The Fake Player

Chapter 2 - A meeting of Heroes

Within the world of YGGDRASIL lies nine playable realms for the players to explore, fight in, and conquer. All modeled and named after the real-life Norse Mythology. Those worlds being;

Niflheimr: Niflheim, the world of fog, mist, and ice.

Múspellsheimr: Muspelheim, the land of fire. Home to the fable fire giants and inferno demons.

Miðgarðr: Midgard, the realm of humanity.

Jötunheimr: Jotunheim, the home of the giants.

Álfheimr: Alfheim, the birthplace of the elves.

Niðavellir: Nidavellir, the home of the dwarves.

Vanaheimr: Vanaheim, home to the Vanir Gods.

Ásgarðr: Asgard, home to the Aesir Gods.

And finally, Helheim or Hel, the realm of the dishonorable dead.

Each separate world was beyond massive, with an approximate estimation of 6,800 total kilometers square in size. Combined, the nine different worlds covered roughly 59,130-kilometer squares. An insanely large overworld especially when they consider that there's no fast traveling viable within the game. Save for players teleporting from one starting town to another in order to access a specific area within the world.

Starting towns for players were located near the center of the world and everything else was spread outwards and all around. The various location and areas within the world gradually become tougher as one moves farther away from the center. Enemies rise in level, the environment can change to become disadvantageous if a player isn't properly prepared and it always comes with the threat of death resulting in players possibly losing a piece of valuable equipment. There were some safe areas or locations that served as a brief safe zone but nothing more.

These restrictions were nearly doubled for those that choose to play as Heteromorphic characters. Technically all nine playable worlds are open up to the players be they humanoid, demi-human, or heteromorph but depending on what a player character maybe it can limit where they can go. For example, an undead heteromorphic player was incapable of walking into any populated town within Midgard. They would need to choose a spawn point far removed from the area.

Demi-human faces some of these restrictions but not to the level of heteromorphs. Humanoid players, such as humans, elves, and dwarfs don't have such restrictions. Another reason why humanoid players were by far the most common. They were not hindered by the YGGDRASIL worlds.

November 8th, 2129. World: Niflheim. The Shores of Ice. Recommended level: 50-55

Within the Niflheim the virtual sun shone bright this day, a cloudless sky spanning far and wide. The sun shone brightly, illuminating all under its ray. On a certain set of grassy fields, a dense and visible mist permeated the plains, shrouding the quiet and quant field. What little bit of sunlight that broke through the fog glistened off the droplet of waters. Dew decorated the untouched blades of grass, their form wavering as a gust of wind blew by. No mobs or POP occupied the grassland, leaving all sanguine.

"Don't lose him!" From the mist, several beams of light shot out in random directions but hit nothing. Jumping out of the fog moments later was Shirou, his trusted black bow in hand.

With a leap, he traced three arrows and notched them back. Reaching the max height of his jump he released them back into the fog, their tips infused with mana. The three arrows detonated a second later, the explosion blowing away the fog to reveal a group of five players. Descending, one of his pursuers rushed at him.

"Hold still! [Consecutive Spiral Thrust]!" The players roared and brought up a thick silver cavalry lance with an asymmetrical design. Shirou's eyes landed on the weapon and immediately categories the weapon and stored a copy of it within his Unlimited Blade Works. The tip of the weapon glowed, and the player thrust forward. YGGDRASIL system recognized the activation of a skill as the body of the player ran on autopilot and sought to complete the action.