A sweeping violin score picks up as his vision casually meanders along a deep grove of lush flora interspersed with

Gothic architecture. Before him is the majesty of Dragon Scythe Online’s main city, starting point, and trade hub: Eizerith.

He breaths in the wonderful fresh air of a world not yet introduced to modern industry, yet mystically devoid of the historically-accurate shit-lined streets.

He looks through the round garden overlooked by the spiraling towers of the city, spotting only a handful of players — “must be instanced,” he muses as he eyes over his quest hub. He nods in appreciation upon seeing that quests are given in a sandbox-style manner straight to the player rather than having to run about finding quest givers; not only is it more realistic-feeling, but it also is a good solution for the infamous practice of NPC abuse, which has become an incredibly common practice in earlier VRMMOs.

There have even been some criminal charges pressed by certain game companies after some players pushed the freedom of simulation a little too far: the most infamous example being in God Slayer International, in which a guild, appropriately titled “Asshole Brigade” spent five hours attempting to have orgy sex with all of the busiest NPCs in the game. Imagine the lack of surprise on everyone’s faces when a group of fifty sweaty basement dwellers emote-caressed the queen of Lampern, the constant physical collision causing her to be unable to give out the incredibly important chain quest required for the first job advancement.

Understandably, it’s been a topic of hot debate, and Clark is rather glad that people can just molest NPCs without denying others quests - that’s just too toxic. For the NPCs that do exist, however, they’re usually surrounded by OP NPC guards, and consider any serious touching to be a duel request now, Clark thinks that’s a pretty good way to deal with most trouble makers- after all, he’s after players, not soulless NPCs.

That said, his first quest is to go up and collect the Record of Aydoss, which isn’t far at all.

Clark looks back to the game world and sees a floating, golden book no more than twenty meters from him. He’ll venture to bet that’s the book.

He steps up without problem and collects it. Upon opening it to a dramatic theme of discovery, he realizes that it’s a manual to the game world.

The quest in his tab completes itself, and the entire quest tracker window disappears. It just so turns out that that’s the only in-H.U.D. quest in the entire game. Everything else is player led and supposed to be recalled, just like an actual, real life errand.

Clark nods to himself with a smile. This game gets him, minimal handholding.

The moment he puts away the book filled with class descriptions and world lore, the gates leading out of the garden open wide, letting him through.

He steps through without a thought, and finds a small, privately-instanced room with a table and a slew of weapons and gear.

Clark reads the sign to the side of the torch-lit room:

“Take as many as you’d like. They’re all valued at ‘0’ gol, so don’t worry yourself with selling them later,” the sign reads.

Clark nods again as he picks up the items, it looks like they have real weight. As he places a pair of daggers into his bag, which can hold anything that can fit through the opening, he feels the weight of the daggers lain upon his whole body, as if he just suddenly started to weigh himself, plus the daggers. He takes a quick peek at his stats screen:

5L4Y

Race:Human

Class:Beginner

Faction:None

STR:5

DEX:5

INT:5

STA:5

CHA:5

LCK:5

He pauses a moment to take it in. This is the last time He’ll see these numbers, probably. He takes a quick screenshot to remember the moment, and closes his stats tab to finish up in the room.

He grabs a set of knives and daggers, along with a bow and quiver set — his prey might be fast, after all. Jostling his body about, he measures the weight of his gear with the physical aptitude with his character. Pleased with the light nature of his set, he goes forward.

Finally he enters the city proper, and he’s immediately impressed with the design. Rolling, twisting vines cross along the strong-holds and market squares all. He strolls through slowly at first, taking it all in and appreciating the atmosphere, but after only a couple minutes of watching players as low as him run about, his lust for blood gets the best of him. He’s not going to let himself get out leveled by the masses; he’s going to get right to it.