The dim, dank room was silent, save for the subtle breath of a living creature; motionless, save for the slight rise and fall of a large silhouette's chest on the messy bed. Time passes slowly but surely, eventually rousing the figure from its slumber. It scratches and yawns for a bit before shambling over to the vague shape of a desk.
Bright blue illumination ignites from the now-lit computer screen, giving visibility to its owner's face. He is unkempt, sporting a rather long and tangled black beard, greasy hair, and gaunt, pale skin. Most notable, however is his dark brown eyes.. They are bloodshot and wild, yet possess an... unusual intensity.
I believe the Japanese call these creatures "NEETs".
"Better log in" a raspy voice robotically drones. Words probably more spoken than showers taken.
Fifty keystrokes are clacked in a quick and rhymic succesion. Login information for the immensely popular Axis Online, the very first MMO to gain a playerbase over one billion strong. Billionaires play it, Hollywood superstars play it, even Political leaders play it. And who, you ask, is the number one? The absolute strongest, in this truly massive game of fantasy war?
This schmuck.
A wide and truly happy grin slowly creaks across the creature's visage. Why not? This is his only joy on Earth, nine years running. The hours pass by in an atmosphere that is both joyful and frankly, creepy.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
Until a message flashes across the screen. This occurance is unusual for our "hero", so he freezes a moment before he (in a rather impossible feat) grows paler.
AXIS ONLINE THANKS YOU FOR PLAYING. TODAY, UNFORTUNATELY, IS THE FINAL DAY GAMERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO LOG IN. BUT, THE TOP 1,000 PLAYERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR A SPECIAL BETA TESTING! YOUR WORLD RANK: #1 OUT OF 1,094,644,103 PLAYERS. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR PLAYING.
A fist slams down onto the desk. Then another. And another. Soon, they're accompanied by tears and the sobbing of a broken man.
"Urgh! Why?!" he manages to choke out before completely breaking down and clutching the unaffected screen.
He has just lost his only comfort, only friend that he had ever managed to make. Suddenly and cruelly. Who cares about a beta test?
His sobs are heard by nobody, fading out hollowly in the empty and dusty house.
It all ends in silence... because he is no longer there. He's gone without a trace, excepting a tear soaked monitor, upon which a new message glows.
THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE LIVE BETA TEST. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RESULTS, #1 RANKED PLAYER, BLOODSING.