Launch Day

"Hey Ed, are you ready? Today is already Saturday, and we need to get going if we plan to reach the department of transportation before noon."

Oh god, how I'm tired. I can't seem to rest well since some Game Freeze technicians brought me home the other day. It seems the department of transportation is near our home so Anna decided we would go there, but I'll need to disappoint her.

"Sorry Anna, I can't go with you. Remember the invitation I received?"

My cousin eyes almost popped out "are you crazy! You need to have priorities in life, you can't not go!"

Yeah I know.. who said I wasn't going? "Don't worry, please go first, we don't even know what will happen, maybe they will just give us a general survival class like they do in your school sometimes. I promise to go later or tomorrow, and I need to check if the game launch will be held today or they will change it because of all this drama."

"Ok then.. Just be safe and call me before arriving. Oh, and remember to pack some clothes with you. They released a statement online that we may have to stay for a day or two there.

"Ok, you're always the most comprehensive. Bye and take care you too."

Game Freeze Headquarters - Launch Day

I arrived at the game launch location and gave my invite to the doorman. He scanned the paper and let me in. No more security measures? Maybe I could have falsified a few invites to sell...

This is, how can I say, weird. Everyone's wearing stylish suits and dresses, but why some people is wearing masks? If we go by the maskless minority I can see, they are all rich and influent people, so maybe the masked ones have even more impressive backgrounds.

"Hello sir, please let me see your invite. Oh, she hasn't lied, YOU are REALLY number 26! Hahahahah I'm so fortunate. Eh, sorry sir, please follow me to your seat."

After this weird interaction I was led to a place in the back, which had various luxurious decoration and some tables. I was led to a luxurious table with "26" written on a paper in its surface. The guide took the paper and went away, leaving me to my own devices.

Some boring minutes later the place seemed full and a young man jumped on a small stage.

"As you all know, the government is explaining to all citizens over the whole world, that you'll be divided in ranks, which will decide your social position and your starting point in planet Scalian."

'We all know? Why I don't really know anything about that?'

"But we know the government is not telling a crucial piece of information.. This is all a lie. But it serves our purpose."

"That's enough Brian." After he said a few more incomprehensible statements, an old man interrupted him and jumped on stage. I know this man, he's Game Freeze CEO, the guy who gave me the prize on that e-Sports competition.

The old man looked meaningfully to me, coughed a few times, then started speaking hoarsely "Please hold onto your questions and wait until the VIP in-game forum is opened for any extra information."

'I wasn't going to ask, ok? I doubt you would answer and I'm uncomfortable enough to not desire any attention from the other people here.'

"Now follow your personal guides to your game capsule. You will all have one hour of advantage compared to the rest of the world. Few of you were informed about this but we changed some plans and we will only leave Earth together with all other spaceships."

"Now go on and remember your purpose - while hoarding the most achievement points. We don't care about quantity, only quality will bring us victory. Try your best to help other fellow humans too, if possible.

'Wait, so this place was not designed like a spaceship, it actually is one?'

While I was having random thoughts, the same guide who helped me to my table came towards me and took me to a room I knew very well - my personal cabin. She helped me to the capsule and left the room without speaking. The capsule closed and I blacked out.

Chosen name: Red

Player ID: #111000026-RED-01

Confirm?

"Yes."

Well I can't change my name. At least I was the first to choose this name so it would have a 01 on my ID. It probably doesn't make a difference anyway.

Race: Human

Initial Class: Explorer

Calculating initial rank...

Rank: E

Have a good gaming experience!

'Oh this is new'. In the beta we haven't got an inicial class, it was blank until I became a thief. I have no idea what rank E means too, and if it's good or bad.

Everything went dark after this. The game was starting.