Thank you Reviewers for the feedback. I'm glad that this fic is gaining some interest.
By the way, romance will not occur until way later. I'm a believer of 'Love does not happen like in a shoujo manga where one of the main characters falls in love in two seconds and get the other to fall in love with them too a day later'.
Also, someone finally brought up 1/2 Prince. I'm a fan of the novels of both that and SAO, they kinda serve as guidelines. I'm not basing this off them though, it's just that it's hard to write an exciting VR story without aspects overlapping.
Disclaimer: I own no part of Kuroko no Basuke, all I have is a premise.
Chapter 4: Ghost & Invite
April 4, 2038: Two days after the release of Akashi Industries' new VRMMO RPG, Kiseki World Online.
Two figures roamed the streets of Tolucini, the town of the Kiseki World Online's second island.
"Nee, Aka-chin. I'm hungry", said one of them, rubbing his stomach as if to emphasize the feeling. "I want candy".
"Atsushi, there is neither food nor hunger in this game", the other said sternly.
"But I want to eat", the first said, face turned downwards in a childish pout. "Can we stop playing yet?"
The other crossed his arms.
With his red eyes glaring he said, "As I've told you before, Atsushi, we're aiming to be the strongest. Nothing less will be tolerated. I'm going to find the best pieces as my generals, but to do so I must be the most powerful of all. We can leave once we get to the next island."
"Hai", came the lazy reply.
The pair arrived at the edge of the town and walked into one of the forest paths; one that lead to the strongest monsters on the island, level 15 beasts that were similar to bears.
"Nee, Aka-chin. Can I make this quick?"
The player posing the question was named Murasakibara Atsushi, or in the game, just Murasakibara.
"Do as you will."
The other was a man known to many as Akashi Seijuurou.
In a mere hour, the two had created characters, leveled quickly, and chose their respective classes: bringing us to the point we're at now.
Murasakibara was a tall, towering man; 208 cm tall currently. His height was not the only impressive thing about him, however. He also had enormous strength and speed to match, especially because he has chosen a Beast-type character race.
Naturally, he had chosen to become part of the Fighter class.
In his hand he held a large broadsword, one of the heaviest types of weapon in the game (though of course it was really nothing to him.)
He approached one of the bear-like creatures in the field. This particular monster was an Active Aggro type, meaning it would attack any player in range without provocation.
It charged at the purple-haired giant, legs pounding on the dirt and fangs bared dangerously.
Murasakibara, however, was completely unfazed at the charging monster; if anything he thought it was boring.
He raised his broadsword above his head. The bear creature was now right in front of him, ready to attack him with its razor-sharp claws.
Then the sword was brought down.
Even though it was a low-level weapon, the simplest of all the game's broadswords in fact, the blade sliced straight through the monster in a single, clean strike.
{+225 Experience, [+12 Party Bonus]}
{Obtained: Kube Claw, Kube Pelt, 268 ladomi} *
As he said, he'd make short work of them. He did want to eat after all. On another part of the map, the second man stood.
He had chosen to become an Elf player, a Mage class. In his hand was a short staff, a somewhat rare (but not unique) item gained by randomizing during his class change.
Currently, two of the Kube were hell-bent on stampeding him, each on one of his opposite sides from the other.
With minimal movement, Akashi gracefully side-stepped from the carnage zone and the two monsters collided with each other head on; they fell to the ground in a heap of fur and claws.
Silently, the crimson-haired Mage raised his free hand towards them.
Two large balls of energy shot out in succession from his open palm, killing both of the bear monsters on impact.
{+225 Experience, [+12 Party Bonus]}
{Obtained: Kube Claw, 259 ladomi} *
{+225 Experience, [+12 Party Bonus]}
{Obtained: Kube Claw, Kube Pelt, 278 ladomi} *
{Akashi has leveled up!: level 11}
It went on more a few minutes more before both of the pair had become level 15 without a single hit point worth of damage done to either of them.
The two were now qualified for another class change. They walked further into the forest; All paths through it eventually led to the port at the end of the island. Their destination was the game's third island, Aforia. Though I say island, it was really more of a continent.
The island was home to four cities each located on a different edge of it. Each city was where a certain class could advance to their next stage.
When they got to the city, the two (or more specifically, Akashi), planned first to change classes once again, then find and recruit party members worthy of the boarded the ferry along with the other players in the game, settling in a corner of the ship and sitting on the wooden boards that were the floor.
The tall Beast-man spoke to the other in a private messenger.
"Why are we doing this again, Aka-chin? We're GMs. We're already the strongest."
"Because, Atsushi, we're becoming the strongest through our own power. There would be no challenge to just do away with someone at the flick of a finger. Besides, even without being a Game Master, there's no chance that we'd ever lose in any fight. All that I dictate is absolute."
The taller man flopped onto his back, sprawled out on the floor. He already knew that nothing he said could change the other's mindset in the slightest. They had, after all, been friends since their childhood days.
Only a few seconds passed before he asked, "When we stop playing, can we get snacks?"
The red-haired man lips turned up in a small smirk-like smile knowing the other would not try to oppose him. One of the things he hated most in life was disobedience.
"Of course".
April 24, 2038.
Kuroko stared at the staff in his hands. Somehow, it looked different than before.
About an hour ago it had been the color of milk chocolate, but now it had changed into an ebony shade of brown.
It also seemed to be growing; changing shape to be more exact.
Whereas previously it had been straight at the top, the staff's length had grown and was now curving inwards into itself.
The weapon's stats had changed as well. Kuroko hadn't noticed it until now but it, along with him, had become stronger. The previously level 8 weapon was now a good 11.
"This is probably what the system meant by a 'unique' item", he thought as he studied it.
The blue-haired man had been training at least a good hour, and was level 14 himself; almost ready to follow the party he'd met to the next island.
He had also learned six new spells, though he chose to save the rest of his skill and slot points for when he got a class change.
Blue eyes scanned the meadow.
People had been coming into this map often, only to run out the next minute as if they'd seen a ghost. They probably thought they had. What they didn't see, however, was Kuroko.
He supposed it was good to have the map by itself, he could test his skills and kill monsters without interruption; though he was a bit irked that even while attacking using glowing balls of energy he still went by unnoticed.
A pale hand was raised to the sky as Kuroko concentrated on lengthening the range of the spell he was casting. It was one of the spells Riko had used earlier, a single strike attack that was better to use when the rabbit monsters charged towards him.
While Magic Ball had to be aimed at a target manually, this spell, Judgment, would attack any monster the user could keep their eyes on. The Labusa (The rabbit monster he'd been leveling on) he'd targeted died on impact.
{+54 Experience}
{Obtained: Labusa tail, 63 ladomi}*
By now, training was feeling rather slow.
Kuroko's mind tried reasoning with himself that this is how solo player Mages like him were supposed to train: with monsters kill-able in one hit, slowly gaining experience and levels. He was starting to get bored of the mindless grinding though.
And so, he turned to the other monster in the map.
One of the deer-like creatures stood proudly as it grazed. The blue-haired Elf had noticed that unlike the Labusa, they didn't bound out of the way when your attack was too close. Earlier he had almost grazed one while aiming for one of the former monsters, but it remained upright in all its grace.
And so he positioned himself towards it. He had a gut feeling that it would be a lot stronger than what he'd faced so far.
{Sephila's Blessing activated: Magic Attack +10}
{Nilin's Blessing activated: Speed +10}
Currently, Magic Ball was the Elf's strongest skill as he had used it the most. It had taken him the good part of the hour, but he could now cast it instantly.
And so he sent one flying towards the monster.
[-676 HP, Kanoree: {324/1000}]
The monster turned towards him. Kuroko expected it to charge towards him like the Labusa had, but it bent down and bore its antlers towards his direction.
Slowly by surely, a ball of magic just like the Mage's formed in between them.
The attack shot out, and because he'd been a bit too distracted by the fact the monster could even use a spell, it hit his left leg, causing him to collapse onto it.
[-78 HP, Kuroko: {642/720}]
The Kanoree now ran towards him, MP having been depleted with that one attack.
The Elf managed to jump out of the way, right before he could be impaled on the monster's antlers. He cast another Magic Ball, creating a bloody line on the beast as it grazed its side.
[-259 HP, Kanoree: {65/1000}]
The monster gaze Kuroko no time to react as it slammed him to the ground using its broad hooves.
[-163 HP, Kuroko: {484/720}]
Along with the dizzy feeling in his head, pain radiated from the blue-haired man's sternum, the area the Kanoree was currently standing on. A second later, the weight lifted from his chest.
Still rather disoriented from being tackled to the ground, he looked up, only to be greeted with the sight of the cleft appendages as they bore back down on the same spot from which they lifted.
[-204 HP, Kuroko: {280/720}]
The blue-haired man couldn't help but let out a small gasp in pain.
Ugh. This hurts. Now I can see what the person who sold this to me felt like.
The mass once again lifted from the Mage. He tried to find the strength to lift his arms and attack, but to no avail. The man couldn't even attack with his staff as it'd been knocked away during the previous events. He grit his teeth and shut his eyes, preparing for the oncoming onslaught of pain.
But it never came.
Confused, his sapphire orbs opened themselves and, instead of a large deer-like beast, found themselves looking at an outstretched hand.
He grabbed it, and felt himself being steadied as he was hoisted to his feet. A second later the hand was replaced by his missing staff.
"You all right?", asked a some-what deep and rough voice.
"Ah, yes. Thank you", the mage replied as he waited for his vision to stop spinning. He had never been in a fight or anything similar before, so being purposely knocked to the ground was a new experience for him.
After a few seconds, Kuroko's mind cleared enough to the point where he could study the man standing in front of him.
The other was what looked to be of the Fighter class, a beginner's long sword in his right hand. He was visibly taller than Kuroko by a large margin; the Elf guessed he was slightly more than six feet.
He was a Dark Elf; no wait, upon closer inspection, Kuroko could see that the other had normal ears, meaning his tanned skin was natural and he was a Human-type player.
The other smiled a toothy grin at him and asked, "this your first time playing a game like this?"
The Elf gave a small nod.
"Man, I was pretty damn surprised when one of those monsters started rampaging out of nowhere. I thought it was some kind of glitch or something. It took me a while to realize you were being attacked. I was actually pretty freaked out because I thought you were an actual ghost or something. The rumors are kinda off."
Ghost? Ah, he must mean me.
"Since I'm here though, wanna help each other level? I have another friend who should be coming here soon, so you could join our party."
The blue-haired Elf responded in his usual monotone, "I'm afraid I would be a burden to you. I've just started playing and don't know very well how to fight."
The dark-skinned man just replied , "Me and my friend actually just started playing too. It'd be nice to have another party member, we don't have a mage, and you seem pretty strong actually. Besides, you don't actually seem much like the type that likes to play alone. Or at least that's my intuition."
The shorter man thought about it for a moment.
This other person seemed very friendly, even almost pushy. Besides, the stranger's intuition was right. Kuroko didn't actually want to play alone, he just feel awkward about social interactions and trying to find a party. He would've trained with Takao, but by the time the other had gotten him to start playing, they were already too many levels and islands apart.
He looked at the other, who'd placed a hand on his hair while waiting for a response (Unlike the black Kuroko had originally thought it was, it was more of a misleading dark blue). The tan player smiled again when he caught the other's eyes. He really does seem genuinely kind.
And so, the light-blue haired man replied, "If it's not too much trouble then, please accept me into your party."
The taller man's smile widened further, and he slapped Kuroko on the back heartily. "You should meet my friend, actually, I think I see her now.
Another figure came into Kuroko's view.
When the shape moved towards them, Kuroko could see that it was a woman with long, waist-length pink hair. In his opinion, she was rather pretty (though to the majority of the male population, she'd be considered a beauty).
She stomped closer to the pair, irritation evident on her face.
"How dare you leave me behind, Dai-chan! The ghost thing was just a rumor you know. All I did was turn my back for one second to get some potions and you disappear!"
"My bad."
She huffed in annoyance. "Really, why do I put up with you", she sighed, turning around and crossing her arms. She let out a small squeak when she came face-to-face with large,blank blue eyes.
She jumped away and ran behind the Warrior (an alternate name for the Fighter class). The pinkette pointed an accusatory figure towards Kuroko and stuttered, "D-Dai-chan! It's a g-ghost!"
The man nicknamed 'Dai-chan' just laughed. "Oh yeah, this dude is joining our party."
"He's a player?"
The woman stopped hiding behind the other's back, her face flushed a bit in embarrassment. She shuffled around a bit nervously before apologizing about mistaking Kuroko as an apparition.
"Oh yeah, come to think of it, we don't know each other's names."
"Dai-chan! That's rude! You should always introduce yourself first."
She sighed once again, and turned to the Elf.
"I'm sorry about him. My name's Momoi Satsuki and I'm a Rogue class player", she said cheerfully. The woman then pointed to her friend. "This guy is Aomine Daiki. He's a Fighter class player, though I'm sure you've noticed. We've been playing games like this together for a few years now. Nice to meet you."
The blunette Elf noted she seemed quite used to the other man's whims as she'd accepted the notion of him joining them easily.
"My name is Kuroko Tetsuya". He hadn't been planning to tell them his first name when he introduced himself, but he felt the need to since Momoi had.
"So it's Tetsu", the tall man all but stated as he moved his fingers fluidly across a panel screen.
{Aomine has invited you to join a party}
"Would you like to accept?"
"Yes"*
"No"
.
"Yes"*
"No"
{Kuroko has joined a party}
Its extras time~
Kiseki World Online: Damage System
In Kiseki World Online, damage received depends on not only your enemy's strength, but your defense. Mages have high magic defense, but low physical defense; which is why Kuroko took the damage he did above. Fighters are the opposite.
If you'll notice though, the numbers just slightly don't add up. All players have a passive regeneration rate. Kuroko being the class and level he is has a really low one. Monsters don't regenerate unless they have a heal spell or are no longer engaged in combat.
Wheee. The GoM are appearing. I can't wait to start writing PvP fight scenes.
Btw, I'll be following a plotline similar to the actual manga, though the teams won't be the same and a few other aspects have been re-arranged.
Also, I apologize for those of you who thought the pairing was Aokuro. It will not be. /bows a hundred times. Perhaps I should just tell you my OTP already.
I really am trying to write longer chapters. This one is average length for me, though I'm really busy this week. Too many tests and too much homework for me to be able to write in peace.
If there's anything anybody doesn't understand, you can PM me~
Anyways, feedback is always welcome here~