When David returned home, he noticed that the house was just as he left it. Meaning, his mother still hadn't returned.
'Day 5, huh? She trying to set a new record?'
On the fridge, there was a note she had left five days ago that said she wouldn't be home till late so David should order any meal he wanted.
"That's a waste of money. I'll just cook."
He noted and went to work in the kitchen.
"What can I do? Hmm, how about some rice?"
David went to work, making his master class plain rice. Legends have it that any who taste it are cursed to eternally crave his rice.
After 15 minutes in the kitchen, David served the rice on two plates and set them on the table. He wrapped his mother's so she could come meet it later. He finished his meal quietly, washed his dishes then went to his room.
His days were usually more exhausting than this, so now that he was done, he had nothing else to do. His boss had given him a day-off because it was his birthday. Normally, no one would have gotten a day-off for such a reason, but David Tagoe was the most loved and hardworking part-timer at his part-time job.
He was also the only part-timer.
"Should I learn? But I'm already up to date with my plans. Maybe I could read ahead?"
He sat up on his bed and looked at the little desk in the corner of his room with the lamp lit. Just as he got up to go check out what topics he could learn next, his leg hit the large parcel that had been placed there.
"Oh. This useless thing."
He opened the parcel and took out a visor with multiple wires connecting to a thick system unit.
'Maybe I could try it out.'
Placing down the visor, he picked up the manual and begun to read through it.
"Vice Master Gold Edition beta, huh."
After a few minutes of careful reading, he had concluded that there were no demerits to using this. The only issue he had with it was that manual didn't look like it was meant for a new player. Certain things had been placed there with the assumption that the holder already knew what they meant.
He had to look up most terms and features on the internet before he was properly set.
He plugged in the vice master and laid back on his bed. The helmet had comfortable cushions in it so his head wouldn't hurt as he wore it.
The vice master was a revolutionary technology that popped up five years ago and had the world completely hooked. Experts claimed the Vice masters would have died out by now, but they were even more popular than ever.
It utilised nerve gear to give the users an all too real experience in the game. According to some players, the game was so realistic it was simply unbelievable that it was simply a VR game. The users were capable of feeling and smelling. And the best feature was their interaction with the game.
All one would ever hear about the Vice Masters were praise. However, David wasn't one to easily trust people's words. He would have to test it out himself. Not like it mattered much, since he wasn't going to be playing the game often.
-Do you wish to download your original character information into this version? –
He heard an automated voice speak in his head.
Even after doing his research, he hadn't heard of something like this – the question it asked, not the voice. Maybe he didn't search hard enough and was something everyone saw whenever they play this game.
"No."
-Do note you will be required to start from level 1 if you don't download your original character information. Do you still accept? –
"Well, I don't have any original characters, so yes."
-Please set Initiation Command-
The automated voice told him in his head. The initiation command was meant to be a unique feature in which users could choose a word of phrase that would commence the game.
David didn't give it much thought.
"Rice."
-Are you certain you wish to set this as your Initiation Command? –
"Yes."
There was a boop-bleep sound, then David's vision went completely dark as if he was blind out of nowhere. A little blue orb popped up in front of the darkness.
-Please place your hand on the orb to enter the character selection menu-
He did as the system ordered him to. A featureless figure appeared in front of him, staring at him blankly just like a mannequin.
"Character selection, huh? Guess I'll go with this kind of look."
He picked one of the pre-made character designs by the system. A height of 5'9, short dusty-brown hair, deep black eyes and an overall normal, average build.
-Are you certain you wish to set this as your appearance? You will not be able to change this after starting the game-
"Yes."
He repeated monotonously. The body moved into him and when he looked down, his hands were different from normal.
-Please choose a username-
"Username… this is what everyone will know me as in the game, huh?"
He thought about it more. And eventually settled on the English version of the name his mother gave him.
"Luck."
-You wish to use the name Luck? You will not be able to change this after starting the game –
"Yes."
-Congratulations. You are done setting up your character. Welcome to Free World, please do enjoy your time. –
***
A body materialised in a plain, empty field filled with only grass and flowers. This body was the avatar of David, Luck.
Luck took a look around and his eyes widened in surprise. When he took in a deep breath, the scent of green grass hit him like a bus. The gentle breeze felt cool on his skin but was contrasted by the warmth the sunlight, much like in the real world.
For the first time in a long time, David was genuinely impressed and surprised. He clutched his wrists and moved his body around with an expressionless face. Internally, he was amazed at just how seamless it all felt.
"It really does feel real."
He muttered in a daze.
[Welcome Player Luck, to the Wendella Region]
A system screen popped up. It was a red holographic screen; unlike the green screen he saw in the character creation menu.
[Please enjoy your time exploring the region.
You can choose to help or attack the people you find,
Build an empire or crumble one.
We look forward to the kind of story you create on this adventure of yours!
After all, it's a Free World!]
With that, the system screen disappeared.
Luck just cringed up and shuddered.
He then waited for a good minute for the tutorial to begin, but it never did.