A Month - 24
In the vast digital expanse of ESCAPE Online, players are heralded as Voyagers, beings of extraordinary origin, believed to have traversed from another dimension.
This immersive virtual realm, known as Titan, dwarfs Earth in magnitude, being tenfold larger, an expansive terrain teeming with enigmas and peril.
Within this sprawling world, every entity, including NPCs, operates under a system. However, the systems governing NPCs diverge significantly from those of the Voyagers. While the players' systems facilitate skill acquisition, stat allocation, and rapid progression, the NPCs' systems serve primarily as chronicles of their development, providing minimal functional aid.
These NPCs receive 15 stat points per level-up, a notable advantage over the 10 stat points per level-up allotted to players. This disparity underscores the paramount importance of acquiring legacies and bloodlines to augment a player's capabilities.
Voyagers, in their pursuit of mastery, can effortlessly acquire skills through the utilization of skill scrolls or books. In stark contrast, NPCs must engage in the laborious process of learning techniques through meticulous study and persistent practice. This dynamic engenders a landscape where NPCs, despite their inherent power, advance at a glacial pace, hampered by the scarcity of experience points (EXP) and limited opportunities to accrue significant EXP.
In the nascent phase of ESCAPE Online, NPCs dominate as the principal forces on Titan, their supremacy unchallenged by the nascent player base.
However, as the game transitions into its second phase, the chasm in power begins to narrow.
During this phase, approximately 60% of the player population achieves parity with the average Empire soldier.
As the game progresses into the third phase, top-ranking players begin to rival generals, and by the fourth phase, elite rankers attain parity with the mightiest NPCs. In the culminating fifth phase, players ascend to the zenith of power on Titan, with the top rankers reigning as the supreme beings.
At first glance, this progression may appear ostensibly straightforward. However, astute gamers will discern the complexities underlying this system. An entry-level Empire soldier boasts a starting level of 200, which equates to a cumulative 3,000 stat points apportioned across four attributes. Furthermore, these soldiers are equipped with superior Empire gear, receive optimal nutrition, and are endowed with elixirs to maintain their peak physical condition.
Some soldiers are also blessed by their respective deities, further augmenting their prowess, akin to how some players benefit from legacies and bloodlines.
When an NPC acquires a legacy, their level remains unchanged, precluding them from fully capitalizing on the legacy's benefits. Conversely, a player's level resets upon acquiring a legacy, and depending on the legacy's rating, they gain enhanced stat points per level-up along with a fixed allotment of stat points corresponding to their base stats.
This system intricately balances the game's progression dynamics, ensuring that legacies and bloodlines remain coveted assets.
Among the Voyagers, Edge, known in the real world as Ted D , harbored a conjecture that he might be the inaugural recipient of a legacy within the game. His serendipity extended beyond merely obtaining one of the most formidable legacies; the legacy seemed meticulously tailored to him, an embodiment of perfect compatibility. Edge achieved a flawless completion of his legacy, securing a Z rating, a feat that would remain unparalleled.
This Z-ranked legacy with a Z rating completion underscored the legacy's perfect congruity with Edge, a testament to his unparalleled fit.
However, legacies are not the exclusive domain of players. NPCs too can possess legacies. NEXT SOLUTIONS, the developers of ESCAPE Online, did not disclose that a deity could bestow multiple legacies of varying ranks. For instance, Zeus has one S-rated legacy, ten A-rated legacies, and several B and C-rated legacies, all imparting similar powers but with varying magnitudes contingent on the legacy's rating. This multiplicity of legacies adds layers of strategic depth and complexity to the game's mechanics.
ESCAPE Online features both class-specific and unified rankings, accessible to players who have surpassed level 100. Presently, Kenjin holds the top position in both the unified and swordsman rankings. Despite limited information about Kenjin, his unparalleled achievements—being the first to reach levels 10, 50, and 100—have cemented his status as a god-tier gamer. Kenjin's ascent to level 150 marks him as a paragon of gaming excellence.
Kenjin's sole competitor, Sung Jin Baek, steadily ascends the ranks at level 145, securing second place in the unified rankings and first among martial artists. Sung Jin Baek's relentless pursuit of excellence positions him as a formidable contender. Blade follows at level 120, illustrating the vast chasm between average rankers and elite players. This hierarchy of prowess underscores the competitive fervor that permeates the game's community.
Amidst this hierarchy, an unexpected name surfaced on the unified rankings:
Rank 50 – EDGE (Level 110).
This revelation astonished many, as most had forgotten Edge or presumed he had abandoned gaming. The sudden appearance of Edge on the rankings, bypassing incremental level gains, implied he must have advanced over ten levels in one leap, a feat deemed impossible even for Kenjin, who had only achieved a maximum of six levels in one session.
A Month....
During this period, Ted devoted himself entirely to ESCAPE Online, driven relentlessly by his companion, King. King's inexhaustible strategies and unwavering focus on Edge's rapid advancement left Ted in awe, especially after witnessing King's intuitive prowess in a local casino, where they amassed winnings through card games. King's meticulous planning included consistent quests and dungeons, allowing Edge scant respite. King's subclass as a blacksmith enabled him to craft items, including a chair for Edge's brief respites. Despite not yet ranking among blacksmiths, King's skills were noteworthy and burgeoning.
Their exploits on the North Continent became a topic of fervent discussion on game forums, with players dubbing them "Beauty and the Beast." A striking image accompanied the title, depicting King standing protectively behind Edge as Edge valiantly battled a monstrous adversary barehanded. This evocative portrayal encapsulated the duo's dynamic synergy and indomitable spirit.
His meteoric rise through the ranks served as a beacon of possibility, inspiring both admiration and trepidation among his peers. The enigmatic nature of his rapid ascent fueled speculation and intrigue, compelling the community to ponder the latent potential harbored within the enigmatic Voyager known as Edge.
In conclusion, the labyrinthine world of ESCAPE Online, with its multifaceted dynamics and intricate systems, offers a fertile ground for unparalleled adventures and boundless growth. The players, voyagers from another dimension, navigate this expansive terrain, striving to ascend the echelons of power and prestige. Their journey, punctuated by trials, tribulations, and triumphs, weaves an intricate narrative that continues to captivate and enthrall. As the game evolves through its myriad phases, the delineation between NPCs and players blurs, heralding a new era of equilibrium and supremacy. The saga of Edge, with his unparalleled legacy and indomitable spirit, epitomizes the quintessence of this dynamic interplay, heralding a future replete with infinite possibilities.
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