Year 3060.
Technology started to rise and improve even more. It has become even more advantageous in the lives of people.
But as we all know, humans are creatures that don't get satisfied after one success to another, and so professionals such as Scientists and Engineers continue to conduct new research, experiments, and inventions. Even if it means sacrificing their lives or others.
Entertainment, although considered a luxury by many, didn't allow itself to be left behind. It has also evolved through the help of technology. Having fun now, does not include watching fantasy movies or playing fake props with your friends in your act. They have pursued the path of "virtually experiencing it yourself."
Before it is showcased to the world, as a precaution, a certain "test run" must be executed. Because having fun now, can fatally affect the lives of humans.
Supposed to be, a test run is a good way to confirm the safety, quality and overall performance of the project. But if your vision is to see your clients virtually experience things, doesn't that equate into having humans as test subjects?
These thoughts, ran endlessly in this person's mind while gently pouring in a glass of wine, as he looked down upon the city, flashing with lights, even in the middle of the night, implying their liveliness and splendor.
Lights aren't made to be powered forever, light doesn't automatically mean hope, in some, light means you're choosing death as your end, as the exit to your misery. The lights in this city will soon run out. One by one, house by house, even the light in their hearts, will soon be put out.
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"So, you got to try the new kind of VR game they are doing?! You are so Lucky Kai!!" The boy in subject chuckled as he stopped in front of a building.
"I already arrived so I'll drop the call now. Talk to you later dude." Kaito puts his phone in his pocket and walked towards the building's entrance.
Different thoughts ran in his mind, probably an adrenaline rush leading to anxiety. But more than that, his enthusiasm was taking over, he has been waiting patiently for this test drive, as he is an avid player of online games.
For him, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"Do you still value your life?"
A voice behind him suddenly spoke which made him startled. He turned his head to where the voice came from and there stands a girl who is just 2-3 inches shorter than him. Her sharp black eyes slightly glared at him. Her long black hair was tied up into a ponytail and her side bangs frames her face perfectly.
"Well, if you do, don't go inside the building to do the so-called 'game test run'."
"Min! I told you to hurry up, didn't I? You're wasting time." A man inside the building called out to the girl before he could even start to answer her.
Without a word, the girl runs toward the man. He saw how her expression showed hatred towards the man before she went inside with him.
'Strange' he thought. Why did she ask that kind of question?
'Well, there is no harm in trying a game, right?'
When he finally went inside, he was surprised at how fast the two of them disappeared. 'Maybe they just really walked fast as the man is in a hurry anyway.'
While his eyes were roaming around the building's lobby, it had caught a glimpse of a flowy bronze blonde hair, it was sort of unusual to see such a color these days, you can say it was a fresh sight for the eyes.
As if the girl had sensed his stares, she looked back at him and did a small wave. With most waves, you'll also probably smile a little bit, but this girl, had her lips lay flat, with no visible shine in her eyes, although strangely again, it doesn't feel so much like they're unfriendly. It wasn't your usual energetic greeting, but a rather comfortable one.
'I keep bumping into strange things today' he sighed and smiled helplessly as he walked towards the girl, hoping to make an acquaintance.
"Hello. Do you work here?"
He wanted to scold himself for such a terrible start of conversation, but the girl clearly did not look like she was working for that institution, because compared to the astronaut and doctor kind of outfits that are walking around in the lobby, she was wearing a comfortable set of clothes, squarepants, hanging strap top, and a cardigan.
"No, I don't." The girl shook her head and looked around.
"--but this was all supposed to be ours."
Before he could even ask what she meant by those words, the girl was already walking away, and eventually followed a staff.
It was a really weird exchange of words.
He tried looking for other people to talk to, but most of them came in groups. So he just stood there and hoped for the test drive to start.
"Good day! Are you also here for the test drive?" The personnel asked Kaito whilst smiling.
Like someone granted his wishes, something was finally happening.
"Yes, I am!" He answered enthusiastically and excitedly. The personnel just chuckled at him as he points towards the left side.
"Well, then this way sir!"
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After a quiet trip toward the test room, he was assigned to, the personnel slightly bowed his head before leaving him alone.
He looked around the room that was filled with VR sets.
"Damn, this is lit! There are different models of VR sets here! Top quality at that!" He exclaimed as he took one type of VR box. He spent his precious time admiring every VR set in the room.
Minutes later, a knock was heard on the door, making him put the VR box down on the table.
" I am so sorry for making you wait. We just dealt with something for a while. Hope you understand dear visitor" A man in his thirties said as he opened the door and went inside with his assistant.
"It's no problem, sir! I also had fun looking at the VR sets here."
The man chuckled at his words. He walks towards a swiveling chair placed in front of his computer and sits on it as his assistant followed him.
"Well, I am glad you are one of those who didn't refuse this test run. Some people declined the offer and some just suddenly disappeared and ran away or backed out."
Of course, like a normal person would, he investigated the project before agreeing to participate. Honest results, he did see quite eager warnings, maybe from those who had backed out or from a competitor.
The man took out a folder and a pen.
"Please sign here Mr. Araki, so we can proceed to the actual test drive."
The folder contained a paper, with his personal information, and contents of a contract. The terms and conditions weren't really that suspicious and it was actually more beneficial for him than the company.
He glanced at the man and his assistant, but they were just patiently waiting with a smile plastered on their faces.
So even with doubts in his head, he grabbed the pen, and signed the contract.
The words that the girl said a while ago, pop into Kaito's head after hearing what the man said. Perhaps it was she who told off those people too?
"Shall we start the test run now?" The man asked as he motioned his hands at the assistant as if telling him to help the boy wear the VR set.
Once he was done and ready for the test. He was put inside a room with see-through walls specially built for the test drive.
"Once I start the game, questions will start popping up and so you just need to fill in or choose from the choices. I suggest that you should use your name for this so that we could easily track your progress."
The man told him and he answered back with just a nod.
An image suddenly popped up in front of him as the game started. From what he could tell, it was a fantasy type of game as the visuals were what you could usually see in fantasy games.
He notice a bit of a glitch while the hame was loading. But he chose to ignore it as it is a test drive, it's not supposed to be perfect on the first try.
But, it should be adequate enough for his safety.
A question suddenly popped up in front of him. It was just some typical questions for the people who would play a game.
First Name: Kaito
Last Name: Araki
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Character type: Werewolf
The only thing he was suspicious of was when the game suddenly loaded before asking him to choose a certain character.
He was about to ask the man about that issue, however, he suddenly felt electricity flow through his body.
He tried to remove the VR from his body but failed as the voltage suddenly become stronger than before.
He knelt screaming and groaning in pain.
"Do you still value your life?"
The words that the girl asked a while ago ring in his head once again.
"Don't go inside the building..."
Does she know this is going to happen?
He suddenly felt weak enough to fight back or to do anything else. Before his eyes shut, a strange text in the game suddenly popped up in front of him.
"Welcome to a new world"