After living in the Philippines for almost a month, Shen had grown somewhat accustomed to the slower pace of life. Every morning, he would train his body, following a strict regimen to keep himself in peak physical condition. It was a habit deeply ingrained in him after years of rigorous military discipline. His daily routine, though monotonous, kept his mind focused, helping him avoid the haunting memories of his past life filled with violence and bloodshed.
The guesthouse where he stayed was quiet. The owner rarely visited, and there were no other guests for him to socialize with. In this isolated place, Shen found himself utterly alone. The only person he had come to know was Jose, a friendly street sweeper who worked tirelessly to keep the roads clean. Every morning, without fail, Jose would smile and greet him with a cheerful "Good morning, sir!" It was a small gesture, but for Shen, it was a rare connection to a world he still struggled to understand.
Aside from Jose, there was rarely anyone else wandering around the quiet neighborhood. It was a far cry from the bustling cities he had known before, where the hum of life never ceased. Here, the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional bark of a stray dog. This silence, once suffocating, was slowly becoming comforting.
After finishing his evening training, Shen settled into his room for dinner. The modest meal consisted of rice and a few slices of grilled fish, a simple yet satisfying dish typical of the area. As he ate, he turned on the small TV in his room, hoping to catch up on the local news. The anchor's voice soon filled the room, bringing with it a story that piqued Shen's interest.
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News Report:
"Good evening, everyone! I'm Ted Corpuz, and tonight we bring you some groundbreaking news! The world is in shock and awe as Chris Josh, the renowned technological genius, has officially unveiled the first-ever full-dive Virtual Reality game!"
Shen's attention sharpened as the anchor continued.
"This game, which is being hailed as one of the most revolutionary inventions of the century, offers a 100% synchronization rate, something never before achieved in gaming technology. Players will experience complete immersion, where they can feel, see, and interact with the game world as if it were reality. You can choose your path—become a hero, a villain, a pope, a king, or even an emperor. The possibilities are endless. This game offers absolute freedom to shape your destiny."
Shen leaned forward, intrigued by the concept. His eyes were glued to the screen as the anchor introduced the trailer for the game.
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The screen shifted to show a breathtaking display of virtual landscapes—majestic mountains, vast oceans, and dense forests teeming with life. Massive monsters roamed the land, some soaring through the sky while others lurked in shadowy caves. NPCs, almost indistinguishable from real people, fought against these creatures in high-quality battles that looked as if they had been pulled straight from reality itself. The detail was astonishing. Shen found himself momentarily lost in the beauty and chaos of the world depicted.
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"The game takes place on the Continent of Grisia, dominated by four ancient nations, each with thousands of years of history. Players will have the opportunity to explore this vast and dangerous world, where every decision shapes the fate of the world around them," the anchor continued.
Shen could feel the stirrings of excitement rising within him, something he hadn't felt in years. His childhood dreams of fantasy and adventure, long buried under the weight of his past, began to resurface.
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News Report:
"The most interesting part," Ted Corpuz explained, "is that the game's currency and items can be traded in real life, user to user. The company itself will not sell any in-game items or currency. This means players who invest their time and effort could potentially turn their gameplay into a full-time job, earning real-world money."
The news anchor smiled. "The game is set to launch tomorrow, April 21st, 2096, and you can purchase it online. Deliveries of the Axon Gear, the VR helmet that will allow players to dive into the virtual world, will begin immediately after the purchase. It's expected to sell out fast, so act quickly!"
Shen sat back, his mind racing. He hadn't thought about video games in years, not since he was a child. But this—this was something entirely different. The idea of entering a completely immersive world, a place where he could be whoever he wanted to be, was enticing. After years of being a soldier, a killer, could this be his chance to experience something new? To live another life, even if only virtually?
He couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation bubble inside him. "I want to give this game a try," Shen whispered to himself, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. For the first time in a long time, he felt something that resembled hope. "Maybe... I can enjoy life again, even if just for a little while."
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It was now past midnight, but Shen couldn't sleep. His thoughts were consumed by the idea of this virtual world. Unable to wait any longer, he grabbed his phone and ordered the Axon Gear. The sleek, helmet-like device was a marvel of engineering, designed to fully immerse users in a digital environment by interacting directly with their neural signals.
The science behind the Axon Gear was revolutionary. Unlike older VR systems, which relied on external sensors and motion tracking, the Axon Gear used advanced neural mapping to create a 1:1 experience, allowing users to move, feel, and interact with the virtual world as if it were real. It bypassed the limitations of physical movement by stimulating the brain's motor cortex, creating a seamless connection between the mind and the game. This technology had been in development for decades, but Chris Josh's team had finally perfected it, creating a truly immersive experience.
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As Shen placed his order, he couldn't help but reflect on how much the world had changed. The year 2096 was a time of rapid technological advancement, where the line between reality and fantasy had begun to blur. The Axon Gear was just one example of how far humanity had come. But as he lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling, Shen wondered if it was enough to escape his own reality.
For now, at least, he could look forward to tomorrow—a chance to enter a world where he didn't have to be the "Bringer of Death." A world where he could finally be free.