"Finally done! " I shouted while grinning with excitement.

"One last floor and I can finally head home! "

I usually don’t get this excited after cleaning dirty toilets especially after cleaning the Men’s washroom…

But right now I didn’t mind at all, heck I was humming to the tune of this old Korean "Your Scent" playing on my old 2006 Moshiba Mp3 player.

I was in an extremely good mood today because today was the day I finally get to try out the newest and greatest Virtual Game of the century, Royal Road!

Endless adventure and unlimited possibilities! Was the headline they first announced a year ago.

Gamer critics and pro gamers say this was unlike any other game they have experienced.

With massive new content and better human capability settings you could hardly tell the difference between this word and the gaming world.

Except for the fact that unlike this world in the gaming world you’re facing countless life and death experiences involving monsters, magic, and many different variety of carnage…

Thinking back this past year on how tough it was I couldn’t help but sigh and take a deep long breath… But thank heavens I stopped myself midway realizing that I was face to face with a toilet…

Virtual Reality games in this Era are very highly praised.

Its movement is so big that many major companies usually invest millions of dollars to support their in- game causes!

Even spending 300,000$ for a guild was normal common knowledge.

The top Pro Gamers were also treated like celebrities even starring in many movies and TV shows!

Virtual Reality has truly become so popular, not just for entertainment purposes but also for settling disputes.

Back then when the first Virtual Reality game came out it was used as a way to enjoy new experiences.

But then somehow Countries who were fighting each other decided that instead of risking many lives of many innocent people they should rather just duke it out in Virtual Reality World…

After that event Virtual Reality was engraved in everyone’s lifestyle.

Ever since a year ago when the top leading corporation Xenos Corp announced they were releasing a new Virtual Reality game, the world went into total panic! Xenos Corp controlled most of the major technology industries and also managed all the current worldwide events for Virtual Reality games. So with their bottomless pockets there was no doubt that they were releasing the best Virtual Reality game ever made!

All the other Virtual Reality companies end up shutting down in heart beat realizing that they can’t compete against Xenos Corp.

After that one day of the announcement millions of players rushed out to secure funds!

Companies started to invest on scouting the best players to prepare for the upcoming battles and mayhem!

What everyone was most excited for was not just the new game but also…

Everything was reseted!

No more top factions being the super power!

Way more and better chances to reach for the top!

It was like enjoying Virtual Reality again for the first time again!

But for me the best thing was that…

There was a high possibility for me making some money!

After hearing the announcement I made it my goal to get my hands on Royal Road no matter what.

Even when the costs were 15,000$ for a V.R pod and 300$ for monthly services.

I knew instantly that this was a new chance for me.

Not just for me but for my family also.

Finishing scrubbing the last toilet I let out a "Phew~" 15 hours of janitorial work was tough on a Man.

I quickly left and made my way down to the cafeteria while double checking each floor making sure that all the lights were turned off.

While heading down I mentally repeated what my schedule would be like starting today.

I would play for 16 hours a day which was 48 hours in the gaming world. 1 hour here was 3 hours in Royal Road. I would spend 1 hour for eating, 1 hour for visiting the kids, and 6 hours for sleeping.

I would actually play more than 16 hours and sleep a little less but I needed to take care of my health…

I realized after working two full time jobs this past year to near exhaustion not resting can really harm you mentally and physically…

I actually collapsed one time and was taken to a hospital…

Three days later I woke up and the doctor explained to me I had anemia because I was overworking myself.

My little brothers and sisters heard I collapsed and visited me the very next day.

Suddenly seeing me in a hospital bed with an IV line stuck on my arm they instantly started crying and yelling.

"Big Bruuther! "

"Bi, Big Brotheer! Please don’t diee! "

"Waaah Big Bro!"

Even after calling ahead and telling Father Mackie our orphanage care taker that I was okay was also panicked, his eyes became red and had shocked face when he saw me.

It took two full hours, a couple nurses, and candy to calm the storm down…

I had to jump up and down to prove that I’m okay while yelling over their cries

"I’m okay please stop crying! "

"See I’m jumping up and down! "

Seeing their reactions I couldn't help but also tear up a bit…

My heart felt really numb that day…

I had truly hurt my family.

Ever since we were young we have always been together with no one else to rely on except each other.

Whether it was living in the streets or between homeless shelters we were together.

Thanks to Father Mackie who took us in a while back ago we didn’t have to live in the streets anymore and finally had a place to call home. He also took care us using the offerings for food and clothes. He even made a small garden at the back of the small church just in case the offerings wasn't enough.

But times got tougher over the years. Only a few go to the Church anymore. People instead would use their extra time to earn a bit more money to buy proper meals. Heck most offerings were simple food items such as cans of beans and bread.

I was the oldest one so seeing our situation I decided at the age of 12 to help out and provide for my family. I did many small jobs around the city such as shining shoes and delivering newspapers early in the morning.

Whatever I could get my hands on really.

I had continued to provide for my family since then and even moved out at the age of 16 so they can get more space and my share of the food.

Since that day I made a silent vow to myself.

Never again I shall make them cry.

My life is not just my own but theirs as well.

Without them I would be lost in this cruel world not knowing what love is…

Arriving at the main floor, I made my way to the huge cafeteria and into the kitchen.

"Aunty Liz! I’m all done!

"Honey I’ll be there in a minute!" Big Sis Liz yelled from the back of the kitchen

While waiting I sat down on one of the many white lunch circled lunch tables and scanned the huge cafeteria.

This was one humongous cafeteria…

The Cafeteria was like 4 basketball courts put together, with another upper level half the size of the cafeteria for the upper classmen.

Even after working for 1 year here I’m still amaze at the size of this place.

In each row of tables a small silver cylinder pole was attached. The small silver cylinder pole was a screen projector, it showed live action Royal Road entertainment usually during breaks or when special events were live.

Xanus University is actually sponsored by Xanus Corp. They use this university as a way to train and produce high quality players for worldwide tournaments and such.

To enroll here cost 100,000$ a year!

Only the rich can afford this place so most of the student bodies were part of the elite social class.

I can only sigh with the thought of how much it cost to enroll here.

I envy them a bit… but spending 100,000$ was a bit of a waste…

Not everyone here makes it and becomes a pro gamer.

Let alone participate in worldwide tournaments…

You might as well be called a ninja too after studying and mastering combat at this place…

Since the V.R Pod (also made by Xanus) functions was based on using new technology and virtual devices while combining the manipulation of brain waves, it allowed players to have ultra-realistic experience such as having the same pace of movement as you would have in the real world.

This function had led to many new discoveries!

For example you’ll have a slight advantage in battle if you know how to wield a sword in real life.

While facing another player with no knowledge at all and only relies on in-game knowledge he would lack the basics and would have wasted movements.

But it takes a lot of mental power to combine the many movements you learned while feeling the same movement in-game.

When people realized this mysterious phenomenon everyone decided to study martial arts…

But to their shocked discovery only a hand full of players could really use 100% of their abilities in game!

Pro Gamers say only by constantly practicing and mastering your art can you truly achieve this.

"Honey! Hehe Today’s a lucky day for you! " Aunty Liz yelled in a happy tune.

Turning my head I saw her holding three plastic bags of left overs!

Aunty Liz was a 175.1 centimeters Japanese woman with green dyed hair, pale white skin and is fairly attractive with her baby face and two round green eyes. She’s about 30 years old but she doesn’t even look a day over 25. She’s also one of my closes friends in the world. I do consider her as a real "Aunty" that’s why I call her Aunty Liz because ever since she knew about my situation she has always given me left overs every day. Even though it’s against the rules of taking left overs home she continues to do so while risking her job the in the process. Her situation wasn’t any different than mine, like us she had no real family and most of her life she only relied on herself. But in a heartbeat I would do anything to help her… Her Dream was to one day own a bakery so she works two jobs, here and a part time shift at the supermarket.

"Aunty Liz! That looks like a lot! " I said while smiling after seeing those three white bags filled with food.

"Hehe, honey today the manager was sick so everyone had a chance to take some home today, even I got a little extra for myself" she said while giving me a wink and handing me the bags.

"Aunty Liz Did I ever mentioned how amazing you are! "

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"HaHa just go on and take it already! "

I took the bags and put one inside my backpack and grabbed one bag in each arm. I was about to give her another compliment and say good bye but she suddenly brought out a small box in front of me.

"Aunty Liz, is that what I think it is! " I shouted as I couldn’t help but be in shocked leaving my mouth wide open.

"Yes it is! I also got myself some extra ingredients! " Aunty Liz said while chuckling after seeing my reaction.

Aunty Liz made her Pie! Her pie was the best thing I have ever ate! Me and the kids love them to death, and whenever she has ingredients she always makes them for us. Looking at the box I knew that Aunty Liz was lying about how there was "extra ingredients". Each ingredient in the kitchen was contained in tightly sealed in containers. It has an automatic timer that locks itself at the end of each lunch time to prevent thefts.

"Thanks so much Aunty Liz! Your pies are to die for! " I said while carefully placing the pie on my left hand after moving the other bag to my right.

I wanted to deny the pie. I hated the fact that she uses her own money to make this for us, but I had no choice but to accept this with a smile. I discovered long ago after trying to deny one of her pies that she’s happy when other people enjoys her pie to forget the troubles of life even if it’s just for a few minutes.

"Go straight home already honey, say hi to the kids for me will ya! " She gives me a wink and walks back into the kitchen.

"Bye Aunty Liz, thanks again! " I said while waving my right hand good bye the hand that was holding the two bags. I didn’t want to risk dropping the pie…

I made my way to the parking lot, then to the tree behind the garbage containers where my bike was parked. After unlocking my granny bike and placing the pie carefully on the basket. I put the two bags down and the bag onto the ground to check the amount of bounty today.

"6 egg salad chicken sandwiches, 4 egg salads, and five tuna sandwiches!."

"4 slices of peperoni pizza, 3 slices of cheese pizza, and 4 slices of Hawaiian!"

"8 apples, 6 bananas, and 2 kiwis! "

Seeing the amount of food I got today I couldn’t help but laugh really loud! Today had such a good haul; I can almost picture seeing the kid’s reactions when they wake up tomorrow morning.

Before leaving I quickly made my way to the dumpsters to check if any cans or bottles were available for me to recycle for a few dollars.

After a few minutes of tuning over some garbage bags I find a small yellow box with a cloud on it, filled with empty beer cans.

"Wow I’m so lucky today! "

I couldn’t help but smile. I usually manage to find a few cans each day but this time I was lucky enough to find a pack of 12 cans.

"1 can is 20 cents each so I made a total of 2 dollars and 40 cents in a few minutes! "

I quickly crushed them like a small pancake so it was easier for me to place them in my bag. These beer cans were probably from the upper classmen who stayed after class to review their gaming data. Crushing the last one I went to my granny bike and finally head to my next destination Evergreen Church, my first home.

The Evergreen church was located at the lower class area in the far south side of the city. It takes about an hour to get there from the University which was located at the opposite side of the city the higher class side, the north side. It only takes about 45mins to get there since I’m going downhill and it was late at night. The only pain in ass was going to work in the mornings… biking uphill while tons of cars keep honking at you to pass by is no picnic in the park.

Arriving at the familiar area of the Church I couldn’t help but remember the first time I came here.

The church used to be clear white, with many evergreen trees surrounding the church. Multiple flowers was also Planted at the entrance so it was like seeing this sight come out from a fairy tale.

But now it was reduced to a greyish rotting color, and dry dirt all around the area with no vegetation what so ever.

I took out my 2008 black colored flip phone and checked the time.

"12:23am"

"Mhmm, hopefully Father Mackie is still awake. "

Usually Father Mackie waits for me each day to receive the food. I don’t want to let such an old man stay up at this hour but I rather not leave the food outside. In this neighborhood even if they seemed friendly some people don’t hesitate to steal even if it means stealing from the church…

I quietly made my way to the back carefully not making any noise. If the kids wake up at this hour, the whole neighborhood will also end up waking up...

Arriving at the old wooden door, I slowly knock while calling out Father Mackie.

*knock*

"Father Mackie.. "

After a few minutes I called out again

"Father Mackie are you still awake.. "

Another few minutes past by and I was going to try to knock again but then I heard some shuffling sounds behind the door.

The door slowly opened leaving a small space big enough to see someone’s brown eyes staring back at mine.

"My boy Ken! " Father Mackie said while greeting me with his usual grinning face and husky voice.

"Father Mackie, shhh the kids are still sleeping" I said while smiling seeing that familiar face.

Father Mackie was 60 years old; 181 cm in height he looks like any regular grandpa with a wrinkled pale face, brown eyes and grey hair with strands of white. His jolly attitude even if you met him for the first time makes you feel like you known each other for years. He used to be a high school teacher at first then became a priest for some unknown reason. Thanks to his teaching background it was easy for me to get a high school diploma at the age of 16 by only taking the assessment exam and never going to school. We never could afford it anyways. I didn’t want the kids to suffer like I did so part of my pay would always go to their school funds.

"Father Mackie, we had good haul today! " I said while smiling and showing him the bags of food.

"Wow! The seasons good for picking, isn’t that right my boy? "He replies with his lit eyes after seeing the food.

"Haha, the kids will be pretty noisy tomorrow morning"

Handing him the food I then also took out an enveloped hidden in my bag.

It was this month’s allowance, 500$.

"Father Mackie, here’s this month’s allowance" I said while handing him the envelope.

His smile went into a frown seeing the envelope. He slowly took it from my fingers and stared at me for a few minutes.

"Ken my boy… You don’t have to do this every month, we still have some saved over from last month" Father Mackie says in an unhappy voice.

Father Mackie didn’t like how I would always use most of my money for them and never for myself.

"Father Mackie… Just take it, it’s getting a bit colder so the kids needs new coats this month" I said while giving him a smile.

"Al righty… Why don’t you come in and have some tea? " Father Mackie replied with his smile lit up again.

"Maybe next time Father Mackie, you should go to bed"

"Alright my boy, I’ll see you soon"

After saying my goodbyes.

I got on my bicycle and head on home.

After 30 minutes of midnight cycling I finally arrived at the old reddish four story apartment building.

I’ve been living here for three years now. The rent was 400$ a month. It was so cheap since this building was really old and the area with literally littered with scraps of metal and car parts. This place long ago was used as a small factory for assembling cars but then later on converted into one bed room apartments.

I made my way to the back of the building after moving in a secret path hidden behind a car door.

After some slow steps carefully not hurting myself in the dark, I finally made it out to the parking lot. Since my place was at the bottom floor the basement, I had to do this every day.

It was much easier in the morning though when you can actually see the dangers…

Easier to maneuver myself now after arriving at the open scene, since me and my neighbors cleaned out the area for more space. I made my way to my neighbor’s door. On the floor was a small opened box where I placed food for them whenever I had extra. After carefully placing 2 chicken sandwiches, 2 tuna and 2 bananas, I carefully closed the box by placing a rock on top. Then I proceeded to do the same to my other neighbor next door by placing 1 egg salad and 1 tuna sandwich.

After finishing the tasks.

I walked slowly to my door and entered quietly.

My place was just a small room. It was pretty much a small studio. My bed was placed on the right side of the wall; next to my bed were an old wooden closet and a small round coffee table used for eating.

At the back was the kitchen. It had a sink, an old fridge, a small wooden cabinet counter for dishes and for preparing food, and a small camping stove on top of the counter for cooking. Next to the kitchen was the bathroom. The shower and sink was broken so I had to carry water from the kitchen sink every time I needed to take a bath and I always kept a small bucket of water in the washroom for washing my hands.

After putting away my janitor uniform, I began eating a slice of peperoni pizza to recovery some of my lost energy and then I placed what’s left of the food in the fridge.

"1 Tuna sandwich, 1 chicken sandwich and 2 apples"

Then I sat down on my bed resting for a few minutes.

Across from me was the White 6 feet long, V.R capsule.

I smiled while staring at that majestic new toy, and quickly finished eating the peperoni pizza.

I slowly walked in front of the capsule, and placed my hands on top of the glass window.

"whussh! "

The window opened instantly as soon I touched it.

I entered and slowly lied down on the soft white cushion.

"Close! "

The window closes and shuts me in.

"Turn on! "

Suddenly light blue lights started emitting within the capsule.

"Log into Royal Road! "

I was suddenly blinded by a white flash of white light...

I opened my eyes and saw that I was teleported in a dark space surrounded by complete darkness.

I felt as I was floating in endless space of the night…

Then suddenly I heard an electronic female voice echo through the darkness of the night.

"Welcome to Royal Road."