The first true virtual reality took the world by storm. No one had ever seen anything like it. It was like a whole new world.  It's name was Virtual Reality Unbound or just Unbound as it was often called.  The moment Brian heard about unbound  he wanted to play it. How could anyone pass up a virtual reality fantasy world? The only problem was the price, both for the capsule and for the monthly subscription. His parents wouldn't buy it for him, but they promised that if he earned the money to pay for the capsule himself they would pay the monthly subscription fees. In order to get the money he needed he worked part time at a local restaurant. It took a while, but eventually he managed it. Now the capsule was sitting right in front of him waiting to be entered.

As soon as he entered the capsule a message came up.

Connect to Virtual Reality Unbound

Yes | No

“Yes”

—Are you a new user? — A feminine voice asked.

“Yes”

Do you want to create a new account?

Yes

—Select the name of your avatar—

He thought about it for a few moments. He had never been that good at naming things.

“Skylar”

It at least had the virtue of being easy to remember.

— Select your gender from male, female or neutral—

“Male!”

—Unbound  currently has 9 playable races.  Which race would you like to choose.?­—

“Human”

— Your account has been activated. Your stats and class shall be determined while you are playing Unbound. Please select a city and kingdom you want to start.

“Gorata”

   Such a newly established place must be filled with undiscovered things.

— Welcome to Unbound.  A tutorial is available if you would like —

“Pass”

He was too eager to wait. Besides he had already read about most of the basic stuff on the intent.

*Flash*

              With a flash of light, he appeared in Gorata. Crowed of  both players and NPC wandered around.

              His eyes widened.

              Amazing, it felt, like he was really there.   It this what people felt like watching the first motion picture?

              “Another noob. You would think they would learn that the north is no place for beginners.”

              He tensed up a bit  hearing the players harsh words, but quickly relaxed. From reading things on the internet he knew the north wasn't an easy place to start out. He heard on most of forms he visited that only a thin area around the city had lower level monsters suited for beginning player.  Beyond that monster were in the one hundred or two hundred level range, and they often roamed around in groups.  Still he couldn't resist it. The idea of places unexplored. Of being able to leave some kind of mark on a new frontier. It was an amazing idea. The real world didn't have any frontiers left. Everything was already explored, inhabited, owned and controlled. Here things were different!

              Well not really. In reality it was just a virtual reality owned and controlled by a real life company, but it felt different. At least that's the feeling he got watching videos of the northern expedition fighting the Bone Dragon. Now he had the chance to experience it for himself.

              He began to walk around the main square looking, listening and getting used to his new body.

              “Weapons for sale, quality weapons for sale. Don't miss out on these fine prices.”

              “Level 200 warrior looking for a party. I have intermediary sword mastery, and C-grade sword techniques.”

              “Self destruct potions for sale. Get them while they last! Good for all your self destructing needs!”

              That last one seemed a bit funny. He walked up to the stall. A man wearing flowing purple robes was sitting behind a pile of potions. He looked to be in his mid twenties, on the short side and a little disheveled, but his most distinguishing features was mischievous looking grin plastered on his face.

Stolen story; please report.

              Looking at the potions more closely he saw that the liquid inside them was glowing red and continuously boiling.

              “You would appear to be a new player. Are you interested in my self destruct potions?”

              “I certainly find them interesting. I was wondering how do they work exactly.”

              “You just drink one, and thirty seconds later... boom!”

              Skylar couldn't help but smile.

              “You actually explode. That's amazing!”

              “Isn't it! I wish more people would see it that way.”

              The man gave a quick look around his almost abandoned stall then let out a theatrical sigh.

              “Well I think it's amazing. The idea that a game that allows for the existence of self destruct potions, it really makes you wonder what else you might find.

              “It really does doesn't it. As an alchemist I wont stop until I've discovered all the secrets that this world has to offer.”

              Skylar's eyes widened in shock.

              What an admirable goal. This world attracted some amazing people.

              “I wish you the best luck in your endeavor.”  

              “Thanks. Here take some of these potions.”

              “But I don't have any money.”

              The man laughed.

              “I don't think anyone else is going to be buying them, besides I have a feeling you're going places kid. You can pay me back later when you become rich and famous.”

              Such a vague dept could end up being too expensive, but he couldn't find a polite way refuse. Besides he really wanted the potions.

              “Thank I'll put these to good use.” he said talking a few dozen potions.

              “You know what kid, I believe you will.”

              After that they exchanged names, friended each other and parted company on good terms.

              He spent the rest of the day walking around talking to people, and doing minor quests. The quests he found were all really easy, but had only minor rewards. They all seemed to be fetch quests, or minor chores. Things like take this money and go buy me some vegetables, clean my shed and deliver this package.  All basic stuff, but he was still having fun. Just being in this world with it's incredible realism and life like NPCs was an amazing experience.

              After cutting the last of the firewood Skylar wiped the sweat from his brow, and took a drink from his water container.

              Even sweating is realistic in this world he thought to himself.  Maria, the pretty but stern faced NPC he was working for, came into the yard.

              “Are you almost done?” She asked.

              “I just finished.”

              “Good, than you can eat this. It just came out of the oven.”

              She handed him a piece of warm fresh bread.

              “Thanks.”

              Biting into it his face lit up with pleasure. The taste was was completely different than the stale rye bread he had started out with.

              “Do you like it?”

              “Yes, I really do.”

              The girl smiled happily at the compliment, but then went back to her normal serious expression.

              “I don't have a lot to give you for your work.”

              He smile to show her that it was fine. Given the look of the over sized shake she was living in he hadn't really been expecting that much.

              “Whatever you can spare is fine. Also, do you mind if I take a few pieces of wood?”

              She furrowed her brows obviously confused why he would want a few pieces of wood. They weren't even worth a copper.

              “Sure, go ahead”

              “Thanks. Find me if you need anything else.”

              Really he had gotten a lot from this quest. Besides the bread, wood and a few copper coins he had also gained the skill Axe Mastery.

              Grabbing a few choice pieces of wood he logged out of the game.