But it is an online game after all, and management insisted, “Please rest easy! All inhuman players will still be able to access towns the same as any other player, as long as they choose a race capable of human speech.”
Naturally, the community retorted, “What was that last part?! That sounds pretty important!”
PvP is just an ordinary part of the game, of course. But the town residents—or rather, the NPCs—will treat inhuman players normally. It is still a game, and malicious player kills can be dealt with through user reports.
If you select an inhuman race, you may come across a map that is nearly impossible to clear due to your affinity. Those who want to avoid this are advised to choose a standard race.
I see, I see. Yet I still feel a bit drawn to the inhuman ones. What shall I do? A slime would be a test of patience until I’m able to evolve. A wolf…would a wolf be all right? A quadrupedal one, unlike the beastmen who stand upright. They’re apparently quite strong… Well, maybe a horse…or a snake…or even a spider…?
But none of those can talk—that means they can’t interact with NPCs. If you evolve into a centaur, an echidna, or an arachne, you gain a demi-human form so you can probably communicate. But even if you can level faster than normal races, how long will that take? That’s definitely a problem.
Oh, goblins and skeletons can apparently talk. But where are the skeletons’ vocal cords…? Okay, self, try not to think too hard about it. There are also mini golems, but I think they get bigger on evolution. Ugh, that sounds like it would be a real nuisance. A ghost—wait, how would I move?
Hmm, I’m going to have to make a choice eventually. But what? Eenie, meenie, zombie…ho!
You have selected zombie. As a member of the undead, there is a chance of you losing body parts. When this happens, you must use an in-game item to recover them.
This chance to lose limbs is one of the reasons undead is such an unpopular choice. If it’s the same as the beta, then you don’t lose limbs until level 10. Granted, zombies don’t feel pain, so it won’t hurt. Still, it’s quite inconvenient.
Name: —
Race: Zombie ♀
Attribute: Dark
Genus: Low Undead
Species: Zombie
RACE (MONSTER) SKILLS:
Physical Resistance Lv 1, Automatic HP Regen Lv 1, Low Undead, Decomposing Body
PHYSICAL RESISTANCE
Physical damage will be reduced based on skill level.
AUTOMATIC HP REGEN
HP will automatically recover based on skill level.
LOW UNDEAD
Receives continuous damage in sunlight. Damage is reduced in the shade.
Light and Holy Attribute Damage Received x4
Bonus to All Stats under Moonlight: Minor
Dark Attribute Enhancement: Minor
Dark Attribute Resistance: Minor
Increased Effectiveness of HP Regen Skills: Minor
Night Vision
Nullifies physical and mental status ailments. Does not require food or sleep.
DECOMPOSING BODY
Reduced feedback from the five senses. Constantly releases a musty, sludge-like stench that smells terrible—obviously. Those around you who smell the scent of your rotting flesh will vomit.
Fire Attribute Damage Received x2
I don’t have much to say about Physical Resistance and Automatic HP Regen. However, Low Undead looks quite strong. It nullifies status ailments that would be pointless against the dead. The problem is the continuous damage in sunlight, but perhaps I could offset that by increasing the skill level of my regeneration. The fact that it’s low means there’s probably a mid and high; I can’t wait to see what evolution will throw at me!
The problem here is definitely Decomposing Body, but this is a zombie, after all. It’s not a strange skill to have attached to that race. Decomposing Body has absolutely no benefits, but maybe it will go away if I evolve.
In Beta, the zombie race was so frustrating that people discarded their characters early on. They apparently broke when they found out that the next evolution stage was high zombie. As humanoids, they can talk, but they’d be beaten to a pulp by every beastman player they met due to that race’s enhanced sense of smell.
Horses, snakes, and other animal types can’t interact with the NPCs in town, but I hear they’re still pretty fun to play. Something about how nice it is as a horse player to race across the open plains with another player on their back. Plus, you can have your friends buy goods for you.
There’s also a cuckoo option—which is clearly just a chicken—and there’s a chance for it to evolve into a cockatrice. Well, that one was just everyone’s best guess since it was impossible to reach the required level in the beta. Still, that’d be something to look forward to.
Maybe I should just go with the unpopular zombie option. I could end up as a dragon zombie or even something like a bone dragon. Hmm, actually, a bone dragon would probably be down the skeleton race tree, not the zombie. Anyway, I like to solo and enjoy the experience on my own, so let’s just go with it. Worst case scenario, I can delete my character and start all over again. In that case, I’ll be locked out of FLFO for a few days as a penalty, but I don’t really mind.
Sorry, Akina, your sister is joining the ranks of the undead. If you still have the courage to hug me in-game, you’re welcome to do so. The zombie’s appearance modifiers are pretty gnarly. My hair’s going to be pretty sparse and my breasts are completely gone too. Putting the hair aside, it will be quite refreshing to play without breasts. They’ve been with me for quite some time now; I don’t mind giving them a break.
Please choose up to ten initial skills. If you skip this step, you can select them later in-game. As long as you have fewer than ten initial skills registered, you can learn eligible skills free of cost. Note that they will count as your initial skills.
Hmm, I think I’d like to pick them up as I play, but I guess starting with three can’t hurt. I’ll take Strength Boost, Endurance Boost, and Appraisal. You should never underestimate passive buffs, and Appraisal is essential for MMOs. The rest I’ll just have to figure out as I progress. I feel like I’ll hit a dead end if I don’t pick out the right skills for a zombie.
As you have selected fewer than ten skills, the “Initial Skills” category has been added to your skills window. Please note that any skills that do not fall under this category will still have their usual cost. Your monster race skills are not counted.
I see. So if I want a skill, I can get it for free as long as it counts as an initial skill. If it doesn’t, I’ll have to pay the cost like normal. I guess that’s to prevent players from taking high-level skills as their initials. Thankfully, all players share the same list of initial skills.
Please input your name.
Well, it’s a fantasy world, so maybe something European would be suitable? I do have another name from my father’s side of the family, but I shouldn’t be using my real name, should I?
But maybe it will work? FLFO is a Japanese game. No one would ever guess that it’s my actual name. That said, it’s a pretty common name; I’ll use it if it’s not already taken. Apparently, the beta testers get to keep their old names.
Checking name availability for “Anastasia.” Please wait.
The name entered is available.
Oh, it worked! Then let’s go with that. It’ll be quite refreshing to be called by my full name for once.
Are you satisfied with this appearance and skill set?
Name: Anastasia
Race: Zombie ♀ Lv 1
Attribute: Dark
Genus: Low Undead
Species: Zombie
SKILLS:
Strength Boost Lv 1, Endurance Boost Lv 1, Appraisal Lv 1
RACE (MONSTER) SKILLS:
Physical Resistance Lv 1, Automatic HP Regen Lv 1, Low Undead, Decomposing Body
My zombie self stands beside the status screen. Honestly, I’m not looking too good, but with the race modifiers, there’s really not much I can do. Eh, it should all work out eventually.
You have selected one beyond the realm of humanity. This allows you to select a starting zone suitable to your race. Where would you like to start?
THE STARTING TOWN
The normal starting point. Same as humans.
RACIAL STARTING POINT
A starting point more suited to your race. You will be dropped into a hunting ground.
You’re already crazy enough to experience the life of a monster, so this location is recommended for you.
Hmm, there would be pandemonium if a zombie started out in the middle of town—mainly because of my Decomposing Body and all the people who chose to start as beastmen. I don’t want to stand out at all, so I’ll go with my racial starting point. Also: I am definitely not crazy. I’m just curious, is all.
You have selected your racial starting point. This concludes character creation. Now connecting to the main server…
Ba-dump… Ba-dump…
In this world, your curiosity will unlock many doors. An unknown world, battles with unknown creatures, unknown skills, and a new life—let your desire to uncover the unknown guide you. And may your second life be a blessed one!
The changes come as soon as the system voice cuts off. A sprawling stone cityscape stretches out around me, while a warm wind strokes my skin…ah, not really. I hear nothing but the sluggish groans of my compatriots as they trudge about. My dark surroundings are blocked by dirt walls.
These are quite clearly the walls of a catacomb, thank you very much.