"The pinnacle of gaming industries, Vivide corp, has finally announced the release date for Anima Online!"

Every screen across the district shone up as the news announcer joyfully told the news.

Today is not a good day. I mean, in general, it is really good, because of the release date being announced and all. The brand new game, so realistic and fresh, unlike any game before.

But for me, it is exhausting. I injured my back after falling from 3 meters today. 

I landed on the pavement and miraculously only broke my left collarbone.

After a quick visit to the hospital, I was sent home to recover. I mean, I am happy it wasn't worse than this, but now I can't work for at least one month.

I sulked, held in a tear as I continued walking.

' I only need to get home, then I can rest some' I thought to myself.

I had some money saved up, enough to live for at least a year if I couldn't work. But what if I injured myself worse next time?

These thoughts strangled my mind, and it was hard. But what could a guy like me do if I didn't work with my body?

I never finished high school. I'm not the cleverest book on the shelf... no wait, the sharpest horse in the barn? Damn... I can't even remember the correct way to describe myself.

I frowned because it was clear to me that I should get out of manual labor, but there aren't any office jobs that I'm qualified for.

Well, there are other jobs.  With the emergence of virtual gaming, and it's fast development, The people I used to know escaped to a different reality.

I mean, it seems pretty decent, because we are running out of resources all around the globe and nearly all physically inclined jobs have been automated. My old colleagues ventured into the virtual world some time ago, along with the vast majority of normal people. The higher-ups claimed the virtual throne long ago, and even disputes between countries are being fought virtually today. I'm pretty sure that if someone told a person a hundred years ago, that this is how we were living today, they wouldn't believe it. 

*BZzzzZz* 

"Hello, you're talking with Rune!" I said.

"Hey, Rune, I heard what happened today. It's me, David. I'm sad to inform you that we will need to hire someone else to take your position at handy-dandy. We can't wait for you to recover. But hey, cheer up! With Anima coming up, I'm sure you will find work to do there!"

"Uh, yeah. Sure! thanks.." I answered.

I have to admit, I am really confused. Who fires people like that?

Oh great, this really isn't working out for me.

"Could this day get any worse?" I muttered

I always liked working with my body, it made me feel calm and shut down all the irritating buzz from the surrounding world. Sure, I heard there are lots of free jobs to do online today, and with anima being released, all those companies will move right over. A fantasy world, with monsters, and castles, and trolls. All those sorts of things. 

At least 95 % of people worked online these days anyway. Food is automatically being grown at fabrics, harvested by machines, and sent to stores controlled by A.I. It's safe to say that starvation is no longer that big of an issue. At school, I was taught that we are all lucky to live in this era. I agree. As long as I can make money, I can eat. 

But man gotta work.

"You heard right, only one week remaining until the release of Anima Online!"

Those news announcers irritated me, a goblin with a top hat and an elf. How can people endure watching people announce the news through games?

I continued walking, and soon, I walked past two women who were both very excited.

"Yes, I swear it's true, my friend at Vivide told me this first hand!" The blonde woman said.

"No way, no way that the entire game is built by a computer!" The brunette said.

'Okay, now the world is just messing with me!' I thought to myself, even angrier than before. I won't enter the virtual world, I definitely won't!

*BEEEEEEEEEEEP*

*BAM*

I got hit by something massive and flew through the air. Then I blacked out.

"This man, got hit by a truck?" a voice said.

"Yes, it's truly remarkable!" another voice said.

"And he only broke a collarbone?"

"No! He was here earlier today, injured at work they told me.!"

"So he survived getting hit by a truck, and all he got are some bruises?"

"I mean, the truck was going in reverse, pretty damn slow.."

I opened my eyes and stared at the two nurses in front of me.

"Mr. Evergreen, how are you feeling?"

Ugh, what a drag. 

I stared at the nurse and answered.

"Fine, can I just go home?"

The nurse looked at me, mildly shocked at my reaction.

"I guess you can, we checked you up while you were unconscious and it seems that you somehow fainted due to low iron levels in your blood and not because you were struck." He said.

"Here are some iron supplements, make sure to take them one time a day." The other nurse said, then I got sent home.

On my way out I overheard the nurses talking again.

"After this week, I am done. I will start living in Anima. Maybe I'll get some rare item and make a living by trading."

Again, this Anima. I'm not going there!

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

I got home, to my dull home. It was a small, twenty-some square meters space. Most people lived in rooms like me. It's understandable why they escape to a virtual world but I like the feeling of being exhausted.

I booted up my computer, old-school, just like me.

I entered my regular shopping site to buy groceries, filled my chart with stuff and clicked "Deliver"

*CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE OUR LUCKY 777TH CUSTOMER*

What? What does that mean? I dragged my mouse and clicked the "continue" button.

"TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF ANIMA ONLINE, IF YOU ORDER NOW, YOU WILL GET 50% COUPON TO USE WHEN YOU PURCHASE A GAMING CAPSULE FROM US!"

Was.. was this a joke?

I guess with a sale like that, I can't say no.

I ordered my groceries and a brand new gaming capsule. When I realized how easily those flashy colors and images and persuaded me to purchase a gaming capsule I freaked out. 

"WHAT HAVE I DONE!?" I yelled.

I opened my bank account and checked my balance.

"Now I only got money to live for another three months, why am I so stupid? If it wasn't for those flashy red congratulation signs, I wouldn't have purchased it.

Oh well, what's done is done.

My shoulder hurt, but it was fine since I only used it to move the mouse. I continued to scroll on the web, trying to learn a bit about Anima. It doesn't hurt to prepare myself somewhat before release day in a week.

I encountered a thread talking about Anima Online and decided to read it.

Bugsbunny's answer: I just love how every NPC will behave like a real person!

Thatcher's answer: No way, that's just a rumor.

Killerbee's answer: It's true actually, I work for Vivide and this is part of the information we are allowed to talk about.

Thatcher's answer: Bullsh*t! I'm the owner of Vivide and there is no such NPC in the entire game!

Phineas's answer: I heard that the possibilities are endless because an A.I made the world, the details are insane. Also, an insider leaked that it's at least three times the size of Earth!

Napoleon's answer: WOW, imagine spawning in a different village than your friends and trying to meet up.

Prince's answer: I think my favorite part is that they revamped the old one-class system.

Okay enough of this, I'm so confused. NPC this, NPC that. I can't make sense out of most of this.

I decided to make a new thread.

[How do I make money in a virtual world?"

"As the title says, I wonder how to make money online"

Penguin's answer: HAHAHAHHA, this guy, does he live under a rock? DO A QUEST and SELL YOUR ITEM.

Fisher's answer: No way this is not a troll, you can literally pick up a pretty rock and sell it to a collector.

Monsieur.stinky's answer: Serious answer here, if you want to make money online, you first need to share your account information. If you upload it here I'll help you!

Loud-goofy's answer: hahahhaha, yes, your account details! I mean wow, have this guy never played? The second he boots up his capsule the A.I inside will help him connect his account to his bank. I mean frick this guy trolled you all so hard.

I closed the thread. This was just sad, Now I'm sad. This day is really awful.

Bored as I am, I started counting the number of people passing by outside my window. There weren't many, maybe one once every other ten minutes. I slept some and ate some, the taste was not bad, not so good either. typical dinner for the average person. If this meal was described in colors I'd say gray on gray.

Gray for its mushy form, and gray for its watery taste.

This reminds me of a wet toilet roll I sighed.

A week had almost passed by and launch day was closing in. A loud knock was heard from my door.

I opened, and quickly a man and a woman carried my game capsule inside.

"Just sign here, here and here." The man said while the woman gave me a sinister look.

"Can't I at least read what it is I'm signing?" I exclaimed with panic in my voice.

They looked at each other, trying to hold in their laughter. Who actually read these anyway?

I did though, but I read it slowly.

"This.. what does this say here?" I said as I pointed on a word.

"Receiver, That's you," the woman said.

Okay... I said. Finding nothing wrong I decided to sign the paper and the delivery people quickly left.

Man, they both looked so close. I thought.

I jumped into the capsule and closed the top.

---------------------------------------------BOOTING UP---------------------------------------------

Everything was pitch black, but soon I found myself somehow standing on a wooden floor.

*Welcome to your new gaming capsule, I am BOB, your assistance.

What the hell, why is my capsule assistance a bass-voiced man?

*To set up your capsule, you first need to log in to your account. If you do not have an account, we will create on right away. But be careful, you can only have one account!

"I want to create an account, please"

*Creating an account it is, please insert a mailing account, a password, and a security question. Make sure that the security question is something only you know

A glowing, slightly transparent keyboard appeared along with a screen in front of me. I quickly entered the account details and finished setting up my account.

*Your account has now been created, would you like to link your bank account right away?

Wow, it really was like the forums told me. No wonder they thought I was stupid.

"Yes, please," I said.

It was rather easy, the A.I. helped me along the way.

*I noticed you have been quiet for some time. Is there anything else you would like to do? Perhaps I should give you some suggestions?

Right, what should I do now? I thought.

*The most trending topic right now is; Anima Online. 

Ah yes, that's what I wanted to do!

"I'd like to purchase the game, Anima Online.

*Anima Online is subscription-based, you pay 10 dollars every month to play on the account, you can pay for many months at the same time, or even borrow money if you are having difficulties at the moment.

"I'd like to have one month of game time then"

*Certainly, -amount- '10 dollars' has been withdrawn from your account.

*Anima Online, one month has been added to your account.

"Okay, do I download Anima now?"

*Anima Online has already been installed on your capsule, would you like to launch the game?

"Yes please!"

Colorful grass fields and trees flashed before my eyes. I found myself on top of a hill, staring into a mirror.

*Creating Character, You may only create one character, if you are dissatisfied with your character, you need to delete your current one.

The details are insane, It's really me! 

I stared at the muscular guy in the mirror.

The bod! I exclaimed as I flexed my biceps in the mirror.

*If you are happy with your character, please set a name.

I mean, I am satisfied looking like myself. There's no need to be some cat-human, or a dwarf anyway. Such bizarre looks would only make me feel unfamiliar with my body, right?

*Please set your character's name

Right, the name. What should I call myself?

*Mr. Evergreen.  To be honest with you, I like your first name. Why not go with that? It's uncommon and it should suit you pretty nicely. I made a quick check just now, and you are lucky. It hasn't been taken yet!

Rune hasn't been taken yet? There's no way, right?

"Set name Rune, please!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sir, a character was just made with the name Rune!"

"RUNE?" a director at the news station yelled

TV screens across the cities shone up as the news forced itself over other channels

"Breaking news, a character was made earlier this morning. The character goes under the name Rune. Is this the legendary Rune, making an announcement that he will make a come back in Anima Online?"

Forums filled up fast with topics about the announcement.

French-fries's answer: Rune, the legend is back!

Polo's answer: Top ten, Rune for your lives!!!

Platilus's answer: Is is THE RUNE? how do we know for real, is the information confirmed?

Raven's answer: It has only been confirmed that a character is named Rune, but who would in their right minds claim the name of our god? Do they not fear what will happen to them if they are found out?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Time left until the server is online; 00:00:05:32

'I have to admit, I am anxious right now. What if I don't like it? I never played a game before, what is it like?'

The minutes quickly past and trumpets started playing. The red "Play" Button turned green and I entered the world.

Fresh air filled my nose as blinding light forced my eyes shut.

The sound of feet hitting gravel came from all directions.

*Welcome to Anima Online, where the possibilities are endless. Carve your dream through these vast lands!*

A woman's voice cheered at us from above.

I opened my eyes only to be met by old houses, I mean really old. Like medieval!

There were people everywhere, and each of us looked dirt poor. Rugged clothes, simple colors all walking around.

Every face I saw seemed happy. Then I realized that this image was too bizarre for me. Some people were elves, some were dog-like humans. There were even orcs! Green orcs with big sharp teeth!

Simultaneously, all the people started running around like raging bulls, chatting up all the villagers.

"What are they doing!?" I exclaimed.

"Have you never played a game before? They are looking for a quest" A woman's voice said from behind me.

I turned around to be met by icy blue eyes and long pointy ears.

"What, never seen an elf before?" She giggled.

"Anyways, I got to get going now. Good luck out there!" She continued.

Still dumbstruck by all the scents and sounds from around me, those eyes made my heartbeat an extra time.

I waved my hand in the air to erase such thoughts. '

I don't have time for that nonsense, I am here to make a living!'