NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Enders Light
This parallel world bore many similarities to the world Reacher once knew, but it had its own unique differences.
The most notable of these was the sudden appearance of a VRMMORPG called Enders Light. This game had taken the world by storm just a few months ago, seemingly out of nowhere, with no information about its creators. It was unlike any game ever seen before.
Enders Light offered players the chance to gain fame and wealth, but more importantly, it allowed them to acquire real-life abilities and strength from their in-game avatars.
Players could bring specific game items into reality, a phenomenon that had never been possible before. This blending of virtual and real worlds created a frenzy, with people from all walks of life diving into the game, hoping to change their destinies.
For August, the game was more than just an escape; it was a lifeline. He had dropped out of college to take care of his younger sister, Sophia, after their parents passed away. Struggling to make ends meet, he had taken on various jobs, but the money was never enough.
Debts began to pile up—medical bills, rent, and a hefty loan he took out to buy a high-end gaming pod, his last-ditch effort to turn their fortunes around through Enders Light.
The gaming pod sat in the corner of his small room. It was a reminder of his gamble.
It had cost him half a million dollars, the majority of which he still owed. The loan shark who provided the money was relentless, and the looming threat of debt collectors added to his daily stress.
Despite his dire financial situation, August was determined to protect Sophia and provide her with a better life. She was still in high school, and he wanted to ensure she had every opportunity he missed out on. The bond between them was strong, and her unwavering support was one of the few bright spots in his life.
The backstory of August's debts was a painful one. The purchase of the gaming pod was a desperate move, one that he believed could finally turn the tide in their favor.
Enders Light offered a glimmer of hope. August knew that if he could advance far enough, he might be able to bring valuable items into the real world and sell them for a significant profit. But his progress in the game was slow due to a challenging aspect he hadn't managed to overcome in months.
August approached the high-tech VR pod that stood in the corner of the room. The polished surface gleamed under the dim light.
"What in the world of Terminator is this shii?" He took a deep breath as recalled Sci-Fi movies from his previous world.
This was August's lifeline but also one of the major causes of his death. It carried the highest debt but Reacher still saw it as the gateway to a world where he could potentially change their fate.
"I must say... I have never tasted poverty. Doesn't taste good but this could be an adventure like none other," August smirked as he opened the pod's hatch and carefully lay down inside.
The contoured surface felt cool to the touch of his body. He reached for the helmet as his fingers trembled slightly in excitement.
This was Reacher's first time in Enders Light, but for August, it was a familiar escape from his harsh reality.
As he placed the helmet over his head, a soft, mechanical voice greeted him. [ Welcome, August Clementine. Initializing system... ]
A series of lights flickered inside the helmet, and he felt a gentle vibration as the pod powered up. The world around him began to fade, replaced by a swirling vortex of colors and lights. His heart raced with both excitement and nervousness.
[ Neural synchronization complete ] the voice announced.
[ Preparing to transport to Enders Light. Please remain calm and enjoy your journey. ]
The swirling lights intensified, enveloping him in a variety of colors. He felt a brief moment of weightlessness as if he were floating in a void. Then, with a sudden jolt, he was pulled into the virtual world.
The vibrant landscape of Enders Light materialized before his eyes. He found himself standing on a hill, overlooking a sprawling medieval village... The Village of Unhidden Mist.
The air was crisp and clear. The sky was a brilliant blue that seemed to differ from the usual color and clarity. The village below bustled with activity—mostly NPCs, going about their business, trading, and chatting.
A familiar notification popped up in his field of vision:
[Welcome to Enders Light, Player Aleman]
Aleman. That was the name of his avatar, a strikingly handsome young man with long green hair streaked with white patches. His in-game appearance mirrored his real-life looks but with a touch of fantasy that made him even more captivating.
He was dressed in a black cloak and leather pants, making his face a little obscured.
<[ Welcome back, Aleman ]> a soothing female voice chimed in his ear. It was the system AI, designed to assist players.
<[ You have three new messages and two pending quests ]>
<[ Would you like to review them now? ]>
August, now Aleman, took a moment to orient himself. He opened his menu with a thought and the interface seamlessly appeared before him.
He quickly scanned his stats and inventory:
←←←←←←←←
Name: Aleman
Level: 12
Title(s): Nil
Class: Assassin
EXP: 7890/25000
HP: 1600/1600
Gold: 150
Skills: Shadow Dance, Hidden strike, Slash, Dash, Dual wielding
Inventory: Basic Dagger, Leather Armor, Healing Potion x3
←←←←←←←←
The familiar surroundings and interface were comforting, grounding him in this new reality. He navigated to his messages and quests, eager to see what awaited him.
Message 1
From System:
[ Welcome back, Aleman. Your next main quest is to reach the Tree of Life. Good luck! ]
Message 2
From: Village Chief
[ Thank you for helping us with the recent tasks. We have a special request for you. ]
Aleman closed the messages and thought about his pending quests. The Tree of Life quest was crucial; he had been stuck on it for months.
However, without the proper armor to withstand the tree's magical aura, he had died repeatedly, unable to progress further.
So he decided to handle the other quest instead.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. "Time to get to work."
He walked down the hill with smooth and fluid movements thanks to the VR pod's advanced haptic feedback system.
Reacher couldn't believe just how real everything felt. The wind on his skin, the scent in the air, the visuals, and every impact he felt while moving his feet.
The village came to life around him with NPCs greeting him warmly. Their faces were full of character and detail. They almost didn't feel like NPCs due to their interactions with him. They conversed like they were very real and never repeated certain phrases like how he remembered games to be back on his earth.
These villagers were half-beast, half-human, their bodies a blend of fur, scales, and human features. The system translated their language, Acheron, into something he could understand.
"Hello, Aleman," greeted a villager with the head of a fox and the body of a man. "Good to see you again."
Aleman nodded, smiling at the familiar face. "Good to see you too, Fenrik."
A system notification appeared:
[Quest Updated: Help the Village Chief]
(( Assist the village chief with his special request to receive a unique reward. ))
August made his way to the village chief's house, a modest wooden structure adorned with various herbs and talismans. The chief was an elderly man with the head of a stag and the body of a human.
He greeted August at the door.
"Ah, Aleman," the chief said with a warm and welcoming tone. "Thank you for coming. We have a pressing matter that needs your attention."
"What do you need, Chief?" Aleman asked, his curiosity piqued.
"We have been troubled by a surge of low-level beasts in the nearby forest. They've been attacking our villagers and damaging our supplies. We need someone skilled to deal with them."
A new quest notification appeared:
[ New Quest: Beast Control ]
< Objective: Defeat the beasts in the Forest of Shadows and protect the village >
[ Reward: Unique Armor Piece. ]
August's heart raced. This could be the breakthrough he needed. "I'll take care of it," he said confidently.
The chief smiled, his eyes twinkling with gratitude. "Thank you, Aleman. The village is in your debt."
'But why does this seem... familiar? Like I've taken care of such a quest before?' August wondered internally.
He decided to throw that to the back of his mind in the meantime and set off towards the Forest of Shadows.
The system notifications continued to guide him, marking the location on his map and providing real-time updates.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, the lush greenery and dappled sunlight gave way to a darker, more foreboding atmosphere.
The sounds of nature were replaced by the eerie silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and distant animal calls.
He activated his stealth abilities causing his form to blend seamlessly with the shadows.
The forest became his playground as he moved with intricate calculations.
As he approached the area where the beasts were known to roam, he paused, assessing the situation.
There were several low-level beasts known as Skrawlings—small, ferocious creatures with sharp claws and teeth.
Their bodies were a mix of reptilian scales and mammalian fur with their eyes glowing a menacing red. Another common beast in the area was the Thornback, a spiny creature with a hard shell and venomous bite.
Aleman drew his dagger as the familiar weight and design felt comforting in his hand.
< Player Has Activated Hidden Strike >
< ×3 Damage Amplified for every successful hidden attack >
He moved silently, taking out the first Skrawling with a swift, lethal strike.
[Level 4 Skrawling Defeated: +15 EXP]
The remaining beasts turned, their eyes wide with alarm.
August had used the element of surprise to his advantage but hidden strike could no longer work since they all had their eyes on him now.
Fortunately for him, they were low-level creatures.
< Player Has Activated Dash >