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STAGE FIVE >> Nether Earth (Part Two)

This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this story are all products of the author's imagination used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to an actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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– Game Stats: STR (Strength)/VIT (Vitality)/ AGI (Agility)/INT (Intelligence) DEX (Dexterity) LUK (Luck) – this will be explained further as the story progresses.

– Monsters in Incarnate are divided into two types: Aggressive who will attack when the players reached their line of sight. Non-Aggressive who was usually harmless and can be found on lower-level fields or places.

– Monster Bosses are also divided into several types depending on their levels. Class A/B/C are low-level boss monsters. While VIP/S-Class are higher level bosses (more will be explained later).

– magicka or mana is an attribute assigned to characters within a role-playing or video game that indicates their power to use special magical abilities or "spells" Magic is usually measured in magic points or mana points, shortened as MP. Different abilities will use up different amounts of MP.

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[TW: This part contains content that some might find disturbing, reader's discretion is advised]

It appeared that the players weren't the only ones existing in this city. They could see several NPCs in the marketplace and even inside the Jade Palace. The castle was the largest edifice with thick high walls, and towers, a permanently garrisoned stronghold, and a comfortable stately residence.

Inside was even more impressive that it resembled a beautiful chapel that they only see online. It was like CGI brought to life. There were fishponds, orchards, and vineyards outside as well as gardens that supplied vegetables and herbs.

All players were ushered by the guards into the throne room, set up with elaborate pomp—raised with step. All its walls were lined with bas-relief decorations and portraits of unknown faces which they guessed might be connected to the royalties of this world, uncertain though if it will be a part of the canon.

Looking at the current number of people inside the throne room, it was amazing that they still didn't manage to fill the spacious hall. Yuki noticed that there were almost a thousand players which were astonishing because he didn't think that a lot of people would be interested in joining a game that was just released in the market.

Since this was the first time, no one expects a team to be mingling with other teams early on in this game. However, everyone could tell that everyone was staring and watching Yuki—or more appropriately—watching the character that Yuki created.

And who would blame them?

Before the players started questioning the NPC guards, one by one, the familiar AI characters started materializing in front of them, one for each team. Of course, the one on their team was none other than—

"Eiko?" the four chorused together.

Eiko was so much different from what she looked like earlier. She was even livelier, more humanly than the unemotional android girl, and was even wearing a costume.