Chapter 16: The Hidden Mechanic
VirtuaGenesis – The Unknown Forest
Amir stood still, heart pounding, as the blue system interface flickered before him.
> SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:
New Player Calibration Complete!
Analyzing Talent & Playstyle...
Assigning Initial Stats...
Applying Hidden Modifiers...
A strange hum vibrated through the air, and a rush of light particles swirled around him.
Then—
> Ding!
You have received your starting attributes.
Name: Aegis (Amir Zainal)
Race: Human [???]
Class: ??? (Locked)
Level: 1
HP: 150/150
MP: 100/100
Stamina: 120/120
Primary Stats:
Strength: 6
Agility: 7
Endurance: 8
Intelligence: 9
Perception: 10
Luck: ???
Amir's eyes narrowed.
"Luck: ???"
A stat hidden by the system? That wasn't normal.
Most VRMMORPGs clearly displayed all stats, even if they were low. But in VirtuaGenesis, Luck was obscured—as if something was preventing him from seeing it.
Before he could process it, another notification appeared.
> Ding!
Your Hidden Trait has been detected!
Trait: [Unforeseen Variable]
Description: Your existence does not align with predetermined system algorithms. The world adapts to your presence in unpredictable ways. Events, encounters, and rewards may defy probability.
Amir's heartbeat quickened.
"Unforeseen Variable?"
He wasn't just another player.
Something about him was breaking the game's balance.
A Sudden Encounter
A gust of cold wind rustled the towering trees around him. He was still in the Unknown Forest, where new players were placed after the tutorial.
This was the first true open-world environment in VirtuaGenesis—no guidance, no forced quests.
A real sandbox.
> Ding!
You have entered [Unknown Forest].
Survival Mode Engaged.
[Survival Mode?]
Amir barely had time to think before he heard it—
Rustle.
The sound of movement.
His instincts flared.
Something was watching him.
He turned sharply, eyes scanning the trees. The dense foliage made it hard to see, but his Perception stat (10) allowed him to pick up the faintest details.
Then—
A shadow dashed between the trees.
> Ding!
A wild enemy has detected you!
[Dire Wolf – Lv. 3]
Status: Hunting
A red health bar appeared above the creature as it emerged from the shadows.
Sleek, black fur. Piercing yellow eyes.
And worst of all—
It wasn't alone.
More pairs of glowing eyes lit up in the darkness.
A pack.
> Ding!
[Pack Instinct Activated]
Nearby Dire Wolves gain +5% Speed and +10% Attack when in groups.
Amir's grip tightened around the basic dagger strapped to his belt.
"A pack bonus already? This game doesn't hold back."
In other games, early fights were simple. One enemy at a time. Easy tutorials.
Not VirtuaGenesis.
Here, the world didn't care if you were Level 1. If you made the wrong move—
You died.
The wolves moved.
The first lunged at him with shocking speed—its fangs flashing.
Amir reacted purely on instinct.
> Dodge Attempt – Agility Check
Threshold: 7 (Your Agility: 7)
Success!
He sidestepped, the wolf's jaws snapping inches from his arm.
> Ding!
You evaded an attack!
+1 Agility Proficiency.
Another wolf circled behind him.
A third one was already moving to flank.
Amir exhaled sharply.
"I need to turn this around."
He rushed forward, aiming for the first wolf's throat.
> Attack Attempt – Strength Check
Threshold: 10 (Your Strength: 6)
Failed.
His dagger slashed—but the wolf twisted away, only taking a shallow cut.
> Ding!
Attack Partially Blocked – Damage Reduced by 50%.
Dealt 5 Damage.
The wolf barely flinched.
This wasn't a normal game where low-level enemies dropped in one hit.
These creatures thought. They reacted.
Amir gritted his teeth.
Then—his vision blurred.
A faint pulse of light radiated from his body.
> Hidden Mechanic Activated!
[Unforeseen Variable] has triggered an unknown effect!
Suddenly—
The wolves hesitated.
A brief pause. A moment of hesitation they shouldn't have had.
"Now!"
Amir exploited the opening—
He threw his dagger.
> Ding!
Precision Throw – Perception Check
Threshold: 9 (Your Perception: 10)
Success!
The dagger pierced the first wolf's eye.
> Critical Hit!
Dealt 30 Damage!
Dire Wolf [Lv. 3] has been Blinded!
The beast howled in agony, thrashing wildly.
> Ding!
EXP Gained: 50
Progress to Next Level: 50/200
The other wolves backed away, now uncertain.
Amir's mind raced.
He had barely survived that encounter. If his hidden trait hadn't triggered, he might have been overwhelmed.
What exactly was this "Unforeseen Variable"?
Why was the system bending around him?
He didn't have the answers yet.
But one thing was certain—
"This game is more than just a game."
And he was about to uncover why.
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END OF CHAPTER 16
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Next Chapter Preview:
Amir explores the deep mechanics of his hidden trait.
He discovers an abnormal EXP gain pattern.
A mysterious system message appears—warning him about an unknown force watching his progress.
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