⬣//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:
Twin Blade:
Wavemaster:
Macabre Dancer:
Edge Punisher:
Flick Reaper:
Harvest Cleric:
Lord Partizan:
Shadow Warlock:
Steam Gunner:
Tribal Grappler:
It'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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🇩🇴🇳'🇹 🇸🇭🇴🇴🇹 🇲🇪, 🇧🇷🇴
🇱🇪🇹 🇹🇭🇪🇲 🇪🇦🇹 🇩🇮🇬🇮🇹🇦🇱 🇨🇦🇰🇪
digital cake
[ She gives him an amused little smile, and she shakes her head in response to his question. ]
I don't feel anything so far, so I'm pretty sure it's safe. Try some!
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[Huff huff grump!! Yael stares at the cake. Sure, it looks fine, but is it really?]
What if you drop dead five minutes from now?
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1/2
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don't shoot me bro
Twenty-six. Lighten up a little. Have some fun~
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[He feels all gross and wet now, thanks! This game sucks!!]
I'd have more fun if you left me alone. Just saying.
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digital cake!
they smile brightly at this hag stranger with small squinty eyes and holds their cup high into the air like a trophy. ]
It's delightfully realistic! Toss it back, I say!
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[He's just gonna like. Stare at Hani for a moment. Delightfully realistic, huh... Well, he does spend entirely too much time and money drinking irl................]
How's it work? Do you feel buzzed?
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newbie alert
[ What did you mean by please don't ask? He's going to ask Real Questions. ]
But it looks like crap, yeah.
[ Instead of being completely useless, Joonghyuk tries to shove the Railroad Spikes into Yael's hands. ]
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...Huh.
[Oh. Maybe this jerk isn't totally useless? Yael successfully manages to grab the spikes when they're shoved into his hands.]
Thanks, but your attitude could use some work.
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n00b alert lmao
He only speaks up after Yael does. ]
I don't think we have much of a choice at this point. We've all gotta start somewhere.
[ Which is the nicer way of putting it.
Or maybe he's just having trouble picking up his things in the game. ]
You, uh, need help?
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[Yael successfully managed to get his weapon equipped with the help of another player, and immediately after, the same player slapped his weapons right out of his hands. Needless to say, his trust is low.]
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dont shoot me, bro
[FWOOSH! Another stream of water blasts out at Yael's face, Matoba pumping the action on this water-shotgun like a mobster in an old 50's flick. He's not exactly perfectly dry himself, with his long black hair clinging to his shoulder like a wet cat, but he doesn't seem to be minding it one bit.]
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digital cake
You were saying? ]
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Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake
No funny business yet! Call me one pleased guinea pig.
[Even the crumbs flying from his mouth feel real! Probably not fun for Yael, but absolutely a blast for Leo.]
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newbie alert;
[ Actually the 'anything else' they look like is 'shit' but that's obvious so eh. ]
I did think it might be a prank, though.
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digital cake;
"Funny"? Yes. If you drink too much of it, it makes you act like a fool.
[ Exhibit A: the entire party happening around them. ]
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don't shoot me bro
glamming over the ugly ass beginner armordressing up as a vegetable and armed with a water gun. she'll raise said water gun into the air when she lands a hit on yael and laugh. this poor man. ]Didn't your parents warn you about what kind of information you give about yourself online?
[ she'll lower her hand and water gun to her side. no more shots for now, at least?? ]
It's really not that bad, though, is it?
tomato uta is canon
it's better than her piros the third cosplay
but she looks so good in gold!
that's besides the point...!
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digital cake;
So are you just going to sit here and be paranoid and boring instead, then? It's only a game.
[Lighten up a little, bro!!]
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let them eat digital cake
Aoi had a macaron. It made her thirsty; no negative stat effects, unique CG or event was triggered from Aoi eating.
[She doesn't drink her can of tomato juice, still holding it.]
Aoi doesn't know about how rerolling a new character in a closed beta works. Sorry.
[She opens and drinks the can of tomato juice. She's perfectly still and silent for five seconds before extending her can of tomato juice to him.]
Tomato juice is safe. You can have Aoi's can but that would trigger an indirect kiss event.
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shoots you
You tell him to knock it off, and he just kind of looks at you. Reflecting on the error of his ways, perhaps?
He attempts to hit Yael with it again, )
falls over clutching my knee
an arrow to the knee..... :flushed:
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Newbie Alert
She saunters over, Yaoi Oar slung over her shoulder. She's gotten everything equipped, but it's obvious more than a few people are struggling.] They really look more like joke weapons than level one gear. But it'll get replaced pretty quickly once we really start playing.
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Digital cake
... um, isn't that alcohol?
[Emil, master of stating the obvious.]
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digital cake!!
Paranoid, are you? I can't say I've felt any ill effects.
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I DID NOT SHOOT
Oh no, he's been framed]
W-wait a second! It wasn't me!!
[The nerf gun on the floor isn't helping him. Probably]
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digital cake
What do you think it's gonna do, give you virtual food poisoning? There's no way anyone'd waste time coding something like that.
[Said in a strong accent. Mr New Jersey....]
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