“By the way, brother did you specifically give me this character or did I get it by random.”

Chibi Cillian returned to his yacht. He looked Alexander in the eyes without saying anything.

After a quick second of exchanging eye contact, Alexander averted his eyes and focused on the information list again.

_ _ _

[Species]: Ælf [Culture]: Neasdocs-Ælf

[Stats]: All*1.30 (Except for Charm, Mana and Faith), Charm*1.5, Mana*1.5, Faith*2.5, Experience*0.4

[Traits]: Children of Neasdocs

[Affinity]: Normal Faith, Minor Single-handed Weapon

[Equipment]: Trash Evolvable Spellblade, Trash Evolvable Shortsword, Healing Flasks

_ _ _

“Stats are good. I always can play another build without touching the faith system.” Alexander analysed his character. “However, the equipment is garbage.”

“What’s wrong with them?” Chibi Cillian looked up from his sunbathing chair.

“Brother, I might be bad in other aspects, but you can’t hide this from me.” Alexander calmly analysed. “These weapons are a waste of space. Usually, evolvable weapons siphon their user level to level up. Furthermore, they are often outclassed by their specialised counterparts.”

“Like this Swordsword,” Alexander pointed at the short sword on the elf’s back. “It siphons 20% of the user exp whilst only giving +1 Agility and +1 Stamina.”

“Not to mention this garbage Spellblade, only +1 Strength and + 1 Endurance.”

Chibi Cillian rolled his eyes.

“What if I tell you they are chain quest items?”

“Why didn’t you say it in the first place?” Alexander's opinions changed 180 in an instant.

***

“Alright, since we are done with the selection,” Chibi Cillian asked. “Do you want to customise your character?”

“Nah!”

“Alright, just hold your hand towards the elf then.”

Alexander complied and held his hand out. The elf used its opposite hand to shake his hand.

_ _ _

_ _ _

“Yes!”

The elf melted into a purple liquid and streamed towards Alexander, wrapping him into a purple cocoon.

The feeling was bizarre. It was like Alexander was going through a metamorphosis. Reborn a new. A stronger Alexander.

Alexander's already handsome features became sharper and more pronounced.

His blond hair grew long whilst his distinctive purple eyes became sharp.

Strange marking appeared around his back.

His body compressed as it strengthened and expanded as it finished.

After a while, the cocoon broke.

A majestic elf walked out. Without any hubristic demeanour of the showcase counterpart, Alexander moved with excitement. He observed his new body in amazement. Ready to take it out on a spin.

“How do you feel?” Chibi Cillian circled his yacht around Alexander.

“I feel light … I feel strong … I think I could fight a tiger,” Alexander reactively answered whilst exercising his new body.

“Good! You will need it for your tutorial,” Chibi Cillian snapped his finger.

Before Alexander could respond, his consciousness slipped.

***

“Ahhhhh!” Alexander screamed as he woke up. Jolting his body upward, Alexander was quickly met with a dirt ceiling.

Smacking his head against it, Alexander could feel that he was in a constricted place.

With the damp and dirty smell permeating the air, Alexander tried to move the rest of his body.

However, the game soundtrack started playing. Aiming to make Alexander's situation worse, the eerie sounds of piano ringing in the distance accompanied the faint heartbeats, soft cries, and heavy irregular heartbeats spooked his movement.

Alexander's sudden and aggressive movement of his right arm caused the dirt around immediately respond and rush towards the newly emptied space.

Alexander stopped, afraid of being buried alive. He calmed his mind, trying to ignore the sound of the reaper waiting for his time to finish.

Alexander scanned through his inventory.

He was wearing a cheap tunic. On his back, there are two sheathed swords. On his waist, there are three healing flasks.

Alexander started to formulate a plan before he ran out of air.

In slow movements, Alexander gently wiggled his hand free.

Continuing with the movements, Alexander lifted his back. He used his hands to slowly roll up his tunic. However, the weapons’ sheath strap quickly stopped his progress.

‘God damnit, this game and its high degree of realism. Why can’t it be like other games and have the weapons disappeared into an inventory box or just hovered at the back?’ Stressed, Alexander complained whilst removing his sheath straps.

After struggling for a while and noticing the decrease in breathable air, the straps finally came off.

Alexander immediately rushed to remove his tunic next. However, still afraid of a cave-in, he motioned it carefully.

*Huff* *Puff*

*HAH*

Breathing became more difficult as the soundtrack became tenser. Finally, Alexander struggled to get his tunic off.

Ignoring the damp and sweaty smell of his tunic, Alexander had no choice but to use it to cover his face. He then tied his swords to his waist.

Alexander pulled out the Shortsword and began digging.

*Huff* *Puff* *Huff* *Puff*

Beneath the tunic, Alexander regulated his breathing as dirt fell on his face.

Of course, the soundtrack changed. It now resembled the tunes of victims helplessly escaping. However, irregular heavy breathing sound reminded Alexander that the reaper was still quick behind his back.

As his face became increasingly pale and air quickly became a luxurious commodity. Alexander shovelled as hard as he could.

In mind, of course, he was complaining to distract himself.

‘God damnit, what kind of game buried its player during the tutorial. Shouldn't they be holding the players' hands, guiding them through the game? FUCK YOUR GAME DESIGN, BROTHER!!!!’

After a few minutes, Alexander's thoughts and complaints returned blank. The lack of oxygen slowly stripped away his brain functions. Alexander's mind slipped in and out of consciousness.