My 3rd Return: Archercaster's Birth

"Ugh, it really can't be used, huh?"

I tried exchanging armor and accessories, and there were no issues with them. I could change and wear them. "But not with weapons, huh. This is just doomed. How can I use my skills like this?"

Alian Online has a prominent uniqueness compared to other MMOs of its time. And that is the system where players are free to use any weapon and choose skills as they please. From the beginning, there were no classes such as magician, knight, and so on. Players only named themselves based on the usual MMO conventions and norms.

Weapons and skills are divided into many categories and interconnected. One cannot use a Sword Skill while wielding a bow and vice versa. Certain skills are specifically designed for certain weapons, and that's how it goes.

The freedom to choose is what creates a unique playstyle for players. I myself have deviated from the norm, once at a time by using a magic staff and a shield.

The magic staff serves as my main weapon while the shield acts as a secondary. This allows me to focus on being a Magic DPS while also having access to Shield Skills that can be used to support allies or inflict ailments on enemies. The shield also provides a DEF boost, and I chose one that significantly increases my HP. However, even with the shield, I still find myself dying frequently when casting spells.

There are also other sub-weapons available, such as daggers that grant access to Assassin-like class types, and scrolls that provide access to Ninja-like class types, and so on. With each update patch, the developers strive to balance and add new features like these and that. It's great to have developers who truly work hard to enhance the game.

Even for Physical DPS cases, if they equip a magic device in their secondary weapon slot, they can also cast spells. The diversity of classes in this game remains unbounded.

Before creating a character, most people usually have a rough idea of what they want to become. In my case, I always played a specific class in the games I've played, but when I started playing Alian Online, I intentionally chose a new class to try, which is the magic staff. Without realizing it, more than a decade has passed, and I'm still dedicated as a magic DPS.

Therefore, all the skills I've chosen for this character are focused on magic and damage. Without the ability to use weapons, how can I cast my spells? What will happen to me in the future?

"Should I switch to a brawler type? Even with that, I'll still have to use Knuckles," I muttered, resting my chin on my hand. "I can go without using anything in my hands, but in the end, I won't be useful as a damage dealer or support character, sigh."

My thoughts grew deeper and further away. In the end, I already allocated my personal attribute points to INT and DEX. There were only a handful ‘classes’ that utilized them, and the Brawler-type was far from matching mine.

"There's an item that can reset attribute points and skills, but it's very expensive and rare. I even chose to delete a character and start from scratch rather than using it."

My mind was blank, unable to find a way out of the matter.

"Besides, why suddenly can't I use these slots?!" I asked. "The developers have been checking my account for 24 hours, and this is what they give me?! No, no. There must be a reason, there must be a reason, or I'll sue them."

As if I could.

Opening my inventory window, I examined each item with the small label "New" on it. There were dozens of items that I had acquired since starting my exploration in the Dungeon of Somewhere, materials, and items. "Versatile... Versatile... where are you," I hummed as I scrolled through the inventory. I only remembered the name and not the form or type of item I obtained yesterday, so searching one by one would take time.

A mix of unpleasant feelings filled my heart as I reached the last slot, and it turned out to be not the item I was looking for. "...It's gone? I remember it was Versatile or whatever from Eve's Sanctuary, where... where... oh, come on, where is my Diviner?!"

Deeply disappointed, I leaned back, hoping to find support, but I fell backward, hitting the ground and gazing at the daytime sky accompanied by the subtle rustling of leaves. "Ugh, what am I going to do from now on? Should I just quit playing?"

As the first game to implement full-dive VR technology and surpass several stages of gaming technology in the world, I understood that there might be one or two errors and glitches here and there. Deep down, I wasn't truly angry with the hardworking development team.

But I couldn't deny the growing feelings of boredom and disappointment within me. Like, why did I come back to play this game for the third time? My friends are no longer here.

Reasons... reasons...

During my second playthrough of this game, I only explored the maps that held meaningful memories with my friends. Maybe I could do the same now, especially with this new technology. It's not all about fighting monsters and getting rare items; I just need to shift my perspective. Hmm, yes, that's it. Besides, in the real world, I can't do more than what I'm capable of.

I was on the verge of giving up on my future in this world, until...

Then I remembered, a similar incident happened to me before. I obtained a rare item but couldn't find it in my bag, not in Alian Online though. It seemed that the item went into a different type of inventory.

"Oh yeah, cash items."

This game had it, inventory to store all the paid items.

Lying on the ground, I summoned the floating window. This account had quite a few "savings" of cash items, some I bought myself, and others were event rewards.

And there, there was no such thing as Versatile or whatever it was called.

Feeling my disappointment, I pressed the back arrow to go to the previous menu, personal status.