Immortal Legacy was a virtual reality game that had gained immense popularity during its time. It offered the players a chance to escape to the enchanting world of Yunatea, where time was three times faster than in real life. Imagine living longer in the game than you could ever in the real world!
In Yunatea, time was measured uniquely and referred to as "Yunatea time."
Since the game's launch three years ago, many players had firmly established themselves in this digital realm. For most, it felt like they'd found new lives—building careers, starting families—while others had become so deeply immersed that they'd nearly forgotten about their real lives (though that level of obsession was definitely not advised).
Then, on a particular day, a player named Broken finally stood before the Temple of Blessing. This temple was a special place where a player could enter the spirit world and attempt to make a contract with a spirit. However, access to the spirit world could only be obtained through a special quest, which not everyone had the chance to receive.
This was a rare quest; no one precisely knew how to obtain it. However, most players who received the quest to make a contract with a spirit were low-level or slow-progressing players. Some even believed this quest was the game's way of motivating the less active players.
Considering Broken's situation at that moment, it seemed fitting. He had been playing the game for over a year but still stood at level 25.
Everyone who started along with him should already be at level 100 by now.
He enjoyed the game but could only play for one hour each day in the real world and couldn't keep up with other players who had more time to level up.
"So, finally... my first contract with a spirit," he sighed, the sunlight reflecting off his black hair and illuminating his bright blue eyes. He stood at 182 cm (6'0").
The Temple of Blessing was nestled in the heart of a dense forest encircled by ancient, towering trees that added to the area's ancient ambiance.
Broken approached the temple entrance, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Let's see what this quest has in store for me," he muttered.
With a firm push, the grand doors creaked open, revealing the shadowy interior within. In the center of the room stood an ancient altar adorned with mysterious symbols and artifacts.
"Welcome, traveler," a voice echoed through the chamber.
"Who... who are you?"
"I am the Guardian of the Temple. You have come to make a contract with a spirit, have you not?"
"Yes, I am ready."
"Very well," the Guardian said. "Approach the altar and place your hand upon it."
Broken did as instructed, and once his hand touched the ancient altar stone, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him and soon the symbols on it began to glow before a swirling mist enveloped the room.
"This journey can only be undertaken once every month. Failure to form a contract will reduce your chances of success in future attempts."
The next moment, a surge of unfamiliar energy enveloped him, whisking him through dimensions until he arrived in a realm ensconced in clouds.
He found himself in a breathtaking expanse where small islands floated amidst the sky. Some teemed with verdant foliage and towering trees, others were cloaked in a pristine layer of snow, and still others showcased volcanic peaks.
Rooted to his spot, Broken watched in awe as a kaleidoscope of glowing, multicolored orbs danced around him.
"So, this is the appearance of spirits to those who have yet to form a contract," he mused silently.
The realm was teeming with spirits of every shape and size, each bringing its own set of unique abilities and perks for the players. Some spirits could bestow elemental powers and special skills, while others could manifest as spirit beasts, ready to fight alongside the players in battle.
Forming a contract with a spirit was more than just a power boost; it laid the foundation for future growth. This initial bond was crucial, opening up opportunities for high-level players to enhance their abilities even further. Securing a spirit contract was a major milestone, and every newcomer in Immortal Legacy set their sights on achieving it.
"I like him," a voice resonated around him.
The surrounding spirits shimmered.
"He's quite handsome."
"He harbors immense potential for the future."
"I can't let this opportunity slip by."
"It is I who deserves to stand by his side."
[Faith, an Epic-grade Spirit of Light, is offering you a contract.]
[..]
[Tansy, a Rare-grade Spirit of Power, is extending you an offer.]
Notifications flooded Broken's vision, signaling the spirits eagerness to form a contract with him. However, he could only form a contract with one spirit, so he had to be careful with this decision.
"Broken, please accept my contract..."
The game classified spirits in a hierarchy starting from the lowest—Common, progressing through Rare, Elite, Epic, Unique, Legend, and so on. Therefore, being presented with an offer from an Epic-grade spirit was a stroke of remarkable fortune.
"Seven contract offers at the same time? Is this a common occurrence, or am I experiencing something truly extraordinary?" he couldn't help but wonder.
His warrior class, coupled with a fire affinity, naturally inclined him towards spirits that were aligned with fire. Yet, the proposition from an Epic-grade spirit of Light intrigued him. This left him mulling over how a Light element spirit would mesh with his fire-based abilities, considering the potential impact on his class and existing skills.
[Birch, a Rare-grade Spirit of Nature, is offering you a contract.]
[..]
[Oceana, an Elite-grade Spirit of the Sea, is proposing a contract.]
As contract offers from a dozen spirits began to flood in, including two of Epic grade, Broken was caught between shock and sheer delight.
"I can't believe I have received offers from so many spirits!"
Suddenly...
[Birch, a Rare-grade Spirit of Nature, withdrew its contract offer and darted away without a second thought.]
"Wait, what's happening?"
[Oceana, an Elite-grade Spirit of the Sea, retracted its contract offer...]
"Let's leave now," a spirit whispered urgently.
"We don't belong here anymore, and I fear the consequences of lingering."
"I wish we could stay, but it's time for us to depart."
Broken suddenly felt a pang of panic as he watched all the spirits depart, leaving him behind. He tried to run after them, but they slipped through his fingers.
"Wait! No, wait! Hey! Why is everyone leaving all of a sudden? What's happening here?" he called out.
All the spirits that had initially offered contracts to him had abruptly retracted their offers, leaving him empty-handed and bewildered. He had been contemplating which spirit to choose, not intentionally delaying his decision, but now they had all vanished. This was clearly something strange.
"Why? What happened?" he muttered.
Broken took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. For him, playing this game was a welcome escape from the demands of his busy life and responsibilities. He allowed himself just an hour each day to slip into this virtual world, a brief but cherished respite.
Despite his slow pace, he never saw himself as lazy. Given his limited playtime, his progress was actually quite impressive—only held back by the obligations of the real world.
As he grappled with his thoughts, a portal suddenly materialized in front of him, spinning rapidly.
"What is that?"
From within the swirling portal, a slender, luminous white foot stepped forward, heralding the arrival of a young woman clad in pure white. She materialized before Broken, a vision of elegance and mystery.
As she lifted her gaze to meet Broken's, he was struck by her extraordinary beauty. Her silver hair cascaded down her back. The white dress she wore clung to her slender form, accentuating her graceful figure.
"Who... is she?" Broken inquired.
"Hi, Broken," she answered. "I will bless you to become the greatest player in Yuna…," her sentence, however, was abruptly cut short.
With fluid grace, she bent her knees and gently lowered herself to the ground, eventually lying flat with her cheek tenderly pressed against the cool earth.
Approaching the lying beauty cautiously, Broken moved closer to her.
"Hey, are you okay?"
He analyzed the status of the woman, who was clearly an NPC, and the information that appeared was.
[Akidia - The Goddess of Sloth]
Just when you think you’re about to be blessed by a goddess… she decides to take a nap. Who do you think Akidia reminds you of? Someone in your life who can sleep through anything?
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"Goddess of Sloth?"
Broken's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before him. A goddess had appeared, an experience beyond anything he had heard of— perhaps he was the first player to encounter such an event.
"Was she the reason why the spirits got scared earlier?"
Although uncertain whether he should feel happy or sad about the spirits' sudden departure, he realized that a goddess's blessing would undeniably be more valuable than a mere spirit contract.
As he observed Akidia, the Goddess of Sloth, lying motionless on the ground.
Kneeling down to get a closer look at her face, Broken was captivated by her serene beauty. Even though he knew this was just a virtual world, she looked stunningly real. He couldn't help but wonder if a woman this perfect could ever exist in the real world.
"But how could she fall asleep so soundly and swiftly? Is this because she is the Goddess of Sloth?"
[[The one who doesn't really accomplish much, but seems to have good luck on their side.]]
A global announcement flashed across his field of vision, a feature within Immortal Legacy that broadcasted messages to all players.
"That's me!"
[[A player has had the unparalleled honor of meeting the Goddess of Sloth in person, a deity of incomparable beauty and unmatched sluggishness. To those who have seen the pinnacle of beauty in this world, the allure of the deities remains beyond comprehension.]]
[[Yet, for this legendary player, the journey begins anew from this extraordinary encounter, blessed by the deity herself.]]
"So, it's true. I'm actually the first player to directly encounter a deity?"
A personal notification appeared for Broken.
[You have been awarded the title "He Who Encountered the Deity" in recognition of your unprecedented experience.]
[Title Effect: All Basic Stats +10, New Conditional Active Skill: "Ethereal Form"]
[Ethereal Form (Conditional Active Skill)]
[Transforms the user into an ethereal being with the power of Ethereal Form! Physical attacks will no longer be a bother as they will simply pass through you like a ghost. However, be cautious of magic wielders as they will have a greater advantage against you, dealing double the usual magical damage. Don't fret though, your Health will automatically be regenerated to 100% during the duration of Ethereal Form.]
[Duration: 5 Seconds]
[Cooldown: 1 Hour]
[Activation: When you would otherwise take fatal damage that puts your life in danger.]
Broken couldn't contain his excitement. The title not only increased each of his basic stats by an impressive 10 points but also granted him with a new skill, "Ethereal Form."
Mindful of not disturbing Akidia, who remained enveloped in her slumber, Broken carefully distanced himself before gently reclining on the ground. He positioned himself so that he would lay lower than her, a gesture of deference to the deity's presence.
"I hope this gesture shows her the respect she deserves. I'll stay right here until she wakes up," he resolved.
He found comfort in the thought that the wait would be brief.
"Just an hour," he reassured himself, already mentally preparing for his upcoming shift at the store with a manager known for his strictness.
As the minutes slowly morphed into an hour, Broken felt a tug of disappointment. Despite his hopes, the time to depart had arrived without any change in Akidia's condition.
Torn between staying and leaving, Broken wrestled with his decision. The privilege he had been granted was something beyond the ordinary —a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that many could only envision in their wildest dreams.
He understood the inherent significance of this encounter; while other players had received blessings from the deities, none had the honor of being in the presence of a goddess.
In the midst of his contemplation, Akidia's eyes fluttered open. She paused as if trying to gather her thoughts, seemingly puzzled by her own slumber. Her gaze then shifted towards Broken, and a look of amused pride spread across her face.
"What is he doing?" Akidia couldn't help but smile warmly. "Oh, this adorable human, so engulfed in his laziness that he dozes off in my presence. How could I bear to disturb such peaceful slumber?"
Akidia gently rested her head back down, letting a weary sigh escaped her lips. "I've been working so hard these last few days, crafting a reward for my future champion. I'm simply worn out from all the effort."
And with that, she succumbed to her fatigue, drifting back into a deep sleep.
"Wait, did I just hear something?"
With cautious movements, Broken lifted his head, turning towards Akidia. A whisper had reached his ears, but as he searched for its source, he found Akidia had fallen in the embrace of sleep once more.
"Ugh, how much longer will she stay asleep?"
Broken couldn't help but mutter in frustration. In the real world, he was now three hours behind, translating to a critical hour of delay for his job.
"I might lose my job," he thought.
[Due to the presence of a deity, the logout feature has been temporarily disabled.]
He sat down abruptly, burying his face in his hands with disbelief.
"But, what? Seriously?"
He couldn't log out until the goddess before him woke up!
"What am I supposed to do now? Wake her up? No, that doesn't seem right."
[There's something happening outside the game that affects what you feel inside the game! This physical sensation will be transmitted into the in-game sensations by 30%.]
As the game transmitted a physical sensation from the outside world into Immortal Legacy, Broken felt a peculiar tingling sensation creeping across his stomach and neck. Initially, it was faint, but rapidly escalated into a discomfort so severe that it bordered on torture.
"Lily, please, I can't take it anymore!" Broken pleaded.
Lily, his little sister with whom he shared a home, was undoubtedly trying to wake him up.
[Outside voices will continue to penetrate the game's barriers, allowing snippets of reality to seep through.]
["Leon… Leon… Are you off work today? You didn't mention anything before diving into the game. Aren't you supposed to be at work? Ugh… Let me check your schedule. I hope you can hear me somehow..."]
Broken had been in the Spirit World for six long hours, waiting. At last, the Goddess of Sloth, Akidia, began to stir, slowly waking from her slumber. A smile crept across his face, and despite himself, a few tears slipped down his cheeks—after holding back laughter from Lily's tickling earlier.
Akidia's eyes snapped open, her surprise mirrored in her wide gaze as she looked at Broken.
"Ah, you're finally awake," she murmured softly, her eyes scanning his tearful expression.
"Why is this human crying?" she pondered. "Could it be joy from seeing me awake? This lovely human, I think I'll grant him additional rewards for our first meeting. I mustn't disappoint my champion."
Well, Broken sure has an odd way of making history – by getting locked in a game because a goddess won't wake up! Would you have the patience to sit through Akidia’s naps, or would you have tried waking her up by now? Let me know your game plan in the comments!
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