Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest Chapter 1 Brand New Life Online

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"Elena, it's time to get your lunchbox, dear."

My beloved daughter's lunch was just prepared and carefully packed into her favorite lunchbox. With a swift movement, my radiant daughter approached the table, retrieved the lunchbox, and secured it in her bag.

Her striking aquamarine eyes and long, flowing black hair retained their usual brilliance. Yet, her expression remained as... impassive as ever.

"Take care, my dear. Give mommy a kiss," I said, quickly moving to bestow a small kiss upon her cheek. She regarded me with an unreadable expression and gave a nod, as if the gesture had little impact on her.

"I'll be spending the rest of the day at Anna's place," she stated.

"Oh? But didn't we plan to spend the evening binge-watching your favorite series? The one about Marvel! You're fond of that, aren't you?" I inquired.

Elena, however, paid me no mind. She exited the house, closing the door behind her, and hurried off to high school, as was her routine.

A soft sigh escaped me.

Why must she be so distant with her mother?

She could have informed me of her plans earlier, not on the very day.

I had been anticipating watching that series with her and had been genuinely looking forward to it. I even endured those previous, rather dull superhero movies for her sake, so I could grasp what it was she enjoyed about them.

I massaged my forehead for a moment. "Ugh… that didn't go too well at all."

Why is it so challenging to converse with my own daughter? Why must she be so reserved and imposing with her emotionless demeanor? Even as her mother, I hesitate when faced with such a look. I fear provoking her anger, which leads me to avoid topics that might displease her.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, I offered a sorrowful smile.

I yearn to share time with my daughter, yet she remains just beyond my grasp.

It has been… five years since my dear husband passed away, leaving me a widow.

During this period, my daughter has also transformed significantly. She's nearly unrecognizable from the bright and lovely girl she once was.

I understand her struggle. It was immensely difficult for me… and it remains so. Not a single day passes without thoughts of my husband.

However, five years have elapsed, and I am certain my beloved would have wished for us to carry on with our lives… I have, for the most part. It was a tremendous hardship, but my mother and friends provided the support I needed to persevere.

I've endeavored to offer Elena the same support since then, but she has consistently refused my help, even when I tried my utmost.

Yet, everything between us reached a breaking point nearly a year ago during a significant disagreement. It all ignited because I wanted her to spend New Year's with my family; she was a part of that family too, but she held no fondness for them.

Elena detested spending time with her grandmother and aunts, ultimately fleeing from home.

My worry was profound, leading me to seek police assistance. Ironically, they dismissed my concerns when I detailed the situation. In some baffling way, my daughter running away seemed logical to them! They made me question my ability as a mother, but then Elena eventually returned.

She came back home, evidently weary, and sequestered herself in her room to immerse herself in that popular VRMMO game.

I gifted it to her for her birthday the previous year, but now I harbor regrets. Her days are consumed by that game, or by visiting her friend's place to continue playing the same game.

Shaking my head, I expelled a breath. "Hahh…"

It became clear that lamenting wouldn't resolve this predicament. Nevertheless, venting my concerns offered some solace. Yet, nothing had changed; I needed to find a way to reconnect with her.

Perhaps I should consult Rita, my friend? She's scheduled to visit today before noon to seek my counsel. Currently, she's quite occupied with her young child, so she frequently comes here for advice on child-rearing.

Her little Emilio is utterly charming. Seeing him invariably reminds me of Elena's past. My little princess, once a tiny infant who constantly soiled her diapers, is now fully grown.

"Ah, it would be so much simpler if she were still a child," I sighed. Back then, Elena cherished both her father and me. "I hope Rita offers some beneficial suggestions."

I settled onto the couch to rest and turned my attention to the television news.

My nose crinkled in annoyance as I saw the broadcast. "Seriously, does this commercial have to play every single time?" I grumbled, my gaze fixed on the incessantly familiar advertisement for the cursed game that had utterly consumed my daughter's life.

A vast expanse of sky unfolded, displaying numerous figures locked in combat. Among them was a striking woman with blonde hair, clad in white armor, and possessing feathered, angelic wings. She engaged in a fierce battle against a blue-skinned, horned adversary in a black cape, their clash erupting with magical energies…

The scene then shifted, showcasing a multitude of players enjoying the game. Countless events and dazzling visuals materialized, designed to captivate viewers, with a particular emphasis on the game's items and features…

"VRMMO, Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online, New Life Online has unleashed its fifth major update!"

"New content has been integrated! Fresh Classes are now available, and an entirely new continent awaits exploration!"

"Conquer the Demon King and safeguard the world of New Life Online today!"

"Available now at all major game retailers!"

"Embrace the existence you've always envisioned!"

"Engaging events await every player."

"Every individual's journey is accompanied by a distinct narrative!"

"Sculpt your reality to your desires and interact with lifelike NPCs powered by cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence!"

"A formidable new World Boss emerges this coming March!"

"What are you still hesitating for? Join in, play, and experience a brand-new life!"

…

The lengthy advertisement finally concluded, eliciting a sigh from me. I could readily grasp the reason behind the widespread fascination with this new game; it represented the pinnacle of technological advancement, the result of years of meticulous development by Nexus Corps, a colossal, multi-billion dollar enterprise with a global footprint.

They spearheaded the virtual reality revolution and continue to dominate the market as the most profitable entity in this sphere of technology.

As far as I understood the mechanics, these games required users to fully immerse their consciousness into a virtual realm, offering the freedom to lead a completely different existence there, or so it was claimed.

I don't quite fathom the intricacies of it all… Personally, I find it hard to fully accept the premise. It sounds almost too good to be true, yet every young person seems enthralled by it.

And among them is my beloved Elena, who is utterly captivated by this perplexing game.

I had contemplated confiscating her console, but… she would likely unleash her fury upon me.

The last thing I desired was to provoke her anger. We've already navigated through considerable hardship, and introducing another source of conflict would only strain our bond. I dread contemplating her reaction if I were to take away something she cherishes so deeply.

Sigh. I buried my face in my hands for a brief moment, attempting to banish the chilling thoughts of my daughter running away and never returning. However, as I languished in my contemplations, a sound, all too familiar, pierced the silence.

Knock, knock.

Someone was rapping on the front door. My head snapped up instantly, a faint smile gracing my lips.

"It must be Rita!"

"!

"I'm coming! Just you wait!"

Upon opening the door, I was greeted by the presence of a stunning woman in her late thirties with lovely brown hair, who offered me a warm greeting. This was my spirited friend, Rita, whose companionship I've enjoyed since our high school days.

I couldn't help but mirror her smile; she was, after all, a cherished friend who possessed an uncanny ability to brighten my world. I felt an immense sense of gratitude for her unwavering presence throughout the years. When my husband passed away, she was a constant source of comfort, embracing me and reassuring me that everything would eventually be alright.

Had it not been for her support, I question whether I could have ever truly recovered.

And cradled in her arms was her adorable infant son. This little boy with dark hair was none other than Emilio.

"Auntie!" he chirped adorably.

Remarkably, at the young age of three, he could already articulate words quite proficiently.

"Welcome, dear! And hello to you, little Emilio! How are you today?" I inquired, gently stroking the toddler.

"Guud!" he responded with infectious cuteness.

So charming… He truly was a beautiful child.

Rita gracefully entered my home and settled onto the couch beside me. I promptly headed to the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea for her and brought out a plate of cookies.

"Elayne, you won't believe the surprise I have for you today," Rita announced.

"Huh? What is it? Did you bring more of those makeup products you want me to buy? I've already purchased quite a few from you!" I called back from the kitchen.

"N-No! It's not that! This is actually a present for you!" she replied.

"Oh? A gift?" I asked, a note of surprise in my voice, before quickly returning with the refreshments I had prepared.

Once I had served everything, she took a delicate sip of her tea and picked up a cookie. Her little Emilio soon took charge, happily munching on the remaining cookies placed within his reach.

"Ah, cookies first, I see?" I chuckled.

"Mmph, you always bake the most delicious ones, Elayne," Rita grinned after finishing her snack. She then turned to present the gift she had brought. "Take a look."

Rita opened a bag she had with her, revealing a beautifully crafted dark box from within. I blinked, examining it closely. Was it… a game console? No, wait.

"A VR headset?!" I exclaimed in astonishment.

W-What race did my daughter pick? I bit down on my lip and inwardly sighed. I never managed to ask her before… that really would have been a prime opportunity to grow closer, but I let it slip by.

But I had to assume she chose humans, right? Did I truly know my own daughter, though? Perhaps I was a terrible mother? I dismissed the thought and knitted my brows slightly as I scrolled through the available options one by one. I was determined to give my best effort now, so making the correct decision was paramount.

"Hmm…"

I surveyed the various choices, finding that most of the monster classes appeared quite unsettling.

"Depending on the race you've selected, you'll be granted a Skill Tree specific to that Race, and then there will be an additional Skill Tree for the Job Class you choose," Gaia explained.

"I-I see… Erm, what would you recommend? I genuinely dislike combat…" I stated. Did my daughter enjoy violence in this game? I had no clue, but we didn't necessarily have to engage in the same activities. If I could be supportive, perhaps she'd open up a little more.

"Y-You don't? But that's what… everyone enjoys… Well, erm… H-How about this race?" the woman inquired.

Abruptly, she presented an image of a stunning woman with delicate, pointed ears, fair skin, and long, verdant hair.

Could this be an Elf? It certainly resembled one.

However, upon closer examination, I discovered it possessed an alternative designation…

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[Dryad]

A lineage of exquisite forest spirits dedicated to nurturing nature and safeguarding the verdant domains established by Gaia, the Goddess of Life and Souls. Their growth primarily stems from cultivating flora, defending woodlands, and producing bountiful harvests and various other creations. They possess minimal offensive capabilities, functioning chiefly as a production-focused race.

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"This is a Dryad, a Race that excels in tending to nature; the majority of their Skills are geared towards such tasks, and they generally shun combat. I believe this is the ideal Race for you, offering ample activities without the necessity of fighting. Furthermore, you can accumulate EXP through tending to plants, engaging in photosynthesis, and similar pursuits," she elaborated.

"Huh… So I'd essentially become a plant lady? Hmm… That sounds acceptable, I suppose?" I selected that icon, and then…

FLASH!

My complete form was finally actualized!

And I looked remarkably similar to my previous self?

Yet, somehow, my figure had become even more curvaceous…

My hair was now a vibrant shade of green, and intricate tree roots had begun to adorn my hips and shoulders, complemented by leaves scattered across my body.

It felt peculiar, somewhat…

"Excellent! It's been quite a few days since anyone selected a Dryad; in fact, there are fewer than twenty Dryad players currently, as it's a rather unpopular race… I trust you will grace this world with nature's splendor, dear… Now, let us proceed to selecting a Job Class." Gaia announced.

Instantly, several new icons materialized before me; there were apparently over twenty distinct Job Classes available.

"You mentioned you wished to avoid combat and to relax if possible, correct? In that case, you ought to select this class. It's a recently introduced Class from this late update; only a select few players have chosen it because a Class can only be selected once, and players are restricted to a single character at any given time. Consequently, no one is willing to delete their existing character simply to try out a new Class," Gai conveyed.

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[Farmer] (New!)

A Job Class focused on the cultivation of crops and the production of various dairy goods. It also has the potential to branch out and acquire Skills from other production-oriented Classes, though it can never achieve true specialization. A true jack-of-all-trades, but master of none, this class can perform numerous tasks without ever excelling in any single one. From nurturing plants and raising livestock to even managing a territory, the Farmer Job Class introduces a novel 'Slow life' gameplay experience!

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Oooh, this one felt tailor-made for me! I wanted to avoid fighting because I had also heard that getting hit in this game inflicts a degree of pain… Although I suppose you can adjust the pain sensitivity, even so, I dislike conflict.

"This is perfect for me, Gaia, I choose this one!" I declared.

"Are you absolutely certain? You aren't curious about the others?" she inquired.

"I don't particularly care; it's just a game, after all," I responded.

"Oh well, undoubtedly, it is merely a game for you…" Gaia sighed, sounding somewhat melancholic about my detached perspective.

"Sor