Chapter 3

When I realized it, I was standing in a white space.

In front of me, a figure identical to myself was floating, dressed in simple clothes. Is this my avatar, my in-game alter ego?

As I looked around, a mini-sized devil character appeared with a pop. She was a girl with horns, bat wings, and a tail, resembling a three-headed mini character.

I think this girl was supposed to be Demiko, the official guide character.

"Welcome to [Demons World Online]! First, please set up your avatar! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!"

Wow, she really seems alive. As they said on TV, the latest AI has come this far.

Following Demiko's instructions, I proceeded with the character creation. Hmm, my name is Haku... would that be bad?

In "DWO," it's generally recommended to keep your avatar's name and appearance as close to your real self as possible. This is because if you get into trouble in the game, it could affect your real life as well.

I remember there was a news story about a woman who played with her real name and real appearance and was stalked by a man she met in a VR game.

It's not mandatory, but I think I'll make some changes.

How about the player name "Shiro"? It's not very original, but it'll do.

I can't change my gender. There's no way I'd become a woman in the VR world. Although, cross-dressing might be possible.

For my appearance... I can base it on my own face and choose from the available parts or set it in detail.

Hmm, even if I become handsome in the game, it feels kind of empty, and if I meet Rensia and I'm a handsome guy, it might be embarrassing... I think just changing my eyes and hairstyle will do. I feel like my eyes have become a bit sharper.

I'll go with white hair. My real name is "Hakuto." I'll keep my eye color the same.

I just made my hair a bit longer. Since the base is me, it doesn't seem to have changed much, but apparently, it will change more once I add racial traits. For now, let's proceed.

Now, for the race selection...

【Demon Race】Demons

【Vampire Race】Vampires

【Beast Race】Sylvans

【Oni Race】Ogres

【Succubus Race】Incubus/Succubus

【Dragon Race】Dragonytes

【Elf Race】Elves

【Dwarf Race】Dwarves

Hmm, this is tough. The Beast Race's racial skill, "Beast Transformation," is quite appealing...

There are many choices for the Beast Race, like the Warabbit. While a Werewolf turns into a wolf man, a Warabbit probably turns into a rabbit man. A man with a rabbit face... that sounds a bit creepy...

The Oni Race, Elf Race, and Dwarf Race have traits that are too specialized, so I'll pass on those.

For the Succubus Race, since I'm male, I'd be an Incubus... with high luck and a high item drop rate. The racial skill "Charm" makes it easier to succeed in taming monsters. Being able to walk with a companion animal is appealing. I want to pet them.

The Vampire Race feels a bit cliché. The racial skill "Regeneration" allows you to avoid death once in battle.

I'll ask Demiko about the pros and cons of each race for reference.

Hmm... I think I'll go with the Demon Race. The abilities are average and a bit boring, but I'm a beginner, so it might be better. The Warabbit from the Beast Race is tempting, but a race with fewer quirks seems more versatile. That's my amateur opinion.

Plus, the racial skill "Adaptability" seems useful.

"Your proficiency in all skills increases slightly faster," which is quite helpful. It means faster growth compared to other races.

Okay, I'll go with the Demon Race.

When I selected the race, my avatar's ears became slightly pointed. It seems Demons don't change their bodies much.

"Next, let's decide on your initial weapon and initial skills!"

I see, next is choosing weapons and skills.

The racial skill "Adaptability" is already in the slot. There are seven slots in total, so six are left.

A list of initial skills is displayed. Wow, I have to choose from this? This is tough...

"By the way, the skills on this list can be relatively easily obtained later in the game! So, feel free to choose!"

Oh, really? Then I don't have to think too deeply... but I should still consider it. Just because they're obtainable doesn't mean they're guaranteed.

First, I need to decide what weapon to use, which will affect the skills I choose.

Hmm, the initial weapons are: sword, axe, spear, bow, club, staff, dagger, and gauntlet.

"Demiko, what's a gauntlet?"

"It's a striking weapon."

Like gloves that fighters wear.

I'm used to training with my uncle, and being unarmed isn't bad either...

Daggers can be equipped in both hands. That's tempting... Hmm, what should I do?

"Initial weapons can be bought from shops, so you can choose something you like for now. But, for example, if you choose a sword and then take the skill 'Spear Mastery,' it would be a waste, so I don't recommend it."

That's true. Hmm, I'll go with daggers for now. That means one of my initial skills will be "Dagger Mastery."

Since both hands will be occupied, I can't equip a shield, so I'll focus on agility to dodge attacks. Hmm... "Agility Up (Small)" and "Reflex"?

To avoid being ambushed, "Perception," and to make my own recovery items, "Alchemy." Also... oh, "Appraisal" would be convenient. Wait, is that all? I wanted "Strength Up (Small)" too... but if I can get it later, it's fine.

Some races can't learn certain skills due to insufficient stats. The Demon Race is average, so I don't have to worry about that.

■Shiro Level 1

【Demon Race】

■Title

【Young Adventurer】

■Equipment

- Weapon

Cheap Daggers x2

- Armor

Cheap Clothes (Top and Bottom)

Cheap Shoes

- Accessories

None

■Active Skills (7/7)

【Adaptability】【Dagger Mastery】

【Agility Up (Small)】

【Reflex】【Perception】

【Alchemy】【Appraisal】

■Reserved Skills (0/10)

None

■Inventory

Potions x3, Cheap Bento x3

■Gold

1000G

Okay, this should be fine. But, since they're initial equipment, many of them are "cheap." I need to earn money as soon as possible to replace them.

Okay, let's finalize this.

"Lastly, please decide on your [Sin Origin]. Once chosen, it cannot be changed later, so choose carefully. Your starting area will also be determined by this, so be cautious."

As Demiko said, a map appeared floating in the air in front of me.

A single continent floating in the sea. In the center of the continent was a blank area, surrounded by seven territories in different colors.

Each was labeled with one of the seven sins: Pride, Wrath, Greed, Lust, Gluttony, Sloth, and Envy, and they were blinking. I have to choose from these.

Is this the "starting area" Rensia mentioned in her letter? The enemies and towns vary depending on the starting area. Maybe some areas are easier to play through.

Since I don't have any particular preference, I chose "Sloth" without hesitation. Instantly, a bear-like emblem appeared and was stamped onto the background of my character data.

Then, a message appeared: "Your starting area has been set to [Sloth]. Character creation is complete."

That's it for character creation.

After that, I went through a brief tutorial, learning about various settings, battle methods, and skill usage. The tutorial was successfully completed, and I was ready to enter "Demons World."

"Before you set off to 'Demons World,' I have one request. 'Demons World' is not just inhabited by players but also by various NPCs."

"Um, what are NPCs?"

"Non-Player Characters. Characters in the game that are not controlled by players. I want you to remember that these NPCs are alive in 'Demons World.' They laugh when they're happy and cry when they're sad. Please treat them as friends in another world."

"Okay, I'll try my best, even though I'm not sure what you mean."

Basically, treat them normally. That's not too difficult.

"Then, have a good journey in 'Demons World.' If you have any problems, feel free to call me!"

"Thank you. I'll be going now."

Blinding light enveloped me, and my vision turned completely white. I felt the same sensation as when I logged in and lost consciousness again.

---

【DWO Brief Explanation】

- Players are recognized by NPCs in [Demons World] as residents from the 'outside.' [Demons World] has seven territories, and players choose one of the seven sins—Pride, Envy, Greed, Lust, Sloth, Wrath, or Gluttony—and start as a resident of that territory.

【DWO Unrelated Brief Explanation】

- The rabbit in "Inaba's White Rabbit" is thought to be a winter rabbit, not the red-eyed "Japanese White" breed. Winter rabbits have black or brown eyes.