[Welcome to the Starting City of Bellemere]
It was crowded. A cluster of people conglomerates between a surrounding of antique tall buildings of at least four stories height.
The sunlight barely crossed the streets and it was obvious dusk was upon them or at least in the game's time.
Forsaking the announcement, Banks marvelled at the realism of the surroundings which made him feel like he was transported back to the medieval era.
"I have finally reached it. This is massive".
Looking around he could hardly distinguish between players and the so called NPC.
"This game sucks, how they gonna do me like that!"
"Lol. You fell for the unicorn, didn't you?"
"This game is riddled with traps, you better get used to it".
…
Not too far away he could hear them mumbling about their experiences with one of the fellows being particularly irritated, he was wearing robes that suggested he was a mage.
'No way NPC's are going to be using that cumbersome new generation dialect anyway'.
…
"Omg look at that equipment, what level are you? I want that as well!"
"Hmph, look at my stats".
"Holy cow-!"
Banks saw that the other boy -who he presumed had been playing this game for a while longer- clearly didn't have the 'basic equipment' he and the other fellow were wearing.
'I need to know how to get that. It looks quite cool and fresh'.
"You can get this by purchasing the starter pack for three hundred bucks".
"Three hundred?!"
*PFT!*
They all switched their gazes to the assassin close to them who had just spat on the fellow's armour, the liquid dematerialised right after.
"My bad, my bad"
Banks excused himself while holding his mouth in disbelief.
'Three hundred dollars for that piece of junk!?'
The armour was more expensive than the whole game.
'A business model of micro transactions, huh? Do they think everyone can just-'
It was then when he saw it… people, dozens of them wearing the same armour but with different colours or 'skins'.
'They must be out of their mind… leaving granny without money for the meds, huh?'
They were a minority but too many nonetheless.
'This place is massive, but I still need to do some research, where should I even start… wait- I'll disconnect first, it has been roughly an hour with this headset on. How do I log out? I can't just take the helmet away'.
He mimicked the motion and sure enough, it didn't work.
Banks peeked through the menu and couldn't find the log out button.
'It must be by voice then, Log out'.
"Log me out!"
…
"We're trapped in this game, I can't log out!"
Someone yelled followed by some other people screaming for their freedom.
'No way' he thought in disbelief, 'it must be some type of bug'.
"Everyday the same thing, really those devs need to patch this up. Shut up y'all! Just look at your stats, the raising arrow at the upper right corner. The button is at the bottom left corner of the new screen that pops up".
'Raising arrow, was that a button all along?!'
Quickly enough he found the sought button which was the icon of an open door, meaning an exit.
"…"
A sombre and ashamed silence spread across the area as those that thought they had been 'imprisoned' inside the game, scratched their heads awkwardly.
"Oh, sorry… I had seen that plot somewhere and got a little scared".
"Noobs".
'Tch, so much for not finding the da*m button'.
**
**
Banks opened his eyes with his vision within the lenses' and at first felt a little odd when moving his limbs but it lasted a mere second.
The software had stated that there would be an uncomfortable period but it would soon pass as his brain became used to the synapse and vice versa.
He sighed and placed the helmet away.
'This thing is dangerous… can't use it for a long time or I'll get addicted, it is too good'.
Checking up his phone he saw several messages, some from his mother, some from his friend. One from 'her' who apparently had given up.
He called his friend first and knowing what was to come, walked out to the balcony with a can of coke in hand.
"Tanner, how are you brother?".
"All sweet, did you get the synapse?"
"I did".
"I can't believe it, you stingy bastard and yet spending three grand in a video game".
"A video game you can make money with".
"Yeah, yeah… everyone's talking about that, Evanescence. You know this is only the first game for the console, there are bound to be more better games than that".
"I don't know, Tanner… you know I'm not into video games but this thing is something else".
"That good?"
"That good man, I was tempted by a demon girl on my first day…"
"Oh dang, you're giving me the urges now".
"She was a little creepy though, didn't dig into that".
"I'll wish you good luck with that then, maybe next time I see you will be in the big screen, with an avatar. What is your nickname?"
"Banks".
"Sounds like something you'd do".
"So what you up to?"
"Working… not everyone has a few dozen grand in their savings like you. I'm still in the department, they appointed a new department head, not as good as you obviously".
"Did you expect anyone better?"
"Now now, not that high of an ego dude. He's just some douchebag that's all. Things been a little dull since you and Laurent left".
"I didn't leave, I was yeeted".
"Same thing, you busted the guy's jaw, no better way to resign if you ask me".
"Resign from my whole career".
"And straight into a video game career… doesn't sound like a bad deal to me".
"You haven't got bills to pay that's why".
"You could also live back with your parents if you wanted… that time I met them, they didn't look like they mind".
"I can't do that… it would be like failure in life to return to the nest after you've left".
"Whatever you say man. By the way one last thing, you have spoken to Laurent have you?"
"I have".
"You haven't".
"Why do you ask me if you already know?"
"It wasn't her fault".
"I don't care, if that's all I'm leaving, I need to do some groceries as I won't be leaving the house for a while".
"Don't get addicted to that thing. Parents only are complaining that their kids don't want to leave their rooms".
"I may soon become one of those, my friend. And you will too once they put some virtual weed in any of those patches".
"Yoo, if they do… I may actually get it".
"Yeah sure, spend all your savings on a video game, miss Priscila's birthday and get slapped, a nice plan… see ya".
"I have enough for the gift AND the game!"
"Oh, really? You forgot your living expenses".
"Sacrifices must be made to keep a lady happy… that's why you were the head and not me".
"Yeah yeah leave before your new boss fires you using your phone during working hours".
"If that happens I know you've got my back, Carter".
Before even answering Carter hung the phone with an exasperated snicker.
"Who're you even counting on, fool… ugh., of course I got your back"
After scratching his head and throwing the empty can, he started to change.
'Need to get some food… I'm gonna be spending some real time in this game'.
On his way to the super he used the quick tactic that everyone in this time and age applies.
Asking google.
'How to make money playing Evanescence?'.
The answers astonished him.