Anri touches the petals of a strange yellow plant with blue markings and a slime-like liquid.
Anri
"These are medicinal plants, big brother. You can use them to heal yourself. But you must know how to ingest them, or they can cause more harm than good."
I look at the plant, puzzled, even though it's cute, at the same time, that slime is disgusting.
Ban
"So this world has its own ecosystem? And things like that?" My question is directed at her, knowing that she's more knowledgeable on this subject.
Anri
"Hahaha, it's not just one ecosystem, big bro. Let me explain... I read a forum before the game came out, and well, this world has over 8 million creatures, plants, weapons, armor, and creations of all kinds. That means it's practically open, giving users the opportunity to create their own techniques, weapons, armor, items, etc. That's what most attracts players since you can choose what you do, and if you're the creator of a medicine or anything, you can choose the price it will sell for on the market.
Ban
"Wow, this looks really advanced. I didn't know games could be so... strange, but realistic."
Anri smiles and jumps up and down. She's excited to share this knowledge with me.
Anri
"Also, the world is made up of things called rifts, bro. That's where you get the items to create said weapons, armor, and all kinds of things. But the number of items and their level will depend on the level, ranging from Grade E to Special Grade."
This It's confusing because I can't understand much of what she's talking about. But I understand a little. It's a bit complicated, but I manage to figure out that each "rift," whatever it is, is where you place items.
Ban
"Well, it's a bit complicated for me. But hey, I have my little sister here for a reason. You'll be my guide here."
Anri is excited at the prospect of teaching me. We don't spend much time together, so I understand.
Anri
"That's amazing. First, I'll teach you about the system and the basics. Then, we'll have to choose a city where we can spawn together when the Codex Arsen gives the warning."
I nod, understanding what she's getting at. But my expression turns confused when I see her show her wrist a circular tattoo with simple markings that glows, and in front of her, a kind of holographic window appears.
Ban
"A tattoo?" I never remember giving you permission to do something like that, and what's that thing?"
Anri
"Hehehe, bro, we all have this here. It's the mark that allows us to access our user profile and inventory. Try it. Your profile as a player is something that's very important." I raise a curious eyebrow and, looking at my wrist, I see that it's true. I have a similar mark. I make the same gesture as her, and a similar window appears in front of me.
[USER WINDOW]
(Welcome to Red Fly ' Ban Lennox)
Name: Ban Lennox
Energy: 500 EV
Title: None
Grade: Unrated
>>Inventory<<
>>Skills<<
Ban
"So this is like a holographic ID or something? Wow, the future where there are flying cars seems to be closer than we think.
But what's this title, rank, skills thing?"
Anri
"Something like that, brother. Well, you see, the title is something awarded depending on your prowess, or so I understand. The rank is your level, so to speak, it will increase as you progress, and your skills are those that make you strong enough to defeat creatures or other players."
I look around, curious. The others are using some kind of strange paper and scribbling on it or something like that.
Ban
"Hmm, what's that, Anri? What are these people doing? Reading the terms and conditions of this game?" I ask incredulously, not believing anyone would read those things. She laughs and shakes her head. Then she opens her window again and pulls out a rolled-up white paper.
Anri
"This is called a scroll, brother. They've all given us one at the start, and that's the incredible thing. Do you know why?"
I saw that curious scroll, because it looks very elegant. My eyebrows curl in curiosity, and I shake my head.
Ban
"Don't you think it's obvious that I obviously don't know anything about this, right?"
Anri
"Hehehe, I was expecting that answer. Unlike other games I've played where leveling up is where your skills increase, here you can create any skill you want with these scrolls. But you have to use them wisely, because if I'm not mistaken, they'll be the most expensive thing there is, and they're very hard to get."
His explanation is something I can understand, and I nod, watching the others doing the skills he's talking about, and I'm surprised to see some of them casting magic coffins and the like.
Ban
"I didn't think it would be true... But why does it feel so real?" I look at my hands and pinch myself. It doesn't feel like it's another body but my own.
Anri
"Brother, Codex Arsen is about to give the final explanation so we can begin. Let's go!" I was dragged by her, who took my hand and guided me to the center where there were tons of people looking at the counter that disappeared when it reached 0. A kind of robotic ball with a holographic face appeared, floating in the air. Everyone seemed excited and screaming.
Ban
"What the hell is that..." I looked at that thing, curious. I was the only one who looked like that while the others were so excited and happy. I didn't know that video games had stopped being little machines so long ago and became like this.
Codex Arsen
"Configuring world codes... Creating basic systems... Analyzing users."
Was the only thing that thing said in a robotic voice, while the others looked anxious.
Anri
"That's the Codex Arsen, brother. It's the system of this world, so to speak... You can think of it like a god." I nodded and saw the sphere floating in the sky.
Codex Arsen
"The entire world has been established, with the sole objective of human survival and growth and learning. This will be the new world granted by the Codex Arsen. There's no turning back."
I didn't understand a word he said, and I wasn't the only one. The others went from happy to confused.
Job completed. Try not to die. Teleporting people to different parts of the map.
Anri
"What? I thought we could choose where we could be... Brother, we'll have to meet. I'll be in some city looking for you."
I couldn't finish listening to Anri because she disappeared before my eyes and the whole world began to fade away, this made me nervous and out of nowhere with just a blink I was no longer in that city I was in a forest... A forest of long white trees with long leaves and a fresh green color, I look around me looking for someone but there is no one.
Ban
"Anri?... Anri!... Oh, this game doesn't seem very fun anymore... It's unlike the retro games I used to watch." I spoke to myself because she never responded. I realized I was alone in this place, and I started walking. It started to rain. This made me even more irritated than I was.
"This must be a bad joke... This is supposed to be a game, why am I getting wet... Why do I feel scared... Like something's watching me?"
My words made sense when I looked toward the largest trees. From behind them, two very large feline-looking creatures emerged, with bristling fur and long fangs that squirted some kind of purple liquid, with a thick, thorny tail.
Above those things, a screen appeared.
[ Garturren Grade E ]
Ban
"This... It doesn't look like a game... Those things are predators, and they look very real." I began to sweat watching every movement of those things it was clear that they were there to hunt me their steps were perfectly slow towards me with intentions of attacking I am not stupid enough to realize this, I moved a little out of fear.