I’m Back!

-3 Days later-

Jack took the pills that were required. He carefully positioned the sleek device over his head, feeling its comforting, snug fit. With a deep breath to steady his racing heart, he activated the headset.

Then came the all too familiar sense of disorientation, as if the world around him had dissolved into nothingness. Then, suddenly, he felt as though he was falling

Just as quickly as it had begun, the sensation stabilized, and Jack found himself floating gently down into a vast, open space that was awash with pure, brilliant white. An endless expanse, devoid of any features.

[Loading...]

[Brain Scan initiating... please wait...

1%... 2%... 3%...]

[Brain scan complete]

As the scan completed a pop-up window materialized in the stark whiteness of the initial loading space. It was a standard interface, yet it bore the significant weight of a corporate disclaimer from Lunar Dynamics, the mysterious creators of this advanced VRMMORPG system.

The window was sleek and unobtrusive, yet its contents were clear and unmistakable. In a concise, formal tone, the text outlined the company's stance on the in-game activities and experiences. It read something akin to:

[Disclaimer: Lunar Dynamics is not responsible for any events, interactions, or consequences that occur within the world of Ethereal Odyssey. All in-game activities are governed by the AI entity Chrono and are subject to the dynamic and evolving nature of the game environment. Players are reminded that Ethereal Odyssey is an immersive and complex experience, and as such, they should engage with the game at their own discretion and risk.]

Below this paragraph, in smaller but no less firm print, was the usual corporate rhetoric that distanced the company from liability.

[By using this VRMMORPG headset and accessing Ethereal Odyssey, players acknowledge and accept that Lunar Dynamics holds no accountability for individual player experiences or actions within the game. Players are advised to exercise judgment and caution in their in-game decisions and interactions.]

Many people tried to sue Lunar because of things that happened in the game in his previous life but none of them ever won.

The messages were clear and unmistakably a legal safeguard – a reminder that once players entered the world of Ethereal Odyssey, they were subject to the whims and mechanics of the game itself, under the governance of Chrono, and not the company that had created the platform.

Jack, well-versed in the realities of such disclaimers, skimmed through the text with a seasoned eye. He understood the implications: whatever happened in the game, be it triumphant or tragic, was outside the purview of Lunar Dynamics.

The game was a separate entity, a world governed by its own rules and the AI Chrono, who stood as the intermediary between the game's mechanics and its players.

With a mental acknowledgment of the terms laid out by Lunar Dynamics, Jack closed the window. This was the last tether to the real world, a final reminder of the boundary between reality and the virtual landscape he was about to immerse himself in.

As Jack closed the window a fairy materialized from thin air. "Welcome to Ethereal Odyssey," she said, her voice a melodious chime that resonated with the underlying magic of this realm. "I am Chrono, the AI who governs this world. I am here to guide you through the beginnings of your journey."

"As you embark on your adventures, remember that this world is vast and ever-changing," Chrono continued, her hands gesturing gracefully. "Here, you will encounter challenges and wonders beyond your wildest dreams. The choices you make will shape your path, and the destiny of Odyssey lies in the hands of players like you."

Jack although hearing all of this before listened intently.

Then with a wave of Chrono's hand, a screen popped up in front of Jack asking him to join a Faction.

Please choose your Faction.

Order of the Silver Sun Faction.

Nightfall Covenant Faction.

————————-

Jack chose the Order of the Silver Sun Faction.

Welcome light seeker said Chrono.

Assessing player class compatibility now.

In 'Odyssey' you were free to choose whatever class you wanted but Chrono assessed you as a player taking in your background living style and everything else compiling it all into information on what it thought the best class for you would be.

In Jack's previous life some players not liking the class they got recommended picked a different one but soon came to realize that it didn't fit their play style.

The information that the class recommended you would be the best fit for your playstyle wouldn't become common knowledge for 2 months after the release of the game.

While some unlucky people remade characters others stuck with it not wanting to fall behind the masses but being forever doomed to never be able to reach their full potential in the game.

Jack was one such unfortunate soul who had to remake a character having to restart. He wouldn't make the same mistake again this time around.

[Ding. Druid Compatibility: 45%]

[Ding. Swordsman Compatibility 75%]

[Ding. Archer Compatibility 25%]

[Ding. Assassin Compatibility 55%]

[Ding. Paladin Compatibility 15%]

[Ding. Mage Compatibility 98%]

There were 15 total classes that Chrono assessed players for when first starting not including the unique classes that appeared throughout the game and were created by Chrono herself.

Jack was slightly surprised by the fact that his mage compatibility was so high. In his previous life, his compatibility was only 79% why was it so high this time around? Was it because he's already lived another life and was a mage before?

But that would mean Chrono has taken into account his past life would it be able to do that? Jack had all of these questions but knew none of them would be answered right now.

As Jack selected mage another announcement came through.

Congratulations on being a mage!

Assessing Affinity with Elements now

[Ding. Earth Affinity 30%]

[Ding. Lightning Affinity 55%]

[Ding. Light Affinity 25%]

[Ding. Demonic Affinity 100%]

[Ding. Water Affinity 70%]

[Ding. Fire Affinity 10%]

[Ding. Ice Affinity 100%]

Anomaly occurred with high affinity with both ice and demonic traits. Reassessing player….

Congratulations on acquiring the unique class Frostmancer!

The revelation sent a jolt of surprise through Jack. A Frostmancer a class comprising both of ice and demonic affinity was a class that was unheard of even in his previous life.

His mind raced. In his past life in Odyssey, he had been a fire mage, a master of flames and heat. The transition to a class aligned with ice and darkness was unexpected and bewildering.

"How can this be?" he exclaimed. "In my previous journey through Odyssey, I was aligned with fire. How did I end up with such high compatibility for ice and demonic traits at that?" He hated the cold why was it always the cold?

Thinking to himself he wondered if dying in that snow-covered alley had anything to do with this new outcome.

As he accepted this new outcome begrudgingly Chrono spoke up.

Please select your starting destination.

[Fireheart]

[Sunspire]

[Eldoria]

[Glimmer Forge]

[Crystal Shore]

....

The ten different starting zones popped up before him. Jack not wasting any more time selected Eldoria. His previous starting point and the place where his plan depended on him going to.

*MAY THE THREADS OF YOUR ODYSSEY WEAVE TALES UNTOLD, AND EMBRACE THE UNKNOWN, FOR WITHIN ITS DEPTHS LIES THE ESSENCE OF YOUR DESTINY. SAFE TRAVELS ADVENTURER*

With these final words from Chrono, the world started to spin as he was being transported to his starting point.