The cops catch Arnim, facing an 8-year jail sentence, - or to play a VRMMO 12 hours a day. It's an easy choice: he's a 14-year-old starving loner from the slums too clever not to get taken advantage of. And this is the newest Deep Dive tech everyone talks about. Except the system is ruthless and it's impossible to tell what's real or virtual. He's more than an average noob though, fighting for survival is in his second nature. Aided by a corrupted AI and a cute girl from the yard, he finds the smartest exploits to rise through the ranks. When he uncovers the program's secret, the developers offer money and security, - or a battle he can't win. He's more careful with his pick now. Why not fight against all odds, and be free?