At Ravens Mansion, in the city of Yarlford, Williard was deeply thinking in his room. "First, I need to save dad. I need to find the killer before the time. According to my memories, it'll happen a month after I joined college. That means there are three months until it's going to happen.
I remember that Storm said that there might be a betrayer in the group who pulled the trigger before those Wolf Syndicate members started the war. But there are more than a thousand thugs in the group. Who can I suspect? Let's just say someone close to dad?
I need to leave for Leafway City, seven weeks later. So, I need to find him before then. Well if I can't find the killer within time, then I guess I'll warn him. If he listens, then fine. If he doesn't, then it's his fate.
And also, I need to recollect all the memories I have on War Online. I can think about it after leaving this place."
Seven weeks later, as Mafia Lord Philip sending him off with sadness, Williard sat in the car without looking back.
"I failed on narrowing down the possible list. I did the only thing I can do. I warned him. He promised me he'll be careful with them. Rest is his fate. Well, at the very least, I probably won't die this time since Leafway City is on the other continent, far away from here," Williard sighed as the car is moving towards the Airport.
Sarton Street, Leafway City;
"Scarlet Apartments," Will read the name of this apartment complex from the outside before going in.
"This was named after my mom?" He asked Aster, his 35-year-old bodyguard, who used to be a professional assassin working for the Mafia lord but after getting injured in his legs in one of the operations, he became a branch manager for Scarlet group, which is a private security company.
Aster replied, "Yes, the Mafia Lord loves his wife dearly. Her name was a part of all of his legal assets. So, coming to this complex, you can see, it consists of three ten-story apartments. We put two buildings for rent and this one is for your use. Over 17 of them are rented while the rest are empty for now. Here's the list of tenants." Aster, who already made a file with complete details of everyone, gave the Tablet to Will.
"Why are you giving this to me?" asked Will with a frown on his face.
"Since Young Master is now the landlord, I thought you ought to know who your tenants are," replied Aster.
Williard took the Tablet and said, "I'll look at it later."
Soon, the lift stopped at the top floor that looks a little bit different from the other. There are cameras, sensors, security locks that require fingerprints and a retina scan while the windows are made bulletproof.
After settling down, Will turned on the television. Then, he saw the advertisements about War Online in all the news channels.
Looking at the official website, Williard mumbled, "only three weeks left until the release. Wow, more than 10 million capsules already sold? I never noticed before but it is surely the most anticipated game. Let's order one too. Hmm, oh, there's an S-grade capsule too? I never knew before. So, I can only order from C to A grade capsule from the website. S-grade ones have to be ordered directly from the company, huh?"
A week later, The College started but Will was sitting at his apartment and was typing all the events about the game that he remembered.
As for college, since he already studied in his past, Will thought going to college is a waste of time. So, he called Aster and said, "I don't care what you will do. I'll only go to college to write semester examinations. As for attendance, take care of it. I don't care how and remember no word to dad. Understood?"
Aster bowed and replied, "yes, young master, consider it done. By the way, two S-grade capsules from "Summersoft" were on their way just like you ordered."
"Good. Tell them to deliver one here and the other to your home," said Williard without paying much attention to him.
Aster got confused, "my home?"
Williard replied, "yeah, yours. Who else? You will remain as my bodyguard inside the game too."
"This. Playing games at my age is..." as Aster was hesitating, not knowing how to refuse his order, Williard said, "don't you want to experience the feeling of being an Assassin again? You probably didn't enquire about it while following my orders. The capsule that's on its way is to enter War Online, an upcoming VRMMO game.
Your consciousness will be synchronized with the game installed in the Capsule. That means you can become an assassin once again. Don't be pressured. This isn't an order. I'm giving you a choice. If you don't want to do that, then choose a bodyguard who was willing to enter the game and protect me in-game too and replace yourself with him. I'm also willing to give a double salary for that."
After hearing Williard's explanation, Aster bowed in appreciation and thanked him for giving him a chance.
Two more weeks passed away in a blink of an eye.
June 20th, 2020; the day, War Online is going to be released. More than 50 million people were excitedly waiting for the server to open. As the countdown hit 15 minutes, Will lie down in the capsule and closed the door. As the oxygen released, he pressed the sync button and closed his eyes.
As Will opened his eyes, he found himself in a familiar white and empty space. Then, a beautiful lady appeared before him and said, "welcome to Summersoft S-Grade Capsule. As a user of this special capsule, would you like to know more about it?"
Williard replied, "later. Let me go to the countdown screen." The lady disappeared and a big digital countdown appeared before him.
"12 minutes... 5minutes... 3minutes... 1minute... 30 seconds... 10 seconds... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... *Ding* Server is opened. Would you like to enter the game?"
As he saw a virtual button before him, he pressed enter. Suddenly, the scenery around him changed and he found himself in space and below him, there was a large and beautiful blue and green planet.
An Angel descended from the above and stood before him while flapping her wings. As she saw him, she spoke, "welcome to War Online. Would you like to watch the introduction or skip it?"
Will immediately replied, "skip it."
As she flapped her wings, the scenery around them changed and he was on the ground this time. Then, she said, "choose your race."
An illustration introducing four races appeared before him.
Human, Elf, Angel, Demon;
Human: Race that dominates the material world except for the forests.
No strengths and No weaknesses. Adaptable in all regions.
Elf: Race that dominates the forests.
All attributes: - Inside the forest regions- 10% increase, Outside the forest- 10% decrease.
All skills against other races: - Inside the forest- 20% increase, Outside the forest- 20% decrease
Angel: Race that contains divinity. Sworn enemies of demons. They can fly using their wings.
All attributes: - Material world- 20% increase, Underworld- 50% decrease.
All skills against Demons: - Material world- 50% increase, Underworld- 50% decrease.
Demon: Race that dominates the underworld.
All attributes: - Inside the underworld- 20% increase, Outside the Underworld- 20% decrease.
All skills against other races: - Inside the underworld- 20% increase, Outside the Underworld- 20% decrease.
Williard, who already decided what he will be choosing the class long ago, pressed the option.