Project Anima : A Virtual Reality / Reincarnated Tale

Chapter 1: Character Creation

The man woke up in a pristine, white room.

His mind felt vivid and clear. Across him was a reflective floor, extending as far as the eye can see. There was not a single blemish anywhere—everything was pure.

Am I dead?

"Welcome to Defiant Sins Online," a voice spoke.

Some fox-like girl had materialized in front of him, shimmering from blue lines and into existence. She was garbed in a simplistic one-piece clothing, akin to a traditional Chinese dress. A pointed, wide brimmed hat was on her head.

She reminded him of an archetypal mage.

But the most perplexing aspect were the canid features—fox ears protruding from her head and hat, and the aloof tail swaying back and forth.

Defiant Sins...Online? Is this a dream?

The vixen bowed. "Before I walk you through the Starting and Character Creation phase, I would need to register your brain signature to the Game System."

Character Creation? Brain Signature? Game System?

"Please brace yourself," the vixen smiled. "This shall take only a few seconds."

Before the man could ready himself, a hyper succession of millions of images flashed in the room. Blinking, he stepped back with astonishment. It felt like he had just tried recalling every general concept in existence—all at once. When he opened his eyes, he noticed that the room was back to its milky ambiance.

"Signature success." The vixen smiled, leaning closer to him. She tapped his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"What was that?" the man said.

"It's your brain signature," the vixen said. "Resources have been all mapped according to your mind, so the Game System can determine how to render the environment."

He eyed her. "This...is a game?"

"Of course," she said. "Now, let me begin the Starting phase."

"Wait," he was about to say, until the vixen spoke.

"Everything takes place in the grand world of Alcerrah," she said.

As soon as the fox mage had said the words, a simulation of colors and 4D substance rippled across the previously white room. The man held his breath. He was now standing at a wide grassland, where fantasy monsters frolicked about. Towns fringed the horizon.

The simulation pulsed, shifting from fantastical towns, cities, forests, caves, deserts, castles, and mountains. The man whirled around, eyeing the wondrous environments filled with magical creatures and folk.

Next thing he knew, he was standing at the edge of a precipitous cliff. He stared in wonder. Overlooking the horizon was an immensely tall, magnificent castle, its glassy spires piercing the clouds. The sheer height of the structure gave him vertigo.

"This is the Citadel, seat of the Five Mythic Kings," the vixen said, standing beside him at the cliff edge. "All laws in the land are passed by these great rulers. And it is also, the final level in the game, for those brave and worthy enough to enter."

Final Level, huh?

"You said laws?"

"Yes, indeed. In DSO, there are certain degrees of laws. Those who break these laws are penalized based on severity of the crime. They can also be jailed for a certain duration, or in other words, banned temporarily from playing."

"What kind of laws?"

"The most important are the Three Eternal Laws—don't unlawfully kill a player, don't violate a player, and don't hack the game."