Introduction to the New World

After Andrew left, workers came and installed his VR pod. He was placed inside and connected. He woke up in a white space. Surrounding him where different objects. A TV, a bookshelf, a computer, a table and a chair, and a couch.

Before leaving, Andrew had explained a few more things. First, about the pod. It had been custom made for his use and had several unique features. Like the whitespace. It was antechamber to the actual game in a way, a place he could go if he needed a break. Yukiro could move around it using voice commands and it was equipped with an impressive amount of films, games and books that he could use to pass the time. Its only flaw was that it had no access to the internet. Andrew had explained that 1 hour outside was 2 hours and 30 mins in here, which was half of the ratio in game (5 hours there was 1 hour in real life).

He also explained that New World was still in the final phase of its production, which meant that it wouldn't be ready for another 2 or 3 months. In the meantime, Yukiro would participate in the beta test for the game which would last for two weeks (10 weeks in game) and it started in a week.

During the beta test, the usual death penalty would be waived to allow the 1000 players participating in the beta test to explore New World without having to log out for one day (or 5 in-game days) each time they died.

While waiting for the beta test to start, Yukiro decided to spend his time reading about the game. A quick search confirmed that only one book in what was available to him talked of the game. It was titled: "Introduction to the New World". Yukiro quickly started reading it. From the book he gathered some basic information:

Level

Each player starts at level one. Each subsequent level gives the player a small bonus to health, stamina and mana and damage as well as 5 stats point which can be used to increase basic stats.

Stats

There are 6 basic stats.

Strength: Increases damage of melee damage and the maximum weight a person can carry.

Agility: Increases movement speed and chances to avoid an attack.

Dexterity: Increases attack speed and chances of a critical hit.

Vitality: Increases base health and base stamina.

Intelligence: Increases base magic damage.

Wisdom: Increases base mana.

Special Stats

There are special stats. These cannot be increased by normal means. The player starts with 4 special stats, but may gain others through his actions.

Luck: Increases the chance of better loot and good events.

Charisma: Influences how others perceive you.

Fame: Increase intimacy with others, with high fame people may seek you out with specific requests.

Leadership: Allows you to command others. Those under your command gain a bonus depending on how high your leadership is.

Proficiencies

Proficiencies are abilities the players develop through action or by being taught. They provide some permeant bonus to the player. Each proficiency must be leveled up from beginner to intermediate to advanced before being mastered, with 10 levels for each stage (after the ten beginner levels the proficiency becomes intermediate).

Skills

Skill can be learned by levelling up proficiencies, or through special actions or events. They can be leveled up the same way as proficiencies.

Class

A class is a type of proficiency, but provides more bonuses and skills, including some that are class-specific.

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After reading all that information, Yukiro felt slightly overwhelmed, despite a lot of it sounding familiar to some other games he had played or hear about. The only thing he could say for sure is that he was impatient to try it out.

During the rest of the week he spent his time reading on several other topics he thought could be useful, such as books on martial arts, on memorisation, on how to shortening the amount of sleep required, etc… Finally, the week passed (or 2 and a half weeks in the white space) and suddenly a doorway appeared in the white space. Through it you could only see darkness. Above the doorway there were the words "New World" in bold red.

Yukiro said: "Enter New World."

An artificial sounding voice replied:

"Are you sure you wish to leave the antechamber and enter New World?"

"Yes."

"Entering New World."

Yukiro was sucked in by the doorway. He then appeared in a new "whitespace", except this time there were figures in front of him. A new voice spoke. He though it sounded suspiciously like Andrew's:

"Welcome to New World! Please select your character's starting race. As this is a beta test, you can only choose from human, elf, dwarf or half-giant."

"Human."

"You have selected human. To avoid psychological issues, the gender of your character is set to your own gender by default. If you have a problem with this and wish to change it, you may contact an administrator. Now, please customize your appearance."

"Default."

"You have selected default. Your character will be stuck with the same appearance that you have in real life. Poor him. Now, for the last step, please enter your character's name."

"Kiro." It was the nickname his younger brother and sister addressed him by.

"Welcome to New World, Kiro! You character selection is complete. As this is a beta test, you cannot choose your starting location. You will start in the city of Astelam, in Central kingdom. Enjoy your life in the New World!"

With another flash of light, he disappeared. And reappeared in Astelam, the capital city of the Central kingdom.