Adam stared at the blue translucent window that had materialized before him.
The text was sharp and clear.
[
STATUS
Name: AlphaBoss
Species: Human
Class: Administrator
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
--STATS--
Stamina: 5
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 5
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Luck: 3
Unassigned Points: 0
--SKILLS--
[Active] Reality Manipulation (Lv. 1)
]
His eyes scanned the familiar stats before stopping cold on the last line. Reality Manipulation. The words felt alien. They didn't belong in this game or any game he knew.
He had conquered the original version of Row Online years ago a forgotten classic that few had ever completed. He knew its classes its skills and its secrets.
This was not one of them. A hundred questions swarmed his mind at once. What did this skill do? How could a game skill possibly manipulate reality? The very name suggested a power that went far beyond the normal rules.
He tried to rationalize the situation.
He had used his old account to log in. Was this a bonus for veteran players? Did other returning players receive equally strange classes? Or was the 'Administrator' class and its ridiculous skill unique to him? He had a strong suspicion it was because he was the sole player to have ever seen the original game's ending credits.
Before he could get lost in his thoughts the golden avatar that had greeted him made a move.
The humanoid figure was composed of pure light its features smooth and undefined.
It brought its hands together in a slow deliberate clap. A bright glow pulsed from its form and its shining eyes focused on Adam.
"Welcome to Row Online," the avatar's voice was formal and echoed slightly in the void. "This is what we call an open-world game but it also contains a storyline that you are encouraged to explore."
Adam recognized the script instantly. The words were the same ones he had heard years ago.
But the guide was different.
The original guide was a simple robed figure with a kind face.
This golden being was new and felt far more imposing. The change was another piece of the puzzle. It had to be connected to his new class.
"We grant our players freedom to discover experience and utilize their unique powers," the avatar continued its voice unwavering. "Exploration is the core of this world. We trust you will find your own path."
The avatar bowed slightly a gesture of formal respect. "You may now design your character. Alternatively you may choose to retain the appearance from your previous account."
An image surfaced in Adam's mind clear as day. His old character AlphaBoss.
He had spent an entire weekend perfecting its design.
The long flowing black clothes looked like shadows given form. A half-face mask of white porcelain covered his nose and forehead leaving only his mouth and jaw visible.
A small sharp dagger was always tied to his waist. His hair was stark white a striking contrast to his dark attire and his eyes were a piercing ice-blue. A faint nostalgic smile touched Adam's lips.
The choice was not a choice at all.
"I'll keep my previous character design," he said his voice firm and clear. He looked directly at the golden figure waiting. The system had to have his old data somewhere.
The golden avatar simply nodded. "Legacy data retrieved. A wise choice."
A strange current of energy passed through Adam's body. It was not unpleasant. It felt like a cool wave washing over him.
He felt his hair tingle at the roots and watched as the brown color drained away replaced by a pure bright white that fell around his face.
A tingling sensation crossed his eyes and his vision seemed to sharpen as the world's brown hues were replaced by an intense glowing blue.
The black clothes materialized over him fitting like a second skin. He felt the familiar weight of the dagger settle at his waist a comforting presence. He was AlphaBoss again.
A surge of confidence washed over him. He was not just wearing a costume. He remembered that his old gear the 'Shadow Strider's Attire' was a full set.
When all pieces were worn together they provided a small but crucial bonus to all stats. It was a significant head start that no new player should have.
He looked down at the black gloves covering his hands flexing his fingers. The material felt real. He felt powerful. He felt at home.
He was about to ask the avatar about his skill but the golden guide spoke first its voice taking on a tone of finality.
"Welcome officially to Row Online. Your tutorial ends here and your journey in the real game begins now."
With those final words the golden avatar dissolved into a thousand motes of light that shimmered and then vanished.
The empty space around Adam fell completely silent. He was alone suspended in an infinite black void.
He looked down and saw a planet rotating slowly below him a swirl of blue green and white. His heart sank. He knew exactly what was coming next. It was the standard entry method from the old game a truly jarring experience.
His fists clenched at his sides. "Oh no," he muttered under his breath. "I really hate this part."
A powerful unseen force seized him. He was yanked downward with incredible force. He plummeted toward the planet at a terrifying speed. The silent void was replaced by the roar of wind screaming in his ears.
The planet's surface rushed up to meet him growing from a beautiful marble into a vast landscape of mountains and forests in seconds. His stomach felt like it was trying to leap out of his throat.
Gritting his teeth Adam tensed his entire body bracing for the inevitable collision. A moment later he crashed.
The impact was silent and absolute. One moment he was falling the next he was kneeling on solid ground. He was completely unharmed.
The ground beneath him showed no cracks no crater no sign of the high-speed impact.
He pushed himself to his feet and instinctively brushed off his new black clothes though they were perfectly clean. A dry chuckle escaped his lips.
"No matter how many times I experience this," he said to himself his voice a low murmur. "I can never fully get used to it."
He finally stood tall and took in his surroundings.
He was in a massive field of vibrant green grass that swayed gently in the breeze.
In the far distance a range of snow-capped mountains reached for the clear blue sky their peaks sharp against the horizon.
To his left a dense ancient forest stretched as far as he could see its canopy a dark impenetrable green.
To his right a clear river wound its way through the landscape sparkling like a trail of diamonds in the midday sun.
Adam took a deep satisfying breath. The air was fresh and crisp carrying the scent of pine and clean earth. It felt real. A sense of calm and purpose settled over him replacing the unease of the void.
He flexed his fingers inside their black gloves then reached for the dagger at his waist.
He drew the weapon. Its simple steel blade gleamed sharply in the light. It wasn't a powerful weapon but he recalled how reliable it had been in the early stages of the old game.
"Well," he said turning the dagger over in his hand. "This is a start."