I was apparently very tired today, because I just couldn’t help but stretch. Which didn’t really make all that much sense, because every part of the brain that actually needed proper rest got it while you were in full immersion. I absolutely did not care to understand the massive amount of mumbo jumbo that was this system, so I couldn’t quite tell you how that worked, but it just does.

…Anyways, breaking out of that stretch, I tore my gaze back to my friends list. And more specifically, my friend requests. This wasn’t the strangest thing ever… actually, maybe it was. How many times have I sent this man home black and blue? Corporally punished him? Disciplined him? Pulled out a comically large ruler from the early 2000s and spanked him over the bum?

A lot of times. Dozens, of times, in fact. But he wanted to… follow me into a new game? To what, harass me some more? Because that actually sounded like a pretty good time, boss raiding was fun. I mean, it’s definitely a hell of an ego boost to be the sole reason that over a dozen people are playing a game. But I just have to wonder, why the heck do they want to follow me?

I suppose it doesn’t really matter all that much. And if it’s for any particularly nefarious reasons, it’s not like I can’t just unfriend him and switch to a different server in game. It would be pretty impossible to find me out of the probably billions and billions of players in the game across hundreds of different servers. If he was really that desperate he could keep trying to track me, but I’d pull pretty damn far ahead in terms of grind, and at that point, I could just steamroll him. So really, what was the harm?

Friend request from:Onesy

You last played with this individual: today, on Ragnarök, War of The Gods.

Accept.

And I will check back in with you, llllllater.

Flicking an arm, Koth rolled open the menu, and with a bit of finagling, closed out of Homepage.

—

“Luci!”

“Yes, Ethan?”

“I’ll be heading out now, I need to go to work. Disable the Immersion Gear, thank you!”

“Certainly, Ethan.”

Presenting a thumbs up to the unblinking camera of an unfeeling AI, Ethan slipped out through the front door, stepping out into the cold night air.

I’ve got a job to work, kind of need to. Electricity and upkeep is free, but buying new stuff isn’t. So, I picked up a night shift at the local Walmart. Still can’t believe these corporate assholes have been kicking for over a hundred years, but hey, I guess they adapted to the times. They’ve got money to pay me as opposed to AI, so I’ll gladly bolster our everlasting overlords.

Though, I’ll probably quit after this shift. Not like I’ll be missed, and I’ll have gotten everything I need! Money to buy a new game. Uhhh… money to buy a new game. Yeah that’s about all I needed really. And some left over cash, in case of anything else I suppose.

Slipping into my car, I tap on my place of work on the map that had lit up the moment the door opened, and buckle myself in a moment afterwards.

It’s a quick drive, the store only being thirty miles away. Some, quick, five minute trip? The night is colorful as per usual, but it doesn’t really catch my eye. A lot of it is just hollow, marketed slop. I find there’s very little beauty to be found in the real world. Ironic, really. Only a virtual reality holds any real sights worth seeing to me. But it’s been like that for a long while now I suppose. Just… the way it is.

Stolen novel; please report.

Pushing open the car door, I step out in uniform. Having gotten dressed on the way.

—

The night’s slow. Once again, as per usual. I hadn’t expected anything else. Barely anybody comes in person to get their groceries anymore. Stores are glorified warehouses at this point, but this archaic job still exists. Works out just fine for me, but it’s a little unnerving to be completely alone in the dark like this, even in an area with a crime rate of literally zero.

Regardless… I just sit there, doing nothing. I’m security, and also clean up. But… the only thing that needs any proper cleaning is… nothing. The place is just a little dusty. I always tidy up while I’m here, ergo nothing gets grungy when I’m in. So, it’s practically pristine. I check in on the frozen goods, perishables, no mold. No mold anywhere else, for that matter. I sweep, I dust, and I sit down. Strapping myself in for a long shift of just about nothing.

And, lo and behold, despite me wishing otherwise, nothing happens. It’s a slow, boring, night. And for the life of me I can’t want for anything but to be in Full Immersion. Experiencing a world with more to offer than the real one ever could. Twenty, maybe ten years ago, that’s a sentiment that would’ve been frowned upon. But… the real world’s grown dull over the years. Slowly bleeding any true color. Leaving behind only a pale imitation.

Hm. Look at me. What am I, some kind of philosopher?

I sit up in my chair and pull out my phone. I’m reading too deeply into it. I always do. That’s just what I do when my mind wanders. The world’s no less a husk than it’s ever been. I just live in a shitty part of it. Not a shitty part, no… a boring part. And for my part, I simply can’t help but wait for my chance to get out of it once again.

—

The early morning sun beams into my house as I close the door behind me, arriving home after the end of my unbearably long night shift. Why is it unbearable? Because it’s sooooooo BORING! This is why I don’t work a job now, games are my job, alright? Definitely.

“Luci!”

“Yes, Ethan?”

“I’m home, obviously! Could you please get the Immersion Gear set up?”

“Certainly, Ethan.”

…Didn’t it say those exact same four words when I left? Could’ve sworn it said exactly that.

Now unfortunately, I did have to eat food before I got in for the night, but that was alright. Food’s one of the few things that aren’t boring every time I have to deal with it. Food was good. As for what exactly I’d eat… honestly? Pizza sounded good.

Pulling one of the many brands I kept on hand in the freezer out, I pried it free of its plastic prison and tossed it right into the oven. I never bothered to take a look at which brand, I liked to be surprised. And a minute later, the oven beeped, signifying the deliverance of the cheesy delicacy.

…Bleh, maybe delicacy was an overstatement. Must be Cheesy’s. I really should knock them out of my grocery list. Whatever, that was disappointing, but I’d just spend some time on a favorite hangout game while I waited for Omniscient to drop. I checked on my phone earlier, two days wasn’t quite right. It actually dropped later tonight, once most people were out of work.

“The Immersion Gear is ready, Ethan.”

“Thanks Luci!”

Tossing the cardboard which I’d used as a plate into the recycling, I practically hopped skipped and jumped right over to the machinery on the wall. Lying against it, I closed my eyes as my mind drifted away.