Let's revisit the events that have unfolded so far. I called Alice, went home, and promised to meet a girl I don't know. You may be wondering what's next. Leaving home, I rode with Joseph to the metro station, where I headed to work. Although this military machine is likely to have been tested by dozens, if not hundreds of people before, I will be the first to try it out for gaming. I cannot fully express how excited I am.
"Hello!" I greeted Max, the security guard at the entrance, who has been working for the company since its opening. During last year's corporate event, Max mentioned that his family consists of hereditary nobles in Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, more than seven years ago, due to violations of all the traditions of the Royal Family, he was no longer the heir to the throne. Many longtime employees were fired because the heir did not want to keep people who cherished traditions. However, Max got this job on the recommendation of the Crown. I believe they will not want to fire him out of respect for the former Crown.
"Hey, Aaron. Are you going to sit and do nothing today, as always? Sometimes, I think only the cleaning ladies and I work here," he said, waiting for my reaction. It seems that his dismissal from the Palace had an impact on him. He tries to joke all the time, although not always successfully. Nonetheless, he's a great guy.
"Well, you're right about something, but you don't always work either. Okay, let's talk later. I'm off," I exclaimed, passing through the turnstile.
As I walked down the corridor, I descended into the workshop. I'm looking forward to seeing the little device that will allow me to experience a new level of gaming pleasure firsthand. I wonder what games our military personnel are playing. Although my intuition tells me that the games will mainly involve toughening their psyche, I cannot predict what awaits me.
Entering the workshop manager's room, I was greeted by the director and his trusted representative, lawyer Benuale Hass.
"Welcome, Aaron. Please take a seat. Hass has prepared the contract, and he will ensure that both of us fulfill our obligations under it. Please review the contract again, and once you've signed it, we can discuss what happens next," the director said, gesturing towards the contract.
Although I signed the contract without much thought, I later regretted it. However, at that moment, my excitement to try out the mysterious machine overshadowed everything else.
"Director, is everything ready? Could Lawyer Hass give it a once-over?" I asked, handing over the contract. After a quick review, Hass nodded in approval.
"I'm ready to start. I've been looking forward to this day for a while now," I said, unable to contain my excitement.
The director cautioned me against rushing into things, saying, "There's no need to hurry. The machine isn't going anywhere. Right now, it's important for you to listen to both me and Chief Ho. Before we begin, I must warn you that I acquired the machine myself, and I obtained information about its intended use. According to my sources, the machine was meant to change a person's character, but during testing, it malfunctioned and had no effect on the test subjects' personality traits. Later, due to an unknown attack on the laboratory network, the machine stopped functioning as intended and became a regular gaming capsule. That's how I was able to obtain it. Chief Ho will now explain the technical aspects to you."
"Ahem, ahem. Can you please address me as Chief Ho, or Jimin Ho at the very least? Hello Aaron. Regarding the machine, it's designed to connect to your body through a small electrical signal that will disable your motor functions during gameplay. However, due to the potential risks, medical personnel will always be present to monitor your body's reactions. During immersion, the machine will create a blockage in your spinal cord through which the main signal will pass, allowing you to receive data directly into your brain. We will carefully monitor your reactions in case of equipment rejection and immediately remove you from the machine if necessary. The machine generates game locations using an algorithm that adjusts to your preferences, allowing you to enjoy games tailored to your liking. I will study the program's algorithms as you play. That's all I can tell you for now." said Professor Ho, taking a quick breath before pointing to Alice, who was dressed as a nurse.
"By the way, Alice provided you with moral support and looked after you during our previous project. She has a contract in which she will be responsible for monitoring your condition, though she cannot be called a doctor. If necessary, she can call the appropriate personnel. I hope you will support us in this project." With that, the laboratory chief walked towards the machine.
As for the my thoughts, "I can't help but wonder why she didn't tell me she would participate. However, it's great news since I'll be able to have more contact with her. I understand that I have to test all the game worlds that the machine can offer. I'll be in close contact with her for at least a few weeks, and possibly even a few months. I just hope I won't embarrass myself in front of her."
"You've surprised me," I said with a smile. "It was unexpected, but I'm happy about it. I appreciate your support," I added, extending my hand.
"I knew you would be surprised. But it was unexpected for me too, since I received a message from Professor Chemin Ho this morning asking us to collaborate on a project. Although I was initially surprised, remembering the previous incident, it's not surprising that we were invited," she replied, shaking my hand. "However, we should prioritize your health and your parents' well-being over this machine."
"Professor Chemin Ho was well-prepared, as you saw. This time, I'm confident we'll succeed," I said as I settled into the chair, or rather, lay down in it. A rush of adrenaline and excitement flooded me as I imagined experiencing incredible worlds - something that millions of people dreamed of and I had longed for. The intense range of emotions I felt in that moment was indescribable. Although it only lasted a second, it was unforgettable. It's no secret that the feeling of happiness from realizing a dream is something many people imagine, and I was now the one who achieved it.
After calming down, I adjusted myself more comfortably in the chair, which was reasonably comfortable. It was designed with one leg higher than the other, and semi-circular armrests that caused my hands to hang down. Based on my sensations, I estimated that I was lying at an angle of about 45-60 degrees, with a rubber cushion with metal protrusions tightly fit around my neck, legs, and wrists. I hoped that I wouldn't feel the current impulse constantly, as I had been afraid of such things since childhood. As I settled into the chair, I heard the professor's voice.
"I hope you're comfortable, Aaron. Since this is your first time in the virtual world, it will last approximately 10 to 20 minutes, based on the life support sensors. So don't get too immersed, and ideally, you should end the session yourself without our intervention. Also, I hope you'll be calm there; we don't know what you might see, perhaps even war," the professor said the last sentence with a more serious tone than before.
As for me, they may not feel it, but I'm extremely nervous right now. Nonetheless, I think I'll be able to calm down by the time of connection. In any case, I doubt that I'll get lost there. Despite the progress, the feeling of artificiality always remains in the game. So I'll try to minimize my stress there. Well then, professor, see you later," I said, pressing the activation button. During this time, I managed to notice something like a cover that covered the chair and me. Now the chair looked more like a capsule. Something like a mask covered my face, and I couldn't say for sure what it was, but it looked more like a helmet with a display, from which I just heard the machine's address to me.
"You are welcomed by the Babylon machine under the code name Primus. To avoid a conflict between your consciousness and the world of Engranim, you will go through a series of preparatory gaming platforms to learn about your gaming projection. "Welcome to Babylon," the machine said to me, after which I lost consciousness sharply. I returned to consciousness as abruptly as I lost it, perhaps only a second had passed, but I remember vividly how I suddenly lost my senses. I couldn't fully understand what had happened, but it's heartening that I can finally see this new world for me.