Chapter 2 - First-Timer Here
Day 1 (Sunday)
“I did it! [Uninhabited Island Start], huge! Success!”
This is [Iris Revolution Online], abbreviated IRO, a new Full-Dive VR MMORPG.
There are three normal starting points: the capitals of the Empire, the Kingdom, or the Republic. Most players choose one of these.
However, I zoomed the map out to its maximum and searched every corner, discovering a few minuscule points that could be chosen. After considering those locations and their surroundings, I settled on this spot.
[Uninhabited Island Discovered!]
[Uninhabited Island Discovery: Acquired 10 SP]
[First Lander: Acquired 10 SP]
[First Resident: Acquired 10 SP]
“Whoa, unexpected luck.”
I never thought I’d get 30 [SP]—[Skill Points]. That's 40 [SP] total with my initial [SP]. I figured I’d need a lot for life on this island, so this is incredibly helpful.
“For now, I guess I’ll take [Elemental Magic].”
I opened the menu and checked [Elemental Magic] for skill acquisition. The equipment needed to activate [Elemental Magic]… Good, the [Beginner's Ring] from my initial gear will do.
Acquiring [Elemental Magic: Lv1] allowed me to use [Purification], which produces clean water, and [Ignition], which starts fires.
“The [Safe Zone] seems to be this [Sandy Beach], so I need to explore further inland.”
If I keep being alone, I’ll talk to myself too much. Well, no one’s listening, so it’s fine.
Moving inland, I’ll probably encounter monsters as usual.
If I log out in the [Safe Zone], I won’t have to worry about being attacked by monsters, but then I’d have to sleep and wake up on the [Sandy Beach], which isn't ideal.
Even if that’s fine for now, I’d like to build a cabin soon.
Thinking this, I crossed the [Sandy Beach] and saw a grove of trees to my right. A [Dense Forest] would be a more accurate description.
Before that, I should check my equipment.
[Main Weapon: Beginner's Dagger]
[Head Armor: None]
[Torso Armor: Beginner's Leather Armor]
[Arm Armor: None]
[Leg Armor: Beginner's Boots]
[Accessory: Beginner's Ring]
Undeniably beginner's equipment. I should be able to defeat goblins and such, but for now, I acquired [Dagger: Lv1].
I also decided to acquire [Dismantling: Lv1]. If I defeat rabbits, deer, or boars, I should get edible meat.
“Shriek!”
Immediately, I found prey—a snake. It looks like a common Japanese striped snake, but its name is [South Snake].
Perhaps I should have acquired [Poison Resistance]. Anyway, let’s defeat it quickly. Then, I’ll [Dismantle] it.
Oh, I got some meat! Uhm… This is it. I spent 1 [SP] to acquire [Appraisal: Lv1].
[South Snake Meat]
That’s all? I guess I need to level up the skill for more info.
I figured it would level up with use and continued deeper. Soon, I started seeing various berries.
[Papu Fruit]
What’s a [Papu]? I’ll gather them just in case. I acquired [Throwing: Lv1] and picked up a stone lying at my feet.
I didn’t hit anything immediately, but after a few throws, I managed to secure some [Papu Fruit].
I wasn't hungry yet, but grilling the snake meat and eating it would probably sustain me for a while.
“Pish Pish!”
Alright, here it comes, the classic rabbit monster. A two-horned rabbit. Its name is… [Bicobit].
I threw a stone. …It missed.
I threw a stone. …It missed.
I threw a stone. It hit!
It targeted me and came closer, so I stabbed it quickly with my dagger. Then, I [Dismantled] it.
[Bicobit Meat]
“Alright, alright.”
It looked more delicious than snake meat, so I headed back towards the [Sandy Beach] area to start cooking.
I gathered fallen dry branches and used [Ignition] to light a fire. Rabbit meat… I don’t have a skewer.
I chopped a random tree branch and tried to carve it into something like a skewer with my dagger… Failed.
This must require a skill. Uhm, this is it. I acquired [Woodcraft: Lv1] for 1 [SP] and tried again… A wooden skewer was completed.
I thought I’d get a 'First Crafter' notification or something, but no luck. Someone must have already gotten it.
Anyway, I skewered the rabbit and snake meat and put them over the fire. Hmm, I want to make it look more like a proper hearth. So, I acquired [Stonemasonry: Lv1] and stacked some stones to create a hearth.
…Well, as long as it’s functional.
This way, the skewers probably won’t burn, and the meat won’t just fall into the fire.
While it’s cooking, I’ll make a wooden cup…
Once the meat was nicely browned, I immediately… started with the snake meat. I'm betting it’s not poisonous.
“Hmm, it’s bland. Or rather, it barely has any taste…”
I was relieved that it didn’t seem poisonous. Next, the rabbit meat…
“Oh, this is pretty good. It actually tastes like proper meat. But I wish I had some seasoning…”
Of the necessities—food, clothing, and shelter—'clothing' is fine for now with the initial gear. 'Food' can also be considered secured. Now, what about 'shelter'…
Hmm, I scrolled through the mountain of skills in the list. Searched. Searched.
“It seems like I can build a [Log House] by combining [Woodcraft] and [Carpentry]? But I’ll need logs…”
Skills that could secure logs. [Gathering]… no, [Logging]. And [Logging] requires an axe. I don't have an axe…
“Oh well. For now, I’ll just gather [Driftwood] and make a makeshift tent.”
I strolled along the [Sandy Beach] and collected several pieces of [Driftwood] of suitable size.
I couldn’t build a tent in the [Safe Zone], so I moved to the edge of the [Dense Forest].
As I was constructing the frame,
[Mion has started watching.]
A notification appeared.
“Hello. First-timer here.”
Ah, streaming…
That’s right. This game streams by default. Oh well.
The greeting voice sounded like a synthesized female voice, but it doesn't necessarily mean the person is female. In fact, it could even be an old man.
“Hello.”
I returned a safe greeting while rechecking my settings. The viewer comments were also voiced, so maybe I was a bit careless…
“Is this [IRO]?”
“It is.”
“Isn’t it completely different from what others are doing?”
“Ah, yes. This is a completely different place. Well, I’m about to log off for today.”
“Okay, I’ll come again.”
I had spent too much time finding this place, so that was it for today. The date was about to change anyway.
Tomorrow, after making the tent, I’ll explore the island, I guess.
I logged out of the game, removed my [VR HMD], and got out of bed.
On the tablet on my bedside table, information about the stream I had just ended was displayed. There was only one visitor, Mion-san.
Due to the limited open beta, new players are restricted, but even so, nearly 50,000 people should be streaming. How did she find mine, I wonder…