Tutorial (1)
Sinking consciousness rose from the depths of slumber. As my departed soul settled into another space, I slowly opened my eyes.
At last.
"......Oh."
The VR room that filled my vision was far more expansive than the one I'd first encountered in the capsule room. Back then, it had been little more than a cramped studio apartment, completely empty without a stick of furniture.
But now? It was on another level entirely. Easily over 1,500 square feet. There was a bed to sleep in, a massive screen like in a theater, and even a decent-sized open field that looked like a training ground.
Checking the interface, I saw that players could customize the interior to their tastes. Right now, it was set to the default layout.
'......Better than my own place.' It evoked the image of a noble's mansion.
—A Level 5 VR room provided to Black-grade members and above...
Come to think of it, the staff had mentioned something like that. I wasn't sure exactly what Black grade meant, but it was probably something like VIP status. I'd earned it by clearing PT Stage 99.
Staying in this 'VR room' for the second time, I figured out how it was made. The spirit world. It operated on the same principle as the sub-spaces used by grand archmages.
Piercing a hole into the spirit world on the reverse side of dimensions to claim it as one's own domain. Most used them as labs or storage...
'......Hold on.'
A sudden realization made me swallow hard.
How many players were there right now? 5.4 billion, was it? And every player who logged into virtual reality got one of these rooms by default.
So, to provide sub-spaces like this to all 5 billion players...
How much power would that take?
"......"
At minimum, God-King level. My curiosity about the System's true nature grew, but I set aside the speculation and turned my gaze to the interface.
'Gotta retry the Physical Test too...'
Of all the rotten luck, my capsule time had run out right before Stage 100, forcing a disconnect. Recalling that moment brought a surge of irritation.
'Later. Not now.'
The transcendent technique—Mind Sword—I'd used at Stage 95 demanded a heavy toll on body and mind. Among my arsenal, it was a true ultimate art, an esoteric technique.
In my prime, no problem. But in my current decayed state, I couldn't use it often. Even then, I'd barely activated it by forcibly elevating my mind and spirit.
Luckily, it hadn't affected my soul seal... but looking back, I'd been too reckless. Using a transcendent technique in this condition.
Well, no major issues in the end, so maybe I could challenge it again after some recovery time.
Anyway.
With that thought, I finally launched Asteria Online.
Right after launching the game, the VR room vanished, replaced by four massive doors in front of me. The [Gates of Job Selection] I'd seen on the community forums.
Each door bore different symbols and letters.
The [Warrior's Gate] with sword and shield.
The [Mage's Gate] with a staff.
The [Priest's Gate] with radiant light.
......The [Martial Artist's Gate] with a fist.
I was at a loss for words. Did the martial artists not have anything better to draw? Seeing just a single, blunt fist was ridiculous.
Well, what symbol would chimpanzees—who used no tools—have anyway...
On second thought, martial artists were always insisting they didn't need weapons, that bare fists were enough. Not surprising at all.
I recalled the job info from the community.
Warriors used various weapons, then chose a focus in their second job change: sword, spear, axe, scythe, whip, hammer, dagger, etc.
Mages used various spells, then specialized in second job: elemental, necromancy, summoning, shamanism, black magic, etc.
Priests borrowed power from slumbering gods, then chose paths like priest, inquisitor, holy knight, monk, etc. Unlike others, priests were forcibly affiliated with the Holy Empire.
Martial artists. Tool-less chimpanzees relying solely on their bodies. No choices in second or third jobs. Only one path given.
The ignorant called it romantic, but to a swordsman like me, they were just brutish apes.
'Hmph.'
Obviously, I had only one choice.
- Tap.
Placing my hand on the [Warrior's Gate] brought up a huge map. Dots marked starting points for warriors.
I zoomed in and scanned around. Let's see...
Quite a few changes from 30 years ago. New kingdoms, others gone.
Time's flow is beyond mortals; the rise and fall of cosmic things is inevitable.
Still, the Empire endures. Not that it'd fall in just 30 years.
The emperor now is probably that crown prince. Seemed like yesterday he trailed after me as a kid. Now a weathered adult—assuming no assassination in the political games.
Raman Kingdom... wiped out territory and all during the False Gods incident. Doomed anyway, but its destruction left me with a twinge of guilt. Unavoidable, but the battle I caused was the aftermath.
Starting point selected.
I examined the map, then clicked one starting point.
Western Continent. Nation... Biden Kingdom. A mid-sized kingdom of decent scale. Region: Dakein Territory, a small-to-medium city like the kingdom itself.
No special reason. The western continent—away from the Empire in the east—seemed more comfortable for bad actors to stir trouble.
I hadn't forgotten why I was logging into Asteria. The [Main Quest] tied to a continent's downfall. Big incidents were more likely there.
Sword Tower City was on the western continent too. Biden Kingdom felt familiar from mercenary days long ago.
- Creak.
Gripping the door handle firmly, I pushed it open. Blinding light washed the world white.
I opened my eyes in the middle of a bustling square teeming with people.
"Fresh apples, cheap! One-day-only deal! A whole crate for just 90 coppers!"
"Perfect gift for your lover—pretty trinkets! These earrings, made from precious Fire Spirit Jade..."
Market day, apparently. The street buzzed with hurried pedestrians and vendors' calls.
'......It's been a while. Really.'
Ten years since I'd holed up in the mountains with my broken body. Returning to Earth, I'd thought Asteria was behind me forever.
Never imagined coming back like this.
'The System probably saw it coming. Fucking bastard.'
Cursing inwardly, I spoke aloud. First thing to check at game start.
"Status window."
A pathetic status window, as expected for a fresh character. What stood out were the [Title] and the note under special conditions.
'Soul-bound equipment... the Radiant Sword?'
......Yeah, definitely bound to my soul.
As I smirked wryly, a quest window appeared in my view.
Tutorial - Job Change Quest
[Warrior Aspirant - 1]
📍 Content: You are a player who chose the warrior's path through the 'Gate of Job Change.' Head to the warrior training hall to take your first step as a warrior.
🎁 Reward: Small amount of EXP
A red arrow appeared in the air, pointing the way like a guide.
'Friendlier than expected.'
I followed the arrow while checking my inventory. The inventory was a sub-space for players, likely linked to the personal VR room. Inside: 1 silver for newbies, and an ID card.
"Hm?"
Spotting a stall selling masks roadside, I paused.
'Perfect timing.'
The stall had masks, hair ties, cheap trinkets. I paid 1 silver for a face-obscuring cat half-mask and hair tie.
'Better to hide the face.'
Donning the mask immediately, I continued on.
Soon.
You have arrived at the Warrior Training Hall.
Path guidance ends.
[Warrior Aspirant - 1] quest cleared.
Reward granted.
[Warrior Aspirant - 2] quest continues.
'Oh, level up.'
I checked the alerts and chuckled lightly.
Meanwhile, the warrior training hall's doors stood wide open, as if always welcoming.
Peering inside through the open entrance, I saw:
"Ack, ouch!"
"Wait, I got hit in the bone...!"
"These damn scarecrow bastards...!! This is just the tutorial, right?! Why are they so strong?!"
......Newbie players getting joyfully pummeled by scarecrows.