By this time, all the other players have already started to disperse to do their own objectives. While I’m still standing here, staring at someone else’s conversation. And now, the person called May has noticed me staring at them. I should probably just quickly leave without saying anything, it won’t matter because I’ll probably never see that player again. But…I actually do want to pry into their conversation and learn more about this “WiseMaster667” guy. Maybe it’s so I could show off my game knowledge like he is, or actually practically learn something new from him. He does seem like he knows what he’s talking about. I guess I’ll kindly wave at them.

MC: “Hello there! I couldn’t help but be fascinated with this conversation you all are having.”

I’ve automatically transformed into Amulet Pond now!

May: “Aw look whose here! What race are you playing as?”

Hey! Don’t “Aw” me! I’m not afraid of being called cute, but I am offended that you would think this character I made is cute. I purposefully made Amulet to look like a mixture of a little wise guy and a little silly guy and a little old guy (in appearance)!

WiseMaster667: “Ah, it seems like this man here is playing as a Dwelf. They’re a simple but an interesting mixture of dwarves and elves. Unlike most other fantasy games, those two races in Divine Mortality are considered to be closely related to each other. Normally you’d think that dwarves and elves would be rival races, not in this game! In this game they’re kin. How do you do noble sir?”

Eh…I suddenly started roleplaying, but now I’ve also suddenly lost interest after realizing that of course WiseMaster667 will continue his roleplay. Unless that’s how he acts in real life, oh I hope not. It’s a bit awkward, no? I will, nonetheless, continue the show, let me tell them my name.

MC: “I am doing fantastic, thank you for asking WiseMaster667. Indeed, it is also true that the Dwelf race is one of the many unique aspects of this game. I had never played as something like the Dwelf before, but ever since I’ve started to play this game, I have chosen to try out and experience its unique features and activities. By the way, my name is “Amulet Pond”. I have heard everyone else’s names already, as I was listening in after seeing that event which occurred just now. Greetings May and Krafty!”

I’ll do a little wave…and perfect! I think I can act well as Amulet Pond. But I’m not sure whether the little accent I added to my voice is stupid sounding or not.

May: “Aw-Ah alright, gotchya! Hello to you too Amulet.”

Krafty: “Hi there…”

WiseMaster667: “So, what would you like to know?”

Hey! I didn’t even ask you a question, and you already assume I’m here for you? Damnit, but you’re right. I guess I do have a question.

MC: “I’m interested in your observation concerning the NPCs which, by themselves, reacted to the situation that was occurring at the period of time when Krafty approached the many NPC characters from each camp.”

Honestly, I’m not really interested in that. I already get what happened, very cool and all, but I guess I just want to poke at what things he knows about this game which I don’t. Maybe…just slightly maybe, it’s because I’m trying to measure myself against him. But! I believe I have a good excuse for not feeling petty. He might know what direction is the easiest or most lucrative to adventure at, or maybe he might know where I could go to learn some magic.”

MC: “But, uh, because of my intuition I believe that you, Wise, might know something about the other regions in this game besides this one? Such as, where it is best to gain mana or learn some spells at?”

May: “Oh yeah! If you know something about that, please let us know. Maybe going to the “Free Counties” with Krafty is a bad idea, so I’d rather know now than waste my time.”

Krafty: “It sounds like you’re trying to abandon me May…again…”

Wise is grinning now. Looks like I was correct in asking him this.

WiseMaster667: Ho…ho Ho-Ho HO!

Hmm…Yeah, he might be a little arrogant. I was afraid to think of this before because it would’ve been too judgmental. But I guess a little arrogance didn’t hasn’t harmed anyone before.

WiseMaster667: “All three of you are lucky to have found me. Because I have the right information for all of you! I knew it was a good idea coming back to spawn.”

Did he just say he came back to spawn? But isn’t his character newly created too?

Krafty: “What do you mean you came back to spawn?”

WiseMaster667: “You see, fellow players. I have already left the Holy Lands once, half a day ago. This is actually my second character which I recently created. I tried to speed through this game, but I underestimated the amazing quality and balance (some might call it “difficulty”) of this game. My first character was a two-handed warrior. I thought rushing through each zone would be easiest that way. Yet, I not only underestimated the size of the Overworld. But also, the terrain, the AI, and factors such as the diverse combat system. I thought I had found a way to effectively battle my way through the game using clever advantages over the game’s mechanics with my VR controllers, but the results turned out to be statistically unprofitable. I do still believe there are ways for a player to unlock secret or interesting advantages over this game, but so far I have found none.”

That’s because the game has only been out for less than two days!

WiseMaster667: “Eventually, after reaching a certain zone I realized that perhaps the melee side of combat in this game is not the most powerful or efficient. But instead, I believe range combat is the best. No, not via physical damage but instead via magical damage! Ah, but it looks like you all may not be very interested in hearing more about the mechanics of how magic works in this game. But I do certainly recommend using magic anyways. However, it seems that Amulet Pond has already figured this out too! The usefulness and power of magic, so he already wishes to learn it too!

Nope. No, I have not. I just want to see me using awesome magical powers in this immersive VR game.

WiseMaster667: So, I shall speak plainly to all three of you. Even if you do not wish to follow the arcane arts of magic. The Free Counties is the best region to steadily learn more about this game, also it’s the easiest place to either get stronger or richer. Heading to either to the Chiefdom of Visiwend in the west or the Kingdom of Graypine in the east is an okay choice, but it would be a moderate experience for many players. I am of course speaking from a casual’s perspective for you all. But it would be foolish for any newly created character to travel anywhere west past the Chiefdom of Visiwend because that huge region is called the “Hinterlands” and it’s a difficult place to adventure at. Same goes for the High Peak mountains to our southwest which you can see from here in the distance, or the whole southeast region which is called the remnants of the Lunar Empire.

MC: “So, what about the magic?”

WiseMaster667: “Oh right, where can you learn more about the magic system in this game? Almost at every town, there is at least one magic related source (book, scroll, teacher, etc.) to learn more about the magic system’s mechanics or spells themselves.”

You could have said that sooner!

WiseMaster667: “But, if you are looking to fully specialize in a magical field, like I am. Then, as far as I know, heading towards to any capital settlement of any major faction in this game is the main way. Particularly, Orchard Hills and the Marchdom of Sonder offer unique opportunities. Ah…but it’s too bad that I don’t know enough to help you guys some more. Sorry, it is pretty much all I know.

Is he joking? How much time has he been playing this game already?!

May: “No no no, don’t worry about it Wise. That’s more than enough information. To be honest I lost you half the time.”

Krafty: “Same as May!”

May: “So, what you’re saying is to just head straight north to the Free Counties and play the game there?”

WiseMaster667: “Generally correct, yes.”

Krafty: “But, I heard that the map size is super big. Wont it takes us a while before we reach anywhere?”

WiseMaster667: “Compared to many other similar video games, yes it’ll take a while. But there is already a lot of low and medium tier content available as soon as you enter the zone. Plus, the central areas of the Overworld are small in geographic size in comparison to other places elsewhere, especially the Hinterlands. Depending on what routes a player takes or how much wealth they accumulate in this world, owning a mount to ride isn’t too difficulty to achieve. Or you could simply travel on either a carriage or wagon to many common destinations. You can actually observe many NPCs doing the same since they have their own responsibilities and actions to perform each day. Like farmers heading from their village to a city to sell their products.”

MC: “Wise, aren’t you forgetting about this region? The “Holy Lands”. The Free Counties are not immediately near us. We are still in a fairly big region here. So, shouldn’t there be a lot to do here as well?”

WiseMaster667: “Ah of course, of course! Most players are still in the Holy Lands…and I predict that half the server’s population will remain here for at a week. I was merely thinking about getting our character’s as powerful as possible before everyone else. Certainly, you may still head straight away to the Free Counties like I did…if you…uh… wish to unlock the secret potentials of this game.”

So, if you want to aim to become the “best” or “strongest player”, you should go to another region right away, but if you want to fully enjoy this game as a normal player, then just continue playing as we are here at the first region? Got it.

Krafty: “Hey May, what should we do?”

May: “Do you want to go fight in epic wars and start slaying many ferocious monsters right away?”

Krafty: “No…I was thinking more about…like crafting cool stuff and talking to cute NPC characters…”

May: “Then we’re gonna go to the Free Counties sometime later, ‘kay?”

Krafty: “Okay! That makes sense.”

WiseMaster667: “What about you Amulet?”

MC: “Well…I have not yet decided my future. I’m still fascinated and in love with how Divine Mortality is simply existing as it is. Just how dynamic our surroundings are! But… I believe I’ll eventually head to Orchard Hills or the Marchdom of Sonder.”

WiseMaster667: “Then, why don’t we go there together later on?”

Do I really want to see this person later? I mean…so far, he isn’t necessarily annoying or bad person. In fact, he’s been very helpful! And isn’t it too immature to consider this guy as “my rival”? He might be a teenager for all I know! Damnit, if he is a teenager than I don’t know if I can handle him lecturing me all the time, I’m probably the senior here! More importantly, he certainly seems like a very active gamer. I also consider myself a bit active or competitive, but this person seems to be on another level.

MC: “I do not believe I will be prepared to go there at a reasonable time when you’ll be. In honesty, Wise, you seem to be playing this game a lot faster than I have or ever would. “

WiseMaster667: “Worry not Amulet! While I am indeed capable of quickly and effectively reaching to Orchard Hills or the Marchdom of Sonder, I’ve already calculated that I do not need to worry for other players discovering or receiving legendary powers before I do. Oops, that last part was a little secret. But no matter! The point is, I am not a fool. There is more to this game than simply quickly progressing through each region. I had learned this the last time. The world of Divine Mortality is truly a dynamic one, and whatever I achieve now will not matter if it’s not securable. I am thinking of these possibilities in the long term. For instance, nobody has even seen a lesser god yet in this server, even though they’re one of the key features in Divine Mortality. I believe there is a reason for it, the creators of this game have a purpose and are certainly intelligent (like myself). So, while you adventure your own path, I will have plenty of other activities to be doing in the meanwhile.”

He has a lot to say! Jeez…he does really seem to be a person who is both competitive and a little arrogant, but he isn’t arrogant for no reason.

I haven’t even thought about all the content that is available for me to play right now. Maybe I should just be more like May or Krafty, enjoying the moment! Who cares about all this planning and game theories that me and Wise are thinking about?

But…WiseMaster667 does have interesting ideas. In a game where complex government, economy, lesser gods, and other cool features are promised…then, there certainly will be many competitive players who will try their best at “winning” in something. This is obvious, especially in a game like this. In the future, it might become difficult for me to achieve something which I really would want to do but maybe won’t be able to.

So…I will need to become powerful too, just like how Wise is planning to. I really don’t need to, but I WANT to become a powerful player in this game so that I can achieve a goal that is unique, only to me. I promised Fate-Fan that I will achieve something GREAT in this game so I can gain a special reward, or in the best-case scenario, I might have Fate or some other god becoming my patron deity. In order to do achieve greatness, I believe I should explore and experience this game for all it has to offer, to my heart’s content. This’ll then be the best way for me to accomplish my desired goal!