We are all slaves to numbers.

In the age where almost everything can be tagged with a number, it’s not a surprise to see the way things turn out to be. Let’s face it, all of us are obsess about numbers in some forms, be it money, grades, age, time…If one seeks to change his life, he will have to change his own numbers for the better, or worse.

It may sounds edgy, but I think that is the truth of the universe, which I have obtained after playing video games for most of my teenage years.

“Damn it…Not again!”

I threw the console controller onto my bed while yelling out loud for the tenth time. Of course, who would be able to remain calm after fighting the same boss for the tenth time and died within the same number of times? Maybe some guys with the patience of a Buddha, I guess.

“What a bullshit game.”

This is a newly released JRPG which was recommended to me by some friends from college. It’s a rather standard RPG with a standard story of saving the world from the evil everybody know about. Then again, the selling point of a game is usually its gameplay. While this one’s is rather good, it still require a bit grinding if I want to advance further in a game, which isn’t exactly a good news for me.

I hate grinding. In my dictionary, Grinding is equal to Working, and when applies to a guy who only works to support his hobby, the result is a very lazy player who plays with as little effort as possible. That’s the reason why I don’t like MMO games, they rely too much on levels and item/money grinding, they also have the most obnoxious players you can ever find, and of course, cash shops a.k.a screw the rules I have money.

I want to play games with my own pace, unaffected by any factors. Working hard just to have fun is pure bullshit.

That being said, if I want to continue this game, I’ll need to grind for a little bit. I DID buy it using my hard-earned money.

“Let’s do it later then.”

I turn off the console along with the TV. To ease my thirst, I reach the Pepsi can on the nearby coffee table and drink all that’s left in one shot. When I finished, my eyes accidentally throw a glance at the wooden picture frame on that very table. A picture from my high school graduation day, with me at the center and my parents just behind my back. All three of us are smiling, on the surface.

“So it’s been two years already.”

Yes, two years. The kid from that day has ended up as an accounting student in a third-rate college, living in a bland but acceptable apartment, working part-time in a small chain of convinient stores without any hope for a grand future ahead. I guess the sad part is my parents see this kind of life as acceptable, which translates into “We have no hope for you, do whatever you want except becoming a criminal.” or something like that. I guess they are too busy to care for the unfavorite one when there is a more successful child in the house – my elder brother. He’s like…the epitome of perfection, but that doesn’t matter anymore, and I don’t want to talk about it, especially in my head.

As long as I can fulfill my mediocre role for society, everything will be okay.

“Ha…”

I sighed. Thinking about all of this is bad for my mood. It’s not like I want to live like this forever but…it’s hard to find a way to escape all these as well. Though maybe I’m whining too much. Children are dying in Africa you know? A life like this could be call a blessing!

“Let’s go for some fresh air.”

I leave my bland and colorless (but still neat and clean, mind you!) room behind as I walk outside for some fresh air. I’m not a fan of the outside world, but being inside a room all day is bad for health (and so is talking to myself). Beside, I like walking, it’s a healthy way to commute from here and there. I occansionally take a walk in parks as well, but with how hot the weather is these days, it would be better to stay indoor and enjoy the epitome of human technology: Air conditioner!

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“So…it’s almost summer.”

Yes yes, the season of beautiful beaches and beautiful babes. That being said, I don’t have the financial capability to go on a trip by myself. It’ll be nice if some of my college friends remember my existence and invite me to go to the beach together or something, but then again, I’m hardly the most social guy around to actually make them feel compelled to give out invitation.

To sum things up: it’s hard being an anti-social guy.

“Maybe I should take a guitar class for a change.”

But that is the story for the future. Right now, after thirty minutes of walking, I have already feel my legs giving out and my throat thirsty for some soft drinks. And just as I start looking, there’s a vending machine at a nearby corner, how convenient!

My wallet is a bit thin right now, and payday is in several days, but I’ll have no problem getting a drink or two.

“Hmm…Coca or Pepsi. What should I pick?”

I like both, I love both, but there are times you can’t afford to have both. This is one of those time.

“Coca then.”

Since I had a Pepsi earlier, it’s natural to pick Coca. I get some changes in, the machine does its job, I take the cold can of Coca out and finally I dig in.

“Now THIS is the joy of living.”

Well, as long as I’m still alive, I’ll find a way to change my life for the better. Being pessimistic doesn’t help. If you can’t make something better then don’t make it worse.

Just as I started chugging my Coca down my throat, a honking sound suddenly coming from behind a corner, along with it is a massive truck smashing everything on its path and only stop when it crashed into a nearby wall, taking out the vending machine stationed near the place…along with me - who is unlucky enough to stand there.

“Wait…what the…”

The impact sent me flying. My body is filled with pain as it drops to the ground. I lost count of how many bones were broken, but then again, it’s not like I’ll need to know about it.

“That…came out…of nowhere…”

I have a feeling that this is the end of my life. It’s not fear of death that I felt, it’s just…dissapointment, knowing that I died doing nothing noteworthy nor saving anyone else, along with nobody in my mind to think about in my last moments or having any chances to improve my own life beforehand. Suddenly, the oblivion after death isn’t scary anymore.

A life of zero value are returned to zero.

“How…anti-climatic…”

My voice slowly gives out. People are gathering around, but they just assume I’m dead already and rushed for the rescue of the truck driver instead. Damn you, random citizens!

I should have picked…Pepsi…instead.

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Well hello guys. Thank you for reading this story. I will welcome any type constructive comments. Random comments are fine too as long as you didn’t make them with a cookie cutter! Also, due to my studies, after the first batch of chapters, I’ll try to update new chapters once a week at the slowest.

And in case it wasn’t obvious yet, English is my second language so please be a bit kind if you found some grammatical mistakes!

Rants end. Thank you for reading!