War Grounds

[Please enter a name for your character.]

Udil.

It was the first name that popped up in Al's mind - his previous account and late father's name.

...

Ever since Al lost his father in a car accident, the boy found solace in video games. He named all of his accounts as Udil. To him, his father was his hero, and by playing games, using characters named as such, he'll be able to spend more time with the memory of his dad.

At first, Marina, Al's mother, would keep on berating her son for spending most of his time in video games. To her, it was a waste of resources, and nonsensical, but when she heard Al's explanation - she was moved.

The reality of dealing with the pain of losing someone you love was harder than the sound of its idea, and the thought that her son was coping with this ordeal by using his father's name in games, suddenly made sense.

With no real figure to call as a father, Marina would not want to see her son swallowed by the darkness brought about by grief. She would only hold on to her husband's very words when Al was born - "I'll wage war, and burn grounds for my child's happiness.", and the idea of her son playing War Grounds, seemed funny and at the same time, sentimental to her. From there on, she supported Al with his virtual escape, making sure that the boy does not go over the limits.

"Live and be happy, my son, live and be happy." That's all she ever wished.

…

Al was very particular with names and labels. A trait he might had inherited from his parents, especially his mom.

Marina would always remember the reason behind Al's name, every time she hears about the boy's alibi as a cover of his excessive exposure to video games - Dad's Name Technique.

'Al' - a name formed from the last letter of the couple's first names, 'A' from Marina, and 'L' from Udil. They named their only child as such because, to them, he was their last legacy, and indeed, the boy was now the sole heir in the incomplete family.

'Please be available! Please be available!' Although 'Udil' was a unique name, Al was not sure if it will still be accepted as his previous account had already used this one, and War Ground's system does not permit duplication of in-game names.

[This username is available. Are you sure that you will use this name? Remember, once started; you cannot change your in-game name, anymore.]

'So, my previous account was gone for real, huh?' Al muttered in his thought. "Tsk. Anyway, the record on that one was abysmal; my father does not deserve that story. SARS, let's leave a better legacy for my dad!"

[Udil created. Please choose your race.]

There are ten races in War God's System, and each one had its unique characteristics.

[Human, Lords of the Earth - Unique passive skill: (Jack of all Trades) - Additional 2 attribute points for every level up, and no equipment and skill restrictions.]

[Undead, Lords of the Grave - Unique passive skill: (Shrouded Skin) - Unable to be damaged by physical attacks. However, users will receive a 55% increased magical damage from Fire Elemental skills. ]

[Dwarf, Lords of the Underground - Unique passive skill: (Smelted Hands) - Specializes in armors. Users receive a 30% Increase in Armor Forging Skills' Success Rate and 15% Damage Reduction in both Physical and Magical Aspects. 5% increase in Movement Speed, outside battle, but is slower if in combat.]

[Goblin, Lords of the Explosion - Unique passive skill: (Ballistic Arts) - Specializes in weapons. 30% Increase in Weapon Forging Skills' Success Rate, and a 10% increase in Artillery Damages.]

[Murloc, Lords of the Sea - Unique passive skill: (Bubbled Oxygen) - Specializes in aquatic terrain. Mana Recovery is increased by 20%, and no stamina consumption if in bodies of water.]

[Savage, Lords of the Forest - Unique passive skill: (Nature's Gift) - Specializes in shapeshifting. Gains additional abilities depending on the choice of the beast. 5% increase in Life Steal.]

[Elf, Lords of the Magic - Unique passive skill: (Wind's Magic) - Specializes in Agility. Increase in dodge rate by 25%, and 15% increase in magic resistance & damage.]

[Demon, Lords of the Dusk - Unique passive skill: (Dark Cry)- Specializes in Dark Elements. Grants an additional 25% attributes to any Dark Elemental Equipment and Skills. Increase in attributes by 10% if playing in dark terrain.]

[Divine, Lords of the Dawn - Unique passive skill: (Heaven's Song) - Specializes in AOE (Area of Effect) damage. Gains an extra 20% attributes from Light Elemental equipment and abilities. Skills have long cooldowns. If playing in a dark terrain, illuminates the surroundings by up to 10 body units from the user's position.]

With no hesitation, and thought of asking SARS's advice, Al immediately picked the Human Race.

[You had chosen to be a part of the Human Race, favorable among Elf, Dwarf, and Divine Races. Hostile against the Undead, Savage, Goblin, and Demon Races. Neutral with Orc and Murloc Races.]

Al smiled, and the excitement in his eyes could not be hidden as he savored the memories of racial wars in his previous account. Well, aside from being helplessly slaughtered in the battlefield by the common enemies, the thought of the prominent figures in each race had always inspired him, especially, 'Lidar' - the undefeated and current 'Top One Human Player' in the game.

[Please choose your character's class.]

'Warrior' was in the bottom part of the list, due to the alphabetical arrangement. Al urgently scrolled, not daring to waste any time going through the other classes' descriptions. When he arrived at the bottom-most part of the list, he was just about to choose the 'Warrior' option, when he noticed a '?'.

'Huh? It was not here before. Is this a button for a random pick ?' Al remembered that for people having a hard time choosing, some games created the random button, often represented by a question mark.

[Hidden class discovered. Click to proceed.] A message from SARS popped up.

"A hidden class? Hmmm. What do you suggest, SARS?" Al asked.

[No matter what class you choose, if you're a weakling, you'll always be a loser.]

"You!" SARS was really good at shortening Al's temper. "I'll show you! I won't even need your help, humph!"

[Hidden Class: The Creator discovered.]

[Udil, Human Creator, Level 1, Rookie V created.]

[Daily entry pass received.]

"Phew! I was nervous there! I had already lost my ticket just a while ago. Great! Let me get back to those losers! SARS, come, let's slaughter them all."

[SARS not available. Help not needed by Al Gentrix So Strong.]

"WTF!" Al cursed.