Once Asher got back to the Game room, he walked over to the VR Pods that sat in the middle of the room.
These Pods were always able to know if the true owner wanted to use them or not. This helps prevent theft or other nefarious activities towards the Pods.
However, no one ever knows how the Pods do it.
"Hey, Vader, do you know how the Pods recognize the true owners?"
∆∆∆
YES.
IT IS AN ADVANCED COMBINATION OF OTHERWORLDLY TECHNOLOGY AND SOUL MAGIC.
G.O. IS NOT AN ORDINARY COMPANY.
YOU WILL TRULY SEE WHY SOON.
∆∆∆
"Oh, damn! Magic is actually real!? Okay, I'll have to take it in stride and keep on moving."
Asher placed his hand on the body of the Pod, and something unprecedented happened.
A revolving magic circle -
"Because, of course, magic exists..."
A revolving magic circle with an image of the gift Asher received from his Sensei. A prism, depicting space and multiple portals, black & white holes, and a man in black, moving through the portals.
The circle moved from the base of the Pod, encompassing it, to the top of the Pod.
As it moved, the Pod went from pure white to black. There was something deeper about the black. Something Asher wasn't sure of.
At the center of the Pod, the same image of the prism appeared, like a logo on the Pod.
Before Asher could ask, Vader spoke up.
∆∆∆
DON'T BE ALARMED.
NOW, THE POD IS YOURS. IT WILL BRING MORE BENEFITS THAN THE REGULAR PODS.
BENEFITS UNIQUE TO YOU.
GO AHEAD AND STEP IN. YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS.
∆∆∆
Asher accepted the explanation and willed the Pod to open.
It slid open, and Asher stepped in, letting it shut him in.
He lay still and relaxed.
Suddenly, Asher saw himself in a familiar black space. It was the lobby for Sunshine Valley.
"Time to see if my account is still somehow gone, or if G.O. truly doesn't allow anyone to delete their characters."
In the middle of the space, he saw a huge sphere that displayed his previous character's avatar, along with its name underneath.
However, instead of the vibrant colour the sphere should've had, it looked dull.
"No way... W-Why is it looking dull? And why can't I select it?"
He should have been able to select his avatar, and login to Sunshine Valley, but it wasn't responding.
Just then, he watched as his old avatar sphere disintegrated away. Fading out like particles. Until there was nothing left.
{
Welcome, Asher. Do you wish to create an avatar?
Due to your unique situation, you have a chance at a fresh start.
}
Those words appeared in the black space, where Asher stood.
It was the advanced AI of Sunshine Valley, also known as the System.
People often speculated that the System was sentient, but no one was ever one hundred percent sure.
∆∆∆
THIS SYSTEM, IT IS INDEED SENTIENT.
HOWEVER, IT SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T WISH FOR PEOPLE TO FIGURE IT OUT YET - OR EVER.
THIS COULD OPEN UP MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN EXPECTED. KEEP AN EYE OUT.
ALSO, YOU STILL HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE.
∆∆∆
"Yes, the... choice... I still can't believe that this is happening!!"
Just then, a prompt from V.A.D. appeared in Asher's vision.
[Yes] || [No]
"Hell, yes!!"
{
You have selected to create your new avatar. Please follow the process.
Some choices have already been made for you, due to who, and what you are.
}
"Wait, what do you mean some choices have been made for me?"
There was no response from the System.
In the black space, the character setup screen popped up. It showed the avatar's current appearance, as well as it's starting equipment, and it allowed the user to choose the avatar's name/alias and a base class.
From the base classes, you would get something specific. A random specific class in the same group.
Well, everyone thinks it's random, because no one can find any pattern to it.
Regardless, anyone could later upgrade their class to something better.
Classes also determine your primary Affinities.
Everyone is also set to be from the human race.
People often found it odd that no other race was available to choose from.
People often found it even weirder that the game has to speficy that the race is human.
Still, we let it go, since no answers were given by G.O.
Asher's excited expression froze, once he saw his avatar setup.
He realized he could only select his name/alias. Everything else had been picked for him already, and seemingly locked in.
It was almost the same as his V.A.D. status sheet.
¶¶¶
[Name: Asher ______ ]
[Alias: _______ ]
[Class: Angel Of Death (U)]
[Race: Human (99%) •|• Angel (1%)]
[Bloodline: Void's Angel (U)]
[Soul Points: 5]
[Tier: 0]
[Level: 3]
[Primary Affinity: Space, Void]
¶¶¶
"It seems like my level has carried over to the game. Why is that? Also, why am I only able to pick my Alias?? Even my character's look has been locked in for me. It looks like the cloaked figure from my prism. Interesting... Still, why are they locked in!?? Vader!!??"
∆∆∆
CALM DOWN ASHER.
YOU ARE A CREATURE OF THE VOID. AN ASSASIN THAT IS ABLE TO MOVE ACROSS SPACE AND DIMENSIONS.
SO, OF COURSE YOUR STRENGTH WILL MOVE WITH YOU.
SUNSHINE VALLEY IS NOT JUST A GAME. REMEMBER THAT.
AS AN ASSASIN, YOU OBVIOUSLY CAN NOT USE YOUR ACTUAL NAME. CHOOSE AN ALIAS BEFITTING OF WHO, AND WHAT YOU ARE.
∆∆∆
Asher took it all in, and decided to be really conscious about the name he would choose.
After a while, he finally decided on a name.
"I will like my Alias to be, Nexaris."
When he said the name, there was a ripple and pressure in the space, as if a divine declaration had just been proclamed.
{
Confirm your Alias choice as "Nexaris"
}
[Yes] || [No]
"Yes."
{
Alias confirmed.
Welcome to Sunshine Valley, Nexaris.
Do you wish to enter the World now?
}
"Strange... It never said 'World' before. It only ever said 'game'. Whatever... I'll figure it out later."
"Yes System, I do."
Asher's vision became a blurry mix of colors, as he moved through a tunnel. He instinctively knew that he was in a spacial tunnel.
That's when he realized, he wasn't supposed to see this. He could only see and perceive this, due to his class. For everyone else, it was supposed to be an instantaneous transfer into the game.
What's more? Asher realized that if he wanted to, he could step out of the tunnel. However, his instincts warned him that he was not ready for that yet. He also knew that he didn't always have to follow the long route - he could be like everyone else, and have an instant transfer process.
"Whoa!! I'm loving this class, more and more and more!"
Sadly, all good things come to an end.
Asher had reached the end of the tunnel, and he suddenly found himself in a dark alley.
{
Welcome, Nexaris, to the starter city , Astrat.
}
"Looks like I'm back in Sunshine Valley. New name, new face, and a fresh start. Time to see what skills and abilities I have. Also my equipment."
∆∆∆
WISE CHOICE, ASHER.
BUT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF YOU CAN GET A PRIVATE ROOM AT AN INN.
THAT WAY, YOU CAN BE SAFE ENOUGH TO LOOK THROUGH YOUR STATUS SHEET.
AND LOOK AT YOUR LUCK, THIS ALLEY IS BETWEEN AN INN AND A WEAPONS SHOP.
NOT THAT YOU WILL HAVE ANY NEED FOR THE WEAPONS HERE.
∆∆∆
"Oh, I wonder what that means. Good thinking Vader. But I don't have any money to use here... Or do I? Vader what's my account balance?"
[ Account: § 100,000,000,000 ]
∆∆∆
YOUR SENSEI ENSURED YOU WERE PROPERLY LOADED.
THE AMOUNT IN YOUR SYSTEM ACCOUNT CAN BE USED ANYWHERE.
THINK OF IT AS A UNIVERSAL CURRENCY FOR YOU. THE EXCHANGE RATE CAN BE 1:1 OR IT WILL VARY, BASED ON WHICH WORLD YOU ARE.
∆∆∆
"Damn, Sensei. Just who exactly are you?"
After getting over his shock, Asher made sure his hood was fixed and it covered his face, then he stepped out of the alley, into the busy street, filled with people of all classes and levels.
Asher walked into the bar inn, and all conversation stopped at once, as they all looked at the strange, unfamiliar newcomer.
He walked calmly to the bar table and spoke to the person in charge there.
"I'd like a private room here for three nights. I'll extend it if I need to."
The innkeeper looked at him strangely, and asked carefully,
"You want a private room for three nights? Not a normal room, but the private room?"
"I said what I said. Can I have the keys now?"
Faces all around the inn darked, as they heard the way Asher spoke. First of all, the private rooms in this inn were expensive, costing 1 silver per night, which is the same as 100 bronze coins per night. And Asher just requested the room for 3 days. 300 bronze coins. That is more than most of these people have ever had, or ever spent at once, yet, Asher said it like it was nothing.
Plans were in motion.
"Three nights will cost you three silvers. I suggest you pay up," said the innkeeper
"Sure."
Asher placed his hand into his cloak, and three silver coins appeared in it. He brought out the silver coins and placed it on the table.
If the room could get any quieter, it would've.
Even the innkeeper was stunned. He quickly got out of it and quickly gave Asher the key to a private room.
Asher picked it up and walked up the stairs. For private rooms, the System would teleport the owners directly to their rooms.
Once Asher arrived, he looked around at the simple, yet secure room. It has a bedroom; separate bathroom; living room; kitchen and dining; and a training room.
Asher walked straight to the training room.
These rooms should be able to handle attacks up to the peak of Tier 0. Perfect.
"Time to see what I'm working with. Status Sheet "