*Thud!
"Damn it! This bastard fell on me," I exclaimed in annoyance as I saw the goblin's body I had just killed land on top of me.
*Push.
"Haaa!, Haaaa!"
(Phew, that was intense), I thought for a moment while breathing heavily.
*Bang! *Bang!
(Looks like Luke is still alive), I thought as I tried to get up.
*Chk-chk! *Chk-chk!
(looted those idiots was a smart move), I was really glad for that decision as I reloaded the pistols.
If it weren't for that, I would have been dead by now, for sure.
*Quick-paced walking.
*Bang! *Bang! *Bang! *Bang!
*Bang! *Bang! *Bang! *Bang!
(He's surprisingly handling this better than I expected).
Unlike me, a clear rookie in VR games, Luke seemed to know well how to keep his distance while being careful not to make the mistake I did (running into a tree).
*Swish!
"JUST DIE ALREADY, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Luke shouted as he executed a ground roll as if he were a seasoned military.
*Bang! *Bang! *Bang! *Bang! *Bang!
*Bang! *Bang! *Bang! *Bang!
"Grrra-", finally, after a few more shots, the goblin collapsed, most likely dead.
"Good job," I said as I approached and checked on Luke and the flag.
[Your ally has built a base! Now you and your allies can deploy to their location!
(Please note that if your race fails, this base will serve as an invasion point for your enemies)
-You can also return to the tower through this base (requires being out of combat for at least 30 minutes)]
Finally, the first base of humanity had been built.
(Surprisingly, we were the first).
It seems like our fellow players also had a bad RNG or simply didn't find a relatively safe area.
Interestingly, you have to wait 30 minutes for extraction...
(That's a bit troublesome).
It seems like you can't go back to the tower with the same method we were deployed with.
(Plus, if they attack this base, forget about leaving here, at least until you eliminate all the enemies).
"WOW, THAT WAS AWESOME!" a recovered and especially ecstatic Luke exclaimed as he jumped for joy.
"High five!"
*High fives.
(Certainly, I felt like I was going to die for real... this game is incredible!).
"The sense of danger, the realistic environment, and above all, the detail of the enemies... I think we're dealing with the ultimate VR game," Luke continued as he recapped the previous events.
---
"Haaa, anyway, I think we should go, I still need to set up our plan and meet up with my 'friends'," suggested Luke as he watched the place slowly fill up with new players.
"WOW, look at this place, it's freaking realistic."
"Yeah, even the temperature..."
"Look at those two guys, they each have two pistols."
"They look like tryhard players, don't stare too much or they'll challenge you to PvP!" (player vs player)
(...)
"You're right, let's go." I still wanted to explore a bit, but seeing how the newly arrived players were looking at me, I preferred to leave.
(I still have a reward to claim).
"Return."
[You are 10 meters away from an allied base!
-Out of combat
-Conditions met, Initiating extraction...]
*Fuuuuuuushhhhh!
And with a milky white light, I was teleported back to the base.
-
[For this time only, your appearance will be restored!]
That announcement appeared as I was enveloped in light.
(How kind), I thought sincerely.
*Fuuuushhh!
When the light left my field of vision, what appeared in front of me was a spacious room.
(So, this is my private building...)
The place seemed quite cozy, with plenty of furniture, among which stood out the black sofas with golden lines.
(They look quite expensive...)
They were arranged in such a way that they formed a large circle, probably done so for meetings or something similar.
*Walk
I went through the entire place, from the first floor, which served as a lounge, to the upper floors (yes, there were more floors).
(7 floors, huh...)
Each floor had 3 rooms, and each one seemed like an independent apartment with its respective bedrooms, mini-lounges, and bathrooms.
Interestingly, it also had 2 spacious basements, which seemed to serve as storage.
*Sit
As I sat down on one of the furniture pieces, I felt a bit strange.
(It's so unreal..., well, technically it's not real, but at the same time it is...), in my thoughts, I faced a dilemma.
Is this the reason why they don't recommend long VR sessions?
An article discussed the inherent dangers of virtual reality, pointing out that the more deeply immersed you are in its worlds, accumulating achievements and fictitious relationships, the greater the potential for disconnection and disappointment when faced with tangible reality.
(There are people who can't handle it and prefer to live in the game, completely ignoring reality).
Most of them end up in therapy...
(Well, I just have to remember that this game is not real and the purpose for which I'm here).
I just have to enjoy to the fullest while helping Owen whenever he needs it.
[Your reward has been sent to the tower inventory!]
That's what appeared when I tried to find the reward they promised me for killing the goblin.
[Inventory:
9mm Pistol x500
17 Bullet Magazine x397
Water Bottles x498
Combat Ration x500
Private Deployment Flag (A)
Emergency Universal Potion x5
Wild White Rabbit Corpse
Goblin Corpse (Gobrakian)
T.C 'Burst Rifle MK-516' (F)]
"Oh, a weapon!" I exclaimed with joy as I saw the reward they gave me.
(I was starting to worry about wasting pistol ammo)
It's quite obvious that pistols weren't very effective against the goblins who, for some reason, were quite hard to kill.
(Surely with this rifle, I'll kill them easily), I thought as I removed the chip from my inventory.
The chip was round, like a soda cap, with an 'F' letter on its cover and with a faint white glow.
"I suppose this should be close to the core, right?"
I brought the chip close to the tattoo on my arm, and when it was close enough...
*Materialize.
The tattoo began to glow in a mix of black and golden colors, and before I knew it, a bracelet appeared.
It was the same one I put on for the first time.
[Analyzing...]
A small screen appeared in my field of vision, and with it, a light emanated from the bracelet, clearly pointing to the technological chip.
[Analysis completed!
-Technological Chip 'Burst Rifle MK-516' (F)
Compatible!
Do you want to integrate this chip into the Technological Core?]
"Accept," I said, and as I did, some familiar small black beads came out of the bracelet.
(Nanobots?, I thought you didn't have those), I thought a bit puzzled.
*Zzshhzz!
The nanobots stuck to the Technological Chip, which slowly began to disappear...
(Incredible...)
*Pshhhh!
Upon disappearing completely, a hologram appeared in its place, showing me the schematics of the weapon and a brief description.
[Technological Chip 'Burst Rifle MK-516'
Manufactured by: N/A (this technology is the tower's creation, authorship will be attributed to whoever recreates this technology).
The Burst Rifle MK-516 features a robust and functional design. Its matte black metal body conveys durability and precision, while the ergonomic handguard ensures a secure grip.
The holographic sight offers a clear view of the target, and the high-capacity magazine ensures a constant supply of ammunition. With its adjustable grip and retractable stock, the MK-516 is versatile and effective in any combat situation.
Magazine capacity: x30 bullets
Materials needed to build: Stainless steel or aluminum alloys, Reinforced polymers, Carbon fiber, High-strength carbon steel, Heat and friction-resistant plastic, Reinforced glass]
(It looks powerful, but...)
Where do I get all these materials?
Polymers, carbon fiber, reinforced glass... you don't find those just anywhere, even the other materials seem difficult to recreate in this game.
(Maybe in the gacha?)
[You have a private message!
Sender: Luke - Species: Human - Race: Earthling]
"Accept"
[Luke:
Luke: "Hey! Where did you go?"
Silent Shadow (You): "I bought a private building and got sent here when we returned."
Luke: "What? You bought something like that? Oh wait, I remember now, you're a P2W 😅."
Silent Shadow: "...".
Luke: "Remember what we talked about before entering the tower? Well, turns out I've already met up with some reliable friends, you know, people with a lot of 💵💵."
Luke: "They've agreed to meet us at your mansion. All you have to do is look imposing, and I'll handle the rest, buddy."
Silent Shadow: "Anything else?"
Luke: "Well, now that you mention it... I need a little favor hehe ✌️, I'll mention it when I'm there."]
That conversation got me thinking a bit...
Luke is probably my ticket to join the future elite of this game, a place where only the powerful or people with a lot of money can enter.
(If I can maintain my position there...)
Power, respect, fame, and with it the ability to get anything I want or that's available in this game.
Things I didn't have in real life…