MTL NOVEL Chapter 7: chapter 7 logging
The anticipation in the room was palpable as Ethan finished his meal and returned to the living room. Stella was still lounging on the couch, her tablet in hand, scrolling through what looked like game forums. She glanced up as he entered, her expression a mix of boredom and mild curiosity.
"Done stuffing your face?" she quipped, not looking up from her screen.
Ethan smirked, leaning against the doorway. "Just fueling up for the big night. You sure you don't want to join me? Could be fun."
Stella rolled her eyes. "Fun? Watching a noob stumble through the tutorial? Hard pass."
Ethan chuckled, walking over to the VR setup. He ran his fingers over the sleek headset, feeling the cool, smooth surface. "Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't offer."
Stella didn't respond, her attention seemingly absorbed by whatever she was reading. Ethan sat down, stretching his arms above his head. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, each second bringing him closer to the moment he'd been waiting for.
As the hours passed, Ethan found himself growing more restless. He tried to distract himself by watching a few videos on his phone, but his mind kept drifting back to Eldoria. The memories of his past failures and triumphs played like a movie in his head, each scene more vivid than the last.
Finally, as the clock struck 11:30 PM, Ethan couldn't sit still any longer. He stood up, pacing the room. Stella glanced up from her tablet, raising an eyebrow.
"Nervous?" she teased, a sly smile playing on her lips.
Ethan shook his head. "Just eager. This is it, Stella. The beginning of something big."
Stella set her tablet aside, standing up and stretching. "Well, don't let me stop you. Go ahead, log in. I'll be here to laugh when you inevitably mess up."
Ethan grinned, picking up the VR headset. "We'll see about that."
He placed the headset over his eyes, the world around him fading into darkness. The neural link device hummed to life, and suddenly, he was standing in a vast, open field. The sky above was a brilliant shade of blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds. In the distance, he could see the towering spires of Eldoria's capital city.
A voice echoed in his ears, smooth and commanding. "Welcome, traveler, to the world of Eldoria. Please customize your character."
Ethan's heart raced as he began to shape his avatar, choosing every detail with care. This was his chance to start fresh, to rewrite his story. When he was satisfied, he confirmed his choices, and the world around him shifted.
The tutorial began, guiding him through the basics of movement, combat, and interaction. Ethan moved through it with ease, his past experience giving him an edge. He could feel the power of the VR rig, the haptic feedback making every action feel real.
As he completed the tutorial, a notification popped up in his vision. "Congratulations! You are now ready to explore the world of Eldoria. Good luck, adventurer!"
Ethan took a deep breath, stepping forward into the unknown. The world was vast and full of possibilities, and he was ready to seize them.
Back in the real world, Stella watched as Ethan's body remained still, his face hidden behind the VR headset. She smirked to herself, picking up her tablet once more.
"Let's see how long you last, Ethan," she murmured, her fingers tapping against the screen. "This is going to be interesting."
And with that, the night stretched on, filled with the promise of adventure and the thrill of the unknown. For Ethan, it was the beginning of a new journey, one that would test his skills, his resolve, and his very identity. But he was ready. This time, he would not falter. This time, he would rise above.
The world of Eldoria awaited, and Ethan Vale was ready to conquer it.
As Ethan stood in the virtual world of Eldoria, the radiant figure of the Angel before him, something stirred deep within his memory. The Angel's serene expression, its glowing wings, and the way it spoke—it all felt eerily familiar. He had seen this Angel before, not just in this moment, but in his past life.
The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. This was the same Angel that had guided him twenty years ago, when he first entered Eldoria. Back then, he had been a wide-eyed newbie, unaware of the trials and tribulations that awaited him. The Angel had been his first point of contact, the one who had set him on his path as a Warrior. And now, here it was again, as if no time had passed at all.
Ethan's heart raced as memories flooded back. The battles, the betrayals, the moment he lost everything—it all came rushing back. But this time, he wasn't that naive young man. He was older, wiser, and determined to rewrite his story.
The Angel tilted its head slightly, its glowing eyes studying him. "Is something troubling you, traveler?" it asked, its voice calm and soothing.
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No," he replied, his voice steady. "I'm ready."
As Ethan stood before the Angel, the radiant figure's presence felt both comforting and haunting. The familiarity of its glowing wings and serene expression triggered a flood of memories from his past life in Eldoria. But this time, he wasn't just a wide-eyed newbie. He was a veteran, and he needed to make the right choice—one that would give him the edge he needed to dominate this world.
The Angel's voice echoed softly, "Welcome, traveler. Before you embark on your journey, you must choose your path. Your character will define your destiny. What role will you play in this vast world?"
The Angel gestured, and a holographic menu materialized in front of Ethan, displaying the available character classes. Each class was represented by a detailed avatar, showcasing their unique abilities and aesthetics. The Angel began to explain each one in detail, its voice calm and authoritative.
---
1. Warrior
Role: Frontline combatant, specializing in melee combat and defense.
Weapons: Swords, axes, hammers, shields.
Specializations:
Tank: Focuses on defense and protecting allies.
Berserker: High-damage, high-risk melee fighter.
Paladin: A hybrid of offense and healing, wielding holy magic.
Pros: High durability, excellent for leading charges and holding the line.
Cons: Limited range, reliant on team support for mobility and utility.
Ethan's Thoughts: "I've been here before. The Warrior is strong, but it's predictable. I need something more flexible."
---
2. Mage
Role: Master of arcane magic, specializing in ranged spellcasting.
Weapons: Staffs, wands, orbs.
Specializations:
Elementalist: Wields fire, ice, and lightning to devastate enemies.
Summoner: Calls forth creatures to fight alongside them.
Necromancer: Commands the dead and drains life from foes.
Pros: High damage output, versatile spellcasting, strong area-of-effect abilities.
Cons: Fragile, reliant on mana, vulnerable in close combat.
Ethan's Thoughts: "Mages are powerful, but they're too squishy. One mistake, and I'm dead. I need something with more survivability."
---
3. Rogue
Role: Stealthy and agile fighter, specializing in quick strikes and evasion.
Weapons: Daggers, bows, traps.
Specializations:
Assassin: Focuses on high burst damage and stealth kills.
Thief: Excels in stealing, lockpicking, and utility.
Shadowblade: A hybrid of magic and stealth, using shadow magic to enhance attacks.
Pros: High mobility, excellent for solo play, great at ambushes.
Cons: Low durability, requires precision and timing.
Ethan's Thoughts: "Rogues are tempting. Stealth and precision could give me the edge I need. But I'm not sure it's the right fit for my playstyle."
---
4. Ranger
Role: Skilled archer and tracker, specializing in long-range combat and survival.
Weapons: Bows, crossbows, traps.
Specializations:
Hunter: Focuses on ranged damage and tracking prey.
Beastmaster: Tames and commands beasts to fight alongside them.
Sniper: Excels in precision and long-range assassination.
Pros: High damage at range, versatile, excellent for solo and group play.
Cons: Vulnerable in close combat, reliant on positioning.
Ethan's Thoughts: "This could be it. The Ranger's versatility and range would give me the flexibility I need. I can adapt to any situation."
---
5. Cleric
Role: Holy healer and protector, specializing in support and divine magic.
Weapons: Maces, staves, holy relics.
Specializations:
Healer: Focuses on restoring health and removing debuffs.
Crusader: A hybrid of offense and defense, wielding holy magic to smite enemies.
Oracle: Uses foresight and blessings to empower allies.
Pros: Essential for group play, high survivability, strong utility.
Cons: Low damage output, reliant on teammates for offense.
Ethan's Thoughts: "Clerics are invaluable, but I'm not here to play support. I need to be the one calling the shots."
---
6. Engineer
Role: Master of technology and machinery, specializing in crafting and battlefield control.
Weapons: Guns, gadgets, turrets.
Specializations:
Tinkerer: Focuses on crafting gadgets and traps.
Alchemist: Creates potions and explosives to control the battlefield.
Demolitionist: Specializes in high-explosive damage and area denial.
Pros: Highly creative, excellent for controlling the battlefield, strong utility.
Cons: Reliant on resources, requires setup time, vulnerable in direct combat.
Ethan's Thoughts: "Engineers are interesting, but they're too reliant on preparation. I need something more straightforward."
---
As the Angel finished explaining the classes, Ethan's mind was made up. He needed a class that offered versatility, range, and the ability to adapt to any situation. The Ranger was the perfect choice.
Ethan looked at the Angel and said, "I've made my decision. I'll be a Ranger, specializing as an Archer."
The Angel nodded, its wings shimmering softly. "A wise choice, traveler. The path of the Archer is one of precision and adaptability. May your arrows fly true, and your aim never falter."
The world around Ethan shifted, and he felt a surge of energy as his character was finalized. His avatar now bore the light, practical armor of an Archer, with a finely crafted bow in hand and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back. The interface updated, displaying his new stats, abilities, and inventory.
Ethan tightened his grip on his bow, feeling the weight of the quiver on his back. He was ready. The world of Eldoria awaited, and this time, he would conquer it.
As he stepped forward into the unknown, the memory of the Angel lingered in his mind. It was a reminder of his past, but also a symbol of his new beginning. This time, he would rise above. This time, he would be unstoppable.