Chapter 4

~ The Character Creation ~

SW/SW/SW

—You, teenagers, are useless ruffians.

—All you do is use your faces as punching bags.

The fire of hatred engulfed his mind and this reflected visibly in his eyes. For the very first time in his life, Kail wanted to punch his father in the face. Never before he had felt so humiliated in front of everyone.

His father’s disgusted expression implanted itself into the deepest reaches of his mind. Frowning, scowling, and scrutinizing.

“You’re a disgrace”, was how anyone who saw it would describe his father’s expression.

Kail landed a hard punch into his pillow. He missed the pillow on the second punch and it hit the bed. His fist bent awkwardly and bounced back from the impact.

He didn’t care and continued to hit his pillow until he ran out of breath. No matter how hard he punched the pillow, anger was still the only emotion Kail could feel flowing through his veins. It was pathetic, really, to be chastised by his father, but he wasn’t at fault. Those scumbags were.

He collapsed onto the bed, face upward. Shielding his face from the light, Kail gazed at the ceiling. His mind recalled the events up to this point as he collected his breathing.

Do you want to play it? Most of our classmates play this game.

You just need to insert it somewhere inside the visor.

Give us your money.

—be more like your nephew!

And it finally ended at the memory where his father insulted him.

You, teenagers, are useless ruffians. All you do is use your faces as punching bags.

Driven by his subconscious desires, Kail rose from his bed and picked a hammer from his hardware tool. Covering the piggy-bank with the blanket, Kail broke it and then carefully put the shards into the bin.

Silently he counted the money, taking all the notes he could find, and he left the coins inside his drawer. He wore his jacket and left the house silently, hoping that the store had the stock ready.

0000

The department store was full of people buying things or just window-shopping. In this city, the true embodiment of ‘the city that never sleeps’ could accurately be used to describe it. The haven of shoppers and window-shoppers alike, it was almost open for a full twenty four hours per day.

A teenager wandering about this place at this hour wasn’t a particularly strange sight. It was past seven o’clock and students were expected to be home studying, but Kail wasn’t alone. This place was crowded with high school students.

From the direction opposite the exit door, gaming store was on the third floor so he took the escalator to reach it. He reached the store easily enough. The store was near the famous fast food chain, MacDanield. A perfect spot for the hungry gamers to grab a bite.

The gaming store might look shabby outside, but it was surprisingly clean and colorful. Hanging on the wall, there were headphones and mice for gaming. There were also a huge variety of CPU casings.

Kail noticed some kind of weird helmets in the corner of the room. Could they be...?

He approached the store attendant and asked, “Excuse me, do you still have the visor for GeaOnline?”

The attendant smiled and went to the corner of the room, “Of course! Which models would you like?”

Kail looked at the supposedly visor. Now that he thought about it, they looked more like a helmet! Why were they called visors, anyway?

“Models?”

“The old models GX-001 is a dream-tool among graphics-lover, but requires more energy input to compensate for the amazing graphics it has. The latest model GXF-002 offers stable graphics and performance, and requires less energy to function. I’d say the latest model is better, because it’s mom-friendly.”

They laughed.

The attendant got it right. If the electricity bill skyrocketed, there’d be a hell to pay.

“I’ll take the newest one,” Kail said after weighing down the pros and cons.

After buying the gadget, Kail went straight home. There was no point in hanging out in the department store any longer unless he wanted to evoke the wrath of a mother.

Inside his room, Kail opened the box and picked the latest model virtual game visor. It did look like a helmet, with a blue visor that covered upper half of the user’s face, leaving the upper below bare. The thin visor itself was permanent and could not be moved.

The streamline design allowed maximum comfort while being used. There was an on and an off button there, as well as a microSD slot. On the side of the visor, there was a cable connected to a power cord.

“Al~right...” he said in a singsong. “So what next?”

He rummaged in the helmet’s box to find its manual. Kail spent several minutes to understand how the visor worked.

GXF-002 with build-in Li-Ion battery provides a high voltage, a long life cycle, and a high charge rate. The battery pack's discharge rate on GHX-002 is directly affected by the graphic management settings. Higher quality of graphic consumes more power than the standard graphic settings. This graphic management setting can be found in GeaOnline’s option.

“So, this helmet-like thing has a build-in battery, huh? Like the latest laptops?” he examined the inner side, but didn’t happen to find where the battery was. He decided to read the manual again.

GXF-002 is also able to momentarily cut the electrical current if the battery is full. Once the battery falls below 50% of the max value, GXF will resume the charging. It takes approximately three hours to charge the battery to full.

“Oh, that’s quite cool,” Kail grinned. Flipping the book, he read the next instruction on how to install GeaOnline.

GXF-002 is designed to support and play GeaOnline. Users need to insert the microSD inside microSD slot located on the left side of the GXF-002. Once it is in, GFX-002 will automatically install the game. Make sure GFX-002 is turned on. Once the installation is finished, GFX-002 will produce a beeping sound. Unload the microSD by pressing a button located beside the microSD slot.

Kail followed the instruction dutifully. While waiting, he read several mangas and munched on a packet of biscuit. One hour later the visor beeped, signaling that the installation was finished. Kail took out the microSD as instructed.

Feeling excited already, Kail held the helmet in his hands, eyes focused on the paper below him.

To use GXF-002, simply wear it on the head. During GeaOnline playthrough, GFX-002 will momentarily block the signal the brain sends through the body, rendering the users in a state of unconsciousness, and emits its own unique wave to stimulate the five senses. It is advisable for the users to play in somewhere safe and comfortable, preferably on the bed.

Our visors series are well equipped to catch nearby Wi-Fi signal from our specially constructed towers. This allows users to play GeaOnline without needing additional programs or application. We have extended our towers even to rural areas. In that regards, users do not need to worry about the lack of signal to go online.

Currently, GFX-002 is only capable of projecting two senses, sight and hearing, from five traditional senses, which are sight (vision), hearing (audition), taste (gustation), smell (olfaction), and touch (somatosensation). In development, the newer version will be able to stimulate all of them and possibly more.

He placed a hand on his chest. His heart was beating like crazy. Of course it should be, after all he was going to experience his first VR online game. What would the GeaOnline look like...?

“Alright, I’ll play just for two hours,” Kail lay down on the bed and wore the helmet. Several seconds later, there was some kind of inscription appeared on the visor. He tried to read it, but sleepiness quickly overcame his mind.

[New ID detected. Load previous character or create a new one?]

Suddenly a grey window appeared in front of him. Using an invisible hand, he touched the ‘create new’ choice box. He typed his e-mail address and password, and waited.

[ID_2666383=created.]

[ID registered.]

[Preparing to log in.]

Everything was dark, but Kail could sense his limbs and arms. He was nowhere and there was nothing to be seen.

Slowly a figure appeared from the seemingly empty space. It was a woman, dressed in fantasy-themed secretary clothes, complete with a pair of glasses. Her golden hair was tied in a simple bun.

She smiled at him and he smiled back.

“Thank you for purchasing GeaOnline and we welcome you to the world of Tel Nevos. We offer you our humble gratitude for your patronage.”

“Uh, yeah. You’re welcome,” Kail answered back with a bow.

The woman was smiling. Was something funny?

“My name is Alice 146, your guide in starting out as a new adventurer,” she bowed. “Before we begin creating your avatar, is there something you would like to ask? Or to complain, perhaps?”

“Are you a living person?” Kail blurted it out and Alice laughed.

“Of course! In reality, I am one of many employees whose job is to help a newcomer. Like you, we are also wearing the visor. Anything else?”

Face red, Kail let out a nervous laugh, but swallowed his uneasiness and asked, “By a guide, you mean...?”

“I will direct you and provide you with voice support during your first playthrough for one hour. There is no tutorial area since we believe that the best experience is to jump straight into the wilderness. More information can be accessed on our website. At any rates, I will do whatever I can to make you experience heaven in GeaOnline!” she gave him a thumbs up.

Kail nodded in satisfaction.

“Then let us begin creating your avatar. Please note that one account only supports one avatar, so create carefully. You cannot change your gender, unfortunately. Then...” with a flick of her wrist, a blue window appeared between them.

Inside, there were several sub menus, each representing a race in the world of Tel Nevos.

Human, Elf, Beastman, Draconian, Demon, Devil, and Vampire.

Kail tapped Draconian. It was his first time seeing that race.

Draconians are hardy, strong people. A distant cousin of the Dragon race, Draconians gain STR and VIT at a fast rate, suitable to players who prefer a solid attacker. Also, they can breathe fire and fly at will, making them dangerous opponents to fight in close range.

Best Attributes: STR and VIT

So they could roast the enemies, huh? Pretty handy, considering that firebreath skill in RPG games was an AoE skill.

But what about Beastman?

Living in a hidden village somewhere in Alrua Mountain, Beastmen are strong and fast attacker. They are able to dish out significant damages. So precise in their attacks, beastmen almost never miss. What is more, they are immune to poison, making them a deadly living weapon.

Best Attributes: STR and DEX

Beastmen... So they were like dogs, furry and fluffy? The words ‘never miss’ tempted him, but he resisted. Melee didn’t appeal much to him.

He, then, tapped Human.

Humans dominated several parts of Tel Nevos and the most commonly found race in GeaOnline. Excel in everything, Humans display outstanding survivability and adaptability of all races.

Best Attributes: Jack of all trades

He was a human to begin with, so it made sense that he chose to play as Human. Kail tapped it and confirmed.

Alice smiled again. This time, the racial window disappeared and was replaced by a big job window, “Which job do you prefer? Please swipe left or right to read each job’s description.”

The initial class being presented to Kail was, of course, the mighty warrior.

Warrior

An expert in clobbering, bludgeoning, striking, and cutting, any weapon is a tool of destruction in the hands of a Warrior. They prefer to defeat their enemies in close-range attacks.

Equipment

Skills

STR

14

Head: Leather Helmet

Healing

Hammer

VIT

15

Body: Leather Vest

Medium Armor

Evasion

DEX

11

Arm1: Iron Sword

Heavy Armor

Survival

PER

7

Arm2: Buckler

One Handed

First Aid

INT

5

Two Handed

WIS

5

Shield

WILL

5

Sword

CHA

8

No. He didn’t want to play as a Warrior. They reminded him of Wawan, someone who resorted to violence to solve everything.

Kail swiped to the right to find magic-oriented jobs. He decided to read each description.

Shaman

The Shamans are friends of nature. They can channel the power of nature to bring justice upon their wretched enemies. Proficient in close-range, a Shaman can summon animals and sacred animals to their aid.

Equipment

Skills

STR

8

Head: Fur Helmet

Healing

Casting

VIT

7

Body: Fur Vest

Medium Armor

Control Magic

DEX

6

Arm1: Whip

One Handed

Literacy

PER

8

Arm2: -

Mace

Survival

INT

15

Whip

Herbology

WIS

16

Taming

Gardening

WILL

11

Meditation

CHA

8

A Shaman looked good, except that it didn’t appeal much too him. Okay, they could attack and do magic. They were versatile enough, but a Shaman excelled nothing in particular.

That was what Kail thought.

The next job was the all too familiar one.

Magician

Ah, a Magician. What would a fantasy world be without one? Conjuring flame pillars, water needles, and thunder rains, there isn’t anything that a Magician cannot do, assuming that it has something to do with magic.

Equipment

Skills

STR

5

Head: Mage Hat

Healing

Memorization

VIT

6

Body: Robe

Light Armor

Evasion

DEX

6

Arm1: Staff

Staff

Alchemy

PER

5

Arm2: -

Meditation

Herbology

INT

17

Casting

WIS

13

Control Magic

WILL

15

Literacy

CHA

7

He was through playing as a Magician. Keeping his distance away from the enemies and then blasted them into nothingness. Maintaining distance and attacked, rinse and repeat. It was kind of boring.

Summoner

While Magicians blast the enemies using three basic elements and Shamans the nature, Summoners flatten the enemies using otherworldly power of the Summon Beasts. With a Summon Beast, this class is a formidable foe in battle.

Equipment

Skills

STR

5

Head: Circlet

Healing

Memorization

VIT

6

Body: Robe

Light Armor

Literacy

DEX

7

Arm1: Staff

Staff

Evasion

PER

8

Arm2: -

Meditation

Alchemy

INT

16

Casting

Herbology

WIS

11

Control Magic

WILL

11

Control Beast

CHA

14

The instant Kail saw the Summoner job, his heart cried out to choose it. There was something mysterious and new about the Summoner that intrigued him, tempting him. Without a slight hesitation, he chose it.

“Ah, a Summoner. That’s a good job, although you will later tend to be a support character for your Summon Beasts. Starting out quite weak, they are a force to be reckoned with at higher level,” Alice commented. “For your information, a Summoner doesn’t always need a Summon Beast to kill the enemies.”

“So they’re armed with offensive spells?”

“Of course, as well as defensive ones to increase a Summoner’s survivability, but the choice of spell is not as diverse as the Magicians since Summoners themselves are support characters. On the other hand, Shamans use nature-based spells, such as debilitating Vine Whip, poisonous Crimson Petal, Wind Tornado, and so on.”

Kail nodded.

Alice waved her hand and a naked body appeared in front of Kail, along with a customization window. Kail then pushed several buttons, designing his avatar. He had the avatar looked like him, but changed the hairstyle and hair color.

“Alright,” he said after he’d done designing everything. “I’m ready.”

“Then please type in your avatar’s name. Please be careful. You cannot change your name later.”

Kail crossed his arms, frowning. He played this game to escape reality. He wanted to be an excellent student. He wanted to be perfect so that his mother wouldn’t compare him anymore and his father wouldn’t insult him.

Kail finally found a name that suited him.

“That’s quite a unique name, I must say.”

He flashed a smile at her and looked at the name he had typed.

AceKivras.

Ace—the name was a reminder for him to change himself. Ace meant number one, champion, excellent, and perfect. Weak and wimp in the real world he might be, but he vowed not to cower in this virtual game. He hoped to change himself in the virtual world first, then his real self would follow suit.

Though he didn’t know what Kivras meant.

Alice smiled one last time, “Okay. Close your eyes. Open them when I tell you to.”

Following her command, Kail closed his eyes and felt wind under his feet. The wind began enveloping him, but he kept his eyes closed. The wind raged furiously until everything was quiet.

Around him, the birds were chirping and people were talking. He was in a place completely different from before.

“You can open your eyes now.”

...and Kail did.