The avatar that wasn't
The glowing interface of the character creation screen surrounded Nasuke in the void. Golden symbols swirled like fireflies, shifting and pulsing in response to his every thought. The hum of Arcanis's voice resonated, calm and commanding.
"Your Avatar will define your experience in Invernia. Shape it carefully, for its image will represent you in this world."
In front of him stood a blank humanoid form, featureless but brimming with potential. Nasuke's fingers twitched, his imagination stirring to life.
This is it, he thought, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint smile. Time to make someone better than me. Stronger. Cooler. Someone people would actually notice.
The interface divided into categories: Appearance, Class, Stats, and Abilities. Nasuke's vision narrowed on the first tab.
---
Appearance
With a swipe of his hand, Nasuke began sculpting the avatar he always wished he could be.
"Let's make this count," he muttered, diving into the details.
He started with the body: broad shoulders, powerful muscles, and a towering height—easily 6'2". His hand hovered over the hair options for a moment before settling on jet black, sleek and flowing, catching the light with a faint shine.
For the face, he crafted sharp cheekbones, a strong jawline, and crimson eyes that glowed faintly with an intimidating intensity. A subtle scar on the left eyebrow added a rugged charm.
The finished product was a masterpiece: a warrior-king, exuding power and grace. The avatar stood before him like a legend from the stories Nasuke read as a kid.
"Now this," he said with a grin, "is what I'm talking about."
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Class Selection
The screen shifted, presenting five glowing icons, each representing a unique class. Nasuke scrolled through their descriptions:
Sword Saint – Precision and elegance with the blade.
Shadow Dancer – Masters of stealth and speed.
Arcanist – Wielders of destructive magic.
Blood Reaver – Warriors who sacrifice health for devastating attacks.
Iron Warden – Indomitable defenders with unmatched resilience.
His eyes lingered on Blood Reaver.
"A high-risk, high-reward warrior who sacrifices health for power," Nasuke muttered, reading the description aloud. "Sounds dangerous… but it also sounds awesome."
With a decisive motion, he selected it.
His avatar transformed. Dark crimson armor materialized, jagged and pulsing faintly as though alive. A massive greatsword appeared on his back, its surface rippling with an ominous energy.
Nasuke stepped back, admiring the imposing figure. "Unstoppable."
---
Finalizing the Avatar
The glowing interface wrapped itself around the avatar, locking in his choices. A golden message appeared before him:
"Avatar Creation Complete. Welcome, Blood Reaver."
Nasuke felt a surge of pride as he stared at the towering warrior he had created. This was who he wanted to be: someone powerful, someone respected.
Arcanis stepped closer, observing the avatar with an expression Nasuke couldn't read. "You've chosen an image that does not reflect your current self. A bold choice. However… Invernia has a way of revealing truth."
Nasuke frowned, but before he could respond, Arcanis snapped his fingers.
"Then go forth. Welcome to Invernia."
The ground beneath Nasuke's feet gave way, and he plummeted into a swirling vortex of crimson and gold light. The world dissolved around him, and for a moment, he felt his body being rewritten.
---
Arrival in the Game
Nasuke's eyes fluttered open. The first thing he noticed was the dense, misty forest surrounding him. Towering trees stretched toward the sky, their tops obscured by a thick canopy. The cool, damp air clung to his skin, and every sound—the chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves—felt unnervingly real.
"This feels… incredible," he whispered.
But his awe turned to confusion when he glanced at his reflection in a nearby puddle.
"What the hell?!"
The face staring back at him wasn't the crimson-eyed warrior he had created. It was his real-world self: shorter, heavy with fat, with unkempt black hair and an awkward posture. The sleek armor and greatsword were gone, replaced by ill-fitting leather armor and a rusty blade strapped to his back.
A system notification flickered in front of him:
"To unlock your chosen Avatar, complete quests and prove your worth."
Nasuke's stomach sank. "You've got to be kidding me."
Frustration bubbled up as he paced in a circle. "What kind of sick joke is this? I'm stuck in this weak body? I thought I was supposed to be a Blood Reaver!"
Another notification appeared:
"Quest Activated: Survive the First Day."
Nasuke froze, his eyes darting around the forest. A low growl came from behind him, and the bushes rustled violently. He spun around, gripping the hilt of the rusty sword with trembling hands.
"What now?" he whispered, his voice cracking.
From the shadows emerged a massive, wolf-like beast. Its glowing red eyes locked onto him, and its fangs glistened as it snarled.
"Oh, crap."
The creature lunged, and Nasuke barely managed to dive out of the way. He scrambled to his feet, heart pounding in his chest.
"This isn't a game," he realized, gripping the sword tighter. "This is real."
The beast growled, circling him like prey. Nasuke steadied his breathing, his muscles tensed.
If I have to fight to become the person I created, then so be it.
He raised the sword, determination flaring in his eyes. "Come on, then!"
The wolf lunged again, and Nasuke braced for the fight of his life.