Felix woke to the sound of the TV blaring, a monotonous anchor droning on about a comet—or was it an asteroid?—barreling toward Earth. The details didn’t matter. He rubbed his eyes, fighting off the remnants of exhaustion from weeks of non-stop gaming, and stumbled toward the bathroom. The mirror reflected a pale, haggard version of himself.
"My God, I look like a zombie," he muttered, leaning in closer. "One month of Fury Online raids really does a number on you."
The shower’s hot water chased away the fatigue clinging to his muscles. Refreshed, he stepped out, towel around his shoulders, and powered on his desktop. A holographic screen blinked to life, syncing seamlessly with the supercomputer embedded in his wrist device. His inbox flashed with notifications: 500 new emails. He groaned.
"One of the reasons I quit Cruel was to escape this endless admin work," Felix muttered. Then inspiration struck. "Caroline can handle this for me."
"Computer," he said, tapping the wrist screen, "activate artificial intelligence: Caroline."
A soft, feminine voice emanated from the tiny earpiece nestled snugly in his ear. "Good morning, Felix. System diagnostics report no failures during last night’s raid. I have complete logs ready for review."
"Good," Felix replied. "Sort through those emails. Anything important?"
"Scanning," Caroline responded. A moment later, she continued, "You have 483 fan mails, 16 job offers, and one email from Sol Online."
Felix perked up. "Open the Sol Online email."
A window expanded on his desktop:
Subject: Welcome to Sol Online
From: Nina Anderson, Sol Online PR
Dear Mr. Felix,
We are thrilled to welcome you to Sol Online. Your mention of our game during last night’s Guild Wars stream has been invaluable. To show our appreciation, we’d like to invite you to a hands-on preview session at our offices today at 1 PM. Additionally, please disregard the ongoing news regarding today’s asteroid announcement—it’s unrelated to our program.
Regards,
Nina Anderson
Felix blinked at the screen, then turned toward the TV. A bold "Breaking News" banner scrolled across the screen as a stern-faced reporter spoke. "NASA confirms an asteroid is on a collision course with Earth, expected to make impact on October 10, 2063, at 6:04 PM Eastern Time."
For a moment, his stomach tightened. The idea of an asteroid heading toward Earth sounded catastrophic. But the email’s casual dismissal eased his nerves. If Sol Online wasn’t worried, why should he be?
"Well, the email says not to worry, so… not my problem. Besides, I get to play Sol Online today."
He glanced at the TV again. The screen displayed footage of crowded grocery stores and gas stations, people scrambling to stockpile supplies. A talking head debated with an astrophysicist about whether humanity’s missile defense systems could stop the asteroid. In the corner of the screen, a ticker scrolled: "Markets in freefall. Panic buying sweeps the globe." Felix shook his head.
"People love a good apocalypse scare," he muttered. "Bet half of them will forget about it by next week."
A glance at the clock showed 11:30 AM. Plenty of time to grab a quick breakfast. He shuffled into the kitchen, tossing bread into the toaster and smearing jam over it while the coffee machine sputtered to life. The smell of fresh coffee mingled with the sweet tang of strawberry jam. Sandwich in hand, Felix called his dad.
Three beeps later, the line connected. "Hello?" came Johnny’s gruff voice.
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"Hey, Dad. Did you see the news about the asteroid?"
"Yeah," Johnny replied. "Sounds scary, but what can we do? Just hope it’s not another world-killer like the one that got the dinosaurs."
Felix chuckled. "Guess that’s all we can do. Anyway, I called to tell you—did you watch the stream last night? We nailed it. World-first clear."
Johnny’s tone brightened. "Atta boy! How big’s the bonus this time? And more importantly, does this mean you’re finally buying me that Mustang you promised?"
Felix laughed. "The world might be ending, and all you care about is that Mustang. But yeah, the bonus is big enough for you to start looking for that ‘67 you always wanted. Oh, and I quit Cruel for good this time. Too much hassle. In the new game I’m joining, I’ll be free to do what I want."
"Sounds like a plan," Johnny said. "But quitting the guild—won’t that cut off your income from sponsorships and streams?"
"Nah," Felix reassured him. "I’ve got two years left on my streaming contract. The only downside is I’ll have to stream more games. Honestly, though, I think this change will make me happier."
Johnny hesitated. "Well, good for you, son. Just make sure you’re thinking long-term. Those big sponsorships won’t last forever."
"I know, Dad," Felix said, softening. "That’s why I’m jumping into Sol Online. It’s a risk, sure, but I think it’ll pay off. Fully immersive VR? It’s the future."
"You’ve always been good at spotting trends," Johnny said. "Take care, son. And don’t forget to call me when you buy that Mustang."
Felix smirked. "Will do, Dad. See ya."
As he ended the call, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling about the asteroid. But with the prospect of Sol Online’s immersive world beckoning, the threat of impending doom faded into the background. For Felix, today wasn’t about survival. It was about stepping into the future.
Felix swapped the AI settings to enable voice commands, directing it to respond through his earpiece. "Caroline, can you order me an Uber and notify me when it arrives? I need to get to the Sol Online offices by 12:45 PM."
"Done, sir," Caroline replied smoothly. "The car will take approximately one hour to reach the listed address. It will be here in 15 minutes."
Felix nodded, satisfied. He leaned back, pulling up what little information he could find about Sol Online. Reviews from alpha testers were sparse due to strict NDAs, but they did offer a tantalizing glimpse into the gameplay. The immersive experience included touch, smell, taste, and even pain—though the pain settings could be adjusted. The game’s fantasy setting involved leveling up by defeating creatures and completing quests, but the realistic pain system ensured no one would take the experience lightly.
Of course, the flip side of realism intrigued Felix. If pain felt real, so would pleasure. He smirked at the thought but quickly reminded himself of his streaming contract. "No sexual content," he muttered. The Stream Picture Association’s PG-13 guidelines were strict, requiring even suggestive material to be censored or blurred.
"Caroline," Felix called. "Let me know when the car’s here."
"The car is waiting for you now, Felix," she responded.
Felix checked his reflection one last time, smoothing his hair and adjusting his jacket. "Damn, I really need to work out more," he muttered. "FIVR tech uses my actual body. Gotta build some strength and stamina if I’m going to keep up."
On his way down to the car, Felix glanced around the apartment complex. He had moved here a year ago, right after landing his semi-pro gaming contract. The place was a comfortable blend of modern amenities and artificial greenery. Despite the synthetic nature of the plants, the vibrant green gave the illusion of life. The complex housed over 1,500 residents and featured a small shopping mall, two restaurants, a gym, and several boutique shops. Children played on a playground near the central fountain, and joggers passed by on neatly paved paths. An organic produce shop stood next to a tech repair kiosk, and a cafe advertised "real coffee beans" in bold letters. Felix noted a yoga class in progress on the rooftop gym, the instructor’s voice barely audible from below.
The car ride was smooth, giving Felix time to reflect. Twenty years of gaming had brought him here, though only the last five had been truly successful. The years before that were a grind, filled with losses, rejections, and fleeting victories. He’d been a nobody trying to make it in a saturated industry, scrapping for sponsorships that barely covered expenses. But perseverance had paid off, and now he was a name—not just in gaming but in the broader entertainment world. Sol Online felt like the next step, a chance to redefine himself in a groundbreaking frontier.
As the vehicle approached the Sol Online headquarters, his anticipation grew. The sprawling campus came into view, gleaming with futuristic architecture. Towering glass buildings reflected the sunlight, while lush landscaping blended seamlessly with advanced tech installations. Employees bustled between buildings, some riding sleek, autonomous scooters. A massive holographic display above the entrance read, "Welcome to Sol Online."
Stepping out of the car, Felix was struck by the sheer scale of the place. The air smelled faintly of blooming flowers, despite the meticulously designed artificial environment. Pathways lined with LED strips pulsed gently, guiding visitors toward the main building. Inside, he could see a sprawling atrium filled with holographic displays showcasing dynamic scenes from the game. This wasn’t just an office; it was a glimpse of the future.