Cian blinked snow out of his eyes. He felt… cold. He actually felt it, but he knew, instinctually, that he was not in the real world. This place was fake. Simulated. But still… when he held out a hand… he could feel this.

  He stared down and grinned like an idiot. There, below him, were two perfectly working legs. He was standing. Standing! He couldn’t help it this time, as warm tears rolled down his cheeks.

  And then a chilled gust sent his spine shaking.

  “Town,” Cian whispered to himself. “I’ve got to go to a town.”

  In front of his eyes, a message flashed:

  [System]

  [Debuff]: [Chilled]

  “Debuff,” Cian repeated. “Chilled…”

  [Debuff]: A negative effect set on a player. These can have various triggers, timers, and effects. Check each Debuff individually.

  [Chilled]: A Debuff in which a characters [Vigor] is reduced by increments of 10% by stacks of chill. Ten stacks results in [Vigor] reduced by 100% and character death. [Chill] can be set by various spells and environments.

  Cian held out his arms and saw a greenish tinge to his skin. His bare skin.

  “I need to get out of the cold,” he whispered to himself. “Before I freeze to death.”

  With that, Cian began his walk towards the distant village. Each step was labored, and he could see in the upper left of his vision that his [chilled] stacks were ever rising.

  [System]

  [Chilled]: 2

  [Chilled]: 3

  [Chilled]: 4

  A rising panic spread in his chest… he had to run.

  [System]

  Error. Not enough [Vigor] to activate [Sprint]

  “Shit…” Cian said, walking as fast as he could.

  His body was heavy now, and he did not even look at his [Chilled] stacks. So close now… he was so close. But he wasn’t going to make it. He wondered what would happen if he were to fail. If his character was to die out here.

  In his mind, Leta whispered, “If you die… you die.”

  “If I die… I die?” Was that part of the bargain? Was his life now tied to this place?

  He had to hurry.

  Step after laborious step he took, wading through the treacherous blanket of snow. Now he was on the outskirts of town… but it was too late as he glanced and saw:

  [System]

  [Chilled]: 9

  Cian closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable.

  Then, suddenly, an embrace took hold. He felt energy burst through his chest, undulating—like vines spreading through his veins. And he felt warmth. It was now hot, despite the weather and his lack of clothing.

  “Got you just in time,” a voice said.

  Cian turned to see an elf, but not like any he had seen depicted before. She was tall—even taller than he—with velvet black hair that went all the way down to her waist, tied in a cacophony of intricate braids. In her hands, she held a silvery chalice which spilled forth with some liquid. It was red and viscous… like blood.

  “What did you do?” Cian asked.

  The elf narrowed her eyes at him before the chalice disappeared in a blink of an eye. “Is that any way to greet your savior?” she asked. “Now… let’s see what we’re dealing with. You noobies are all the same, you know… rough and tumble. Think they can just jump in and do whatever they—”

  [System]

  Unknown is accessing your character sheet.

  The elf gasped. “What are these stats?”

  “What?” Cian replied, a rising panic in his chest. “Are they good?”

  “Good… check your character.”

  “How?”

  “Just ask.”

  Cian cleared his throat. “System… access character sheet.”

  [System]

  Character: Lyceus

  Race: Orc

  Class: Guardian

  Sex: M

  Stats:

  [Might]: 1

  [Vigor]: 1

  [Nimble]: 1

  [Acuity]: 10

  [Charm]: 3

  He continued, saying, “That seems pretty bad.”

  The elf woman laughed, grabbing at her sides, and it looked as if tears were forming at the edges of her eyes. “Bad,” she said. “Bad is my stomach when I eat a microwave burrito. This is worse than bad. It’s the worst spread I’ve ever seen.”

  “... Why is it like this?”

  “Why are you asking me?” she replied. “The base stats of your character are based on your physical and mental traits in real life. What are you, a paraplegic?” She laughed again, but then got suddenly quiet. “Wait… you aren’t actually. Are you?”

  “I’m not a paraplegic,” Cian replied. “At least… not yet.”

  The wind churned as the air became suddenly heavy. “Yeah dude, this got real—real fast. I’ve gotta run. Good luck tanking anything with those stats.”

  “Tank?”

  “You don’t know? [Guardian] is a beginner tank class. A basic class before you get to the advanced classes. I’m a basic class as well… [Acolyte]. I specialize in blood magic to help friends and hurt foes. Pretty cool, right? Anyway, a piece of advice—you don’t want to die.”

  “I think that’s a given.”

  “No-no-no… you really don’t want to die. Last time I died, it put me on my ass for about three days. I even missed classes. [Everlight] is harsh on the [Enmity Core].”

  Cian put a hand to his chin. “Then why would anyone play it?”

  The elf looked at him curiously. “Because of the rush, of course. Nothing makes you feel more alive than when you’re in danger. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “I… I don’t know.”

  She frowned. “Well, now I feel like some sort of adrenaline junkie. Trust me, the game is great. Keep at it. Build up those horrible stats some. First things first, you’ll want to buy yourself some armor with [Insulated], which helps you resist [Chilled]. An area’s harshness determines how much the weather affects your character. Luckily, near town, and on a clear day, it’s a level 1. Anything higher and you’d already be gone.”

  “Lucky… sure.” Cian looked around at his environment… snow upon snow upon snow. “Anything else I should know?”

  “What do I look like, a tour guide? Buy yourself some armor. Do some quests. Fix those awful stats before you [RIP]. And with that, I’m out.”

  “Wait,” Cian said, but the elf with the long black hair was gone before he could even ask her name. Maybe he should have inspected her. He wondered how. Well… nothing else to do than to buy some armor then.

  As he walked into town, he was bombarded by the sights and sounds of a bustling frostbitten haven. The snow here was lighter, and what looked to be [NPC’s] shoved away the powder, setting it into big piles which the children merrily played around and jumped into. He could see how one would get lost in this world and forget about the real one entirely.

  Cian squared his shoulders and focused. Around and around he went, up and down the streets with their quant array of tiered homes with thatched roofs, still blanketed with snow until he found a sort of shop. It had no name, but it had the painting of armor done in red outside. He shrugged his shoulders, stepping inside.

  “Clean your feet,” the shopkeeper said.

  Cian ignored him, stomping forward.

  [System]

  Unknown Shopkeeper [Affinity] - Down

  “Sorry,” Cian said, rushing back to the door and tapping his boots on a sort of welcome mat.

  “Little late for that,” the shopkeeper said. “But come in. I would suggest to make yourself at home, but you’ve already done that.”

  The shopkeeper was an elderly man, far shorter than he… so short, in fact, that there was no way he was human. He had sun-kissed and wrinkled skin, gnarled hands and held onto a cane like it was a lifeline.

  “Sorry again,” Cian said. “But do you have any armor for sale? Preferably something with [Insulated]?”

  “Of course, of course.” The shopkeeper turned from him, rummaging around before he set a few items to the table in front of him. There was a long brown coat with black-fur lining, matching pants, shirt and boots. The coat itself had a hood attached. “Twenty gold pieces in total.”

  “Gold?” Cian asked.

  The shopkeeper returned him a placid look, obviously awaiting his answer.

  Cian coughed. “Umm... [system], how much gold do I have?”

  [System]

  Inventory:

  Currency:

  Gold: 15

  Silver: 10

  Copper: 20

  “How much can this get me?” Cian opened his palm and where there was nothing before, a small light flashed and a pouch with all of his currency appeared in his hand.

  The shopkeeper snagged the bag, emptied the contents next to the clothing, and began picking through each, grumbling to himself.

  “All for all,” the shopkeeper said. “Straight trade.”

  Cian shrugged. “Deal.”

  With that, the coins and items flashed and were gone.

  [System]

  Inventory:

  +1 Coat

  +1 Pants

  +1 Boots

  “[System],” Cian said. “Equip.”

  There was a slight flash and then, suddenly, his clothing changed, and he now wore the items he had just bought. He felt very warm now… perhaps too warm. It was uncomfortable, but it was certainly better than freezing to death.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  “Thank you,” Cian said.

  “Do come back,” the shopkeeper replied, chuckling to himself under his breath.

  Cian stepped outside.

  “You just got robbed, FYI.”

  Cian looked around, seeing nobody.

  “Up here.”

  Cian looked up.

  There, atop the roof, green skinned, like his own, but small, with gnarled looking bat ears and crooked teeth, sat a creature dangling its legs off the edge of the building.

  “You had a low [Affinity],” they said. “And for that, the [NPC] robbed you. Or, more like, gave you a dirty deal.”

  “Was my currency worth more than the twenty gold he asked?”

  “No,” they replied. “The gear itself is worth five gold at best. As I said, you got taken.”

  Cian sighed. “It’s fake money, anyway.”

  “Tsk, tsk, tsk, whatever shall I do with you?” They jumped down, landing in the snow. As they did, he noticed two daggers at their waist, chipped and rusted looking. “Names Sriax’nilx, but everyone calls me Sri.”

  “And… What are you?”

  Sri looked at him curiously. “Do you know nothing? I’m a goblin with the [Wretch] basic class. Basically, a stealth based, dexterous fighter. And you…” Sri whistled. “Those are the worst stats I’ve ever seen. How are you even alive?”

  Cian narrowed his eyes, turning to walk away.

  “Now wait a minute,” Sri said, circling and skidding in front of him. “I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just… Well, they are bad.”

  “Wait,” Cian asked. “How do you know? My stats, that is. I didn’t get a [System] message.”

  Sri laughed and flicked the edge of their long, crooked nose. “It’s a [Wretch] ability. [Advanced Observation]. Allows me to examine another player or [NPC] without them noticing. A useful skill. Underrated, IMO.”

  “Well, thanks for the lesson. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

  “Now wait a moment.” Sri held up their hands. “Wait-Wait-Wait, I’s wants to help ya’.”

  “Help how?”

  “Maybe we can do your first quest together?” Sri suggested. “Come, I can show you the way. We can pick an easy one. I’m not too high level myself.”

  “And how do you know I haven’t done any quests?”

  Sri merely gave him a knowing smile, flashing their crooked teeth.

  Cian narrowed his eyes. “[System], examine Sri.”

  [System]

  Character: Sriax’nilx

  Race: Goblin

  Class: Wretch

  Sex: F

  Stats:

  [Might]: 8

  [Vigor]: 8

  [Nimble]: 11

  [Acuity]: 10

  [Charm]: 7

  “You know,” Sri said. “It’s typically considered rude to examine someone without asking.”

  “Says you,” Cian replied.

  Sri flicked her nose again. “Aye, as you say.”

  “Still…” Cian looked Sri up and down and at her… unflattering features. A large crooked nose. Long shredded and floppy ears. Gnarled fingers. Dirt under the nails… or was it blood? “I’m surprised you’re a girl.”

  Sri suddenly went silent. She stared at him for a time until she whispered through clenched teeth, “Why? Because my character is ugly? A man can play whatever grotesque beast they want, but a girl must play as a pretty, pretty princess? Oh, I suppose you’d like me more if I were like your raven-haired elf friend? Is that it?”

  “No!” Cian replied, panicking. “No-No-No… It just surprised me, is all.”

  “Shut up,” Sri said. “We’re going to do this quest, I’m going to stab something with my blades, and I’m going to show you that not all of us are helpless damsels waiting in a fucking castle for our prince fucking charming.”

  With that, Sri stalked off, clearly expecting him to follow.

  Sighing, Cian did just that.

  ***

  “Get over here,” Sri demanded. “See this [NPC]?”

  Cian looked, and he saw a bulbous man with a long black beard, standing behind a forge with a hammer in his hand. He sweated with each swing of the hammer, but there was something about him. A timidness. The man’s eyes darted every which way, as if each swing of his hammer summoned the coming of calamity.

  “He’s nervous,” Cian said.

  Sri grinned and nodded. “I knew you couldn’t be as stupid as you looked.”

  Cian turned to walk away.

  “Wait… it’s a compliment. Don’t you want to see how this works?”

  Cian turned back. “Fine, show me.”

  “Now that’s more like it. Here—”

  A message flashed on his screen:

  [System]

  Sriax’nilx would like you to join their party.

  Do you accept? Y/N

  Cian reached out and tapped a finger on the ‘Y’.

  There was a flash and he could suddenly feel a sort of pull in Sri’s direction.

  “What is that?” he asked.

  “The [Bond],” Sri replied. “Since [Everlight] has a very minimal user interface, it is a way for players to tell where their party members are. The [Bond] can increase the more you play with someone, and some [Skills] can even interact with it.”

  Cian nodded.

  “See… I’ve a wealth of information for you. Now then, the quest. There are no stupid yellow exclamation marks here. If you want to find quests, you need to either use certain skills, rely on your [Acuity] to draw your attention to them, or actually use your own two eyes—not relying on the [System] at all. You said he appears nervous, but why I wonder. Let’s speak to him and see.”

  Cian walked up next to Sri. As they closed the distance, the [NPC] turned to face them, placing his hammer on the anvil. He did seem frightened… but not of him. When the [NPC] looked down on him, it was as if he looked at a bug that needed squashing.

  “He thinks you're weak,” Sri said.

  “I think he’s right,” Cian replied.

  “What do you two’s want?” the blacksmith asked.

  Sri nudged him forward.

  Cian cleared his throat. “Well… Sir… I…”

  “Get on with it!”

  Sri stepped forward. “We two adventurers are wondering if you were in need of help?”

  “No,” the blacksmith said, turning back.

  “Wait,” Cian replied. “We just want to help you, is all.”

  [System]

  Persuasiveness fail - Low [Charm]

  “Piss off,” the blacksmith said, turning away.

  Sri laughed. “I thought that might happen. Your stats are abysmal. Here, let me try.” She sauntered forward, drawing the blacksmith’s attention again. He loomed over her small frame like a giant, his muscular arms tensing as we wasted more of his time. “Sir… I assure you, we are a lot stronger than we look. We can help you.”

  There was a slight pause, and then the blacksmith’s facial features eased.

  “Aye,” he said. “It’s as you say… I could use some help.”

  “Tell ole Sri your worries.”

  The blacksmith cleared his throat. “I’m set to marry fair lady Sosh, but I lost my marital vambrace. I was out in the [Emsrir Thicket] gathering wood when bandits beset me. They took my gear and, with it, my marital vambrace. I tried to explain that it was just a decorative piece, and it served no true purpose in combat, but they merely laughed and said they would come to town, and that I would offer them everything I had for the return. I’ve yet to see them yet, but I fear that no matter what I offer, they’ll take it and nigh return anythin’.” The man looked to be almost in tears now.

  Sri put on a look of concern, but flashed him a knowing wink. “We’ll get it back… for some of what you were to offer them.”

  “Some…” the blacksmith said, shifting his eyes between the two of them. “Aye, some it is. Deal.”

  [System]

  Quest accepted - Blacksmiths Sacred Treasure

  The blacksmith turned back, raised his hammer, and struck down, tenderizing the metal on his anvil once again.

  Sri turned towards him. “And that’s how it’s done.”

  “So where do we go?”

  Sri sighed. “Must I teach you everything? He said the bandits were in the [Emsrir Thicket] so clearly—”

  “He also said the bandits would come here.”

  Sri smiled curiously at him.

  Cian continued, adding, “Doubtful that many bandits would come into town, right? Perhaps we will wait nearby. Wait for the few bandits to come and ambush them here, in town, where the guard may help us and there are unlikely to be as many.”

  “I like how you think,” Sri said. “No wonder your [Acuity] is your best stat. Well, you’re new and it’s your quest… How do you want to tackle it?”

  Cian smiled—the game was just getting good. “We wait and strike from the darkness.”

  Sri smiled crookedly, pulling out one of her jagged blades. She ran the dull part against the back of her tongue. “Darkness… my specialty.”

  ***

  There they waited, hidden in a nearby alley and taking turns staring at the [NPC]. It had been a while, and the night cycle had begun to set in.

  [System]

  [Harshness] 1->2; Cold Weather.

  A swift gust brought a sudden chill. He pulled his clothing closer, silently thanking the raven-haired elf that had suggested he buy them.

  Sri nudged him, pointing. “There!” she whispered.

  Cian stared at where her crooked finger pointed, seeing three individuals, all hidden by thick cloaks, and walking in a triangle formation towards the blacksmith.

  “This is it,” Cian said.

  “Ready your weapon.”

  Cian gasped. “I… uh… don’t know how.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Sri clapped herself on the forehead. “Reach out and imagine the weapon in your hand.”

  Cian did just that. He had taken time while they waited to become more accustomed to the game’s interface. It is how he had discovered that his equipped weapon was known as a [Swordbreaker] dagger. It was a dagger with groves crafted into the blunt side as a way to catch bladed weapons. He had thought he was a tank, but he only had this strange dagger equipped. When he asked Sri about it, she merely giggled and ignored him. As he thought about the weapon, there was a flash and in his hand, where once there was nothing, he now held the [Swordbreaker].

  Sri dashed out, and he followed. She was nimble, as one could expect from her [Class]. He did his best to follow, but her [Nimble] stat was so much higher than his own. She glided between [NPC]’s like a graceful swallow in flight. He could hardly even see her, and it was almost as if she left an afterimage of where she had just been. Before he knew it, they were on the cloaked figures… or, at least, he thought they were. Looking around, Sri was no longer in front of him.

  He had just charged three bandits all alone.

  One bandit turned, and he saw dark fur beneath the dark-brown hood.

  “Who are you?” they asked, almost purring the sounds out.

  The three broke formation, circling him.

  One placed a hand on his shoulder, and this one had long nails with scales atop their arm. “An [Orc] who thinks he isss ssstrong,” they said, with a long drawn dialect.

  The last said nothing, but grunted and pulled a sacrificial looking dagger, thin and curved. He could see the flash of teeth beneath the hood as they lunged forward.

  The hand on him tightened, stopping his movement. He tried to move to block with his own dagger, but the third caught his arm.

  He could do nothing but wait for the blade to sink into his flesh.

  Overhead, he heard laughter. Wild and manic. As he looked up, he saw a flash of green as Sri leaped off a nearby roof, darting through the air, spinning into a flip as she pulled her own dagger, landing on the bandit who held the sacrificial dagger and driving her own deep into their back.

  The bandit gasped and tried to reach to pull the dagger free, but they could not. Sri casually flipped her second dagger into her hand and rammed it into the bandit’s gut, slashing and sending a spray of brilliant red into the sky, coating her and the nearby snow with carnage.

  The two bandits that held him stepped away. One trembled, and the other growled furiously.

  Sri recovered her dagger, laughing as she screamed, “Kill em’!”

  The angry one attacked Sri while the one who cowered turned to him, set on facing the perceived weaker enemy. They pulled out a short-sword, which appeared rusted, and attacked.

  Swing after swing the bandit attacked him, and he fell back, avoiding, but not able to use his own weapon to defend himself.

  Sri, in the midst of her own battle, cutting the back of the bandit’s knee, yelled, “Use your skills! Your skills!”

  Cian’s back hit the wall. Nowhere left to run. The bandit lurched forward, sword aimed for a killing blow. He concentrated and whispered, “[Blade Clutch].”

  Cian lifted his hand, and sparks flew from his and the bandits’ weapons as they collided. He turned his wrist, and the bandit’s sword fell into one of the many grooves on his dagger. He twisted back, locking the weapon in his dagger’s iron vise.

  The bandit tried desperately to pull it free, but he held on.

  [System]

  [Might] Check.

  Bandit [Terrified] Disadvantage.

  Player [Blade Clutch] Advantage.

  Cian managed to hold the weapon, and the sounds of frustration rose greater from the bandit. Then he remembered his second skill.

  [Blade Break]

  Cian twisted, and there was a screeching sword of metal on metal as sparks flew between the weapons. He felt the [System] do another check and, in a moment, the Bandits blade shattered into three pieces. The bandit fell forward and he, instinctually, rammed his blade between two of their ribs.

  The bandit gasped, coughing blood into his face. There was fear in those catlike eyes. Genuine fear.

  Was this really an [NPC]?

  No time to think about it now. Cian pulled his blade out and rammed it back in. Over and over and over he did this until the bandit crumbled to the ground, laying in a pool of blood at his feet.

  Cian’s legs trembled from the rush of battle. His muscles were taut like they had never been before. This feeling… it was something he had never experienced before. The rush. The adrenaline. This was life!

  There was a cry and where Sri had been fighting, there now lay a very dead bandit, his neck split from end to bloody end. But she—she was there no longer.

  Cian felt a tap on his back and he spun, [Swordbreaker] at the ready.

  Sri leaped back a small bit, leaving bloody footprints in the snow, her hands up in mock surrender. “Easy,” she said. Lowering them, she added, “I get it… you’s got the jitters. It’s natural. We all got them the first time.”

  Cian’s muscles finally eased a bit. Lowering his hands, his weapon disappeared in a flash of light. “Is it always like this?” he asked.

  Sri waved a casual hand. “Nah, you get used to it. But still… there is something to be said about your first kill.”

  “Kill…” Cian muttered the word as if tasting it. “Isn’t this whole thing a bit… grotesque?”

  “Only if you start believing this is reality.” Sri casually wiped blood off her daggers, sheathing them at her waist. He wondered why her weapon didn’t disappear like his own. “As long as you remember that this is a game, I’m sure it’s fine. Hell, it keeps me from killing IRL.”

  “Seriously?”

  Sri laughed. “Nah, I’m a pushover, to be honest. Come, let’s turn this quest in.”

  Cian followed as she walked back to the blacksmith.

  As they approached, Sri lifted a hand, and a bloody metal piece of armor materialized from nothing. An intricate vambrace. She set it on the counter.

  The blacksmith’s eyes went wide, and then he smiled. “You’s actually done it, you sons of bitches.”

  Sri flashed a crooked smile and flicked her nose. “Naturally.”

  The blacksmith reached for it, but Sri nimbly snatched it back before he could.

  “Payment…” Sri whispered.

  The blacksmith eyed her, but then nodded. “Aye, payment. You deserve it.” He reached out with a small bag and Sri handed him the bloody armor.

  [System]

  Quest Completed - Blacksmiths Sacred Treasure

  Cian felt a surge of energy.

  [System]

  [Level Up]

  “Enjoy,” Sri said.

  Cian went to ask her a question, and suddenly, she was gone.

  Wait… the quest rewards. His rewards.

  He heard Sri snickering, but couldn’t place her location. “You shouldn’t willingly place your trust in anyone, newbie. [Everlight] chews people like you up and spits you back out. Consider your portion of the reward as payment for this information.”

  [System]

  Sriax’nilx would like to become your [Companion].

  Do you accept? Y/N.

  “Party up with me again sometime.”

  And like that, she was gone.

  Cian chuckled to himself. He had learned a lot today. He reached out and pressed ‘Y’ as something grabbed him, violently pulling him into infinity and back into his own body.

  His own broken, worthless body.