Universal Guardians and an Impostor
Daniel opened the Universal Guardians applications.
It was loading...
The game was supposed to be a multiplayer game, but, since it was a beta test, there was only one server on screen.
Daniel clicked on that server that was called "Private Beta Server."
It led him to another loading screen.
Then...
It led him to a character creation screen.
"Please choose your race." A robotic voice rang in his ears.
There were many types of races, over ten. There were different types of aliens, Ort, Dragonosapien, Ferrula, Adamanteus, Infinimorph, Superhuman, Ridrot, and many more.
Each race had 5 to 6 Race Skills, and a single special skill that the user can choose.
Daniel chose Imagonum after checking its description and race skills. He can then choose amongst the three special skills, Daggers of Darkness, Shadow Sprint, and Shadow Cloning.
Name: Imagonum
Body Type: Humanoid
Description: Imagonums are creatures of the dark, but can still live in daylight. Their planet of origin is extremely dark, and cold, giving them night vision, and immunity to coldness. They have four yellow eyes, and is human in shape. They are extremely fast hunters, and has instincts that of danger and hunting that are extremely sharp. They can amalgamate themselves in the dark, giving them the advantage on their home planet, and dark areas, and night time. Imagonums is also extremely sensitive, aiding their mobility, and sensing any changes in the environment.
Race Skills: Night Vision, Coldness Resistance, Extremely Sharp Hunting and Danger Instincts, Darkness Cloaking, Extremely High Mobility, and Sensitivity
Special Skill: Daggers of Darkness
Daniel chose this race because he plans to be an assassin, if their was a class like that. He also chose Daggers of Darkness because, well, an assassin should never be empty handed!
Although Shadow Sprint allows you to have an increase in speed, Daniel was confident enough that with his skills, coupled with his Darkness Cloaking, that he can dodge any attacks, and burst with extremely high power.
As for Shadow Cloning, it is good for trickery, and those kind of stuff, but Daniel just didn't like it. It wasn't his style creating stratagems, although he's pretty good at it, he just doesn't use trickery and deception to fight with his opponents!
That's why he chose Daggers of Darkness. Besides the fact that he will never be weaponless, he can also create this Dagger of Darkness in an extremely fast pace, allowing him to throw daggers at the opponent. He can also create this Dagger of Darkness for climbing walls and stuff.
"Please allocate your stat points." The robotic voice resounded again.
He then allocated his 100 free stat points.
His allocation was as such:
Strength: 38 - Increases character's overall attack damage
Agility: 79 - Increases character's movement speed
Toughness: 15 - Increases character's overall defense
Energy: 20 - Increases character's energy damage with energy skills
Stamina: 38 - Increases character's Action Bar (Which is consumed while using Movement Skills, and running.)
Vitality: 15 - Increases character's Health Bar
Wisdom: 15- Increases character's Energy Bar
There were 10 points each stats plus the 100 free stat points. He also has an additional 20 points on his agility, 10 points on his stamina, 5 points on his energy, and 5 points on his strength because of his race. The result was his current stats. Also, because of his Extremely High Mobility Race Skill, his Agility also increased by an increment of 10 every level.
He focused on his agility and strength. He wanted to play a melee role this one time.
"Please choose a specialization." A robotic voice said.
There were 4 types of main specialization. Fighter, Tank, Support, and Mixed.
Please choose a class.
Each specialization had 3 classes
Fighter had Assassin, Warrior, Martial Artist, and
Tank had Energyfender, Heavy Tank, and Taunters.
Support had Healer, Cleric, Musician, and Scout.
Marksman had Snipers, Gunslinger, Forefront Marksman, and
Daniel immediately picked Assassin.
"Adding bonus stats..."
His stats appeared again.
Strength: 48
Agility: 99
Toughness: 15
Energy: 20
Stamina: 43
Vitality: 15
Wisdom: 15
He had an increase of 20 in Agility, 10 in Strength, and 5 in Stamina.
"Pretty good." Daniel said.
"Please input your name."
Daniel typed Desolate Sky.
Loading...
Character Information:
Name: Desolate Sky
Race: Imagonum
Specialization: Fighter
Class: Assassin
Level: 1
Confirm? Yes/No
Daniel pressed Yes, and was directed to another loading screen.
After the loading screen...
Daniel was directed to a room with graph-like floor. It was obviously a training room. He was in a first-person view.
In front of him was a screen, in front was an unidentified alien, and the name tag at the top said "Examiner, " and under that is the level of this examiner, which is three question marks in a row.
"Welcome to Universal Guardians. You are currently at a training room in the Universal Guardian University. This is the starting point of your career as a student of the Universal Guardian University. You are at the verge of graduating, and becoming a full-fledged Universal Guardian, you just need to have your final practical exam to graduate!" The examiner said to him.
The screen then closed.
The so-called 'practical exam' was actually just the tutorial. Daniel knew this, although it was not what people called 'cliched' or 'common' it was easy to guess.
"Pretty good start..." Daniel uttered.
"To move, use the WASD." The examiner said to him.
Daniel followed accordingly.
"To look around, use the mouse."
Daniel followed again.
...
After the 15 minutes of tutorial, a screen appeared again.
"Combat examination, initiating..."
"Apply everything that you've learned in your life as a student! Battle this Virtual Highland Tiger to pass the examination!!"
The screen closed again, and in front of him, a blue tiger appeared. Its eyes were yellow in color, and looked ferocious. Its claws were gleaming and was definitely much powerful than iron, and its fangs was much sharper than this. Its stripes were yellow in color, and was emitting faint lights. The tip of its tail was ignited in flames.
Its tail was wagging as it stared at Daniel's character, salivating. It looked like it was ready to pounce at any moment.
"Good design..." Daniel can once again be heard muttering to himself.
Daniel then moved. His character was extremely fast, after all, his agility was 99! No beginner would achieve such a stat unless they chose what Daniel just chose.
Daniel's equipment was the same type beginners have. Universal Guardian University Uniform, and a beginner weapon, in Daniel's case, Energy Dagger.
Daniel activated the Energy Dagger, which consumes 1 Energy point each minute. With Daniel's Wisdom stat of 15 points, he only had a 150 Energy Points in his energy bar.
He can only sustain for 150 minutes, and that is without the use of skills.
The Highland Tiger in front of him also moved. Its movements were fast, but in front of Daniel, it was like a bicycle, compared to a motorcycle!
The differences in speed was too noticeable!
"Is the stat difference that high?" Daniel asked himself. But after pondering, of course it was! He assumed that the Highland Tiger was a beginner monster, and was a weak and common one at that, so its stats couldn't possibly exceed that of a beginner player. "I guess it is."
Daniel created a Dagger of Darkness, and executed a skill called Abrupt Burst. Abrupt Burst is a beginner Assassin skill that allows an assassin to burst with extremely high speed towards a target. While moving, the player can attack the target, and if the attack hits, it will deal 200% damage, and if it was a back stab, it would deal 300% damage! It can't be used without a target though. It can be halted midway.
A terrifying skill that can be used to escape if used correctly, and also attack.
Daniel's character immediately flashed, he hit the Highland Tiger perfectly with both daggers, and even achieved a critical strike. Desolate Sky appeared at the back of the Highland Tiger, and was at a crouching position, with his two daggers in hands.
He dealt double damage, and with two daggers, plus the critical strike increasing his strike's power by another 100%. His attack was extremely powerful!
The Highland Tiger immediately dissipated into little light orbs.
"Combat Examination passed! Score: 100 Points!"
"For achieving a perfect score, you've been awarded the Lightning Dagger, and a skill called Lightning Stab!"
Name: Lightning Dagger
Grade: E-Grade
Description: A dagger that carries in it the power of lightning. It is extremely powerful, and increases one's agility stat by 20 points.
Skill: Lightning Stab
Description: A stab that contains the power of lightning. It has a certain chance of paralyzing the target, and it deals 100% more damage. It is strong against Water-Inclined, and Metal-Inclined Monsters, but weak to Earth-Inclined, and Wind-Inclined Monsters.
Daniel scoffed at these rewards, but what he didn't know was that he was the only one who achieved a perfect score as a total beginner, Kyle got 100 points because he already played the game.
"Kyle, this game is pretty easy!" Daniel said to Kyle.
"Yep, I got 100 points on my combat examination, but my first time playing the combat examination, I only got 95 points. It was easier this time." Kyle nodded.
Daniel was pretty surprised when he heard that Kyle only got 95 points on the Combat Examination his first time.
He then looked around, and saw someone behind him.
Daniel called to the guy.
"Hey, bro, what score did you get in your Combat Examination?" Daniel asked.
The man didn't seem to hear, but looked at him. "Oh, you were asking me?" The man said.
"I got 90 points, why?" The man said.
"Nothing, nothing." Daniel smiled at the guy.
What the f*ck? Only he got 100 points on his first try? There's bound to be someone who scored 100 points in this group of 25, right?
It was goddamn easy, and you still can't score perfect score? Am I overestimating you guys' capabilities? I know you're better than that!
Daniel's mind was roaring, but calmed down the next moment.
It got nothing to do with him anyways, what people score on their Combat Examination. Why did he care in the first place?
He just wondered because even Kyle only got 95 points, but it was too easy!
Did his game bugged out?
Daniel thought he should report it.
After thinking about it though, he decided against it. Just because it was easy for him, doesn't mean its easy for others! Even those veteran gamers needed to get used to a new game.
Daniel nodded his head after thinking for a while, and then went back to his game.
...
In-game.
"Ding~ You've finished the final examination and is now ready to graduate. Please step into the portal."
A portal appeared in front of Desolate Sky. Daniel then made his move onto the portal.
It was a graduation ceremony.
After 10 minutes.
"You've successfully graduated from Universal Guardians University. You will now be stationed to Guardian's Space Den at System A-02, Milky Way."
A loading screen then appeared.
Daniel's character was teleported to the Guardian's Space Den.
"Kyle, what's your in-game name?" Daniel suddenly spoke. "Let's meet and do missions."
"Oh, you know my usual name, Hundred Kills. I'm famous anyways, why should I hide my name? Why not, let's do missions." Kyle, said to him.
Kyle has a point, he was known anyways, why should he hide anyways?
Although Kyle's popularity was lagging behind Daniel by a large margin, he was still one of the figures in the gaming world that has the privilege of the name 'Hundred Kills' reserved just for himself.
But of course, Phantom God was still something that Kyle fears.
Daniel was even more popular than Kyle! Indirectly, that is.
Phantom God has over a billion fans, while Kyle only has tens of millions, such a vast difference.
Daniel was still thinking of the right situation when to say that he is Phantom God. Although he already revealed it, he knew that Kyle did not believe him, I mean, nobody would believe anyone without proof, right? Unless you have undeniable trust on that guy, or gullible enough to believe anyone, you wouldn't!
The world is cruel, and if you were gullible, you will die without even knowing how you died!
Such is the real face of the world, and its society.
Daniel quickly found Hundred Kills by searching, and added him as a friend. After deleting the name Hundred Kills on the search bar, he scrolled down.
There was no one that was of significant attention for Daniel.
At least that's what he thought until...
He saw Phantom God!
Goodness! Just because it was Beta Testing, someone actually dared to use his name?
He immediately added him as a friend, wanting to teach him a lesson. But of course, he didn't act impulsive, he tried to be careful.
He wouldn't dare underestimate anyone! That's the problem with many veteran and hardcore players! Underestimation of their opponents.
Daniel never underestimate his opponent, nor looked down no matter their skill level. He only truly looked down at the cheaters, evildoers, and people who smurfs!
He never underestimates, and always fights his opponents with his full skill level, or at least, reveals an exact skill level according to the situation at hand. For example, he faces an opponent with 100 points of skill level, he would be erupting with a skill level of 110 points!
That's how he usually plays.
But during concentration mode, his gaming skill is simply inhumane and no one will ever hope to catch up to him!
If he was new to a game, and played while on his concentration mode, he would be able to fight equally with those players at the very top! That is with the same level, and same equipment.
Of course, even with that handicap, Daniel can still beat them! Albeit, with a very close call, and with a challenge.
Yet that was what he was thirsting for! A challenge!
He lacked challenge in his gaming career.
Anyways, after adding the impostor as his friend, that Phantom God quickly accepted.
Daniel smirked, clearly planning something. But quickly rejected the idea.
He'll act at a later time, be patient. Once I encounter that guy in a mission, I'll definitely destroy him!
Although he was planning something evil, he just doesn't want the name Phantom God to be stained!
What if some impostor with such a low skill level used his name, fought with someone, and lost?
Wouldn't he be criticized by the world? The impostor won't be affected, but Daniel will become a laughingstock!
Unless he actually lost as Phantom God, he would never want his name stained!
He didn't care for his popularity, since he doesn't appear anyways. He just doesn't want the name of Phantom God to become lackluster.
He also didn't want to deal with any criticism, although he didn't care about it, it was too troublesome!
Imagine the amount of criticism that the world would say in Daniel's face if he were to lose?
Even if he has over a billion fans, in this era of gaming, there would surely be hundreds of millions of people scolding him!
He wouldn't want to deal with every single one of those! He would die!
This is also why the unspoken rule in the gaming world was established, to protect the gamer's honor, and dignity!
Nobody dares to break this unspoken rule because with just a word from the real gamer, the impostor would never be able to level up, or be able to play their entire lives!
Sometimes, the account will also be deleted because a renowned player who owned the name asked the company to delete it, and label that account as an impostor! Why did they ask the company who made the game to do this? Because they will play the game!
This is the era of gaming!
Daniel then said to Kyle. "Bro, search 'Phantom God' on the server list."
Kyle did as he said.
Kyle's face then contorted beyond recognition! He was so shocked that his face structure almost changed!
"The legendary Phantom God is here!?" Kyle suddenly shouted in surprise, causing the other people to jump up in their seats.
"Hehehehe" Suddenly, a man stood up and laughed. This man was average in looks, and is pretty tall. He wears a businessman-like suit, and looked pretty elegant. He looked arrogant, and was full of confidence!
Daniel did not expect for this situation, and his face revealed immediate coldness.
Seriously!? You dare imitate Phantom God in front of the real Phantom God!? Goodness...
If the man who is imitating Daniel were to know his current thoughts, and his real identity, perhaps he would be scared sh*tless and already ran away!
"You've been my idol for years!" Kyle said with shining eyes. He then left his seat and walked towards 'Phantom God'
But, before Kyle could even take his second step, Daniel reached out his arm and pulled Kyle.
"Bro what's you---" Kyle meant to ask, but as he turned back, he noticed something unnatural.
He then walked back to his seat, and looked at Daniel.
He was in for another shock that brought even greater shock than when he saw Phantom God's name!
Daniel's face was calm, but his eyes were brimming with anger that it can kill someone!
Daniel then turned to Kyle, and, although Daniel's anger wasn't directed at Kyle, Kyle still felt chills running down his spine!
"Bro, what's wrong?" Kyle asked out of curiosity, and was scared if he did anything wrong.
"Kyle, do not bother with such trash." Daniel said, and out loud. He intentionally did that.
His voice contained so much furor that another chilling cold was sent to Kyle's spine!
"Oh, this big brother. Don't you know Phantom God?" The man who laughed arrogantly said directed at Daniel.
"Yeah, don't you know this legendary figure, and you don't respect him?" Some voiced their anger towards Daniel.
Daniel's rage-filled eyes suddenly calmed down, and returned to its tranquil state, as he stood up, and turned around.
"You're not Phantom God." Daniel plainly made a statement.
This statement immediately caused commotion amongst the crowd!
They once again voiced out their displeasures. Why did they do this? Because nobody would dare to try and pose as THE Phantom God! Nobody doubted the guy.
Although they weren't naive, but if they were to accidentally offend the guy who just made a sentence that he's Phantom God, and it was actually Phantom God, then they would be in for some deep trouble.
But as for offending the other party, there was a lower chance that it would be Phantom God! They made the logical decision, however, this logical decision is what made them wrong.
What are the actual chances that the real Phantom God would appear here? Almost close to zero!
Most of them were skeptical, but still 'supported' the one who claimed he was Phantom God.
It was, after all, just a beta test!
Although they were skeptical, what if this guy was actually Phantom God? They wouldn't dare to offend him!
...
At the very top of the Inferno Entertainment building, at a single office, a man was sitting behind a chair, overlooking through the glass that he was facing at.
The man's face was elegant, and dignified. In simple terms, he was extremely handsome, with an air of indifference! The man was wearing a business suit, and was sitting cross-legged. He was smiling, as his eyes were also smiling.
It was the current CEO of Inferno Entertainment!
"Ahhh... Finally, the development of that was done." This man said as his smile never vanished on his face.
He then took the tea that was beside him, and was on the table, and sipped on it.
Anyone who saw the elegant actions of this CEO, combined with his looks, almost every girl would definitely fall in love with him!
That was the charm of this guy!
Suddenly, this charming moment was interrupted when an elevator sound could be heard.
The elevator then opened.
A girl with a perfect figure, and with a picturesque face went out of the elevator. She was holding some documents, and was wearing glasses. She had blonde hair, which is uncommon in the Philippines, and had her hair tied up in a bun.
This was the so-called classical secretary beauty of almost every single anime!
"Sir!" The secretary's elegant voice sounded out.
"Yes, Rose?" The man put his teacup down, before replying. He replied without even turning his chair. "This must be a very important case for you to interrupt my rest."
"Of course sir! I wouldn't dare to interrupt your rest!" The girl said with a straight face.
At this time, the CEO turned his chair, and placed both of his arms on the table. His shoulders were resting at the table, and he supported his head with his two hands.
"Speak what you must speak."
"Yes, sir! A man who claims to be the Phantom God has appeared."
"Oh, really?" The man's face didn't even change when he heard of the name 'Phantom God.' It was just someone 'claiming' to be the Phantom God. Without proof, his identity can never be revealed.
"I guess this is of some importance. Carefully observe the situation. You're dismissed." The CEO said.
"Yes, sir!" The lady turned around and went inside the elevator again.
The man then opened a touch screen built-in computer on his desk, and connected to the cameras. He then observed everything on the Beta Testing Room.
"Is that guy really here?" The man said.
From his tone, one will be able to deduce that he and Phantom God were friends!