Chapter 2
Well, the moment when I awoke that day, I did want to start my crusade into the top ranks of Noah but like so many teenage kids, my mind inherently pushed it off for another day.
What, a kid is a kid, what you expect? Plus, I had a date with my friends in the old factory warehouse, our very own hideout. But just when I was about to walk out the door, I saw my dad…
He was still dreadful looking, browsing through the job seeking software on his holographic bracer. My heart ached, knowing I was blowing off my promise to myself just to have fun.
I sighed.
Opening up my own holographic bracer, I called up my best bud George and left him a message saying to meet me in the Global web lobby instead. That was it, no more delaying. My quest to outdo millions of players in the game starts now.
Opening my capsule sitting in the corner of my room, I squeezed my skinny body into the cylindrical tin can. Think of a soda pop can that coke uses, that’s exactly what my discounted mass produced VR capsule looked like.
Oh there are better looking ones and higher spec available but the fact that we got one was fortunate enough only through my dad’s government connection. Public employee’s get first dib, dig that for job benefit.
Now that I’m all set, I hit the flashy red icon on my capsules holographic screen and that was all. No pain or flashy immersion, I just close my eyes and darkness takes my mind. Every time someone logs into the VR server, their mind goes blank for a second and your avatar would get thrown into the digital tunnel vacuum. Afterwards your avatar would appear in the universal VR lobby spawn area or by your choice, the game you saved in. There is of course some safety concerns regarding tapping into a person’s brain, but the popularity of the VR technology overshadowed any demonstrations.
There I was, in my goofy looking avatar that I made since my first immersion 2 years ago at the age of 14. It was a splitting image of me in the real world but a little bit better looking without the pimples and not as skinny as my real self. If one wanted to alter their default avatar forced upon everyone by the government was to pay big bucks to a VR shop for parts. Their money grubbing excuse was to use doctors proclaiming it was better for the human mind if their avatar was closer to real life.
I didn’t have to wait long in the lobby room with a space station background setting. George has always been my best pal that got my back even if I acted like a asshole sometimes. He soon flashed into existence like I did and waved his muscular hands at me while he floated towards me.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Hey what’s up Jack, what’s with the sudden bail? I had the perfect setup to check out this hot chick from another school man.” George spoke in a whiny tone towards me and I don’t blame him, he had the craziest ability to find the hottest girl in the city. I don’t know how he does it.
I’m guessing social networking sites like Facelook?
“You hear the news about the governments contest last night? They said the prize to the top ten ranked players will get a share of the monthly earnings from Noah. Do you have any idea how much the government earns every year? Millions you hear me, and that’s just what the public know. I’m willing to bet there is some dough that isn’t even disclosed to the general public!” I was speaking with my hands waving in the air to exaggerate my words and my eyes were literally popping out as I stare at George.
Maybe I was overreacting because George was slowly taking a few steps away from me with a frown.
“So what Jack, you know people like us won’t have much of a chance to win the prize.” George put a hand on my shoulder “There are literally thousands of professional gamers out there in Noah, making money off the game in multitude of manners. And now that the contest is on, I heard there are even companies popping up specifically aimed at hitting the top ten.” George was seriously warning me but I didn’t want to listen.
Since I was young, I have done nothing but idle around in my life. The only skill I had within my body was playing games. I was definitely good compared to all my school mates and even took part in some tournaments online. So how can I possibly shrug it off when the calling of my life was in front of me now?
“George please, this is really important to me… Last night I found out my dad lost his job.” I stared down at my boots with a sullen look, “If I don’t do something to help out, I won’t be able to forgive myself. It’s fine even if I don’t succeed but I don’t want to look back in the future and know I sat around when my dad needs me.”
That did it; George has always been a bit emotional for a guy. His personality definitely didn’t match his real and VR self, with a bulky macho body, sometimes our classmates wondered if he was into men but I knew better.
“Alright alright, don’t use my weakness against me; you know how I hate it when you take advantage of it.” George complained with his arms crossed as he looked at me.
“Thanks man I know you always have my back” I cheerfully smacked him on his back as I broke into a grin.