Futuristic Fantasy Inc. It was the renowned corporation which ushered the world into a world of virtual reality. But it was really strange, they only released a capsule.
"It's been a year but the virtual reality craze hasn't subsided.", Jace Sych muttered. The statement was rather hypocritical because he could be considered as one of the crazed ones. He took a sip from his cup.
He was quite eye-catching in the rowdy bar filled with chatter and booze.
It was absolutely not because of his purplish-black mysterious eyes that metaphorically drew in gazes like a pair of whirlpools. Although it would surely attract curious gazes, his eyes were currently facing down.
Neither was it his deep black hair that literally swallowed light. What attracted curious gazes were his actions. The way he drank! It was like a bubble of loneliness isolated him from all sounds and gazes. He was surely a man with a story!
More eye-catching was the orange liquid in his cup. Logical reason told them it was orange juice because they saw him ordering it, but he looked like he was drinking the best of wines to drown out his emotions.
A pretty lady, averagely beautiful, couldn't take it anymore. "Excuse me, sir."
While doing this, her heart started beating fast when she got closer. That skin! He looked young! As she was about to fantasize, she became disappointed because his handsomeness was just a bit above average.
Jace woke up from his reveries and glanced at the skirt beside him. It was obviously a lady. He glanced at his watch. It was already midnight. 'I gotta go. This lady must be looking for an empty seat huh?' He glanced at the seat beside him that others shied away even in this rowdy bar for fear of disturbing him.
He looked up at the girl and flashed a smile. "You may sit here of course." He stood up and walked out elegantly leaving a stunned lady behind.
The lady stood in a daze, muttering, "Your eyes…your smile…your contact number?"
…
The living room in the apartment felt pretty jam-packed. There were shelves everywhere filled up with books aside from a small corner where two sofas and a TV lay. But everything was extremely neat. He strode into his room right towards the Fantasy VR capsule.
His room was as clean as his living room but it felt like there was barely anything in it. It was just a bed, a VR capsule and his workspace. Though, his workspace was rather complicated, looking at the five different computer screens. They were all shut down and still looked pretty new.
Jace collapsed into the VR capsule with a sigh. "I rarely sleep on my bed nowadays." Looking at the comfy and soft resting space in the VR capsule, you would understand his decision. A virtual screen appeared in front of him showing thousands of games that he had downloaded or made himself.
That's right. Futuristic Fantasy was really devious. They released an invention only seen in movies and novels, a VR capsule! But they made it completely airtight, with no openings. Not only was the material used to make it super hard, rumours said that if you really tried to open it, it would explode in a self-destruct sequence. Not only could you be sued, but you would never be able to buy another one directly again.
The most wonderous thing was no one had gotten any news of their base of operations. All capsules were bought from their branches. No one knew where the capsules were made. Futuristic Fantasy was very mysterious. It was an open secret that people would kill for the method to make the capsules.
To appease the masses, the VR came with an installed program where you could make your own worlds. Extremely good games of different genres began to sell like hot cakes. There were also bad games, lectures and realistic movies that were turned into virtual reality. They opened up a new field in game making!
Futuristic Fantasy also set a record for refusing a Nobel Prize, tacitly. No matter how much people complained and grumbled, they never answered.
Jace had made a world for himself. He named it 'Laziness kills.' The game loaded and a sci-fi looking laboratory with only a snug bed appeared. He flopped down on the bed.
"Oof! Comfier than mine for sure." He sat upright on the bed and yelled. "Beach theme. Night. Adjust temperature until I say stop."
The world changed with a flash of light to a beautiful beach with the bed outside. The temperature slowly cooled down from being hot.
"Stop. Just the way like it." The temperature stopped going down and a light breeze blew. He stood up and kicked up sand as he walked. "AI sparring partner. Male. A-level strength."
Flickers of light gathered to form a heavily built male. The AI bowed before entering a fighting stance.
"I beat up a B-level yesterday. This should be quite a challenge. Come, I'm ready!", Though his voice was outwardly calm, the foolish grin and intense gaze betrayed him. He was extremely excited.
The AI charged over. Despite his large build, he was fast. What was even more terrifying was his explosive outbursts. It was almost as fast as instinctual reactions!
After exchanging a punch to test waters, Jace wiped the grin of his face. It was replaced by a calm expression. His fist hurt like crazy. Jace's gaze sharpened.
A level huh? You won't be able to touch me. The AI charged again. Jace maintained his stance. As the AI's fist was half a meter away, it hesitated, for a second. It was a feint that Jace didn't fall for. It continued again. But that one second was enough for an uppercut! The AI's head tilted backward from the shock.
Jace was about to take the initiative back in a flurry of punches and kicks when he glanced at the health bar of his opponent.
"Fuck!", Jace ducked. He narrowly avoided a punch and retreated. The part of health gone was almost insignificant. 'His defense is a bit too much. This is A-level?!'
He took in a deep breath and then lightly breathed in a strange rhythm. It was a personal breathing technique! Though, it didn't do anything amazing like cultivating qi or mana, its rate of recovery for stamina was extreme. If he used it, it was second to none.
Getting more energy, Jace took the initiative to charge at the AI. He went to the AI's left then suddenly changed directions to the right. The Ai hastily turned and blocked the incoming blow.
Jace smirked. His centre of gravity was suddenly changed, tilting him towards the left again.
AI: Fuck.
Jace punch precisely landed on his open neck. A vital! The AI doubled back wanting to make a retreat. A leg whipped towards the AI. He punched at it. The leg was knocked back but at the same time, his senses blared in alarm. Too late!
The AI's neck throbbed in pain reducing it by a large chunk of health. It was that same spot Jace had struck before. This was his uncanny precision. The AI wanted to retreat but there was a flurry of punches coming at him.
It reacted fast. As expected of an A-level. Jace smiled. The AI felt a chill in his spine.
'Where is the danger coming from? Where is it? My anus!!!'
The AI rushed to block it but fell for the same trick. Its neck got hit again!
'%@@##$$% Why is this opponent so shameless?!'
It configured itself to pay attention to its neck. A few more hits and he would be destined to lose. It charged back at Jace in a frenzy. It was a bit restricted due to it looking out for a sudden sneak attack to its neck.
Jace laughed. He stretched out a palm to block a punch, then…DING!!
Due to the sudden loud sound, Jace's focus wavered and a giant sandbag fist smashed his guts.
Though it hurt like hell, Jace was in no mood for fighting. It was because of something more interesting.
A notification sounded, "Futuristic Fantasy has sent you a mystery box. Open?" Jace hurriedly quit his fight. "Open it."
The world silently descended into darkness.