How long had it been since it all started? Since that message.
[SYSTEM:] Welcome to your new lives in Changer. This message will be auto-sent to all players; you can not respond to or remove this message. Please check into the nearest town to receive further information. [:SYSTEM]
The message had been sitting in my inbox for approximately 2 weeks; beyond that, time was uncountable.
I had picked up the swordsman path, a popular pick, well-rounded. The character creator promised that it would be the best choice. Though I didnt see the vision. All I had to my name was a decent steel sword and 4000 Sik, the currency of this world.
A breeze of air brushed past me, my gear folding in the wind. Before I had the chance to admire the digital details, a red flaring screen flashed around me.
[WARNING] Monster wave incoming! Seek shelter or fight.
"Another one today!?"
I clutched my blade—cold steel against cold hands—and I was already running.
There had initially been tens of thousands of players at the start, but it was impossible to know how many still drew breath—not after all of these tutorial waves.
Another wave was coming. Alone as I was, I wouldn't last long.
***
I burst into the Town of Roads to where a group of people was gathering. The place was notorious—a choke point of early-game traffic, flooded with players moving through every hour.
"Healer! Anyone with heal!—"
"Tank here! I need DPS, 1—2 more!—"
"Form up over here! I have enlighten!"
Voices overlapped as parties scrambled together.
None of that mattered to me, though. I would sit this one out, like always. Let the higher levels handle it.
[5]
The sky flashed red.
People funneled out of the gates in groups.
'Some of them won't come back…'
'Die here, and the system shuts off your body in seconds. Some NPC explained it on day one—right before a crowd of angry players trampled him…'
Now the streets were empty, only leaving the NPCs and low-level players behind.
All that was left on the streets were the standard NPC's and a few low-level players, not strong enough to fight with the group.
'Time to head back…'
I tapped my arm, materializing my stats window.
[Name: Cyin
Status: None
Level: 3
Sik: 4215
Class: Sword]
There were more subwindows, more information to digest, but none of that mattered to me.
I reached for the inn door.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!"
I flinched, turning to my confronter.
3 early-level players stood behind me.