After returning home, Chang hurried through her personal routines and then went down to dine in the spacious and luxurious dining room. However, she found herself eating alone as usual. Since her father was a businessman who worked twenty-four-seven. Her mother had passed away when she was just three years old. Chang had a much older nanny named Im who kept her company and took care of her as if she were her own mother.

    "Miss, a delivery has arrived for you. Did you purchase a refrigerator?"

    The household maid inquired as she approached Chang, who was idly pushing food around her plate. Chang chuckled softly before going out to receive the package. The game company staff helped carry the gaming console up to Chang's room and assisted with its installation.

    Chang watched from a distance. The installation was quick, and soon everything was set up. She instructed her maid to offer the technicians some snacks before they left. Chang locked the door and turned her attention to the gaming console before her.

    The console resembled a curved single bed, sleek black with a glossy finish and a silver game logo. There was a name of the game screened on the tunnel-like stuff on the head of the bed. Inside the tunnel there was a touch screen and a strap that looked like a headband with a small glass protruding slightly at the top. She touched the glass lightly causing it to extend to the full length over the bed, enclosing it completely. The glass retracted back to its original position with another touch.

    Slightly excited, Chang climbed onto the bed and inserted the card she received into a slot near the LED screen. She then put on the headband and reached out to press the start button. The glass extended from above the tunnel to the edge of the bed, enclosing it completely. A soft and soothing feminine voice spoke out from a small speaker beside the LED screen.

    "Please wait while the system checks the player's readiness."

    A gentle blue light immediately scanned Chang's body.

    "Physical condition normal... Initiating player's entry to the server."

    Chang was soon transported to a large hall decorated with art from various civilizations across different eras, including medieval Western art, Eastern art, Middle Eastern art, and, notably, Thai art.

    "Welcome to Adventure World Online."

    Suddenly, a large 3D image appeared in the center of the room, featuring a beautiful woman dressed in a long red dress with red lipstick.

    "A world filled with numerous mysteries is waiting to be discovered. You will be amazed by the breathtaking beauty of four ancient civilizations brought to life in this virtual world."

    The woman in the 3D image explained, before an image of five distant islands surrounded by deep blue water replaced her. The image zoomed in on the smallest island, briefly displaying its landscape before quickly moving to the other four islands. Chang felt like a bird freely soaring over these islands. The woman in red reappeared after a while.

    "Do you confirm the ID name Chayarin Rattanaruangrit?"

    The woman in red asked.

    "Confirm."

    "ID Chayarin Rattanaruangrit confirmed."

    "Next, please set your character's name."

    "Chang Long."

    Chang answered without hesitation. It was a nickname often used by her father when she was a child, reflecting his hope for a son. Instead, he got a brazen daughter.

    "The name Chang Long is available. Do you wish to confirm?"

    "Confirm."

    "Character naming complete. As character appearance is based on the player's real face, modifications can be made at the system's beauty salon available in every city."

    The woman in red continued with a smile, unfazed by Chang's astonishment.

    "According to our records, the player has won a mysterious egg... Here it is."

    The woman in red handed Chang an egg about the size of an ostrich egg, perhaps slightly larger It was bright red tinged with orange like flames, adorned with unsightly, odd speckles and spots.

    "Where am I supposed to put this?"

    Chang asked, puzzled, as she was wearing only her clothes with nowhere else to put anything.

    "Players can claim other necessary equipment at the player service building in the starting town."

    "And how am I supposed to carry this thing around?"

     Chang complained. The idea of carrying around such a conspicuous egg in front of many people seemed impractical.

    "Just carry it... The system is now transporting player Chang Long into the game. Enjoy your adventures in Adventure World Online."

    As the woman in red finished speaking, the room where Chang Long stood quickly darkened. When the lights came back on, she found herself standing in the middle of a vast field with knee-high grass, a gentle breeze offering a refreshing coolness.

    Chang Long blinked in confusion, wondering where she was. She looked around before glancing down at herself. She was dressed in a simple shirt and pants made of low-quality cotton, wearing sandals with straps tied around her ankles. On her right wrist was a watch-like bracelet about 5 cm wide with a touch screen full of various command options. The mysterious egg she had won was nestled safely under her arm, fortunately still in good condition.

    "And where am I supposed to go from here? There's no one around, no signs, so which way!!"

    Chang Long grumbled, growing frustrated. All of a sudden, she heard a whoosh! sound from behind. Turning around in alarm, she saw the grass moving as if something was rushing towards her. She steeled herself, ready to face whatever was coming, confident it had to be smaller than her.

    "Level 10 giant python monster preparing to attack!"

    Chang Long's mouth dropped open as she watched the giant python approach calmly. Without wasting time, she turned and ran as fast as she could. The python, seeing its prey trying to escape, slithered after her at high speed.

    As Chang Long glanced back, she saw the python nearly catching up to her. She immediately looked for something to help her escape and spotted several large rocks stacked on one another. Deciding to head there, she increased her speed.

    "It’s getting closer!"

    Chang Long shouted when she saw the python closing in. She pushed herself to reach the rocks as quickly as possible.

    The giant python lunged at Chang Long several times as she ran for her life with the mystery egg, but luckily, she managed to dodge each attack narrowly. When she was about two meters from the rocks, she glanced back to see that the python was tensing to strike. Her face went pale. Squeezing her eyes shut in fear, she leaped onto a 1-meter-high large rock. Propelled by her running momentum she successfully landed on it. She clutched the egg tightly as her body slammed onto the rock before rolling several times. Chang Long quickly sat up and peered down at the giant python below.

    Boom!

    The python's head collided full force with the rock Chang Long had leaped onto. Driven by its full speed, the python didn’t think that its prey would jump up. It writhed on the ground in pain from the impact. Chang Long carefully placed the mysterious egg on the rock and leaned over to look again after dodging the debris.

    "Wow! it's still not dead. What should I do now?" Chang Long scanned her surroundings for something to use as a weapon. All she saw were fields of grass and rocks, from large boulder-sized to small, hand-sized stones. She decided to pick up a chicken egg-sized rock from the ground and began hurling it at the writhing python until it turned red, then she stopped to catch her breath.

    "Why won't it just die?"

    Chang Long complained, panting heavily. She was too exhausted to throw any more rocks; she felt she would collapse from exhaustion before killing the python. Shang Long looked for another solution.

    "Heh, this is perfect. Let’s see if it’ll die this time."

    Chang Long picked up a rock the size of a rice pot with trembling hands.

    "Oof... Will this fall on my foot first?"

    She muttered nervously, approaching the python's head, which was lying still, drawing its last breath, and then

    Plop!!

    The rock, the size of a rice pot, crashed down on the head of the giant python monster causing blood to splatter everywhere. Immediately, Chang Long heard a notification sound in her head.

    "Player Chang Long has killed a level 10 giant python monster, receiving 1000 experience points, 1700 coins, and a level 2 python fang short sword..."

    "Player Chang Long has fulfilled the basic conditions for leveling up and has advanced to level 3..."

    "Player Chang Long has fulfilled the basic conditions for beginner profession and has received level 1 fast movement skill, level 1 climbing skill, and level 1 evasion skill."

    Chang Long gaped at the system's announcement, pondering whether it was her swift movement or a close shaving skill that saved her. Once the voice in her head ceased, she remembered that the hostess had mentioned a double experience and item drop rate event and pondered on how she unexpectedly gained three skills. Then she turned to look at the coin pouch and the sword lying on the ground.

    "And how am I supposed to carry these, with no bag? ...Well, I guess this should do."

    Then, Chang Long gathered the hem of her shirt, tying it tightly to form a makeshift pouch. She stooped to scoop the coin pouch into her shirt's neckline followed by the python fang short sword. The sword's handle and sheath were made from high-quality python leather, causing her shirt to bulge in odd places. After securing her items, Chang Long climbed back onto the rock to retrieve the mysterious egg. She was surprised to find it glowing slightly, with the speckles and spots seemingly fading a bit.

    "What's happening? I did notice some white light seem to transfer from the python to it when it died though... Whatever, let’s forget it for now, I'm starting to feel peckish." Chang Long murmured and laid back on the rock to rest as she lazily picked up the mysterious egg to examine it.

    "You’ve got such an ugly shell. You’ll be so hideous when you hatch... But since you're with me, I'll never abandon you, no matter how hideous you turn out to be, unless you turn out to be a toad. If that happens, I swear I'll kick you across the island!"

    Chang Long threatened the egg, which it responded by trembling slightly as if understanding her words.

    "Wow, you can shake? You understand me, right? How smart, you’re not even a hatchling yet."

    Chang Long praised, gently stroking the egg. The faint light from the egg brightened further in response to Chang Long's gentle touch. She continued to rest on the rock, unknowingly growing fond of the mysterious egg, which also seemed to react to her presence.

    "The sun's getting stronger, better move before I get burnt."

    Chang Long said, stretching lazily before picking up the egg and jumping down from the rock. She wandered aimlessly until evening without any sign of a town in sight.

    Chang Long panted at the foot of a hill after escaping numerous snakes of various species that seemed to view her as a delicious meal. Thanks to the mysterious egg she was carrying Chang Long had no choice but to flee headlong.

    "Gosh, I'm about to pass out. Listen here, egg, when you hatch, you better repay me big time."

    Before she could finish her complaint, the system notification announced again.

    "Level 5 green pit vipers preparing to attack. Green pit vipers..."

    Nearly ten snakes surrounded her. Chang Long’s eyes widened. She grabbed the egg from the ground and sprinted up the hill. Surprisingly, the green pit vipers did not follow. Though relieved, Chang Long remained cautious. She continued uphill until she reached a flower field with a sign that read "Doi Buppha." Once sure of her safety, she collapsed exhaustedly on the ground.

    "Player Chang Long has fulfilled the basic conditions for a beginner profession, speed movement skill upgraded to level 2, 3...6, evasion skill upgraded to level 2, 3…6."

    The system notified her of her skill level increases. Her speed movement skill skyrocketed because she had to keep running away for three straight hours.

    "I can't take it anymore, I'm so thirsty."

    Chang Long moaned, exhausted. As her consciousness began to fade, she spotted a small 5x5 meter water pond nearby. Mustering her remaining strength, Chang Long staggered over to the pond.

    Upon reaching the water, Chang Long eagerly scooped up water to drink, then splashed some on the mysterious egg beside her. As soon as the water touched it, the eggshell emitted a bright light, forcing Chang Long to shield her eyes.

    "The mysterious egg has received blessings from the sacred water, leveling up to a sacred mysterious egg."

    The notification from the system echoed in Chang Long's head. The bright light faded but did not disappear entirely. As the egg continued to emit a soft yellow glow, Chang Long noticed the changes in her mysterious egg. The once bright red shell, akin to flames, had softened to a reddish orange tinged with gold. The black spots had vanished, replaced by golden speckles.

    "Huh! A sacred mysterious egg." Chang Long exclaimed, staring at the sacred mysterious egg before her. Then she turned towards the pond with a large sign in the middle of it reading,

    "Sacred Water Pond: Toss a coin and make a wish (Full Moon Night)."

    "So, this is the Sacred Water Pond... Eh? I’m not tired anymore? Since when?"

    Chang Long found herself completely restored to full health just a few minutes after drinking water from the Sacred Water Pond. Smiling at herself, Chang Long shifted towards the pond, took out a silver coin, and tossed it into the water. Then, she placed her hands together at chest level, closed her eyes, and softly said,

    "Thank you."