Chapter 3 - Primordial Epoch

February 28th, 2034

The day of launch of Ages Online. The most anticipated game in history.

The air was thick with anticipation as Kai glanced at the clock, his heart pounding with excitement. Today was the day. With a grin, Kai dialed Andy's number.

"Yo, Andy, you ready for this?"

"Ready as I'll ever be! How about you?"

"You know it!"

"Damn straight, I've got the stream all set up on my end."

"Hell yeah man!" With a quick farewell, Kai hung up the phone and made his way to his capsule, excitement bubbling within him like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Taking a deep breath, He settled into the sleek confines of his capsule. With a flick of his wrist, he activated the capsule's interface, the familiar hum of machinery filled the air and the door of capsule closed as the world around him faded away.

As the clock struck 6 pm exactly, Kai closed his eyes and took a deep breath, bracing himself for the adventure that awaited him.

"Log in!"

A clear female robotic voice spoke up, breaking the silence.

User login detected.

Biometric scan initiated. Please remain still.

Scanning physical attributes...

Height: 6 feet.

Weight: 175 pounds.

Facial features recognized.

Biometric scan complete.

Neural link initiation process initiated.

And suddenly everything went dark. All you could see was a pitch black darkness. It was like being in a lucid dream. Kai felt like he is in a deep sleep but is somehow aware that he's in a deep sleep. 

Please relax and remain still as the nerve gear establishes connection.

Initializing neural interface...

Connection established.

Voice and body movements now synchronized with in-game character.

You are now able to interact naturally with the virtual environment.

Please take a moment to adjust to the virtual environment.

And suddenly the darkness dissipated, and Kai emerged into a realm of boundless whiteness, an expanse that seemed to stretch infinitely in all directions. It was as if he had stepped into the void of an eternal canvas, a realm untouched by the constraints of time or space.

As he surveyed his surroundings, his gaze fell upon his own form, now visible in the pristine white light. Every detail of his body was rendered with stunning clarity, from the subtle contours of his limbs to the gentle rise and fall of his chest with each breath. It was a surreal experience, like gazing into a mirror that reflected not just the physical appearance, but the essence of his being.

With a sense of wonderment, Kai tentatively began to explore his newfound virtual body. He flexed their fingers, marveling at the fluidity of movement. With each step, he felt the solid ground beneath his feet, a sensation so lifelike that it bordered on the surreal.

Kai was now curious, he experimented with his virtual form. He attempted to sprint, feeling the exhilarating rush of adrenaline as his virtual muscles surged with energy. He leaped into the air, hopped around.

As Kai acclimated to the virtual environment, another voice echoed in his mind.

"Welcome Kai Valeri, to the Virtual Environment Calibration"

The scene around him shifted, morphing into a series of objects and obstacles, all rendered in shades of grey and white. There were climbing ledges, hurdles to leap over, winding paths to navigate, and interactive objects in the form of featureless cubes.

The voice sounded again, its tone soothing yet authoritative. "Let's start with navigation. Try to move forward along the path towards the hurdles."

Following the instructions, Kai instinctively moved forward, feeling the virtual ground beneath his feet as he approached the hurdles. With a leap, he soared over the obstacles, experiencing the exhilarating rush of movement as he cleared each one effortlessly.

"Now, let's test your climbing abilities," the voice continued. "Approach the ledges and use your hands to grip the edges. Pull yourself up and traverse along the wall."

Kai approached the climbing ledges, reaching out with his virtual hands to grasp the edges. With a firm grip, he pulled himself up, feeling the strain in his muscles as he ascended the wall. Moving along the ledge, he marveled at the sensation of height and the realistic physics of his movements.

"Excellent," the voice praised. "Now, let's move on to interaction. Approach the object in front of you and use your hands to pick it up."

Kai approached the featureless cube, reaching out to grasp it with his virtual hands. As his fingers closed around the object, he felt a sense of tactile feedback, as if he were truly holding something in his grasp. Experimenting with the controls, he manipulated the object, rotating it in his hands and examining it from all angles.

"Good job," the voice commended. "Finally, let's test your combat skills. Approach the mannequins and use your fists to strike them. Feel the impact of your punches as you engage in virtual combat."

With determination, Kai approached the humanoid figures, his fists clenched in anticipation. As he delivered a series of punches, he felt the satisfying impact of his blows reverberate through his virtual body. Each strike was met with resistance, adding to the realism of the combat simulation.

Virtual Environment Calibration Complete

Please enter your Nickname before entering the game

Suddenly, a holographic keyboard materialized in front of Kai, accompanied by a sleek text box hovering in the air.

The keyboard gleamed with futuristic design elements, each key emitting a soft, pulsating light. Kai reached out to input his nickname, his fingers dancing across the holographic keys. As he typed - B, R, U, H - the letters materialize in the text box - BRUH

Kai pressed enter - Are you sure you want to register the nickname 'BRUH' - "Yes" Kai replied snickering.

Nickname Registered

Entering Game Environment

Welcome to Ages Online, Player BRUH

You stand at the threshold of a journey through time and space, where the echoes of the past and the whispers of the future beckon you forth. Prepare yourselves, for your First Age awaits in the untamed wilderness of the - Primordial Epoch.

Survival of the fittest is the law of nature in this ancient world, where only the strongest and most cunning will prevail. 

In this harsh and unforgiving landscape, you will face trials that will test your strength, your wit, and your will to survive. From ancient creatures to treacherous natural disasters, you must navigate the dangers of the primordial world and carve out your place in its savage embrace.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

- Charles Darwin

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A/N :- Check out my other novel!!