SR: Silvatica Reimagined

”ugh....What happened?” Hiro, a young Asian American boy said as he sat up, clutching his head from the pounding headache. He tried to recall the last thing he remembered...

“Done for the night. GG.” Hiro typed to his online friend after their friendly PvP battle. He was playing the very popular, very difficult, game called Silvatica XR. He had been playing it for almost 2 years at this point, along with his online friend Chaofeng. He didnt know who Chaofeng was in real life. all Hiro knew was that he was some American guy who was really interested in Chinese stuff, hence the cool Chinese username. Hiro had met Chaofeng online about a year ago, and they had become best buds. They finished a lot of raids together, defeated so many bosses, and just always had a good time whenever they were both online. Hiro was so thankful, because Hiro’s home situation was...complicated. His father was constantly at work to support him and his alcoholic bum of a human being that he unfortunately called his mother. Because of her, they were always just barely scrapping by.  Hiro was lucky that his father found a used computer that could thankfully connect to the internet. Hiro also had saved enough money to buy Silivata XR and spent a lot of his time playing it. Chaofeng was his best friend, which was kind of sad, but Hiro didnt care. Anyway, this night he had just finished defeating a very difficult raid boss with Chaofeng and was about to log out, but for some reason he couldnt. He got a message from Chaofeng and he said he couldnt either. Hiro was confused and then he got a message that said “Otherworlders located. Transfer to the new world initializing.” Before Hiro could do anything, his computer began to glow and then he felt himself getting sucked through the screen and then...

“I guess I ended up here.” Hiro said. Hiro looked all around and there was nothing. He was just in a massive white room with...there was someone here! It looked like a girl. He didnt know what to do. He spent all his time helping his father or playing online, he didnt interact with others socially, especially girls. But he had to check to see if she was alright. “H-Hey y-y-you alright?” He asked her.

Blasian? that was Hiros username. Did this girl play Silvatica XR too? Maybe she was pulled into her screen while playing too. Before Hiro could say anything else, a bright light shone above them and then from the air an old woman came floating  down in front of them. She waved her hand and some strange feeling came over the both of them. Like they had gained something? “Ive granted you both the skill; understanding all languages. You may both be able to speak to one another and me in your languages.” The old woman said. “Uh...t-thanks...who are you? What is going on?” Hiro said. “I am the being that summoned you here. I suppose you can see me as a sort of god.” The old woman said.

Hiro was feeling the same way. Hiro wasnt really religious, but when he thought of God he didn’t think this old granny really fit. “I suppose you might have issues calling me God. I suppose you may call me Granny.” God said, glancing at Hiro. Oh shoot could she read his mind? “As for what is going on, you both have been summoned here because I need help. The world in which I govern is overrun by evil, and is in need of heroes. I apologize for summoning you so abruptly but you two could be this worlds only hope.” Granny explained to them. That....was a lot to process. Hiro had read manga with this exact type of set up, but he never believed this kind of thing could happen to him. He didnt know how to feel. “Why were we chosen?” Hiro asked. “You two are familiar with this world. It is called Silvatica. You two were chosen because you were playing at the same time, and you were exactly what I was looking for. You two are connected.” Granny explained.

Hiro was processing everything right now. It took him a moment but he was starting to come to the realization that... He turned to Jiayi. “...are you......Chaofeng?” Hiro said cautiously. Surely it wasnt. This beautiful girl? There was no way she was his best friend. Chaofeng always said he was a guy. But..it was online. Anyone could be lying..

Oh wow it really was him, er her. This was surprising. “Uh y-yeah its nice to meet you too. My name is Hiro.” He said with a nervous smile. He hoped she wouldnt think he was lying about his name. Most people outside of Japan who he ever chatted with thought he was being funny. “Hiro, Jiayi. I am glad you two were able to meet. Now it is time for me to grant you abilities that will aid you in your adventures.” Granny said to them.

Granny simply smiled at Jiayi. “This world is indeed very real. The game you both played is simply a construct based on the world of Silvatica. And I am sorry. I dont have the power to send you back unless you save the world.” Granny said. “What exactly do you mean by save the world? What would even be our goals?” Hiro said. “The world is in chaos. You must bring balance.” Granny said. Hiro was starting to realize that Granny was not going to give them a straight answer for a lot of things...

Granny smiled as she began to explain. “So in order for you two to grow stronger, I am gifting you both with the ability to acquire skills. In this world, you can gain abilities by eating things, reading things, experiencing things, and defeating enemies. Rarely, one would receive one skill depending on what they do, but you two will always receive at least one ability from the things you do.” Granny said. “So....if someone say defeated a slime, they might have a rare chance to get...acid breath or something. But you’re saying we will gain acid breath or something from it no matter what?” Hiro asked. “That is correct.” Granny said.

“Maybe its like in the game. when you beat something you get their meat or whatever and then we cook it. Is it kind of like that?” Hiro said, also kind of excited about this. “Yes. You will also be granted the ability of revitalization should it be needed.” Granny said. “Do you mean like healing? Thats pretty awesome.” Hiro said.

“Say the words status screen open and you may be able to view any skills or abilities you acquire. Some skills are passive, and others will activate when you need them. Others are voice activated.” Granny said. Geez, she really sounded like a NPC. “Status screen open.” Hiro said a screen with all his stats showed up. Everything was at 1 and the only skills he had were: skill acquisition max and revitalization uses 10. “So this is really like the game.” Hiro said.

Hiros face began to blush when he noticed how close Jiayi got. She smelled really nice...He cleared his throat when Jiayi asked her question. “Yes, you only get 10 revitalization uses. Hopefully you wont have to use one.” Granny said, sympathetically. “H-hey dont worry. We’re pros at this game. If we just use what we know and act carefully then we should be fine. Especially with our cheat skill.” Hiro said.

Hiro blushed. Not because this was the first time he was in front of a really beautiful girl, although that was part of it, but because he had not done this in person before. But then he grinned and tapped her fist with his fist. “Right. Winners! We got this under control so long as we stick together.” Hiro said. “Very well. Now that you two have been properly informed it is time for transfer. You will both be sent to Ichiuno City. You will be given starter equipment and a bit of money to start your journey. I wish you luck brave heroes.” Granny said. Before either of them could say goodbye or anything else, Hiro and Jiayi found themselves in an empty field right outside the gates of Ichiuno City. “wow....Its amazing to see this in person. The beginner town looks bigger than in the game.” Hiro said as they both could see the City.

“I-its cool.” Hiro said when Jiayi bumped up against him. Oh man he was getting so nervous. But then the excitement of the smells and sounds were overpowering his nervousness as they looked around. This was truly the most exciting thing Hiro had ever experienced!!! He couldnt wait to explore, but it seemed like Jiayi was even more excited as she pulled him along as they entered the town. They walked along the streets, looking all around and just abosrbing everything. “We should head to the adventurers guild! After that we can get some better equipment and potions and stuff and then we can go out on our first quest!” Hiro said excitedly.

They entered the Guild and it was filled with all kinds of interesting looking characters. Some looked like adventures, some theives, some warriors, some just like regular villagers. It matched the idea of a fantasy guild perfectly!! Hiro was pretty excited as they headed to the counter. In the game you never got to see the inside of the guild. You would just go up to the door and then shown options on what you could do. So being inside of the actual guild was giving him goosebumps. He tries to look calm but it was hard to hide his excitement as they headed up to the receptionist desk and there was a silver haired beauty at the counter. “Hello we’d like to register as adventures!” Hiro said happily. “Well well arent you two looking quite eager? Sure you can register, jsut let me get the guild master. He loves meeting new adventures.” The woman said as she went to get someone. A few moments later a very large muscular man with a metal arm came walking out. He looked like he had seen all kinds of fights and was exactly what a guildmaster should look like! “Haha! Looks like we got some new meat! The names Gael, head of this guild. What are your names?” Gael said in a boisterous voice.