For the past few years, the world has been rapidly advancing in terms of technology. Devices often describe in sci-fi novels or stories are realized in the current technological era.
Since then the technological market has always been fierce. One of the leading competitors in the market is the Farra Empire Corporation. They have the largest number of products sold for various devices. Farra's number one product is their virtual reality device. It has 95% synchronization with reality and is vastly superior to others who are only about 68%.
In response to having such quality for virtual reality, several virtual reality type of games were developed. The most popular genre of virtual reality games is that of fantasy. Such genre of games is popular due to the almost unlimited paths one can tread into. You can be a king, an emperor, an angel or a demon. You can even experience to be your favorite character in your favorite anime.
Old man Kristoff has been playing anonymously of such games. He played a game where he's an emperor. Due to not being good at it, his people leave his territory and his empire was destroyed.
~~~
"Are you playing games again?"
I've looked at grandfather intently. He seemed to be sweating.
"I thought so. Grandfather, doesn't your age seemed inappropriate to be playing such games?"
I sighed, then started to push grandfather's wheelchair.
I've heard at class a few months ago that a game with good reviews have been release and seems to have good impressions from the players, mostly because you can convert in-game currency into real money. Being as curious as a cat, I've decided to play as well.
After a few months of playing, guilds and players with the backing of some corporation expand their influence further and small skirmishes happens from time to time. I have no part in it since I'm playing the game casually. After all, once you die, your character will reset to level one and you will lose all of your equipment. There's not enough reason for me to let my character die.
When the first large war broke out, chaos took over the game. Casual players are being invited to guilds with flattering words and handsome rewards, to which I believe is bullshit because I know that their purpose is to be their cannon fodder.
I stopped playing during those time, but I'm reading news about it. I happen to watch a video where the leader seems to be an old man. He seemed like a valiant general described in Chinese stories. I took notice of him since his stance looked the same as grandfather when we were practicing martial arts before. When I asked grandfather about it, he told me that it was him. I remembered I looked at him strangely that time.
"I'm telling you the truth, child."
"And I'm not buying it."
Grandfather seem to be being stubborn about this. Maybe it's the perks of being old.
"You should stop playing those games, gramps. You should not stress yourself further. We're worried about you."
He kept silent after hearing that.
For the next few minutes, I just kept pushing his wheelchair to roam around. This moment of peace just seems to go on forever, it's relaxing.
Grandfather also haven't spoken after that. I noticed that he closed his eyes, he seems to enjoy the mood also.
After circling a few more times, I bring him near the windows. The viewed being shown on it is the busy district of Iloilo.
~~~
As the location of Farra Empire corporation, Iloilo's economic capability's soared. Many different types of companies popped out left and right. Restaurants were built here and there. Old and dilapidated buildings and infrastructures were demolished and renovated.
It sounds awesome from economic standpoint, but not most result of it are good. Vehicle count, garbage count, prostitution and theft. The more people there is, the more pollution they produce. As always, humans always think first of themselves before someone else.
~~~
After watching the scenery from the window for quite some time, I notice grandfather released a heavy sigh.
"It seems that I only have to use this for you to realize that what I'm saying is true then."
After grandfather said that, his hand reached towards the controller of the wheelchair and turned it around, facing me. He then moved his right hand upwards and placed it near his chest. He turned it into a fist, closed his eyes and he seemed to whisper something. I could barely even hear it.
"Sindi, apoy."
Grandfather then moved his hand a little bit forward and opened his fist. In his palm I saw a ball of flame dancing around, swirling due to the air from the vents. My eyes opened wide in shock from what I'm seeing. After all what he has done is impossible. I haven't escaped from my initial shocked when grandfather moved his left arm to his left side with open hands. I again hear him whisper something but I have no idea what it was because of the shock from the flames in his hands. The moment I've woken up my mind from the shock, I notice a ball or mud rotating slowly in his left hand. This time I believe my brain had short circuited.
It was not the first time I saw flames or mud appears or floats on someone else's palm. After all, I've seen plenty of it in various games. I've even saw a ball of water and electric currents flowing on someone's arm. But seeing it in games is different in seeing it in real life. Much, much more different.
After some time, only one thought run across my mind to describe what I am seeing.
"Grandfather, have you invented something ridiculous again?"