System Alert: "Initiating neural handshake protocol."
The sterile blue chamber pulsed with holographic glyphs as my consciousness stabilized. A synthetic voice echoed: "Iris lock confirmed. Neural interface handshake in progress."
After two tense seconds: "Biometric verification complete. Welcome to [ZERO], Traveler. Transferring to core AI guidance."
A mellifluous female voice replaced the machinery. "Congratulations on your Founder''s Account! Commence reward allocation via the Wheel of Fortune."
A colossal roulette materialized, its segments glowing with eldritch runes (0-4). "Clarification: Reward quantity is randomized. Maximum: 4 bonuses. Minimum: 0 (reverting to standard account privileges)."
"Zero?!" My avatar''s hands clenched. "After queuing 47 hours for this beta key?!"
"Spin initiated." The wheel whirled with ominous clicks, slowing agonizingly:
3... 2... 1... 0...
CLANG! The needle quivered precisely between 0 and 4.
Critical Success! "Maximum rewards unlocked: 4 permanent buffs. Allocate to single character (recommended) or split between two?"
"Consolidate!" No sane player would dilute Founder advantages.
Character Creation Protocol:
"Designate permanent handle (Chinese characters preferred)."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"Violet Sun." My classic edgelord alias never failed.
Genetics Engine Activated:
Holograms bifurcated - ground-level Common Races (12 types) versus floating Elite Races (7 hidden). Each bore my facial baseline with racial modifiers.
"Elite Race breakdown:"
<ol start="1">
<li>
Seraphim - Holy DPS/tank hybrid | Innate [Divine Radiance] heal
</li>
<li>
Netherborn - Dark magic specialists | +30% shadowspell potency
</li>
<li>
Half-Sylvan - Lunar agility + human endurance
</li>
<li>
Psionic Elemental - +5% spell damage | Mana tide recovery
</li>
<li>
Ursine - Berserker physique with shamanic intellect
</li>
<li>
Nephilim - Balanced holy/dark resistances
</li>
<li>
Demonkin (Limited Edition) - Hybrid offense master | No elemental weaknesses
</li>
</ol>
"Strategic recommendation: Demonkin slots remaining - 9/10."
Through elimination:
<ul>
<li>
Discarded Psionic (aesthetically challenged crystalline form)
</li>
<li>
Axed Ursine (overmuscled silhouette ruined armor cosmetics)
</li>
<li>
Rejected Seraphim/Nephilim (clashed with "Violet Sun" theming)
</li>
</ul>
Confirmed Race: Demonkin
Perk Unlocked: [Abyssal Heritage] - +1 base stat point (First Discoverer bonus)
Avatar Customization:
The base model mirrored my IRL physique (172cm) with obsidian wings. Sliders allowed 10% adjustment:
<ul>
<li>
Sharpened jawline from 89° to 97°
</li>
<li>
Nasal bridge angularity +15%
</li>
<li>
Iris luminescence dimmed to hematite spectrum
</li>
</ul>
System Warning: "Androgyny threshold exceeded. Demonkin physiology favors gender-neutral phenotypes."
Despite my efforts to masculinize the features, the avatar retained an androgynous beauty typical of shadow-aligned races—all sharp angles and smoldering gaze. The wings folded into a spectral tattoo when toggled.
Finalization:
"Violet Sun (Demonkin) archived. Proceed to bonus allocation?"
The chamber walls dissolved into swirling voidspace, prepping for the true challenge—stat optimization.