Theodore trudged through the slushy city streets, his mind heavy with financial burdens. His once-prized sneakers, soaked from the sloppy roads, had lost their luster. Post-college, he'd landed a legal gig at a promising Boston tech startup. His mother, brimming with pride, had splurged on a sleek new wardrobe for him.

But as the startup fizzled out, their fortunes took a dive. Following his mom's accident and its costly aftermath, Theodore cycled through uninspiring jobs. He crafted basic websites, helped with moving gigs, and stood watch at TechTown Outlet, a neighborhood gadget store. Nights there were spent on a rickety couch, an outdated TV his sole company.

Bills mounted relentlessly. Today, the threat of a power outage loomed, a harsh reminder of his plight. He'd begged for a day's grace, dreading a holiday season shrouded in darkness. Come dusk, his wallet was still barren, and his boss’s patience wearing thin. With most of his scant earnings funneled towards necessities—bread, his mom's medication, and the basics—every dollar was vital.

In desperation, he approached TechTown Outlet for an advance. Mason, the manager, was empathetic but financially strapped.

"How about an advance?" Theodore ventured, clutching at straws.

Mason pondered, then a spark lit up his face. "Got an old PlayStation 5 in the back. Bit of a relic, but it might fetch something?"

VR gaming was all the rage, making Theodore skeptical. But options were scarce. "I'll take it."

Mason handed over the dusty console.

On his way home, Theodore texted Sebastian, a gamer friend from the old days. "Hey Seb, know anyone interested in a PlayStation 5?"

Seb chuckled. "That antique? Might try a pawn shop."

Theo exhaled heavily. "Guess it's worth a shot. Job's a nightmare. We haven't seen a paycheck in ages."

Seb's tone shifted. "You got any VR stuff?"

"Nada."

"Ever played 'Rakuen'?"

"Never heard of it."

Sebastian's laughter was infectious. "It's an VRMMORPG. The real action's in in-game trading. Still got that PS5?"

"Right here," Theodore replied, patting the bag.

"Here's the plan. Fire up 'Rakuen' on that PlayStation. It's just a demo, but that'll do," Sebastian instructed, his excitement palpable. "The drop rates are insane. You following?"

"Sort of. Been out of games for a while."

"Picture this: killer loot from the easiest foes. You get me?"

"That's nuts."

"It's like a treasure hunt! A guy at work made a grand off a single item last week!"

"You serious?"

"Cross my heart. In 'Rakuen', even basic 'green' items are like gold."

"Green items?"

"It's about rarity. 'Green' is beginner-level, just a small boost. But they're rare. Gamers pay real cash for them."

Theodore was intrigued. "So, I snag these 'green' items and sell them to big spenders?"

"Exactly. But there's more. 'Blue' items are better, 'purple' epics and 'orange' legendaries are rare, and 'red' mythics? That's the jackpot. And the primal mythics... they're a whole different league," Sebastian mused, momentarily lost in his own thoughts.

"And...?" Theodore urged, feeling the chill bite into him, hunger gnawing, feet freezing.

Catching Theodore's urgency, Sebastian concluded, "Basically, the loot's unpredictable. You could strike it rich with anything from a lowly rabbit to the final boss. Worth a shot, right?"

Ending the call, Theodore pressed on through the biting city chill, his mind now occupied with thoughts of a modest dinner with his mom and a rare night off from TechTown Outlet to scour freelance websites for a quick gig.

During dinner, his mom's voice carried a note of remorse. "Oh, Theo, you're shouldering so much, and here I am, unable to even cook for us." Theodore's thoughts drifted to his childhood when his mom had always maintained a youthful appearance—not out of vanity, but to spare him from peers’ comments about her age. Now, time's passage was unmistakable in her stooped shoulders, the etched lines on her face, and the delicate timbre of her voice.

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"It's alright, Mom," Theodore soothed, his own concerns humming like background static. "We're getting by. That's what counts."

"You should be out, enjoying yourself with friends, not cooped up here with me," she said softly, her eyes averted. "Aren’t you hungry?"

"I had something while I was cooking," he fibbed tenderly, unwilling to add to her distress. "Go ahead and eat, okay?"

Her eyes flickered, clouded with a silent sorrow. She loathed being dependent, ensnared by her weakening body.

After the meal, Theodore made sure his mom was comfortable in front of the TV, playing her preferred sitcom.

He then faced the grim prospects on his laptop, the job listings a sparse field. He dispatched a few hopeful resumes, then, on impulse, browsed Irene's social media. Her life was a dizzying montage of soirées, sun-drenched retreats, and those flawless selfies. He pondered if he missed her or merely the times when life seemed unburdened. Their breakup had been acrid, the financial pressures tearing at them until she vanished from his life with a final, stinging text.

Shaking off the past, he checked on his mom, who was now dozing quietly. He draped a blanket over her and set up the PlayStation 5, recalling his father's words: "You've got to try, Theo. Even a slim chance is worth the pursuit."

The game console hummed to life, the familiar chime a siren song from bygone days. The game library was a mosaic of escapism: "Zombie Chronicles X", "Space Conqueror IV", "Street Rumble 3"... Echoes of carefree gaming sessions came rushing back—Michael, Alex, Hassan, their laughter an enduring echo.

"Rakuen" required a download, so he navigated to the digital store and initiated the process. While it loaded, he fixed himself a mug of instant coffee, more sugar than usual to stave off the chill. Mug in hand, he returned to the couch as the download crept along.

He created a demo account on Rakuen's website, noting the emphasis on in-game purchases. Players could trade real money for game currency—a dollar per crystal, fees deducted. The marketing was aggressive: memberships spanned from basic to diamond. The cost for diamond was astronomical, easily a year's salary for some. Even the basic membership carried a monthly fee that made him wince. "Who dishes out that much for a game?" Theodore pondered, skepticism lifting his brows.

As it turned out, there was a substantial audience for "Rakuen"—particularly a global fanbase, with notable enthusiasm originating from Asia. The game had debuted overseas and quickly escalated to international acclaim. Its full-immersion gameplay and tangible rewards system had taken the gaming world by storm. Instead of trying to be overly innovative, the developers had embraced classic MMORPG elements. The word "orc" conjured up images of a towering, muscular creature with tusks and a penchant for battle, precisely the archetype "Rakuen" showcased.

The demo version laid out straightforward conditions: a level cap at 10 and a three-hundred-dollar monthly transaction ceiling. Theodore's aspirations were simple for the moment: pay the electricity bill and afford his mom's medications at CVS. "Guess this will be my entertainment during those long night shifts," he reasoned.

When everything was set, "Rakuen" was ready to roll. The opening sequence tried to unfold, but a stubborn button on his controller skipped it, bringing him directly to the main menu. Against the backdrop of an intricately designed fantasy metropolis, Theodore entered his credentials and dove in. Yet again, the cinematic was abruptly clipped by the rebellious button, thrusting him into the realm of character creation.

The demo offered but a narrow window into the vast array of character options. Theodore took a sip of his coffee, now tepid, as he browsed the basic classes: warrior, barbarian, mage, archer... Selecting one would reshape the digital avatar before him. He lingered on the warrior—there was something inherently appealing about the frontline, the clang of steel, the dance of combat. Yet, the barbarian, with its promise of formidable strength at the expense of wit, beckoned. More intellect, he knew, could mean faster leveling.

"Hang on a sec," he pondered aloud, "Do I really need 'Intellect' if I'm just hitting the demo's level ceiling? Might as well go all in with a muscle-bound barbarian and have a little fun." The thought of wreaking havoc on the game's virtual creatures with brute force brought a rare smile to his face. He circled back to the barbarian, ready to embrace the chaos of melee combat.

Barbarian (Standard Class)

From the untamed frontiers of Rakuen's wilderness emerge the Barbarians, true adrenaline aficionados of combat. These hardy warriors revel in the heat of battle, never shying away from a challenge. With each ascension in level, they gain a formidable +2 to their strength attribute, fortifying their already impressive physical prowess.

Level 1 Class Talent "Berserker": When activated, this talent sends the Barbarian into a frenzied state, amplifying physical damage output and bolstering health reserves by an impressive 30%. This surge of power is fleeting but can turn the tide of battle when unleashed at the critical moment.

Having selected his class, Theodore proceeded to the aesthetics, sculpting his avatar's features into a rough approximation of his own face. The game boasted a facial recognition feature for character modeling, but his laptop's camera had long since retired to the tech graveyard. Besides, the idea of wrestling with photo uploads was less than appealing after a long day. With a few clicks and drags, his digital warrior took on a vaguely familiar shape.

For the allocation of his five introductory attribute points, Theodore opted for agility — a nod to his penchant for precision — and stamina, envisioning the extended brawls to come. He figured his chosen class would naturally bolster his strength over time, so he glossed over the other attributes.

Naming the character called for minimal effort. He reverted to his old college gaming moniker, one that had seen many a virtual battle.

Theo, Human, Level 1 Barbarian

Primary Characteristics:

Strength: 5

Agility: 5

Stamina: 5

Intellect: 1

Wisdom: 1

Spirituality: 1

Charisma: 1

Luck: 1

As his finger hovered over the “Accept” button, a thought hit him, "Should've thrown some points into 'Luck'."

But, eh, too late now.