-up story like that. And I wasn''t a main character or anything! "To hell with this!" I flung my hands to get the paper out of my face, but... nope. This was the most crucial evidence. Instead, I swung my hand and placed that letter next to the VR:Scanner box on the table. On a serious note, paper was a rare commodity. Because accessing the tree¡ªthe raw paper material¡ªrequired approval and went through strict surveillance. Even owning one branch required legal permission! It would be difficult for me if I did anything that involved making this paper "public." I might deal with the Secret Police and Covert Operations myself. ''This is not a problem that can be solved quickly!'' Aahh, I needed a change of pace! It was breakfast soon; if I didn''t come down, my family would be suspicious and worried. Let''s not make my other peaceful routines even more disorganized, shall we? Standing up from my seat, I went down while tidying my hair and straightening my clothes. Once nearly at the bottom of the stairs, I could feel the air much lighter¡ªthe kitchen was filled with the usual sounds of family morning routine; the clatter of utensils, the conversation, and the aromatic scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the aroma of eggs with toast. My family had taken their respective seats at the dining table. When I approached them, my little sister, Chen Lin, was the first to notice me. See that? Her brown eyes lit up as she waved her arms high and swayed her body, causing her short beige hair to sway. She pulled up a stool near her and patted it. "Big brother! Big brother!" "Thank you." And sat down in the place she had provided. But then, Mother suddenly said, "Luo, is everything okay? You seem a bit... off." Huh? The question prompted me to look around, noticing the innocence on my sister''s face. And my father was engrossed in his Helios bracelet while sipping his coffee. All meant my internal thoughts didn''t seep through until my facial expression changed. I began to consider my mother''s perceptiveness; her intuition was sharp, and she could detect even the slightest changes in mood. If I had been read like this, it would have been a good idea to do the opposite, but in a subtle way so as not to appear suspicious. Thus, it was time to execute my escape route. ''Brush it off and heed the flow.'' Eating my breakfast, I said, "Am I?" Great. From Mother''s worried expression, it was clear my answer didn''t satisfy her. Luckily, my sister cut her off before she could ask any more questions. "Come on, Mom, that is what big bro looks like!" Her head turned to me. "By the way, Brother, what you explained yesterday was true! I finally got a good score on the surprise test! Hehe." I didn''t know if Chen Lin realized her words were quite offensive, confirming my appearance was distant, off, unfriendly. But I wouldn''t take it as an issue, as it was how she perceived me, consistent enough, which was good. With her comment, I could gently steer the topic towards a more neutral area. "Good. You making big bro wisdom worth it." Chen Lin''s face lighted up even more. She''d probably feel proud and happy, not just about her test but also about receiving acknowledgment from me. "Thanks! Then, can I... can you help me study later?" With a smile until my eyes closed, I replied, "Of course." This time, Chen Lin''s answer wasn''t a word, even if just a thank you, but a repeated clap of hands followed by a hearty breakfast. ''I made your day, huh?'' And just like that, she finished her meal, almost choking on it, before getting up from her seat and grabbing her bag from the sofa. Running out of the house like a thief. "Bye Mom, Dad, and Big bro!" "Be careful on the road, Lin," Mother called out, but it seemed useless. I meant, with that energy, sure, Chen Lin already ran far away from home. She might have already gone with our neighbors¡ªher schoolmates¡ªto leave together. ''Whether she is still in that habit or not.'' Without my sister, the atmosphere at home became quiet, like now, awkward even. Let''s just continue my activity¡ªfinishing breakfast, having a quick chat with Father before he went to work, helping Mother clean up, sitting back at the dining table to check on my own Helios. Why did I act like nothing happened? Well, my reluctance to be open with my parents was quite upsetting, to be honest. Like... humans were social creatures? Not opening up to anyone, even your closest one, would be as stressful as being alone in a crowd. But a part of me felt it was my role to shield them from additional distress in an attempt to maintain normalcy. If I were honest with my feelings right now to them, it must feel like a meteor drop when you were seriously working in the office. Annoying, right? Nah, I was joking. The underlying problem was anchored in my fear of being misunderstood. I told my parents about my fears a while back. And what did I get for opening up? You know... Uh... Anyway, I had reasons why I couldn''t explain the letter and "me forgetting" to them; I should have been able to solve my own problems. Taking Helios'' holographic display, I started scrolling to see what connections I could find¡ªOh, right. ''Him!'' Gosh, why didn''t I think of him? I hurriedly ran up the stairs and headed to my room. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Once inside, I went straight to my computer desk and placed my five fingers on a biometric pad¡ªa black rectangular box. Unlike the wall-activated commands I could use for routine tasks, "my computer" required a scan for extra security; only I could access AI''s full functionalities. After a moment, the room''s AI announced, "System activated. User authentication confirmed. Welcome back, Chen Luo." The room subtly shifted in response to my computer''s activation. The doors and windows were automatically locked. But the various electronics and panels were illuminated, making this originally dark room dimly lit. All of this happened not only because of personalized options I had set, but also to present a wide holographic screen floating freely in front of me. Navigating the options on the screen, I selected a communication application and searched for one contact. [Connecting call...] It had been a while since we last spoke. When the call finally connected, the image of an all-blue young man¡ªhis hair and eyes¡ªwho was the same age as me flashed into view; I braced myself for his reaction. "Chen Luo! My man, my bro, my hero! I was starting to think you''d joined a secret society or something! Or are you...?" I (of course) immediately went on the chase rather than to reply to that nonsense. The sooner I got my hands on him, the sooner I could start putting things together. "Help me pass the burning ship to catch a Holndrus." The metaphor slipped out of my mouth just like that. The burning ship illustrated my current situation¡ªimmediate, severe, deadly, and impossible to escape. If I jumped into the ocean to save myself (ignoring that VR:Scanner), I would face a more abstract problem: What was the distance to the nearest land? Were there predators around me? How could I keep myself afloat? How would I eat? And so on. While by staying still on a burning ship, I would die. Die that I was referring to could be metaphorical or literal. That was why I needed to "capture" the Holndrus, as this creature perfectly illustrated the cause of my problem. Giant. Very hard to find. Legendary compared to other sea beasts in this world. In conclusion, whoever was messing with me was possibly highly influential to the point of spreading chaos around them, setting off a series of chain of events until one of them hit me. Looking back at Guo Dai, it appeared that he didn''t understand what my metaphor meant? Let it be. I just told him to jump into action. "Activate Omni-Display Mode." "Oh, wow, immediately executing? Kay, sir!" Various holographic screens then appeared behind the main screen where I communicated with him, making my dimly lit room a blurred rainbow from the different colors of each one; it hovered and surrounded me in a semi-circle. ''I like that he obeyed right away.'' I sat down on my computer chair, which I had moved slightly to the center of my room. Leaning back, I folded my arms and checked each screen to ensure it was up and a two-way tie. Having had enough, my right hand extended and pointed at one of them. "Move screen Alpha-3 to coordinates X15, Y7." "Aye!" Following my instructions, the holographic screen glides through the air to its destination¡ªthe top of my computer desk. Nodding, I pointed at the other screen. "Now, shift Beta-2 to X10, Y12. Let''s have a side view. What do you see?" My words puzzled him, as evidenced by his expression. His face was wrinkled, particularly his brows and lips... um, why should I describe it in detail? Most importantly, he still obeyed my orders without protest. Guo Dai''s expression eventually became solemn; his posture was straighter and more stable, meaning he began scanning. To which I gave additional directions, "Also do an internal scan, please." His answer was just a nod. Good. I like that he quieted down¡ª "BROOOOOO!!! SERIOUSLY?!" ¡ªor not. "No way. NO way!" He started to stand up and seemed to be walking in circles with his hands on his head; overacting, indeed. "Shit, you got that but me? MEEE?!!! Standby. Fuck with sleep. Using macro. But what? NONE!!! No matter, you have¡ª" "Check its serial code." I couldn''t let this conversation get out of hand. "What?" "Check that VR:Scanner serial code, Guo Dai." His frenzy of motion halted as abruptly as it began. And his face, too, with that trademark idiotic expression. "Serial code? Oh, oh right, the serial code!" He stepped back, adjusting the angle of the holographic screen to get a better view, and sat back down. "Hang on, hang on..." His gaze was intense as the usual playfulness was replaced by concentration. Seriousness then faded away, becoming a slow mouth open of surprise. He glanced at me. To the other screen. To me again. And the other way. ''I know you are confused about this. So am I.'' "This, how come? VR:Scanner not available? But NeoGen is very strict with their products, copied or illegal, burned. Hold on. If this is illegal, it shouldn''t have a serial number, or the serial number isn''t registered. Instead, it shows this not available message. Is yours a prototype? B-But then, where did you get it...?" "There." I snapped my finger and ended by pointing at him. "Where did I get it? Find out." His eyes blinked before returning to normal as if processing what was happening. Eventually, that expression came out: a sense of challenge, insatiable curiosity, attraction, and falling down the rabbit hole until hit bottom. An evil grin, if I said. "Ha... HAHAHAHA!! I see, I see! Another deadly game you caught in, Chen Luo! Kay, consider it done!" And the holographic screen from him disappeared, along with other screens, making my room go dark. Connection terminated. Now that Guo Dai had investigated the mystery of this VR:Scanner from the outside, it was my turn to do so from the inside. Enter "World: The Origin"¡ªthe only game inside VR:Scanner. Chapter 3: Return to Origin Standing up from my chair, I walked to my computer desk and unpacked the white box. While doing this, it struck me odd that this helmet had such an old-fashioned look¡ªa full-head helmet. The latest VRMMORPG product typically required attachment at the back of the neck, resembling a choker design. Not to mention, it appeared heavier than it actually was! This weight alone clearly stated this device should only be used while lying down, not sitting or in any other position. But I knew that, even though it was heavy, when activated, its weight-balancing technology would act to reduce pressure points. Injuries would be minimal. Moreover, the device''s system included a neural interface that removed the need for physical movement; when logged into the game, physical body would be fully relaxed, perhaps similar to sleep paralysis, where the mind was active and fully immersed, but body remained still. This means VR:Scanner had unparalleled immersion, explaining why it could be heavy... and costly! The price, the weight, the design¡ªdeep sensory feedback was ineffective for general amusement. Perhaps this was why collectors, the wealthy, researchers, and die-hard players were drawn to it. On the other hand, the average individual (like me) could only dream about purchasing one. ''But I don''t know if this helmet is the same as one sold to the public.'' After placing it on the bed while I sat on the edge, I opened the small section at the back of VR:Scanner to bring out the ReLink cable and connected it to my Helios. Once plugged in, the holographic interface automatically sprang to life from my metal bracelet. "Chen Luo, VR:Scanner is now connected to your room system and Helios. Please confirm if you need optimization." "As usual." "Understood. Initiating your preferred settings in your usual mode." While waiting, I lay down on the bed. This stage was tedious when installing a game but vital. Since Helios was already a part of each individual''s identity, whatever activities had to be connected to it for safety and the regulations themselves had required it. Although VR:Scanner device had provided its own security system, connecting Helios was crucial. It could connect to various other systems in my life, making the overall experience smoother and more integrated¡ªadjusting the room''s environment for an optimal gaming experience or ensuring I stay safe while connected. My favorite part of Helios was it could use my historical data and preferences to customize the game. So, no more fiddly settings when logging into the game. And thankfully, this process never took too long. "Chen Luo, your room has been prepared with the usual environment parameters¡ªlighting and temperature adjusted for optimal comfort, and all safety measures are in place. If you require any changes or additional assistance, please let me know. Enjoy your game!" Good. I crawled into the bed and found a comfortable position to rest. Then, I carefully positioned the helmet above my head. It automatically adjusted with a soft lining that fits my head curve. When the visor automatically descended, my bedroom view faded away. Eventually, this darkness shattered when silver cubes floated freely before me. And they gathered and were absorbed into one, releasing a logo that read "NeuroVerse System." [Visual Connection... synchronized] Then, the silence, similar to eardrums after taking off from the plane, melted. As I heard a sluggish voice, a little song tune emerged like a whisper around me. [Audio Connection... synchronized] This time, the feeling of my back lying down and touching the bed disappeared. And I felt lifted up before being released freely in an open space without gravity. [Sense Connection... synchronized] [Clear!] [All systems synchronized] Ding! [Entering the server, please wait...] I was sent flying through rings of light like a time machine in a sci-fi movie and arrived at a vast black place filled with twinkling white glitter that seemed far away. Or rather, I arrived in the vast expanse of space. Honestly, I was... impressed! Other games never showed anything like this (or maybe I didn''t play enough?). In front of me appeared cosmic dust. Eventually, the dust began to arrange and spin flat like a disk, which in some corners of the disk formed clumps that kept colliding with each other and sticking together, becoming massive balls. It was the formation of the planetary system. In particular, to a planet. Because then, my gaze was drawn to a white-blue globe with a thin ring. My eyes widened as the realization dawned on me. That globe was, without a doubt, my home planet! I knew it as I had seen augmentation¡ªHuh? Wait, wait, wait... ''Where do I know this from?'' Lessons on cosmic formations were part of the standard curriculum. However, firsthand augmented observations were reserved for society''s elite. I felt out of place with this knowing. The thought made me consider... if there could be experiences I might never fully process? Hmm. So far, what I remembered and applied in the real world has not clashed. Everything has worked out fine; I even benefited from this ability to remember things clearly. That was why discovering I had "forgotten" about VR:Scanner came as such a shock. Seems the anomaly of "I could forget" was ONLY related to the VR:Scanner? It further explained that my thoughts were suppressed by elements within this game. In short, I knew I had played World: The Origin, but one incident had fragmented my memory. My primary objective then... was to investigate the event or mechanism in "World: The Origin" I hypothesized might be linked to my issues or, at least, find more concrete evidence of this memory loss (because all was still my speculation). Returning to the game looked like the best way to figure out why I had forgotten about it in the first place. Having this clear roadmap made me excited to proceed! I took steps¡ª Thud! ¡ªbut hit an invisible wall instead. Uh, okay, too excited wouldn''t be good either. I rubbed my forehead and took a step back. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ''My recent days of normalcy made me lower my guard, huh.'' Now... Instead of dwelling on that idiocy, I read the red screen that appeared just as I hit the invisible barrier ahead. My hand began to tap once, twice on the text with the big exclamation mark read [Notice!]. It brought up another screen filled with dense text from the top, on and on, down as I scrolled the screen to the end. ''Ah, yes, the most thrilling ToS reading.'' What kind of crazy person would waste their time reading dense, clunky text when they were looking forward to play? But since I was in abnormal circumstances, I had to be that crazy person and start reading these "Terms of Service." In this one skim, I realized nothing unusual in their section; everything appeared standard¡ªthe usual legalese about user conduct, data usage, and liability disclaimers. But when I wanted to review it further, I could easily read it later. ''Reread them in my head, what I meant.'' Because after I pressed the [Accept] button, the "Terms of Service" couldn''t be read anymore unless I visited their official website. This felt slightly ironic. Only minutes ago, I had questioned my memory''s reliability; now, I was trusting it again. Yet, the doubt wasn''t entirely misplaced¡ªmy skepticism was limited to World: The Origin and the VR:Scanner. That was where the anomaly lay. My ability to recall and revisit everything else in my mind... I still trusted. When the red screen disappeared, I saw a bunch of choices for changing how my avatar looks. There were so many options and styles. It felt like I was holding a bunch of paintbrushes. However, instead of using paint, I picked different looks and features for my character in the game. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I stood there. And said, "Skip." I could never relate to players who would spend hours decorating their avatars. That was just cosmetic; it wouldn''t have much of an impact on the gameplay. Why should I waste my time on it? After all, using my usual appearance was a strategic ambiguity in itself. [You can''t change your appearance once you have decided on it; continue?] A full-body mirror appeared before me, a replacement for the invisible wall. And this was what I meant about strategic ambiguity. My hair was short and silvery white. There were distinctive streaks of red color that blended subtly into the strands. Even more... were my eyes, this bright red color. I already looked like a character out of a game. But actually, it wasn''t that remarkable. Since long ago, people with silver hair were considered defective; they had the lowest social strata until their existence became extinct and rare nowadays. I wasn''t and never proud of my looks. In the gaming world, however, it would appear normal; no one would realize this was my natural appearance. I had this tendency ever since I started playing VRMMORPGs. Thus, I said, "Yes." The full-body mirror then shimmered and vanished into light particles, accompanied by a strong wind. I turned away from the source with my hand outstretched, blocking a gust from my face. It was so strong that I was carried backward little by little. When my foot stepped back, instead of stepping on the invisible floor again, it fell downward as if the place where I stood had never existed. And my whole body went into a complete free fall. [You will be teleported to story mode location] Truly. The adrenaline rush from not expecting this high-speed falling experience caused tingles all over my body! My heart pounded. My stomach muscle tightened. But before I could react to this exaggerated feeling, sadly, a blinding light bombarded me. The more I dropped, the more dazzling it became, making me close my eyes as hard as possible and stretch my arms forward to block out the glare. Thankfully, as suddenly as it had begun, the sensation of falling ceased. My body felt like it was touching something as if I lay on a mattress. But with the air on my left and right, without even looking, I knew I was in a narrow place. And my eyes, which were still adapting to the excessive brightness that lingered, opened slightly. Closed again. Open. Blinked. I could faintly see that I was inside a... pod? Once my eyes had adapted and could open wide, the pod swung open; digital pieces came together to create a statement before me. [Welcome to World: The Origin, Rhuzerv!] ''Rhuzerv... who?'' Before I could analyze what happened¡ªwhether by that name or shorting out my mind after being stimulated too much¡ªa hand reached out to me. Instead of holding onto it, which I knew was intended to help me get up, I instinctively glanced at who was in front of me now. A woman with a cold expression. Her long, midnight-colored hair fell over her shoulders, while her eyes were a soft, moon-like blue. "Welcome to Vaughan Academy, new student. My name is Noir. I am the leader of the Discipline Department. I will be assisting you." ''A leader?'' That drew my attention to see her more clearly. She wore a mix of burgundy and black uniform. Highlighted by gold buttons down the front. Black belts around her waist added formality. Her skirt was edged with black frills at thigh length. A long black cape, its collar lined with white fur. I was paying attention to these details because the Wikia of this game¡ªcreated by players¡ªdidn''t fully describe each department''s leader. Even their illustrations were missing. Obviously, I became curious. Regarding her hand still reaching out to help me out of the pod, I''d prefer not to initiate physical contact if it wasn''t necessary. With a palm gesture, I shook my head and politely declined her offer. I swung my legs over the pod''s edge and landed on the ground. Noir withdrew her hand, an unreadable expression on her face. Typical of an AI, of course. "Very well, student...?" She tilted her head. And her tone began flat, then increased slightly, indicating she asked for a name. My avatar''s name, to be exact. It was abrupt, but her expectation of an immediate answer and the lack of a formal introduction suggested that the IGN (In-Game Name) could be changed freely and wasn''t fixed. So I just gave my usual one. "Luo." Chapter 4: The Newbies Dilemma ''That Rhuzerv means my account ID, huh.'' But instead of thinking about that now, I turned back to Noir. She said, "Very well, student Luo. Follow me. We have important procedures to initiate for your integration at Vaughan Academy." With a nod, I followed behind her¡ªOh, before that, I was now dressed in an academy uniform with a red-black tone that matched Noir''s military uniform. The one I was wearing was much simpler, though. When we reached the long hallway, my eyes drew to something else. Not to the walls lined with holographic displays showcasing various aspects of the academy''s life and achievements. It was too usual. But my head couldn''t escape from looking up at the ceiling that had its own painting. Like... a dragon-slaying story? That being said, this game mixed elements of both sci-fi and fantasy; it was unique to see dragons, which might later be countered with nukes (whether that "nuke" was available in this game or not). "Hey, isn''t it¡ª" My sight-seeing ritual was interrupted when I heard a voice that felt quite close. With a slight glance, I saw two female students whispering together until their bodies were pressed against each other. From their clothes and too many accessories, it explained they were players. It meant I played the same global server as VR:Scanner was sold to the public. About their whispers? Of course it wasn''t directed at me, so I didn''t focus on it. I was a newbie, after all; who wanted to notice me? Their whispers and attention were clearly directed at my guide. Talk but no action. How puzzling those players didn''t dare to engage with Noir. As this game emphasizes relationships, I heard that the NPCs here were responsive and could be requested to be friends. I knew they idolized her. Especially with the way their eyes looked at her. Walked and then stopped to make eye contact. The crowd grew larger and larger... ''Ah, I sense trouble.'' If I was still close to Noir or made it clear that she was my guide, I could imagine being labeled "a newbie taken care of by the leader." And then be bombarded by all kinds of questions from people who were interested in this NPC. Uh, no thanks, being in the center of attention like that. ''Why did I get a leader as a guide, anyway? I thought it would be an ordinary one like others.'' I slowed down my pace to be a little further away from Noir. Thankfully, she had a long-range sense. If a player was outside its radar, an NPC usually would stop until the player was on its side again. Also, why was Noir this well-liked? Tsk. How lazy to join the forum to read the players'' outpourings merely to find out such trivial... But as I lingered in the back, other players'' gazes turned¡ªNope! Sorry, you saw nothing. Shift a little... a little more... then went to the side and pretended to adjust my stance. Moved softly. Steady. My presence then faded into the background among the sea of crowd. And when those people looked for a new focus of interest, they found none in me; I was blending in on the sidelines. A new face appeared when VR:Scanner was no longer produced, attracting attention, too, huh? It was understandable; I was probably the only newbie in "World: The Origin." So, as Noir entered a room, I took advantage of the opportunity to carry out my escape plan: move through the rotating groupings of people. Blending into the background. Move. Become just another face in the crowd. Enter. I went inside. And the door closed behind me just three seconds after Noir. ''Clear!'' My guide turned to face me, her mouth open as if ready to explain something. But I interrupted her by saying, "Let''s be friends." This invitation to be friends wasn''t a sudden one. Based on the interaction just now... and the limited amount of data available on the internet, it appeared that just a few people could befriend the leaders or that they were extremely difficult to find in the first place. This was proven by the lack of their illustrations on Wikia. Having a connection with a high-status NPC would be advantageous. But the players'' "keeping a distance" response when they eventually encountered Noir suggested there was a cost for taking the wrong steps to communicate with her, resulting in being unable to talk or even meet her again. As a result, they avoided interacting with her. At all. And I, with my "newbie" condition, could take a bold move to test it. Because I had no status. The system shouldn''t be able to ban or penalize me if something wrong happens. But it turned out the system had anticipated this... Ding! [Friend request denied!] [You haven''t met the requirements; further reputation within Vaughan Academy is required to unlock this feature] Right. That bright red notification popped up after saying the word friend, like a slap in the face that I couldn''t outsmart the system to cheat my way to what I wanted. And Noir, with her usual expressionless face, inclined her head slightly. "Did you say something?" ''Uh, yeah, plan failed.'' I immediately shook my head. Noir seemed to accept my response without further question, her focus returning to the task as she gestured to go deeper inside the room. "This way, please." With each step inside the room, the dim blue light that seemed to be the lighting got brighter. When I arrived in the center, I saw a chamber with circuitry designs on the walls and a soft blue light. At the upper center of this area was a transparent-looking holographic globe encircled by a small one, which could be the room''s lighting source, making the entire thing virtually blue-white. "This is the scanning room." Noir''s voice echoed slightly in the expansive space. "Here, we will create your Heart Core." At the center of the room¡ªright below the giant globe¡ªwas a pedestal, and hovering above it were two translucent orbs that blinked with a gentle glow. Noir motioned for me to stand in front of it. As I did, the orbs hovered to align themselves with my head and heart. A beam of light emanated from the orbs, scanning my body from top to bottom. I could feel a tingling sensation, not unpleasant, but funny because this feeling was foreign as their light passed over me. Perhaps this sensation was more akin to a mild electric shock? But rather than being painful, it was tingly and radiated throughout the body. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Once the scanning was complete, the orbs merged into a single sphere. It hovered over Noir before cracking open like an egg, revealing a smaller, denser core that fell into her outstretched hand. She then presented it to me. When I received it¡ªWhoa! Small but heavy! The size, shape, and weight reminded me of a javelin-throwing ball. Though, the texture was glassy with galactic twilight within. "That is your Heart Core," Noir said, "the essence of your being within Vaughan Academy." And a system notification popped up in front of me, seemingly backing up what she had just said. [Heart Core activated] [User Interface Unlocked!] Intrigued, I tapped the notification twice using my index; it expanded to reveal a series of sub-menus: [Status], [Inventory], [Quest], [Map], and more. Although the layout was identical to many games I had played, the Heart Core connection was entirely new. Because other games were primarily related to the system, the user interface (UI) appeared automatically after login. I glanced at Noir, who nodded, likely encouraging me to explore the interface further. I tapped the [Status] icon, and a detailed breakdown of my character''s abilities appeared. Numbers and bars indicating my health, fatigue, and other attributes adjusted in real-time. Not only that. The HUD (Head-Up-Display) finally sprung up around my previously empty field of vision, making me slightly distracted that I was actually in the game world; appeared a status bar above Noir''s head, too, with the level showing [???]. It made me curious... whether her level was that high to be unreadable or if her level would always be above whatever existed in the game to not have a fixed representation. Ah, I became hungry to manipulate the game''s very foundations, including to be her friend; maybe like understanding the underlying algorithms? Finding patterns and perhaps uncovering hidden mechanics or exploits? Of course, I wasn''t thinking this way because I wanted a little trickery¡ªalthough it was on my list of reasons¡ªbut considering that I, the only newbie in this game, would definitely experience my own set of obstacles as the weakest player. I had to find ways to survive. ''Oh, how nostalgic, trying to survive, no matter how...'' Snap! The sound of Noir''s fingers flicking brought me back to focus on her again. And there was a full-wall screen right at the back of the room. It flickered to life, displaying an array of statistics and data. My stats, to be exact. "Your abilities here are a reflection of your potential. Your development in various skills, adaptability, and strategic thinking will contribute to your growth; please take note of that when you want to raise your current poor status." That was what she said and what was on the screen... [Player ID: 234310317] [Main Grade: F] [Name: Luo] [Level: 1] [Title: Freshman] [HP: 400/400] [DP: 110/110] [Fatigue: 0] [Strength: F] [Speed: F] [Stamina: F] [Defense: F] [Reflex: F] [Power Grade: F] [Stability: F] [Tactic: F] [Mind Def: F] [Sync: F] [Focus: F] [Control Grade: F] ...my status was still poor. I didn''t expect Noir to say this bluntly¡ªOh, well... what did you expect from an AI? On the one hand, her words made me notice that "raise" wasn''t just limited to this virtual space but must also go through development in the real world. For example, if I had an A-level grade (in the real world), my Grade status, which was currently full of Fs, could swiftly improve to an A. However, if I didn''t improve my abilities in the real world any longer after that, my game status would be stuck at Grade A forever. I could conclude this as I heard VR:Scanner works with the health sector, encouraging players to stabilize their wellness digitally and in reality. Also, the helmet itself was about empowerment and healing. With their NeuroVerse system, NeoGen created a game where players could engage in mental exercises that, over time, train their minds to control various bodily functions. This was why VR:Scanner became highly sought-after; not only as a medium of entertainment, this helmet could help restore the nervous system that had been paralyzed with the help of stimuli in the digital world. Hence, everything started from [F] to ensure a fair start for everyone, including those with disabilities, to ensure they could compete with others and their progress could be tracked well. "Now," Noir turned to face me, and my eyes shifted to glance at her as well, "it is time to choose your Class." Then, in front of the massive screen, four tube devices emerged from the floor, with a concave section in the center that I believed was where to place the Heart Core. The whizzing sound of the popping tubes stopped, followed by a holographic screen emerging on every pillar. I walked closer and saw each writing on the screen had a different color and explanation. [Swordmaster (Fire)] [Focuses on defense] [Characteristic: Melee-type] [Weaknesses: In exchange for great defense and stamina, has low speed] [Weapons: Sable (slender sword, offense) & Zweihander (large sword, defense)] [Gunner (Wind)] [The biggest damage dealer] [Characteristic: Mid to long range-type] [Weaknesses: In exchange for high speed and attack power, struggles in close combat] [Weapon: Twin Gun] [Assassin (Earth)] [Flexible; can attack at close, medium, or long range] [Characteristic: Melee to long range-type] [Weaknesses: In exchange for reflexes and flexibility, has low defense] [Weapon: Dual Dagger] [Catalyst (Ice)] [Best support due to its skill in providing healing and AoE attacks] [Characteristic: Long range-type] [Weaknesses: In exchange for high support capabilities, requires high control grading] [Weapon: Floating Hourglass] From each, I had previously researched specifics, Skills, potentials, and so on to make things easier for me in situations like this... to be exact, to fulfill my curiosity (I already said I want to play this game myself, right?). So I put my Heart Core into a tube, and the galaxy whirls on my crystal orb turned blue glitter. Yes, I decided to choose the tricky Class. Catalyst. Chapter 5: Art of Control Catalyst tube glowed brighter as the Heart Core settled into place, resonating with my choice. The blue glitter within the core swirled, mirroring my determination. As I chose this, actually, not just for my personal satisfaction. But it was something I considered in the long run. Although I didn''t join a forum dedicated to "World: The Origin," I often read it and even encounter discussions about this game on social media because of its popularity. As previously said, Catalyst was hardest to master; many players struggle with it. Apart from requiring a high [Control Grade], this Class required high adaptability. If you didn''t choose Catalyst during a tutorial and opened it later, the adaption time was significantly longer than others, making opening Catalyst for second Class not optimal. Since the Skill sets and attributes prioritized in Catalyst differ significantly from those in others. For example, Class based on speed, like Gunner, would develop different player attributes than Catalyst, which used strategy planning and control considerably more. Hence, the psychological aspect of players came into play, where they would choose their comfort zone Class (or their first chosen Class) that was aligned with their playstyle to its strengths and weaknesses. This made sense. Catalyst was like the mage, caster, or priest roles found in other RPGs¡ªroles that used special powers that didn''t feel as real as physical fighting. These Classes felt less grounded in games that didn''t use magic. But in World: The Origin, this particular power was a part of the game''s story; Catalyst was the sole Class represented "magic." So, only players who chose Catalyst from the beginning (usually experienced gamers who liked using "mage") might continue to use this Class, making their existence rare. But this game emphasized the issue of balancing team composition; no matter how complicated the Class was, it still had its own role. Including Catalyst. Then, of course, the existence of Catalyst would be sought after, but only a few took the Class. Wouldn''t this be a great opportunity? This was a counterintuitive strategy; you did zigging when everyone else zags. Ding!
Catalyst Class successfully selected!
Initializing Class Tutorial¡­
The notification screen appeared before me; Noir stepped back, giving me space as the transitions occurred. The giant holographic globe above me glowed and spun quickly before spreading out as it activated the room''s simulation mode. This place, which was merely panel screens, had been turned into a desert with numerous sand dunes and boulders. Several red-colored flying drones also appeared in the distance. "Your first lesson as a Catalyst," Noir began, "is manifest your Floating Hourglass. Concentrate on the Heart Core and imagine the weapon of your chosen Class." Nodding, I put out my hand to grip the Heart Core and focused on it. In my mind, I pictured the Floating Hourglass, which, for some reason, was already clearly drawn into what it looked like.
Floating Hourglass Initialized
My crystal orb floated slightly, and digital fragments began to surround it, forming a frame around the Heart Core with large octagonal holes similar to a honeycomb. Hanging above it were two long chains like decorative ribbons. And it kept spinning its frame, its ribbon fluttering, which seemed to be its own attempt to stay afloat on my palm. Noir stepped forward. "Let''s begin your training. Your first task is to learn the basic movements of the Floating Hourglass." With a snap of her fingers, she summoned her own Floating Hourglass. Overall, the shape was the same; it had a frame with decorative ribbons. But in detail, to be honest, Noir''s was more elegant with those golden leads. Better decorations and carvings as well. ''And her instant summoning explains her Class Grade; perhaps S¡ªAh, no. SS?'' Noir extended her arm and curled her fingers. Floating Hourglass answered by ascending into the air. As she twisted her wrist sideways, the weapon moved with it. ''Sure, it won''t be as easy as it looks.'' I raised my hand. My first gesture was simply an upward of my wrist, expecting the Floating Hourglass to rise. Instead, it wobbled uncertainly, hanging there as if hesitating before it jerkily moved upwards. See? My [Control Grade] was clearly not as refined as Noir''s. I tried again... to move the weapon from one side to another. Unfortunately, my movement was too jerky, so it copied by darting sideways at an uncontrollable speed. Tsk! ''Explaining why just at the tutorial stage is enough to make people not want to choose this annoying Class...'' Seemingly aware of the click of my tongue, Noir said, "Floating Hourglass is sensitive to your intentions. Move with finesse." There was it; her instructions were too abstract. No clear steps. All relied on how the player perceived it. What the fuck was finesse? ''Indeed, you can''t expect more from AI.'' So be it¡ªunderstanding it in my own way. Intentions... this was a virtual reality game; what Noir meant by it must be specific algorithms that interpret the player''s inputs in a particular way. It would be the player''s thought patterns, as VR:Scanner was strongly tied to brainwave connections. The solution, then, was to execute directional thinking; if the player wanted Floating Hourglass to rise, they wouldn''t only think "up," but visualize it elevating in a controlled manner. Although this sounds quite complicated, it was relatively easy, and I did it regularly. ''Negative trait like overthinking has its own advantages, you know.'' I began calculating the flight distance, visualizing the path, imagining how it should move, estimating the direction of the glide path, and adjusting the ascending rate. But my weapon remained stubbornly in place despite all my efforts. Perfect! With that, I set my mind on my Floating Hourglass again. I changed my approach to be more patient and careful. Its movements were still stiff, sometimes irregular. Tried again, slowly... Yes, there it was! My Floating Hourglass finally moved! You see that? My weapon started moving in the way I wanted it to! Horizontally. Vertical. One swift blow and the Floating Hourglass also shot forward. Nice! ''I wonder how others will overcome this stage...'' I admit, making up a way out like this was something many people certainly didn''t consider, especially when wanting to enjoy¡ªOh, well... they could skip the Tutorial and forget about the extra rewards from the early stage if all too bothersome. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. "Good." Noir clapped her hands, making me look again at her. "You are beginning to understand." "Oh, really? I had no idea. I thought I was just randomly waving my hand around for fun." And Noir looked at me with that same expressionless face. Before eventually saying, "Now, understanding the [Basic Attack]." I rolled my eyes; it would be fun if she responded to my sarcasm... or maybe not. It would be troublesome if this NPC was back-to-back with me, so I shrugged it off and refocused on her. "Catalyst basic attack, [Ice Lancer], is essential in battle because it doesn''t rely on your Dragonic Power (DP). This allows you to continue attacking or defending even when your DP is depleted. However, remember, it is still categorized under [Basic Skill]." I understood what Noir meant. Although [Ice Lancer] was categorized as a [Basic Attack], just like how Assassin swings their Dual Daggers, it was still classified as a "Skill," not just a raw attack, which meant even though it didn''t require DP (or Mana in other games), it was still very much tied to the Casting Time and Cooldown. ''Well, this is one reason Catalyst is classified as complicated than others.'' As if supporting my explanation, a holographic screen displayed the [Skill Tree] that focused on the [Ice Lancer] appeared before me.
Ice Lancer
Create ice projectiles to deal damage 100% to the target, which can be stacked up to three times Cooldown 5s
Damage Output and performance based on player Stability, Reflex
Skill Evolution Utility
Grade B to unlock Increase summon stacked limit to 5
Grade A to unlock Gains piercing when user''s HP is 80% up
Grade S to unlock Remove Casting Time and Cooldown time
Grade SS to unlock Movement speed +10% for 0.5s when hit
Grade SSS to unlock On critical hits, the target is Frozen for 2s
Every disadvantage came with its advantages; because [Ice Lance] was classified as a "Skill," it had its own upgrades like this. It might seem niche, but if, for example, my Grade Class reached SSS, just one [Basic Attack] could give me an upper hand, no? Additionally, Catalyst had Crowd-control (CC) Skills that could slow enemy movement, freeze, stun, or immobilize them, among other acts. It also had an Area of Effect (AoE) that could deal damage or apply effects to multiple enemies within the area. ''But everything I said is biased, anyway, because I chose Catalyst. Whereas other Classes have their own OP-ness. Like the Swordmaster that thick as hell. And raising Grade isn''t that easy...'' Satisfied with reading, I waved my hand, and the screen disappeared. Stepping closer to Noir, I said, "Then?" "Then summon an ice projectile." She stretched her hand out to me. Instantly, a single, pointed ice cycle ten centimeters long appeared steadily above her palm. "Focus on the Floating Hourglass and visualize the ice forming." Complying, I kept my palm under my weapon and concentrated on it. When I concentrated, a faint, shimmering magic circle appeared in my palm, its pattern glowing with a soft blue light. The air around my hand became colder. Slowly, a shard of ice appeared above the magic circle and crystallized, having the same shape as Noir summoned. My hand aligned with the target, and I flicked my wrist to send the ice shard flying. It shot through the air with a soft hissing sound, leaving a trail of frost behind them. Stab! It hit the red drone five meters ahead of me; since I already understood the fundamental workings of the Floating Hourglass, it wasn''t too hard like before. Noir observed my successful hit, nodding slightly. She then pointed towards a distant red drone, significantly further away than the previous one¡ªaround twenty meters away. "Now, try aiming for a farther target." Nodding, I refocused on my weapon, then to the distant target. Another ice projectile hovered in my hand. And with a confident flick of my wrist, I sent it soaring through the air¡ª Woosh! ¡ªbut missed. Hmmm, this wasn''t surprising. Not that I suddenly became a dumbass or anything; from this distance, factors such as gravity, wind, even the slightest hand tremor could alter the trajectory. That said, the principles that applied to long-range sniping in the real world seemed to be in effect here, which means... ''...Exterior Ballistics.'' Of course, snipers overcame that law with the help of scope for precise measurements. But for me, using Class Catalyst, there was no such thing as a scope or the like; I just relied on my judgment and the Floating Hourglass''s response to my commands. Thus, estimating these factors was more challenging. But things like this weren''t lost on me. As I mentioned, I knew... and had seen brief footage from people who had played this game. The PvP conducted. Monsters fought. Challenged Dungeons and missions. Seeing it all and their teamwork, composition, different Classes made me more aware of what happened. Included the situation of what happened here. ''And personal experience also helpful.'' Positioning my hand beneath the Floating Hourglass again, I focused on creating another ice shard. This time, I used my fingers as a rudimentary sighting tool to visually measure the distance and angle between myself and the target. Extending one finger, I envisioned a curved trajectory accounting for the ice shard''s drop over distance. Taking a deep breath and adjusting my aim slightly higher to compensate for the drop, I flicked my wrist again to send another shard flying. Stab! The shard arched at the target. "Impressive. Quick to adapt than most." "Nah." I looked down at the ground before locking eyes with Noir. "I guess I just got used to it." ''Yeah, as a dog trained to lurk in the shadows...'' Chapter 6: Ice and Sand "The next phase of your training involves mastering other Catalyst''s [Basic Skill]." With that, my Tutorial stage continued. Ding!
Clear!
"Now, let''s introduce movement. In real combat, you will not be stationary." And I kept going through it all. Ding!
Clear!
"For the final test of this session. You will face a simulated enemy. Use everything you have learned. Adapt, control, conquer." A massive figure of code and pixels gradually formed into a perfect creature. It was a replica of the hybrid dragon that served as the game''s main enemy in the [Open World], complete with jaws and sharp claws. Even though it was a dragon, it had a humanoid appearance as tall as an adult man (around two meters or more?) with two arms and stood on two legs. Unlike the usual image of dragons, this being lacked wings, giving it an appearance similar to mythological of "Eastern region" dragons, but with a twist. Like a human being made to look like a lizard. The only difference from humans was its black scales covered its entire body with an unnaturally bloated shape. Also, the hard skin jutted out behind its head like two pairs of horns. "That is a Pawn Grade hybrid," Noir interjected, "the lowest tier enemy suitable for a newcomer like you to fight." It was only natural to be given this enemy Grade at this stage. But World: The Origin, with its realistic trait, means the hybrid ahead of me wouldn''t be like idiot monster feeders in most RPG games that were easy to kill. Did as usual, then. ''Observing.'' The immediate challenge was the landscape: running on uneven ground felt cumbersome, and losing balance could mean slipping or falling. On the other hand, my enemy likely had more advantages. Despite its bulky appearance, it might possess agility and speed beyond what its form suggested¡ªa common trope in fantasy games where reality''s constraints didn''t always apply. I needed to prepare for either scenario: an enemy that was swift or one that was slow. The next factor was understanding the use of my Skill. [Ice Lancer] allowed me to create up to three projectiles simultaneously, with a Cooldown of five seconds between uses. The damage and performance depended on my [Stability] and [Reflex] stats (which still painfully [F]). With a Casting Time of around one second, it would take only that second for all three projectiles. It was best to let the enemy make the first move. After a prolonged staring contest, the creature charged. At a distance of twenty meters, I could have launched a projectile. Still, I held back, knowing my low [Grade Control] meant I needed precision. I studied its movement¡ªslow compared to a human''s sprint, likely limited to 2m/s. The bulk of its body seemed to hinder its mobility, with its feet occasionally sinking into the sand. When the distance between us lessened, I spread my fingers to cast three ice projectiles. My hand stretched out to aim, as it got closer... even closer... its steps momentarily faltering in the loose sand¡ª ''Now!'' Stab! Stab! ¡ªtwo ice projectiles struck right into its eyes with a sickening squelch. But my triumph was short-lived as the last one missed its intended mark. Still, it was enough. The creature let out a deafened howl, stumbling backward with its hands wildly clawing at its face. Even from five meters away, it was loud enough to make my ear ringing. I decided to maintain our distance. Considering Pawn was the lowest enemy rank, they shouldn''t have high intelligence and sense. Unable to see, it wouldn''t realize I was no longer where I was and wouldn''t know where I currently was. Its instincts would lead it to the last place it saw me. A straight shot. Like now, its mouth opened wide in anger as it ran straightforwardly with a loud howl while I was already walking away. Not wanting us to be too far apart, I summoned another ice projectile and shot it at its back¡ª Clang! ''Hard scales!'' I wasn''t sure if the enemy had a high defense or if my Grade was still too low to penetrate its skin. Or perhaps it was both. Either way, this meant I had to adjust my approach. Because of the attack, the hybrid knew where I was. With a surprised flinch, it turned around and sprinted toward me, its massive feet kicking up clouds of sand. I moved from my position, hoping the sand would muffle my steps and erase my tracks. The monster ended up dashing behind where I had been. ''How fortunate this sand can dampen my step.'' While sand could muffle the sound of movement, a quiet desert still carried the risk of footsteps being heard¡ªunless there was a steady wind. My conditions seemed favorable; even a mild breeze was sufficient to muffle the sound. The current conditions seemed favorable; even a gentle breeze was enough to mask the sound of subtle movements like footsteps in the sand. I kept moving, biding my time for [Ice Lancer]''s cooldown as the hybrid reeled from my last feint. Subtly adjusting my path, I edged closer to its unpredictable movements to ensure it stayed within striking distance. Refocusing, I cast three more ice projectiles, keeping them ready while whistling sharply to catch the creature''s attention. Alert, it perked up, its tiny ears twitching as its head turned toward the sound: me. I continued whistling as it approached angrily. Just about it lunged at me; I stopped whistling and dropped into a quick crouch. The creature''s momentum carried it forward, its jaws snapping shut just above my head by inches. I aimed upward at the underside of its jaw.
20
20
19
Those numbers represented the damage I had caused. That was pretty low, I realized. Perhaps this game didn''t use high damage numbers after all. I rolled my way out while the creature cried, coping with the pain I caused. I readied myself for the cooldown of [Ice Lancer] to end. Targeting its underside jaw was another gamble; I didn''t know where this monster''s weak point was. All I understood was that creatures with armored skin would have less protection around their mouths to allow for more flexibility. ''But it didn''t necessarily prove enough to kill that monster, right?'' The cooldown was up, and my [Ice Lancer] was already floating in my hand. In the distance, the monster was swaying slightly as if unsure of its next move. Then, with a final miserable groan, it collapsed onto the sandy ground, and its body dissolved into countless pixels and faded into the air like mist. ''...It is done?'' I didn''t think it would be this easy; I hadn''t anticipated the fight with a Pawn Grade enemy to end... quickly. Yes, I know; my tactics and timing were calculated. But the actual outcome seemed to unfold faster than I had mentally prepared? "Oh, well, if the enemy is weak, then it really is just weak." Ding!
Congratulations! Tutorial Stage Completed!
EXP received 884
Gold received 3,000
With a long sigh, I wanted to close that notification; however, just as my hand went up, it was replaced with another screen that kept coming. Ding!
Achievement Unlocked!
Master of Basics Successfully master the Basic Skill
Grants a passive +10% experience gain for all actions until Level 10
Ding!
You have shown average weapon control!
Stability Point +2
2/5 points to Grade F+ on Stability
You have shown excellent strategy!
Tactics Point +5
0/10 points to Grade E on Tactics
You have shown good concentration!
Focus Point +3
3/5 points to Grade F+ on Focus
You have shown average reactions!
Reflex Point +2
2/5 points to Grade F+ on Reflex
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ''Too much text!'' I averted my gaze to see Noir approaching me, clapping her hands. The simulation room also returned to its original state¡ªa vast room with a giant globe hologram. "Excellent work. Now, you may proceed with your next task to maintain your Mount. I will leave the care to Daniel in the Gear Department. I have marked the location for you." Ding!
New Quest! Get your own Mount
Task Visit the Gear Department and talk to "Daniel"
Location 428m
Time limit -
Prize Mount set-up; EXP +50
Welcome to your new adventure! It is time to get your first Mount to help you travel faster and reach more places. Go to the Gear Department in Vaughan Academy and find Daniel. He is the equipment expert and will help you get set up. With your new mount, you will be ready to explore even more of this world!
"My duty to guide you has ended." Noir gave her trademark military salute. "Have a safe trip, and good luck with your mission, student Luo." Then she began to walk away¡ª Ding!
The tutorial stage is completed!
You can now explore freely
''Damn it! Why does this game have so many notification screens?!'' Rather than keep paying attention to them, including the notification screens from the finished Tutorial stage still arriving, I walked through the hallway to go outside this building. As soon as the elevator in front opened, I rushed in and found someone there. And that "someone" seemed surprised to see me after previously being immersed in... his cell phone? Yes, phone! So, when I got into the lift, he quickly looked up to meet my gaze. This game seemed to be set in an Old Era. Since, in reality, people used cell phones like that before switching to Helios. It was around a thousand years ago! Chances he was also an NPC as he held a non-player object like that, but why did he keep looking at me with such shock? Never mind. I glanced in the other direction and looked up. Fourteen floors? Pretty high, and with the slow pace of the lift... ''...this gonna take time.'' Standing in a small space with strangers felt awkward, so while waiting, I checked my earlier notification screen to close it¡ªWait...
Item Gained!
Spiritual Ring (Rare)
Required Level 0 Cost 20
A beautiful ring that amplifies charm if it comes in contact with spiritual power Adding DP Recovery +9%; healing effectiveness +50%
''A rare item?!'' "Excuse me." Surprised, I looked at my back and noticed that "someone" peeked nervously at me. Why would an NPC talk to me out of the blue? A random event? Closing the previous screen, I turned around and gave him a proper face-to-face. But my actions... ah, yes, that expression. Fear. He inched away, looking down. Well, he seemed nervous by holding his own arm. How nostalgic. I hadn''t seen such a reaction in a long time. And the reason might be the same. ''My eyes.'' Most people couldn''t bear to look me in the eyes. Weird that an NPC would respond like that, too. Whereas Noir seemed normal when seeing me. And modifying the avatar''s eyes was a common thing, no? So, even though mine seemed intimidating in the real world, it should be "normal" here. But this was useless; I couldn''t gain anything if he kept silent. Instead of continuing, I turned away, and once the lift showed I had reached the first floor, I quickly went out. Stepping out of the building, I found myself amidst Vaughan''s bustling bustle. Players on their Mounts, including motorcycles emitting blue-white energy, zipped past, their engines harmonizing with the mumble of groups mingled here and there. The presence of a crowd outside caught me by surprise. Out of curiosity, I approached, cutting through the crowd of players and NPCs to see what had attracted such attention. With each step, the heart of the gathering came clear¡ªa group of people lined up led by... Noir?! ''She went straight there, huh?'' In this game, NPCs, such as Noir, were unique¡ªthere was only one in the entire game world. If players wanted to interact with them, time was important; they needed to be aware of the NPCs'' schedules, which varied and were designed to imitate real-life dynamics. Some were said to roam freely, while others remained in one location. Growing more and more curious, I walked over¡ª Thud! ¡ªbut instead crashed into an invisible wall. Oh, come on, it had only been a few hours since I started playing, yet I was already ridiculously bumped into something. Twice! What was wrong with me today?! Uh. Instead of thinking about it (it was my own fault, after all), I turned to look ahead; I noticed the transparent wall was giving a red notification.
Access Denied!
Reason Insufficient Main Grade
Required Grade for Raid Participation C
Current Grade F
''Raid, huh?'' The sight before me began to make sense. A small group of players stood beyond the barrier. They were high-level, evidently from their impressive equipment. Hmmm. Select few prepared to take on the Raid while the rest (including me) remained behind, unable to join. Even the NPCs mingling within the scene outnumbered those players, highlighting how exclusive Raid participation was. This exclusivity wasn''t just about skillfulness; it was tied to the device required to play World: The Origin. The game could only be accessed using the VR:Scanner. Yet, its production had been discontinued several months ago (around six months) for reasons that remained a mystery. That made participation in events like these an even greater symbol of prestige for the few. And one of those few insides was... looking at me? Now, it felt like I was eye-to-eye with her? A long silver-haired girl with golden irises that were quite soft, making it seem like¡ªNah, it was just my feeling at best, like... the direction of her gaze was this way, but her focus wasn''t on me. I''d better work on the next quest. I began to walk away. Chapter 7: Unlocking the Unexpected Walking further from the previous Raid gathering place, the atmosphere around me became much quieter to the point where I felt relieved to examine my surroundings. And looking around, it turned out Vaughan was pretty spacious. I meant, seen from the central courtyards in front of the main building alone, the other buildings appeared small and somewhat blurry, indicating their considerable distance. It was then wrapped up in a lush and green atmospheric setting with manicured lawns, gardens, and walking paths like the ones I was strolling through now. Ah, indeed, playing a fantasy VRMMORPG game was fun, like entering into another world! So, instead of constantly looking at mundane things like this, I switched to opening [Menu] interface by waving my hand forward to see more details of the next Quest I had to do. In [Location] that showed the distance needed to be reached, the writing was blue with an underline indicating it had a clickable link. I pressed it, and a new screen appeared above, showing a map with a flashing red dot, so I assumed it was the destination. Underneath it was a blue crosshair with a white dashed line leading to the destination, implying where I was. Quite simple, like the usual map display in most games. I closed the¡ªOh? When I closed the main menu screen, this [Map] display didn''t also disappear. Interesting. While continuing to walk, I fiddled a little with it and found this feature had 2D and 3D views. The map could be set to see only the surrounding area, one city, a country, even the whole world. The map in this game was good. Most VRMMORPGs typically ignored how it operated, forcing the player to explore the world as though they were strolling home (which was pretty absurd). Or even the map just blocked the view around, especially in the upper corner. And I like how this map could be modified at will. Square. Rectangle. I place it in my view. Drag upward. Alright. I positioned it just above my line of sight, with a 16:3 aspect ratio and 40% transparency. The longer I looked at this, the more I thought it was like a "minimap." And thanks to this minimap, I could get to the Gear Department''s main building faster.
Welcome to the Gear Department Main Building!
Following the Quest direction, when I got to the very back of the building, I arrived at a vast and high place; I could estimate the roof height was about ten to twelve meters. The NPCs here crowded around computers that showed all schematics and prototypes being tested. Based on their activities, it seemed they were using technology only as a tool. Because... look at that! They could work without needing a computer! In reality, we stressed the use of artificial intelligence. How unusual to see humans doing dirty jobs, such as standing by a big machine. He was clutching an iron rod with a U-shaped tip. Wait. It was probably just around ten centimeters long and didn''t deserve to be called a rod¡ªAh, why was I paying attention to this?! Anyway, they all seemed to be busy. All except for one person. He lounged in a chair, feet propped up indifferently on a makeshift desk. In his hand was a cell phone; his attention was seemingly more on whatever was displayed there. Judged from his quick hand movements and the horizontal position of his phone, he must be playing a game. This relaxed demeanor was highlighted by his attire¡ªa sleeveless T-shirt, complete with blond hair, pierced ears, and a metal prosthetic replacing his right hand. The "striking person" pushed me to pause. In a way, I made an observation. Although I knew some aspects of World: The Origin, I didn''t know everything. Let alone learn THE ENTIRE NPCs existed here; how lazy. So what I found out were the ones I happened to meet while browsing the internet or opening social media, namely the Department Leaders (because they were mysterious) and the Principal himself. But from this one glance, I knew that slacking NPC would play a significant role in my gaming experience. There were many reasons I could name if I had to explain why. The most notable one would be his uniqueness. Remember how MCs looked in most fiction? They used to be distinctive and memorable. I could also say this NPC was flashy for a reason. In addition, in terms of narrative, his unusual sight forced any player to see him; in RPGs, this kind of narrative detail was reserved for key characters. As I walked closer to him, I knew this NPC was... "...Daniel." My word seemed to take him by surprise, even though I said it quietly. Explaining he wasn''t used to being disturbed. However, his surprised face quickly passed, as did his metal prosthetic hand catching the light when he pocketed his cell phone. "What you need?" Cold. His glare was stern to me, and his face showed little emotion. Either because it was a regular AI behavior (like Noir) or because he raised his guard. But I responded as usual. "Need to see Daniel for Mount setup. Noir sent me." His eyes widened before he reached into his phone and typed something on it, visibly checking something. If I had to guess, it must be about me. My guess was then confirmed by him laughing while tapping his own forehead. And his eyes fell on me with a smile. "New student, eh? Kay. I am Daniel. Sorry if I seemed a bit unoccupied. New students usually don''t meet me first. It has been that way for a while." ''Well, because there are no more newbie players here, Sir.'' Putting it aside, Daniel''s HP bar, name, and so on finally appeared above his head. It seemed the game system here was like that¡ªwhen you introduced yourself, your status bar appeared to the interlocutor; this applied to fellow players and NPCs. If the trigger condition was to "introduce one''s self," then as long as I didn''t mention my name or make an intro, my status wouldn''t appear on the other party. Not bad. Somehow, this made me think of the benefits of being concealed. But to his comments, I replied with a smile. Building an image at the beginning was essential. "Ah, that is okay. I don''t know your¡ª" Tug! Daniel pulled my chin! My breathing instantly stopped, and I caught a clearer view of his eyes¡ªgreen, a shade that seemed to pierce through the dim lighting of the workshop. Really. It wasn''t something I had anticipated, especially from an NPC! As he released me and stood up from his seat, I pressed, "What was that for?" ''How outrageous of an AI to behave like that.'' But instead of elaborating more, Daniel, who had already prepared to walk away, stopped. Without turning around, he asked, "What was that for, you ask?" ''Uh, really?'' Although it was kind of¡ªmore like, very¡ªannoying, I kept my tone even with my expression carefully neutral. "Yes, I ask." Daniel''s face suddenly came inches closer to mine. "I also want to know why." And a smirk was etched there before he stood upright again. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Tsk! I wanted to press more, but not a single sound came to the point my hand reflexively reached out to hold my neck. These shock and confusion, however, were immediately shut as a red screen appeared.
Further interaction denied!
You haven''t met the requirements; further reputation within Vaughan Academy is required to unlock this feature
''Alright, if that is what you want, system.'' After all, this could be scripted behavior. Like narrative development in story-driven games, Daniel''s bold actions might be interpreted to encourage players to explore the game world more... to know him more, to be exact. World: The Origin strongly emphasized social interaction, anyway. And I didn''t want to fall for that bait; it was time to redirect the conversation back to the topic. "About Mount arrangements..." "Right. Follow me." Daniel led me to a secluded area where various Mounts were displayed¡ªfrom speeders to mechanical beasts. "Here," he said, gesturing to the collection before sitting on one available chair. "Pick one, and me will work on it." While walking around this room and looking at the various blueprints and displays available, my hands were folded behind my back as I considered something. Mount... or a vehicle to travel the [Open World], was linked to the Heart Core. In other words, when you used it, you couldn''t use your weapons because the crystal orb could only perform one function. This meant I had to choose one that would be advantageous if, for example, I was unexpectedly ambushed. Perhaps one that was fast enough, flexible, and not too cumbersome. Although changing the model (from its accessories to completely changing its shape) was available, players still needed blueprints and had to spend considerable resources. If possible, I wanted to use a Mount that could potentially last until the end game. Thus, I pointed to one of the models. "I want this." In the distance, Daniel, still sitting and looking at me, looked surprised based on his posture straightened up. He even stood up to approach me, his head turning alternately to where I was pointing at and my face. "You really want this?" I answered with just a nod. "You thought long and hard just to choose this?" He continued to press, seeming to really not believe what I chose. But I could understand his puzzlement because the one I chose was a mere hoverboard. In the real world, hoverboards were common among the rich. Besides being "fun," its design, as a board that floated freely in the air, was simple and easy to carry anywhere. I saw at least three or more kids passing by using them when I was out. So, the possibility of it being chosen in the game was slim to none; players in this game were money folks and would pick something out of the ordinary. Even Daniel''s algorithm understood that no player had picked it; thus, he was surprised when I did so. The thing was, I wasn''t going for a fancy, and the money I earned would definitely not be used for tertiary items like hoverboards¡ªeven if I wished to own one (since long ago). ''Fulfilling my desires, also for long-term preparation; not bad, right? A win-win!'' "I. Want. This." Daniel stared at me as if trying to decipher a puzzle piece. Then, unexpectedly, his expression broke into a wide grin, and he let out a hearty laugh that echoed in the vast space. "What a weird one! Choosing a hoverboard where peps go with rainbow horses and pilot starships, eh?" Wasn''t he the weird one? ''I also know his words are exaggerated.'' Rather than commenting on his babbling, I got straight to the point. "Can I?" "Of course you can, Kid." And his hand rose as if to pat¡ªNope, no. I quickly took a step back. "Personal space, please." But, again, he laughed at my response... Ding!
Daniel is amused by you!
"Haaah, alright. Come, gimme your Heart Core." I didn''t know what this was all about; that notification, his response. Geez, to hell bother about it! I just gave him what he asked for and let him work to finish the Mount I chose. He made me reminded of that person. Was I subconsciously becoming a magnet for weirdos like them? With a resigned sigh, I sat, observing as Daniel positioned my Heart Core into a slot on a console adorned with holographic displays and interfaces. To clear my mind after the annoying moment, I studied the system notifications that had previously appeared. If the [Friendship] level wasn''t enough, it seemed that the way to interact with NPCs was to use Quest to call their attention to hidden events. In that case, it would imply that to be able to befriend the "key NPCs," I first needed to know the personality of each AI. Understanding it allowed me to adjust my interactions to match their preferences or story arcs, resulting in a stronger bond more quickly. No wonder discussions about them were heated. This intrigued me to conduct a test; I quickly stood up and ran to Daniel. "Wait, can I request something?" Daniel paused, his hands momentarily still as he looked up from his work on the hoverboard. The surprise in his expression was evident, replaced quickly by curiosity. "What kind of request?" "I want a modification." And from there, his expression turned... more serious. "Where do you think I''d give that to a peanut like you?" "You won''t, that is why I asked." Daniel was silent, his blinking eyes staring at me for a long time. So long that I thought he might refuse outright. I didn''t know the point of him looking at me like this; perhaps trying to read me from my expressions? Thus, I tried to make an expression as neutral as possible. But my assumption was broken as he laughed loud enough to make him turn his head up and massage his own forehead. "Bah! You got guts! Aware of limits but still cross them; you''d burn the academy if you had to, huh?" I just replied to his comment with a smile. "Kay, I give you that! What modification do you want?" A screen appeared before me, displaying different modification options ranging from the shape to the engine upgrade. Oh, how fortunate I was to acquire this for free! But, since I was in the process of making observations, I chose one that could cover all aspects. "Stability control." "You sure, Kid? I know you such a lunatic, but me giving this only once! Later you have to prepare your own funds; think carefully." "Which part didn''t I think of?" For some reason, this increased my interest in saying a metaphor for my desire that was indirectly related; I smiled even wider while tilting my head. "Isn''t it interesting if you can control your life?" Chapter 8: Embracing the Game Upon hearing my answer, instead of replying properly, Daniel gave me a scrutinizing look right in the eyes¡ªagain¡ªwhile folding his hands in front of his chest. His face didn''t show any expression. Not yet. Because afterward, the corners of his lips lifted, and he shook his head. "Controlling life, huh? Dang, Kid, I know what you mean, but... feels like I just gave a knife to a demon child. Geez. But me man of my words; wait here." Oh? Daniel seemed to grasp the implications of my words that I could exploit in ways potentially troublesome¡ªlike a child discovering creative but mischievous ways to use new tools. But Daniel was a man of principle, as he stated, so even though he knew I would be a problem, he still offered me help, as we had previously agreed. Ha! So eat that principle! I observed as Daniel began the modification with fingers dancing around the holographic screens. And it turned out the process was faster than I thought. In less than a minute, Daniel had closed all the screens and looked back at me. "Let''s do a little testing in the back." Nodding, I followed him to the back of the room, where there was an empty area with black floors and walls; that color probably came cause it was made of carbon, complete with green neon stripes on each interval for lighting. Without warning, Daniel threw my Heart Core, which, fortunately, I could catch it quickly. He whistled in return. "Not bad." Ding!
You have shown reflexes!
Reflex Point +1
3/5 points to Grade F+ on Reflex
"Okay. Your hoverboard now has enhanced stability control. It will respond better to your movements, making it easier to control even at high speeds. Try summoning it out by dropping your Heart Core." As I dropped the crystal orb, seconds before impact with the ground, it gave out digital particles. These fused to form an iron and metal mass that slowly intertwined to form a solid object. Object of an elegant board consisted of glossy black base, a shiny white middle layer, and a top of the same color. Two compact jet engines were installed on its rear. I mounted the hoverboard, which hovered off the ground. When I leaned forward, expecting a smooth start, the board shot unexpectedly, speeding up much faster than anticipated¡ªAh! I almost crashed into a wall! Swoosh! The sudden burst of speed caused me to swiftly adjust; I shifted my weight, leaned, and twisted to avoid the wall or other obstructions in the workshop. Despite the shock, it was thrilling¡ªAh! I almost crashed again, but to no avail! I managed to dodge nicely now. It took me a while to stop the board smoothly, yet suddenly, in front of Daniel, I caught my breath, attempting to appear unfazed. "This... was good." Daniel, who had watched the entire spectacle, chuckled. "Seems you hang on to it, eh? I intentionally made it a bit messy earlier. But amazingly you adapt quickly!" ''Hey! So that was him?!'' "You feel it? The board got a bit more kick, right? Hahaha! What with that face? I just wanted to see if you could handle it. You passed the test; take it. The setup is good to go." Ding!
Congratulations! Side Quest - Get your own Mount Completed!
EXP received: 50
Next to level 6: 58/560
Successfully activated the Mount feature!
Other notifications appeared, but my main menu took over all the screens. It instructed me to press [Inventory], which revealed a new slot titled [Mount]. There, the status of my hoverboard showed up, from the engine (which was still basic) to the full display and blueprint. It even had its own Grade level that could be upgraded. Finished checking it, I closed the screen and lifted my Mount, which instantly dissolved into the crystal orb form in my hand. Mount was acquired... but I knew we were far from done, as Daniel hadn''t let me go yet. Letting go in the sense that he hadn''t sent me to the next task. Usually, [Main Story] had a chain event, no? So I stood straight towards him, face-to-face, and the smile on his face returned. I knew I wasn''t the only one making observations here. ''This NPC is also trying to learn about me.'' This wasn''t the result of my wild thinking, as World: The Origin was designed to provide feedback and adapt based on the player''s actions. The way Daniel approached was unusual, no? Unlike most NPCs, went straightforward when handling Quests? Therefore, I was optimistic that I was now in a [Hidden Event] triggered by my want to modify Mount while I couldn''t. Because I managed to attract Daniel''s attention. This was a [Debate Session]¡ªsimilar to a mini-game that needed logic, knowledge, or charisma to achieve specific objectives. Objective, namely, to deepen character relationships that also affect my reputation within the game. Get it wrong, and it could be troublesome. Much like how players chose to only "look" at Noir even though they idolized her. Not even saying hello. Since this event happened randomly... ''...with penalties for wrong moves.'' After a long period of nothing happening, Daniel let out his usual giggle with his prosthetic hand clenched in front of his mouth. "What with that look? We done here. Go." I raised an eyebrow. "Do you really want me to go?" "Ha!" He stifled his laughter with head turned to the side. Based on his expression, he was looking for someone to joke around¡ªprobably about me. Before looking at me again. "Not bad. You have high awareness, eh? Here!" Daniel suddenly threw his cell phone at me! But wait! Wasn''t this an opportunity? With this device before me, I could peek at the system and find out about the strangeness that making me forget¡ª "Just kidding." He snatched it from my hand. "You really don''t know when to stop, huh. What is in front of you isn''t necessarily your business." What? So he tossed his cell phone and quickly snatched it back, only to create a moment of surprise to test my curiosity? Then what? Remind me of boundaries? Oh, well, annoying! Who did he think I was?! "How do you know what is before me none of my business? Are you a God or something? Or because ''I am older than you'' bullshit? Fuck off." Daniel''s grin vanished when our eyes met, his gaze sharpening as though reevaluating his initial thoughts. He then leaned back, adopting a thoughtful look, though a hint of playfulness remained. "Touche! Most would have taken their prize and left, but not you. You challenge, you push back. What caused it... what..." Now, he seemed to be reassessing me as if pondering what motivations had prompted me to behave differently from what he expected. Again, what did he think I was, a child with a leash?! Tsk. Don''t equate me with other players who passively accept situations! I glared at Daniel. And he replied with his head swaying left-right as if thinking something before slouching and giving me his initial cold stare. "What are you planning from this early on?" With a scoff, I replied, "Why don''t you find it out yourself?" The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. And he let out a smirk. Ding!
Achievement Unlocked!
Quick-Witted Challenger Finished Debate Session for the first time
Hidden Event Probability Increased by 20%
Ding!
Congratulations! Becoming friends with Daniel!
Notice!
Interaction with AI gives friendship points
Reach friendship level 10 to gain AI''s special privileges
Oh, we became friends? I thought my level was still too low to establish friendships, like when I tried to make an effort with Noir? But it seemed friendships with AIs depended on the status they held. For example, befriending the "Leaders" required our status to be equivalent to theirs. As for regular AIs, the requirements were even lower (besides if the said NPC was willing to be a friend). "Go to Chris and try to get some counseling; you need it." Daniel made a shooing hand gesture. "And remember, don''t burn the academy!" Ding!
Main Story updated!
New Quest! Consultancy report
Task Visit the Consultation Department and talk to "Chris"
Location 420m
Time limit -
Prize Access to Quests in Vaughan; EXP +100
You have been tasked with creating a consultancy report, but first, you need to gather insights from the experts. Head over to the Consultation Department and find Chris. Be friendly and curious when you talk to him; Chris might be willing to share some tips if you ask the right questions!
Sigh, I gave him one glance before leaving the Gear Department''s main building. Taking out my hoverboard, I rode through Vaughan''s streets to Chris''s location. While on the road, I reviewed what had happened... something I acted up. Although Daniel''s words (plus his annoying behavior) were like a slap in the face as I was here to solve a problem thrust before me, I didn''t need to mind it. I could, at least, conclude that Daniel respected boundaries once they were clearly established, as shown when he took back his phone. Even so, he was still willing to engage, even after a confrontation, though it was based on his caution towards me as a trouble to keep an eye on. It was the traditional approach; an enemy might be easily observed if they were near you... as a friend, right? Oh... This got me thinking about something. When I first started World: The Origin, my primary goal was to discover the truth about the missing fragments of my memory. But suddenly, as I walked along the edge of Vaughan''s path and remembered all the challenges, side Quests, and unexpected events, I understood how much I got immersed in this virtual world. Like... I started to enjoy this game? But, well, discovering the truth about my VR:Scanner was something that couldn''t be rushed? I knew that moving on without planning or understanding would result in failure. And if it meant having fun while discovering its secrets, that was what I''d do.
Welcome to the Consultation Department Main Building!
When that screen banner disappeared three seconds from my view, I noticed this building looked like an office. Sharp, clean lines of the architecture, the furniture, the soft lighting, and walls decorated with digital screens displaying schedules further emphasized the business atmosphere. The Quest clue said I should go to the topmost floor. So, I waited in front of the lift, letting a few people rush out, before entering and waiting for my floor to arrive. When I reached the top, my [Map] pointed at one of the doors. Once I opened it, it turned out that finding Chris wasn''t that difficult. Since there was only one person in this room. A man with long, flowing purple hair. His clothes were simple yet elegant¡ªa pure black suit. He looked up when he heard the door creaking open, revealing his purple irises. "You must be one Daniel mentioned. Please, have a seat." Comply, I took a seat across from him. Chris''s room was spacious and well-lit, with a large window right behind him that offered a panoramic view of the academy grounds. There was a sense of tranquility here. ''I kinda like it.'' "Let''s see..." He took a piece of paper. "First test was good. [Stability], [Tactics], [Focus], and [Reflex] are quite notable. But then you picked on one of the Senior Staff, hm?" Daniel must be the Senior Staff he referred to, as I have only encountered two NPCs so far. Remembering how Daniel had ordered me to meet Chris meant the man before me wasn''t a regular staff. Another proof was how other players continued their Quests after meeting Daniel were guided by different names¡ªordinary NPCs who were available during their free time. Not a specific mention like Chris. This confirmed what I thought: my [Main Story] had shifted. ''Just a bit... maybe?'' Well, a bit because I could still readjust it and started to prepare for the stage ahead. So it would be better if I replied honestly since these types of people who seem gentle¡ªnot to mention always smiling¡ªlike Chris usually have their own dark side. And people like him were the hardest to deal with; they were manipulative themselves. Even though I knew that not all people in power were essentially evil or had bad intentions¡ªlike me, for example (or maybe not)¡ªbut... ''...I didn''t want to be confronted by troubles beyond my control.'' Thus replied, "Daniel is approachable that way." "Hmmm." Tossing the paper in his hand onto the table before him, Chris interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them. "Where do you know that?" "Intuition." Hearing it, he nodded and leaned against the chair with a smile, though still thin, as if to show he was interested. "Daniel only ''saw'' those above him. You, as a new student, must have found it difficult to gain his attention. Hmm, good enough." "So, are you going to counsel me?" "Why should I?" His eyes went to me. "Not a ''counsel'' that you need, anyway." Oh...? I opened my mouth to ask¡ª "Did Daniel explain about [Equipment]?" ¡ªyet I wasn''t going to because Chris interrupted me first. I merely answered his question with a short shake of my head. As it turned out, he explained IN DETAIL about [Equipment] and all the ins and outs of the [Inventory] that I already knew about. Then, he went on to explain [Daily and Weekly Quests] as well! ''Ah, what a waste of time!'' Chapter 9: The Unheard Reaction Oh? From his response¡ªa brief pause in his talk, eyes narrowing slightly, a laugh, and then changing the subject¡ªit was clear Chris recognized I hadn''t been listening to him.
Would you like to receive detailed explanations about each Department?
Hmm. Knowing that such information was readily available through reading and considering Chris''s advice to research, I felt no need for a verbal explanation. I reached out to select [No] on the virtual display, and the window disappeared. Chris nodded, seeming to respect my choice to explore autonomously. "Very well. If you have any questions or need assistance, reach out." Ding!
Main Story updated!
The screen in front of me, however, displayed red text rather than the regular Quest list description.
Level Requirement!
Your progression in Main Story is currently paused. To continue, you must reach Level 15
Current Level: 5
Description
Cecil is on the brink of a breakthrough in her latest research project. However, she needs materials to conduct her experiments. With her dedication to advancing, Cecil seeks help to gather these essential components.
Objectives
Purchase 5 bottles of Enchanted Water
Collect 2 Solvent Flower stems
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Indeed, I planned to stick with Quests that had the potential to provide good clues¡ªperhaps something related to the NPC (like befriending them) so I could understand what was happening in the game from the perspective of its inhabitants or something close to how the system worked, like exploring their lore. But looking at this list... nothing stood out; everything was too generic. I had no choice but to choose this relatively straightforward one. And efficiency always wins everything, right? I quickly pressed [Accept]. Ding!
Side Quest taken!
New Quest! The Essence of Research
Task Visit the Dragonic Department''s Research Lab and talk to "Cecil"
Location 962m
Time limit 8hr
Prize 150 Gold; 60 EXP
Entering Dragonic Department District
Welcome to the Dragonic Department''s Research Lab!
Chapter 10: The Headstrong Researcher Deciding to ignore the player who came out of the lab in a hurry, I moved to meet Cecil inside¡ª "Huh, what is it this time? What do you want?!" ''Twice now!'' I got combo-ed by surprise before I could even process what happened! A girl had run out earlier when I tried to open the door, and now some brat was yelling at me! And you know what I did? Smiling out of reflex! But inside, uh, how annoying all these! If this whole encounter dragged out too long, I might as well abandon the Quest. But, for now, I didn''t want to get lost in all this randomness; I tried to calm myself down. Judging from this "brat''s" appearance¡ªa white coat, beige hair, and neon-pink eyes¡ªshe seemed to be an NPC as all looked simple. Most likely, Cecil. I didn''t want to take the wrong step since she looked aggressive. And with her short body not even reaching my chest... for some reason, I imagined she could suddenly leap up, tearing me apart when she clung to my back. ''Oh, me and my wild imagination.'' I ended up standing by the door, waiting. When I gave her some downtime, her initial aggression seemed to soften as she observed me from head to toe. Her eyes still narrowed, showing that although she was calm, she was still cautious. "You are here for the task, aren''t you?" Her gaze aimed at the device on my wrist, likely recognizing the standard equipment issued to all players. Or rather, this was Helios. Remember why I set up Helios first before entering the game? It was to get it integrated into the game like this¡ªas a medium for players to check body condition outside, in addition to other personal needs. "Yes. I was informed that you needed help for gathering materials." Hearing that, she relaxed a bit more and motioned for me to enter the lab. "Right, right. Sorry for the rude welcome. Just tired of dealing with incompetent kids. No one else wants to help¡ª" "That is why I am here." As soon as I said those words (hoping to speed things up), I noticed a change in Cecil''s demeanor. Her eyes dropped slightly, a subtle one that someone who wasn''t paying close attention might not have noticed. Because as quickly as it came, it also left. Now she folded her arms and lifted her chin, even turning her face away slightly from me. Vaguely, I could also hear her audible, "Hmpt!" Her reaction was quite interesting as she gave specific body language. But I wasn''t sure her personality warranted any deep reading on my part; after completing this Quest, I might not see her again. Even though I knew the NPC in front was Cecil, her status bar didn''t appear since she didn''t introduce herself, making it even more difficult for me to determine the issue with her¡ªwhether she was a key NPC or not. ''Unless she eventually shows something worth it.'' So, for now, I decided to just listen. "Young people these days show no respect for their seniors! Just go and do the task. You know what to do, right? [Enchanted Water] is sold at various shops in the Dragonic Department. Oh, by the way, if you want to buy medicines, we have them in good quality! But check the stock first, as some are limited and only appear on certain days." ''Up she goes, explaining a topic in the middle of a different topic.'' Now I wondered... why she hadn''t just asked another researcher to buy it? Were the others busy with critical tasks, too? Or did some policy limit who could make purchases? Somehow, it felt typical of how RPG games make their players run errands for the NPCs'' needs only for the sake of "plot." Only, one thing was advantageous in this situation. I know it was a contradiction; I wanted this over fast, but Cecil''s mention of limited items caught my attention. If I played this right, I could finish the task with more than just checked-off Quest objectives. "The trickiest part is finding [Solvent Flower]. You can search for it in nearby forests, but remember, you must find one with long stems! About this length." Cecil demonstrated by folding her fingers to leave only her pinky and thumb extended; compared to my fingers, it seemed they weren''t that long? "Search in open areas! They thrive in sunlight." Ding!
Side Quest updated!
Side Quest - The Essence of Research Progressed!
Subtask: Purchase 5 bottles of Enchanted Water
Location: 23m
Subtask: Collect 2 Solvent Flower stems
Location: 23m
Alright. The best players knew how to switch strategies mid-game. This wasn''t about indecision; it was about "seizing opportunity." And I would take that opportunity by saying, "The previous one... what was the limited stock items you mentioned?" Cecil raised her eyebrows, seemingly suspecting my question. Or perhaps, wondering why I was being this engaging when I had previously pressed her to hurry up and get to the point. Ah, she might not buy it. But if she did, it could make future interactions easier. Worth a shot. And glad she did as she answered me. "[Neurosync Dew]. Pretty popular with students; we stock 100 weekly. But this kid will buy them all and resell them at high prices! So long as she doesn''t cross the line, what can I do?" Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Ah, the infamous practice of "flipping"¡ªplayers buying high-demand items in bulk, then selling them for profit. Clever, though not strictly ethical. It seemed the game allowed this sort of tactic without strict rules. Well, that sucked; over time, this game could be dying... but this also seemed to be exaggerating? World: The Origin was a dying game, I meant. Factors like poor gameplay, server issues, lack of content, or toxic player environments were often to blame for a game dying, while flipping was almost universal, even in real life. I hadn''t even noticed any significant complaints about flipping on the forums. Did it only affect specific items, or were there enough alternatives? Or few dared attempt it? With how some NPCs (like Cecil) viewed things like this as "cheating," it could already become a punishment, right? Like... difficulty in making friends with them? Negative reputation and being frowned upon? Not to mention from other players, too. Therefore, I called it clever; how did the player who did flipping manage to escape from its negativity? ''I became even more curious about what item was being flipped...'' "Oh, well, then I will never be able to afford it. My money..." And I started counting dramatically with all my fingers stretched before my face. Seeing my behavior, Cecil scowled, puffing up her cheeks. "What are you doing?! Get on with your task, I said!" Her voice was quite loud as she scolded me, to be honest, so I was left speechless. My gaze wandered somewhere before eventually looking down and rubbing my neck. "Just trying to prepare. It is my first time out of Vaughan..." Ah, yes, then I saw that. The fierceness in her eyes softened for a moment, her posture relaxing slightly. But it turned out to be more difficult than I expected as she returned to her fierce attitude again. "What''s all this now? It is not that hard! And anyway, your task is just outside the academy." "I know, I know, but... everyone seems so experienced, and here I am, barely knowing how to navigate the basics. I have read about the academy, the challenges, but experiencing it? Different level." She raised an eyebrow. "Don''t you have any friends to show you around?" "Does the wind count?" I let out a short, humorless laugh. "See? I am alone." "Look. I may have been a bit harsh; this can overwhelm newcomers. Maybe I can¡ªHNNNG!!" All of a sudden, she clenched her hand into a fist. Wait. Was she trying to restrain herself? "You were trying to butter me up, weren''t you?! Not a chance!" "Buttering you up might have been part of the plan. But can you blame me? I am out here, trying to make sense of things, and you, Cecil, are my only lead to avoid ending up as dragon fodder." She scoffed. "Dragon fodder? Dramatic! I am a researcher, not a guide!" "But could you be, just for this? Isn''t it noble for the experienced to guide the clueless?" "Noble duty? Ha! I am a researcher, not a knight in shining armor! What is wrong with you?!" "Nothing is wrong with me. Just¡ª" ''This is wasting time!'' Enough of this; I still had a Quest to complete. If Cecil gave more leads, fine. If not? Time to go. And now was the perfect time to refocus on my former goal. But I couldn''t just chop it off. Thus, I smiled¡ªa weak smile, to be more precise¡ªwith both hands clasped below my stomach. "Okay. Fine. I worry too much... thinking too much... to the point of being overbearing. Tiring, right? Newcomers like me can be a pain." Turning, I quickly left lab room 3B without looking back. When I ventured further into the main street of the Dragonic Department, my focus wasn''t on the road or the sights around me again. Instead, I was deep in thought. But if I had to explain what I was thinking... it would be long and complicated. For starters, what I did before was just me trying to seize the opportunity to get my hands on [Neurosync Dew]. Opportunities require the right person, timing, and place to succeed. Therefore, I''d act when an opening presented itself, even if I needed to "perform" to get the desired response. That smile of mine, that look, the expressions¡ªall of it¡ªof course... was an act. On the contrary, what I said was true. Because to make a lie convincing, you require tactics. I used a "contrast effect," where my genuineness masks the pretense. That combination took Cecil to the Social Obligation, where those in "above" see "below" with a bit of empathy. It was the same as seeing a fragile, meowing kitten and feeling pity. This approach made her more willing to help, not because of guilt but because it was the right thing to do at the right time. Of course, even though I considered my approach, not everything would work¡ªCecil''s resistance proved that. As I previously mentioned, opportunities succeeded if only all the variables were met. Before I could think more, however, my steps halted, and I raised my head from my thoughts. In front of me was a shop sandwiched between two taller buildings. From the outside, with its front wall made of transparent glass, it resembled a pharmacy, with shelves upon shelves of potions and drugs. "Oh, is it here?" Yes, I was surprised at my spontaneity in stopping precisely at the right place. But instead of bothering it, I just went inside. As soon as I entered, the shop was more expansive on the inside than it appeared from the outside; I was greeted by the sound of the doorbell ringing, and the air carried a mixture of scents¡ªherbal, floral, and some I hardly recognize¡ªthat mixed together to form a strong aroma. This store was quiet, though, unlike the bustling walkway outside. Or perhaps it was because the shops in this Dragonic Department were numerous and diverse (as Cecil mentioned)? Players and NPCs became scattered to buy at whatever store. This gave me the freedom to scan every shelf. Thus, I moved to one spot. Then to another. Until I stopped at the leftmost one. I picked up one bottle and put it down again. Taking another, I looked at a small bottle with silver glitter in my hand. Within two seconds of focusing my eyes on the object, an interface screen appeared and displayed a description.
Enchanted Water (Common)
Enhances magic potency, vital for potion crafting and enchantments. A Quest item
Price: 150 Gold
I smiled, satisfied to have found what I was looking for. Chapter 11: When Chaos Strikes Nodding to myself, I confirmed that the small bottle in my hand was what I needed. I approached the counter, where the NPC clerk, with an expression as neutral as the store''s neatly organized shelves, waited. Placing the bottles on the payment counter, I waited and watched the clerk''s fingers moving swiftly over a holographic panel, processing my request. "That will be 750 Gold." As I wanted to pay, I was prompted to confirm the deduction from my account through a short transaction menu. The shopkeeper handed me the bottles. Staring at it for a moment, again, this time not to see its description but to have it entered into [Inventory]. And the bottle in my hand dissolved into digital fragments. A notification screen appeared before me afterward.
Inventory Updated!
New item added: Enchanted Water x5
"Anything else you require?" "That will be all. Thank you." I walked out of the store. Opening the [Map], I discovered my next destination was deep in the eastern part of the forest. It appeared that I still needed the minimap''s assistance in this situation because, let''s be honest, there was a high risk of getting lost in the forest; there were no markers or anything like in the city, right? With that, I set my [Map] onto the top left corner, then pulled out the Heart Core to ride my Mount outside Vaughan. As the academy fell further behind, I found a high wall dividing this place from the [Open World], with a door wide open. This reminded me of the fantasy setting this game used since, in the real world, it would be fully guarded by an army before the boundary of my city-state. Here, only two NPCs wore red armbands, standing on the side of the door, indicating they were Disciplinarians. When I got out, I thought I needed to take a specific stage, maybe another [Side Quest], or answer a quiz from the guard NPC like the games I had played. But I could pass them freely as my hoverboard moved ahead and out of the massive gate. Outside, the greenery stretched everywhere with no one around. Nice! A little further away, the cool breeze stroked my skin, accompanied by the rustling leaves of trees apart from the chirping birds. The harmony turned my head, scanning the scenery, every detail drawing me in. For a moment, it felt like the serene beauty was a welcome escape from the weight of reality, a temptation to forget why I was here in the first place. Then¡ªOh? Those trees! Could it be Luminarescence? Maybe...?! Curiosity tugged at me more than my determination to focus. It brought back memories of my time spent in the library when I was obsessed with getting to know everything, even the most minor information. I shook my head, but a part of me insisted: What was the harm in a quick check? My logical side fought, muttering cautions, but I disregarded it. ''Time to find out!'' I entered¡ªOh! Wait. My Heart Core was in Mount mode, so I switched it to weapon mode and walked into the wilderness. When I strolled among the trees with Floating Hourglass hovering steadily beside me, I felt small... so insignificant. How tall were these trees, approximately? Maybe 20 meters? No, no, 60 meters? Didn''t know! Just craning my neck like this wasn''t enough to estimate accurately. But judging from the bark that shimmered with a soft glow, these trees were indeed Luminarescence. They said the glow of these trees wasn''t constant but fluctuated within the cycle of day and night. Chirrum... Those chimes could be heard in the distance, albeit faintly like whispers. Curious, I approached, and it turned out to be Glimmerstags! The sight sparked excitement, reminding me of how, as a child, I fantasized about discovering such treasures beyond the city-state''s walls... because I had no idea what lay beyond that; I had never seen such animals face-to-face! Let alone see, even going into the forest was a big no-no with a death sentence! I quickly hid behind a tree and peeked out, as they were said to be timid despite being majestic. Majestic, with antlers like twisting vines and bright blossoms that lit up. Walking on all fours alone made its height reach around two meters! How about standing?! But looking at the structure of its legs, it seemed impossible for it to stand on two legs... ''Then it won''t run fast, will it?'' Slowly, I crept closer... but its small ears twitched, and its black eyes turned¡ªAh, it dashed away! Was it because of the rustling sound of my footsteps against the grass? I immediately ran after the Glimmerstags when realizing it was surprisingly fast! I couldn''t afford to fall behind, could I?! Jumping over rocks. Maneuvering around trees. The longer I ran, my chase slowed down because... because... ''WHAT WAS I DOING?!'' I skidded to a stop, gasping for breath, a rush of embarrassment washing over me. Reckless. Not at all me. I''d come to find answers to avoid getting caught up in useless pursuits. But why had it been so easy to divert me? Was it the familiarity of this game that had carried me away...? I meant, for example, RPG games were exaggerated when depicting the forest, with some being short and filled with rodents. Or even having bizarre shapes altogether. But the forest in World: The Origin was like the ones I often saw online. Having grown up surrounded by the impenetrable walls of the city-state, I was always curious about jungle exploration... in any game. Could that also be what was affecting me now? Habit? Whatever it was, I needed to stay focused. No more detours. This time, I was looking for the clearing where the [Solvent Flower] would be. I was determined to resist any more distractions. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. But as I moved, the nagging thought remained: Why did I feel so connected to this place? Never mind; I quickened my pace. Having roamed for eight minutes (and more), I eventually saw a gap in the tall trees ahead as sunlight seeped through. When I walked forward, sure enough, I came to a clearing surrounded by trees, casting a spotlight like basking in the sun''s golden glow. Right in the center, there was a cluster of white flowers. Coming closer, I knelt down near it and checked that it was another flower that existed in the real world. But, of course, the name wasn''t [Solvet Flower] but a type of Tulipa. Because of its white color, these were Tulipa Solaris. I started picking this flower. Meticulously, I parted each to measure its stem against the mental image of Cecil''s hand. Just as I found a flower that matched the desired length, the tranquility was abruptly shattered when I noticed something glimmer in the distance¡ª ''A dagger!'' I dodged¡ªCouldn''t! My speed was inferior to that weapon''s speed; curse this low-level avatar! But... Clang! ...it bounced off right in front of my face as if a thin barrier had been placed around me.
Immortal Object Activated!
My assailant finally emerged from the shadows of the trees. Dressed in Vaughan''s academy uniform, he wore a black half-body cloak that focused on covering his upper body¡ªshoulders, head, hair, forehead, nose, until only his mouth was visible. And his mouth gaping wide as he hurriedly approached. The closer he got, the clearer it became that he was inspecting me from head to toe based on the movement of his head. "Wha¡ªYou... a newbie?!" A reasonable response; encountering one when VR:Scanner wasn''t produced anymore was surprising. Fortunately, the system has protected me. But, all of a sudden, an attack appeared: a beam of light faster than the dagger! The light shot straight beside my head, aiming at the would-be Player Killer (PKer), who had already dodged by leaping sideways. He landed gracefully a few meters away. Quickly turned his head toward the source of the light. Me as well... glanced back. Another player was walking closer with a Twin Gun in each hand. Just seeing her figure made the PKer click his tongue. He jumped from tree to tree. But this Gunner seemed relaxed as she watched him zoom further. I could hardly see where he was going with that speed and camouflage ability. She just walked. Then, knelt down and aimed her weapon straight ahead. A massive magic circle appeared before her. When she fired an energy bullet, it was absorbed in it, transforming into light that spread before being shot straight to one point, which I concluded was where the PKer was. A thunderous explosion was blasted strong enough in the distance to the point where heat was felt. I stretched my arms forward to block out my face from the scattered dust. ''Like a homing missile...'' After unleashing that incredible attack, instead of feeling relieved, the Gunner narrowed her eyes. She stood up, changing her weapon to become a Mount. Digital fragments crept up to her back, forming mechanical wings stretched wide. She flew towards where PKer went. As her form disappeared from my view, I could sense other extraordinary attacks from the distance. The clash of metal. The discharge of weapons. The roar of combative spells painted a vivid picture of the chaos unfolding beyond my sight as I only caught glimpses of light and shadow dashed between the trees. But wasn''t her Heart Core used as a Mount? Or has she turned it into a weapon again? Or... did she use [Additional Weapon] now? Because it felt so intense! At one point, the forest fell silent as if it had lost its own breath before an explosion erupted, shaking the ground and sending birds flying from the treetops in panic. And I, still kneeling amidst the cluster of white flowers with a stem in hand, could only mutter, "Well, that was crazy." Shrugging, I stood up and walked back to Vaughan. It had been pointed out that I got some "Newbie Protection" where I couldn''t be attacked. This was common in MMORPGs to prevent harassment from other players for those still learning the mechanics, controls, and universe; the protection was most likely the same as in most games, existing until at least level 15. There was no need to¡ªOh! Perhaps a newbie would panic with surprises like this? Not to mention with such a high level of realism. But PKs were expected. Especially in this game where killing one player could earn EXP equivalent to completing a mission, with the added gaining of Gold and materials carried by the victim. Of course, the drop rate depended on the item''s rarity, and killing fellow players would get a penalty that impacted the game''s society¡ªaffecting reputation, alliances, and access to certain Quests or areas. So, as I said before, I was in a favorable position... for now; without help from the system, I would be dead. ''This means I should have a high level player in my grasp.'' Leveling up, mastering skills, and so on might be beneficial. But realistically, those weren''t enough, especially with me already behind. I needed at least one player who could be a medium for protection, connection, and learning if I wanted to survive while gathering answers regarding my VR:Scanner in this game. When I was busy wrestling with my thoughts as I kept walking like this, a rustling sound was heard ahead; I lifted my head¡ª "Hello, we meet again." My footsteps jolted to stop as the previous Gunner was already in front of me! I didn''t even feel any signs of her arrival; maybe this was the effect of her [Passive Skill]? Were there humans who had no presence like this in real life?! Unless she was trained enough, but still... As for her words, I quickly responded by raising an eyebrow. "Pardon?" She appeared to be smiling quite friendly, with her hands behind her back. "We have met before, haven''t we? At Vaughan main courtyard." Of course, I remembered that. This Gunner was one of the players¡ªthat girl with silver hair and golden eyes¡ªin the Raid group who glanced at me. So that time, she was really focusing on me, which meant she had high attentiveness to new faces. Knowing this, I unconsciously smiled. A smile friendly enough to make me close my eyes. Chapter 12: Caught in Act Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Ding!
Welcome back to Vaughan, students!
Enjoy your stay!
Welcome to the Dragonic Department''s Research Lab!
Chapter 13: Innocence in Gaze "Yes. Luo here was a bit reckless; he said he wanted to go outside but had nothing prepared. So I accompanied him while I patrolled around." Luna favored me! Of course, I would make the most of it. "Well, sorry for that." I managed a half-smile while rubbing the back of my neck. "I didn''t mean to trouble you." "It is fine. I''d rather not see you out there without what you need. It is not ideal, but someone must ensure you are safe." Cecil''s eyes narrowed as she listened to Luna''s gentle, almost protective tone toward me. Even now, her gaze moved from me to Luna before returning to me again. She seemed to want to assess something further? Or perhaps she had just realized something. If that was the case, I would continue pushing forward; I smiled a somewhat forced one. "I''d do more if I could. Just... I don''t have enough money to buy anything." Cecil appeared to take this in, her expression changing slightly. She looked down, her usual guardedness giving way to an uneasiness. "Uh. Right. I didn''t consider that. I suppose it didn''t cross my mind that the lack of support would strain both of you..." See, Cecil? If you''d just helped a little, maybe things would have been easier for everyone, thanks to the Social Obligation I created in my previous scenario. "Perhaps I should have offered some assistance sooner." Her eyes went straight to me. Then, her attention went to Luna. "But he is okay?" "Ah..." Luna paused as if considering something before continuing, "Luo got attacked while I was distracted. Thankfully, he was okay, as you can see. But I ended up losing track of the attacker." Cecil''s attention shifted to me. "So Luna helped you, but in return, the attacker escaped?" Oh, how evil of you, Luna. You told her the truth but kept your cards closed, requiring me to explain further but with a lie if I wanted to stay safe. So you were asking me to handle this all alone, huh? Fine. I admit you were good at maintaining transparency and ambiguity at the same time. You won. At least I was grateful you played along; I would reward you a little. "Hahaha, well, yeah? You see... Luna so attentive. Even followed me here so I wouldn''t get lost or encounter any more trouble. Such kindness is rare, don''t you think?" When Cecil listened to my "story," she slowly nodded. "I see... That is very like her. Always looking out for others." The object of our conversation (Luna) chuckled softly, albeit by covering her mouth to avoid being noticed by Cecil, who was facing me. ''Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want, girl.'' But, on the outside, I was still smiling like this. At least until Cecil slapped my thigh. "So, where is it? Did you gather the stuff?" Tsk! If she touched me again, I''d 100% kick her! For now, though, I let it slide, as I need to maintain the image that had been created. "Oh, wait..." I took the items from my [Inventory] and presented them on Cecil''s workbench. "Five bottles of [Enchanted Water] and two stems of [Solvent Flower], as requested." Cecil''s eyes sparkled as she examined it with excitement. But then, the twinkle was replaced with a frown; she looked at me while putting her hands on her waist. "Stem too small!" ''An expected response.'' I replied with a slight smile. "Isn''t it the size that Senior requested? You said I should look for one the size of your inch. So here, try comparing it yourself." Momentarily taken aback by my claim, Cecil glanced at Luna as she sought some help...? Luna, however, remained neutral; her expression was unreadable, leaving Cecil to verify it herself. With a huff, Cecil took one stem. Tried to compare it with her own hand¡ªOh? She wasn''t going to? Because she ended up silent. Her head lowered, and I could see from her chubby cheeks that her upper lip was slightly protruding. Yeah. Aware of that? Your hand was too damn small. Who would design an NPC working in Vaughan to have a body as short as a nine-year-old? Even her body size was a problem for herself because if she validated my words, she would admit her hands were indeed too small. And it wasn''t what she wanted, resulting in this scenario of her hesitation. This lingered for a moment longer before she finally raised her head, and the earlier irritation seemed to melt into a pained acceptance. "It is correct," Cecil muttered almost inaudibly as if she were having an internal debate instead of talking with me. Still holding the stem, she turned her attention back to her workbench, mumbling something about having to make do with what was provided. She obviously wasn''t entirely satisfied, but at least she was willing to move forward. My gaze briefly met Luna''s; I could see a glint in her eyes, which indicated a slight amusement at the whole situation. "Alright then," Cecil finally said, a bit more loudly. "With these materials, I can proceed with the experiment. It is a simple potion. But crucial for my research on enhancing conductivity in organic materials. So, thank you for this." Ding!
Congratulations! Side Quest: The Essence of Research Completed!
EXP received 60
Gold received 150
Next to level 6: 118/560
Your current Gold: 2.250
Other notifications also popped up, which, of course, I ignored as usual. Except for one...
You have shown mental robustness!
Mind Def +3
0/10 points to Grade E on Mind Def
I''d seen status updates similar to this in past Quests, like with Daniel or Chris. But here? I hadn''t expected that. They said it was easier to increase Control Grade through strategic interaction with NPCs (discussing plans or negotiating), and this was proven now¡ªthe system apparently recognizes when I manage social dynamics to my advantage. But here, with Luna, from the very start, the stakes were different, as I needed to put extra effort into lying and "playing along." Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Hence, [Mental Defense] was what I got; the system seemed to pick up my awareness as if registering my efforts to anticipate all those subtle personal digs in our exchange (both to NPC and Player). ''Not bad. Most VRMMORPG track progress through objective metrics, but World: The Origin differs...'' When I looked through my notifications screen like this, Cecil suddenly spoke in a high tone. "You!" I quickly closed everything. Raising my face, I found Cecil standing before me. Precisely. "Yes?" Instead of answering, Cecil raised an eyebrow. Her head tilted left... right... and touched her chin. But her eyes kept glued to me. Was there something on me? There, I ended up feeling my own face out of reflex! After all, what the heck was that behavior?! "Umm, what''s wrong?" But Cecil merely shrugged and handed me something. "Take it. Next time, don''t trouble Luna again!" Instead of taking it, I asked, "What is this?" "What else? [Neurosync Dew], duh! You need to be prepared, don''t you? You can''t buy this coz no money, not to mention because of that kid. So take it before I change my mind!" Finally... FINALLY!!! ''Mission accomplished!'' I quickly took it. "Thank you, Senior Cecil!''
Item Gained!
Neurosync Dew (Rare) x1
Consumable items A potent potion designed to calm nerve synchronization. Once consumed, it grants the user immunity to all debuffs for 24 hours, paused when logging off.
''Whoa! No wonder this is much sought after by players!'' With as wide a smile as possible, I asked, "Do you need any more help, Senior Cecil?" "Bleh! Just go already." And her lazy expression turned bright when she faced Luna. "Lunaaa, if you are free, don''t forget to stop by!" Cecil''s dismissal of me was as good as an invitation to leave, so I just nodded in reply and kept this friendly smile on my face. Luna, though, remained polite with her bow. "Yes, thank you, Senior Cecil. We will take our leave now." As we exited Cecil''s lab, I took off my smiling face to normal. Ah... It felt sore somehow; I hadn''t pretended this much in a long time. I gently massaged the tip of my lips with my right hand. While doing so, I walked lightly, and when I turned my head slightly to the side, Luna was still following me. Even when I exited the building, I could still feel Luna matching my pace as we moved through Vaughan''s footpaths. How come? For some reason, I thought of taking her to a dark, secluded place to see her reaction... But since this was in the game world and our levels were so different, it didn''t seem like it would accomplish anything. I just muttered to her. "Thanks." Surprisingly, I didn''t hear any reply from her. Whereas Luna was pretty cooperative before. Uh, was it possible she reevaluated her trust in me? Because it was clear what kind of person I was, right? Right?! From what had just happened. I glanced over¡ªAh! She was already so close to me and tilted her head while smiling! Quite surprising that I distanced myself from her a little. Particularly given her ambiguous smile, eyes closed, sweet, err... I turned to look forward. And that was where Luna talked. "You have improved, Luo. But you still ''slip'' a lot." My steps came to an abrupt halt. I didn''t understand what Luna meant by "slip," which made me immediately try to figure out the meaning of her words. Was it when we lied to Cecil earlier? So I "slipped" because I hastily wanted to take advantage of the situation, circumstances, or even people¡ªwas that it? Or perhaps... going much further back? My foolish act of chasing the Glimmerstags? It seemed like the latter, but to be sure, I asked as I faced her, "What do you mean?" Luna shrugged lightly, with a subtle smile playing on her lips. "Nothing. Just an observation." Could I be honest and say that I was... annoyed by it? Not to Luna, really, as she, a more experienced player, proved to be very helpful, even willing to heed my flow when I tried to make Cecil favor me (although with the rest, I had to make an extra effort). The problem was what she said and how she said it... like she knew something I didn''t. My mind ran in circles, dissecting her tone, her choice of words, even the half-smile she wore as she said it. Improved, she''d said, which meant she''d been watching, gauging, and keeping notes on my actions. But we only just met now? In the game! Then, slip, a word that could mean anything or nothing at all, only to make me second-guess myself. This wasn''t the first time she''d been ambiguous, but twice. And Luna, as if noticing my unease, nodded toward the path leading from the central part of the courtyard, her face without expression though her voice was warm. "Come with me. There are several spots here that few people pay attention to; never a bad time for a recharge, anyway." I raised an eyebrow in skepticism. Recharge? Her timing and word choice weren''t random. She had to be up to something, though I couldn''t quite say what. Still, my curiosity got the better of me, and I nodded. "Lead the way." We left the bustling main grounds of Vaughan to quieter, more hidden areas of the academy that I''d never seen. It was surprisingly serene: narrow paths lined with stone walls covered in ivy, tucked away behind older buildings where few students (or players) ever bothered to go, as I see none. We arrived at a tiny lawn surrounded by blossoming flowers. Half a dozen kids (likely NPCs) between the ages of four and seven were at its center, climbing around the bushes and chasing one another. Their faces were lit up with carefree joy. They were in a world all their own, free from all restraints of duty and responsibility that ruled the rest of the academy. Luna paused¡ªher hands neatly folded, gazing out at the children¡ªher face creasing into a soft, gentle smile. "People often think being cold and calculating is impressive, even admirable. But I have always seen it as a silent plea for help when they know things will always go wrong... so they shut down, shut out. But no one deserves that. Everyone, even the most serious of us, should have moments where we are allowed to be silly, to laugh too loudly, to make mistakes. That is what freedom really is." ''You are talking nonsense.'' At least, that was what I wanted to say. Only, here I was, ending up silent, standing behind Luna with my body... feeling hot. The kind of heat that felt like it was coming from something unspoken. I wondered why I felt self-conscious as if Luna was talking directly about me. Because she was, wasn''t she? Without looking at me, she knew... and saw the layers of what I wanted to hide inside me¡ªfeeling, mind, true intention. Or was I just worrying too much? I meant, seriously, freedom? Why did Luna say that to me? Did she think that could ever apply to me? To someone who had traded "all" to feel safe? Part of me wanted to laugh it off as her words were naive. But instead, I found myself standing there, torn between worry and... something else. A curiosity, perhaps? I wonder if she knew something about me, such as why I had this VR:Scanner, I could forget, or even... my past. And if she did know, why hadn''t she said anything else? Her long but unelaborated words made me afraid to ask her directly about what she really wanted to say. On the one hand, I became curious and wanted to stick with her more. Pretty contradictory, right? Chapter 14: Why So Normal?! Over the next few days, about a week, I spent more time with Luna. It wasn''t as if I had much choice? As I said, I needed at least one player who could be a medium for protection, connection, and learning if I wanted to survive while gathering answers regarding my VR:Scanner in this game. But that was my justification, to be honest. Actually, it was more than that. I couldn''t help but feel Luna had the answers to the questions that plagued me. I wanted to know if she understood anything about what had happened to me? About this world? About that letter about "I can''t run"? Because I wasn''t sure how to begin looking into what, where, and how. But Luna didn''t mention anything about what I suspected she knew. Not once. Instead, as a pro player who mentors beginners, we battled side by side, explored hidden areas of the Academy (she showed me places important to players), and progressed from Quest to Quest. Or, sometimes, we shared quiet moments where she''d comment on the scenery or joke (sarcasm) about other players struggling in battle. Even now, we made our way through the deeper eastern section of the forest surrounding Vaughan to work on my Side Quest. It was simple: kill monsters, take their drop items, and hand them to the relevant NPC. Still, no oddities in the game. At all. What did I want to point out, exactly? Everything seemed perfectly normal! Too "normal," which I found annoying. The server functioned smoothly, NPCs responded as expected, Events played out without any errors or irregularities, and other players we encountered were just like any other players in any game. Where were the cracks in the game? The glitches? The signs that something was wrong? Any evidence so that I could progress my investigation? That was why I said I wasn''t sure how to begin looking into what, where, and how. I clenched my fists as we stopped by a stream. Luna knelt by the water, examining a herb with tall, large-leafed blue weeds. I didn''t know why she stopped and took that instead; perhaps it was for her raw material needs? That said, it was quite practical. While exploring the forest, she might as well restock AND help me complete the Quest. Whatever. All my thoughts were overtaken by the frustration in my chest; it was even worse when I looked at the flowing water below, revealing my avatar (which had the same appearance as me in the real world) staring back. ''Why does everything feel so ordinary?'' The memory of the letter resurfaced¡ªthe warning, the sense that I couldn''t run; my family might be dragged into my problem as there would be a shortcut to bring someone down by targeting their loved ones. The fact that I forgot something... Was it possible I had imagined it? That after I''d been through, my mind made up all these issues? I dismissed that line of thought with a shake of my head. No. There must be something wrong here, even though I couldn''t see it now. I had to believe that. I needed to believe that. Otherwise, what was I even doing here? In this game? "Hey, you seem distracted. Everything alright?" The words, although coming out very softly from Luna, successfully startled me. I quickly lifted my face from looking at the water stream to her. She was already standing, patting her short black skirt. Probably finished with her raw material gathering? I replied to her with a smile... even though I had to force it. "Yeah, just thinking about the Quest; didn''t want to miss anything important." Luna raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced about what I said, but she let it go. She turned her attention to the forest and led me to continue exploring. I let out a sigh of relief as I followed her, glad she didn''t push further. Her asking too many questions was the last thing I needed. Because it felt unfair, I diligently answered her, while her answer was ambiguous or even another answer instead. Sigh... When we continued walking, I reassessed my mind again. Three days ago, I had investigated a suspicious area that seemed out of place¡ªan abandoned tower deep in the forest. I had heard about it from an NPC, a student who loved gossiping, claiming that the tower held "the lost secrets of the first explorers" and "answers to those who dare seek." I was curious, so I went there, hoping for something big. But it was just a heavy lore event for a newbie to encourage [Open World] exploration. How disappointing. Maybe I was approaching this wrongly? Like... I had been expecting blatant signs? And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that such things might be too easy. Well, I mean, the "answer" itself was information. And there were no such things as free-and-easy information, no? Moreover, up to this point, the Quests I had completed were just basic ones for newbies since my Main Quest was still stuck until I reached level 15. Though, this made me think of one thing. ''What about Luna? She must have reached the end game.'' Ah, but... it would be useless to ask Luna directly. Remember how she was always ambiguous? It was as if she wanted me to figure it out myself. Or maybe she knew the truth could only be understood through firsthand experience (and I, strangely enough, get tongue-tied every time I want to be blunt with her about this matter; was it because I wasn''t ready or just my stupid trust issue?). There was also the possibility that she was just an ordinary player who knew nothing. But based on what she said to me a few days ago about "freedom," I suspect she knows something while keeping it to herself. This made me realize there was no shortcut, no easy answer, just the path ahead of me; Luna''s ambiguity only strengthened my belief: it was best to solve the issue myself. And rushing things wasn''t a good option. ''I should get a social network in this game...'' Because a game the size of the World: The Origin must be flooded with rumors, red herrings, half-truths, and real truths. A single perspective¡ªmy own¡ªmight be too narrow to catch subtle hints. Especially with the biggest reveals about a world''s lore. That was why I had to take a different approach. Enjoyed the game. I had to pretend that I wasn''t searching for anything but a simple Quest reward, even if that meant suppressing my doubts and playing along as if everything were... truly "alright." Blending in often helped one learn more than if they stand out as an obvious investigator. And this was also for my own sanity! If I concentrated solely on these problems 24/7, I risked burnout and tunnel vision. "Looks like we found it. Or rather, it found us. Get ready, Luo." When Luna said that, I knew it was time to switch off my autopilot of trail behind her and start looking forward; I realized we had reached an overgrown clearing with tall trees covered in vines, their branches intertwining above to create a canopy, giving the area a dim, with a low growl resonating through the foliage. "This is a high-level monster." The "monster" Luna was referring to emerged from the shadows behind the towering trees twelve meters before us¡ªa combination of what appeared to be a wolf (body and size) with a serpent (skins and features). But looking at its status...
Pawn type F-105, Serpentwolf
Level: 13
HP 495/495 DP 15/15
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "You sure this is a high-level one?" Compared to Luna, who was already level 70, this one, with her normal attack only, sure would die. "Well... this is a high level for you, isn''t it? You are just leveled to 10. Even its status bar should be yellow for you." It was true, though, what Luna said. That yellow screen was because the monster was three levels above me. But based on what she said, I knew Luna wouldn''t get involved and leave the Serpentwolf entirely up to me. I giggled while having a sweet drop, but as soon as the monster charged, I positioned myself to form a stance so that it had to back off. When it started to retreat, I prepared to activate the Floating Hourglass by taking a Heart Core from the [Inventory]. My hovering weapon was ready at my side, with my hand stretched underneath it. "You seem to be acutely aware of your situation." Was that a compliment? But Luna had already shifted, leaping atop a tree behind me. To prevent the agro from moving to her, apparently? While she could still give me directions. "Alright, Luo. Time to put your Catalyst to the test. Remember the combos I taught you." ''Catalyst... magic, then rely on time.'' I started preparing to cast [Ice Lancer]; I raised my arm, and ice formed around my hand, creating a chilly mist as three lances appeared above my palm. And I flung them one after the other, each lance rushing to the monster. Each blow reverberated with a crunch of ice as they struck.
20
22
41!
''Critical!'' The critical indicated that I had struck its weak point: its head¡ªmore specifically, at the center of its eyes. What a coincidence! I aimed for its eyes but missed them, while the other hit its body and chest. [CD 5s]. I could feel the Skill Cooldown ticking in my mind, the slight pause before I could summon the lances again while the creature staggered. But the staggered, of course, didn''t last long, and it wasn''t even as effective as it should have been because my Grade was still low. Shaking its head to clear the ice lance from its body and head, its crimson eyes glared at me. It charged. The air was a blur of speed as its claws swept through it. I swung sideways, barely escaping the blow. Its claws tore into the ground, sending dirt flying up. "Good dodge!" Luna said, still perching on the trunk of a large tree. "Now, use [Phase Bomb]! It can give you breathing room." Concentrating on the creature''s jumps, which seemed to be trying to make a dent after its missed attack, I focused on its movement. Aim. I hurled my weapon at the target after that. Floating Hourglass dashed before dropping down and detonating with a shockwave. The explosion blasted, making the smoke plume soar. I seized the opportunity to reposition, gaining a better vantage point. "Now is your chance, Luo. Use [Azure Circle]!" And that was my rhythm in dealing with the monster while Luna continued to give instructions. For distance, I delivered a long attack using [Ice Lancer]. During Cooldown, I used other attacks, such as [Azure Circle], especially after [Phase Bomb], its smoke soaring through the air, which caused the enemy to stumble and lose focus when delivering unexpected AoE attacks. If I was hit because the enemy''s HP was depleted to 25%, entering "enraged mode" that drove it more aggressively, I made sure to use [Recall Illumination] to recover my health. This continued as I chipped its HP.
HP 225/495
HP 164/495
HP 35/495
At last, a single attack from [Ice Lancer] that stabbed right at its weak point¡ªat the monster''s forehead¡ªcreated a guttural growl before Serpentwolf collapsed. Its body shattered into a digital particle that faded into the forest floor.
Serpentwolf Defeated!
EXP Gained: 55
Loot Dropped: Serpentwolf Claw x2, Hardened Serpent Scale x3, Minor Restoration Potion x1
Ding!
Hunting Material Collected!
Quest Updated!
Running for the Hunt
Talk to Rata at Vaughan Cafeteria
Luna jumped down from the tree, landing beside me. "Well done! And now, it looks like you have everything you need for the Quest." "Guess I am ready to move on then?" "Hahaha, yeah?" Luna smiled. "Let''s go back to Academy; shall we?" Chapter 15: Flawless Yet Flawed
Guo Dai
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Argh...! I started massaging my forehead, thinking complex issues were quite taxing on the brain. I glanced at the holographic display. It was late, as the clock in the corner said [07:13 PM]. It was dinner time, and I knew I must go downstairs. Chapter 16: Rewards, Luck, Practicalities Nah... Lately, I have been more relaxed as I carry out normal daily activities: graduating from school, surfing the internet, watching my favorite shows, and spending time with my family. Maybe it was because of the sudden surprise of the VR:Scanner that I got carried away by the atmosphere of the past, where even breathing had felt difficult. I navigated to [Quest]. The tab expanded to reveal a detailed list of today''s completed tasks, each accompanied by a small, animated icon symbolizing Quest''s nature¡ªlike a tiny pickaxe striking rocks for gathering missions, a sword glinting for combat tasks, or a scroll unrolling for academic challenges.
Daily Quest Completed!
Bonus Rewards Claimed!
Leveled up!
Leveled up!
You have reached level 11!
Next to level 12: 167/10,250
Random Equipment Box Gained!
Random Equipment Box
I pressed [Open], and the box began to animate. Its sides unfolded like a blooming flower to reveal its contents. A soft glow emanated from within, casting light on my face as I watched with my eyes narrowed. Ding!
Simple Hairpin (Common)
Required Level 0 Cost 5
Spiritual Ring (Rare)
Required Level 0 Cost 20
A beautiful ring that amplifies charm if it comes in contact with spiritual power Adding DP Recovery +9%; healing effectiveness +50%
Equipment List
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
Ah! It was easy to get lost in imagining possibilities; I realized my mind started jumping around to various topics. So, instead of thinking about this [Equiment] matter, I continued to check the other rewards from the [Daily Quest].
Mileage Coin Gained!
Mileage Coin x1
Potion Recovery-F (Common) x1
Blue Potion-F (Common) x2
Icecore (Common) x1
Material for upgrading Catalyst Class Grade
Entering Execution Department District
Welcome to Training Ground!
Select Training Module
Next
Please note that each player is granted free access to each training area once per day. Additional sessions within the same day require payment in Gold. Prices vary by facility.
Initiating Training Module...
Please proceed to Training Area 1
Chapter 17: Training the Stats
Physical Conditioning Complete!
Additional Stats Gained!
Max HP increased by 50
Status Window
Player ID 234310317
Name Luo
Level 11
Main Grade F
Title Freshman
Health Points 1022(+30)
Dragonic Points /
Fatigue 77
Power A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.Grade F+ Control Grade F+
Strength E Stability F
Speed F+ Tactic E
Stamina E Sync F+
Defense F+ Mind Defense E
Reflex F+ Focus E
The increase wasn''t that spectacular. But considering I was still level 11, some statuses have upgraded from [E]! While most players claim to have difficulty increasing just one. It was a small step,
Welcome to the Dormitory!
Dozens of players were rounding about here. Some milled about the lobby chatting, while others likely carried similar plans to log out. The air was filled with languages and laughter, a reminder of the game''s global reach. But seeing such a crowd somehow bothered me, so I quickly spoke to the NPC at reception. Chapter 18: Road to Khasan After logging out of World: The Origin, my mind still felt scattered, but I needed to get a grip; I tried to focus on the here and now. Closed my eyes. Open. Closed again. The blurry silhouette of my room finally became clearer. I turned to the side... sure enough, it was [12:43 PM], according to the digital clock on the wall. Pushing myself up, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. From here, I noticed that my throat felt dry. It was natural after many hours of lying down without moving at all. I croaked, "Water." "Dispensing water." My room system complied; a panel on the wall beside me slid open, revealing a glass of water. I picked it up to enjoy the coldness of its touch on my palm. Then, I took a long drink, feeling more grounded with each sip. I set the glass on my bedside table and, like a cat waking from a long sleep, stretched for a moment. I had a slight ache in my wrists and shoulders that felt stiff. I massaged several joints of my body, including twirling my shoulders one after another. I preferred to do everything on schedule¡ªeating, studying, sleeping, and having free time¡ªso, of course, my body also chose that fixed time. Any deviation from this routine was met with protest. Like now, with my stomach growling right on cue. I curled in, pressing both arms against it. ''Hang in there, buddy.'' Still, I wasn''t always this consistent. There were times when I became so absorbed with my "stuff" that I lost track of everything else in my room. I would stay up all night. No eat. No sleep. Those moments were rare but intense, and my family had learned to let me be. My mother often joked that I lived on my own time. Because of this, my family had long accepted my independent nature. They understood that I would eat when I was ready, so they had given up calling me for meals. So understood, right? Really understanding to the point where I felt terrible. Though I couldn''t change my tendency either. My stomach growled again, louder this time, pulling me out of my thoughts. I sighed. It wasn''t good to ignore the signals my body was giving me. I got up from bed reluctantly. Some faint aroma of lunch now wafted from the kitchen, warm and inviting. Before my mind knew it, my feet began to move on their own as if to some beacon down to the kitchen. The smell of spices was more pungent, and it reminded me of how I had skipped my meal. To make matters worse, Mother was there, apparently busy sorting out the plates from lunch... uhh, I was hesitant to go in. Maybe wait until she finished? I quickly turned around¡ª "Oh, Luo?" As I heard my name cut through the air, I froze mid-step. My heart beat a bit faster. I was glad to see my family, but I also felt a twinge of guilt for not following the usual routine. Sadly, there was no escaping now. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, then turned to face the kitchen entrance. "Yes?" And I gave a smile. "You must be hungry. There is some left for you; let me prepare¡ªOh, do you want synthesized nutrition like usual?" "Just let me," I interjected, eager to maintain some independence and to spare her the trouble. Quickly, I got in and scanned the kitchen counter, searching for the leftovers. Left, right, I surveyed the area before opening the refrigerator¡ª "Here." A voice behind me provoked me to look over; Mother was there, handing me a plate of food. "Your favorite, stir-fried vegetables with Vectis'' meat. And there are grains in the Processor." Hmm, actually, I didn''t have a favorite; I wasn''t that picky as long as it was edible. But I appreciated the effort. "Thanks, Mom." She just nodded with a smile. I took the plate from her hand and put it into the NutriSynth. When the glass door closed, a holographic panel appeared. I made some adjustments. My Helios bracelet glowed when I did so, as it interfaced directly with the device. This warmed my meal while infusing it with additional vitamins and minerals tailored to my preferences. Ding! The finished notification came out. I took a bowl of grains and gathered the food, which was now a warm dish. Carrying it, I headed to the living room, setting my meal on the table¡ªOh, drink. I walked back to the kitchen to get a glass of water, and sure enough, Mother wasn''t there. Probably went to the back room or front yard? I didn''t know. I just went back to the table with a glass in my hand. But my wandering back and forth to the kitchen seemed to attract my little sister''s attention; Chen Lin was sitting at the dining table with a stylus-pen in her hand, her head held high, and her wide-open eyes fixed on me. Then, hurriedly, she collected everything scattered on the table within arm''s reach and carried it up. While I was sitting on the sofa, Chen Lin was also there. But she, instead, sat on the floor while spreading digital panels of her assignment onto the coffee table. I slid my meal away with the glass still in hand. "Big brother! Studying together?" Her sparkling eyes were directed at me. How excited; she even twitched her cross-legged legs with enthusiasm. "Sure. But can I eat first?" I reached over and ruffled her hair, eliciting a surprised squeak from her. "And I want to check the news. There might be something interesting today." With her head down from my patting, Chen Lin looked up as soon as I withdrew my hand from her. Her expression was shocked, and she blinked repeatedly at me. She finally gave me pouty cheeks as if to show me that she was angry, but that quickly changed. The brightness returned to her face as she nodded. "Okay, but don''t take too long! We got stuff to talk about!" I chuckled softly and then picked up my spoon, savoring the first few bites of my meal. The living room settled into a rhythm: the soft hum of Chen Lin''s digital panels mixed with the occasional clinking of my spoon against the dish. Every now and then, I looked at her, noticing the furrow in her brow as she scribbled with her stylus-pen. How immersive to her study. A good sign, though.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. When I finished my food, I placed the plate on the coffee table; only then did she respond, "WHAAA!!!" Chen Lin''s scream, honestly, was quite loud and exaggerated, even to the point of touching her own head with both hands! Of course, it drew my attention to her. "What?" "Too fast! You finished already!" ''Finished... my food?'' Didn''t I usually eat like this? How puzzling. So, I just responded with an awkward smile. "Um, sorry?" "Why apologize? You didn''t do anything wrong!" ''My thoughts, exactly.'' "I just didn''t have time to ask anything!" Her gaze swept across the panel and holograms. "Oh, no, I understand everything in this section!" ''Isn''t that great?'' Oh, well, maybe Chen Lin was trying to interact with me with her "Child Function" concept based on psychology¡ªshe had a natural, perhaps unconscious, tendency to express her emotions purely, like the spontaneity associated with childhood. I kind of envy it. Though... I hope she could stay like that. With a faint smile, I flicked her forehead. "Idiot." She rubbed her forehead with a pout. But quickly returned to her usual bright self as if something had crossed her mind. "Hey, help me with the next part, then! Applications in quantum computing network models. I got the basics down but kinda lost in the integration part." Quantum computing, huh? I shifted the empty plate, glass, and bowl to tidy them up, then leaned forward. "Sure. Surprise me." Chen Lin eagerly shuffled the holographic panels after hearing my response. When she explained her understanding of the subject, she used dense blocks of text and diagrams that floated between us. I listened, occasionally asking questions to clarify her reasoning. But the longer this topic went on, the heavier the discussion became, even to the point that Chen Lin, who was explaining naturally with a twinkle in her eye and her hands moving around, was now squinting her eyes and scratching her head with her stylus-pen. Our conversation had gone far beyond the realm of her academic studies¡ªthe advanced topics she would encounter when she entered college. It was apparent she was pushing herself, which made me feel a bit on top of myself... did she try to match my mindset? Because I could tell she was trying hard. Too hard, even. I leaned back, letting the sofa catch me as I shifted into a more relaxed position. Propping my head up with one hand, I chuckled. "You are doing great, but you are overcomplicating things." She paused mid-sentence, her hands hovering over the panels. "Huh? Overcomplicating?" "Yeah." I gestured at her scribbled notes. "You have already figured out most of it. You are just second-guessing yourself." Her eyes narrowed skeptically. "So... we are done?" I grinned. "We are." "B-But I still don''t understand!" "You do. Trust me, with this level of understanding, you will master this topic properly in a couple of years." "Couple of years? That is forever!" she huffed, crossing her arms. I couldn''t help it; a small laugh escaped me. I tapped Chen Lin''s forehead lightly. "Alright, genius. Let me tell you something: you are already ahead of your friends. You don''t need to impress me this hard." Her face flushed pink. "WHAT?! No! I wasn''t¡ªI mean, I wasn''t trying to impress you!" "Sure you weren''t. So, about that news..." I pointed to the screen. "Do you mind if I watch now?" She crossed her arms, still pouting, but gave a reluctant nod. "Fine, go ahead. But next time, I am finishing my explanation!" "Yes, yes. Good luck, Chen Lin! I am rooting for you." It seems my teasing made my little sister even more embarrassed; she ended up shaking me with both hands. It felt nice to keep pretending like this, so I just let her be; she''d tire herself out eventually (as evidenced by her now letting go of me despite her characteristic pout). I also just let myself keep smiling like this. I then reached for the remote, my fingers brushing its surface as I searched for the power button and pressed it. The OLED screen on the wall flashed to life. I started looking around for channels that were interesting enough to follow. And I found one.
A New Development in Medical Science: The NeuroVerse System
That bold sentence appeared when the newscaster''s voice echoed throughout the screen. "The NeuroVerse system combines virtual reality, neuroscience, and physical therapy. Truly marvelous advancements! And now, to delve deeper into this innovation, we have a special guest with us today." The camera panned to the side as the host continued, "Please welcome NeoGen''s Chief Scientist, Dr. Adrian Shaw!" The much-anticipated figure entered, composed and confident, sitting in the opposing chair. He was really a man whose age was difficult to pinpoint. His hair was ash brown, while his eyes were sharp and observant, lime-colored. He was dressed in a suit, and a glittering pin with the NeuroVerse symbol was displayed on his lapel. "Dr. Shaw, your work on the NeuroVerse system is revolutionary! Could you share what the future holds for this technology?" The addressee smiled at the newscaster. "We had a goal more than just an entertainment product. We aim higher; there is a clear roadmap we are following. Unfortunately, we are still far from that stage, and thus, revealing all our plans today might be premature. But I can tell you the NeuroVerse system is tied with the concept of Khasan." "Khasan? A term that represents one''s true nature?" Visibly interested, the newscaster leaned in. "How does it relate to the NeuroVerse system inside VR:Scanner?" "In our context, Khasan is about unlocking the potential. Our system allows individuals to explore their Khasan without the limitations of the physical world. We are talking about a deeper connection with our true selves, like paralyzed people who can recover. Because we, by nature, should be able to move." Chapter 19: Threads of Yesterday Creak... The distant sound of the door opening pulled me from my contemplation. Reflexively, my fingers tapped the remote. The screen then switched to bright colors and joyful animations of Chen Lin''s favorite channel; she inched closer to the screen. Thunk! ¡ªit hit right into Chen Lin''s forehead. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Chapter 20: Expecting The Expected This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Chapter 21: Unseen Battles Begin "Ah...!" With a groan that felt heavier than it should, I woke up and rolled onto my side, pushing myself up into a sitting position. When I did, it felt like the room was spinning, so I paused briefly before returning to a perfectly seated position. Huff. I hugged my knees to rest my head there as I tried to gather myself after waking up. After a few moments, I became increasingly aware of what was around me. Then, my gaze noticed the digital clock on the wall. "[8:12 AM]?!" ''Damn. I missed the breakfast together.'' And this was how it was when I had a "tough talk" with Father. It seemed like my cortisol levels, or what could be called the stress hormone, had increased throughout the chess game. When I slept, this stress finally subsided, so my body became "overwhelmed" and went to a much longer sleep to recover. But what was I stressed about? That might be the question. Clearly, it had to do with what he said: the past, the family relationships. Who wouldn''t experience inner tension with that kind of talk repeated, repeated over and over again? Well, maybe it was just me. Me and my thoughts. This was how hard it was to forget... or rather, couldn''t forget those conversations; my brain kept processing the emotions and memories even while I slept. ''Everything that should have been put in order ends up scattered into disarray...'' Ah, but what could be done? Whatever happens happens; life is indeed packed with unexpected things, no matter how hard you try to control them. That was why I got so used to adjusting my approach and adapting to situations even if I disliked them; otherwise, I would have been dead. Just like this, instead of dwelling on another upside-down daily schedule, think of a way to re-energize. Eating, for example. I took a deep breath, preparing myself... alright, I stood up after having enough strength¡ªAck! A pain struck, but my hand quickly went up and grabbed my hair. Then, I paused to gently massage my head. After I managed to steady myself, a soft, familiar voice echoed through my room. "Chen Luo, welcome back. Food trays have been detected outside your room''s door since [07:45 AM]. Would you like assistance displaying the tray''s contents?" Oh? It must be from Mother, who, despite everything, always ensured I was taken care of. She had pretty much memorized my pattern; if I didn''t eat together, it meant I was either busy in my room or away. For the room system? The AI was already designed to assist and cater to my needs; there was no need to answer its question. Since I didn''t respond, the system proceeded by default to execute what had been suggested¡ªdescribing the food. "The tray contains Grav tubers and steamed grown greens. For your hydration, Eclipse''s meat brew is included. Consume within the next hour for optimal nutritional benefits." ''Not bad.'' My feet dragged towards the door, opened it, and found a tray nicely placed outside my room with each dish covered to keep it warm. This brought a slight improvement to my mood. I carefully bent down and picked up the food tray. Back in my room, I set the tray on the computer desk and plopped myself into my chair. The glow of the holographic screens on the wall dully lit the room, casting bluish patterns across the metallic desk surface. I lifted the first cover, and the sweet Grav tubers wafted throughout the room, mixed with the subtler earthy scent of the greens. The steam from the dishes curled upwards to dissipate swiftly in the cool, controlled air. But there was one thing that didn''t feel right to be there; a glass bottle with a label reading "Alprazolam" sitting beside a plate of Eclipse''s meat brew. Brand new and sealed. It was used to relax muscles, reduce nervous tension, and decrease the body''s response to stress without sedating the user. Huh. Even if it was a heavy sedative, it was useless. And just... why? ''This one must be from Dad.'' He always did this, reminding me of things I didn''t want to remember anymore. Though I knew his intentions were good. But, sometimes, I couldn''t control my body and mind''s reaction to it. With a sigh, I rested my chin on my left hand while my right hand idly played with the bottle by spinning it around on the desk. This kinda dulled my appetite. Like, hey, medication wasn''t always the answer to a problem! Even if it was needed. Because... well... I was the one who ended up becoming numb to drugs. I stopped playing with the bottle and picked it up. With a decisive gesture, I turned towards one of the storage bins lining the wall and pointed at it. "Open." The room''s system complied¡ªa small panel slid open to reveal the inside of the bin. I tossed the bottle into it, and a cacophony of glass clashed with another glass echoed back toward me. Maybe I should throw away all that trash; some must be expired. But later, and now, eat. At first, I was not onto it. But then, as I bit on my first bite, it exploded with a burst of taste in my mouth, and gradually, it really brought back my appetite again. Grav tubers were warm and sweet, contrasting nicely with the savory and slightly bitter-grown greens. While Eclipse''s meat brew, a dark, thick liquid was surprisingly refreshing, helping to wash down the meal. After finishing the meal, I cleaned up the empty plate, bowl, and glass at the corner of the table. I would bring them down later when I wanted to. For now... hmm, I really wanted an update. I know things seem to be "stuck" lately, but I really wanted to hear something from Guo Dai. He had always been someone I could count on when things went wrong (and there were other personal reasons why I chose him, actually). His quick wit and resourcefulness frequently made him appear immune to the chaos of our world. Yet, a part of me wondered¡ªwas even Guo Dai struggling? No. That was impossible. I shook the thought off and placed my hand on the biometric pad. Several holography screens then appeared; navigating the options, I selected the communication application and searched for one person. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
Initiating contact with Guo Dai...
The connection was longer than I expected. Usually, Guo Dai liked to answer my calls right away, even when he was in the toilet¡ªUhh. That one was pretty shocking for me; I prefer not to use a full-body projector to communicate with him after that. So, his not picking up my connection immediately was surprising. Was he not awake yet? At this hour? It made sense; he was a "nocturnal creature" who preferred staying up late rather than sleeping, then said, "Sleep is for the weak." Because there was no response from him for too long, the connection was cut off. I tried to contact him again. And, yeah, no answer again. I called again. Oh, he picked up this time! I could see his background showed dim lighting, only illuminated by the faint glow of multiple screens, likely from his base setup. The projection extended just enough to reveal part of his desk, cluttered with small tools and a mug. But his response... "What the fuck, dude?!" Wow! Guo Dai''s "angry" voice broke through the holographic display, looking disheveled and slightly annoyed with unkempt hair, a faint sweat on his forehead, complete it all: dark circles under his eye. He hadn''t left this spot for hours; that much was clear from the crumpled snack wrappers scattered near the edges of the display. And his own appearance? Clearly sleep-deprived. Still. How unusual for Guo Dai to snap at me like this... but not bad. Looks like he was being overwhelmed because his quickness to respond was heavily influenced by his current mental state. Moreover, he was a doer; if there was a problem, he would solve it directly. To hell with himself being tired. So, it was natural for his emotions to fluctuate. He might not be able to think clearly right now, too. So what brought him to this? Let''s look into it: a recent problem, he was still at his computer, finding something to be¡ªOh, I know. ''Maybe I can play with him for a bit.'' I gave a mocking grin. "The all and mighty Guo Dai finally ran into a blind alley. My task was that hard, huh? You always said, ''I will give an update'' and things like ''still no update,'' and then? None." "Hard?" He scoffs, shaking his head. "Please, your task is a cakewalk. But why bother with it when I can enjoy the drama of your impatience? You know, watching you squirm is a change." ''Damn, counter attack!'' But I wouldn''t eat it. "Squirm? Hardly. It is more about ensuring you are not slacking off. Or are you?" "Slacking? You wish!" "Then what is with the delay? Your efficiency is a part of why I chose you for this, after all." "Chill, will ya?" The holographic feed zipped slightly as though struggling to keep up with his head''s rapid, jerky movements. "I have got everything under control. Just multitasking here with more exciting stuff. No sweat." "Multitasking or getting distracted by more exciting stuff? There is a thin line there... at least for you, Guo Dai." "This exciting stuff is part of your task!" "So, finished breaking into the game servers of World: The Origin?" This time, his answer was not as instant as before. He paused until I thought our connection was lost, and the screen froze. Finally, he muttered, "Can''t." Leaning back on the chair, I folded my arms. "You are useless." Bam! "IT IS NOT THAT!!" The projection shook as Guo Dai slammed his desk until the mug bounced and spilled, but glad, there was almost no coffee left except for the thick residue. ''Oh, wow. Expected response?'' Guo Dai had a weird tendency; besides liking challenges as long as they entertained him, he also yearned for my recognition. That was why he got so cocky when I was pleased with his job and would act like this when I judged him worthless. Now, he should be more focused and motivated, as his pride would compel him to prove himself. I knew this approach was rather harsh, and I might have hurt his feelings, but... it was a practical means to an end. For a moment, Guo Dai seemed to gather his thoughts; his posture was slightly slouched, and the movement of his tapping fingers on the desk was visible in the projection. His gaze darted off-screen as if seeking an escape or an answer hidden out of sight. Then, locking eyes with me through this digital communication. "Look," with a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly, "it is not that I can''t do it. Every backdoor I exploit closes before I can even get a foothold! And that is not even the worst part. There is¡ªArrghh!" And he groaned while ruffling his hair. Oh, well, he looked very frustrated. I knew pressing him further would only add to his stress, potentially muddying the waters of his explanation. Thus, I kept silent. "I think... I think it is learning from me? Every trick, every technique, it is like battling myself! Oh, but! Since facing myself, I know what to do. I could secure my way even only for a few seconds. But from there? It was a dead end! Nothing! This is the first time I have run into something like this!" It was unusual. Guo Dai wasn''t the type to admit defeat¡ªhe thrived on challenges, no matter how impossible. I began to think about what he said, touching my chin. "So you can''t enter their server because the guard is yourself. And when you got through, it turned out the path to the house was missing?" He snapped his fingers. "That! That!" How could that be possible? Maybe¡ªOh! "Private server?" "Seriously?!" Guo Dai was frozen there, but his expression showed shock as he gaped his mouth, his body leaning forward with his hands still holding the armrest. "Private server?" Yes, it was not only him who was surprised with what I said. I myself as well. Chapter 22: Hidden Server Conspiracy Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Chapter 23: Lore That Lives "Good morning, Chen Luo. You have rested for 7 hours and 27 minutes. It is now 5:43 AM." That was what my room system said right when I opened my eyes. Yawn. I finally woke up naturally and with enough time, as usual! It was even far from breakfast time! So it was the perfect time to... laze around while checking Helios. Uh, yeah. Getting up and starting immediately with active activities was good. But I wasn''t pressured by an urgent matter; constantly dedicating myself to my goal in a row could be mentally exhausting, especially considering I sustained intellectual effort all day yesterday... What was wrong with me spending a little time on freedom? Including the freedom to wake up and start the day slowly. After convincing myself like that, I began to turn my body. Face down. Buried my head into the pillow. And snuggling on it. Hmm, oh, yeah, soft. So soft! The best. Clinging to something so comfortable was very stress-relieving! Hmmm, um. Alright! Satisfied with savoring the warmth of my bed, I began to raise my face and gesture with my fingers. It was then¡ª Beep! ¡ªa holographic screen appeared in front of me after the short notice sound was heard from Helios. Still half-buried in my pillow, I did a little searching before scrolling through the social media with minimal effort using my forefinger. The screen then scrolled, showing posts from people, news updates, and the occasional idiotic meme. ''Why are people drawn to these cringe jokes?'' It was natural for me to ask this question as that post was crowded with thousands of comments! Oh, well, maybe they wanted escapism. But I really hope productive things like cooking videos weren''t this deserted. Also, most were women, whereas cooking should be a survival skill for everyone, not just tech¡ªOh! ''The talk about World: The Origin!'' Threads about its lore passed by my homepage (even though I didn''t join their Grub). It must be because it was a hot topic. Fan theories, hidden Quests, detailed breakdowns of forgotten ruins, you name it. Made sense, though. It was history, fiction, and discovery all rolled into one. Most games these days try to pull off "deep lore," but few could actually deliver. Like Blade & Crown, where the lore was in these dusty old books you''d never read unless you were desperate to kill time, or Eon Scrolls, which sprinkled ancient myths around but still boiled down to smashing crabs for loot. But World: The Origin? That was a different matter altogether¡ªit didn''t just tell stories; it lived them. Every item, every shadowy nook of ruin, even the ways NPCs glanced at you suggested layers of untold stories. Compared to most open-world games, where reading lore felt like homework, this game made its history as a survival; it was stitched into the gameplay, and failing to pay attention meant you''d miss how the world worked. That was why lore junkies couldn''t get enough of it. ''Maybe it is enough...'' See this? Even when I was chilling out reading casual stuff, my mind was jumbled out, though my eyes were on the screen. In fact, my finger also occasionally pulled the header to check the time. ''Now is five minutes left before six, anyway.'' With a deep breath, I pushed the holographic screen aside and sat up. I took a moment to rub my eyes and wipe my face. Then, I picked up the dirty dishes from last night''s dinner pile on my computer desk before going downstairs. While walking, to make use of the time, I planned what to do today; first breakfast, then a shower. Because brushing your teeth was best after eating. Next, check in with Guo Dai again before entering World: The Origin. I was halfway down when I spotted my father in the downstairs hallway in his casual clothes; his shocked face was clear from those slowly widening eyes. Seemed like he thought I''d shut myself in my room all day¡ªor perhaps at all, considering how we had left things before. He opened his mouth. But then his words seemed to get caught as no sound came out. I deliberately went downstairs at a slow step. He turned awkward. Even the look in his eyes became somber, and he scratched his head¡ªhe seemed to have abandoned the idea of saying anything. Just standing there, weirdly. ''Uh, well...'' I understood what Father was trying to do, so I continued downstairs. As soon as I passed him in the hallway, I turned my head to him to give a nod. He looked surprised for a few seconds before nodding back at me. With that, I quickened my pace into the kitchen. When inside, Mother was busy cooking breakfast; the delicious fragrance of fat melting in the heat wafted through the air. I approached her¡ªin the back so as not to disturb her movements too much¡ªand said, "Help?" "Oh!" That, unfortunately, surprised her; Mother jolted and almost hit the dishes I was carrying with her elbow, but I quickly lifted them up as I stepped back. As soon as she realized it was me offering help, she giggled. "My, my... Sure you can help! Please take over, dear, I will wake your sis. Oh, don''t forget the vegetables and synthesized nutrients!" Nodded. I put my dirty dishes into AutoDishes, then washed my hands before turning to the cooking counter. I took the spatula from her hand. Mother stepped out; from the kitchen''s half-open wall to the dining table, I could see she was preparing the table before heading to Chen Lin''s room on the second floor. I turned my attention to the sizzling filets. From the color of the flesh and scales, which are all white and gradually turn orange, this should be Silverin Darts. Cooking this fish was tricky because it quickly broke apart when flipped over. And the skin¡ªthe best part¡ªcould come off and stick to the pan. So, I carefully slid the spatula under the first fill to ensure it was underneath before gently flipping it over. The perfect golden crust on the skin greeted me. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. I proceeded with the same technique for the remaining pieces. ''Fish done, next... vegetables and synthesized nutrients.'' While I was cooking like this, I heard footsteps in the hallway. One glance showed that Father was already seated. Another voice, another glance. There was Mother guiding sleepy Chen Lin, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Hair messy. Her eyes were closed. Yet, when the fragrance reached there, my sister opened her eyes and looked surprised. She even stood up from the table and shouted, "Whoaaa!! Big Brother is cooking!" Chen Lin rushed into the kitchen, while Mother only smiled at her behavior. She skidded to a halt beside me, eyes wide as she admired the beautifully cooked Silverin Darts and the sizzling vegetables. Her hand went up¡ªNope. I wouldn''t just glance this time; I quickly slapped her hand, which was about to grab the neatly arranged fish on the plate." Ouch!" She drew back her hand as if she had touched something hot. Before she could protest, I picked up the plate of Silverin Darts and handed it to her. "Put it on the table." "Fine, tyrant chef." She muttered those while puffing out her cheeks at me. But, soon, it was replaced with a smile as she walked over to the dining table and kept looking at Silverin Darts in her hands. Now, it was Mother who entered the kitchen, and we quickly finished other dishes. While Father... uh, made sure Chen Lin didn''t eat the fish before anyone else. With breakfast finally on the table, we all sat down, and the air filled with a comfortable silence that was broken only by the clinking of cutlery and my sister telling a story with every mouthful. Sure, if it wasn''t for her, we would have eaten so quietly that I wondered who this chatty kid descended from. ''Oh, well, that jest seems more appropriate for me.'' "...right, Brother?" Chen Lin suddenly looked at me with a smile¡ª Wait, wait. Did she talk to me? I wasn''t paying attention. Oh, whatever. I shrugged it off. But that made Chen Lin angrily shake my body, which was sitting directly beside her. "You weren''t listening, were you?!" I nodded. "I am." And that made Chen Lin appear satisfied? She nodded and patted my back. "Good, good! You are honest!" ''Is that really good...'' Then, I heard another voice after his long silence. "Chen Luo..." I raised my face and looked like Father was again not going to continue speaking. Yes, keep doing your awkward interactions with me, just a little more! You could do¡ªOkay, that was an overkill. He only tried to connect and make amends to me for what had happened, yet struggled with direct communication. Especially if it was spontaneous, as he was too reliant on established routines. And so, there you have it. I also preferred structured matter, so everything was easy to control. But I had no problem adapting¡ªeven though I disdain it for a bit¡ªotherwise, I might become as stiff as a man sitting before me. I just put down my spoon and started talking to him to make this hanging talk less awkward. "Father, have you ever thought about how much games have changed lately?" The man sitting on the chair before me was confused hearing that, caught off guard. He looked at me for a while, likely to make sure the question was directed at him. Then he turned to look at Mother, likely asking for help. ''Guess that topic wasn¡¯t what he expected.'' "Back in the day, games were just games, right? But now, the lore is part of how you survive. Players must dig through hidden messages, analyze item details, and figure out the world''s secrets to move forward. It is like learning history but with consequences. At least, that is what I find in World: The Origin." Honestly, I didn''t bring this up because I thought Father would care about game mechanics. But talking about something I understood made the silence less awkward. Discussing games was safer than talking about... us. If anything, it was my way of reaching out without digging into uncomfortable topics. ''Coincidentally, I just read about this earlier, right?'' Father''s face softened as he listened, still uncertain. On the other hand, Mother nodded as though she got the point and smiled slightly. While Chen Lin... excited, as always. "Oh, oh! Like when Brother spent hours reading through forums and guides? That game is really deep." I chuckled. "Yes. Unlike those games where you just follow a path while swinging a sword. This one requires more and provokes thought. And I kinda like it. Thinking, I mean." Father finally spoke, his tone cautious. "That sounds interesting. Is that the game you wanted to buy? Should I look into it?" "No need." I shook my head. "It is no longer in production, and if someone sells the secondhand, the price gonna be unreasonable. I don''t want to be given by you either." Father was silent. He looked slightly disappointed that his attempt to bond had been thwarted. But this man didn''t give up. He started to turn on the Helios'' screen and search for something, only to be made sulk even more. ''That makes me feel guilty. A little.'' "I mean... I choose to buy things on my own and consider them based on its compatibility with what I am currently working on. And if I explain what I am looking for in detail to you, it will be difficult. So if you want to buy me something, better to bring me along." Father paused, fingers on the screen stilled, probably considering my words. "I see..." He glanced at me and smiled faintly; his gaze really became warm. "That makes sense. Let us plan¡ª" "No. I have my own plans already." And he was sulking again. Ha! Here I was, lifting you high so I could slam you hard. And Mother just giggled at us, probably feeling Father deserved it (due to yesterday)? I didn''t know. One thing was for sure, despite her gentle appearance, my mother could be sadistic too...