The moon was shining brightly, and it looked full. However, there were no stars; Half hidden by the city's light pollution and half by the occasional clouds.
Under the dim lighting of a lone night lamp stand, Midnight browsed his terminal searching for clues.
Sigh
He pursed his lips tightly and rubbed his eyes muttering, Yes. If I am going to do it, I should strive for the best possible outcome. I won't be playing just because of Roiland's suggestion, nor to please Dad who bought the console. I will do it for my future and dreams...Besides I don't have much of a choice, do I? He stood up and paced in the room. His footsteps somehow resounded in this otherwise silent environment.
Suddenly he was awashed by a familiar feeling, and his shoulders slumped down, pushed by an invisible weight. It was the feeling of loneliness. Something he thought he was already used to. Something that often emerged in the deepest of nights, when the whole world was in a slumber and he felt like the sole sleepless in it.
Sigh
Heaving another deep sigh, Midnight contemplated his options for the last time.
My drawing skills are not bad, but I am not good enough to live as an artist. As for programming, I have no talent at all! Without any accreditations, it is impossible to be employed by an overseas company either. Hehe, who would even consider hiring someone who hasn't graduated from school? Even more so for an oddity like myself.
Although in this day and age, one can gain plenty of knowledge and information without stepping outside of the boundary of their home; And although it's easy to connect with tutors or take online courses from across the globe, permitting even me to escape my fate of illiteracy; In the end, this is still only a supplement to the official accreditations gained from a good university. Otherwise, you can only work menial jobs in the day.
It's been some time since night shifts were prohibited for they were deemed harmful and hardly productive. To think that the only work I can do is left to the robots. This is so amusing that I can't even laugh!
The corners of his lips curled up, forming a smile. However, it wasn't a happy or a carefree one. No, instead, it was a ridiculing smile. At this moment, he couldn't help but use this expression to laugh at himself.
Phew
This was his third time in a row. He used the deepest exhale he could muster, to release and expel all of the pent-up negativity and depression weighing him down; His heart - a bit lighter.
Yes, Euclex is a chance. If the real world rejects me, I can only place my hope, future, and dreams in the virtual one! Who knows, in this VR I may even be able to grasp that impossible aspiration!... Midnight felt more energetic, his sense of loss dwindling. Even his footsteps seemed a bit less confused than before, turning much lighter.
It was the natural result of sorting his emotions and making up his mind. He was going to bet on Euclex.
The problem now is that I have no prior experience in playing such games. If I am an unskilled newbie, then the premise to grasp this chance is to have enough understanding of the game. Wasn't there a saying that omniscience can lead to omnipotence as well? Hehe, knowledge is power indeed.
However, there is nearly no information!
What is the genre? The game-play? Do I need to brandish a sword and cut monsters, or will I have to shoot a laser gun in an extraterrestrial setting???? Can I even do such a thing with my lower-than-average physical fitness? The newfound spark of inspiration and hope shook slightly, crackling in a bit to disappear once more.
Gurgle
At this perfect timing, his stomach made a sound of protest, expressing his indignations.
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It's useless fretting over it. I should grab something to eat and try to list out the bits and pieces of information that I found earlier. Perhaps I can analyze something. Midnight scanned his bedroom for anything edible. But besides a half-empty bottle of cola and a few left-over cookies that looked slightly suspicious, there was nothing much to forage.
Ultimately, he had to make a new order and wait for his pizza delivery.
It was still the same ready-made food. After so many years it didn't matter if it was pizza or anything else. For him, food was just a necessity, one that had long since lost its appeal.
7:15 am
Chewing on one particularly hot pepperoni, Midnight penned his thoughts and conclusions down on a sheet of white paper. Even though most books were now electronic, he still loved the texture of paper and the scent of the ink.
Tap Tap Tap
He played with the tip of his pen by tapping it onto the table, and carefully read through the notes.
|1. The game world will be under the jurisdiction of a super-intelligent AI. Not much is known regarding the system, excluding that it will be one of a kind.
I found a few articles that used professional science jargon supported by complex mathematical formulas and incomprehensible codes. Unfortunately, even some of the professionals in those fields seem to be stumped. As a layman, I stand no chance to gleam anything...
2. The genre or particulars of the game are unknown. However, Euclex's most basic law is thought to be its sense of realism. From here, I can guess certain things that shouldn't be bound by the detail.
For example, knowledge and logical thinking will be indispensable for success. For example, the pace should be slower in the beginning. After all, strength isn't something you can gain in a moment. Therefore, I don't need to rush and slowly build the appropriate skills.
3. The virtual and the real world will be interlinked even deeper than previously observed in games such as Sword of Oblivion. This will not only apply to finances, but businesses, tourism, gourmet culture, and so on and so forth. On the global stage, many corporations are already eager to grab this opportunity and expand their forces inside of the game...
An additional noteworthy point is the difference in time between the real and virtual worlds.
According to relevant studies, the time flow in Euclex will be slower, equating 2 days in the game to one in reality. This may lead to the influx of many elderly players desperate to 'extend' their life spans...
4. One thing is revealed, players will be free to choose their pathway and develop according to their desires.
Without many restrictions, I can benefit greatly. I should think out of the box and not be bound by the general gameplay. My ideas based on online information about previous games may not be applicable.
Besides, I am not an ardent fan of the combat. Instead, I should use the knowledge I already have and pursue the path of a lifestyle player. This way I can enjoy the game, fulfill my aspirations for crafts, and earn a living as well. I can kill three birds with one shot!...|
The list wasn't long and Midnight reread it five times before feeling satisfied.
I wonder if that's how students feel when they prepare for an exam. He silently mused and put the pen down with a smile.
Collecting information, making analyses and deductions, forming conclusions, and memorizing them as a general guideline. Inside the game, I will adjust this guideline according to the situation at hand. Preparedness averts peril!
He cast his gaze outside of the window. Unbeknown to him the long night had come to an end. The first sun rays slowly shone on the far-away horizon.
Yawn.
Midnight yawned and pressed at his temples. Is this an example of a Pavlovian response? The ringing of a bell makes a dog salivate. And for me, just seeing the light makes me feel sleepy. But it doesn't make sense. I am fine with the artificial sources of lighting...
He tried to analyze himself, but his vision soon blurred. Sensing that the slumber was nearby, he stood up and looked at his terminal. It was already 7:47 am on Sunday.
Euclex will be released in less than 13 minutes. It will be annoying if I fall asleep and miss the beginning. Hmm, yes, it's best to lay in the game pod a bit earlier. I hope it will be comfortable inside. While his thoughts jumped around at the random, he finished the last bite of his food and ran to the toilet. Then with everything done, he flushed the water, went to the living room, and lay inside the opened console according to the instructions.
Swoosh
The lid automatically closed down, isolating his body inside.
It's dark. What will I do if I can't fall asleep?! Don't tell me I have already met with a huge hurdle even before starting the game!
Hmm, that document mentioned something about my consciousness being injected into Euclex while my body is forced into slumber. Yes, the word 'forced' means that they have taken everything into account and have the means to make one asleep. I should have read it more carefully...
Feeling the pangs of regret, Midnight tried to stay positive.At least I don't suffer from claustrophobia. Some players will have a hard time...in this pod. The developers...should have been more... thoughtful. But...this is...quite...comfortable. It's...padded...
Unbeknownst to him, his breathing grew softer as his thoughts slowed to a nadir. The frequency of his blinking, his heartbeat, and even his movements turned sluggish. Finally, his eyelids drooped down closing his eyes. He had fallen asleep.
Even to the last moment, Midnight didn't sense the scentless gas infusing the pod.