Chapter 1copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRCI94UvRK
Bryan opened his eyes after what felt like just a few moments had passed. He sat up from the hard wood floor and rubbed his head. Everything seemed relatively normal. He was still in Charlie’s bed room, surrounded by the unconscious figures of Aaron, Ashley, Christina, Jessie, and Kyle.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVeOT5hFT9
If that could be considered normal.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3jpcOYQRy
He made sure everyone in the room was still breathing and took a few quiet steps out into the living room. Some of the guys had already started stirring, and everyone seemed to have some headache-like discomfort.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡdApPiyUd4L
“Hey, you alright?” Bryan walked over to Charlie and shook him slightly.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVHdKAi1gc
“Huh?” Charlie always seemed to ask that when someone woke him up, “what happened?”copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAft0riZi9
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Bryan helped him to his feet while everyone else was becoming fully awake.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvKWl3ufhy
Before anyone could really do anything, everybody was already asking each other “what happened?” But no one knew the answer.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fuIseiLgy
[Good morning.]copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq9cUaEd9W
A pleasant-sounding voice sounded in everyone’s ears. It was soft and tranquil; most were instantly sure it was a woman speaking.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHs7DNa83r
“I just want to make sure, but I’m not the only one who heard that right?” Vu asked.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4HcMar4VH
One by one people voiced their affirmation. Everybody had heard it.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS8N42YJf8
“Ah good, I’m not going crazy yet then,” Vu quipped.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCP8KtWVBZ
[Welcome, newcomers, to Aphospea, a world of freedom unbound.]copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡni34vQeWVa
Casey, Corey, Jerry, Nik, Vu, and Zhao all seem interested in what’s going on for their own various reasons, while Charlie simply went back on his phone—likely expecting someone to explain it to him later. Of course, Bryan was interested too, but walked back into Charlie’s bedroom to check on the others first. Much like everyone in the living room, no one was sure what was going on, but Aaron and Kyle were listening relatively attentively to the strange voice’s words.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy2Lm7OlQ3
[The world you now find yourselves in is very different from the world you have come from. Here, your options are limitless. Survive, acquire skills and abilities, and grow strong and influential!]copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwGjFrNCmo
Anyone who’s read certain online novels or watched certain anime would instantly find that kind of a line familiar. With varying amounts of anxiety mixed with excitement, those who were interested could hardly wait to hear what was next. For others, it was much more anxiety than excitement.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJHGNcw28r
[Your options are limitless! Survive, acquire skills and abilities, grow strong and influential! The Crest emblazoned on the back of your non-dominant hand will help you monitor your progress.]copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM0fxnmlId
All at once, everyone noticed it. A decorative but tribal looking tattoo had inexplicably appeared on the back of their hands. The lines were black; some were wavy while others were jagged, but they all came together to form a wicked set of wings. It was impressive—a little over the top—but if it did everything all the guys were imagining it did, it was likely that no one would really care.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcK6vqxi2T
[Simply touch the Crest, or think Status Window to display the Crest’s most basic feature. As you discover new things and features, messages like the one you are hearing now will give you a basic understanding as to not leave you completely clueless.]copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEDpkqCQtK
What happened next was to be completely expected. Everyone’s interest was piqued when they heard “status window”; its implications were many and far reaching. Whether it was by touching the Crest or thinking the command, everyone wanted to see their Status Windows. Bryan was so excited that the split second it took for the window to appear felt like an eternity.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGwiV4Fipn
It was exactly what he was expecting it to be. It hovered just an inch above the back of his hand, and would continuously turn so that no matter how he looked at it or what position his arm was in, he could see the information easily. The window itself was semi-transparent and rectangular, with little greyed out tabs near the top edge. Only the first—and current—tab wasn’t greyed out, the Status tab.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPAgV5GtoJ
<Name: Bryan Chan> <Age: 21> <Race: Human> <Sex: Male>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6nZvIq7zU
<Level: 1> <Class: Newcomer>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRAp9wtPOT
<HP: 100/100> <MP: 0/0>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkINBETi7h
<Strength: 10>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uopuT7V1G
<Dexterity: 10>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUxqjHWNwL
<Constitution: 11>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK6pxH4qZc
<Intelligence: 10>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0G6pb0x61
<Magic: 0>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWVLmftj2Z
<Charisma: 11>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IKa8hScHR
<Luck: 5>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡopS5wigwPn
<Passive Skills: Gamer’s Mind, and Gamer’s Body>copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3juOGJhZM
As far as the stats went, 10 was probably the average. Bryan knew he was somewhat lacking in strength, but seeing a numeric representation of his strength as a 10 really cheered him up. He could understand having 0 Magic, but honestly hoped that the Luck stat was somehow different from the others—otherwise, 5 would be an abysmal number.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4u1eDi7Q0
Everyone started comparing stats. After some discussion, the group figured that 10 was most likely actually the average for everything except Magic and Luck. Everyone had 0 Magic; while most members of the group had around 5 Luck. Corey and Jessie were a little luckier, and had 6 Luck.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeqRkW9BtZ
Then there was Jerry. With 9 Luck.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡY22iwQYg8Y
There was some speculation that the Luck stat went on a scale from 1-10 and just went back and forth depending on fortuitous or un-fortuitous encounters, but there would currently be no way to tell. Everyone had to stifle their jealousy to start discussing the actual situation and what to do about it. The most surprising thing was probably that no one was freaking out or panicking. Did it have something to do with the Passive Skills? Everyone had them.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p2xrhaKo0
Unfortunately, tapping on the skill names in the Status Window didn’t display a skill description, so figuring out what the two passives did would probably have to wait until they unlocked a Skill Menu or something.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnfbfz8oaB
Nik and some of the guys decided to take a look outside while everyone else took inventory of the food and other necessities in the house. If they were all really brought to a different world, no one was sure how the house was brought with them, but everyone needed to have some kind of idea about what they had to work with, where they were, and what was around them.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Dpragqqo
The outside reconnaissance took just a few minutes; we were surrounded on three sides by forest, and behind us was a forested mountain—with a cave. That would take some exploring at some point. Inside the house on the other hand, there was 2 crates of water, enough food to last everyone about one or two meals, and enough blankets and pillows to go around. Thankfully that gave everyone a day’s worth of time to adjust and discuss. Everyone gathered back together in the living room.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡptOs0fKbZ9
“Alright, so it looks like its late afternoon outside,” Nik announced, sharing the details about the setting sun and amazing scenery before finally continuing, “what’s the plan?”copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKwrVL13ac
Everyone dropped into a contemplative silence. Bryan was the first to speak up, “hey Vu, Kyle, and Casey, you guys are fast and used to running, can you take advantage of the time we have before night time to scout a little further out around us?” It would be good to know more about our surroundings than just ‘forests and forested mountains’.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyljYNteeU
“Oh yeah sure, no problem,” Vu nodded, “let’s go guys.” He motioned to the other two and made his way to the door.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEnr6oHQzH
“Be careful,” Bryan added.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lrxdniert
Vu just brought his hand up to head level and waved with the back of his hand before exiting the house.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡr61Np0ATeP
“I can get started on some dinner preparations,” Nik offered.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡNStbkAz1r9
“I’ll help too,” Brandon chimed in.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrVbY8yhnZ
That honestly, didn’t sound like a bad idea. Some food would definitely help calm the nerves and anxieties. Everyone offered up their agreement to the prospect of food, so the two chefs made their way into the kitchen to work. Then they immediately turned around and announced: “The stove doesn’t work. No fire. No cooking.”copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO6MBvMco1
Bryan sighed and turned to Charlie, “hey Charlie, can you help me decide on sleeping arrangements since it’s your house? I’ll go get us some firewood or something. We can start a fire outside and cook there.”copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bTwne6Wfy
Charlie looked up from his phone and looked around at the people in the room. “Simple. There’s 4 girls, so they can go 2 to a room—since I’m sure they won’t want to be sleeping in the same room as any of you—and I get my bedroom cause it’s my room. Easy,” he then turned his attention back to his phone.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZZ1aX9Jfx
Bryan shrugged and looked around the room for agreement. All the guys shrugged and all the girls nodded. That took care of sleeping arrangements relatively simply. “Zhao, Corey, Jerry, go divide up the extra blankets and stuff while I’m out gathering firewood,” Bryan decided that there was no sense in wasting time. The three that were called upon filed into the hallway where the cabinets and drawers were. Bryan made his way towards the front door, but stopped next to Ashley for a brief moment.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0mPNXkAaI
“You okay?” He asked her.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcUvJhJPeZ
“Yeah,” she answered as if to say ‘why wouldn’t I be?’copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkZnm9lwTA
“That’s good,” Bryan smiled and continued on his task.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CApronLYy
“Actually, I’ll come with you. Will be easier that way,” Nik announced and followed Bryan out.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡuALp6uHQkW
After 15 minutes of sorting, and a few good debates and arguments about who should get what, everyone who wouldn’t be sleeping in a bed got their own blanket and a pillow. The girls would have the stuff already on the beds, and Charlie had his own sheets. There was definitely more relief than surprise at the fact that Charlie actually had enough spare blankets for everyone.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIgP6DYr9R
In the meantime, Bryan and Nik managed to pick up every stick they could find just outside the house. There were even some rocks for making a fire pit thrown into the mix. The two of them set about erecting their cooking fire, and thanks to Nik’s relative expertise, were finished in no time at all. Bryan headed back inside to tell Brandon to join Nik, and then took a seat as close as he felt he could sit next to Ashley. He relaxed a little while watching the cooking duo ferry food from the kitchen to the cooking fire.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ctCCU10GZ
The scouting group returned shortly after and headed inside to claim their own sheets. Kyle went back to sit with Jessie and Casey started arguing with Corey over wanting his seat back. Vu on the other hand walked over to Bryan to essentially give a report.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡybzkAFOhv9
Vu summarized, “well there really isn’t much other than forest in our immediate area. There are a lot of these little rabbits with single long horns coming out from their foreheads, and a pretty large lake off to our right.”copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlSuaY79pg
“At least there was water and a potential source of food then. Though actually catching a rabbit may prove incredibly difficult…” Bryan sighed and remembered his attempt at catching a rabbit when he first started college.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rtv46q576
“I also found some decently sized branches we could use as makeshift clubs or something. I brought them back just in case,” Vu smirked.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GhE0SjP9P
Bryan raised an eyebrow. Vu would be the one to think of something like that. The two of them stepped back out of the house to take a look at the branches Vu had brought, and then began to discuss what they could do with them.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnbQRlOZve
Time passed relatively quickly as everyone delved into their own conversations about their current situation. The interesting prospects. The potential dangers and worries. The allure of adventure and magic. The thoughts about home.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwFK2KQsPX
Then it was time to eat.copyright protection73ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUDQyEJStS
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