Rex had barely slipped into unconsciousness when he felt his mind becoming more lucid. The feeling was like those brief instances between bouts of sleepiness, when moments seem to disappear, lost to very brief instants of unconsciousness.
As Rex lucidity returned, the very first thought that came to him, was the realization that he was no longer in a dark empty expanse of space, but in a rich tropical rainforest.
Trees with thick green and charcoal barks, stretched up to the sky, the barks entangled by vines that glowed with a green luminescence. The forest was filled with insect life, their chirps and beeps, giving life to the forest. He could see butterflies and leaves that had a neon-like glow that gave the forest an ethereal feel.
In front of Rex was a cave, that its existence seemed to be woven into the very fauna of the forest. The Cave entrance was closed by a stone like seal in which was the carving of a sword. The carving was covered by a moss overgrowth.
The Sword carving, looked so beautifully crafted not lacking any of the grace a real sword would. As Rex looked at the sword, he could feel a sort of intimidation from the sword's image. He felt like the carving of this sword demanded worship from him. The feeling was so intense that Rex could feel a sense of worship for this sculpted sword, taking root in his heart. The sensation kept growing stronger, the longer he looked at the sword, the stronger the compulsion to worship it became. Rex could feel his knee growing weaker, as the imagery demanded his worship.
Rex gritted his teeth, steeling his resolve as he resisted the compulsion of the carved sword. He despised the Idea of worship, "sucking-up to an idea - - - a being - - - an object" "An act often borne from inadequacies an acceptance of it".
He appreciated art, but rather than solely let the emotion invoked by the art overwhelm or awe him to idiotic obsession of it. He would rather simply appreciate it and learn from it. Understanding its uniqueness and learning from it.
That was the sort of person he wanted to be. Not someone who let his heart be easily swayed by influences around them.
As Rex came to such conclusion in his heart. He could feel strength returning to his knees, his heart growing calmer. It became a lot easier to expel thoughts of worship from his heart.
- - - -
Rex had been anticipating this VR world for three years.
Since its launch, praises about Cosmic Ascendance's visual and aesthetic quality had been a hot topic among its players. This trending trope of the VR-Worlds beauty had left the vast under-age population that couldn't enjoy it, with a bitter after taste. But their sour hearts and feelings did not impact the momentum or intensity with which the active player base sang it's song, Even Mr. Edward his guardian often let it slip during their evening dinners.
And now, Rex was finally experiencing this world for the first time; he could say with confidence that the praises did not do the beauty of this world any justice. The lush vibrancy and vivid colours of the forest, The damp and rich smell of the forest, The feeling the artistry of the carved sword had invoked in him.
How comforting the glow of the s- - -
Rex's thoughts were interrupted suddenly as he his movement ceased abruptly. There were three suns in the sky. But the atmosphere didn't feel uncomfortable. Rather, it felt so--- comfortable, like the atmosphere of a beach under the glow of the evening sun.
As Rex was lost in the euphoria of the moment. He noticed a glowing white dot in his field of view, as he tried to focus on it. To find out what it was about. The tiny dot expanded, displaying:
OVERLORD CLASS QUEST 1/3
QUEST: CONQUER SANLET'S FOREST BOOT CAMP RUIN.
RUIN GRADE: E
SIDE QUEST: DEFEAT 15 NEO-LIFE TORTOISE (UPGRADEABLE)
QUEST TIMER: 12 HRS (3 HRS RT)
QUEST REWARD: OVERLORD ACOLYTE BADGE
MAIN QUEST REWARD: OVERLORD CLASS INSIGNIA (0/3)
Rex skimmed through the displayed quest brief.
"Seems it would be a three-part quest", Rex thought. He had learnt about this form of quest from his guide. They were often seen in high-class quests. A set of chain quests, with the completion of each one leading to the next.
They were often of two types: the type where you had to perform a set of tasks after each of the quests to gain access to the next quest, and the type where completing a quest triggered the start of the next quest.
Judging how mysterious the "Overlord Class Quest" seemed to be, Rex was inclined to think that it was definitely the latter.
- - -
Having gotten a bit of an idea about his quest.
Rex proceeded to do something that had been gnawing on his mind since he spawned in the forest.
Rex slid his right thumb across his right index finger in a downward motion. A gesture that slid down his Player profile across his field of view.
NAME: Rex Axel
AUTHORITY LEVEL: Cosmic Citizen
LEVEL: 0 [10CE to LV 1]
RANK: F [15lvls till Rank up ]
AFFILIATION: Earthling
TITLE: OVERLORD ACOLYTE
SKILL: - - - -
STATUS
HP: 5 × 2 [10/10]
STRENGTH: 5 +5
VITALITY: 4 +4
SPEED: 6 +6
INTELIGENCE: 5 +5
WILL: 3 +3
INSTINCT: 6 +6
DISRUPTION VALUE: 100% x2
EQUIPMENT
Overlord Body Set [GRADE E].
SET ATRIBUTE: x2 to all attribute
Rex was familiar with most of the values he was seeing in his status, but the Disruption Value was a new concept to him. He had not encountered information on that anywhere. He made a mental note to specifically scour the internet for information on that later on.
Rex made a mental analysis of all the details he had just observed. From what he had seen;
He had to complete a set of three quests to obtain his class, with the first quest being to conquer a ruin (Sanlet's Forest Boot Camp Ruin)
He had to complete this ruin with the attributes of a newbie. Those were the attributes of a normal human. Since his current attributes were all based on his natural body capabilities.
The idea of doing so filled Rex with a mix of fear and excitement. Ruins were generally meant to be conquered with a party of at least 3 members of the ruin rank.
But he was about to challenge a Grade E ruin as an F-ranked player at Level 0.
But in return,
The Overlord Body Set, which he was awarded as a Quest Resource, offered him a 100% increase to all of his base stats. Rex could not yet put his head around that fact. A body set that doubled all attribute. Even if the body set was the only reward, he was offered from this quest. It was going to give him a large boom in his gameplay.
Rex could not resist his mind from briefly fantasizing of just what capabilities his class would offer him. If the quest resource for the class was already this good.
The boost from the "Overlord Body Set" had granted him 29 extra points to his base stats in total.
Considering the fact that each level up, brought an increase of 3 points. His stats were approximately that of a level 10 player. A level 10 player with no skill whatsoever.
This, however did not alleviate the absurd difficulty of his quest, as even a level 10 player was still a Rank F player. In his case, it was even more peculiar in that it was a level 10 with no skill.
- - -
Rex, satisfied with his analysis, made his way to the sealed cave entrance. As he drew closer to the cave reaching the three meter mark of the cave entrance.
A notification popped up in his POV.
BEGIN EXPEDITION
[YES] [NO]
Seeing the prompt, the excitement pulsing through Rex went berserk. The fear was completely subdued.
He had anticipated the day he would begin his escapades in Cosmic Ascendance for so long. Awaiting the day he could tap into the power the game offered, the opportunity to improve his physical body, the opportunity to generate wealth and power.
Now, he was moments from taking his first step on his path to strength. The anxiety that should have been borne from the ban he will incur if he was to fail was absent.
Rather, that fact only strengthened his determination to not only succeed in the Class Quest. But to experience the mission to the fullest.
Ensuring he fully taps into all the benefits it has to offer.
Rex pinched his thumb and index finger as his eyes were focused on the yes option.
A gesture similar to a click or tap.
As the choice was made.
The stony seal of the cave disintegrated, exposing a tunnel-like path that was lined with luminescent vines with leaves growing out of them.
The illumination of the vines gave the cave an ancient vibe.
Rex shrugged his shoulders as he regulated his breathing, practising a mindfulness technique to regulate his emotions.
His act was about to begin.