I had been waiting for less than 30 minutes and now the time has come. I put on the VR gear and lay down on the bed. The VR gear completely covered my head as if a helmet with a visor.

When I checked the state of the server, over one thousand people had already logged on. It seemed all of the people who have the game software and hardware like me was so excited and eager to start right away.

They’re too excited if I may say so.

I took a deep breath and…

“Counting, 3, 2, 1.”

“Dive Start!”

Together with a surprise countdown attack, my consciousness drifted into the darkness.

----0----

The feeling I had, was that of someone just falling asleep. No disturbance or uncomfortable feeling and then my head become really clear. After that my field of view spread out and I appeared in a pure white space.

Then a feminine voice reached my ears.

--The scan on your iris and vein has determined that you are an unregistered user. Do you want to create a new account?

I looked around to see who is speaking and there I noticed a beautiful young girl in front of me. I didn’t notice her earlier; maybe she just popped out all of a sudden. I thought

“Y-yes”

--Please select the name of your avatar—

Name, huh… hm, Hero? Nah, calling myself a hero seems like…. What if I use my full name? nah too long. I was contemplating what name I will use when I notice the young girl was looking at me while smiling.

Then a sudden thought came to me. I faced her and ask

“Are you real?”

For a second I thought her smile cramped a little bit but it reverted back to normal and said

--I don’t know what you are talking about—

Now, this time it’s my turn to be stunned. I know of what an AI or an NPC like, they will always use the same pattern that was already prepared for them but this girl; no doubt she is a human. If not how can she answer me?

“Don’t lie; you are a real human, right? Or maybe a player or user?”

--Ah is that it? No sir, I am not a human. I am the system maintaining the world of maybe in human term

I am an AI so to speak.---

Eh? Really? But….. ah forget it! Maybe it’s just because of how high-tech it is. Although it is really amazing! No there is also a possibility that it is a human user and just pretending to be an AI for fun or maybe cosplay? Oh well…

Hm? Ah right a name, then how about…

“Okay, so much for that, my name will be Hein. Is that okay?”

The beautiful girl smiled at me and then she continued asking questions.

— Select your gender from male, female or neutral—

“Of course, Male!”

— has forty-nine races. But for now, you can only select your race from the twenty current primary race¬; Human, Elf, Dwarf, Dragonew…—

“Human!”

--You may alter your appearance—

My field of view started to flicker and changed rapidly. All of a sudden a light came projecting my whole body.

Standing before me was myself completely naked; I blushed for a little and look at the girl who is giggling in front of me.

She is definitely a user. I shouted in my mind.

A black haired youth with seemingly fit body. All my senses together with the information like weight and height, all of it turned into data.

I wonder just how they could know my personal information. I thought.

As if reading my mind the girl answered

“From the scan of your iris, I estimated your height and weight. For your appearance, such as facial appearance, I estimated it by the size and shape of your brain and skull.

“Eh, ah yeah thank you for the explanation!” I hurriedly said while feeling embarrassed

“Um, let’s leave it the way it is.”

— Okay, You can select a city and kingdom you want to start.----

“Random”

---Do you want to undergo tutorial?---

The girl asked

“Pass”

Since I obtained information from the guide sites ahead of time, I didn't need it.

“Welcome Hein, to the world of ”

“Thank you so much, Miss AI” feeling happy from her greeting I answered back.

She smiled and said

“Now enjoy your new world to the fullest!”

— Starting logging into , passkey authentication start ———

“—Eh?”

Again I was engulfed with darkness.

—when I opened my eyes, a spectacle appeared before me.

Around me, there was a flood of people. A lot of people seemed to have logged in. And for me who arrived in the VR world for the first time, it was a very strange experience.

“This is…”

Unconsciously, I was at a loss for words.

I was swayed by the sight of countless avatars, users and NPCs—Non-Player Characters—alike.

“Where am I? .........This is unbelievable!”

It was a familiar scene that can be found in the real world, making it hard to believe that this was just a virtual world.

Astonished, I couldn’t believe my eyes as I looked around. The racket of those haggling and chattering rang in my

ears.

“…woah.”

A breeze shook the leaves, a fragrant smell came from the stone bricks, plants, trees and soil. Sounds of life could be heard all over the place and most of all I could feel it with all of my senses.

It was unbelievable! It felt really realistic.

I already had knowledge about the virtual world——but I was still surprised.

The view unfolding before my eyes was exactly the same as the real world, with people busy coming and going.

Suddenly, my senses became sharper and I could hear chattering and conversations around me.

“Look at him. I’m sure he’s a newbie. Still surprised with just this, hehe”

“He looks stupid.”

I heard some conversations about me although they are a little bit far away from me, I heard it very clearly. I suddenly became embarrassed.

‘I can’t help it, can’t I? I couldn’t join the Beta test a few months ago because I need to escort mother superior somewhere!’ I retorted in my mind.

I look around and saw many people wearing brown leather armor, pants and sandals just like me. Not that it’s surprising, the game just begun though.

Behind me was a fountain and then

--Welcome to the Haran City! --

All of a sudden a Ding sound reached my ears. I looked in front of me and saw a shining purple rectangle screen appeared.

I clenched my fist and started to move my body. I don’t know when but I started break dancing in the middle of the city. Now that I think about it, it was really embarrassing; the eyes of the spectators in the place are very painful.

I crouched down and touch the cemented floor with my palm. It had a rough feel on it, just like a real floor.

Once again I feel dumbstruck because of this game’s realism.

"What are you doing?" a voice asked me.

At the moment, I was unable to assess the current situation, and my thinking was being interrupted. However, I took a deep breath and managed to calm down.

"Ah, no nothing! Hehe”

I immediately moved from the spot and run. I hated crowds; moreover, many of them were staring at me.

“Dammit!” I said as I left in a hurry.

A newcomer in is confined to the city of origin for 2 weeks in real world and four weeks in the game.

Usually a great majority of newcomers; such as newbie’s were getting down to basics, simple quests, or learn craft skills, such as tailoring, blacksmith and cooking, which are relatively easy to acquire.

After a while, I stopped as I don’t recognize the surrounding anymore. I looked around and saw a very big cathedral-like building behind me.

In front of the cathedral there were many people meeting up with each other. I wanted to call out to ask but I’m embarrassed to do so.

Giving up, I walked aimlessly trying to figure out what to do next. After a while I saw many NPC’s calling out towards adventurers like me trying to sell things in their shop.

After walking casually, I decided to head first for the Training Hall, but the problem is I don’t know the way.

Usually if you are a noob then you should directly head to the training hall to familiarize the usage of your virtual body but most newcomers didn’t.

It’s not that newcomers are more interested in finding out what the kingdom and city where they were born and started look like, but it’s also mainly because training in the Training Hall is deemed rather ineffective. For them it’s only a waste of time they thought.

So rather than going to the training hall, most users take this time in learning various crafts and skills or doing quests. Some goes to the Beginner City’s back yard to kill Chickens and rabbits to earn money, Experience and gain levels.

So users like me who wish to head directly to the training hall is rather scars or rare in existence. Although right now, I’m really in a pinch, just why did the system or technicians who made this game didn’t put any map in here, I don’t know where Training hall is. This starting city is rather big you know!

While walking aimlessly, I accidentally arrived at the gate of the City. Curious, I tried to get out but was stopped by an invisible wall or rather barrier so I gave up going out. I turn around to leave when I noticed the guard standing in the side of the gate.

Then a thought came to me ‘If you don’t know anything, then try to ask an NPC they might answer.’

Decided, I walked towards him. The moment the guard saw me walking towards him, his eyes glared fiercely.

Smiling I tried to ask politely as possible

“Kind sir, can you tell me where the Training Center is? I happen to be lost”

He looked at me from head to toe as if assessing me.

“Young adventurer, I presume you have arrived at the Brandier continent very recently,” the guard said.

“Yes sir” I answered shortly.

“Young adventurer, the training center is behind the cathedral you’ve just passed.”

What!? I was walking aimlessly trying to find it and it was just behind that cathedral? I retorted in my mind, although

I tried to stay calm as to not show my real emotion.

“Thank you kind sir, then please excuse me” I said while walking away but then the guard suddenly stopped me.

“Wait young adventurer, you seemed very interesting. You are not like those other adventurers who after coming here, they directly head towards the City’s backyard to slaughter the chicken and the poor rabbits. You also seemed to be a very cultured young man, so if it’s not a problem can I ask you to deliver this letter to the instructor in there?”

Then a pop-up message appeared in front of me.

Ding!

Deliver the letter to the Instructor

The guard ask you to deliver the letter to the instructor. The letter seemed important so it must be deliver right away.

Difficulty level: E

Quest requirements

The guard station in the gate must acknowledge you.

A quest!

I was very happy that I might jump in my position. This is the very first quest I will do in this world. My starting quest!

I happily nodded at the guard.

“I am honored to accept it. I will definitely deliver this to the instructor.”

You accepted the quest.

“I appreciate it. I entrust you with this task. Now go, and be careful on the way” the guard said.

“I will surely do so, well then” I bow towards the guard and finally left.