My eyes blinked. The screen sputtered like a dying lightbulb. It was one of those moments where the silence felt alive, pressing in on me from all sides, and I don’t like it one bit. Above, the light was almost blinding, but that was nothing compared to my heart. It was drumming while my ribs practically ached, inducing my anxiety for the next piece of information.

Then, the System pealed in, cutting through that stillness. “For Health Points and Mana Points,” it began, “all players will start with the same default stats. However, these will increase based on the subclass you selected before the tutorial. You can further enhance them by allocating free stat points to your main stat. Allocating points to Strength (STR) and Dexterity (DEX) will increase your HP, while Intelligence (INT) will boost your MP. Additionally, rare, epic, legendary, and mythic accessories, armor, weapons, and other items acquired from drops or purchases can also increase your stats.”

The screen came alive, displaying various types of icons and text that spun out details about the stats. My finger tapped against my chin as I mentally tallied the potential consequences of my decisions.

There were six main stats, each one as equally important as the other. I felt their value, the elements muffled with possibilities that could twist my path in unexpected ways.

***

Main Stat

Strength (STR):

The embodiment of physical power and muscle. High STR allows players to wield heavier weapons. Each swing comes with the potential to deal devastating damage in melee combat. It promises the ability to perform tasks that require brute force. The two elements, Power and Vitality, offer the allure of becoming a stalwart protector, capable of absorbing blows while standing tall.

Dexterity (DEX):

A dance of agility, reflexes, and coordination, Dexterity offers a different kind of prowess. Characters blessed with high DEX are nimble and quick, their movements fluid as they dart through the battlefield. They excel in ranged combat, raining down projectiles upon their enemies from afar. DEX contains two elements. Agility and Speed, promising the thrill of outmaneuvering foes, evading attacks, and striking with pinpoint accuracy.

Intelligence (INT):

The realm of the mind, Intelligence, beckons with its aptitude for mental acuity, reasoning, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Characters with high INT become adept in the arcane arts, their spells capable of bending reality itself. They excel at solving puzzles and deciphering ancient texts, their minds sharp and ready for challenges. With three elements, Magic Affinity, Problem-solving Proficiency, and Craftsmanship, INT offers a path of wisdom and creativity, a chance to manipulate the world through intellect and understanding.

Wisdom (WIS):

Intuition, perception, and common sense flow through the veins of those who wield wisdom. High WIS characters possess keen senses, allowing them to see beyond the surface, granting insight into human nature and the motivations of others. They are resilient against mental manipulation, their minds fortified against deception. With elements like Perception and Foresight, WIS offers a path of clarity, enabling players to navigate the complexities of the world with understanding and insight.

Charisma (CHA):

The essence of charm, persuasiveness, and leadership encapsulates charisma. Characters endowed with high CHA are natural leaders, skilled negotiators capable of influencing others with a mere word or gesture. They inspire loyalty and rally allies to their cause, their presence magnetic. With Leadership and Influence as its two elements, CHA presents the opportunity to sway the course of events, forging bonds and creating alliances in a world where trust is a valuable commodity.

Luck (LCK):

The force of fortune, fate, and random chance. LCK influences favorable outcomes in uncertain situations, tipping the scales in moments of dire need. With its elements, Serendipity and Providence, Luck offers a tempting gamble, where fortune favors the bold and unexpected opportunities.

***

I straightened my posture. This was it, the moment that would shape my entire journey. Every piece of information felt like a breadcrumb leading me toward the class I was meant to choose and how I’d spend those precious free stat points. The gravity of each stat pressed against my shoulders, and I was doing a balancing act on a tightrope between the potential for greatness and the genuine risk of disaster.

***

1) Blademaster

2) Mage

3) Marksman

4) Tanker

5) Support

***

So, should I go for sheer brute strength, becoming a tank that could weather any storm? Or should I dive deep into the arcane arts, unlocking the secrets of magic that could change the very course of battle? Each option revealed endless possibilities. I could envision myself as a noble warrior, a stealthy rogue, or perhaps even a wise mage. The choices felt significant. The System kept the information flowing, laying it all out for me.

“Please note that each class possesses its own unique offensive and defensive abilities. Once you reach a certain level and prestige, your subclass will undergo a second-class change. This transformation occurs only once.”

How about this class? I clicked on the third option. The screen flickered again, revealing the five subclasses that fell under the Marksman class.

***

Marksman Subclasses:

a) Sniper: Elite marksmen who excel at taking out targets from extreme distances.

b) Gunner: Masters of firearms; they wield pistols with deadly accuracy, raining down destruction upon their foes from afar.

c) Hawkeye: Legends of archery whose shots never miss their mark, they strike fear into the hearts of their enemies with their unerring accuracy.

d) Deadeye: Merciless assassins who pick off their targets with cold efficiency, leaving no room for escape or mercy.

e) Trickshot: Experts in unconventional marksmanship, they use trick arrows, throwing knives, or other unique weapons to confound and defeat their enemies with unexpected tactics.

***

Jackpot! The Gunner subclass was calling to me. All those countless hours spent mastering the art of shooting in ‘Time Crisis’ were finally about to pay off. I could already see myself, an unstoppable force, taking aim and delivering swift justice, like an enforcer.

“Please select your subclass, Player Akira,” the System urged.

“Hold on a second, System,” my gaze fixed on the Player Status information. “I have a few questions.”

“Please, go right ahead,” it replied, almost too patiently.

“What’s this ‘Title’ on the Player Status?” I asked.

“The ‘Title’ refers to an honorary designation granted to the player within the game. It’s calculated based on your proficiencies and the activities you engage in during your time in this world. Your title will evolve as the game progresses, reflecting your actions during the Tutorial phase and throughout the Live game.”

I nodded. It was cool to think that my actions would shape how others perceived me. “Got it,” I said. “What about this ‘Prestige’ thing?”

“Prestige drives the overarching plot of the game,” the System explained. “Characters strive to achieve a specific level of prestige to fulfill their goals or overcome obstacles. This could involve earning the respect of allies, rallying support against adversaries, or proving yourself in critical situations. Players can embark on quests specifically aimed at increasing their prestige, which may include undertaking dangerous challenges, retrieving artifacts, or completing tasks for influential figures. Aoi Players who eliminate other Aoi or Midori Players will have their prestige drop.”

“Ah, I see,” I said, absorbing all that. “Can I change my class after the Tutorial phase?”

“No, you can’t. This is a onetime selection.”

“What about rewards or items? How do I get those?” I pressed.

“By eliminating monsters, clearing quests or scenarios, or purchasing them in the online store using gold earned.”

“Speaking of gold, how do I earn it?” I continued questioning.

“By eradicating monsters or fulfilling quests,” the System’s voice now sounding a little annoyed.

“Is there a limit on how much gold I can acquire?” I asked, pushing my luck.

There was a long pause, and I could almost hear the System sputtering. “COUGH! COUGH! COUGH! Sorry, due to your persistent questioning, I’ve spat out some blood.” After a brief silence, it exclaimed loudly, “So shut your trap and select your class!”

My fists clenched at my sides. I imagined the face behind that voice, and if there was a real person there, I would have loved to give her a slap.

“Ehem,” the System cleared its throat, softening its tone. “Please select your class now, Player Akira.”

Still pouting, I hovered my finger over the selection for the Marksman with the subclass Gunner.

“You have selected your class and subclass and cannot revert,” the System stated flatly. “The game will calculate your default points based on your innate talent and the class you have chosen. Your Status Window will be updated after you are teleported to the Tutorial phase area.” It paused, then added, “Good luck, Player Akira, with your tutorial.”

“Yeah, right,” I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes. “If you really want to wish me luck, make sure you give me a very high stat point for luck, you jerk.”

“Please speak louder, Player Akira. I couldn’t hear your request,” the System responded.

“Oh! It’s nothing, really!” I replied, trying to suppress a chuckle.

“Understood,” the System said, though I could sense the skepticism in its voice. “Prepare for teleportation to the Tutorial phase area.”

And just like that, my world lurched into darkness. A weird sensation undulated through my body, like a wave of energy flowing from head to toe. Before I knew it, I stood in the middle of a sun-spotted clearing surrounded by trees and wild undergrowth. The air was refreshingly cool. I inhaled deeply, feeling the fresh scent fill my lungs, grounding me in this new reality.

“Welcome to the Tutorial phase, Player Akira,” the System’s voice echoed through the clearing. “Your journey begins now.”