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⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.
On a day like any other, you're checking your email when one in particular catches your eye. We invite you to Fragment, the subject line reads, and the sender is a name everyone is familiar with: CyberConnect Corporation.
It doesn't matter whether you signed up for Fragment's closed beta months ago or simply found the mysterious email sitting in your inbox. The fact remains that you are one of the select few chosen to participate, and in a word gone fully digital, you can't afford to turn down such an opportunity.
Those who accepted the invitation were given much more than a free pass to beta test the latest and greatest MMO. Upon confirming their participation, employees of C.C. Corp arrive at their homes and outfit them with top-of-the-line internet — a must to play such an advanced game — a brand new PC, and a state-of-the-art VR headset created by C.C. Corp themselves specifically for this beta test. You may call it excessive. They call it necessary.
When the morning of July 29th rolls around, you're finally able to access Fragment and create your character. By default, your avatar resembles your real world appearance, but naturally you're able to fully customize your look from head to toe. Want green skin? You got it. What about twintails that stretch down to the floor? You won't have to worry about those clipping through your armor in a game as advanced as Fragment. The sky is truly the limit!
Once you've settled on your avatar's appearance and class, you log into your home Root Rown: Mac Anu, a city forever at twilight with a series of canals snaking through it. It's done up in a series of flowing banners and balloons, glitter and confetti carried along by a gentle breeze you can feel along your cheeks.
Players are given some time to wander around the Root Town and acquaint themselves with the feeling of being fully immersed in a digital fantasy world, but after some time, a soft, playful voice echoes all across the Root Town.
When everyone gathers for the meeting, they're greeted by the cheerful face and pitchy voice of an enthusiastic young boy. Unlike you, a level 1 newbie without a single GP to your name, targeting the boy reveals a few things: his name is Zelkova and he's level 100. Huh. Is he cheating? Maybe he's someone important?
In either case, you'll have your answer when Zelkova begins to speak, sweeping his arms out wide to greet all the new beta testers.
With a wave of his arms, a table pops into existence before Zelkova. Sprawled out on the table is an immaculate collection of... shabby level one weapons and equipment. Yikes. What, did you think you'd be fabulous from the jump? That's not how MMOs work!
Zelkova encourages everyone to step up and grab the set (or sets, if you're an Adept Rogue) to outfit themselves.
YOUR NEW ARMOR AWAITS.
Blade Brandier:
Rusted Blade 
Leather Cap 
Ugly Cuirass 
Deft Gloves 
Worn BootsTwin Blade:
Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsWavemaster:
Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesMacabre Dancer:
Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesEdge Punisher:
Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsFlick Reaper:
Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsHarvest Cleric:
Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesLord Partizan:
Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsShadow Warlock:
Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesSteam Gunner:
Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsTribal Grappler:
Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsIt's... not very impressive, sure, but beginner sets in MMOs never are. Better get dungeon crawling if you want to step up your glamor game.
What better way to celebrate your acceptance into Fragment's prestigious beta program than a blowout party? Every inch of Mac Anu is decked out for the occasion, and once everyone has picked up their armor, Zelkova's armory disappears to reveal a vast banquet table piled high with food, drink, and party favors.
There's cuisine from every corner of the world just waiting to be devoured, and what's more, you'll taste the food like you're really eating it! Zero calories never tasted better. The drinks work much the same way, and there's even alcohol that will get you drunk in no time flat. Take it easy on the cocktails!
Still, maybe you're not feeling adequately dressed for the occasion. Never fear! There are a set of armor skins to pick from. Feeling a bit peckish? Dress up as a vegetable. If veggies aren't your style, how about this sleek little number? Those are just a few of the silly party costumes available for the occasion, and when it's time to depart, Zelkova will graciously allow you to keep your favorite skin to wear whenever you please.
Finally, don't forget to pick up some party favors! There's a foam weapon that, when equipped, takes the form of your class' weapon of choice... but what does it do, exactly? Well, hit another avatar with it and find out for yourself. There are also an array of paint ball guns, nerf guns, and water guns for use in Root Towns. Pick up one of each! Be the annoying friend no one wants to invite on a dungeon run.
Before you leave, Zelkova hands you a Greeting Card that can be emailed to anyone on your friend list. "Try sending it to one of the new friends you made today! I promise they'll love it! Oh... but be careful not to accidentally send it to someone too."
⬣ Zelkova, this level one armor sucks! I want better stuff!
"Don't worry, new player! Better equipment is a button press away! Well... after you earn it. Why don't you give Area Exploration a try?"
⬣ I'm a social butterfly ready to spread my wings and take flight on the winds of friendship! Can I start a guild?"Heehee... About that! This is a beta, you know? We're still getting stuff ready! Maybe if you wait patiently, you'll be able to form and join guilds in... a week from now. While you're waiting, make some friends! You'll need guild members!"
⬣ I hate walking! My feet hurt! I want something that will do all the hard work of moving around for me!"What? Your feet hurt...? Turn off the pain sensors in your feet! As for alternative travel methods... well, there are "those"... Oh, that's a great idea! Give me some time and I'll see about finding some Grunties for all of us!"
⬣ How can I communicate with other players? I want to stay in the loop!"Great question! That's what the official forums are for! You can ask for help, search for parties, share interesting discoveries you've made and just about anything else on your mind! Give it a try, but be careful: the head admin is kind of a grump... but you didn't hear that from me, hehe!"
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N-no. It's just... this armor doesn't seem like it's going to be very effective, so I thought...
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...I suppose it is just my opinion of these items are so low I assumed you couldn't be serious.
So, what is your class?
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Um, Twin Blade. I didn't think I'd be very good with anything that used magic, even though that probably would have been safer to play as.
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...What made you chose a less safer option?
[ Ganymede IS admittedly curious. ]
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[... yeah, when he says it like that, it does sound kind of stupid, huh.]
I didn't realize the game was going to be quite this realistic.
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If there were better initial weapons, it could be possible your class choice wouldn't be so bad.
But, maybe if you work at it...it could still work out? It'd be better to start doing party runs with other people, is all.
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Yeah, but... aren't the ones with the swords supposed to be the ones taking all the damage? What if it actually hurts? I mean, if we can taste the food here, then it only makes sense that we'd be able to feel the pain too...
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But, if you've got two weapons, doesn't it mean you strike twice? It might hinder enemy movement before letting a hit gets to you. And if you have back up, it might mean they'd never get a hit in.
Doesn't that sound a little better?
[ He knows jack about the class, actually, but one with 'Twin Blade' in its name implies there's two swords... or two something?? ]
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Too bad this Emil doesn't know Lloyd or else that would be extremely funny because LOL]But that means I'd need to find people who wanted to go into dungeons with me.
[Someone has not yet grasped the concept of an MMO--]
I wouldn't want to get in anyone's way, especially if they actually knew what they were doing.
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[ Ganymede does not coddle people, especially when he thinks it might hamper their enjoyment of the game. It's not exactly the most...nicest way of going about things, but for what its worth, he gets straight to the point. ]
Most of us here, regardless of whether we've played games or not, are actually "new" to this new kind of gaming. That means we're all starting over from the beginning.
As long as you give a genuine effort, people will notice, and appreciate that. You can't grow any stronger by thinking and acting like you're a burden to be around.
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[But he's always a burden. That's why no one likes him or wants to be around him. His aunt and uncle have made that much very clear...]
What if someone else ends up getting hurt because I don't know what to do? It's fine if it's just me, but I don't want anyone else to get in trouble for my sake. So I can't ask anyone to come with me until I've figured out how to handle things on my own.
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It's fine if you want to figure things out on your own.
[ Since, well. Ganymede is going to try that too and have a difficult time, RIP... ]
Just try not to get too hung up on the details so much. I don't think this is going to affect us too much since it's supposed to be a game. We're all here to have fun—or whatever that looks like for you.
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You really think so?
[...]
... you know, I almost turned the invitation down. I-I thought there had to be other people who would want it more than me and who would be better at playing than I am. But...
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It's what I plan I doing, so yeah.
[ Until he finds a familiar face and then ends up discovering more with a bit more help. ]
Well, now that you're here, there's no point in trying it out. Do whatever you want, and see if you like it. If you don't, it's not the end of the world if you find something else better instead.
[ It sounds pretty straightforward enough. But the message is clear. If Emil also figures other people won't get the opportunity, then he should see if he likes something about it. Though, considering what horrors lie ahead...time will tell if Emil can brave it at all. ]
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[And that actually gets a little bit of a smile out of Emil! Go Ganymede? It's a start, if nothing else. Granted, there's still a long way to go, but.]
You're actually pretty good at this whole giving advice thing. If I didn't know better, I would've thought you were one of the NPCs.
[EMIL--
It's meant to be a compliment, but.]
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Do me a favor and don't say anything like that again.
Also, if you're really grateful, then you'll do something about it.
[ Otherwise, Ganymede has wasted time speaking to him. Which, you know, is entirely possible that he has, but saying nothing at the time seemed also unacceptable. He's sometimes in the business of making his own life harder... ]
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[No matter the universe, it is Emil's fate to stick his foot right into his mouth. This is simply an immutable cosmic fact.]
I was just surprised that you didn't tell me to go away, that's all. Everyone else always does...