บท 2: Preparing For Journey
Date: July 21, 2022
Two days after the unknown disaster struck the human world.
– Ding!
[For the natural inhabitants of the said world called "Planet 3403" or Planet Earth, Status Window and System will be granted to adapt to the new conditions unknown to them, and Towers and Dungeons will open and be formed respectively!
General information about the Status Window, the System, and many more will be announced seven days from now!]
The message from the System informed the whole of humanity as the new species that was plunged onto a fantasy-like world all of a sudden.
People who play games and read fantasy novels as a hobby at that time had at least a general idea of what the Status Window and the System were unlike the people who were not so engaged in the said game-like element and novel genres.
…
Date: July 28, 2022
– Ding!
[Announcement for the whole of humanity!]
PLAYER
– You will be called a 'Player' from this moment onwards.
STATUS WINDOW
– You can check your own "Status Window" by saying it verbally or through your mind.
– Status Window provides you with information about yourself.
....
With less than four weeks remaining until the start of academy classes, he had been residing in one of the dormitories offered by Stellar Academy for the past two weeks.
Following the successful completion of the entrance examination, it was strongly advised for students to settle into the dorms in advance, allowing them to become acquainted with the academy's campus and potentially establish early connections with fellow students.
The thought of making new friends evoked a mix of emotions within him. Lost in reflection, he found himself transported back in time, recalling a poignant memory.
The words of the academy's Vice-Chancellor resurfaced in his mind, filling him with a sense of wistfulness as he turned the pages of the meticulously crafted Student Handbook, a treasured gift bestowed upon each student by Stellar Academy.
Derek gently placed the School Guidebook on the study desk, aligning it with the edge of the long, comfortable couch neighbouring his bed.
After donning his chosen attire, he settled onto the plush couch, his hands resting behind his head as he directed his gaze towards the pristine white ceiling above.
Engulfed in introspection, he pondered his next steps for a brief span of two to three minutes, allowing his damp, ebony hair to naturally dry.
With his mind made up, Derek stood from the couch, exited his dormitory, and made his way towards the door marked with the room number '393'.
He sported a pair of plain black pants, paired with a blue t-shirt adorned with the emblem of Stellar Academy.
The emblem depicted a resplendent obelisk nestled within the silhouette of a radiant star, symbolizing the academy's stellar reputation.
To complete his ensemble, he wore a simple grey hooded jacket.
Prepared for the journey ahead, he ensured he had all the necessary provisions, including a cutting-edge 'smartwatch'—a multifunctional timepiece that had come to fruition due to humanity's tireless pursuit of progress over the past four decades.
Through remarkable technological advancements and numerous breakthroughs, such innovations had greatly enhanced the lives of many.
He reached into his pocket, retrieving the pocket money given to him by his parents just a few weeks prior to his arrival at the academy.
However, the concept of currency in this reshaped world had undergone a significant transformation.
In the wake of widespread destruction that had obliterated countless cultures and economies, a new form of currency emerged.
Known as Stella, or simply "S," it represented the collective resilience of humanity after enduring unimaginable devastation.
The term "Stella" drew inspiration from the word "Stellar," symbolizing humanity's ability to aspire for greatness even amidst the darkest of times.
This change in currency was endorsed by the Strongest Players, a group of influential individuals who founded the Stellar Organization—a central governing force where crucial decisions impacting humanity were deliberated upon confidentially.
"Oi, is that the oddball?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Oh, you mean that unremarkable guy. Haha!"
"Even the bullies stay clear of him. Hahaha!"
Whispers... Whispers...
Derek's train of thought came to a halt as he overheard some not-so-subtle remarks from nearby students.
Their voices carried disdain, their words seeping into his consciousness. Though their stares intensified, Derek had grown accustomed to such treatment.
He seemed to be the only one who had not yet forged any friendships in the two weeks since his arrival.
Not that he actively sought companionship, and with classes yet to begin, it hardly concerned him.
It appeared that he had already been labelled as the "weirdo." Not that he paid much heed to such judgments.
While having friends or allies could prove advantageous in the long run, Derek did not currently see a need for it.
His focus remained on his personal journey, and the opinions of others held little sway over his resolve.
– Red Star Station, Stella City, Central Olympia
Seated comfortably in one of the passenger seats, Derek rested his right elbow against the window of the Air Train, lost in contemplation.
Various thoughts occupied his mind, urging him to make the most of his newfound knowledge—both future events and hidden elements that would have minimal impact on the plotline.
"I must utilize what I know... Incorporate those untapped aspects that were barely explored," Derek murmured to himself, a tinge of embarrassment creeping into his thoughts as he recalled his previous life's unpublished novel.
|| The seed of... can be found in Armageddon Mountain, a place he ventured during a school trip... ||
Those lines from his novel echoed in his mind, revealing a glaring flaw.
As an aspiring author, Derek had neglected to further develop the fate of the seed of... He now referred to such unexplored elements as "Untouched Elements" within the context of his current life and work.
In hindsight, he realized that his novel had been far from satisfactory.
"Damn it, looking back, it truly was a subpar novel," Derek admitted, a hint of frustration colouring his thoughts.
He marveled at the Air Train, its name truly befitting as it glided effortlessly above the tracks, defying gravity.
The engineering marvel was a testament to the fusion of Magic and Neo-Mechanical technologies, harnessing the power of Magic Stones or Monster Cores to propel its movement.
"Yet, nothing compares to traversing through a Portal," Derek thought, his gaze shifting to the right side of the window.
Before him stood the towering structures of Stella City, the backdrop of his unpublished novel—a setting that, while more advanced than the world he once knew, did not stray too far into a futuristic realm.
The realization that this was the reality he had penned brought a soft murmur to his lips.
"This is the world I've envisioned," Derek whispered, his voice barely audible. He continued to absorb the urban panorama with deep blue eyes, a sense of awe enveloping him.
Yet, within the depths of his mind, he acknowledged the inherent truth that reincarnating into this world meant it would not precisely mirror the reality he had conjured in his unpublished novel.
Having disembarked from the Air Train at Starlight Station in Northern Olympia, Derek reached his destination after an hour of travel. Despite the distance being around a thousand meters,
The advanced engineering of the Air Trains allowed them to swiftly traverse their tracks, surpassing even the renowned Bullet Trains of Japan from the forgotten era of the "Old World" buried in history after the Emergence.
Derek's purpose in coming to this place was to procure necessary supplies for his upcoming arduous journey.
His quest involved obtaining a formidable "something" that could pose a threat to the main plot of his unpublished novel.
However, he maintained an ambivalent attitude towards the matter, acknowledging that it held minimal significance in the grand scheme of things.
As he strolled along, his footsteps guiding him towards the store he sought, Derek reflected on his unique circumstances.
Reincarnated with the mindset of a 33-year-old, though his subjective age in this world felt somewhat askew, he exuded an air of maturity that often led to misunderstandings of aloofness.
Despite the intricacies of this elaborate world, distinct from the unexplored and unexplained aspects of his unpublished novel, Derek harboured the belief that his unintentional minor deviations would not jeopardize the main storyline.
"I shall refrain from excessive meddling... unless it endangers my family in any way," Derek resolved silently, his determination firmly rooted in protecting those dear to him.
He stopped his train of thought after a few minutes of walking as he arrived at the front of the glassy door with a digital signboard that read:
"Player General Store"
The "Player General Store" sells a variety of necessities for players that occasionally raid Strayed Dungeons or Dungeon Towers available for public use.
Necessities like different kinds of potions, miscellaneous, extra weapons or armour, and so on, but when it comes to Skill books, Artifacts, or High-Grade Weapon or Armor, one needed to go in specialized stores rather than the general ones.
...
As one of the players opened the glassy door, a soft chime resonated in the air, signaling their entry into the store.
Derek followed suit, joining the bustling crowd of fellow adventurers in search of supplies for their respective journeys. After navigating through the aisles, he eventually arrived at the section dedicated to potions and miscellaneous goods. It was here that he found the items he needed, carefully selecting the following:
- Dimensional Water Bottle (30L)
- Portable Tent
- Ready-To-Eat Beef Jerky (with Lowest Mana)
- Lowest-Grade Health Potion (3)
- Lowest-Grade Mana Potion (3)
- Lowest-Grade Stamina Potion (2)
- Lowest-Grade Agility Potion (1)
- Lowest-Grade Invisibility Potion (1)
As Derek approached the counter, a holographic screen displayed the prices of the products he had chosen. The Lowest-Grade Potions, regardless of type, were priced at 300 Stella each, amounting to a total of 3,000 S for the ten potions. The Portable Tent cost 750 S, the Dimensional Water Bottle (30L) was priced at 1,000 S, and the food items amounted to 1,000 S.
"Your total comes to 5,750 Stella, sir," the sales clerk informed him.
Derek glanced at the holographic screen, confirming the amount he owed.
With the transaction complete, the energetic voice of the salesclerk, a woman with auburn waist-length hair, either tied up in a ponytail or flowing freely, monolid sapphire eyes, a button nose, a voluptuous figure, fair-coloured skin, and a height of at least 170 cm, rang out.
"Thank you for your purchase!"
Derek nodded in response before unintentionally allowing his gaze to briefly wander towards the sales clerk's chest.
However, his attention quickly shifted to the nameplate affixed to her sales clerk attire, positioned just below her collarbone.
"Maya...?" he whispered inwardly, a sense of disorientation momentarily clouding his senses. A faint flinch betrayed his subtle reaction to the revelation.
Collecting himself, Derek focused his attention once again on Maya's fair-skinned, captivating face, fighting off the sense of unease that had momentarily gripped him.
Memories of an extra character from his unpublished novel resurfaced a character who had garnered scarce mention within the narrative.
"...This woman will single-handedly decimate an entire guild in the future," he mused silently, his thoughts drifting to the potential role Maya might play in events to come.
"...So, this is her true appearance... beautiful, yet harboring danger, at least in the future," Derek pondered, his gaze lingering on Maya's captivating face. Despite his deep introspection, Maya remained unperturbed, seemingly oblivious to his fixed stare resembling that of someone reminiscing about a beloved acquaintance.
"Hello? Is there anything else I can assist you with, sir?" Maya's voice jolted Derek out of his reverie, realizing his lapse in composure. Awkwardness welled up within him, silently chastising himself for his actions.
"A-ah? Yes... I would like to purchase a sword," Derek replied, attempting to regain his composure while inwardly feeling a sense of discomfort.
"A sword? May I see your Player License, sir?" Maya inquired, her tone professional and inquisitive. A "Player License" was granted to those who successfully passed the Player Examination conducted at the Obelisk Player Association, sanctioned by the authority of the Obelisk Organization.
"Uhm, I don't have one, but I am an Obelisk Student," Derek explained, presenting his Obelisk ID to Maya for verification.
...
Obelisk ID
DATE ISSUED: May 01, 2062
Name: Derek Raven
STUDENT NUMBER: A11-033-2062
Age: 16
RANK: F
Year: First Year – A11
...
"Oh my, Sir Raven... Very well, may I inquire about the specific details of the shortsword you wish to purchase? Please note that we only offer weapons of the lowest to low-grade quality.
Any higher-grade weapons must be obtained from specialized stores or skilled blacksmiths," Maya explained, her cheerful demeanour remaining intact.
"I'll take a shortsword with a lightweight enchantment," Derek promptly stated, prompting Maya to present him with a list of available shortswords imbued with the desired enchantment.
These weapons were stored within the Dimensional Inventory of the Weapon Custodian, ensuring their safety and preventing any mishaps or attempts at theft.
After some time, Derek spotted an affordable option and informed Maya of his decision. She then disappeared into a restricted area for authorized personnel, returning with a shortsword in hand.
"This will be 2,500 Stella, Sir Raven," Maya informed him.
Derek silently completed the payment, expressing his gratitude with a nod.
"Thank you for your purchase, sir!" Maya exclaimed, her diligence evident.
Acknowledging her words, Derek stepped aside to make way for other customers. He shifted his attention to the newly acquired shortsword, inspecting its craftsmanship and design.
After leaving the Player General Store, he took his pace, with his slight mental breakdown due to the loss of finances, for the Red Star Air Train Station for his next destination which was the main focus of his journey: Armageddon Mountain.
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