As thousands of players in a mix of classes and weapons all shouted and shoved as they raced across the dewy and lush grass of the plains that the Town of Hayton rested on, a lone figure struggled to walk at even a snail’s pace.

Sweating profusely, Akuma walked as if a toddler would. The passing players all thought it a comical sight, but if Atlas were here, he would be struck still. In only an hour, Akuma had already begun walking again.

This isn’t to say he went from disabled to walking in only an hour. In fact, Akuma had the ability to walk in real life all along. Yet the mental barriers in place, and the demons in his heart, failed to allow him to take the first step. But here and now in this VR world where possibilities were endless, thoughts of barriers ceased to exist and imagination became reality.

It was with this power of Ascension Online that Akuma naturally moved his feet under his own power. Step by gruesomely slow step, Akuma’s unwavering determination and unbending will propelled him past the spawning zone.

High above, the dual suns of Ionia, Raejus and Hoth, battered down on Akuma’s frame. Crimson hair fluttered and floated with a fairy’s grace as winds from the vast plains before Akuma brought forth with them a refreshing breeze. Even now, after having spent an hour in the Ascension Online, Akuma still remained astonished at the level of reality of the game. He was not alone.

Thousands of players stood and sat dumbstruck as they stared off dazed, rubbing their hands over vibrant flowers, or even savoring the enticing and lavish foods that were bought with the first loot and coins of the game.

Chirps of a thousand birds that basked in the sun’s rays and clear skies devoid of any clouds, heralded Akuma’s approach to the edge of the hill upon which the Town of Hayton is based.

Slower than a sloth, Akuma reached past the final stretch of towering trees before they broke away to reveal chaos and carnage. Players, thousands of them, ran amok across the far reaching pasture of lush green.

Shouts of fierce battle, of cries for help and cheers of victory, were interrupted by the ever present clatter of weapons being used on a horde of ferocious creatures. But while thousands of players threw themselves head first into their first adventure of this new world, many more stood back on the slope of the hill that lead toward the plains. They stank of fear and fright.

“H-How could the developers make the game so realistic?”

“Jesus man, that attack from the wolf hurt like a bitch.”

The vast majority of players paused in their progress of the game. The boast of 98% realism turned out to be far too true. Pain, although diluted to only 5%, still struck most players with hesitation after their first encounter of getting bitten or clawed at. For those who could go past the pain, the problem remained on actually knowing how to fight and dealing with fatigue.

The only positive to the combat in Ascension Online, would be the lack of true blood and sounds of torturous suffering. Neither players or monsters would bleed when struck by an attack. Instead, a flash of muted light would bloom ever so slightly before leaving behind a pale glowing mark directly where the last attack made contact, but only for a second or two before disappearing. Then when struck, monsters would emit a slight sound of surprise in recognition of the damage done to them. Beyond that though, nothing else was shown or heard that would mentally harm and scar a person.

Well, save for the pain that the players had to bear. Yet in the face of this adversity, no one sat depressed. Instead, fires of hunger and thrill of the game pumped everyone’s blood full of excitement.

Through it all however, Akuma remained indifferent. Steps, slow but steady, carried Akuma past the chatting players that readied themselves. At the appearance of the shuffling player that intended on throwing himself toward the monsters, many smirked and began nudging each other to look at the fool.

Still though, Akuma remained indifferent. Instead of focusing on their discussions and whispers of how quickly he would die, Akuma pulled his attention to the various game screens. One last triple check to ensure that he was ready. Of them all, one screen stood out in particular.

Game Mode Selection

> Manual Automatic

The realism of Ascension Online extended beyond just how things felt. If a player so chooses, they could actively control their character’s action. In Automatic Mode, an Archer’s arrow would fly true and strike the target. However the attack would result in a normal damage amount, with a slim chance for a Miss or Critical attack. In Manual Mode however, the Archer had complete control. Just like firing an arrow in real life, the arrow’s final result would depend on numerous factors. This in turn made Manual Mode much harder to do well in and harder to achieve results good enough to beat out Automatic Mode. However if one did know how to use a bow and arrow, the results would be staggering. One would be able to aim the arrow to strike at a leg to slow a foe, or target the heart for a constant stream of Critical attacks. Even debuffs like stuns from attacking the head, blindness for eyes, or muting a human target by slicing their throat were possible.

For most, the trade-off was not worth the ability to accurately attack and defend, whether it be by striking with a sword, targeting and launching a magic attack or projectile, or even playing an instrument in the case of Minstrels and making armour if the player is a Crafter.

However Akuma was not like most.

He was the ex-champion of the Combat Sports Association. The Demon that struck fear in all contestants from the dregs of the association to the ‘Kings’. A practitioner of 6 sword styles and the master of his own self-created style.

He was a demon wearing the face of a teen.

After confirming everything was ready, Akuma trudged onward. Now at the pace of an old man on door deathstep, he shuffled forward as his jawline jutted cleanly out while jaw muscles clenched in the only visible show of concentration.

Past the hollering players that threw barbs at him. Through the line of bunched of people that stood hesitant just past the first line of battle. Then through the clashes of melee that all Classes had to fight through, before he finally reached past the congested zone and truly into the plains.

And directly into the path of a roving duo of creatures.

Seeing a lone figure hobble past the densely crowded line of fighters, the two creatures veered off their course and toward Akuma. Wolves, nearly half the size larger than a normal wolf, streak across the abundant foliage and flowers as their extremely long and shaggy grey hair hugged their clearly defined and dense muscles that powered them faster toward Akuma.

[ Mutated Wolf ]

Level 1

Attack: 1 - 5

Defense: 3

Health: 80

[ Mutated Wolf ]

Level 1

Attack: 1 - 5

Defense: 3

Health: 80

Seeing their frenzied dash however, Akuma’s stern and stoic facade cracked to reveal a chilly smile as gold eyes blazed in a fiery hunger that was soon to be sated. As is his Sword Style’s way, Akuma continued to advance in the face of the incoming monsters and drew his sword. The keen, if not dull edged standard short sword hissed free of the leather sheath as Akuma reversed his grip to hold the blade along his forearm.

[ Crude Short Sword ]

Crude Equipment

Attack: 1 - 5

Requirement: None

It was the worst tiered weapon in the game at the Crude Tier, but the sword would do. In the hands of others it would be a tool. In Akuma’s hands, it was the instrument whose call would send even the devil himself running. The call of steel flashing through air in a whistle as the air itself bent to the will of the sword.

The same call that echoed out as the monsters closed to striking distance.

With the same shuffling steps that brought him thus far, Akuma hobbled the final distance between himself and the wolves. Unlike his steps though, his sword strikes were... masterful, deadly, and merciless.

You dealt a Critical attack: - 8 HP

You dealt a Critical attack: - 9 HP

Your blow has crippled the target. Target stunned for 1 second

You dealt a Devastating attack: -12 HP

You dealt: - 3 HP

Your blow has crippled the target. Target is slowed by 20% for 3 seconds

You dealt a Ruthless attack: -9 HP

Flashes of iron accompanied by the yelping cries of one of the wolves as it stumbled into its brethren, heralded Akuma’s prowess. The red bar, indicating the creature’s health, rapidly dropped a total of 41 points, leaving slightly more than half of the rectangle that floated just below the creature name and level to become greyed out.

Ignoring the wall of text which indicated the damage he dealt and the effects of his strikes, Akuma paused his rapid cyclone of strikes as he backed off. Simultaneously the two wolves did the same.

At the base Level 1 character stats, Akuma felt an irritation flow freely in him. His speed currently was severely behind his real life attacking speed. Even worse, was his control. While a swordsman could only move or attack so fast, the ability to clearly analyze the speed, direction, and intent of the strike and then react accordingly was the true reason why he became renowned as ‘Akuma’ in the Combat Sports Association.

In the game though, Akuma felt as if he was in water when he struck while his perception and control dropped to nearly 1/10th his normal ability. But while others would be furious at such a circumstance, Akuma swallowed the irritation in him as a feeling of mirth bloomed gently on his face. Here and now, he would be able to train, getting himself back up to his normal speed and ability.

And the wolves whose hair rose in aggression while they bared their razor sharp teeth at him would be his training dummies.

Facing the calm human that hobbled closer to them, the wolves appeared to shudder slightly. Whether it was the sword that twirled with an unmatched skill as the whistling of its metal sheared through air. Or maybe it was the smile and eyes of the man before them that seemed all too willing to deliver pain and suffering to their bodies. Or it could’ve been the crimson hair that swelled to life as the dual suns ignited the boundless red hair into a bloody omen.

Whatever the case may be, the wolves were afraid.

There were not the only ones. Around Akuma, watching from the sloping hill that had gathered hundreds of resting players, were the stunned silences of those few individuals that paid attention to Akuma. Where once they laughed at a cripples disability, now they sat awe-struck by his prowess.

Akuma had arrived.