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Day 0

Today is the day everyone was waiting for. A new generation of Full Dive Gear has its premiere.

When the idea of this technology had born at the beginning of new century, everyone was hooked in instantly. Opportunity to experience a whole new world, full of unforgettable adventures, by your own eyes gave hardcore gamers sleepless nights. It was a topic which never disappeared from popculture. Everyone talked about it and everyone wanted it.

30 years ago a dream came true. First Full Dive Gear came out. It was a celebration day, but not for all. First version was extremely expensive and limited to certain amount of copies, but it didn’t stop The Gear from skyrocketing. It was an extremely huge success for gaming industry.

Developers wanted to make new platform accessible for everyone, so they immediately started work on new one.

The newest one, 4th generation of Gear, is now accessible for everyone. It’s more expensive than VR gear or premium consoles, but the price is five times lower comparing to 1st Gear's price.

What makes 4th Gear so wanted is definitely better reaction of body to it. Recommended time of use was 3 hours due to brain exhaustion, but even without reaching this time, sometimes people had an awful headache. It was frustrating users, while they couldn’t enjoy their experience as much as they wanted. New Gear's tests showed improvement in this area, testers after 4 hours of constant use haven’t felt any pain or tiredness. Having breaks between session is recommended, at least 30 minutes.

Along with gear, a new MMORPG has its premiere. Hero Chronicles X was called the most impactful game of the century. Why does it receive such a title? A new AI technology has been implemented in it. You don’t have to choose an dialogue option to have a conversation with NPCs. You can finally talk to them, like to other players! They understand 95% of phrases, including slang language, and can answer to them in their own way. Unfortunately, this game is available only in Japan due to sophisticated programme and exclusive technology.

That’s not all.

Comparing to many other Full Dive MMORPG, Hero Chronicles X can pride itself for true adventurer's experience. High notes on reviews tell by themselves. Also, it presents something new to market.

Normally, player chooses their character’s class. Here things a bit different. You may get the class you want, but not necessarily. Everything depends on your given answers to questions, which will clasify you to certain class. Also, classes have much more potential, they’re not restricted to use certain weapons or skills, for example, a warrior can use offensive magic, but only short-distanced ones. Same as mage can use a sword as a main source of damage. As long as the role is fulfilled, you can experiment when restrictions are real.

Long-waiting fans can finally enjoy brand new toy to the fullest.

Hotaru Tomikawa is one of those people. Thankfully to wage from her part-time job and generous parents she was able to buy a new gear with a game. It has sold out in two hours, but she was lucky enough to pre-order it.

She’s not a die-hard fan of Gear or FD MMORPG, but she was curious of the new title. Is it really as everyone says? Like a second life? Time will tell.

First step – character customisation.

She normally plays as a male due to individual liking, but she decided to make a human female character, because why not. She could make a male, while her normal voice would be converted into a male one, but she wants to try something different.

Game contains full customisation, which means, you have a various options of your character's appearance. It’s not so much different from ones in other games.

Hotaru's character has a petite body, she’s around her height, which is around 154 cm. She’s pretty much like her, only her face and hair is different.

While game graphics are a bit anime-ish, character’s face is anime-ish as well with azure eyes and pale skin. Hotaru took inspiration from her favourite anime. She was as pretty as main character. Tomikawa had in mind that she will be a cryomancer, so character should resemble that to make it more cool. That’s why she choose white-but-not-exactly hair. It has a pinch of blue in it.

It didn’t took that long, people can spend hours to make their character as they want them to look.

Now, the worst part.

The name.

She has one in mind, but will it be not in use? Somehow, it wasn’t.

Ayane. Simple name, but kind of nostalgic for her.

Character confirmed. Next step – assigning class.

„On the next section we will ask you some questions to help us choose the class that will suit you the best. Answers will be repeated by system for confirmation. Please think about them carefully, while you won’t be able to change them later. If you understand the rules, please confirm your readiness by saying any affirmative word.”

„Yes.”

„Confirmed. First question: At what position in battle you feel the best?”

People were warning that questions may be tricky and you need to be careful with choosing answers. Your answers may lead you to your wanted role, but not necessarily.

Hotaru wants her character to be a long-distance mage, so in order to receive a mage role, she needs to answer to these questions with this mage in mind.

„Long-distanced damage dealer.”

„Your answer is: long-distanced damage dealer. Is that correct?”

„Yes.”

„I’m processing the answer... Second question: While being in team, you’re leading people or being carried out?”

One of the tricky questions. Everyone can be a leader, the role doesn’t matter here. Healer can be a leader, warrior too, mage, thief... What is the best answer to it?

„I am carried out, but I can be leader too, when it’s needed.”

Not clear answer... How will system react to it?

„Your answer: both. Is that correct?”

Both? It kind of looks like both. AI often simplifies phrases, but not always keep the original meaning. In this case it should be fine, while Hotaru mentioned both of the choices. She accepted this answer.

„Yes.”

„I’m processing the answer... Third question: In grieve situation, when things are changing rapidly and quick action needs to be taken – how are you reacting to that?”

Depends on how grieve situation is. Also, you can’t really predict what you will do in this case. You may say that you’ll be the one with coolest head, but at the end you’ll run for your life leaving everyone behind, so, you, can have a chance of survival.

Hotaru would answer that she would do nothing, but she has changed a bit in few years. Someone had told her to not hide her true emotions, while she was always a timid one. Now she’s more open and confident, while she knows what she’s made of and people's opinion don’t bother her anymore.

That’s why her answer will be:

„Keep calm and make reasonable actions.”

„Your answer: keep calm and make reasonable actions. Is that correct?”

„Yes.”

„I’m processing the answer... Fourth question: What are you pursuing in your life?”

Girl got surprised by that, but she recalled the info of tricky questions.

What kind of answer should she give? Truth? Lie? There are no wrong answers, but which one would lead to desired role? Often when you’re thinking about mage, the word „ambitious” is popping out, but... are mages the only one ambitious? Talented? Anyone can be.

It’s more of a psychological test than normal questionnaire.

Hotaru’s still young and hasn’t found her life goal yet. For now she pursues nothing... Will „nothing” be considered as an answer? She decided to risk it.

„Nothing.”

„...”

System hasn’t responded. It was actually first answer like it, everyone has some goals, even if they’re very simply, but she has none. System had to reevaluate her answer and decided to let it through.

„Your answer: nothing. Is that correct?”

She felt a bit relieved that it worked.

„Yes.”

„I’m processing the answer... Fifth question: What will happen, if you won’t achieve/get what you wanted?”

She often hasn’t get what she wanted. Sometimes it wasn’t a big deal, sometimes it really took time to get through the frustration, but...

There are also things that left too deep scars to forget about them.

Anyway, you’ll be angry for some time, but you’ll keep going.

„I will keep going.”

„Your answer: keep going. Is that correct?”

„Yes.”

„I’m processing the answer... That was the last question. It will take up to several minutes to get results. Please wait...”

Meanwhile girl starts thinking about plan B in case of failure of plan A. There are currently four different classes – warrior, mage, rogue and hunter. No one has counted how many subclasses are existing, while there are too many possibilities of building character.

Classes has some restrictions of used weapon or spells. Mage mostly use rod, staff, catalyst, even a stick will do. Some are using their own hands to cast spells, but they can wield a sword, bow, claymore as well, as long as their fulfill their role as mage.

But what does it mean? When you’re thinking of mage's spells, they have crowd control skills, area of damage skills, also single target ones. Their damage and effectiveness are very powerful in exchange of caster's survivability. Having these informations can give you a glimpse of understanding the subject.

Saying more simply - mages' role in party is to either deal great amount of damage to the target(s) or support team with crowd controlling skills or do both. As long as one of those conditions is fulfilled, it’s fine.

But what about, for example, rogue? An assassin? Their role is to deal great amount of damage to target as well, so what’s the difference between rogue and mage.

Mage mainly deals damage to multiple targets, while rogue focuses on one. Also mage depends on their magic, while rogue attacks with weapon dealing physical damage. They don’t rely on magic that much. I think it’s a bit clearer now.

When you know what possibilities you have and how to use them correctly – you can achieve very interesting results. Mage assassin is one of them.

That’s why knowledge on your class is so important.

„Thank you for waiting. We have the results. By your answers, we think that this class will suit you the best...”

Hotaru starts praying for any role with long-distanced skills, while she absolutely sucks in close combat.

„Warrior.”

‘The. WHAT?! How is that even possible?! I won’t be able to make it usable, while I sucks so much in close combat... Can I reset the account? Ah, no, I would have to buy a new gear for that. Ahh, f...I’m going to cry in the corner. *sniff*’

That was the worst option for her. She hates melee characters, once she tried to play as one, but it was so bad that she deleted the character straight away and forgot about what has happened.

Now she has no choice, but to play as a warrior. In Full Dive MMORPG game.

„Adventurer, you may not always agree with what world has prepared for you.”

‘Ooh, thanks for your encouragement, you smart ass.’

„But the decision has been made based on your answers and we truly think it was a right one. Do not feel discouraged by that. Take it as an opportunity to explore a new world differently than usual. Get to know yourself better. Results may be interesting...”

Well, she has no choice whatsoever.

„Now, let’s go. Someone awaits your arrival.”

‘Huh?’

The screen got black. Loading screen appeared.