3 [3] The bigger picture

Elara leaned against the table, her eyes scanning the room, filled with the palpable energy of Lyrinthia's focused ambition. She turned to me, a sly grin playing on her lips.

"Alright, let's talk big picture, Wang. 'Game of Kings', GoK, whatever the hell you want to call it, it's not just some run-of-the-mill VR game. It's the biggest fking thing since the internet."

I leaned in, intrigued by her passion. "How big are we talking?"

She chuckled, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and cynicism. "Over a billion players worldwide, and counting. Every continent, every timezone. It's a global phenomenon, and it's all happening on one server. No regional splits, no local versions. Just one massive, sprawling world."

I whistled, impressed. "A billion players? That's... insane."

"Insane, ambitious, and a logistical nightmare," she added. "But it's what makes GoK unique. You're not just playing against people from your neighborhood or country. You're up against the world. Cultural clashes, language barriers, time zones – it's all part of the game."

I pondered the scale of it. "That must make things... complicated."

Elara laughed, a sound that seemed to carry both amusement and a hint of frustration. "Complicated is an understatement. It's a clusterfuck of politics, alliances, and backstabbing on a global scale. You've got power blocs, cultural alliances, and even virtual trade wars."

She started pacing, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke. "And the best part? No NPCs. Every single one of those billion players is a real person, with their own ambitions and agendas. It's humanity's best and worst, all crammed into one virtual world."

I was starting to grasp the enormity of what I'd stepped into. "So, where does Lyrinthia fit into all this?"

Elara stopped pacing and looked at me, her expression serious. "We're the underdogs, the wildcard. We don't have the numbers or the resources of the big kingdoms. But what we lack in size, we make up for in brains and balls. We're the ones who aren't content with just playing the game. We're here to change it."

I nodded, feeling a rush of excitement. "And now I'm part of that."

"Damn right, you are," she said, her eyes locking onto mine, before turning and lowering her gaze to a darker shade.

"You know, Wang, you really dodged a fking bullet by not joining one of those big, flashy nations right off the bat."

I raised an eyebrow, curious about the warning tone in her voice. "How so?"

She crossed her arms, her expression a mix of disdain and pity. "The big kingdoms? They're like those glitzy, high-rise casinos in Vegas. All bright lights and big promises. But what they don't tell you is that for new players, it's a one-way ticket to virtual serfdom."

I frowned, "Serfdom? You mean like medieval peasants?"

"Exactly like medieval peasants," she affirmed, her words laced with bitterness. "These big nations, they prey on newbies. They lure them in with promises of glory and power. But once you're in, you're just another cog in their fucking machine. You'll find yourself a slave, a serf, or stuck doing the shittiest jobs imaginable."

I was taken aback. "That's... that's messed up. They can do that?"

Elara nodded gravely. "Oh, they can, and they do. It's all part of the game mechanics. You sign up with them, and you're at their mercy. They control your assignments, your resources, even your ability to move up. It's like a digital feudal system."

I shook my head in disbelief. "And people put up with that?"

"Some don't know any better. Others buy into the bullshit, thinking they can climb their way to the top. But it's a rigged game, Wang. In those big nations, the ones at the top stay at the top, and the newbies stay at the fking bottom."

I thought about how close I had come to falling into that trap. "So, what happens to those who get fed up? Can't they just leave?"

Elara snorted. "Sure, they can leave, but at a cost. Those big nations make it as hard as possible. Penalties, resource stripping, even blacklisting. They don't let go of their grip easily. It's all about power and control. Anyways, enough in game bullshit for now, follow me."

Elara motioned for me to follow her to a secluded corner of the command center, where a detailed chart depicting various classes was displayed. "Alright, Wang, time to choose your class. It's a big fucking decision, so listen up."

I leaned in, studying the chart. "I'm all ears."

"In GoK, your class isn't just some label; it defines your abilities, your role, and how you interact with this world. And here's the kicker: manual labor classes are enhanced to superhero levels. Choose a farmer, and you're farming at ten times the speed of some poor bastard doing it in real life. Pick a blacksmith, and you're like a goddamn wizard in a forge, making tools fly around and craft shit like you're in Harry Potter."

I raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? That sounds... intense."

She nodded. "It's the game's way of making the grindy stuff less of a pain in the ass and more like... well, a game. But if you're thinking of going white collar, like commerce or law, forget about any fancy tricks. That stuff's still manual, still a grind."

I pondered the options. "So, what's the catch with these enhanced classes?"

Elara shrugged. "Balance, mostly. Sure, you can farm like a machine or forge like a wizard, but you're not going to be leading armies or negotiating treaties. Every class has its strengths and limitations. It's all about what you want to contribute to Lyrinthia, and how you want to experience the game."

I scanned the chart, weighing my options. "What about a swordsman? What's the deal there?"

She grinned, "Ah, going for the classic, huh? A swordsman is all about combat prowess. You'll train in swordsmanship, tactics, and physical conditioning. It's not just swinging a sword around; it's about becoming a weapon yourself."

I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. "Sounds like a challenge. I'll take it."

Elara clapped me on the shoulder. "Good choice. But don't think it's going to be a walk in the park. You'll train hard, fight hard, and if it comes down to it, you'll die hard. But you'll be a force to be reckoned with."

I could feel the weight of the decision, the commitment to not just a role, but a way of life in the game. "I'm ready. What's next?"

"Next, we get you trained up. Swordsmanship isn't just about strength; it's about skill, precision, and fking nerve. You'll start with basic drills, move on to sparring, then to strategy and tactics."

I was already picturing it, the feel of the sword in my hand, the thrill of combat. "And once I'm trained?"

"Then you're a full-fledged member of Lyrinthia's defense force. You'll be part of patrols, defenses, maybe even some offensive operations if it comes to that. You'll protect this place, fight for it, and if necessary, lay it all on the line for it."

Her words were sobering, a reminder of the responsibility that came with the choice. "I won't let you down."

Elara's expression softened. "We'll see Tiger." 

She gave me a pat on the shoulder.

"Well, you're just in luck, it's time for the weekly gathering, come with me."

Q: If you have to join a nation, what nation will you choose based on ideology?