Jade
I was in a completely different world, one in which I could be myself, free from my name, face, and past, a world where mistakes could be undone as easily as pressing a few buttons, a world where even death lost its importance, a world where I rarely found myself stuttering or sweating anxiously, I was in...
"A bathroom? It looks kind of steampunk, or something..." I noticed the copper pipes and rustic wood. When I finally looked in the mirror, I saw my avatar for the first time: a generic woman, the sort you'd see on any sidewalk in Brazil. "What's this?" Notes were stapled to the wood around the mirror's edge. "It says here: 'I left some fashion magazines for you in the cabinet. It's your big day, and we wouldn't want you heading out looking all sloppy, right? Love, you-know-who.'"
I opened the cabinet and found the magazines. One of them featured illustrations in the style of 1920s modernist advertisements. When I touched one of the illustrated hairstyles, my hair instantly transformed.
I smiled.
"No character creation screen where I view myself as a disembodied entity, even the avatar customization tools were hidden... I get it. The tutorial has already started, hasn't it? The ads emphasized the roleplay elements, but this is the real deal." Excited, I spread the magazines out in front of the mirror. "Right, let's get to work!"
▲○X■
"Ooh la la!" I could almost hear my huge boobs go "boing!" as I posed in front of the mirror. "With a body like this, it'll be a total breeze to squeeze whatever cash I want out of any nerd I cross paths with, guhuhuh. No one's gonna be able to resist this 'neko girl' right here!" I had no doubt about that; with long, straight silver hair, red eyes and nails, and a fluffy white tail sitting right above an ass twice the size of my real one, I looked exactly like the wet dream of countless losers. "Now, I didn't find any magazine or anything else to help me pick a character [Class] or whatever, so I guess this is it."
I turned my back on the mirror and grabbed the handle of the exit door. Alone. About to enter the game I'd hoped to play with my brother, to relive the good old days of our childhood.
"Hmph! Alone is good enough. No, alone is even better! This is my chance to prove to him that I'm not just some lazy bum with no ambition, the way he thinks I am. Peridot might have spent so much time away from nerd culture that he doesn't realize it, but..." Opening the door to a blinding light, I concluded: "A lot of the opportunities in this game translate to real life."
▲○X■
The light was fading, but I could already feel the refreshing breeze and hear the birds singing. And when my eyes finally adjusted to the outside, to the vast expanse of blue ahead, I knew exactly where we were:
"Vanguard!" I leaned against the railing, speechless at the beautiful scenery before my eyes.
Ahead, an island spanning roughly 1,500 square kilometers, close to the size of the state of Amazonas before the Rare Wars, floated above the clouds, supporting diverse biomes and an entire empire. Beneath the floating island lay what looked like a ship's hull, complete with visible wings, propellers, and gears, alongside countless shacks and mysterious structures, undoubtedly teeming with monsters, quests, and rewards. This was the world of the newest full-dive VRMMORPG, a project partially funded by the government to fill the massive void left in the entertainment industry by the fall of the USA, as well as to develop cutting-edge software and hardware.
Since the servers had gone live only hours ago, there was almost no information available about this world beyond the game's promotional material. And that meant...
Guhuhu! This is going to be so cool! I could barely contain my excitement. No matter how expensive they were, fully immersive virtual reality RPGs had always been my favorite toy boxes.
I-I mean, my favorite investments. Yes, yes, I'm doing serious, important work here!
"Well, technically, you're still in the Rearguard. But the enthusiasm is appreciated!" remarked a freckled young man wearing what looked like a sailor's uniform under a jacket, along with gloves and aviator goggles.
"Ugh, speak for yourself," complained another guy in the same uniform, though he had black bangs covering one eye that seemed to be staring at everything but me. As more people filed out of the rooms lining the corridor, the first young man continued shouting:
"Folks, the immigration officers are on the deck. Please, follow me."
As I trailed behind the sailor-airman (?), I took note of the people around me: there were a few handsome elves here, some burly dwarves there, but most sported brown or black hair, crooked teeth, and the sort of generic look typical of commoner extras in period films. They probably hadn't bothered to read a single word during character creation and had simply left their avatars with the default appearance.
Guhuhu, that means I'm already ahead of the game! In a system that didn't allow two characters to look exactly alike (even if one of them died), having a unique and attractive avatar was, literally, a valuable asset! Yes, literally!
After all, ever since the dawn of full-immersion VRMMOs- no! Even before that, people have always sold their accounts for real-world cash. So, if I could stand out enough in the hottest new game of the moment, I could rake in piles of money and rub it right in my twin brother's face!
The question is: how exactly do I pull that off?
Oh well, I guess I'll just play and see how it goes.
"Here we are," the freckled sailor-airman announced, leading us onto a deck as vast as a football stadium. A number of other people were there, wearing the same type of uniform as him but with different ranks stitched onto their shoulders; some were dressed as medics, engineers, or in other specialized uniforms. "You can ask the officers here whatever you like, and when you're ready, please head to the docks."
Are they emphasizing that role-playing is key here? I wondered as I walked past the platforms where officers were instructing various people, all dressed exactly like me (white button-down shirt, black dress pants, and a short leather jacket) on how to identify edible plants, find work in the city, or even wield a sword properly.
"Oh! That's not all, this place... it's for class selection!" I understood. Looking more closely at the myriad platforms scattered across the deck, I realized they weren't just teaching survival [Skills]; they were also covering the use of crude firearms, how to wear armor, how to wield all sorts of medieval weapons, and more. "That can only mean one thing... Guhuhu!"
Turning my back on the deck, I headed in the opposite direction from the instructors.
"Every self-respecting VRMMORPG has that, right? Right?! Secret [Classes]!"
▲○X■
After wandering up and down that steamship-like airship nearly a kilometer long and spanning multiple decks, I hadn't found a single drunken martial arts master without a disciple, nor a legendary sorceress who pretends to care only about her work but secretly wants a cute apprentice, nor even a blind old man working as a janitor despite possessing overwhelming power! The most "unusual" [Class] designation I stumbled upon was [Nun], when I crossed paths with a priest saying mass for just one small blonde girl wearing a purple religious habit.
"What the hell?! Don't tell me this game doesn't have hidden caves behind waterfalls, too!" I sat down on a random bench on the airship's lower decks. "Now, not only am I hours behind the top players, but at this point, even the biggest noobs must be leveling up, making money, and collecting items..."
I sighed.
"Hmm... Are you okay?" A woman stopped in front of me; she was wearing a white apron stocked with various potions, scalpels, and other medical odds and ends. Her [Class] was generic, meaning she wasn't anyone I was interested in.
On the other hand...
S-Stunning! Blonde, with fox-like eyes, a beauty mark just below her left eye, and the body of a pop star, she almost made me question my sexuality.
Wait a minute, is this my chance to experience an anime cliché firsthand?!
"O-Oh! I feel so dizzy!" I stood up from the bench, spun on my heels, and...
Charge! Ara ara nee-san, here I come! I threw myself right at the hot doctor's ample bosom.
Only to face-plant on the floor when my hands slid off an invisible barrier protecting the woman's breasts.
"Ai, ai..." It looked like I'd have to save that kind of experience for eroge games.
Floating in front of me was a semi-transparent green screen displaying the words: [Warning: Activity punishable by a ban detected. Upon three (3) infractions, your account will be banned with no right to a refund. Activities subject to a ban include: sexual harassment, racism, hacking..."
"Hey, wait! That's not the kind of exclusive achievement I wanted! I don't want to be the first player banned from the game!"
"Player...?" The hot [Doctor] tilted her head, confused.
Oh, right, she's an NPC. Come to think of it, neither NPCs nor players have names floating over their heads, nor visible health bars or levels.
"Hmm... Are you alright? How about showing me your stats so we can see if you're suffering from any debuffs?"
So, it seems even NPCs have stats. That makes it practically impossible to tell whether someone is a player or an NPC. The devs had mentioned powerful AI to boost immersion, but I bet it's really just to foster parasocial relationships and squeeze more money out of players.
"Show stats" I said, and a corresponding green screen appeared. I might have skipped a few tutorials in my hunt for a secret class, but that voice command was as standard as hitting the "Esc" key to open a CRPG menu, and I was already plenty used to moving around in VR.
[Name: Vinea
Level: 1
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
SP: 100/100
Titles: --
Effects: --
Attributes
Strength: 1
Stamina: 1
Dexterity: 1
Vitality: 1
Mana: 1
Spirit: 1]
"Hmm... You seem fine, physically speaking. It must just be exhaustion or nerves. How about getting some rest in the infirmary, young lady?"
"Oh, sure, thanks."
Maybe I could swipe some healing items while I'm there?
▲○X■
"Please, don't be shy; use whichever bed you need. As a colonist, you need to be well-rested before setting sail for Vanguard."
"Sure thing, miss. Thanks a bunch, guhuhu." I nodded and lay down on one of the many available beds; only a few exhausted NPCs seemed to be occupying the infirmary at the moment.
The healer soon left the room, returning to wherever she had been headed before running into me. I sat up on the bed, crossed my legs and arms, and thought:
"Hmm..."
The medicines were locked in a cabinet, I had no interest in a support class, and every second I wasted meant throwing away exclusive achievements and losing out on tons of money.
"Money. Speaking of which, how much do I have on me?" I searched my pockets and found: "a knife, a weak healing potion, a survival kit, and a small pouch containing three coins" a copper one stamped with the number 10, a silver one with the number 100, and a gold one with the number 1,000, all of the numbers followed by the word "réis". "It's hard to say exactly what that's worth without anything to buy, but considering every player spawns with this, it probably isn't much."
I glanced at the NPCs sleeping in the other infirmary beds, wondering if they had any spare change I could swipe, even if the advantage would likely be negligible.
NPCs, huh? Well, it's not like I'm certain they really are NPCs; I'm just judging them based on their clothes and the context...
"AH!"
Then, I was finally struck by an idea.
▲○X■
"Hey, everyone! I know you're all eager to set foot in Vanguard... and that's exactly why I'm here! I'm your guide, your mentor, and the one responsible for sending you to your new home, so follow me!" I called out to the new players who had just stepped out of their cabins. They followed me eagerly.
Dressed in the crew uniform, I was indistinguishable from an NPC to any newcomer. As for the rest of the crew? There were thousands of them working aboard that absurdly massive airship! Naturally, they wouldn't suspect a thing if they saw someone unfamiliar, especially if I walked with my chin held high and with an air of confidence, just as I was doing.
"If you check your pockets, you'll find a dagger, a weak healing potion, and a pouch containing three coins," I explained, leading a handful of novice players through one of the ship's quieter corridors. "What's a copper coin worth?" I stopped walking, opened my own coin pouch, and said, "Exactly the value of information on where the major cities are and how to acquire a [Class]!" I smiled as the novices dropped their coins into my pouch. After repeating the information I'd learned on the deck (for free), I continued, "And the silver coin? Well, since it's ten times more valuable, it's worth a [Skill]. And as it happens, I can teach you the starting [Skills] for the dagger", I offered a [Skill] I'd learned (for free) on the deck.
"What kind of shitty game is this? I thought we'd get [Classes] like [Gunslinger] or [Warlock]!" one player complained, and others chimed in with their own grievances.
"Game? What are you talking about?" I played dumb.
"The NPC won't understand if you talk like that. You need charisma in situations like this, get it?" Here, leave this to me..." a man approached with a half-smile and knelt before me. "M'lady. I'd like a revolver, please."
"Even the cheapest firearms cost a thousand réis."
"Haha. Coincidentally... I have a gold coin!"
Doing my best to look cute, I smiled and tilted my head to the side.
"And how do you plan to pay for your trip to Vanguard without it?"
▲○X■
An hour later, I'd already fleeced nearly two hundred players and had the equivalent of two hundred thousand "réais"... or I would have, were it not for a certain hitch.
"Hehe, thanks for the hard work!" The emo crewman from earlier, the one who'd lent me his uniform for my little... project, smiled. "The next shift change is happening in corridor F-27 in ten minutes. Make sure you bring me half the profits, unless you want me going around saying you're stealing the bonus the Empress granted the colonists, hmm?" he threatened, counting the coins nonchalantly.
To think that bastard could barely look me in the eye without blushing... Money really changes people. Except I was the one who made that money! I thought, doing my best not to snarl or wrinkle my nose in anger. Bastard or not, the man was still a soldier (I think?), and his [Attributes] were likely far higher than mine.
"W-What is it, huh?" He gave me a strange look. "I'm taking a risk here too, just as much as you! I just want to make it clear: if you try to screw me over, I'm not walking the plank alone!"
"Not walking the plank alone...?" I repeated. Then I had another idea, one so good it was hard not to smile. "Of course not, partner! We're in this together!" I sat down next to him on his bunk. "And why shouldn't we be? From what I've seen, there's just so much injustice on this airship... Some people work so hard while others slack off and still get treated like kings. I'm sure you know plenty of people who think exactly the same way, right?" I leaned in even closer, wearing a seductive smile.
"A-Ah. W-Well, yeah..." The emo coward backed away, but I kept advancing until my mouth was right next to his ear.
"By the way, how do you plan to smuggle out a hundred thousand 'réis' when it's time to go back? How do you plan to hide that from your roommates the whole time you're here?" I pointed a thumb at the two large leather bags filled with coins in the middle of the room, one mine, the other "his." "Without significant backing, that seems impossible to me... But, you know, as a real Colonist, I have a guaranteed ticket to the Vanguard, and as your friend, I wouldn't mind making a deposit for you." I winked.
"D-Do you think I'm an idiot?!" The emo stood up suddenly, frowning. "I have enough backing even without you here, so keep your little hands off my gold!"
"Alright, alright," I said, raising my hands in surrender. "I just wanted to warn you about the risks of our investment, relax. I know when to take a hint, so I'll just grab my share and get out of your hair, okay?"
"Hold on a sec." He smirked, looking down his nose at me. "Now that I think about it, why should I give you half my treasure? If you turn me in, you'll get killed just like me, and if you try to deal with me directly... Haha! What can a [Level: 1] Colonist do?! Show [stats]!"
The emo proudly displayed his [Stats], which read: [Level: 23].
"R-Right, buddy, no need to get hasty! I won't get involved in this anymore; just take the gold and let me go, okay?" Slowly, I left the angry guy's room.
▲○X■
"It's him! He's the one responsible for all of this!" I shouted, pointing one hand at the slack-jawed emo kid while clutching a self-inflicted wound with the other.
"Y-You bitch!" The scoundrel who had unfairly stolen what I had fairly stolen drew his sword and lunged at me, only to be quickly restrained by a group of other crew members.
"How could you, Manuel...?" a freckled young man muttered in disappointment.
"Hmph. Much better," I remarked after downing a healing potion, watching as the guy who'd tried to pull a fast one on me was dragged away. "Now, where's my treasure?"
It didn't take long to find it under the bunk: three large leather bags stuffed with coins. It seemed the emo kid and his disgruntled friends had milked my method for all it was worth.
"Maybe a little too much," I said, slinging one bag over my shoulder and carrying the others in my hands. "Heavy!" I took off before more crew members could come after me, whether to have me testify against the emo kid or to seek revenge, and before I ran into the biggest problem of all: other players.
Yes, while the NPCs who'd adopted my method were oblivious to the bigger picture, I hadn't simply given up on making "infinite money." It wasn't because of the risk of getting caught by the authorities, but because it wouldn't be long before players, both the victims and the non-victims, started swapping stories, and rumors about the game's first major scam began spreading online.
And that wasn't all.
"Form single-file lines and no pushing: there are enough airships for everyone!" a voice blared from the dock loudspeakers as vessels resembling trawlers, but fitted with wings and copper engines, landed and took off. Back when I was the one responsible for swindling the noobs, I'd deliberately pick only the ugliest avatars, since those players were the most likely to be clueless about things that were fast becoming common knowledge online, like character customization or my signature scam. And I doubted the NPCs who took over my job would do the same.
In other words...
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" a mechanic complained as I tossed money-filled bags into the aircraft he was servicing, one that had just returned from the Vanguard. "Guards-!"
"BOOM!" Something exploded just beyond the dock entrance, right in the heart of the mothership.
"What the hell...?" Confused, the mechanic didn't even notice me climbing aboard. By the time the alarm sounded, the guards were summoned, and a mob of out-of-control players swarmed the docks like a horde of frenzied zombies, I was already shoving the throttle to the max, firing up my small craft's engine at full power.
I nearly plummeted from the clouds when the hose connecting my aircraft's water tank to the dock's reservoir snapped, but I eventually managed to regain control and stabilize the flight.
Funny, Rearguard shifted position a bit because of that. Does that mean I piloted it for a second?! Hey, hey, am I gonna get a cool title for this?! I wondered as I ascended to the mothership's altitude and flew over the colossus. I peered down at the chaos that had rapidly taken hold: thousands of players were killing each other and the crew, while the crew members were fighting among themselves, too.
A chaotic mess that was long overdue, honestly.
The devs had set up that tutorial area with high-[Level] NPCs, prisons, and an environment that was literally isolated and carefully curated to prevent any surprises; Not to mention that the high-fidelity, fully immersive role-playing environment intimidated quite a few vandals; the human brain struggled to distinguish the fear triggered by a uniformed NPC with a weapon in hand, shouting right in your face, from the real-world equivalent. But players were the most unpredictable sort of people, so much so that many constantly found themselves imprisoned or forced to walk the plank. Consequently, it wasn't hard to picture a mob mentality scenario: a group of players trying to take justice into their own hands over some scam might suddenly decide that all the NPCs on board were enemies, or simply think it would be fun to treat them as such.
"Meh, it was probably on purpose. One of those 'natural events' companies love so much for the meme and marketing potential," I said with a shrug. In any case, there wasn't much left for me to gain in the Rearguard. "Vanguard, here I come!" Then again, I could barely imagine the kind of adventure, I mean, the profit potential waiting for me up ahead!
Game Over ☠
Peridot
"Jade. Hey!" I called out, knocking on my twin sister's bedroom door. "Tch! If you think I'm going to cook dinner for you, you're mistaken. We've got enough ingredients in the fridge, so you're on your own."
To avoid the headache of dealing with my good-for-nothing sister, I retreated straight to my room. That's when I saw a video game box sitting on my mattress.