Isaac woke up to the sunlight filtering through his apartment's thin curtains, casting an orange glow over the cluttered room. His neck was stiff, a reminder of the hours he'd spent on the couch last night, staring into the void of fatigue until he'd drifted into an uncomfortable sleep. He hadn't meant to fall asleep there, but the weight of everything seemed to have pressed him down, keeping him rooted to the spot.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes and mentally listing everything he had to tackle today. His advisor had scheduled a meeting, likely another session of criticisms and "suggestions for improvement." More papers to grade, more bills to ignore until he could scrape together enough to pay them. It was a cycle he knew too well, but it wasn't one he could break out of—not yet, anyway.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted movement. David was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, with an eyebrow raised in that familiar, mildly amused look he gave when Isaac's exhaustion was painfully obvious.
"Morning, big bro," David greeted with a half-smile. "You look…like you're running on fumes. Again."
Isaac forced a smile, reaching for his glasses. "You know me. Running on fumes is my speciality."
David chuckled, making his way to the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee. Isaac watched him, feeling a pang of something he couldn't quite place. He'd spent so many years trying to protect David, trying to shield him from the realities of their situation, but sometimes it felt like David saw right through him.
"Hey, Isaac," David started, leaning against the counter as he sipped his coffee. "I've been thinking… You ever thought about doing something, I don't know, different?"
Isaac tilted his head, mildly intrigued but wary. "Different how?"
David shrugged, taking another sip. "I mean, you're always buried in work, running yourself ragged just to stay afloat. What if there was something out there that could make things easier? Not a way out, exactly, but something that gives you some breathing room?"
Isaac's eyes narrowed, sensing something more behind his brother's words. "What are you getting at, David?"
David hesitated for a moment as if choosing his words carefully. "Look, I know you're not one for games or distractions. But I've been playing Evo-Realm, and it's different. I know it sounds ridiculous, but there's real money to be made. People are making a living off it, and I think you could too. You're good with strategy and analysis—this could actually work for you."
Isaac gave him a sceptical look, but David didn't back down. "David, you know I don't have time for that. I'm barely keeping my head above water as it is. And a game? Really?"
David set down his coffee and crossed his arms, his expression serious. "I know it sounds weird, Isaac, but hear me out. This isn't just some mindless video game. Evo-Realm is practically its own world. It's got an economy, factions, quests—it's basically a job, and a lot of people are using it to earn money. Heck, some of them are even getting noticed by companies for their skills."
Isaac opened his mouth to brush it off, but David continued. "Look, you've always been the smart one, the one who sees through stuff like this. But this game is different. It's not just about fighting or grinding. The whole system is built to reward people who can think strategically, people who can build alliances, read situations, and outmaneuver the rest. I'm telling you, Isaac, you could do this."
A part of Isaac wanted to dismiss it, to shrug off the suggestion as just another one of David's flights of fancy. But there was something in his brother's tone, something that felt both earnest and hopeful. Isaac sighed, rubbing his temples.
"So, you're saying people are making real money off this?" he asked, his scepticism wavering slightly.
David nodded, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "Yes. There are tournaments, item trading, and sponsorships—some players are even getting recruited by companies for their problem-solving skills. It's like they're using the game to scout talent, finding people who can think on their feet. And if anyone's good at thinking on their feet, it's you."
Isaac considered this, the gears in his mind slowly turning. He'd always been good at analyzing situations, breaking down complex systems, and finding the most efficient way through them. But he'd never considered applying those skills to a game, let alone one that was supposedly paying people for their talents.
He glanced around the room at the faded wallpaper, the stacks of unpaid bills, and the textbooks piled on every available surface. His entire life was a study in limitations—financial, academic, and personal limitations. But what David was offering, however far-fetched it seemed, was something different. A chance, however slim, to break free of this suffocating cycle.
"How does it even work?" Isaac asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.
David grinned, pulling out his phone and navigating to the game's interface. He held it out to Isaac, showing him a snapshot of Evo-Realm's world—a sprawling, detailed map that looked as real as any he'd seen. Cities, forests, mountain ranges—all laid out with a precision that hinted at the immense scale of the game.
"You start off with nothing," David explained, his voice a mixture of excitement and respect. "No class, no abilities, just a character. You have to find a class tutor in one of the starting villages if you want a specialisation. And there are subclasses, too, but those are locked behind special quests or encounters. You could play for months and still not know all the hidden stuff they put in."
Isaac's curiosity piqued. "So, you're telling me this game's basically a free-for-all? No hand-holding, no shortcuts?"
"Exactly," David replied, his grin widening. "It's not about reflexes or reaction time. It's about how you think, how you plan, and how well you can adapt. And if you're really smart—like 'PhD in Economics and Psychology' smart—you can carve out your own path."
Isaac looked at the game screen, his mind spinning with possibilities. He'd spent years studying human behaviour, analysing economic systems, and building strategies. Could he actually apply those skills to something like this? Could a game be the solution to his problems?
David must have sensed his hesitation because he had placed a hand on his shoulder. "Look, Isaac, I know it sounds crazy. But think about it—what do you have to lose? It's not like your thesis is going anywhere tonight. Give it a shot. Just try it, and see what it's about. Worst case, you log out and go back to your books."
Isaac hesitated, glancing back at the stack of work that loomed over his desk like a mountain waiting to be climbed. But as he looked at David's hopeful expression, he felt a strange sense of relief—a flicker of light in the darkness that had become his life.
"All right," he said slowly, almost as if he were convincing himself. "I'll give it a shot. But just for a little while."
David's face broke into a grin, and he practically dragged Isaac over to the table where a laptop and a pair of VR goggles sat, cables snaking across the surface like the tendrils of some strange, digital creature. With a few quick adjustments, David plugged in the goggles, walking Isaac through the account creation process, explaining the basics of the game, the different factions, and the vast, open world that awaited him. Isaac listened, his initial scepticism giving way to something he hadn't felt in a long time—anticipation.
When they finished, David clapped him on the back. "Welcome to Evo-Realm, big bro. You're going to kill it in there."
Isaac managed a small smile, the reality of it all still settling in. He didn't know what he was getting into, didn't know if this game could actually be a lifeline or just another time sink. But as he looked at David's encouraging expression, he felt a flicker of hope—a tiny ember in the ashes of his own doubts.
Isaac settled the VR goggles over his eyes, adjusting the strap as David ensured everything was properly connected. He took a deep breath, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility ease just a bit. Maybe this was a ridiculous idea. Maybe he was being foolish, chasing after a fleeting distraction. But as he glanced around at the worn walls of his apartment and the bills piling up on his desk, he knew he needed this.
Just a break. Just a chance to breathe.
The VR screen flickered to life, immersing him in a pitch-black space before the words "Welcome to Evo-Realm: Conquest Awaits" appeared, bold and commanding, floating in front of him.
Isaac took a final look around his apartment, pulling himself into a strange calm. Whatever awaited him in this virtual world, it had to be better than what he had here.
And with that, he reached out into the virtual space and selected Enter.