[ENEMY DEFEATED: Zombies x8][+400 XP][LEVEL UP!][You are now Level 2][+2 Stat Points Available]
Level ups, experience points. It was incredibly surreal how a life-or-death experience was summed up in little numbers, in numbers as if it were just a game. It was nauseating, because it wasn't a game, he'd been about to lose everything. Now that he'd finished off all the enemies, a portal manifested before him, a portal that clearly led outside, back to Ashfall. But it was also empowering. Who hadn't wished for it at some point, after all, to be able to quantify their progress in life, for things to be as easy, guided and clear, as in a video game? Because life didn't guarantee you'd improve no matter how much effort you put in. Some people simply got stuck without leveling up, ever. And who wouldn't want to escape those chains? Who wouldn't want to go up and up?
He went through the portal, his lungs filled with fresh air. He threw his head back and took a deep breath, as if he'd never tasted anything so sweet, feeling like a new man. After a while resting on the grass and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment and superiority he so craved, he returned to the hotel and rented a room with the reward money for doing the first quest. Apparently, the money came from a community fund to help beginner dungeon explorers get on their feet. It's not like it came from nowhere.
Maybe it was just his imagination, maybe. He'd never say he was perfect, but the receptionist, that Alma, seemed to look at him surprised when he handed her the money, as if she hadn't expected him to get that far. Natural, you didn't expect it yourself, he thought. It didn't matter what he'd thought and what she was thinking. It didn't matter. What mattered were the facts: he was a dungeon explorer, he was a being with supernatural powers and unlimited potential, measured by numbers that couldn't stop going up and up. He had what he wanted after so many years clinging to his career in e-sports, refusing to see the decline, the inevitable conclusion. He had everything he wanted. He'd just had to lose everything. Seen that way, it was an equivalent exchange.
As soon as he got to the room, he dropped onto the bed. He didn't even bother to undress, too tired for that, too sore. He threw his head up, staring at the ceiling. Before he realized it, he was crying. He couldn't express the feeling that overwhelmed him with words. Words always diminished feelings, they were nothing more than shadows of the heart. His were especially imperfect.
James woke up, opening his eyes slowly. Morning greeted him, not with morning light, but with a bunch of notification screens.
[QUEST COMPLETED: Tutorial Dungeon]
[Rewards: 500 Credits, +2 Stat Points]
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[Current Level: 2]
[Available Stat Points: 2]
[STATUS]
Name: James
Level: 2
HP: 100/100
Stamina: 100/100
Stats:
- Strength: 1
- Endurance: 1
- Agility: 1
- Intelligence: 1
- Vitality: 1
Of course, he'd completed his first Quest and obtained his rewards. Money was, of course, important, but not the only thing. He'd gained experience points to invest in his statistics, leveling up. All his statistics were at one, the starting point.
It was tempting to invest the two experience points he had in strength, to finish off more easily everything that got in his way. But, what good was strength if he couldn't withstand blows? The tutorial had already taught him the result in a pretty tough fight. No matter how much strength he had, he wouldn't get very far if he fell apart with a few hits. He thought about it for a good while, maybe too long, and in the end invested one point in strength and another in endurance, not leaning toward either.
[STAT ALLOCATED: Strength +1]
[STAT ALLOCATED: Endurance +1]
[UPDATED STATUS]
Stats:
- Strength: 2
- Endurance: 2
- Agility: 1
- Intelligence: 1
- Vitality: 1
From what he knew, he couldn't simply do a respec like in a game. Of course this wasn't a game, so his decisions mattered more, they could change everything. But well, there was no need to exaggerate either. The city was full of Quests and, especially now that he'd just started leveling up, he'd soon have more experience points than he'd know how to spend. Any waste would be rectified right away, distributing the points equitably.
Besides, the worst thing he could do was let himself be controlled by the fear of deciding wrong. It was a new beginning and, of course, there were many options at his feet. He'd be afraid, but he couldn't let that control him; he had to move forward with his head on straight. He took a shower, changed clothes and went down to reception.
The same girl was behind the desk. Well, why not? It wasn't such a big place, neither the hotel nor the city.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, sir. How can I help you?"
"Do you know where I can get a map of the city?"
"Right here I can give you one. Free."
"Well, okay. Thanks."
She handed it to him rolled up. A real map, not GPS data. Good, that feeling of classic adventure would be greater.
"Thanks."
Then, James left to face the day. He'd completed his first Quest, defeated some monsters, leveled up and become stronger. At least that's what the numbers said, but it didn't mean he could rest on his laurels.
The fact is he didn't have a fucking dime, apart from the reward money. He'd spent everything he had left to make this trip, so he'd have to earn a living day by day, with blood, sweat and tears. Well, like everyone else. Besides, this place was much more fun than his home or a small cubicle in a shitty office. He couldn't complain.
It was an adventure of endless possibilities in the lush mountains, a realm of fantasy. True unexplored fantasy. Many people would kill to be where he was now, or at least dreamed of daring to take the step. He couldn't say the same about his previous career, so he really couldn't complain. It was the second day of his new life, or rather the first as an official dungeon explorer. As someone... well, as someone important.