As Markus heard that phrase, his vision blurred and transitioned to visualizing a large futuristic hangar of some large ship or station.
His HUD map displayed huge numbers of both NPC characters and fellow new players in the vicinity. While observing for a few while, he received a soft chine and a robotic voice spoke up from the system.
[Welcome commander, today is your lucky day! You and other fresh cadets have just been chosen to be consulted to a large step of your life. Come to this coordinate of this station for further instructions.]
After Markus read the text, he walked into a decently long hallway and opened a door, showing a large auditorium or briefing room.
This room is filled with beginners like him, waiting until the NPC instructor deems that there is sufficient players to start the introduction.
Markus then sat on the back aisle of chairs and waited few minutes until the room was packed to the brim with players.
The NPC instructor in a formal uniform stood up on the podium. He dimmed the lights for everyone to be indicated that the program will start up ahead. His voice boomed with a clear, expressive and authoritative tone.
"Welcome aboard the SS Alpha, I am instructor James, your commanding officer for this induction. All of you, our fresh cadets, are assigned to enter the grand frontier of SS Online."
He paused, letting the words sink in to the players. He started whirring up the large projection beside him that displayed a sort of cinematic video of the galaxy and different factions, which captivated the players to listen attentively.
At the same time, he spoke again,"All of you are untested, unproven, unforged. Yet, each of you lies a potential to become the person who shape and plays the fate of corporations, planets, stations, fleets, and civilizations. This universe gives victories with prices to pay. Every choice,step, or initiative you do has a weight that ripples and affects your career."
"A single hesitation or mistake can cost your entire ship, your fleet, your reputation , or even your identity to others as a commander."
The room buzzed with murmurs from players, but James raised his hand to indicate focus once again.
"Your journey begins as part of the Neutral Cadet Corps. This is the foundation of every pilot you see out there, regardless of profession or expertise they have mastered at. You will train, fight, and prove yourself to be like them, allowing you to have the freedom to aligning to factions governing the galaxy."
"Do not rush this choice. The faction you will choose may determine your allies, friends or resources you may muster in your disposal."
With a wave of his hand, he transitioned the hologram to show different planets, fleets, and space stations. More cadets leaned on eagerly while others became more nervous with their decision up ahead.
"Now, there are two paths you are open to choose from. The first path is the path of space, spawning you aboard a massive space station. This allows you to learn command a ship, manage systems, and survive among the stars"
" The second path is the path of land, awakening you to an academy which will teach you the importance of surviving surface challenges and how planetary activities also shapen the galaxy. Both are equally dangerous, both equally as rewarding."
"Now, choose carefully, your beginning will shape how you learn and survive this vast universe."
The crowd now intensified to loud conversation of players exchanging ideas and arguments of which path is the most feasible. One argued space gives them the direct headstart to the game, while the other one argued that the ground allows for better immersion and learning of the game.
But for Markus, he has already chosen the second option, he knew that starting straight to space leads to less opportunities to get rich early on, ground progression allows benefits from planetary factions, giving better headstart and income. And that, he is also here for the immersion of what the game truly offers coming from his expectations.
The instructor let the players talk for awhile to each other before talking once again for the last time, "Do not mistake this as a game of luck. This world benefits and rewards those who use their skill, willpower, and perseverance to pass every challenges ahead."
"Cadets who rise are those who adapt without faltering. They know which options leads them to success and power. Live long and your name may be etched and remembeed in the stars."
And with the closing of long introduction program, a soft chime from the system rang in the room, prompting every cadet within.
[Please select your starting path in the given holographic tablets: Space or Land.]
Markus quickly pressed the land option and waited until the selection session is over.
As soon as everyone voted, the next chime rang softly accompanied with the voice.
[For those who chose the space path, exit the auditorium and walk to Hangar A Section 1
to board the shuttle going to Station Thera above Volaris II. For those who chose the ground path, exit the auditorium and walk to Hangar A Section 2 to board the shuttle going down to planet Volaris II.]
Everyone started to stand up and crowded the respective exits. While exiting, some players started a commotion bragging that they will be the "best player" in this update.
Obviously, most ignored their rambling and started to move out to experience the game already. Though for Markus, he stayed to
analyze the reactions of players about their chosen path.
He observed that the players who choosed the space path are foolishly excited, unknowingly stepping in the progression horror they are about to experience for a very long time.
For the players who have taken the ground path, most are nervous and doubtful of their choices, the usual when given bias towards the space progression.
But again, he knew from watching videos online and Dave that the ground progreesion gives a better starting despite of being told the same on paper.
"Cadet, your transport is slowly preparing. Don't be late." The instructor approached and told him when he was the only one left in the room.
"I saw that you seem to actually ponder the choice wisely and seemed to analyze other's reactions and actions. I see your potential kid. Here, take this card as my gift. Won't be useful now but it'll unlock you doors other's haven't opened yet." The instructor told Markus while returning to the podium.
Markus was surprised at this secret NPC conversation encounter. He approached and thanked the instructor. He naturally asked little more questions about it before using the yellow glowing arrow visible on the floor and exit the auditorium.
All vague info he got was some sort of privilege access card that no one seemed to obtain yet within the game.
Dave was also intrigued when he saw this weird encounter up the holographic screen and searched it up online, yet no results came up and only other unrelated things showed up instead.
"That sure was something I'd never expect to happen at all. I thought ill just automatically get teleported at the hallway like any other videos." Markus said slightly perplexed to Dave as he also got out of the auditorium.
He walked for a minute straight at the long corridor before walking to the wide hangar, revealing both of the large and bulky freigthers he saw earlier when he spawned.
He proceeded into the short line ahead and boarded the transport, which was surprisingly spacious. Many already took the bottom floor's seat, so Markus had to climb the stairs and took the only seat that was available at the back.
As he took his seat, the transport freigther shook as it powered up its thrusters and systems online.
"Well, this is a very long journey ahead."