Glancing around him, he noticed many weird technological devices, some even weirder that the ones he worked with.

“Move it you Doofus!”

A voice coming from a man shocked him out of his observation and noticing that he was standing in the middle of what appeared to be a road, he moved towards his left.

He glanced at the man and was intrigued by the vehicle he was driving. It was shaped like a bus, had all the things one needed on it, but was a lot shorter in height and length, roghly coming up to that of a car. It was also floating, with what appeared to be blue flames coming out of it's base.

The man in question muttered something about idiots and went ahead with his extremely weird looking vehicle while shaking his head.

‘The people which are no more than codes, have this much of social awareness? I really want to know how they created this game.’

Thinking about this, he looked around and noticed some people staring at him weirdly. Their expressions indicated that they were looking at someone who was stupid.

‘Right, now I should see into how people play games and also how professionals play games.’

Thinking so, he thought about a help guide but nothing appeared in front of him.

‘Didn’t that man say that to access the system features, all we have to do is think about them?’

‘Guess I’ll try again. System.’

‘Help.’

‘Guide.’

He tried as many words as he could before finally finding the command.

‘Settings.’

Thinking about this, his vision was filled with a transparent but dark blueish color screen.

This could be real distraction, unless he reduced its size.

The system was in a square shape and was formatted like what was available in nowadays watches and its characters were bright white.

[ Menu | Keybinds]

Only two option were provided to him, each only explaining its functions. Deciding to gain information about where he was in and what was happening, he thought about Menu.

[ Integration

Version: -1.01.02

WT: 09:22

RT: 15:33

Time Dilation: 1:1]

Some very not-helpful at all information was provided. The name of the game was there with the version just under it and two values of time.

‘Hmm, the version corresponds to the words that man said, so most likely this is the game level. RT should be the time in real world whereas WT should be the time inside the game.’

On him thinking that, the version word was changed to Game Level. Vernon decided to then go towards the Keybinds button.

[ Keybinds

System:

Log out: System]

So that was why nothing was working, the system was literally undefined. Thinking about this, he changed the keybind into mind.

[ System: Mind]

Now that the keybinds were fixed, he should be able to access the system.

‘System.’

A new screen then popped up in front of him.

[ Home | Locked | Locked]

Other than home, all the other options were greyed out and instead of even knowing them, all Vernon had was the locked message.

‘Home’

[ Vernon Elroy

22 Years Old]

Only his name and age were displayed. Though he was a bit confused as to how the game had his information, he immediately thought about the buying process and realized that they probably got it from his profile.

‘Now to try some things. Guide’

[ Introduction | Web | Locked]

Other than the greeting option, all he got was the web. Clicking on the web he decided to search about some ways of playing VRMMORPG, though he didn’t expect much.

…

‘Whew, that took an hour, main thing to keep in mind, is to treat it like real life. Now, I should try the things that I learnt. Status.’

The screen once again came up and gave him an irking message.

[ All system features are unavailable till the second day of the closed beta, system shall launch before the start of the second day, so please wait patiently]

This was the reason why all functions were locked.

“Hais, now what am I supposed to do?”

Moving around, he decided to explore the area around him. The city looked to be just a futuristic version of normal cities in real world. The area he was in, was mainly built out of Linges, a reinforced version of concrete. Even though he wasn’t 100% sure which material it was, he had seen linges many times making him fairly certain.

Roaming around, he quickly came upon an intersection, just south of the one where he spawned. Around the right side of the walkway, he found a man selling maps. Releasing a sigh in relief, he quickly ran up to the man to buy one or at least loan one.

Noticing him approaching the stall, the merchant greeted Vernon with a slick smile, his eyes narrowing a little as he sized up his potential customer. The merchant's stall was adorned with an array of colorful maps, each depicting various parts of the city and its surroundings.

"Greetings, traveler! Looking for a map to navigate this bustling city, are we? A wise choice indeed. Only a handful of credits for a map that will surely save you from getting lost in these labyrinthine streets”. The man greeted enthusiastically.

Vernon, feeling a bit out of his comfort zone but determined not to show it, cleared his throat before responding.

"Yes, I suppose a map could come in handy. But before that, how did you realize I am a traveler?"

"Ah, a discerning customer, I see! You are looking around the streets as if you have never been here and your clothes do not look similar to any city around here. For someone with such impeccable taste, I can offer you a map at a special price of just 50 credits."

Vernon frowned, not at the price, considering the fact that he currently had no money, but that he had given out so much information before even meeting the man.

He then gazed downwards and saw that while the people around him wore vests or metallic looking clothes, he wore a small shirt and pants.

‘Need to be better’

Looking back, he cleared his throat and spoke.

"50 credits, huh? I'm afraid I don't have that much on me at the moment. Is there any chance you could offer a loan? I promise to pay you back once I've had a chance to explore and earn some credits."

The merchant's eyes gleamed with a mixture of greed and curiosity. It was clear he was weighing the potential benefits of making a deal with Vernon.

"A loan, you say? Well, I do have a proposition for you. How about this: I'll lend you the map for the duration of your stay here. But in return, I'll need a small favor from you."

Vernon's ears perked up at the mention of a favor, his curiosity overcoming his initial hesitation. His mind was racing, considering the pros and cons of this mysterious proposition.

"A favor? What kind of favor?"

The man smiled.

"Simple, really. Just a little task for you to undertake. See, I've got a shipment of valuable items arriving in three days . I need someone reliable to oversee its safe arrival. Guard it, if you will. And once the transaction is complete, I'll consider your debt repaid."

Vernon's chaotic thoughts raced through his mind as he weighed the merchant's offer. On one hand, he desperately needed the map to navigate the city effectively, especially when the game system would soon activate. On the other hand, this merchant seemed shrewd and manipulative, and Vernon's gut told him that this "favor" might not be as straightforward as it seemed.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Oversee the shipment, huh? And what happens if something goes wrong?"

The man smiled even wider.

"Oh, rest assured, I have my ways of ensuring that everything goes smoothly. But I'll sweeten the deal for you. Successfully oversee the shipment, and I'll reward you with not only the map but a little something extra as well."

Vernon's mind raced as he considered the potential risks and rewards. He knew he had only 7 days before the game released, and he needed all the advantages he could get. Scrap that, he needed to find her at all costs and he needed advantages to do that. But there was something about the merchant's offer that didn't sit right with him. He could practically hear his thoughts battling it out.

Finally, he nodded, his decision made.

"Alright, I'll do it. But just know, I'm new to this city and guarding isn’t my job.”

The merchant smiled even more widely, making Vernon wonder if the man’s cheek was going to bend unimaginably, and he extended a hand toward Vernon.

"Deal! You've got yourself a map, and I've got myself a reliable overseer. Don't worry, my friend, you won't regret this. Just meet me here in two days' time, and I'll give you all the details you need."

“Alright. Now, my item”. He held out his hand after breaking away from the man’s handshake. ‘Quite strong’ he admitted.

“Of course”, he took one map from his stall and handed it to Vernon. “A map, depicting the entire of Techlok city and the Argon mountains. Remember to be here in 2 days, by evening. I’ll see you later my friend, unless you wish to buy more?”

The man grinned again as he asked that question. Vernon gazed at him for a second, then turned around and walked towards a building on right. He heard laughter from the man who shouted “Goodbye”. His face morphed into a frown, which got worse imagining the man grinning at him, making him feel like a sheep, a fat one.

He entered the building, which was rightly named as "The Tech Nexus." As he stepped inside, his eyes widened at the futuristic marvel before him. The interior was a symphony of sleek lines, holographic displays, and softly glowing panels. The air hummed with an underlying energy that hinted at the advanced technologies at play.

Vernon's thoughts seemed to come to a brief halt as he took in the sights. The walls were adorned with dynamic images, shifting and changing as if they were alive. Various holographic screens floated in the air, displaying a myriad of information and advertisements for the latest gadgets and upgrades.

A receptionist, a holographic projection of a smiling young woman, appeared in front of him. "Welcome to the Tech Nexus," she chimed, her voice a melodic harmony. "How can I assist you today?"

Vernon blinked, momentarily stunned by the lifelike projection. He cleared his throat, his introverted nature resurfacing as he spoke. "Uh, hi. I'm looking for... information. About, uh, technological upgrades or enhancements."

He blurted exactly what he gained by looking around the place. He just hoped it was correct.

The receptionist's smile remained unwavering as she nodded. "Of course! We have a wide range of technological marvels to enhance your experience in the city. Whether it's augmented reality implants, neural interface upgrades, or advanced sensory enhancers, we've got it all. Just tell me what you're interested in, and I'll provide you with the details."

Vernon's thoughts began to swirl again as he considered his options. He had always been fascinated by technology, and the idea of upgrading himself in this virtual world was incredibly enticing. But he also knew he had limited resources, which was a big overstatement.

"Um, I'm a bit new to all of this," he admitted, somehow morphing his face into a normal one. "What would you recommend for someone like me? Someone who's looking to... improve, but maybe not break the bank?"

The holographic receptionist nodded in understanding. "I would suggest starting with our basic Neural Enhancement Package. It's a cost-effective option that will enhance your cognitive functions, memory retention, and overall processing speed. It's a great way to dip your toes into the world of technological upgrades."

Vernon listened attentively, his thoughts focused on the potential benefits. The idea of having a sharper mind and improved memory was appealing, especially given his obsessive nature to learn and master things. He imagined how fast he could find her if he had this.

"How much does the Neural Enhancement Package cost?" he asked cautiously, hoping it wouldn't be too expensive.

The receptionist's holographic form blinked, and a holographic display appeared in front of Vernon. It showed a price that made his heart sink slightly. "The basic Neural Enhancement Package is priced at 500000 credits," she said. "It's a one-time investment that will provide long-term benefits. Of course, for being a first time customer, you have a 90% discount, so 50000 for you."

The receptionist’s words put him down back to the land. 50k credits? That was too much for someone like him, who barely had a loaned map.

The receptionist frowned. Clearly, he had failed to control his expression of being shocked. She asked him, “Is there any problem sir?”

Vernon quickly composed himself. He shook his head, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation. "Oh, no, it's not a problem. It's just that... well, I'm new to all of this, you know? I wasn't expecting the price to be that high."

The holographic receptionist's expression softened, as if she understood his situation. "I understand, sir. Upgrades and enhancements can be a significant investment, especially for newcomers. But I assure you, the Neural Enhancement Package offers great value for the long term."

Vernon nodded, appreciating her attempt to reassure him. "I don't doubt that. It's just...” He frowned while trying to explain “I'm kind of on a budget right now. I'm still trying to get the hang of things, and I need to be careful with my credits. Is there anything else, cheaper than this?"

The receptionist's smile returned, looking genuine, though he felt mockery in it. "I completely understand, sir. Unfortunately, we do not offer anything cheaper than that. If you have any enquiry, please ask me or else, you are welcome to leave."

Vernon's frustration grew, despite his attempts to keep his emotions in check. He wasn't used to being in situations where his choices were limited by his financial constraints. The receptionist's words felt like a subtle jab, and he couldn’t help but get angry.

He took a deep breath, reminding himself to stay calm. After all, he had bigger goals than to get a neural implant. But the anger at being mocked for just financial reasons was quite distracting.

"Thank you for your assistance," he said tersely, his voice a bit sharper than he intended. With a curt nod, he turned and walked away from the receptionist's desk. As he left the building, his hands which were clenched into fists, opened.

He turned right continued to walk through the city, his chaotic thoughts now centered on his own frustration. He wasn't used to feeling so constrained and powerless, and it didn't sit well with him.

Taking deep breaths, he chanted ‘Calm, the calmer you are, the more you can do’. Slowly, he gained clarity of his thoughts and when he looked around, he realized his body had led him to a deserted area. He looked at the map, and tried to retrace his path.

It wasn’t difficult, since the direction he had walked in led to a big area, big and dangerous. He was in the slums. The environment had shifted dramatically from the polished streets of the technologically advanced city to the grittier and more rundown slums. The contrast was stark, and he felt like he had stumbled upon a hidden underbelly of the city.

The buildings around him were dilapidated, some of them barely standing. Graffiti covered the walls, and the air was heavy with a mixture of dampness and decay. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he glanced around, realizing that he was far from the bustling city center he had started in.

As he was about to turn and retrace his steps, a muffled sound caught his attention. It was a mix of voices, a low and heated argument, coming from behind a nearby building. Vernon's curiosity got the better of him, and he carefully made his way towards the source of the noise.

Peering around the corner, he saw a small group of NPCs engaged in a heated discussion. One of them, a man dressed in ragged clothing and sporting a surly expression, seemed to be the center of attention. He had an air of authority about him, even though his surroundings suggested otherwise.

“You idiots, find my box. If that thing gets lost, I swear to hunt down your families.”

It appeared, that they were his underlings and the man seemed to have lost a box. From the man’s behavior, he confirmed one thing.

He was witnessing a confrontation involving a gangster lord of sorts. The man's demeanor was that of someone who was used to having control and power, even if it was limited to this slum area.

Vernon's mind kicked into gear. He watched as the gangster lord gestured angrily, his voice raised as he berated the others around him. The topic of their argument wasn't clear, but Vernon's attention was drawn to something else – a pouch hanging from the gangster's belt.

The pouch was bulging. With what though, was the question.

“Go dumbasses, or do you wish for me throw you away.”

The man shouted at his lackeys, telling them to hunt down whatever he had lost. The thugs looked at their boss with fear and some bits of anger, before turning around and going to different buildings, likely to search for the missing box.

Vernon glanced at the gangster, now only surrounded by two people, and decided to go away. It would be better to investigate this man before deciding what to do.

But, just as he stepped backwards, he stepped on a broken glass bottle.

Ka-cha,ka-cha.

The noise was loud enough, that it echoed all over the empty alley he stood in.

“What was that? Go check it out you fools!”

The noise seemed to have alerted the thugs and Vernon heard noises coming towards him.

'Shit'

His reflexes kicked into gear, before he could think properly and he turned around and ran, directly opposite the building he was peering from and to the entrance of the alley.

“Boss, there's someone running here!”

“Catch him!!, he might know about the box!”

Vernon could hear some shouting behind him, and it was just loud enough that he could understand it.

'Of course, the first meeting with a bad guy ends in me running the opposite direction on the first sign of trouble'.

He laughed in his mind at the irony of it, picking up even more speed, as he finally reached the end of the alley.

He turned right, remembering this road as the one which to led to the main part of the city from the map.

Running without care, he smashed headfirst into a random person turning the same corner, resulting in him falling backwards.

“Watch IT!”

Vernon looked up and saw a bulky man carrying a heavy box on his head. He was looking at him like a prey.

But, Vernon could hear the noises drawing closer and he didn't have enough time to deal with someone ready to smash him into paste.

He got up, using his slightly smaller height to duck beside the bulky man as he prepared to punch Vernon, and used his momentum to leg lock the man, tripping him and resulting in him falling headfirst, blocking the alley.

The man's box also broke littering the road with apples, or something similar to them.

Vernon could hear some noises behind him, and another falling noise, as he continued to run without looking back.

'Someone definitely fell back there. Plan successful.'

He grinned, thinking that the people chasing him were finally gonna be stopped, as he slightly slowed his speed, preparing to enter the road coming up on his left.

He successfully dodged under two vehicles, coming on the road and getting to the left sidewalk, much to the dismay of thier owners.

Vernon ran until he came upon the intersection and turned left, effectively putting himself two turns away from the entrance to the main part of the city.

Looking at the front, he estimated to cross the road in about 2 minutes. But, as he saw the end, he slowed down and immediately turned left, into the closet alley he could.

'How the heck could that man get there so fast. He definitely did not get into a car, so how?'

Yes, Vernon saw the gangster lord standing at the end of the intersection, looking around, mostly to find him.

He opened the map he received and matched his position to it.

'Alright, I'm on the alley between Street 15 and Street 21. Continuing onwards will put me smack middle in Street 21. Turning right afterwards links the road to the Street 13. Which, leads straight to an alley connected to the main city areas.'

Plan made up, he quickly walked out of the alley, entering the sidewalk of Street 21. Turning right, he continued straight towards the intersection, and entered Street 13.

The road was not like the others. It was made of Linges, having a lot more organized stuff around. But, like all roads of the slums, it didn't have any authority to regulate it and many thugs roamed the sidewalks, with beggars in the mix.

It was also the biggest road so far, continuing onwards till beyond what the eyes could see.

Vernon quickly walked on the sidewalk, and after about 20 seconds, turned into an alley, which put him straight in the middle of an empty street.

He turned left, following the route he had memorized, confused as to why barely any person walked around here.

He looked towards the front, spotting the gate, which so clearly demarcated the slums and the main area.

He picked up his pace, finding nobody nearby and nearly ran to the gate.

Just as he was about to touch the gate, a punch came straight to his gut, knocking the wind out of him and he fell back, about 30 feet from the gate.