Cipher swung the sword with all her might, the blade cutting through the darkness like a beacon. The creature dissolved into a cloud of black mist, vanishing into the ether.
One by one, the shadows attacked, and one by one, Cipher struck them down. With each victory, she felt her confidence grow, her doubts fading away. By the time the last shadow fell, she was breathing heavily but standing tall, the sword still glowing in her hand.
"Well done, Cipher," Aetherion said, his voice filled with pride.
"You have taken your first step. But this is only the beginning. Greater challenges lie ahead, and the choices you make will shape not only your fate but the fate of countless realms."
Cipher nodded, her grip on the sword tightening. For the first time, she felt ready—ready to embrace the adventure, the danger, and the infinite possibilities of this extraordinary world.
"Bring it on," she said, a determined smile spreading across her face.
While celebrating her victory, a vortex surrounded her. The sensation was unlike anything she'd ever experienced—it felt as though she was moving backwards at a speed her senses couldn't fathom. The world blurred as her surroundings dissolved into nothingness.
Darkness began to engulf her, creeping over her body until it consumed her entirely. Cipher's eyes widened instinctively, trying to capture every detail of the fading world, but all she saw was emptiness.
Then, without warning, she found herself back in a ten-by-ten-meter square room. A familiar voice chimed in, breaking the silence.
"Welcome back, Cipher." "I hope you had an amazing time, wherever it is you traveled," the voice said warmly. It was Melody AI, the ever-present guide to this strange digital world.
Before Cipher could respond, Melody continued, "I will now run you through the tutorials."
"The intra-multi-dimensional gaming system has a plethora of features." Its tone was professional yet inviting, as if it had given this explanation countless times before.
Cipher listened intently as Melody outlined the system's four main interfaces: online gaming, dimensional gaming, teleportation gaming, and multiverse gaming. Each interface came with its own unique challenges and opportunities, all interconnected in subtle ways.
"In the online gaming interface," Melody explained.
"You can select missions, form teams, strategize, and compete in tournaments."
"Progress is tracked on a leader-board, and your success depends on earning experience points, improving your combat skills, and winning matches."
As the AI delved deeper into the intricacies of each interface, Cipher's curiosity grew. The death match mode, the thrill of facing vampires and celestial beings, the risk of losing all her progress if she exhausted her three lives—it was both daunting and exhilarating. She found herself eager to dive into this world, despite its dangers.
By the time Melody concluded the tutorial, Cipher's mind was buzzing with possibilities. She scrolled through the holographic display, searching for something that would catch her eye. When she came across the Third Eye social network, her interest was piqued. She tapped on it, and a notification appeared:
"Cipher logging into the Third Eye website. Profile name: Cipher. Expertise: Not known. Level: One, Beginner. Rank: Zero. Combat skills: Zero. Experience point: Zero. Matches won: None. Matches lost: None. Lives remaining: Three. Net worth: Zero. Special powers: None. Leaderboard standing: Bottom last." Melody the AI narrated.
Cynthia's eyes lingered on her dismal stats. Determined, she scrolled to the top of the leader-board to see who reigned supreme. The name Broadino stood out, accompanied by impressive credentials:
- Level: Mega-skilled
- Experience points: Five millions
- Combat skills: One million
- Rank: One thousand five hundred
- Title: Thrill Slayer
- Lives remaining: Three
- Net worth: $ Eight hundred and thirty million
- Special powers: Illusion manipulation, spikes, lightning
- Matches won: Five thousand
- Matches lost: None
Cipher stared at Broadino's profile in awe. The gap between them was staggering, but it fueled her resolve. "I'll climb this ladder," she thought, her determination hardening into a promise. "One day, I'll be at the top."
As she resolved to begin her journey, a notification chimed in her inbox. Curious, she opened the message. It read
Hello Cipher, my name is Zao. Would you like to join my team? I know you're new here, and I can help you navigate the intra-multi-dimensional gaming voyage. Below is a link to my team on the website. If you're interested in climbing the leaderboard faster, remember: two is better than one.
Cipher's heart raced as she considered the offer. Was this the ally she needed to rise through the ranks, or was it a trap waiting to ensnare her? The choice loomed before her, carrying with it the weight of countless possibilities.
Cipher barely had a moment to breathe before her device lit up with three simultaneous messages. Her curiosity piqued, she opened the first one.
Hello Cipher,
My name is Sara. Please check out my profile where you'll find details about my progress and a link to our website, 'The Third Eye.'
I've assembled a team, and we're preparing to enter the Teleportation Interface. If you're interested, don't hesitate to DM me.
Lots of love,
Sara.
As Cipher read the message, she couldn't help it but notice the warmth and sincerity radiating through Sara's words. She seemed confident and collected, the kind of person who naturally drew others to her leadership. Cipher made a mental note to explore her profile later and clicked on the next message.
Hello,
If you're looking for a mentor on this intra-multi-gaming voyage, I'm here for you.
They call me 'The Unmerciful Time-Killing Sniper,' but you can call me Tiger Jones. DM me if you're interested—I believe you have the potential to be great.
Don't forget to check out my profile on 'The Third Eye' website.
Cipher smirked. Tiger Jones exuded charisma but also carried a certain arrogance. His moniker, 'The Unmerciful Time-Killing Sniper,' painted a picture of a fierce competitor, but Cipher wondered if he might be all talk. There was a certain bravado in his tone that made her cautious. She hesitated before moving on to the final message.
Hey Cipher,
My name is Becker. How are you enjoying the intra-multi-gaming voyage? I hope you're having fun.
If you want to experience real thrills and make tons of money, DM me. My team and I are here to have a blast while conquering challenges.
For more info, check out my profile. Our access code is 24ZT5T2. See you if you decide to join us!
Becker's message was direct and tempting, but there was something about it that felt overly casual. His emphasis on money and thrills made her question his priorities. Still, she couldn't deny he seemed like someone who could be a wildcard in the game.
She took a moment to evaluate the three profiles carefully. Sara's profile highlighted her achievements and showcased an impressive team already assembled.
Tiger Jones's profile, by contrast, was filled with boastful statements and screenshots of high scores, painting him as a lone wolf. Becker's profile revealed a chaotic but tight-knit crew, complete with testimonials from past teammates about their unforgettable exploits.
"Interesting and persuasive," Cipher murmured to herself. After a moment of deliberation, she made her decision. "But my gut tells me to go with Sara."
Cipher decided to send Sara a message and was swiftly recruited. The response came almost immediately, and within moments, she was added to the team's interface.
"Welcome aboard, Cipher!" Sara's voice was warm and encouraging on the team's comm channel.
"Good, you made the right choice. Let's get started."
Melody, the game's AI guide, interrupted them with a mission briefing in her calm yet imposing tone.