by Sergei Katz
— So, what might happen if...
The voice interrupted me, without even letting me finish the question:
— I shall tell you no more. Let's begin, Newcomer by the name of Marten. Choose a color.
What a strange way to create a character, I thought to myself. Why not create a new race as well? Or choose my avatar’s appearance? Well, it seemed that I was not going to get an answer to my questions, so I had to choose from what was being offered.
A whole palette of colors appeared before my eyes. The choices were so beautiful that they made my head spin! I wasn’t sure how long I just stood admiring them for, but the voice continued to patiently wait for my answer. Eventually, I chose the color that had attracted my attention from the very first second. As soon as I made my choice, the palette disappeared, and an inscription appeared above the color I selected, saying “sky-blue”.
Wow, so that's the color of heaven! I was in a state of excitement, and I was so delighted by the beauty of this color, that I forgot to confirm my choice. I came to my senses a couple of minutes later, and confirmed that I had chosen the sky-blue color.
— Thank you, — the voice said. — Would I be right if I say that seeing a color is something unusual for you?
— That's right, — I sighed. — Where I came from, I was unable to distinguish colors, tastes or smells.
— I see. — There was sympathy in the voice. — Then I will use my privilege and give you one ability that will be very useful to you. Do not be afraid: this is provided for by the rules of this world. This ability was designed exclusively for the sake of people like you.
You are hereby given the ability “Three Senses”, Grand Master level (max).
Smells, colors, tastes, their meanings and definitions will become an open book for you.”
— Now choose at most three qualities that are the most important to you. Take your time.
Clouds appeared before me, with names of different qualities floating around within them. As soon as my mind lingered on one of the inscriptions, the name of the quality increased in size, and similar alternative qualities appeared around it. They had both positive and negative aspects. Seeing some strange word that was unknown to me, I regretted the fact that I didn’t know it’s meaning, but a detailed description appeared immediately.
Empathy is a conscious ability to experience the current emotional state of another person without losing a sense of the external origin of this experience. An Empath is a person with a developed ability for empathy.
Thank you, but this wasn’t for me, but it's still very interesting ... If I thought from the game’s logic perspective, then, by choosing only one quality, I would receive one hundred percent of this quality and by choosing two – it was most likely that this would be divided equally between each of them. After a moment's thought, I chose two: “Resourceful” and “Fortunate”. Then I faced a difficult choice: I didn’t know what attributes I would get with the qualities I had chosen. Would it be worth it to take a third one, or not?
— Excuse me, can I ask you a question?
— I'm sorry, but I cannot answer any more of your questions, — the voice sighed. — These are the rules of this world, and I do not have a right to violate them.
Okay, I made my decision: I singled out “Creative” and told the voice that my choice was made.
— An interesting combination, — the invisible voice said thoughtfully. — Let's see which one is the right choice for you.
I was shocked: these were not the characteristics that would be given to me, but merely parameters for making a choice! I would like to punch whoever had invented this rule! Next, the silhouettes of five patrons appeared in front of me.
— Here is the list of patrons who are suitable for you. I advise you to take this choice seriously, — advised the voice sharply.
The invisible voice seemed to be amused by the situation and my mixed reactions. It was easy for it to make jokes, since it wouldn’t be the one that would have to run around for the next three years inside the game, having made my choices. Okay, it was time to take a look at what was being offered.
I looked closely at the first patron offered to me. It looked like a sphere with a changing dark blue shade. It seemed that it was constantly on the move and incredibly full of life. Wishing to know more, I received additional information:
The Spheric - appreciates the fortunate and quick witted. Provides help in specific and difficult situations. It has a playful character and likes to joke around.
With a patron like this, you wouldn’t even need any enemies, for sure. I moved on to the next one on the list. He was a strong chap, somewhat reminiscent of Hermes, but his wings were on his shoulders. He had a predatory expression.
Avolic – a shape shifter that appreciates resourcefulness and brutal decision making. Helps with shady transactions, political games and deceptions. Sly, it has outstanding fighting qualities.
Not for me yet again! Were there no good patrons in this world? I looked at the next one. Surrounded by shadows, it was an almost invisible silhouette of an anthropomorphic creature. It produced an impression of strength and undisguised arrogance, confident in its invincibility.
Sokt - the treacherous patron of murderers and thieves. It only helps in matters of the darkness. Arrogant, cunning and cruel.
What choices was I stuck with? I thought that I had chosen such positive qualities, and so far, the patrons were thieves, scammers and murderers. If the remaining two were the same, I would have to settle for having an evil character, although I wouldn’t like that at all. So, I looked at the second to last figure. I saw a strange old man staring at me: there was a cunning intellect in his eyes. Apart from that, he was playfully twisting his walking stick around, without slowing down for a second.
Vostrukh - the patron of the capable and quick-witted. Helps those who, in his opinion, deserve it. Sly and cunning, with a strong mind.
Ha, that’s when things started getting interesting! If the last one wasn’t any better, then I would stick with Vostrukh, as he was the best of a bad bunch so far. So, it was time to take a look at the last one. I was looking at a self-confident creature that looked a little like a fox. Both paws were juggling gold coins back and forth, without pausing.
Trickster – patron of those who go through life on their own terms and against the accepted norms. A dodger and prankster, for who the very process of experiencing life is the most important thing.
Sorry, Vostrukh, but Trickster was much closer to me in spirit.
— I’ve made my choice - it's Trickster, — I told my invisible companion.
— Hmm...
I got an impression that the disembodied voice was surprised by my choice.
— Forgive me, — the voice’s owner gradually came back to his senses. — To be honest, I was 100% certain that you would choose the reasonable Vostrukh, and not such a mischievous patron as Trickster. But your choice is sacred for me and for this world. — The last phrase sounded a bit strange, or at least so it seemed to me.
After hesitating for a second, the voice addressed me once again.
— We're almost done. Knowledge and abilities are a treasure chest of values for every living entity. The world allows every Newcomer to take the best pearl from their collection of treasures. Marten, of all that you know and are capable of doing, what will you bring with you to this world?”
I didn’t even have to think about it for long: a quick and profound analysis of facts and situations was what had fed me all these years. If I wanted to take something into the game, then that's what it would be.
The voice politely waited for my answer, and this time, for a change, I did not keep him waiting.
— I choose my analytical ability, — I told my invisible companion.
— Let it be so!
It seemed to me, that there was a note of surprise in the voice yet again, but I didn’t have time to think it over.
— I shall not detain you an
y longer. We shall meet again a little later, as for now, farewell.
The cave was gone and, without noticing how it happened, I found myself on a small hill in the middle of a magnificent meadow. The number of flowers and scents was literally intoxicating me. So many new sensations! For me, this was a paradise. I seemed to have lost my mind: jumping, running, and tumbling over. I moved from one plant to another and sniffed every single one of them. I even tore some plants off and tasted them. On the edge of consciousness, I noticed some messages, but didn’t pay attention to them for the time being: I felt like I could read them later.
Without noticing how it happened, I found myself outside the meadow. I was standing next to a beautiful mixed forest, with a lot of different trees, such as oaks, spruce and pine, right in front of me. I enjoyed exploring every branch of every single tree.
Gong.
Suddenly, a sound came from behind me, and it made me jump. I slowly turned around. A fairy woman was standing in the meadow, approximately half a meter tall. Her arms were bent upwards, and she was crying. She had a very cute childish face, wearing a long sky-blue dress, and she had six incredibly beautiful translucent wings of an azure color. I tried to return to the meadow, but I encountered an invisible barrier that wasn’t letting me go back.
A message popped up in front of me:
The initial location is closed to Newcomers once they have left it.
— Forgive me, please, — the creature wailed, — but you were so happy that I decided not to disturb you, but ... then you went beyond the boundaries of my meadow so quickly and now ... — The small creature sobbed. — It's all my fault...
I waited for the fairy to calm down.
— Come on, it’s okay, — I smiled at her.
The eyes of the nearly calm fairy started filling with tears again.
— It's not okay, it’s very dangerous! — The creature sobbed. — You might die.
I didn’t have enough time to reply. Another message appeared:
All you have achieved so far is “Not to find the essence of life”. Leaving the initial location without the gift from the fairy, you stepped on the path of self-determination. Many curses in the world are just waiting for their victims. Your body is unaccustomed to this world, and not protected by the power of the Fairies. You are already affected by a small curse known as “Oblivion”. You have lost your personal reputation of being an “Analyst”. All you can manage to achieve now is a state of “As is”. Now all you have left are memories of the world from which you came, and have to start everything from scratch.
While you do not have a basic “Vorto” or essence of life so far, your abilities will increase by 0.1% every day.
The energy associated with your name will last for 2 months.
The clock is ticking down: 1 month 29 days and 23:59:59 (58 ... 57 ... 56).
The counter moved to the upper right corner and became almost invisible. Only when I deliberately focused attention on it, the numbers regained their brightness.
— Oh great, — I sighed. — I think I’m in serious trouble. Please explain to me what’s going on. — I turned to the fairy.
The fairy, covering her face with her hands, shook her head. After that, indicating that I had to wait, she disappeared. So, waiting it is then. I still needed to read my previous messages anyway:
You have achieved the rank of “Leader”. Thanks to you, a new patron has appeared in this world. Relationship with Trickster has improved: +600 points. At the moment, the “Neutral” relationship requires 600 points. Reaching the “Good” relationship requires a further 400 points.
Your “Agility” attribute has increased +1.
You have discovered the “Herbalist” ability, Beginner level (1%).
You have made your patron smile. Relationship with Trickster has improved: +50. At the moment it’s the “Neutral” relationship at 650 points. To reach “Good” requires 350 more points.
Your “Attentiveness” attribute has increased +1.
I wondered why I was rewarded for “Attentiveness”. It turned out that it was because I had been peering at the colors of the plants and trying to smell everything.
What an interesting game! As Sam had said, attributes and achievements could be gained by actions. I wondered what else could be achieved solely through my actions. Although at that point I really believed that even with the investment of money, it would be almost impossible to catch up with the beta testers.
Enough of all that, it was time to start being clever. I hadn’t even looked at my personal attributes yet. Who was I and what was I? I examined myself. So, I had a body of a young man, lean, and quite muscular. I was wearing narrow black trousers and a dark blue shirt - all made out of a kind of cloth resembling cotton. I estimated that I was about 180 cm tall, although it was difficult to estimate. In the real world, I was 178 cm tall, but here I was a little taller. My skin color had a blue tinge to it, and my nails were sapphire colored. Okay, that’s not the end of the world. It’s a pity that I couldn’t see my own face. For now, it was time to take a look at my personal attributes:
Name: Marten.
Race: Newcomer.
Path: not selected.
Class: not selected.
Professions: not selected (3 available).
Basic attributes:
“Strength”: 1;
“Skills”: 2;
“Stamina”: 1;
“Intellect”: 1;
“Attentiveness”: 1.
Resistance: none.
Talents: None.
Abilities: “Herbalist” (1%).
Achievements:
“Failed to find the essence”: an increase of 0.1% from basic attributes for each day without “Vorto”.
Day one: 0.1%.
“Leader” - thanks to you, your patron arrived into the world.
This achievement can be improved upon (conditions are unavailable) - reward (unavailable).
“As is” - while you are under the “Oblivion” curse, you do not have the “Analysis” ability.
Wow, when I got this message, there was not a single word about improvement. It was a pity, of course, that the ways to improve weren’t written clearly enough, but at that moment one thing was clear: I needed to check my messages more often. The rest was simple: I had the abilities of a newborn baby. But what was Vorto, and why did I only have two months of living left to account for its absence? I had to find an answer to this as soon as possible! Where was my friend, the crying fairy?
Realizing that panicking wasn’t going to help, I decided to take a look around me. As soon as I took a few steps towards the forest, I was called by a very pleasant, or what I would describe as an extremely charming voice. Turning around, I saw an incredibly beautiful fairy, almost as tall as me, wearing a translucent silver dress painted with incomprehensible runes. Her wings, which looked as if they had been woven from the wind, covered her back like a wrap made out of air.
— Greetings, Newcomer. What name did you choose in our world?
— Please excuse me for my impertinence, — I grinned, — but I was instructed not to give out my name, unless it was absolutely necessary.
— That's right, — the fairy laughed without malice. — Then just tell me, what am I to call you?
— Call me Dee, — I smiled back. — And how should I address you, beautiful creature?
The fairy laughed again, and her laughter resembled a ringing of light bells, leaving a feeling of joy and tranquility in my soul.
— Call me Tsi. I am one of the twelve highest ranking fairies in this world.
— Wow! — I was really surprised.
Meeting any higher being at the beginning of a game was highly unusual.
— Forgive me, Dee, but you are in mortal danger because of my careless student. Leah is the fairy you saw earlier, and she was supposed to be your first teacher in this world and give you a basic “Vorto” ...
— Tsi, — I interrupted the higher being’s m
onologue, — I'm sorry, but I have no idea what kind of animal this Vorto is.
— Oh! — Tsi was a little embarrassed. — I’m afraid I had no communication with Newcomers for a long time, and I completely forgot that you don’t know anything about our world. “Vorto” is a rune word. The basic “Vorto” is what constitutes the essence of all living things. Nothing in this world can exist without this rune word. At this moment, your existence is limited by the energy of your original name. When it runs out, you will die without the right to return.
As soon as the fairy finished the sentence, a message appeared in front of me.
You have found a serious error, and it cannot be corrected before the game begins. In the case of death without a basic “Vorto” you will be eliminated from beta testing.
— Bleep, your bleep! — I didn’t even realize at first that swearing is automatically corrected to “bleep”. — This means that if I die, then I will be forced to wait until the game is available to everyone. Is this the case? — I looked at the high fairy with hope. — Can you give me this rune word? Would that be possible?”
— I can, — the fairy confirmed.
Hearing this, I sighed with relief.
— But it doesn’t work like that.
My relief vanished like a mist in a strong wind.
— I do not deal in simple words; I deal only in a rare and higher tongue. Such words can only be obtained after performing complex quests. Also, the lack of a basic rune word creates another problem.
I gave up, asking the fairy to tell me everything. Things couldn’t get worse anyway. What was going to happen was going to happen. As it turned out, things could still get worse.
— By the way, — the fairy pretended to be terribly upset, — as things stand at this moment, you are unable to choose your class and path either.
Clearly, I thought to myself, I was just the kind of entertainment that she had been waiting for.
I sighed, — So, what am I supposed to do now?
The Fairy smiled victoriously:
