First Encounters

Looking around the clearing, a light breeze flowing through, my clothes flapping ever so slightly. This was absolutely incredible, i couldn't get past it. It was like i was actually here.

Shaking clear my head from the weird tutorial, i looked up towards the sun. "Alright, rises in the East and sets West." That would be helpful if i knew which way the sun was moving, or if the sun here even applied to the same logic. Fuck it, sun was directly overhead so it was a 50/50 guess for me which way was East. While the city sounded nice, i wanted to play the game slow and check everything out myself. Being day one of the release i could only assume people would start heading towards cities and i wasn't ready for the rush, i wanted to enjoy this on my own for a bit.

I took my best guess at East and started moving, ofcourse the NPC didn't point me in the direction directly, that would be too simple, and a tutorial NPC simplifying the game would be a crazy idea. Okay, so sarcasm wouldn't help me now, but it did make me feel a little better.

I reached the edge of the clearing and put my hand on the closest tree. Rough to the touch, i don't think i would ever get used to this. Walking a kilomotre barefoot through a forest was going to suck if the real world was anything to go by, but the journey of a thousand miles and all that. I took my first step into the forest proper.

As a child i had gone to a national park, and this felt exactly like that. Enclosed by trees on all sides as i trudged along, i had to admit to myself while the VR was amazing so far this was hardly the most thrilling video game stuff. No weapons to my name, not even a pair of shoes, tripping over a tree root had actually hurt my shin. A bizzare feeling knowing you've been hurt while you actually haven't been hurt. I could hear the distinct buzzing of insects and chirping of birds, the smell of a fallen tree to my left, rotting away. Hoping and praying i had picked the right direction i continued along, occasionally stopping to pick up a branch and swing it, or touch a tree.

After a few minutes at the most casual of paces, i hear a sharp crack, the sound of a stick hitting flesh followed by a grunt of pain. I speed up into a light jog, ensuring i don't trip over anything like an idiot, i would not be caught with my pants down at my first taste of some action. I stop behind a tree and ahead of me i see a woman engaged in a fight with some sort of small goblin. She stood holding her arm in pain, panting, out of breath. She is shorter than me, with long black hair and a slim frame, Dressed in the same simple style of clothing as me, only hers is a dress. She looked to be roughly my age, in her early 20s. The goblin, small and green, snarling grasping on to a raised club, slowly stalks toward her. A damsel in distress, every aspiring heroes hidden dream. I step out from behind my hiding spot and yell "Hey! Leave her alone!"

Startled, the goblin and the dark haired woman both look at me, mouths agape. She snapped out of it first and sprints full tilt into the tiny menace and they both go sprawling into the dirt. I move forward to help but she manages to grab on to the club while on the ground, she moves onto the goblin, straddling it and brings the club down once, twice. The goblin burst into light and vanished, its club vanishing from her hands along with it.

"Oh.. Well" i can only stammer.

Congratulations! You managed to do nothing while your enemy was slain. You gain: Nothing! Keep it up!

I sigh and clear the pop up from my vision. At least I now know it functions like an actual MMORPG.

"Thanks for the distraction.. uh"

"Call me Mac" I respond "and no problem I guess"

She laughs and then groans mildly in pain "I'm Jessica by the way, fuck my arm hurts. Isn't this supposed to be a video game? Why does it hurt?"

"Fucked if i know, maybe Adam is into it?" I laugh too. Strange, i'm normally shy around people. Maybe because this is a game it acts as a sort of buffer for me? getting a good look at her as she stands up i see she is around 5'4, with waist length dark hair and sharp features. She has piercing green eyes and i could tell she was giving me the once over.

"So, Mac, are you another NPC?"

"No, red blooded human unfortunately" I smile. "Are you okay?"

"I thought so, but it never hurts to check. My right arm hurts and my pride is wounded, but otherwise i'm fine thanks. Fucker snuck up on me just after the tutorial. Not that that Angel was of any help anyway." Standing she cradled her arm and moved toward me.

"Right? Thanks for nothing. I'm trying to head east but honestly it's just guesswork for me. There's supposed to be a village there."

"Well Mac, East is thattaway" She pointed. "Want to team up for now? if there are any more of these i advise not getting hit"

"Yeah sure, ofcourse. Thankyou, I was going to offer if you didn't. What did you get from the goblin anyway?"

"Let me check quick." Her eyes seemed to unfocus. She must be looking at her menu. I waited a few seconds. "I got uh.. Club, some copper coins and experience" she seemed excited.

The club materialized into her good hand. "I'll lead" She said as she marched with purpose off to what i now assume is east. I had guessed correctly at least, props to me. A little chuffed, i follow.