Ting
The sound was sharp and digital, cutting through the silence of the large room. The many glowing screens that had materialized moments before vanished, leaving only one hovering in front of Ash.
[You must choose your Profession to continue the game.]
[Choose the Profession now?]
[Y/N]
Ash stared at the insistent message, his mind racing. This felt to real to be a game. He needed to understand what was happening.
He looked around the room. It was made of old stone, with a high ceiling and several closed doors. He tried the door nearest to him.
Clink! Clink! Clink!
The handle wouldn't turn. The door remained firmly shut. A wave of unease washed over him. He wasn't just stuck; he was trapped.
Ting
[You must choose your Profession to continue the game.]
[Choose the Profession now?]
[Y/N]
The screen appeared again, the words unwavering.
Ash tried another door, hoping for a different result.
Clink! Clink! Clink! Clink!
The door was also locked. His breath quickened. He had to find a way out. He began to bang on the door, his panic growing.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Help! Can anyone hear me?" he yelled, his voice echoing in the large, empty room. Sweat trickled down his temples.
There was no response, only the heavy silence of the old room.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Help!" he shouted again, his voice cracking with fear.
Still, there was no reply. The room held him captive, and the screen continued to demand his attention.
Ting
[You must choose your Profession to continue the game.]
[Choose the Profession now?]
[Y/N]
The screen was persistent, unavoidable. Ash felt a sense of defeat. It seemed the only way forward was to interact with the game.
He walked back to the first door, slumped against it, and slid down to the floor. He stared at the screen, his mind still trying to process the impossible situation.
'Okay,' he thought, a sense of resignation settling in. 'If I have to...'
With a trembling hand, he reached out and touched the 'Y' on the screen.
Ting
[Please select a Profession from the following:]
[Profession:]
[⇒ Finder: 0]
[⇒ Warrior: 0]
[⇒ Rouge: 0]
[⇒ Apprentice Mage: 0]
[⇒ Mystic: 0]
Ash frowned at the list. "Finder? Warrior? What do these even mean?"
He selected "Finder" to see more information.
[Finder: A Profession focused on locating and identifying items.]
[Advanced Profession: Sage Eye, Mind of the Dragon, Expert Tracker.]
[Will you choose this Profession?]
[Y/N]
He went back to the list and choose "Warrior"
[Warrior: A Profession specializing in combat and weapon skills.]
[Advanced Profession: Swordsman, Berserker, Knight.]
[Will you choose this Profession?]
[Y/N]
The descriptions helped him understand the differences. "Warrior" sounded more practical in this unknown and potentially dangerous place. He pressed 'Y'.
Ting
[You have chosen the Warrior Prodession.]
Ting
[Player: Ashborn Locke]
[Player Number: #23875]
[Level: 1]
[Stats:]
[⇒ Strength: 5]
[⇒ Endurance: 5]
[⇒ Agility: 5]
[⇒ Intelligence: 5]
[⇒ Magic: 5]
[Extra Point: 0]
[Profession: Warrior: Level 0]
"Level 0?" Ash sighed. It seemed he was starting from the very beginning.
Ting
[Please select your starting weapon.]
Ash looked around the room again. Weapon racks lined the walls, holding various weapons. He picked up a sword. It was simple and unadorned.
Ting
[Equip the sword as your starting weapon?]
[You can change or acquire additional weapons as you progress beyond Level 1.]
[Y/N]
"Alright," Ash said to himself, and pressed 'Y'.
[Sword equipped.]
[Select a Sword Skill to enhance your combat abilities:]
[Sword Skill:]
[⇒ Ice Blade]
[⇒ Wind Blade]
[⇒ Thunder Strike]
[⇒ Shadow Sword]
[⇒ Moonlight Slash]
[⇒ Flame Blade]
Ash read the skill descriptions, trying to understand their potential. "Shadow Sword" caught his eye.
[Shadow Sword: A skill that enhances movement speed and evasion.]
'Speed and dodging could be useful,' he thought, and chose "Shadow Sword."
[You have chosen the Shadow Sword Skill.]
[Shadow Sword skill acquisition will now commence.]
[Commencing in:]
[Three.]
[Two.]
[One.]
[Shadow Sword skill acquired.]
A rush of new knowledge filled Ash's mind. It wasn't just information; it was a feeling of how to move, how to shift his weight, how to anticipate attacks. It was instinctive and unsettling.
[You may now exit the room.]
Finally, a way out. Ash stood up, the sword feeling heavier now that it was his.
He swung it experimentally. It felt clumsy, untrained. He needed to get used to it.
He glanced back at the weapon racks. One sword was different from the rest.
Its hilt was made of dark metal, with glowing symbols etched into it. He was drawn to it.
He picked it up. It felt lighter, more balanced.
Ting
[You have found the Tenebris Sword.]
[Item Rank: Special.]
[Level +0.1]
"0.1 level? That's it?" Ash said, a bit disappointed. Still, the sword felt better in his hand.
He equipped the Tenebris Sword and sheathed the simple sword.
He approached one of the doors, a mix of fear and anticipation in his chest. He opened it and stepped through.
He wasn't in another room. He was at the edge of a forest. Sunlight streamed through the trees.
The air smelled of damp earth and growing things. It was nothing like the castle.
'Where is this?' he thought, worry tightening his throat.
'Where's the way out?' He took a hesitant step into the forest.
He moved cautiously between the trees, the Tenebris Sword held ready. The forest was silent, but he felt watched.
Suddenly, a black boar burst from the undergrowth, charging at him with surprising speed. Its tusks were long and sharp.
Ash jumped back, fear spiking through him. He turned to run back to the door, but it was gone.
The boar was too fast. He dodged to the side. The boar crashed into a tree with a loud BUMMMMM!
Ash looked back. The room was gone, replaced by a high stone ledge. He was trapped in the forest.
"What is happening?" he said, his voice shaking.
The boar got up and charged again.
Ash drew the Tenebris Sword. The Shadow Sword skill took over.
His body moved almost on its own, faster than he thought possible. The sword flashed, and the boar fell.
Ash stumbled, landing hard on the ground.