Chapter 2: Into the Tutorial

John's exhilaration from choosing the Demigod class was quickly interrupted as the world around him began to shift. The dense forest blurred, the vibrant colors bleeding into one another until everything faded to black. A strange sense of weightlessness overcame him, and before he could comprehend what was happening, he felt himself being pulled into a void.

When his vision cleared, John found himself standing in the middle of a large, circular arena. It was a stark contrast to the peaceful forest he'd just been in. The sky above was a swirling mass of gray clouds, and the air was thick with tension. All around him, other players began to materialize, each appearing equally disoriented and confused.

John glanced around, noticing that everyone was clad in the same basic, nondescript gear—plain tunics and trousers, with no distinguishing features. Weapons were absent, and there were no visible indicators of class or rank. For now, everyone looked exactly the same.

A loud, booming voice echoed across the arena, silencing the growing murmur of confusion among the players.

"Welcome, new adventurers, to the Trial of Beginnings," the voice announced. "You have all entered the world of 'New Life,' but before you can embark on your true journey, you must first prove yourselves in the Tutorial."

John's heart raced. He had heard about the Tutorial, but the details were vague. It was said to be a trial where players were tested, but no one ever mentioned exactly what happened inside.

"The class you have chosen remains hidden," the voice continued, "and will only be revealed after this trial is complete. Your performance in the Tutorial will determine the weapons and abilities you receive when your true adventure begins."

John's mind raced. This was a twist he hadn't expected. The Demigod class was his ace, but for now, it was just another secret, concealed like everyone else's. It was both a relief and a challenge—he wouldn't be targeted for his extraordinary potential, but he also wouldn't have access to his godlike powers until the trial was over.

"Remember," the voice warned, "teamwork and strategy will be your keys to success. Those who fail to cooperate may find their journey in 'New Life' cut short before it even begins."

As the voice faded, the ground beneath them rumbled, and the arena transformed. The solid stone beneath their feet cracked and split, giving way to what appeared to be a vast labyrinth. Walls rose up around them, and the once open space was now a sprawling maze of narrow corridors and dead ends.

John exchanged glances with the players nearest to him. No one spoke, but the same question hung in the air: What now?

Before anyone could move, the ground trembled once more, and a series of ethereal doors materialized along the walls of the labyrinth. Each one glowed with a different color—red, blue, green, and yellow—each likely leading to a different trial.

John's instincts kicked in. "We should probably team up," he said to the group around him. There was no time for introductions or hesitation. "We don't know what's ahead, but it's safer in numbers."

The others nodded in agreement, and without wasting any more time, they headed toward one of the glowing doors—the red one, its color suggesting a challenge that would require courage and strength.

As they approached, the door swung open, revealing a dark tunnel that led deeper into the labyrinth. The group hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside, with John leading the way. The tunnel was narrow, the walls lined with ancient carvings that seemed to pulse with an eerie light. The further they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.

Suddenly, the tunnel widened into a large chamber. In the center stood a massive creature, a hulking beast with horns and fiery eyes. It roared as it caught sight of the group, the sound echoing off the stone walls. This was the first test of the Tutorial, and it was clear that only those who worked together would survive.

John quickly assessed the situation. They were unarmed, but he noticed the scattered stones and debris around the chamber. "Grab anything you can use as a weapon!" he shouted, rushing to pick up a heavy rock.

The others followed his lead, arming themselves with makeshift weapons. The beast charged at them, but with a coordinated effort, they managed to dodge its initial attack. John threw his rock with all his strength, striking the beast's head, and the others followed suit, attacking from all sides.

The battle was chaotic, with the group barely managing to avoid the beast's massive claws and fiery breath. But despite their lack of real weapons, they fought bravely, working together to bring the creature down. Every time one of them was in danger, the others would jump in to help, and slowly, they began to wear the beast down.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the creature let out one last roar before collapsing to the ground. The group stood panting, covered in sweat and dust, but victorious. As the beast's body disintegrated into particles of light, a familiar voice echoed through the chamber.

"Well done, adventurers. You have passed the first trial. Your path to true power is just beginning. Prepare yourselves for what lies ahead."

As the voice faded, the chamber shifted once again, and the group found themselves back in the labyrinth, standing before another set of doors. They had survived the first test, but John knew this was only the beginning. The real challenges were still to come, and if they wanted to emerge from the Tutorial with the best weapons and abilities, they would need to rely on each other more than ever.

With a determined look, John turned to the others. "Let's keep moving. We can't afford to slow down now."

The group nodded in agreement, and together, they stepped toward the next challenge, ready to face whatever "New Life" had in store for them.