Game of the World Tree

▪️DEFORMATION JI GANG

After the opening cutscene, the time finally came for the jobclass selection, as mentioned in the newbie strategy guide. And Ji Dong finally encountered the faction leader of the Elves and one of the most significant NPCs in the Elven Kingdom for the first time—the illustrious goddess, Evé Yggdrasill.

Seeing her up close was an entirely different experience compared to just seeing her through an images and videos posted online.

Perhaps due to the three-dimensional and realistic effects, the goddess appeared even more divine, dignified, and beautiful here in person inside the game.

Not only that, but her voice was also gentle and pleasant, making him feel as though she was affable and benevolent despite her rumored extraordinary power.

It’s no wonder that the goddess became the most popular character in the game. After all, who wouldn’t like a faction leader like her?

After curiously admiring the goddess’s model for a while, Ji Dong then decided took a few screenshots and posted them on his circle of friends to show off, before choosing a melee-based jobclass for himself.

Actually, he had a reason to choose a melee-based profession, as most melee-based job class is currently considered the most beginner-friendly in the current meta of the game.

This was because melee-based equipment was the most common at this time, particularly the equipment that was captured and modified from the Orcs. As a result, the market had a surplus of such items and due to this situation, new melee players could purchase relatively good starting equipment at a more lower price compared to their spellcaster counterparts.

One strategy guide on the game’s forum explained this all very clearly.

After selecting his jobclass and being randomly given the skills “Cross Slash” and “Appraisal” by the goddess, Ji Dong finally officially entered the world of Elven Kingdom.

Now, he wasn’t Ji Dong anymore…

He’s now—

“Deformation Ji Gang.”

A slight dizziness spread through his mind, and Ji Gang felt as if he’s experiencing a hangover.

Fortunately, his senses had gradually became more clearer as he heard a multitude of noises emanating from his surroundings. A revitalizing breeze also drifted in his direction, enticing him to inhale deeply as he regained his balance…

With determination, Ji Gang eventually chose to open his eyes and within an instant, astonishment caused his mouth to widen involuntarily.

He found himself standing on a spacious city square, crowded with all sorts of players. Flashes of light would also occasionally appeared as new members like him began to materialized one after another.

Similar to him, the majority of people who have an expression of disbelief were part of the third-round of beta-testers whose mostly only wearing plain robes or wooden armor, whilst clutching wooden staves or swords made of wood.

Naturally, there were also some veteran players around that’s fully equipped with splendid, high-quality gear, which sparked a touch of envy from him.

Whilst observing his surroundings, Ji Gang couldn’t help but notice that the city square was bustling with activity as if its a real town from earth.

Having read the newbie strategy guide, Ji Gang easily recognized this area as the central square of the Chosen City.

He glanced down at his avatar’s hand, then clenched it tightly as euphoria filled his expression.

“It’s so realistic! No wonder everyone jokes that this is just like being transported to another world!”

After that, he further surveyed the area he had just arrived in…

Beautiful gardens with an Eastern flair, neatly arranged Western mansions, reconstructed miraculous structures, and a variety of player residences…

Different architectural styles converged and blended perfectly under the guidance of skilled designers, not appearing out of place at all. Coupled with some fantasy-like wooden structures, it truly looked like a mythical city from a dream!

“It’s spectacular! The game haven’t been officially launched publicly yet they’ve already constructed this entire city. The players who started much earlier are truly incredible…”

Ji Gang couldn’t help but marvel at the structures around him.

He then turned his head and looked behind him, seeing the towering world tree in the distance, rumored to be a thousand meters high.

Its thick branches blocked out the sky, and clouds floated through the World Tree’s emerald crown, creating a magnificent otherworldly sight.

Occasionally, a black dragon also flew by in the skies, whilst emitting long and resounding roars, making Ji Gang feel as though he had truly entered a fantasy world!

“Awesome! So this is what a fantasy world feels like!”

His excitement surged even further at the notion of exploring a world completely different from the one he had grown up on Earth.

Rather than rushing to perform tasks like most newbies are currently doing, Ji Gang decided to wander around the Chosen City and take in the scenery in a relaxed pace.

If he remembered correctly, the strategy guide also mentioned that after the third batch of new players joined, veteran players would have the option to accept a task of guiding them if they chose to do so.

Thus, he just needed to wait for someone to approach him.

As he strolled through the city, he admired its architectures and well crafted buildings.

On either side of the streets were small shops run by veteran players—some sold fruits, some sold equipment, some sold materials, and there were even small restaurants and newly built taverns that’s open for accommodation!

And in front of the tavern, a banner was displayed with words that read:

“Welcome, new players! 50% discount for all third-round beta testers!”

Ji Gang’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Is this place managed by veteran players? And it seems they also offer accommodation for new players?”

Then, Ji Gang saw several parties of veteran players rushing past him from time to time.

Their eyes are sharp, and their finely crafted equipment gleams whenever sunlight shines through it. Many of them are covered in bloodstains, carrying bulging bags, and they exude a sense of determination that leaves him in awe.

“Are those players returning from completing quests? They seem to have been through many battles. They looked really strong, just like mercenaries in novels…”

Ji Gang muttered to himself.

Then, he saw a silver-haired male elf that’s riding atop a spider swiftly passed him by.

The spider beneath the guy was humanoid-sized, looking ferocious yet majestic. It moved swiftly through the crowd, startling some newcomers like him.

“Is this the underground spider mount mentioned online? I’ve heard that not many people have managed to obtain one on the entire server.”

Ji Gang gazed at the person riding it with envy.

However, when he tried to check the person’s username, he noticed that there was no green username tag hovering above this guy.

“…No name?”

Ji Gang blinked in confusion.

Could this guy possibly be… not a player, but rather an NPC?

Just then, a shout came from behind him.

“Thranduil! Put my mount down! You rascal, trying to run off again! Class isn’t over yet!”

Following that, Ji Gang saw the elf riding the spider come to a halt, then turned around whilst sporting a warm smile:

“Professor Li Mu, I’ve already finished today’s lessons. I heard that someone spotted a unicorn to the north of the forest. Unicorns are the cherished companions of the Elven Royal Family. I’d like to take a look, so I borrowed your mount.”

With that, the guy whose apparently called ‘Thranduil’ patted the spider mount and turned forward once more before swiftly dashing away, only leaving nothing but a cloud of dust in his wake…

“This rascal! He’s getting better and better at slipping away.”

A player with the username ‘Li Mu,’ hovering above him, muttered to himself while wearing a helpless expression.

Li Mu? As in the famous streamer, Brother Mu!?

A sudden thought struck Ji Gang.

He intended to send a friend request, but out of nowhere, a heavily armed group of veteran players hurried past, inadvertently preventing Ji Gang from getting a chance to introduce himself to Li Mu.

“Make way! Make way! Urgent matters! Thank you!”

After this group of players passed by, Ji Gang sadly lost sight of Li Mu.

A sense of regret washed over him.

He wanted to get to know such a legendary expert!

Oh, right, Thranduil was it?

…That name somehow feels kind of familiar.

Is he an NPC?

From his expression, it’s hard to believe he’s an NPC!

With a feeling of novelty, Ji Gang decided to continue on with his tour of the Chosen City.

Gradually, he crossed the street and came to a magic circle that shone with light.

Around the circle were veteran players with various equipment, and they shouted one after another:

“Shadow Dungeon! We need a level 15 mage who can cast Fireball! Our team have four open slots! Come on!”

“We’re a Level 20 Busride team that’s going for a boss run! 2000 contribution points per hour! Fair price, fast leveling speed!”

“Buying shadow fragments gems! State your price!”

Ji Gang observed these players curiously, understanding that this was a teleportation point on the map. He also verified this by checking the mini-map.

This magic array led to the teleportation magic array located in the Black Dragon Castle.

“I recall watching a video that mentioned Black Dragon Castle serves as a sort of transit station to the underground map.”

Seeing him standing still, a few veteran players brightened up and approached him enthusiastically, while saying:

“Oh a newcomer? Do you need help with dungeon runs? Our busride team, has four veteran players with one newbie. It’s only 2000 contribution points per hour, and we’ll guarantee to boost you up to level 11 within a day! If you prefer, we also accept soft-sister coins ¹ of equivalent value!”

Guiding newbies in dungeons? And it costs contribution points?

Ji Gang was slightly taken aback.

However, he soon waved his hand.

“Um… no need, I’m planning to level up through doing tasks.”

Ji Gang had watched quite a few videos beforehand.

He knew that contribution points were the main currency in the game and currently, the exchange rate for contribution points to RMB was 5 to 1, meaning 2000 contribution points were equivalent to 400 yuan.

He wasn’t inclined to spend that much real-life money, since it was too expensive.

Moreover… he had always believed that while playing an online game, doing tasks was more interesting for leveling up, which allows players to learn more about the game’s mechanics and backstories!

“Task huh? Have you done the math? You won’t reach level 11 in five or six days. Hell, you won’t even have someone to party with you in the Forest of Shadows. For newbies, grinding mobs is the fastest way to level up.”

Hearing him, several veteran players shook their heads.

Ji Gang just smiled wryly and then turned around to leave.

Seeing this, the veteran players didn’t say anything more.

After leaving the teleportation array area, Ji Gang decided to give up on the idea of asking veteran players for help. He started following the guidance of the in-game system to search for newbie tasks.

“The newbie guide says…that new players can find some NPCs in Florence to accept daily tasks or directly receive resource gathering tasks from the system in the Chosen City…”

“I recall the strategy guide saying that the quest system in ElvKing generates tasks based on the progress of the players. The more advanced the task is, the greater the reward will be…”

“Hmm…whats this? animal husbandry? This sounds actually good, plus the rewards seem quite high!”

Suddenly, Ji Gang ‘s eyes lit up as he found a goal for himself.

¹ (软妹币) – Soft Sister Coin or Ruanmeibi, is a chinese buzzword, which refers to the cute interpretation of Renminbi/人民币 (RMB)

Also for those not aware, RMB is the official currency of the People’s Republic of China.

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