Turning back to the dais, Auron resumed his approach.

  The green arrow above the statue bobbed gently as Auron drew closer, its rhythmic pulse seemingly in tune with the hum of the warehouse. The closer he got, the more details of the statue came into focus.

  The woman stood poised. Her marble features exuded elegance and quiet authority. Her robes were adorned with rich, flowing fabrics that shimmered faintly as though woven from threads of light. Each fold and contour of the material seemed to defy gravity, giving the statue an ethereal presence.

  But what caught Auron's attention was her blindfold—worn, frayed, and incongruously old, as though it had borne witness to a thousand unseen stories. The contrast between the blindfold and the opulence of the fabrics felt deliberate, though Auron couldn't quite grasp why.

  On the pedestal at her feet lay a glowing envelope. Soft golden light highlighted its edges. Auron noticed his name written in elegant calligraphy across its surface.

  He hesitated, unsure if touching it would trigger the same kind of vanishing act he'd seen with the other players. But curiosity won out, and he reached out, plucking the envelope from the pedestal.

  As soon as his fingers brushed its surface, a wave of warmth spread up his arm, and the envelope dissolved into a cascade of golden sparks.

  A translucent screen materialized before him, displaying a message in bold, flowing text:

  The Watcher's Welcome

  The Watcher of the InfiNet welcomes you. Each newcomer may choose a starting gift. This item will integrate with your avatar, adapting and evolving as you journey through the InfiNet. WARNING! Choose carefully. Each item's advantages and disadvantages will shape your unique experiences…

  The screen faded, leaving Auron standing in thoughtful silence. The message felt invitingly ominous, as though the warehouse didn't hold tools but trials to come.

  He turned to take in the sprawling displays around him. The sheer variety of artifacts suddenly felt overwhelming. The space had seemed chaotic before, but now it pulsed with an almost predatory energy, as though every item was vying for his attention.

  Auron exhaled slowly, his eyes scanning the tables. Choose wisely, the message had warned. But how was he supposed to know what was wise?

  Auron stepped away from the statue, drawn toward the maze of displays and tables. The vibrant energy of the warehouse enveloped him once more like a heady mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Each step revealed a new object that seemed ordinary at first glance but radiated an undeniable allure upon closer inspection.

  He paused by a table showcasing a variety of shields. One was sleek and metallic, its surface smooth as water, reflecting distorted glimpses of the warehouse. As Auron's hand hovered near, a translucent barrier shimmered to life, encasing the shield in a faint glow.

  A digital description blinked into view above the shield:

  Adaptive Ward:

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  [Provides dynamic protection against various forms of damage. Particularly effective against physical and energy-based attacks. WARNING: High reliance may cause user to develop defensive strategies at the expense of adaptability.]

  Do you accept this gift? …?

  Auron frowned at the warning. Shields weren't really his thing, so he withdrew his hand. Nearby, a pair of boots caught his eye, their surfaces engraved with glowing runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. When he moved closer, they vibrated faintly as if eager to move of their own accord.

  Runebound Striders:

  [Enhances movement speed and agility. Grants the ability to traverse difficult terrain with ease. WARNING: May induce overconfidence in hazardous environments.]

  Do you accept this gift? …?

  The boots seemed tempting, but Auron stepped back, the caution instilled by years in the orphanage pulling at him. Why did everything have to come with such a negative warning?

  All around him, other avatars were making their choices. A young man donned an iridescent cloak, and with a satisfied nod to a mirror, he disappeared in a flash of light. A woman nearby hefted an ornate bow, her expression resolute as she vanished moments later.

  Each choice seemed so final, so deliberate. Did no one here care? The idea of committing to a single artifact made Auron's chest tighten. The freedom of the InfiNet was nice, but it left a bad sensation at the back of his neck.

  Auron's gaze drifted back toward the statue. The crowd around it had thinned, allowing a clearer view of her serenity.

  As he stared, frustration gave way to a strange, almost magnetic, pull that was impossible to ignore. His attention drifted back to the old rag covering her eyes once more.

  "Why would The Watcher need a blindfold?" Auron murmured to himself.

  The irony wasn't lost on him. Was it humility? A rejection of what she saw? Or something else entirely?

  The question gnawed at him as he drifted toward the dais. The closer he got, the more the warehouse noise faded, replaced by a strange stillness.

  Standing before the statue again, Auron felt a reverence he hadn't noticed before. Everything about the Watcher's statue was so lifelike, almost as if she might move at any moment.

  However, no matter how long he studied the artwork, his eyes always returned to the dirty cloth marring her face.

  Without thinking, Auron reached up. His fingers lightly brushed the edge of the fabric, and suddenly, a digital prompt appeared, startling him.

  ????:

  [????]

  Auron frowned, his curiosity piqued. Every other item in the warehouse had come with a detailed description, yet this one offered nothing, not even a name.

  "What are you hiding?" he whispered, his fingers lingering on the blindfold.

  The question felt heavier than it should have. Taking a deep breath, Auron glanced over his shoulder to ensure no one was watching. Slowly, carefully, he untied the blindfold.

  As the fabric slipped into his hands, another prompt appeared, this one more familiar.

  Do you accept this gift? …?

  Auron stared at the text, the blindfold resting heavily in his palms. It didn't shimmer or pulse like the other artifacts. It didn't promise speed or power or even protection. It didn't promise anything. And yet, it felt like the only choice that mattered. The word left his mouth before he could stop himself.

  "Yes," he whispered.

  A warmth erupted in his hands, spreading up his arms and into his chest. A new message materialized before him.

  You have chosen [The Watcher's Cover]

  The Watcher's gaze will always be felt but never seen. This is the Watcher's gift to you. May you see all she has and find a way to ease the sufferings of those who can no longer be seen. Use this gift mercifully.

  The warehouse around him began to warble chaotically. A moment later, the fabric of reality tore itself apart as his surroundings plunged into nothingness.

  Amid the void, a new prompt appeared before him.

  Tutorial Beginning…?

  Mission: Flee