GAME START!
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-[CHARACTER CREATION MENU]-
The moment the screen flickered to life, a familiar surge of excitement coursed through Akito's veins. The beginning of any great MMORPG always started here—the Character Creation menu. A moment of boundless potential. A blank slate waiting to be shaped.
"Well, of course! The first pinnacle of every MMORPG—the character creation!" he grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, let's make something different this time."
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-[HAIR]-
Akito scrolled through various styles—long, short, spiky, slicked-back. Typically, he'd go for jet black or pure white with a rugged spiky look, but today?
"Nah, let's switch things up. Something fresh. Something light."
[Hair Chosen - Fluffy & Light Brown Hair]
"Nice."
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-[EYES]-
He toggled through countless iris designs—round, slit, glowing, dull, sharp, soft—each one shifting the gaze of his virtual avatar. He smirked, his eyes locking onto the perfect choice.
"Sharp... and red. Gotta make my eyes look fierce."
[Eyes Chosen - Sharp & Red]
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-[BODY]-
The body type menu hovered before him. Bulky? Slim? Athletic?
"Let's go unexpected. Thin, but built. A deceptive balance of agility and strength."
[Body Figure Selected - Thin & Built]
"Yeah, that works."
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-[CLOTHING & GEAR]-
He tried scrolling, but there aren't any other options, it was fixed.
"Guess the starter gear is fixed. No surprises here."
[Basic Starting Clothing - (Black Shirt & Black Pants)] [Basic Starting Armor - (Strapped Leather Armor & Padding)]
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-[CLASS SELECTION]-
Akito's grin widened as the class menu unfolded, displaying an overwhelming array of options.
"Alright, EAO, let's see what you've got."
The list scrolled past his vision—
[Warrior], [Tank], [Samurai], [Axe Berserker], [Spear Striker], [Assassin], [Ninja], [Rogue], [Thief], [Warlock], [Wizard], [Mage], [Alchemist], [Beast Tamer], [Summoner], [Enchanter], [Enhancer], [Cleric], [Priest], [Fixer], [Necromancer], [Spellblade], [Shapeshifter], [Hacker], [Appraiser]...
Akito rested his chin on his fist, contemplating.
"Should I go melee like usual...? Nah." His smirk widened. "This time, let's play outside my comfort zone."
[Main Class Chosen - Ranger]
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-[CHOOSE TWO WEAPON TYPES]-
A new menu appeared, listing weapons:
[Bow], [Crossbow], [Pistol], [Rifle], [Shotgun], [SMG], [Sniper], [Rocket Launcher], [Hand-Held Cannon]
"Alright... let's think this through. A mix of precision and power would be ideal... Ah! There we go."
[2 Weapon Types Chosen - Hand-Held Cannon & Pistol]
"Balanced, versatile, and unpredictable. Perfect!~"
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-[SUB-CLASS SELECTION]-
Another menu appeared. Sub-classes. He skimmed through the list before pausing at one that piqued his interest.
"A support class? Hmm... yeah. Might come in handy."
Options displayed: [Enchanter], [Enhancer], [Cleric], [Priest], [Fixer], [Appraiser]
"Fixer... let's check the description."
[Fixer - Support Class; Unlike other healers, Fixers specialize in quick but low-volume healing. Natural enemies to the Hacker Class, Fixers can repair hacked components and objects, making them invaluable against Cyber-based foes. They also wield 'Cyber Cleanse,' a rare element lethal to Virus-type enemies.]
Akito's eyes gleamed.
"A support class that counters Hackers and Virus-type enemies, huh? Sounds damn useful."
[Sub-Class Chosen - Fixer]
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-[ROLL EXO ABILITY]-
A sudden, unexpected prompt.
"Exo Ability? And I have to roll for it? Oh! It's a gacha system!" He chuckled, rubbing his hands together. "Alright, let's give it a spin! Just don't give me a common garbage-tier ability... and no crazy legendary ability either—I don't wanna stand out too much."
The screen flickered.
[-10110101-] Rolling…
[-11010100-] Rolling…
[-10101011-] Rolling…
[-11100101-] Rolling…
[-10110111-] Rolling...
Ding!
A triumphant chime rang out as the text unfolded.
[Exo Ability Has Been Rolled...]
[Cyber Tier Exo Ability - Overclock *New*]
Akito narrowed his eyes.
"Overclock? Cyber Tier? That sounds... uhh... new?"
The description revealed itself:
[Cyber Tier - The newest Exo Ability tier added in EAO. One of the three Ultra-Rare Special Tier Exo Abilities alongside Beast Tier and Monster Tier.]
[Overclock - A Cyber Tier Exo Ability. When activated, Overclock grants the user a temporary surge of unparalleled speed, infinite stamina, heightened reflexes, and razor-sharp perception. The user's movements become a blur, trailing afterimages as they blitz across the battlefield, reacting at speeds beyond normal comprehension. For the duration of Overclock, the world seems to slow while the user moves with absolute precision.
Ability Details:
Duration: 5 minutes (at Level 1)
Cooldown: 1 minute (at Level 1)
HUD Scramble: 5 seconds (at Level 1)
Each Exo Ability level-up doubles the previous values for duration, cooldown, and HUD scramble time. (Example: Level 2 grants 10 minutes duration, 2-minute cooldown, and a 10-second HUD scramble.)
Special Condition:
Overclock is a specialized Exo Ability, meaning it is unique to the player who rolls it. You are the sole wielder of Overclock. Congratulations, player!]
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Akito stared at the glowing text before him, his mind struggling to process what he had just unlocked.
"Ahh… well… possibly… unlucky… or lucky? Not sure... but…" He exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. Then, after a moment of stunned silence, he shouted, "THIS DAMN OVERCLOCK EXO THINGY IS TOO OVERPOWERED AS HEEEEEEEEEEELL!"
His gaze darted back to the description. The benefits were absurd—speed, stamina, reflexes, perception. But those drawbacks… the scrambled HUD, the ever-increasing cooldown… a high-risk, high-reward ability.
"Well... then again, there are drawbacks... hmm…" He rubbed his chin, weighing the potential strategies. "Well... I guess that's peachy... Alrighty! I guess I'm done with the entire character creation bit!" He exclaimed as he stood up from the virtual chair.
-[Register Player Name]-
A smirk crept across Akito's face. There was only ever one name he would be registered as, the same name he had used across countless VR MMORPG Worlds...
[Hoshigari]
-[Hoshigari - Name Registered]-
As soon as he confirmed, a message flashed before his eyes:
-[Welcome to the nonstop, vast, ever-expanding world of Exo-Arcana, fateforger Hoshigari.]-
Before he could react, a brilliant light enveloped his vision. The loading sequence surged through his senses like a rush of wind, and his body felt as though it were being pulled into another dimension.
His heart pounded with excitement.
"Alright! It's finally time… FOR MY NEW GAME EXPERIENCE!"
The light burst around him, and Exo-Arcana awaited.
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...
-[Astravyr (Starter Town) Grand Hall]-
The moment Akito's consciousness settled, the blinding light around him faded. His senses were instantly overwhelmed—not by confusion or disorientation, but by an incredible surge of realism. He found himself standing in a colossal grand hall, its architecture an awe-inspiring blend of futuristic metalwork and arcane glyphs that shimmered with soft, pulsating light. The vaulted ceiling stretched impossibly high, lined with intricate, golden engravings that danced with energy. Around him, hundreds of other new to beginner players were appearing one after another, their expressions shifting from astonishment to pure excitement as they took in the breathtaking sight of Astravyr's Grand Hall.
A confident smirk played across Akito's lips as he clenched and unclenched his hands, rolling his shoulders and shifting his weight. Every movement was buttery smooth, fluid, as if his body was truly his own inside this world.
"Damn… this is insanely real. No surprises, though—it's an ultra-high spec Full-Dive VR MMORPG after all." His voice carried a mix of excitement and admiration.
As players around him started excitedly chattering, testing their own movements, Akito took a deep breath and muttered, "Alright, first things first... uhh... let's check my stats."
"Status Menu, Open!"
A sleek holographic interface materialized in front of him with a faint mechanical chime, displaying his character stats in a futuristic neon-blue layout.
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-[Status Menu]-
Level: 1
Player Name: Hoshigari
Class: Ranger (Specialty: Hand-Held Cannon & Pistol) [Lvl 1]
Sub-Class: Fixer [Lvl 1]
Exo Ability: Overclock [Lvl 1]
-[Status Attributes]-
[Starting Status Points are Fixed to Ranger Class Status Attributes...]
Vitality: 10
Defense: 5
Strength: 10
Arcana: 5
Perception: 20
Dexterity: 20
Agility: 15
Stamina: 15
Luck: 10
Hoshigari—his in-game alias—nodded as he scanned his stats. "Yeah… that makes sense. My Defense and Arcana are trash since Rangers aren't meant for close-quarters combat and rangers probably don't use Arcana, since they only shred lead, shells, and rounds. But damn, look at that Perception, Dexterity, Agility, and Stamina!" He chuckled, clenching his fists, feeling the latent power of his build within him.
"Hells yeah!"
The HUD faded away as he waved his hand to close it. With a determined grin, he glanced around the Grand Hall, taking in the excitement of other players as they interacted, formed parties, and adjusted to their new reality.
"Aaaaalrighty! Let's start by… figuring out what I should do first."
The Grand Hall of Astravyr hums with vibrant energy. Towering crystalline chandeliers glow with arcane light, casting intricate patterns on the marble floors. Massive holographic banners flicker above, displaying real-time announcements and live-broadcast of high-ranking Fateforgers and world events. The hall is bustling with fresh adventurers—new Fateforgers—each clad in their default beginner gear, some wide-eyed in awe, others stretching and testing their abilities.
A polished reception desk, adorned with shifting runes and exo-circuitry, stands at the hall's center. Behind it, a striking NPC awaits—Marya, the Grand Hall Receptionist.
She is a vision of ethereal beauty, her long silver hair flowing like liquid metal. Her emerald eyes gleam with the sharp intelligence of an advanced AI, yet her smile is warm, welcoming. Clad in an elegant yet functional exo-weave robe, lined with silver filaments pulsing with mana-energy, she gestures for the newcomers to approach, and Hoshigari (Akito) followed suit.
"Ah! Welcome, new Fateforger," Marya's voice rings with a perfect blend of authority and warmth. "You stand in the Grand Hall of Astravyr, the gateway to your journey within Exo-Arcana. Here, your fate is yours to forge."
She extends a delicate hand, conjuring a floating digital interface—a Digi-Map of Exo-Arcana. The map expands before them, revealing a breathtaking expanse of kingdoms, cities, regions, and uncharted lands teeming with dangers and wonders alike.
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"To begin, you must first establish yourself. Accept quests, complete them, earn rewards, and grow stronger. Here in Astravyr, you'll find three possible pathways to progress:"
Hall Quests – "Take on official quests to earn Credits—our world's primary currency. These quests range from simple gathering tasks to high-stakes boss hunts."
Loot and Trade – "Enemies you defeat will drop loot, the quality determined by their rank. The stronger the foe, the greater the reward. Unwanted gear? Sell or trade it in the Bazaar Market, found outside the Grand Hall and on your Digi-Map."
Clan Creation – "Forge alliances, create parties, and establish your own clan. Clans that rise to fame can influence entire regions of Exo-Arcana."
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Marya waves her hand, shifting the Digi-Map to highlight 10 Player-Friendly Towns, 10 Major Region Territories, and the 5 Grand Kingdoms.
10 Player-Friendly Towns (Quest Hubs):
Neotrinia – A neon metropolis for exo-ability modification.
Pyronova – A fire-clad commune inside a fallen celestial golem.
Vorthys Tide – A floating oceanic city built on a Leviathan's skeleton.
Glaciora Haven – A frostbound haven within a glacier, home to time-monitoring Fractal Watchers. Virelis Veil – A cyber-organic forest where players bond with Bio-Symbiotes.
Aerovex – A floating city training aerial combat specialists.
Noxhaven – An underground rogue settlement for black-market trades.
Tesseravan – A time-shifted town phasing between past and future.
Voltara Ridge – A lightning-infused town of Stormborn Duelists.
Runevyn Archive – A cyber-library where lost spells are unlocked.
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10 Territories & Their Bosses:
Omegavoid Hollow – A shattered black-hole anomaly; Boss: Void Revenant, Zeraphon.
Shatterglyph Wasteland – A glitching battlefield; Boss: The Architect of Ruin.
Vyrethil Grove – A jungle of bio-mechanical flora; Boss: Primeval Titan, Azkharis.
Igniscorge Depths – A molten megadungeon; Boss: Infernal Behemoth, Mordrax.
Eclipse Necropolis – A haunted cyber-graveyard; Boss: Spectral Sovereign, Nyxthul.
Zeothra's Gauntlet – A titan's storm trial; Boss: Storm Emperor, Vorthon.
Abyssal Ruin of Kryssa – A sunken cyber-city; Boss: Leviathan Sovereign, Vexkhalis.
Infinite Circuitry – A wild-code realm; Boss: The Omni-Scribe.
Obsidian Monolith Valley – A graveyard of ancient mechs; Boss: Dread Titan, Xelgorath.
Veilbreach Sanctuary – A rift-paradox region; Boss: Chrono-Magus, Aldrexxis.
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5 Grand Kingdoms of Exo-Arcana:
Exovia Prime – A cybernetic empire ruling with precision.
Arkhalys Dominion – A kingdom governed by arcane supremacy.
Valtros Ascendancy – A bastion of elite exo-knights.
Nexus Eidolon – A theocracy where AI is worshiped.
Aeonstride Kingdom – Keepers of past and future secrets.
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Marya then gives a knowing smile. "Now, listen carefully. Astravyr is your safe haven, but beyond these walls, Exo-Arcana is unforgiving. Enemies scale in strength the further you travel away from . For safety, it's advised to reach Level 20 before leaving. However…"
Her eyes gleam mischievously. "This is your story, Fateforger. The choice is yours! Or... you could start, with one of these three!"
She swipes her hand over the interface, conjuring three E-Rank Beginner Quests.
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-[Quest Options]-
1. Lost Cargo Recovery – Retrieve stolen merchant goods from thugs and a rogue mech piloted by thug.
2. Arcane Essence Gathering – Collect essence shards from local arcana pools inside the forest just outside of Astravyr.
3. Beast Cull: Cryo-Wolves – Thin out an aggressive wolf pack harassing the outer gates.
Marya's final words resonate: "Go on, choose your first path. This is where your legend begins."
Hoshigari scrolled through the quest board, his eyes scanning the available missions.
"Hmm... Beast Cull? Nah, every typical newbie is probably gunning for that one. Gathering? Hell no. Too boring." He smirked, then tapped "Yeah... let's go with Lost Cargo Recovery captured by Thugs and a Thug piloting a Mecha. This sounds way more up my alley!"
[Quest Accepted: Lost Cargo Recovery]
"Good luck, fateforger!" Marya, the quest giver, responded with a polite bow.
A notification flashed across his vision.
[Quest Location: South Entrance of Astravyr]
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"Alright! Let's move!" Hoshigari declared, his voice filled with determination as he rushed toward the exit of the Grand Hall. But just as he reached the towering doorway, he skidded to a halt, eyes widening in realization.
"Wait... WOAH, hold up! What am I thinking?! Silly me! Running straight into enemy territory with no weapon? Dummy!" He smacked his forehead dramatically.
Opening his Equipment Menu, he quickly assessed his gear.
-[Equipment Menu]-
[Head Equipment - None]
[Face Equipment - None]
[Neck Equipment - None]
[Torso Equipment - Basic Starting Clothing - (Black Shirt) & Basic Starting Armor - (Strapped Leather Armor & Padding)] +10 Defense
[Left Arm Equipment - None]
[Left Hand Equipment - None]
[Left Ring - None]
[Left Handed Weapon - None]
[Right Arm Equipment - None]
[Right Hand Equipment - Starter Black Fingerless Precision Glove] +5 Precision
[Right Handed Weapon - None]
[Waist Equipment - Basic Leather Belt]
[Quick Use Equipment 1 - None]
[Quick Use Equipment 2 - None]
[Legs Equipment - Basic Starting Clothing - (Black Pants)] [Basic Starting Armor - (Strapped Leather Armor & Padding)] +10 Defense
[Foot Equipment - Basic Starting Boots] +5 Agility
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"GODDAMN! There are so many equipment slots...! Alright, alright, there's gotta be a starter weapon in here somewhere. Maybe in the Inventory? Inventory Menu, open!"
-[Inventory Menu]-
[Starter Weapon - StrikerM10 Handgun]
[Starter Gear - 5 Vita-Vials]
[Starter Gear - Explosive Arcnade]
[Starter Gear - EMP Arcnade]
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Hoshigari grinned. "Ah! There's my starter gear! Alright, let's see... StrikerM10 Handgun goes here... the five Vita-Vials go here... and the EMP Arcnade... locked and loaded!"
-[Equipment Updated]-
[Right Handed Weapon - StrikerM10 Handgun]
[Quick Use Equipment 1 - 5 Vita-Vials]
[Quick Use Equipment 2 - EMP Arcnade]
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As he closed the menu, his new handgun materialized at his side, holstered securely on the right of his belt, while two compact pouches—one holding his Vita-Vials and the other his EMP Arcnade—were strapped on the left.
He clapped his hands together, a confident smirk spreading across his face. "Alright! All set! Now..." He stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders before breaking into a full sprint. "Let's go on my first quest! SHOW ME WHATCHA MADE OF!"
With that, Hoshigari dashed out of the Grand Hall, diving headfirst into his first real quest in EAO.
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