3 Chapter 3 - Getting Started (1/2)

One day in class, Gu Fei saw a glimmer of hope when he had overheard a discussion between a few male students about a particular upcoming MMORPG, Parallel World, implemented with virtual reality.

He knew exactly what the virtual reality technology would incorporate. Surely, he could unrestrainedly use kung fu in the game unlike in reality, right? With that in mind, Gu Fei went ahead and bought the entire set of virtual reality equipment on the exact same day he had heard the news. He also decided the job class he wanted: Fighter. The description 'A warrior who puts every part of his or her body to active use in combat' convinced Gu Fei that the job class was the most fitting for him.

Unfortunately, he had acquired the job class most vulnerable and least suited toward close combat due to Ah Fa's carelessness; he had become a Mage.

Gu Fei was utterly devastated at first. But after what he had just gone through, he realized something: The various job classes in-game only determined the usable skills. In Gu Fei's case, he already possessed the skill set for an entirely different job class; all he needed to do now was assign the stat points accordingly. His actual job class mattered not.

Although the stat-point distribution for a Fighter would definitely be more suitable for his kung fu use, it did not mean being a Mage was completely useless. He could just be a kung fu Mage!

A groan snapped Gu Fei out of his contemplation. The person in the corner struggled to get up.

”Sir!” Ah Fa was too timid to approach the person, so he just called Gu Fei's attention.

Gu Fei hurried over to the person in the corner and helped him up, ”Are you okay?”

”I'm fine, I'm fine!” The person stood up and inhaled deeply. His face was still littered with bruises, but he exhibited a scholarly vibe. No wonder he was chosen to be beaten up. Gu Fei and Ah Fa supported the person to the fountain in the center of the city square, where he sat down. The person scooped up some water from the fountain to wash his face, becoming much more refreshed. He turned to Gu Fei and smiled, ”Nice to meet you. I am Fleeting Smile.”

It was obviously an in-game name, so Gu Fei also introduced himself using the name Ah Fa had given his gaming account, ”Thousand Miles Drunk.” Gu Fei slightly hated how he sounded like a drunkard with the name. The two shook hands; Fleeting Smile could tell with a single glance that Ah Fa was just a kid so he directly ignored him.

”This is the first time virtual reality was implemented for an MMORPG. We were prepared for unexpected situations, yet no one imagined that something like this would happen,” Fleeting Smile said as he rubbed his neck.

”Judging from what you've just said, you seem to be a GM?”

This caught Ah Fa's attention. He could be considered as an experienced gamer after all. Just the term, GM or game moderator, hinted at the countless benefits that one could be provided in-game. GMs could do something as minor as disclose exclusive information or as major as assist players in obtaining extraordinary items directly. Players would condemn GMs who broke the codes of conduct in-game if they did not come across one, but it would be a different case once they did meet a GM. They would end up revering them like their father.

Looking at the sky, Fleeting Smile nodded, ”Immediately after beta testing began today, we received reports of several groups of players taking advantage of their stronger physique and job classes to beat up people with weaker job classes, like Mage. I entered the game to take a look myself. Never did I imagine I would suffer a beating as well.”

”How are you going to deal with this?” Gu Fei asked.

”Beats me,” said Fleeting Smile. ”It'll all depend on further developments from the tech department. There're still quite a lot of problems in the game, so it is likely to take some time before the game can be launched officially with fees.”

Gu Fei and Ah Fa also raised their heads when they noticed how Fleeting Smile maintained his posture. Rain continued to drizzle down, damping their faces in no time. Is he still rinsing his face? Gu Fei pondered before lowering his head again.

”What are you two looking at?” Fleeting Smile surprisingly asked first.

”What are YOU looking at?” Ah Fa questioned in return.

”My nose won't stop bleeding, boy!” said Fleeting Smile.

The two had no idea how to respond. After a long while, Fleeting Smile lowered his head and rubbed his nose. He said, ”Alright, I'll go check out some other places. What about you two?”

”I'm going to go grind for some levels!” said Gu Fei. He was extremely eager to find out whether the limited physique of a Mage would allow him to use kung fu after some stat points were assigned properly.

Ah Fa hesitated a bit before saying to Fleeting Smile, ”I want to go with you.”

Fleeting Smile smiled, ”Boy, I am a scrupulous gaming employee. Don't expect to benefit in anything from me.”