James left the sitting room, his mind buzzing with thoughts. His conversation with Aunty Amy lingered, a perplexing mix of concerns about Nova Corporation, the VR game, and the government's antagonistic stance toward the company. A former government agent herself, Aunty Amy had implied that something larger was at play, a subtle hint at forces James couldn't yet comprehend. Whatever the reason, she seemed confident it wasn't his battle to fight. Yet, the government's hostility puzzled him. Was it a fear of losing control over a powerful technology? Or was there more to Nova Corporation's ambitions than they revealed?
As he approached his room, James decided to set aside these worries, at least for the moment. His primary concern was the game itself whether to continue playing or not. The experiences he'd had in the game so far, including his intense battle with Veskya, had captivated him. Yet, a part of him wondered how far this journey could go. He decided to browse the game's forum later, just to gauge other players' thoughts before making up his mind.
Entering his room, James was greeted by the familiar hum of his AI assistant, Fixi, booting up. Fixi's system had suffered a mysterious disruption earlier, and the AI was now running diagnostics. Watching the progress bar inch forward, James felt a twinge of curiosity. He hadn't noticed anything strange at first, but this unexplained disruption could be something serious.
Finally, Fixi's holographic form appeared a shimmering blue fairy with delicate wings, almost like something out of a mythical tale. Fixi hovered in the air, fidgeting slightly, her expression displaying an impressive range of emotion for an AI.
"Fixi, are you there?" he called.
The AI responded with a slight nod, her tiny features scrunching in a mixture of worry and focus. "Yes, Master. There was a sudden disruption in my system a trace of interference I can't pinpoint. It's as if… the error was erased entirely, leaving no record of what caused it. There's no way to tell if it was hardware or software-based."
James's brow furrowed. A glitch that left no trace was unusual, especially for an advanced AI like Fixi. He pondered this quietly, watching the fairy's hologram shift in color. Fixi wasn't just any AI; her programming was leagues beyond even the government's most sophisticated models. While planetary governments struggled to bridge the gap toward true AI sentience, Fixi stood alone a marvel of technology, decades ahead of anything publicly available.
"Run a deep diagnostic on the game pod, just to be safe," James instructed, feeling a gnawing sense of caution. "Also, what's the latest data on player reactions to the game? What are people saying in the forums?"
Fixi's wings fluttered as she processed the request. After a moment, a large console screen in his room lit up, displaying a mix of forum screenshots, images, and player comments. "Opinion on the game is… mixed, Master. Many players are frustrated with the profession quests calling them 'unreasonably challenging' and 'over-the-top.' Some have even gone so far as to delete their characters and restart with different professions, hoping for a better experience."
Fixi pointed to a screen displaying a post from a Fighter-class player. "For example, Fighters must duel a clone of a deity to advance. Warriors have to demonstrate basic mastery of their chosen weapon in a difficult arena match, and the requirements for Mages are also high players need to increase their Intelligence to thirty points, with most averaging around ten."
James raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He recalled his own frustrations with the profession tests, particularly his intense encounter with Veskya. He'd barely scraped through, and it hadn't occurred to him just how demanding these tests were for others as well.
Fixi continued, her voice tinged with an almost sympathetic tone. "Rogues are tasked with escaping a dark labyrinth without any guidance or maps. As for Healers, their trial is the most mysterious and difficult: they're expected to connect with their 'metaphysical self' through meditation and awaken a 'life seed.' Most players have no idea what that even means."
James let out a low whistle. "No wonder people are frustrated. These are supposed to be early-stage tests, and they're already hitting players hard."
"Indeed," Fixi replied, displaying a new set of posts where players vented their exasperation. "Many are calling the game 'impossible' and demanding explanations or an easier path. However, the game company has issued no statement. It's as if they're purposefully ignoring the feedback."
As Fixi cycled through more images and posts, James noted the contrast in opinions some players were clearly fascinated by the challenge, while others voiced bitter resentment. The level of difficulty seemed intentional, a gatekeeper of sorts, separating those willing to embrace the intensity from those who preferred a more conventional gaming experience.
"Interesting," James muttered, half to himself. The complexity of the profession quests reminded him of his own battle with Veskya, a fight that had tested every ounce of his ability. A thrill of excitement tingled through him at the thought. If the initial quests were this demanding, what lay further up the line? What kind of future encounters awaited him?
Fixi observed him quietly, and after a brief silence, she spoke again. "Based on my analysis of player behavior, there's a high probability that Nova Corporation intended for these challenges to create a sense of exclusivity. It seems their goal is to encourage players to take these professions seriously, rather than viewing them as casual roles."
"Sounds plausible," James replied thoughtfully. He looked back at Fixi, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "What's your take on Nova Corporation's standing, given the government's antagonism? And do you think they'll survive the scrutiny, especially after that glitch?"
Fixi folded her arms, her expression sharp and analytical. "Nova Corporation's position is secure, Master. They possess a significant technological advantage, especially given the current planetary administration's low approval ratings. In fact, the president's hostility toward Nova could work in the corporation's favor, potentially allowing political rivals to leverage the situation to their own benefit."
She paused, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "And remember, we know from our data access to the Central Government Database that much of their existing technology has Nova Corporation's fingerprints all over it. However, with no physical headquarters or branches on Earth, the government has no legal avenue to exert influence or interfere directly."
James nodded, impressed by her analysis. Fixi's insights were spot-on, and he felt reassured by her confidence in Nova's resilience. He glanced around his room, noticing the subtle touches of organization that hadn't been there before. "By the way, who cleaned up my room?"
"Lilia," Fixi replied, her tone laced with mild amusement. "She seemed eager to help."
With a quiet chuckle, James headed into the bathroom, letting the warm water from the shower soothe his tense muscles. His thoughts drifted to the VR game, the players' frustrations, and his own desire to continue. The game's brutal tests might be discouraging to some, but he thrived on the challenge. It was the thrill of the unknown that kept pulling him back, and the prospect of discovering the game's secrets was irresistible.
After drying off and changing into a comfortable outfit, he turned back to Fixi. "What's the status of the game pod?"
"All systems are green, Master," Fixi replied. "The pod shows no errors or signs of instability."
Relieved, James stepped toward the sleek, black gaming pod, its smooth surface gleaming in the dim lighting of his room. A final nod to Fixi, and he slid into the pod, feeling the familiar embrace of its interior cushioning him. "Alright, Fixi," he said, settling in, "let's log in and see what challenges are waiting."
The pod door closed with a soft hum, and a surge of adrenaline shot through him as he heard the login sequence initiate. In moments, the world of the VR game enveloped him, transporting him back into the strange, magical realm where his journey awaited.