The new MMORPG: Haven, had just been released and was about to begin in five minutes. As I lay back in the high-tech comfort of my gaming capsule, I couldn't stop my thoughts from spiraling.
The developers had made some big promises: that the game would be a fully immersive, second-life sandbox experience, that its realism would be like nothing ever seen before, that time would flow fifteen times faster than in the real world, meaning one hour out here was fifteen in there, and that the game would pause every real-world morning to avoid interfering with school or work.
It sounded like a dream, or a marketing gimmick.
Still, like millions of others, I'd bought the capsule, signed the waiver, and waited for the countdown to reach zero.
The moment it did, my consciousness dropped into a sea of darkness, weightless, silent, and cold. Then, in a flash of blinding light, I found myself standing in a vast, empty white room, sterile and quiet except for one thing: a glowing, golden status window floating in the air in front of me.
| Welcome, Player, to Haven. Please enter the name you would like to go by in this world. Then you will be able to customize your character. |
A soothing female voice said, reading out the window text as well.
Without hesitation, I typed in my go-to gaming name: Raven.
| Name accepted. Would you like to enter a last name? This will alter your starting point in this world. |
That's new. I shrugged and typed in my favorite color.
| Last name accepted. You will now be known as Raven Silver. Please create your character. There are no restrictions on customization, though your character must remain the same gender as in real life. |
"No restrictions" had to be a joke. But two hours later, I was proven very wrong.
"System, are you saying I can choose what material my skin and bones can be made of??"
| That is correct. As stated previously, there are no restrictions on your character creation.|
"Well shit, this changes everything, scrap what I have made previously. We are starting again."
| Confirmed.|
Immediately, the first avatar that I had been working for over two hours disappeared and was once again replaced by a blank basic mold of a human.
"System…" I hesitated, if I really have full control than what Im about to do might make me a fucking boss character from level 1.
"System, show me a list of all materials I have access to in creating my avatar."
In the blink of an eye, thousands and thousands of different types of materials appeared before me like an item list, showing me their strength, weaknesses and raritys as well.
"Oh yeah, I'm definitely going to be a boss by the time I'm done. System, I do have a question. Do you have access to the internet, and if so, are you aware of what a Time Lord is?"
| Yes, I know what a time lord is: Time Lords, a fictional species from the TV Show Doctor Who, are a powerful and ancient humanoid species from the planet Gallifrey, distinguished by their binary vascular system (two hearts), enhanced physiology, and regenerative ability, which allows them to completely change their appearance and personality up to thirteen times. They evolved alongside the Time Vortex and possess a deep connection to time itself, granting them a heightened perception of temporal events. Their DNA is heavily modified, especially through exposure to the Untempered Schism and engineered genetic traits that enable time manipulation and extreme resilience. As a species, they are long-lived, highly intelligent, and often aloof, viewing themselves as custodians of time with a rigid, hierarchical society focused on preserving temporal order.|
"I'm glad you know what that is, because I want my avatar to have two hearts of a time lord. I don't know how that will affect my character in the future, but we will start there."
| Confirmed, adding hearts of a Time Lord to your character.|
| Would you like to change anything else or randomize the rest of your character?|
"Randomize…hahahahahaaa, your out of your damn mind if you think thats all im going to do."
(7 Hours Later)
"Huuuuuh, that should do it. I'm definitely op as hell and honestly wouldn't be surprised if you didn't let me be this avatar, but it was fun to make." I said with a faint smile."
| Scanning Avatar.|
| Avatar exceeds level 1 status.|
| … |
| Avatar meets requirements, contacting supervisor.|
"What requirements, supervisor, what do you mean, supervisor!?"
| Please hold, my supervisor will be with you shortly.|
A much more human voice answered.
"Huuuuh, fine."
(10 Minutes Later)
While I was waiting for this mysterious supervisor to show up, I started to do some micro adjustments to my avatar. Hair alignment, eyelash length, finger length, etc. I was almost finished with some hair length when an elevator door appeared out of nowhere, scaring the shit out of me. The door opened as an average looking man in a nice suit stepped out.
"Hello, Ms. Andrews, my name is Nathan Sterling, and Id like to offer you a job."
"....What, also how the fuck are you here, this is supposed to be a secure room, it was designed that way by the Terra Gaming Compa…" I drifted off when I saw him smirking.
"You work for Terra, don't you?"
"That is correct, and I have to say you are one of only seven other people out of millions who really interacted with how far you could customize your avatar. However, that is also the problem, like you thought your character is insanely OP, especially if this is how you would start out at Level 1. But I do have an intriguing job opportunity for you, but before I tell you about it you would have to sign an NDA." He said in a friendly manner before holding out a large stack of papers that had just appeared out of nowhere. A fancy fountain appeared before me as well.
"Does the job pay well and offer benefits?"
"Haha, yes, it pays very well and offers many benefits, including covering all health insurance and dental needs." He said, still smiling and holding out the stack of papers.
…
…
"You know what, fuck it, I wasnt liking my current job anyway and full dental coverage will definily save me a whole lot of money." I said to the grinning man as I briefly read the contract before signing it.
"Now tell me what this job offer is."