Chapter 1 Part 3

Cris saw himself out from of the recruiting office while maintain his cool. Once he got outside he was looking for the quickest possible way to get to the shop. He spotted a shady back alley leading to the street over. With no time to waste he would have to run if wanted to strike while the iron was hot.

What an oblivious front desk they couldn’t just tell me that at the start. But I guess, I can’t be too mad, Digital called me an elite. They have a good eye, I am an elite. Now I to have to upgrade my gear, was going to wait until after I join but guess I have no choice.

Cris was smiling that his new home acknowledged his skills and that they labeled him as an elite. Replaying that word over and over in his head, he turn into the alley and ran into something hard knocking him back.

“Hey watch where… O SHITTT!!! YOU’RE SWAGGER! I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN!”

Looking up Cris eyes widen, a well-built tall young man wearing a sports jersey covered in sponsorship patches with a Digital hat worn backwards stood over Cris. He was wearing the latest OakNeo’s sunglasses and had a scowl on his face.

“Yo. You Watchit!”

The collision did not budge Swagger as he was dusting himself off. Noticing that Cris was still on the ground still star-struck was not getting up.

“Get up. You are making me look bad.”

Swagger extended his hand out, Cris took it and could not help but shake it as he got up.

“Hi, my name…”

Cris had to properly introduce himself. This was his idol, his role model, his future teammate. Swagger stood there calm and stoic as he listen carefully to Cris’s introduction. At the end Swagger cracked a smile and put his hand on Cris’ shoulder.

“Heh, your one of those, huh. So why the rush, knocking me down and all?”

Why does everyone keep saying that about me? What is it supposed to mean… Ah does not matter, this is fate that Digital and I are meant to be.

“I am your biggest fan. Crap I said that… I want to join Digital. Ahh, you’re awesome. You’re like the best.”

What am I even saying? I don’t even know. 

“Hah, not like, I am THE BEST. Don’t forget it.”

Swagger lower his glasses and was now staring daggers at Cris as if he hit a nerve. Cris face froze as his body tensed up, he needed to salvage the situation or he was done.

Shit, I offended him. I have to make amends.

“I am so sorry. You’re right, you are the best.”

“What do you mean, you sorry? One word from me and you chances to make it in Digital are gone, maybe even in Axis.”

Cris broke out in a cold sweet when he heard that. His mind was racing as he tried to figure out a way of this predicament.  

Shit! Shit! Shit! How the hell do I fix this!

Swagger busted out laughing, while Cris stood there like a deer staring into the headlights, waiting to see what will happen next.

“Hahaha, take it easy. I am just messing with you. Gotta lighten up, if you want to make it.”

Cris started nervously laugh along with Swagger as he wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing a sigh of relief that he dodged a bullet. Swagger then slap Cris on the back, confirming that he was joking around from the start.

“Well nice meeting you, Cris. When you get in hit me up. I wanna see whatchu got.”

“Of course. But eh before you go can you uh… Can I get your autograph?”

The tense atmosphere that was cleared now was replaced with a moment of awkward silence before Swagger finally broke it.

“How much do you got?”

“What money?”

“Yeah money, I am a pro. I cannot give away memorabilia for free. Have to treat all my fans fair. You know what I’m saying?”

Swagger speech was fast and forceful as he slowly approached Cris backing him against the wall.

“Of course. Of course. Just a second.”

Damnit, I need to stop messing up. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is the fated meeting, between a current legend and the upcoming one. I have to document this no matter the cost.

Cris pulled out his wallet and check his pockets for any loose change.

“I got $23.78.”

“You’re a little short. I usually charge 25. But since you’re such a big fan and future comrade I will give you a discount.”

Swagger pulled out a picture of himself and a marker from his back pocket. He put the poster up against the wall and started to write on it.

Does he always carry those around? Of course he does. He is the best and the best is always prepared no matter what. I have to take notes for when I get there.

As Cris was day dreaming of his future fame, Swagger rolled the signed picture shoved it in front of Cris. Before Cris could take it Swagger jerk the poster back and stuck out his other hand demanding for payment. Giving all the cash he had, Swagger look at it counting to make sure it was all there, then he tossed the poster over.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Well, I gotta go. Later.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Cya.”

Did this really just happened?

Cris open it up and look down at the picture which was a headshot of him along with his avatars geared up and it read. “To my biggest fan. Regards Swagger”

Quite a plain autograph, but it is real. This could be worth a fortune to the right person.

Cris could not help but snicker as he thought he got the better of his idol. Rolling up his new prize and throwing it in his backpedal, he continued on his way.

Well nothing will stop me now. Forward to my future and all of its glory.

Departing from his fateful encounter with his idol, Cris made his way to the next street over where he saw a huge store called [AL’S V-SPORTING GOODS] and a small sign near the entrance [AFFILIATED WITH DIGITAL INC.,]. He was about to enter but a person was blocking the entrance, a large fat man cover in sport swag with a thick monocle over one eye sitting on a stool. The man was abruptly waves his hand around making it impossible to pass. Peaking over him, Cris could see what look like hundreds of VR equipment. Everything from VRVs, STEMs and other accessories in all kinds of fashions and upgrades were on display on the walls.

Trying multiple times to pass the fat man, each attempt ended in failure due his chunky arms blocking the path. Cris tried waving and gesturing that he wanted to enter but the fat man did not notice and continued wobble on his stool. The odor of alcohol was coming from the fat man and multiple beer cans were scattered by his feet. Running out of options the possible choice left was to ask him to move.  

What is he doing? And he reeks of booze. Is he the mascot for the store? Move you drunkard. I have to get in.

“Hey, can I get by?”

“Hiiiiii. Welcome to AL’s. Looking to buy somethin eh. Whatchu need?”

“I need you to move, can you?”

“Huh?”

He gave Cris a jovial and innocent looking smile, not understanding what Cris meant. Swallowing his next words and the urge to yell at the fat man, Cris went with more of a diplomatic approach.

“I just came from the Digital recruiting office, the lady there said I needed a better visor. Can I get through?”

Cris was trying his best to maintain his cool while being polite.

It was important to maintain a professional and friendly relationship with a supplier and employees. Since they could hook me up with the newest tech later once I become famous.

“De red hed, huh. She a beaut aint she… Lemme take a looook. Im a pert with dis stuff.”

Cris doubted this guy could count to ten let alone be an expert with the VRV, hesitating for a moment before he realized this guy will not let him. He took out his VRV and handed it over.

“Yup, er gear is seriously lacking. Need git a new one. Whats er price range?”

He almost smacks Cris in the face as he swipe his hand towards Cris, trying to return his VRV.

“I’ll like the one that all the top level pros are using. You know like Swagger.”

“Hip…Heh, alright. That’s PTX 340 bout two grand.”

“Ok, then I will take… the hell, $2000, why so much.”

“Haha, I kno crazy. But he rocks de best. Want somethin a bit more, affordable?”

Cris gulped as he nodded.

The man move his bear paw like hand up and down like trying to knock down a bee hive.

“Welp wes gots ones before which is about a gran. Used bout 800.”

“What is up with these prices? When I got my VRV it was a few hundred bucks.”

“Haha, you must be new. The retail modolls are made for the average folk. Em pros go by diff stan dards they need more powa.”

“So eh, what is your cheapest you have?”

“Lowest 700. And I have the best hardware and the cheapest prices.”

The drunk said the last part perfectly as if he sober up and was ready to do business. He gave Cris a stern look wanting to know if he was going to buy something or haggle on the price.

Crap, I used all my money on Swagger. But this will not stop me.

“What about if I trade in?”

The man took a few moments as he move his paw wildly trying to fight off the invisible bees.

“Il give you 100 bucks cash or 150 credit.”

How is he getting his numbers? Could he be lying?

“What if I threw in my phone and…”

The man shoved his bear like hand right in front of Cris’ face stopping him from finishing his thought.

“I aint nu pawn shop.”

“Can’t you lower the price?”

“You tagged?”

“No?”

“Sorry, can’t then.”

Damnit, still short $550.Guess, I have no choice.

“You deal with V-Sport stuff. Then how about an autograph from Super Star Swagger. This should be more than enough to cover it.”

Cris reluctantly handed over his treasure he just acquired. He could not bear to watch that he trade such prize for so little.

“Is dat a joke? Somethin wron with er hed?”

The fat man was not amused and looked annoyed with what Cris had to offer as he batted away the poster.

“He is the best, I’m sure his stuff sells for a lot.”

The man looked at Cris strangely and then pulled sign from behind him. It read.

Today: Meet and Greet with Digital Super Star Swagger.

Autograph Poster $15.

Picture with Star $50.

$15?!? I got scammed by my idol... worse than that my autograph is only worth $15. This cannot be happening.

“If er got nothing else then…”

“WAIT! I am Cris Philips a future legend and champion in Axis. If you give me…”

In his final desperate plea, Cris had to sell himself and tell this guy he was an elite. That if he helped him out now that when Cris got to the top he would repay the favor. However, the fat man will not hear any of this, he stomp his oversize foot and shot him a menacing look, stopping Cris in his tracks.

“Stop, right errrr. I didn’ kno you were one of those. I have to ask you to leave the store.”

I’m not even in the store! How can he ask me to leave? And why was the last part spoken in perfect English?  

The large man got up from his stool and gave off an intimidating presence as stagger towards Cris. 

“Hold ON!”

The large man tried to pick up Cris but failed only hugging the air next to him. His second attack came swift and hard as it smack Cris on the side of the head throwing him into a daze. The man did not intend to hit him but using the chance to grab the stun Cris he threw him to the curb.

“When you get monies we do beezness. But leave er ego out. I gots no time for et.”

The large man left Cris lying on the ground as he went back to his stool.

How dare him. You fat fucking pig. When I hit it big. Your crispy bacon. One bad word and review you and your shop are done.

Cris got up and brush himself off as he gave off a rude gesture to the large man. The large man saw it and got up at abnormal speed giving pursuit. Seeing this Cris quickly ran before he could close the gap. After running for a few minutes Cris was panting heavily after successfully losing the fat man.

“That pig just wait huff, I should sue your ass and Swagger how could heee. After our moment he stabs me in the back. Just wait Swagger… when I’m geared and ready. I am joining Digital and will be better than you. Then when I am at the top I’ll toss you aside.”

Taking a moment to catch his breath, his panting turn into a weak cackle as he devised his plan for revenge. But before he could put his evil scheme into motion he needed one thing, the bare minimum standard VRV to compete as a pro. With the remaining of his money being hustled by Swagger, Cris came to one final conclusion.

I need money. Ugh, guess I have to get a job…

He shivered at the thought of it. Someone like him, a future champion cannot destroy his career by being forced to work like a commoner. Most of his money he had was invested in games and his VRV. Even though he decided not to return home, he could not sell off his games they were a part of him and he would have gotten ripped off on the price. The last remaining cash he had was spent on the ticket to get here and on this shitty overpriced autograph.

Assessing his current situation and what transpired, Cris couldn’t help but feel discourage and frustrated at the lack of progress. This is not how the day should have went, the residents of Axis should have greeted him with open arms but instead he got turned down at each turn. The urge to return home, forget about this day and go back to playing his games tempted him to give up. 

Maybe I should go home. NO, I can’t think like a loser now. I just need enough for gear and to get by. With my skills it shouldn’t be hard to find a job. Every legend has troubles they have to overcome, this is mine.  

Refusing to give up and accept reality, Cris pumped himself up as he set out to find a job.