[SYSTEM: Guide unit is offline. Transferring User to Manual Mode...][Dice Result: An unexpected error occurred...][Location: Unidentified Region / Ghost City][WARNING: This region is not found on the game map.]
The first thing to break the darkness was a series of windows popping up one after another. My palms began to sweat the moment I saw the error messages. I paced back and forth anxiously; it only came to me to examine my surroundings after the initial panic subsided.
"Where on earth is this?!" my screams filled the empty air.
In that moment, the pizzas, gold, and properties I had lost flashed before my eyes. That old man certainly picked the worst time to die.
The city I found myself in was completely deserted and, frankly, repulsive.
Let me describe it to you: rotting tree hollows, trash scattered everywhere, muddy roads, a smoggy atmosphere... and much more. It was certain I would die from the air pollution alone; there was no need for the game to even start.
While I was searching for buttons to exit the game, a bell icon and the number above it caught my attention. Hoping for a way out, I immediately clicked on the white bell.
[SYSTEM: First quest assigned to User963. Quests can be checked via the Quest Tab.]
I opened the quest tab with horror. It was located right beneath the notification, so I had no trouble finding it.
[Quest: Familiarize Yourself with the City.]
Unable to restrain my curiosity, I also examined my future quests. There were mentions of a first meeting with other players. Perhaps one of them would take pity on me and help.
Gathering my courage despite my unease, I began to walk. Although I proceeded with caution for a long time, I hadn't encountered any danger yet. To complete the quest, I hurried toward a plain. I wanted to finish the task and leave this place as soon as possible; this thought helped push my fear into the background.
Suddenly, it occurred to me to check my statistics like hunger and thirst. I had to have them, didn't I? I clicked the button opposite the bell icon.
Bingo; they were all right there.
[Class: Explorer ][Stamina: 150 / 150][Thirst: 100 / 100][Score: 0/500][Hunger: 100 / 100][Strength: 0]
[Special abilities: - ]
[Weight: 0 / 300][Mana 60/60]
I fiddled with the interface a bit more, clicking every button within reach. It seemed that special potions and powers could be unlocked with accumulated scores. Since I was likely still in the adjustment period, nothing was increasing or decreasing yet.
In this desolate and barren place, the most logical thing to ,no matter how frightening, was to look for useful materials. Wonderful, I thought, I'm definitely going to die, but I might as well try my luck. But if this was just a trial mode, I should not die yet, right?
I picked up a stick from the ground to use as a cane, but it crumbled in my hand, ruining my attempt to look composed.
"That old man must be in a better place than I am now..." I took a deep breath and continued, "It smells terrible." I waved my hand to disperse the foul odor.
I moved forward cautiously for a while and found a pinecone at the base of a tree. Thinking it might be useful, I tried to pick it up, but my hand slipped through it as if the cone were transparent. "Very well then," I said, "I'll make a mental note of this place."
A bit further along, I found blackberries on a branch. I noted those down as well.
At the end of the day, I reached a stream. A farm could be established here, and animals could be raised nearby. If the water weren't so polluted, I might have considered drinking it.
I looked at my reflection in the water; there were two black horns on my head. As if I didn't have enough problems. I truly must have fallen into hell. With these horns, I was no different from a demon. Yet, this cruel fate did not strip away the self-love I needed to fix my hair in my reflection.
At that moment, the system got activated again..
[SYSTEM: Player introductions will begin shortly.]
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