***
Rouya Crowell's brow furrowed as she meticulously read the instructions and safety warnings in the game manual. Her gaze then shifted to the imposing game capsule, large enough to house a person comfortably. A flicker of apprehension gave way to curiosity as her knitted brows relaxed slightly.
Having experienced virtual gaming before, Rouya found herself intrigued by this new approach. Instead of the familiar holographic goggles or nerve-gear helmets, she was faced with a full-body immersion capsule.
The buzz surrounding World of Legends Online, or WLO, was undeniable. Beta testers raved about its cutting-edge technology, claiming it was the most advanced virtual game ever created. By connecting directly to the player's brainwaves, WLO simulated a vivid, dreamlike experience. The game capsule interacted with the body's nervous system, stimulating the brain to achieve incredibly realistic control over in-game characters.
WLO's uniqueness extended beyond its exclusive game capsule. The game demanded a specific age range of fifteen to twenty-one years old for registration, and players were required to use their real names for account verification. Anonymous aliases were strictly prohibited.
The game's realistic graphics were legendary, blurring the line between reality and the virtual world. While fantasy elements and player statistics served as reminders of the game's nature, the visual fidelity was astonishing. Furthermore, in-game characters mirrored the player's real-world appearance. Avatars could be altered with acquired skills, garments, or armor, but the player's inherent features remained recognizable. Minor adjustments, such as hair and eye color, were also possible.
After thoroughly reading the game manual, she took every necessary precaution and put on the mandatory full-body thermal wear required before entering the game capsule.
Once the capsule door closed, a green laser swept over her from head to toe. A digital interface then appeared before her—it was the login screen. She entered her registered username and password, then spoke clearly:
"Link Start."
The instant the words left her mouth, her vision seemed to spin, and an overwhelming drowsiness washed over her. Try as she might to stay alert, she was powerless against the force pulling her into unconsciousness.
She had no idea how much time had passed, but when she finally opened her eyes, she froze. She was no longer inside the capsule; instead, a vast expanse of lush greenery stretched out before her.
The abundant greenery filled the air with a refreshing, tranquil atmosphere, making her feel as though she had stepped into the Garden of Eden itself. Beyond the thriving foliage, what truly captured her gaze was the massive tree standing before her, radiating an aura that felt both magical and awe-inspiring.
It reminded her of the Tree of Life belonging to the elven tribe in a fantasy game she had played before. Yet, unlike its virtual counterpart, it looked strikingly real—almost like a tree found in nature—if not for the mystical energy that surrounded it.
She couldn't make sense of what was happening. As far as she remembered, World of Legends Online, while a fantasy game, did not offer players magical abilities. To reach the top, you had to master weaponry. What's more, she had no idea how to bring up the game interface.
According to the manual, it should appear automatically upon logging in, displaying her stats and details. But her starting location was nothing like what the beta testers had described, and there was no interface to be found.
"Oh, dear Chosen One," a melodic female voice suddenly spoke, breaking her train of thought. "You must have endured many wounds on your journey here."
Rouya Crowell was bewildered, wondering who was speaking. It was only then she noticed the magnificent tree before her seemed to glow brighter, its branches swaying gently as if caressed by a breeze—even though the air was perfectly still.
"Chosen Child, the path ahead will be far more difficult and dangerous than what you have faced so far. I will bestow three gifts to aid you on your way."
What is going on? Is this voice coming from the Tree of Life? Am I really still inside the game I know? She felt completely lost.
She tilted her head, studying the tree more closely. She didn't understand what this "more perilous journey" meant, or what the three gifts would be. This was supposed to be the beginning of the game, after all.
She didn't know why everything differed from the beta testers' reports, but it felt as though World of Legends Online had entered an entirely new phase. If the world matched what the testers experienced, she would know what to expect. But if this was truly a new update, all the information they had gathered before might no longer apply.
"Dear Chosen One, choose the weapon you wish to master, and I will grant you the first of my three gifts," the voice said again. As it spoke, a panel displaying various weapons appeared before her eyes.
It seemed she truly was at the starting point of World of Legends Online's new phase. Unease settled in her chest as the world around her looked nothing like what she knew. She also sensed there was more to this than just a game update—something deeper she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Her instincts told her that this new version would differ drastically from what the beta testers had described. It wasn't just a minor change; the gap between the two versions was immense and startling.
***