Chapter 2: The Night Before Launch
As a brand new immersive online game, Dream of the Mists only requires players to wear a gaming helmet and be in an area with network coverage to log in and experience it. However, it is recommended to play in a quiet place to avoid distractions from the real world.
The promotional efforts for Dream of the Mists can be described as unprecedented; almost no internet user is unaware of it, and even those who are not fond of going online have learned a little about it.
It’s not uncommon to find players like Zane, who want to make a fortune in the game. After all, everyone is curious about this game with a realistic simulation rate of 99%. As long as they can seize opportunities, countless chances await them in the game.
After walking for a full hour, they returned to the traffic jam, but the situation hadn’t improved. The roads were even more congested. It couldn’t be helped; after all, today was the pre-sale date, wasn’t it?
Holding two gaming helmets, Brother Shiu and Zane rode away on their Little Donkey under the envious gazes of passersby.
…
Back in the small house, which was Brother Shiu’s rental apartment but now used as a refuge for Zane.
“The official launch time is 8 AM tomorrow. We still have time to study the strategy to avoid being clueless when the game starts,” Zane analyzed.
“… While you were researching, I already checked the official website,” Brother Shiu boasted.
“Oh? Tell me about it.”
“First of all, this is a fantasy-themed online game. According to the information available on the official website, players can choose from three main races at login: Human Race, Beast Race, and Elf Race. Of course, each race has different branches, but the official site hasn’t provided specific details, so it looks like we’ll have to figure it out when the game launches.”
Pausing for a moment, Brother Shiu continued, “These races are similar to previous representations. Choosing humans grants a 3% increase in intelligence, beastmen get a 3% increase in strength, while elves enjoy a 3% increase in agility. All these races belong to the Light Faction. On the contrary, there’s the Dark Faction, but there’s not much information about it, and I can’t say for sure, as it might include hidden races, which are likely out of reach for ordinary players like us.”
“What about classes?” Zane was more concerned about this.
“The classes are similar to traditional online games. There are nine main classes: Swordsman, Archer, Mage, Assassin, Knight, Priest, Summoner, Brawler, and Bard. You need to reach level 10 and leave the Beginner Village before you can change your class.”
“What class do you plan to play?” Zane asked.
“Of course, I’m going for the Mage. High damage output, plus I have the magic shield and Blink as two major skills, making my survival abilities top-notch. What about you? What will you play?” Brother Shiu said.
“… I don’t know what I want to play yet. Maybe I’ll wait until level 10 to see if I get a hidden class,” Zane replied.
“You’re dreaming big,” Brother Shiu responded, speechless.
…
After excitedly discussing the game for most of the day, they both felt a bit hungry, so they went downstairs to the local eatery for some fried rice.
There’s no way around it; Zane still hasn’t found a job and has no source of income, so he had to be frugal. Fried rice with a clear soup costs 5 bucks and fills him up—what a bargain!
Midnight.
Anticipation overwhelmed him, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the game. How far would he get in it?
He checked his phone and saw that almost all gaming groups were buzzing with news about Dream of the Mists.
But there was one exception.
This was a gaming group he had joined early on, from another game that accompanied him throughout almost his entire university life. He was the old leader of this group and the only leader; even the actual owner of the group held less status than him.
Unfortunately, after graduation, he no longer had time to lead the group. Without the core, it naturally fell into decline.
Thinking about the launch of Dream of the Mists tomorrow, he felt a bit emotional and suddenly wanted to ask if anyone planned to play.
Dream of the Mists launches tomorrow. Are you all…
Before he could finish typing, someone else jumped in.
Snowy: The new game is launching tomorrow! Is anyone interested?
This message also prompted the lurking group members to come out of hiding.
Nangong: Dream of the Mists? I already bought my helmet; just waiting to dive in tomorrow!
Eggsy: No money! What a junk game, requiring 5,000 just to start! I won’t play for anything.
Zanny’s cousin: Is Zanny playing? If Zanny is, I’ll join too!
…
Long-lost friends in the group expressed their opinions, and Zane felt it was enough and inserted a comment.
Zanny: Yeah, I’m in for the launch.
Traveler: Zanny is playing too? Then I’ll check it out tomorrow.
Snowy: The leader is also playing? That’s great! We have a team!
Zanny’s cousin: Hehe, I’ll play too!
Heartlock: The helmets must be sold out by now. If we want to play, we’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s stock. By then, we’ll certainly lag behind others.
Zanny’s cousin: Then let Zanny lead me!
…
These people… Zane couldn’t help but chuckle. It had been so long since they had teamed up, and they probably missed it terribly.
That’s good, there will be someone to rely on while playing games.
Just as his thoughts drifted, Zane fell into a drowsy sleep.
The necklace around his chest flickered for a moment before dimming again.
…
Here it came again; Zane observed the appearance of the newcomer.
Holding a black bow, wrapped in a brown scarf and headscarf that concealed their head, they had a fierce look in their eyes, making them seem like no good person.
It seemed aware of the girl’s strength—now standing on a large tree several dozen meters away, it drew its bow, ready to unleash an attack.
Indeed, it was the girl.
Although Zane could sense everything about her, he had no control. The girl herself was also unaware of Zane’s presence.
Since his memories began, Zane discovered that whenever he entered deep sleep, he would enter this dreamland.
The protagonist of the dream is this girl named Starry.
Zane shares Starry’s body, but he can only watch and feel.
From the initial discomfort to now enjoying himself, Zane has fully adapted.
All the dreams strung together could create a classic story of Starry’s growth—an archetype of a protagonist: her parents harmed in her childhood, taken away by a master, learning swordsmanship for three years, achieving some success before her master mysteriously vanished, leading to an endless life of wandering.
Unknowingly, she became a renowned heroine.
Although the story is cliché, Zane could say that as a participant, he experienced all these events—the heart-wrenching loss of his parents, the confusion and misunderstanding following the master’s disappearance, and the hardships and bitterness of years of drifting. No one understands Starry better than he does, because he has felt these same emotions.
However, each time he saw the scenes in the dream, upon waking up in reality, everything would become extremely vague, merely vaguely remembering what had happened. But upon returning to the dream, the past would resurface vividly in his memory.
