Adventure Arklands was a massive VR online game, offering everything a player could want: vast factions, countless classes, rare equipment, bustling trading, guild politics, and more. But unlike most MMOs, it was a story-driven world, where every player's choices could shape the course of the game itself. Each person's experience was different, and the current main quest Chapter 1 was ongoing.
Millions logged in daily, but only a select few had gained access to the main quest. Most players wandered the lands, exploring side stories, leveling up, or chasing minor objectives. Only a handful could pursue the rare quest to uncover the missing pieces of truth. This made the main quest incredibly prestigious, the ultimate mark of a serious player.
Servers existed in every country, each offering a unique environment. And the game was created by the legendary Ark Corporation, a company so wealthy and powerful that no government could ever control it.
Inside the Game
A massive shadow loomed in the gloom of the cave. A claw as wide as a man, a jagged mouth dripping saliva.
"Rawr!"
The player in front of it, dagger gripped tightly, froze for a split second before reacting. The monster's swing was fierce but Harty moved faster. A single slash. The monster's head fell.
"Weak mobs," Harty muttered, stepping back, his glowing dark dagger dripping in the cave's dim light.
[User: Harty | HP: 370/460 | Lvl: 18 | Class: Assassin | Guild: Groundcastle]
[You've slain Cave Giant Wolf | Lvl 14]
A hand waved from the shadows.
"Hey! Harty!"
Harty recognized it immediately.
"Oh, Tree. How did the search go?"
[User: Tree | HP: 269/300 | Lvl: 10 | Class: Nature Healer | Guild: Groundcastle]
Tree gasped for air, crouched low. His face was disappointed.
"We didn't find anything. No traces, no clues," he said, shaking his head.
Harty's chest tightened.
"Soon, it'll be us holding the main quest, not the top guild," he said grimly. He felt a chill. Something stronger was nearby.
"Let's go! More monsters are respawning!"
They ran toward the cave's exit, the shadows swallowing their footsteps.
But deep inside, red eyes glowed in the darkness. Saliva dripped from the unseen jaws. Something waited.
Back to the MC in beginning room
A notification flashed across my vision.
[Tutorial Quest in Progress]
I grinned, my excitement bubbling over. I'd played plenty of PC RPGs, but this VR game felt different. Alive. Real.
"It feels like this world is real!"
The tall guy suddenly talked.
"Welcome to arklands Now, choose a class."
[Warrior | Mage | Healer | Defender]
I paused, analyzing. Choosing the wrong starter class could ruin the early game. I knew the common picks, the meta classes.
"Heh… this one's easy," I muttered.
[You've chosen Warrior]
The tall guy prompted for my name.
"Past," I typed confidently.
[Your name is Past. You are entering a random village.]
"Random village? So… this is like gacha?"
[Player Past, I'm the system avatar here, good luck on your journey of saving the world.]
"So… you're the system's avatar? I thought you were some creepy NPC or something—"
Before I continue what I'm saying a brilliant light engulfed me. When it cleared, I was standing in the middle of a village so detailed it could have been real.
"Is this… the actual game?!" My voice cracked. The streets, the NPCs going about their business, even the gentle rustle of leaves it was stunning.
[Village of Sarandrum | Recommended Level: 15]
[You are the first player to set foot here. Reward: 2 random stat points.]
I frowned at the reward.
"Two stat points? Stingy. Fine, let's find the main quest."
I walked the streets, taking in the incredible detail. NPCs moved naturally, interacted with each other, and the village felt alive.
"I feel… this is my game."
Yet there were no other players.
"Ah… so it's single-player."
It made sense. Online games couldn't handle graphics this detailed. Too many players, too much processing. This had to be single-player.
I spotted an adventurer tavern and headed toward it. The signboard beside the door shimmered with a gold question mark.
"A quest," I muttered.
I grabbed the paper and swung the tavern door open.
Inside, it was empty. Except for one NPC.
"Ah… hello," he said, looking surprised. "I'm the quest innkeeper. How can I help you?"
I slammed the paper onto his desk.
"I want this quest."
[Accepted Quest: Gather the Cave Herb]
The innkeeper smiled politely.
"Quest accepted. Proceed carefully, and good luck."
"Thanks!" I waved, and he returned the gesture.
Outside, I checked my stats:
[User: Past | Lvl 1 | HP 100/100 | Class: Warrior]
[Stats: STR 1, AGI 1, INT 1, VIT 2, DEX 2, LUCK 1]
[Skills: Hard slash hit lvl 1]
[Quest: Gather the Cave Herb (Rare) 0/5]
[Description: Herbs are essential to alchemists. Collect 5 herbs from Aerie Dark Cave, south of Sarandrum Village near the lake.]
"South, huh? Alright. Let's go."
The cave was dark. Too dark.
A player cowered on the ground, pleading for life.
"Th-this isn't happening—"
A claw smashed down.
[Player in party died due to monster. Death penalty applied.]
Nearby, another player hid, eyes wide with fear, mouth covered. He trembled, pressing himself against the cave wall.
"I… I should be here…"
And that was the reality of Adventure Arklands. Not just a game. A world where every choice mattered.