Chapter 3

I appeared in the center of a large city. Not just any city, I realized, but The Hub. The Hub was the largest city that was located directly in the middle of Sword Splinter's massive world. The world, referred to by most as Splinthra, was split into realms based on race grouping. Then those sections were split further into sections by race. I, being a dark elf, lived in a dimly lit forest known as Woodren. In Woodren, animals were unique, plants rarely grew, and no where was safe from enemies. It was the furthest away from The Hub, thusly limiting contact with the other races. I opened my menu. My attributes were about right, with Speed and Strength being the highest. My skills looked about right too. Dark elves are the only race with no skill bonus, providing the ultimate challenge with making your chances of getting good quick very slim. I looked around me. Stepping off the platform that was used as the central spawn point, I stretched out. I started to get back on the platform to teleport to Woodren, when I heard a shrill scream. I looked around trying to source the scream. I noticed several new players had just entered The Hub, each and every one with identical high level armor and weapons. They moved slowly, towards the center of The Hub. When their advance stopped, their leader removed his helmet. "We are looking for the new Dark Elf that has just started the game!" I dropped low, trying to not be noticed by the guards. I snuck back towards the platform and crawled on it. I then stood up. "I am here! What do you want?" I shout to the warriors. The one who spoke before muttered something to someone near him, who broke ranks and dashed at me. His sword was drawn and he was wearing slightly lighter armor. To his left hand, there was a round buckler shield. I drew my daggers, flipping the one in my right hand so that the tip pointed toward me. The soldier stopped, sheathing its sword. "I am here to test your strength. Is there anything you need before we begin?" the soldier said, opening its inventory. I thought for a moment, thinking of just what i needed for the battle ahead. "I need some light-weight armor. And a bow." I said, finalizing the build I wanted to start in the tutorial. The soldier opened the trade menu, and requested a trade with me. [Marina would like to trade with you. Accept?] I clicked the accept button and she began giving me the stuff I needed. When it was all there, we both clicked accept. I opened my inventory, putting on my armor and arrows. I also applied a hotcall for my daggers and bow. All I had to do was think of the weapon I wanted and it would be the weapon I had equipped. I thought for my bow, drew it, and waited for Marina to move.