Theo lightly slapped his face as he looked in the mirror, making sure this wasn’t just a dream. In the last two months, his life had changed as much as it possibly could.

He’d quit his job, left his family and friends behind, and was now on the verge of entering a completely new world. He hadn’t slept a wink all night. In just a few hours, the game would launch, and he’d get to create his new avatar.

His excitement was mixed with a tinge of nervousness, but he knew there was no turning back now.

Theo was already dressed and ready to head to the monitoring room where their game pods waited. Each room held 50 people, the same as in their briefing sessions. Every room had five doctors, whose only task was to monitor the players' health, along with a few nurses to assist.

"Let’s do this," he whispered to himself, taking one last look in the mirror. With a deep breath, he left his room and set off toward his destination.

-------------

"Are you ready?" Ji-Hoon asked as they met in the room.

Theo nodded. "And you?"

"Same."

"You’re making your avatar young again, right?" Theo grinned.

Ji-Hoon’s smile was impossible to hide, his hands fidgeting slightly. "That’s the plan."

"I’m glad for you," Theo said. "Make the most of it."

"That’s the goal," Ji-Hoon replied with a determined look.

"Then lets meet in-game. We already added each other", The bald old man nodded. He knew it was his chance, and he would make sure to use it well. 

-------------------

[Welcome to MythHaven, where your myth will shake all realms.]

A large screen appeared in Theo’s vision. His body was already secured in the gaming pod, fully monitored by the doctors and nurses outside. His current state felt strange and detached. He couldn’t feel his limbs, and when he tried moving his legs, as expected, nothing happened.

[Do you want to create your Avatar? Y/N]

Theo didn’t want to waste any time and selected “Yes.”

The welcome window closed, and before him appeared the figure of a blank, featureless man. The shape reminded him of a mannequin, like those used to display clothes in stores.

[Do you want to use your own body? Y/N]

Theo chose “Yes.”

In an instant, the figure morphed into a 3D likeness of himself. He observed it curiously, thinking, So this is how others see me.

Theo took a moment to appreciate his appearance. He had a sharp jawline, a slightly pointed nose, and clear skin. His short black hair and striking blue eyes completed the look, making him aware of his naturally handsome features.

He decided to make a few changes. First, he adjusted his height, raising it from his real-life 5’11” to a taller 6’2”. Then, he deepened his skin tone slightly, giving it a sun-kissed look that he had always liked. Finally, he adjusted his hairline, pushing it forward a bit. His original hairline had started to resemble a certain familiar anime character,  which always made him cry, especially considering he was only 25.

With each change, he felt like he was crafting a new, more ideal version of himself, one that would be stepping into the world of MythHaven.

[Are you finished? Y/N]

Satisfied with his appearance, Theo selected “Yes” and moved on to the next step.

[Choose Your Class]

A list of classes appeared before him, divided into two main categories: Fighter and Mage. Theo read through each description carefully, weighing his options.

Fighter Classes:

Swordsman: A basic fighter class that specializes in sword combat, focusing on agility and close-range attacks.

Lancer: This class focuses on using a spear, excelling in both mid-range attacks and defensive maneuvers.

Barbarian: Wielding axes, barbarians are brutal melee fighters known for their strength and powerful, sweeping attacks.

Knight: Using a heavy sword and shield, knights are skilled in both offense and defense, perfect for those who favor durability in combat.

Archer: Masters of the bow, archers excel in ranged combat, capable of attacking from afar and using stealth to their advantage.

Assassin: A stealth-based class with expertise in silent takedowns, assassins use smaller weapons and thrive in shadowy environments.

Mage Classes:

Fire Mage: This mage class controls the element of fire, capable of casting explosive and offensive spells that focus on damage.

Air Mage: Air mages wield wind-based spells, favoring agility and crowd control with abilities that push, pull, or disorient enemies.

Earth Mage: Earth mages harness the power of the ground, using defensive spells and attacks that focus on resilience and stability.

Water Mage: Water mages excel in healing and fluid combat, using water-based spells for support and control.

Summoner: Specializing in calling upon familiars or summoned creatures, summoners bring allies into battle, balancing offense and support.

Theo’s gaze lingered on each option. He felt drawn to a few of them, especially the Knight and Summoner classes, but knew that each choice would define his path forward in MythHaven.

After a moment’s pause, Theo took a deep breath, or at least tried to in this strange, virtual state, and made his choice.

[Are you sure? Y/N]

Without hesitation, he selected “Yes.”

[Select your starter village.]

A list of twenty villages appeared, each with a brief description. Theo scanned them carefully, narrowing down his choices to three favorites:

Seaspray Cove: A coastal fishing village with a vibrant seafaring culture.

Frosthaven: A secluded, snow-covered mountain village nestled in the peaks.

Willow’s Edge: A peaceful riverside village surrounded by lush willow trees.

There wasn’t much information, but at least it was enough to make an informed decision. Memories of fishing with his father made the coastal village appealing, while his love for winter and the idea of a tranquil mountain setting pulled him toward Frosthaven. Willow’s Edge, a simpler, more neutral option, promised a balanced start.

In the end, after a quick thought, he chose his village. Initially, he wanted to start in the same location as Ji-Hoon, but they weren’t given any way to communicate yet, and the specific village locations were left undisclosed.

[Are you sure? Y/N]

He confirmed again and moved to the next step.

[Choose your in-game name, and your faction.]

Name:

Faction: Light / Dark

Theo paused, considering his character’s identity carefully. Once he entered his chosen name and side, a final prompt appeared:

[Are you sure this is your wish? You won’t be able to change it. Y/N]

He gave one last confirming thought, and as soon as he did, his vision blurred. Everything around him faded as if the world itself were slipping away. Moments later, he lost consciousness.

------------------

As Theo woke up, he was surrounded by a crowd. Many of them were dressed in old, medieval-style clothes, and most had dirt on their faces and hands. They all stared at him curiously, as if he was some kind of mystery. When they saw him stir, they moved a little to give him some space, though they didn't back away too far.

An older man, his beard long and gray, stepped forward and looked at Theo with a mix of concern and curiosity. "You’re good, lad? My man found you when they returned from fishing. They found you in the sea."

Theo slowly sat up, scanning his clothes first. He was wearing black pants, solid dark shoes, and a rough black t-shirt. Nothing like the clothes he was used to in real life.

"Thank you for saving me," he said, his voice still groggy.

"Where am I?"

To his surprise, he understood them perfectly, even though they weren't speaking English. It was as though his brain had automatically translated everything for him.

The old man smiled, his wrinkled face creasing with the expression. "That’s good, lad," he said, patting Theo lightly on the shoulder. "Don’t worry. You’re safe now."

Theo nodded but tried to stand, feeling a bit disoriented. As he moved, the old man cleared his throat and quickly apologized. "Cough, cough. Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you."

"It’s fine," Theo reassured him, though his head was still spinning a little.

The old man looked at him more closely. "What’s your name, lad?"

"Theo," Theo replied, still trying to get his bearings.

"Theo, eh?" The old man nodded with approval. "Well, you can call me Old Cedric. That’s what everyone calls me around here." He seemed to study Theo for a moment, before asking, "But tell me, what were you doing out in the sea? It’s not safe out there."

Theo thought for a moment. He had to stick to the story. "I was with my crew, fishing. Then... something attacked us. I don’t remember much more after that." He hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I don’t even know where I am now."

Old Cedric nodded, his face becoming more serious. "Aye, we found you washed up near the shore. But there were no others." His expression softened with sympathy. "You were the only one."

Theo felt a twinge of disappointment, but he pushed it aside quickly. "It’s okay. I’m sure they survived somehow."

Cedric lowered his head slightly, as if pondering something. "Mayhaps they’re in one of the other villages nearby. It’s a big place, lad. They could be anywhere."

Theo looked around at the people and the surroundings. This place seemed like a small, coastal fishing village, a humble place to begin his adventure. He wasn’t sure what to expect next, but one thing was clear: he had to keep moving forward.

"Thanks again, Old Cedric," Theo said, standing up and brushing the sand off his clothes.

Cedric patted him on the back. "Aye, lad. Best of luck to you. If you need anything, we’re here."

Theo took a deep breath and looked around the village. It was quiet, but there was a sense of life here. People were working together, repairing boats, gathering supplies. He was about to embark on his journey, and while he didn't know what would come next, he was ready.