Relieved breath.

In the midst of a city, in a standard 10 floor hive type building, a continuous splash of water and a tick of a clock were the only things that could be heard inside of the apartment A147. Basilis, with his face wet, saw his mirror with eyes full of expectation and… a kind of fear.

“So… virtual reality.” He thought as he submerged his face inside a hand wash bowl full of water. “I really didn't expect this, I wish this government solution works after all.”

Seeing that it was past 8 pm with his self-made mechanical clock, he decided to make dinner. “Mmm… It's been long since I did some forging, or even played anything at all.”

“Oh right.” While walking towards his kitchen, he remembered to turn on the TV since everyone has been on about the virtual reality news and all.

Rubbish was on the news channel, about the growing tension around the world, the unemployment has reached new peaks but efficiency has only gone upwards.

“This world is really fucked up now, being 40 years old and all… The world just changed one day and now everything is for the younger ones.” Feeling left out, he made a simple dinner: eggs and bread with a cup of peach juice.

“Maybe, just maybe… Virtual reality is really the answer!” Some moment after ending his dinner and watching TV, something surprising happened.

“Milenia Rachduker, the genius in charge of the Virtual Reality game to be launched with the support of the Global Government Alliance, just made a speech to give more information about the game. It's called A New Breath Online, ANBO for short. And it seems-” the reporter in the screen stopped speaking with a deadpan face. He started speaking on his microphone attached to his collarbone while being muted on the screen.

“And it seems this game will really be another reality, full virtual reality immersion, I repeat, full virtual reality immersion.”

Cold sweat started to appear on Basilis’ back, thinking about his call with his son almost 2 hours ago.

“It's true… She made it.” Excitement filled his face.

“I can… I CAN!”

*2 hours before*

Door of room A147 closed as Basilis entered his apartment. As he saw his clock and said “Six twenty something, good that I reached home before the call.”

As he changed clothes into something more comfortable, organized his training equipment and prepared himself for his training, the phone rang.

“Eh? But… its 6:35 pm?” He thought.

As he picked up the phone, he saw his friend name. “Oh, it’s Alexander.”

“Hello there.” He said.

“Basilis, my brother! How are you doing?” Answered Alexander with a breathless voice and some rustling could be heard in the background.

“Quite fine. Job pays as it should.” He said as he held his sight on the clock. “And you?”

“All is good, all is good. Just checking on you.” Said Alexander. “Hey, have you seen the news lately?”

“Why is everyone asking me that lately?” He thought. “No, why is everyone asking me that? Are you pulling a prank or something? Milenia asked me the same thing.”

“Oh… Well, just turn on your TV today you old school greedy cheapskate hard dri-”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Basilis interrupted the phone call saying “ok, bye” and hang up.

“What the hell?” He thought.

Just as he was going to start his training routine the phone rang again. Feeling a little annoyed Basilis took the phone call without seeing the caller.

“Who i-.”

“HARD DRINKER THAT KNOWS ONLY TO USE A HAM-”

“FUCK OFF!” He screamed and hanged the phone, yet one more time.

“Fuck! What is wrong with him? I swear if he calls me one more tim-” Angered he heard the phone ring another time.

“I SWEAR TO ALL 7 HEAV-”

“Dad?” Asked the caller in a confused tone.

“-ens? Bask?” Said Basilis with a confused tone.

“What was that all about?” Answered Bask.

“... Sorry, your uncle Alexander was bugging me.” He said embarrassed.

“Eeeh, he is not my uncle.”

“Well, he is my martial brother!” He declared.

“Ok ok, so dad, about this call.”

“Always going directly to the point, I guess he really is our son.” He thought with a smile on his face.

“Do you still know to forge swords, blades and stuff?”

“Uh? Well it's been almost a year since I forged something.” He said with his eyebrows wrinkled.

“Mmm… If you go back to forging, how much time would it take you to remember?” Inquired Bask.

“Ha! Your father may not be a genius like your mother, but he is a genius in his craft!” Basilis said proudly. “Well… At most in 1 to 2 weeks, I can make stuff that can be considered good.”

“Yeah, sure. By that time you would be making rank 4 sword…” Mumbled Bask.

“Eh? Rank 4 sword? What are you talking about?” He asked.

“Well, have you heard about the virtual reality game?

“Yes, what about it?” He said while walking towards his window.

“Well, mom was the one who helped to make it.”

“Wow wow, wait a second. Where are you living right now?”

“Shining city.” Basilis tripped as he heard this. Shinning city can be considered one of the most advanced and safest cities in the world, only the Global Government Alliance city, Global city, can be said to be a better place to live.

With a deadpan face he said “Oh, ok.”

“Well, and I’ve heard something really important.” Bask took a full breath before he started talking about the game.

Basilis didn't understand much about it but as time went by, he got some points to take. Game is full immersion and you feel everything, everything. Game is class based, you don't level up, and your classes give you advantages. It has a medieval fantasy setting, feudal thing with lords and all.

“So yeah, the game let you do everything.” Ended Bask.

“How does it let you do anything? It’s a simple mind game that makes you move things.” He inquired.

“You don't understand, I guess now why mother calls you metal brain.” Mocked Bask.

“Hey! Respect your father!” He demanded.

“Yes sir!”

“Don't mock your father, you unfilial son.” He said.

“Full immersion dad. You can do anything and feel it. Rules of nature follow the natural course but with a spice in it, magic… Don't you remember when you used to tell me when I was a kid: “Well boyo, if there was magic in this world, I would be the best weapons and armors forger there is.”... I was really captivated by your pride in those days.”

“Yeah, what about it?” He said with a prideful and embarrassed tone.

“Mom made it possible. You can make weapons and armors just as epic and novels.”

“Well, this must be a prank, Milenia making a game? That is simply not in the natural order of things.” He scoffed while looking at the dawning sun. “Ok ok, so what, you want me to make weapons for you?”

“Well, yes… But I want to play with you.”

“Well, if I get to enter the game, I will play with you.” He thought. “Don't know how though.”

“I asked mom to give you one.”

“Haha, ok ok, I will wait for the game.” He laughed while going back to his training stand.

“... You don’t believe me, don't you?

“Of course, I do, you are my son.” Basilis Thought. “Just think you have exaggerated most of the game.”

“Huuu… I will kick the shit out of you when we enter the game.”

“Yeah right, remember I practice a lot about weapons boyo, went one on one with champion of many disciplines!” He scoffed.

“You’ll see." Said Bask with a determined tone." Ah right. Don’t know if I am supposed to tell you this, but I don’t care. Mom is going to play too."

"Yeah sure." "Good thing, tell her I am so excited to play." He said.

*Two hours later*

"SEE HER AGAIN!"