The Crystal Sphere (The Neuro Book #1) LitRPG Series Page 3

  "Where's the dotted line?"

  He promptly shoved a tablet into my hands.

  As I plunged back into the quagmire of agony, I pressed my finger to the biometric scanner window, confirming my decision.

  Chapter Two

  The Crystal Sphere. Login

  THE DWARF'S pick struck hard, procuring a cascade of ice fragments that sparked in the torch's light. His breath misted, his beard and mustache already covered with frost.

  This was all I managed to take in as I came round.

  His pick came down with another powerful swing. Ice crumbled all around me, cascading to the cave's floor and releasing me.

  "Finally," the miner grumbled. "Let's have a look. What have we got here?"

  A message appeared right in front of my eyes, startling me.

  Neuroimplant: activated

  Mind expander (Synaps, basic model): installed

  Activation successful

  Mnemonic interface downloaded

  Alternative start point: set up.

  You've received a new ability: Two Worlds. From now on, you'll be able to experience the same range of sensations in cyberspace as in the real world. Courtesy of the neuroimplant, all your skills and reflexes will be identical regardless of the time and place of their initial acquisition.

  For your information: all interface types are currently set to 'cyberspace' by default.

  The dwarf recoiled, replacing the pick with a battle hammer that surged with pulses of lightning.

  "Who is it, Togien?" a voice came from the dark. Judging by the echo, the cave wasn't very big.

  "It's all right. It's only a specter. I'll sort him out."

  Focusing on me, the dwarf began to incant some kind of spell, his voice grim and low. I couldn't make out the words apart from the final phrase,

  "Whoever you are, begone to where you belong!"

  Another system message appeared in my mental view, overlapping the cave's interior,

  Welcome to the Crystal Sphere!

  Please choose your race.

  The cave around me became a freeze frame. I watched the tame bolt of lightning entwine the hilt of the dwarf's sword. He was short and stocky, clad in a pair of leather pants and a jacket with sown-on protective links of some dull metal. A pointed helmet was perched on his head.

  The dwarf's eyes glared at me from under his bushy eyebrows. His frosted salt-and-pepper beard was plaited and could use a good dose of dye. The metal inlays of his gear too could have done with a polish. His jacket was patched, his helmet dented. He was more than likely a grave robber.

  Well, well, well. Did that mean that until I created my character, he could only see me as a ghost? How interesting. Was my arrival in the Crystal Sphere part of some global event? I didn't think so. Most likely, the dwarf couldn't overcome his craving for gold and had decided to check out the cave.

  His torch was wedged into a small crevice in the wall. Its flame was static now, fancy swirls of smoke hanging in the air. The torch illuminated a small area covered in large globules of transparent ice entrapping various objects. The picture was reminiscent of some shipwreck flotsam brought into a cave by a turbulent ocean and instantly frozen.

  I was curious, of course, but this wasn't the right moment to enjoy the views. I had more important things to take care of.

  Oops.

  This neuroimplant of theirs was actually quite good! It seemed to be able to recognize my thoughts and react accordingly. The moment I'd thought about creating a character, several translucent images appeared in my view, apparently symbolizing the available races.

  Excellent. Mechanically I focused on one of them. Immediately the picture zoomed in and took center stage, acquiring detail.

  The mnemonic interface was a pleasure to look at. It was simple and functional. Even though its icons overlapped the general picture around me, they didn't hinder your perception. I quickly discovered, by some basic trial and error, that you could activate icons by swiping them with your eyes. The system was constantly following my gaze, promptly determining if I was focusing on something or other.

  A long line of holograms loomed out of the dark. It wasn't for nothing the Crystal Sphere claimed superiority over all other game worlds. Having to choose from hundreds of races many of which were only represented by small fringe groups imported from other game settings wouldn't be at all easy. You could spend weeks just studying their respective properties.

  Still, I'd already made my choice. Considering this implant of theirs, I was going to stay human, simply for safety reasons. I still couldn't forget my conversation with the Corporation rep. None of the exotic races could suit me for the simple reason that I had no idea how the neuroimplant would behave in an unhuman body, generating some totally alien perceptions.

  I gulped. The dwarf may have been frozen in time — but I wasn't. I was freezing, literally. This was a definite drawback. How could a specter experience physical discomfort?

  I had to hurry. I didn't like this icy cave. I had to go out into the warm sunlight.

  I was full of projects and hopes. During our last meeting, Mr. Borisov dryly thanked me for recommending Christa to them. She'd agreed to participate. I was going to find her. We had a lot to discuss.

  Something had changed around me almost imperceptibly. I noticed a chunk of ice below to my left. It looked as if the dwarf had initially tried to hack it off with his pick but had failed. Now the deep cracks piercing the ice had lit up by a tiny flame glimmering within.

  I took a better look. The flame was emitted by a fiery aura enveloping a doubled-up figure inside.

  The creature stirred. The light grew slightly brighter, blurring the ice from the inside as it began to melt. The cavity within kept growing, filling with swirling steam.

  This player who was about to escape his icy prison — was he also one of us? Did he have a neuroimplant too?

  Never mind. Time would tell. Enough stalling! Time for me to get out of here!

  So, let's have a look at their choice of human races.

  Racial bonus: Determination

  You receive two bonus points to add to any characteristic of your choice at your convenience, plus another skill point every five levels.

  Not bad at all.

  I pressed Confirm.

  A new choice of character classes followed.

  Normally, every class supported two skill development branches: the main one, available to everyone, and an additional one which could only be opened at level 50.

  Considering my choice of race, I could pick from among a Warrior, a Wizard, a Hunter, a Light or Dark Knight, a Monk, a Sorcerer, a Rogue — the list went on and on thanks to their account transfer option.

  Wait a sec. What was that now? In the midst of all the predictable and expected classes I suddenly noticed a name that struck a familiar note, reminding me of recent events,

  A Neuro

  I swiped my eyes across the name, activating it.

  The Founder Gods, creators of all living beings, used to possess a unique wealth of knowledge, endowing our ancestors with a whole number of long-forgotten abilities.

  In bygone days, the Founders visited a great number of the worlds which have since disappeared without a trace. Still, we are reminded of the consequences of their genetic intervention as various nations give occasional birth to a Neuro: a creature whose true potential is still dormant.

  Could you be one of them?

  Class bonus: a unique development branch not tied in with the character's specialization, available at level 5.

  Would you be up to the challenge?

  Accept: Yes/No

  It looked like I could forget my habitual choice, a Warrior. The temptation was too great. I also had a gut feeling that this class had appeared on the list for a reason. I was pretty sure that normal players didn't have this option.

  In a swipe of my eyes, I accepted.

  Please wait. Character generation in progress.

  Merging... Scann
ing...

  Character generation complete.

  Name: Alexatis

  Race: Human

  Gender: Male

  Class: Neuro

  Please confirm or go back to edit your avatar.

  He looked the split image of myself: skinny, pale and unshaven. Not the best version of me.

  I edited his build here and there, added a darker hue to his skin and got rid of the stubble. Much better now.

  I quite liked the nickname. It sounded unpretentious and similar enough to my own name.

  I lingered. It felt like diving from a great height. The moment I pressed the button, my new virtual life would begin.

  In the meantime, the melting block of ice had thawed through in the middle, forming a hole that sent a net of cracks in all directions.

  Enveloped in steam, surrounded by a weak but already clear fire aura, the creature inside turned out to be... a demon!

  Its spidery fingers clutched at the fragile ice, crumbling it, until they found a holdfast. The demon emitted a weak groan as it began to pull itself out of its ice prison. Long rear-facing spines ran the whole length of its forearms. They grew through the demon's grayish olive skin which was covered in asymmetrical black swirls.

  Its muscles tensed. The creature eased itself out, peeping its head and shoulders out of the hole in the ice.

  The recognition petrified me.

  Christa?

  Her short ash-blond hair, her fiery gaze, the thin line of her pursed lips — these were features I knew, familiar and yet strangely different. Repulsive.

  Glinting with darkness, a supple suit of armor clung to her body, protecting her chest, stomach and hips.

  Unlike me, Christa hadn't wasted her time.

  I hurried to confirm my character choice. Once again time began to fly by. I jumped to my feet, shivering with cold in my canvas shirt and pants, still in disbelief of her horrible choice, hoping it was a mistake.

  "Get out of my way!"

  Her fiery aura became more pronounced, outlining a burning name tag,

  Christa. Level 1. Demon

  I knew why her name hadn't changed. She'd told me she'd had it legally registered.

  "Christa, it's me!"

  "As if I can't see," her glare faded, acquiring an almost human expression, then burned again, oozing an uncontrollable, impetuous fury. "Out my way!" she hissed, snake-like.

  "Hey noobs! You've got a cheek!" the dwarf's amazed voice broke the heavy silence. "How did you get here?"

  He never received an answer.

  "Alex, step aside."

  "No, I won't," I could be stubborn too. "What were you thinking about, creating this abomina-"

  She responded with a lightning attack. The spines on her arms ripped through my shoulder, grazing my throat. My chest seized with agonizing pain. I dropped to my knees. She leaped at the dwarf, her tail lashing him across the face. For a brief moment her body clung to the low ice-covered ceiling, then she darted into the tunnel that oozed a cold draft.

  My Life bar faded. My neuroimplant was pumping my brain with sensations of harrowing agony like nothing I'd ever experienced before.

  "Don't overact," the dwarf cringed. A crimson scar ran across his cheek. "Gwain, where the hell are you!" he bellowed.

  The sounds of scampering footsteps came from the tunnel. "Togien, did you see that?" Another dwarf arrived — a Monk, judging by his gear. "What kind of fire monster was that?"

  "A demon," Togien replied, than added, "Give the noob a heal, pronto!"

  A healing aura enveloped me. I breathed again. My Life bar quivered and began to grow.

  The pain subsided. Still, I'd already learned my first lesson in the world of Crystal Sphere. Its authenticity levels were really off the scale.

  "Better now?" the dwarf hid a good-natured smile within his mustache, apparently misunderstanding my stare. "Don't worry. I don't hurt babies. I'm not a grave robber. I'm just a bit down on my luck gear-wise," he stroked his beard mechanically.

  "Thanks," I sat up, looking around me.

  "How did you get here, anyway... Alexatis? This is miles away from the nearest nursery."

  "Must have been a glitch. I've no idea how it happened."

  "Have you tried to log out and log back in again?"

  I maintained a moody silence. I didn't want to lie to him — and I couldn't tell him the truth.

  "Never mind. It's gonna be all right," he said. "You can stay with us if you want. We won't be here long. We just want to check this cave out. I'd like you to meet Gwain. He's my nephew. A real-life nephew, I mean."

  This Togien turned out to be a nice guy, after all.

  "Thanks for the heal, Gwain," I said.

  He beamed. "That's not a problem."

  I got the impression that Togien was quite strict with his nephew and didn't mete praise out gladly.

  "We level up Archeology, you know," Gwain added. "It may be a secondary profession and all that, but still-" he cut himself short, meeting his uncle's disapproving glare.

  "Too much information! Grab your pick and go back to work! Alexatis, you'd better stand aside — better still, wait in the tunnel before one of those ice fragments does you some serious damage! Just meditate or read some guides, or whatever."

  I complied. I did have a few things to ponder over.

  Togien and Gwain began hacking at the ice, digging for artifacts. Admittedly, they were good at what they did.

  I focused on a transparent ice bauble encasing one of the objects, its outlines showing vaguely through the frosty surface.

  A Large Block of Ice

  Durability: 70/70

  The two dwarves must have specialized in Mining. Their picks effortlessly crumbled the fragile crystals. They were giving it their all. I really should keep a safe distance: at level 1, I only had 50 pt. Life. The first large fragment of ice flying my way would be the end of me.

  I had no idea where their resurrection point was. I'd been lucky enough to have come across two such friendly individuals. Togien was level 18 and his nephew, 12. Which meant they also hadn't been in the Crystal Sphere long.

  The tunnel was damp, water streaking down its walls. The depths of this underground maze exuded subterranean heat.

  The tunnel floor was overgrown with soft pale moss. I slumped down onto it, watching the fancy play of light from a torch wedged in a crack by the cave entrance.

  My first impressions were sharp and contradictory.

  Before, I could never understand why the choice of race was considered a "social act". I'd even gotten into a heated argument with some smartass on the Middle Earth forum about it. My point had been, the reason I'd chosen a Warrior was because I wanted that particular set of abilities, and nothing else!

  I might have been wrong, I agree. Everything we hide deep inside our hearts under a fine veneer of social conventions is released into the virtual world. You can't really play a holier-than-thou Paladin if you have a tendency for much lowlier behavior. That's how it happens that by changing chars and adding various alt characters — who might suddenly become our main ones — we look for our online identity. Sooner or later, we all find it.

  Did that mean I'd known nothing about Christa? Back in the Middle Earth, she'd still been trying to control herself — while here she'd finally lost it, complying with the voice of pain devouring her from inside.

  I could change nothing, anyway. Our choices had been made. It was unlikely we'd ever cross paths again. Unless it was in battle.

  * * *

  I opened my interface, about to distribute the available points, when the earth shuddered, showering me with crumbling rock from the tunnel's ceiling.

  A chain of powerful shocks ran through the tunnel, dying in the distance.

  The two dwarves ran out of the cave and froze, listening to the far-off rumble of rockfalls. Judging by their alarmed expressions, nothing like this had ever happened here before.

  "It has to be the City Guild and its wizards," Togien gr
umbled. "Let's go back in, Gwain. It seems to be all right now."

  They returned to their work. I proceeded with my character research.

  Alexatis. Level 1. Neuro.

  Life, 50/50

  Physical Energy, 37/50

  Mental Energy, 50/50

  Physical Defense, 2.5 (homespun clothes, 0)

  Physical Attack, 2,5 (weapons not equipped)

  Mental Defense, 0.5% (abilities not activated)

  Mental Attack, 0 (spells not studied)

  Mental Energy Regeneration, 2,5 pt./sec (Spirit divided by 2)

  Strength, 5

  Intellect, 5

  Agility, 5

  Stamina, 5

  Spirit, 5

  Main Professions, Not opened

  Achievements, None

  You have 7 main characteristic points available.

  At first, everything seemed simple enough.

  Strength was responsible for the amount of damage dealt by Physical Attack, as well as for the weight the char was capable of carrying and the numbers of absorbed incoming damage when parrying.

  Intellect was responsible for the amount of Mental Energy as well as the damage dealt by spells. It also affected the char's Learning Skills and the amount of XP (experience) received.

  Agility was responsible for the char's reaction times which affected all of his actions in some way or another.

  Stamina determined the amount of Health points that decided the quantity of the char's Life.

  Spirit decided the char's resistance to magic attacks, increasing his or her chances of blocking a spell or continuing to cast one while being attacked.

  Still, in practice it wasn't that clear-cut and easy. A char's main characteristics were all interrelated. Their interactions could be calculated using special formulas. To give you a rather exaggerated example, every weapon had such characteristics as Weight and Damage. A strong character would have no problem lifting a heavy mace and using it to deal a hit that would strip his or her opponent of (say) 10 HP. But a character who is strong and agile would be able to strike twice in the same amount of time dealing double damage — because the high Agility numbers would increase his Attack Speed.