Character Creation Part 3

"I'll choose this one, Miss Rapha," I confidently declared, pointing at the human race among the options displayed before me.

Rapha, with a raised eyebrow and a puzzled expression, responded, "There's no need to be so polite, player. So... you chose humans?" Her curiosity was evident.

Without hesitation, I answered with a resounding "yes."

Her expression grew more complex, a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Are you sure, player?" she asked. "To be frank, this race isn't particularly exciting. While their stats are well-balanced, humans lack the unique traits that set other races apart. I can confidently say that, in terms of inherent abilities, this race is inferior to the others."

I listened attentively to her assessment, fully aware of the implications of my choice. Yet, my resolve remained unwavering.

"Based on the story of this world," I began, "humans are the original inhabitants of NEUEARTH. That's why I feel it's only fair that humans are the ones to bring hope to this world and save it. It all began with humans, and I'll end it as a human." At least that's my goal from the outset.

It was a compelling argument, one that resonated with the idea that humans, with their unassuming and adaptable appearance, might just be the easiest canvas to customize out of these races. Their simplicity offered a blank slate, ready to be transformed into a unique and personalized identity. In the end, it wasn't about flashy appearances, but the potential for boundless customization and the thrilling adventures that awaited in the world.

I could have enumerated countless reasons for my decision, but the essence of my choice was simple: the appearance of my avatar mattered little to me. Why? Because I knew that as my journey unfolded, I would end up wearing cool and impressive armors, distinctive clothing, and wear heroic masks and head gears, maybe becoming a symbol of hope like the heroes of old.

Feeling that I had conveyed the core of my conviction, I pressed the "yes" button with unwavering resolve. Once again, it emitted the enigmatic sound that seemed to echo with the weight of my choice, marking the beginning of my journey as a hero in the making.

"!!"

In that electrifying instant, my consciousness was abruptly silenced, only to be rekindled in the blink of an eye. My body felt strangely heavy, and for a fleeting moment, I teetered on the precipice of losing my balance. With a quick step back, I steadied myself, my senses reeling as I scanned my surroundings for answers.

But something was undeniably amiss. My position had shifted. I should have been standing next to Miss Rapha, but instead, I found myself gazing at the spot where the beautiful angelic girl stood on the opposite side.

"What just happened?" I muttered, my voice tinged with wonder and uncertainty.

Then, a realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. Could it be... had I just been teleported? But no, that couldn't be right... or maybe..

As I glanced down, the truth was laid bare before me. My very own body now sported the attire of the central avatar.

"I see," I mused, an exhilarating sense of understanding coursing through me. "I really did merge with my avatar's body. This is incredible!"

I turned my gaze back to Rapha, who observed me with an inquisitive tilt of her head, her golden hair cascading before her eyes.

Taking it one step at a time, I began to explore my new form, starting from my head down to my feet. I checked for any sensations that felt peculiar or out of place, ensuring that every aspect of this transformation felt just right. Finally, I opened and closed my hands, testing the full range of movement.

With a confident nod, I addressed Miss Rapha, "This feels pretty good! I can sense every fiber of my being in excellent condition." The thrill of this newfound embodiment surged through me, setting the stage for the adventures that lay ahead.

As Kuonh responded, a wide smile spread across her face, and she clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Great! Now let's move on to the next part of character creation: cosmetics."

Kuonh's eyes sparkled with anticipation, his mind racing with the possibilities of what this next step might entail.

"I'm surprised the game has this feature when we can't even customize our avatars," he playfully commented.

She glanced sideways, laughing wryly before responding, "One of the creators wanted to have some kind of curse seal tattooed on his body, so it got implemented."

Kuonh couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her response. A curse seal? What kind of creator has such unusual preferences? He decided not to dwell on it and instead shifted his focus to a different topic.

"Do you happen to know the creator of this game, Miss Rapha?" he asked curiously.

Her expression tightened slightly, and she replied, "I'm sorry, but I don't have the authority to provide any information about the creators."

Kuonh sensed that pressing further would only trouble the kind woman before him, so he gracefully accepted her response and moved on.

"I understand. Well, let's proceed to the next part. I can't wait to get started!" His excitement was palpable as he looked forward to exploring the next phase of character creation in this wondrous virtual world.

Rapha paused for a moment, her smile radiant as she gracefully waved her hand once more, conjuring a set of windows that materialized in front of us, each bearing an intriguing label.

[hair color]

[tattoos]

[birth marks]

[accessory]

[make up]

[cow lick]

My eyes danced across the array of options, exploring the potential for personalization that these menus held.

"Accessory?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

Rapha nodded, her golden hair shimmering as she did so. "Yes, but they don't have any effect or status; they're simply meant to add a unique touch to your character. We offer one free accessory per player to make things more interesting."

"you got me on the "free" part."

As I tapped on the "accessory" option, a comprehensive list of choices sprang to life before me. However, there was one particular category that seized my attention.

Ever since I was a child, I had harbored a deep fascination for heroes with secret identities. Something about concealing their true faces ignited a sense of excitement within me, transforming them into enigmatic and captivating figures. The prospect of adopting such a guise filled me with pure, unadulterated joy.

[mask]

With a sense of giddy anticipation, I selected the "mask" option, eager to discover what hidden identity I could craft for my avatar in the world.

"Hmm, there are only a few masks to choose from, but I guess this one is fine for now," I mused aloud, my finger tapping the image of a mask that had captured my attention.

With that decisive touch, a mask materialized before me, taking on the form of a dog's visage. Its pristine white surface was adorned with intricate red paint, forming a design that radiated a sense of enigmatic charm. Slowly, it descended into my waiting hand, nestled securely within my palm.

As I marveled at my chosen accessory, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement coursing through me, a newfound sense of identity taking shape.

"So, what's next?" I inquired eagerly, my gaze shifting back to Rapha.

With a warm smile, she congratulated me, her words filled with a sense of accomplishment. "Congratulations, player. That's actually the end of your character creation; the only thing left is to provide you with a brief introduction to the world and your first quest. After that, you'll be all set to embark on your journey."