[Start]
The story begins on May 18, 2024, at 6:55 AM, as summer approaches,
showcasing a panoramic view of the bridge in San Francisco at dawn when the sun is trying to rise,
casting warm orange and pink hues across the cloud-streaked sky.
The soft rustling of the trees in the morning breeze creates a symphony of nature awakening.
With another view on the map,
around the streets and buildings in San Francisco, we can see a close view of a modern building with its sun-kissed facade glistening in the early light.
The morning air carries the scent of blooming jasmine from nearby gardens,
while the distant sound of city life begins to stir—a car horn, a bus rumbling to life, and the lively chatter of morning commuters.
Then we move to our protagonist modest apartment on the 4th floor,
where the light filters through the half-drawn curtains, casting playful shadows on the walls.
A quiet sense of isolation envelops the space, but it's alive with the comfort of familiar belongings.
Finally, we arrive at a panoramic view of his bedroom,
where our protagonist Genau Stein is sleeping, a 25-year-old man with black short hair, a software engineer.
The soft beeping of an alarm clock interrupts the tranquility, slowly pulling him from the depths of sleep.
Next to his bed, there is a gaming desktop table with three screens;
he is a typical geek and developer, a true embodiment of his passion resting in stark contrast to the quietness of the room.
[Main]
As usual, while sleeping, he wakes up in the morning at around 7 AM,
rubbing his eyes as he checks his phone for news, the soft glow illuminating his face.
The day's headlines flood his mind with the latest technology trends and quirky highlights,
anchoring him momentarily in the digital world before he drags himself to the restroom,
where the glare of fluorescent lights feels harsh against his skin.
He brushes his teeth with a mechanical rhythm, the sound of the bristles scratching against enamel filling the silence,
and then takes a bath, steam enveloping him like a comforting embrace.
Coming out of the shower with a towel around his waist,
he steps onto the cool tiled floor, the chill igniting a spark of alertness.
He goes to the mirror to style his hair neatly,
the foggy glass slowly clearing as he wipes it with his hand, revealing a face both weary and determined.
Then he heads to his bedroom to check his wardrobe for what to wear today for work,
often opting for a geek t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes that have seen better days but still fit his aesthetic.
The fabric hangs slightly loose on him, a badge of comfort in his casual existence.
After that, he heads to the kitchen, where the aroma of coffee lingers in the air,
making its way into his senses. He makes a simple breakfast of fried eggs, sliced bread, and a glass of milk,
the eggs sizzling and popping in the pan as he expertly flips them.
He sits at the dining room table, the morning light streaming through the window,
illuminating the crumbs and remnants of his breakfast as he eats while scrolling through tech news on his phone.
At 8 AM, he leaves his apartment, stepping into the vibrant streets filled with the sounds of chirping birds and the general hustle of San Francisco waking to life.
He walks to the nearest subway station, the walk taking about 20 minutes through busy streets and bus stops,
the air filled with the smell of fresh croissants from a nearby bakery.
Once he arrives, he greets the security guard, exchanging friendly nods,
shows his badge at the gate entrance, and takes the elevator to the 7th floor, where he can hear faint sounds of chatter and computer keys clacking.
He then heads directly to the open-space office filled with colleagues working around,
the hum of conversation intertwined with the beeping and clicking of keyboards.
He greets coworkers close to his desk, their smiles warm and genuine amidst the digital glow of their screens.
Sitting down, he faces his trio of screens like a pilot in a cockpit, excitement bubbling within him as he checks his computer for the tasks to do for today from a scrum project software manager.
As he begins to work, the office atmosphere thick with concentration, familiar distractions lurk—his mind occasionally wandering to the latest online trends.
At 1 PM, he takes a break, rising from his desk. He glances out the window, noticing clouds beginning to gather,
hinting at the possibility of an afternoon rain.
He makes his way to the ground floor, where he orders his lunch, the food court bustling with life—a cacophony of voices, laughter, and sizzling sounds filling the air like a pulse.
After ordering a small cake with yogurt and an apple, he finds a spot at the restaurant bar, the wood polished and inviting,
and eats while gaming on his phone, the soft taps echoing rhythmically.
Upon returning to work at 2 PM, he immerses himself in code until 5 PM.
As he's about to close his windows, an unexpected notification interrupts his focus,
and he receives a unique dialogue message:
''
--The Valhwatch!--
What if you were able to change the world?
You have to participate in this project to make the world better.
''
An 'accept' button sits invitingly at the bottom, challenging him to consider it.
He instinctively rolls his eyes and smirks, dismissing the message on his computer,
leaning back in his chair as he closes the dialog.
As a developer, he thinks it is nothing more than a prank from one of his colleagues,
shaking his head with a blend of confusion and amusement.
When he leaves the company, the evening air greets him—cool and refreshing,
the clouds gathering into a dense blanket as he walks to the subway station.
Lining the streets are small grocery shops, where he sometimes stops to pick up essentials,
the chatter of other shoppers harmonizing with the rustle of plastic bags.
That day, upon arriving home,
he enters his apartment and heads to his bedroom, the familiar four walls offering a quiet sanctuary.
Just when he starts to undress and prepare for a bath, his phone buzzes insistent,
pulling his attention with the same message:
''
--The Valhwatch!--
What if you were able to change the world?
You have to participate in this project to make the world better.
''
Frustrated, he stares at the screen, his heart racing as he feels an unsolvable puzzle staring back at him.
The very nature of the message sends him racing toward his computer game desk in his bedroom,
trying to analyze the IP of the sender, but fails to track it down,
frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.
He sinks into a hot bath afterward, steam swirling around him, attempting to untangle his thoughts.
Dinner is modest—a quick meal he prepares in a daze,
after which he plants himself in the dining chair, scrolling through developer forums on his phone,
hoping for clarity while the muted sound of the television plays in the background.
Once he finishes eating, he takes a little rest on the couch in the living room,
the soft hum of the TV lulling him into a state between sleep and wakefulness,
while he checks tasks related to work on his laptop for the next day.
At 9:30 PM, he reluctantly heads to his bedroom to play a game on his desktop,
the familiar sound of the game loading filling him with a sense of nostalgia.
At 10:30 PM, however, while deeply engrossed in an online multiplayer game, it suddenly gets interrupted,
the screen flickering ominously as the dialogue box reappears, more commanding this time.
It cautions—if he ignores it again, he will face unfortunate consequences in the coming days.
After a moment of contemplation, he closes it and returns to the game with a dismissive wave,
the tension in the room settling back into routine.
At midnight, he brushes his teeth, the minty paste tingling fresh against his gums,
before heading to his bedroom to sleep, but doubts swirl in his mind, refusing to settle.
The dialogue echoes through his thoughts, uncertainty creeping in like a shadow, making him question if there's something more sinister at play—if he truly is being hacked.
The next morning, he wakes up as usual; groaning softly to himself,
he mutters, "Nah, that ain't gonna happen!" the thought of conspiracies feeling absurd.
He follows his mundane routine as usual, from morning to evening: waking up,
taking a morning bath, the rhythm of his day like clockwork,
eating breakfast, heading to work, taking breaks, having lunch,
heading home, grocery shopping or ordering fast food online,
taking an evening bath, dining, watching the news, playing games in the evening, and sleeping, etc.
A few days later, when he comes back home from work,
as soon as he enters his apartment, he receives an email on his phone,
an uninvited disturbance that disrupts the quiet.
The message informs him that he has been fired for seemingly good reasons,
out of nowhere, from the higher-ups in his company, the words striking him like lightning.
They cite a financial crisis as the cause, a wave of disbelief washing over him.
He is understandably taken aback, his mind spinning into indignation and confusion.
After an internal battle, he contacts HR to confirm it, and unfortunately, it is the bitter truth—
his job is gone. He slumps onto the couch, the weight of the news pressing on his shoulders,
as thoughts of uncertainty fill the void. That evening, he takes a long bath,
pondering whether to wallow in self-pity or think of the next steps.
After dinner, he retreats to his desk, opening games in a desperate attempt to drown out the stress and anxiety that claw at him.
That night, he sleeps at 2 AM, exhausted yet restless.
The morning brings little relief—he takes his bath, eats a light breakfast,
the weight of his situation settling heavy in his chest.
He begins looking for jobs online on his laptop while sitting on the couch,
the TV's noise blending into a background hum that feels more like a ghost of normalcy.
As the hours pass, he applies for numerous positions he finds relevant, the cursor hovering over the 'submit' button like a lifeline.
Once he finishes the online applications, he resumes his mundane routine at home,
the same cycle making the days elongate as he waits for responses from the companies.
A few days later, some companies do not respond to his applications, while others reject him,
each email a stab to the heart.
Luckily, from his previous job, he was well-paid,
so he has some money saved for a few months to manage his living expenses (renting his apartment, food, bills, etc.).
Yet, as time drifts on, the reality of dwindling finances settles like a thick fog, ominous and uncomfortable.
Struggling to survive on his remaining money with no job offers,
he begins watching self-reflection philosophical videos,
intrigued yet tortured by titles like, "What is the meaning of life? Are we alone in the universe?"
One night, while sleeping in his apartment at midnight,
he begins to have flashbacks from his childhood in Germany, memories slipping into his consciousness like scenes from a faded movie reel,
unspooling before his eyes until his graduation before coming to the USA.
In those flashbacks, he remembers loving computer science, video games, space, and drawing,
having average wealthy parents in Berlin, and being their only child,
the complex tapestry of his past woven into his identity.
He wakes up from his dream in the morning,
the echoes of nostalgia still fresh, now considering whether he should call his father for some financial support,
but the pride tethered around his heart restrains him,
the embarrassment of being fired and the fear of disappointing his parents weighing heavily on him.
Now, he checks the message on his computer again and clicks 'OK' on the dialog message.
Immediately, a confirmation appears,
startling him with its abruptness, stating that he will receive a package the next day and that he must follow the instructions written in that package.
As instructed, the package arrives in the late afternoon;
he opens it to find an instruction paper fluttering delicately, a lightweight black exoskeleton suit with 'V' brand on the back,
AR lenses for the eyes, a bio-watch, and one blue serum.
The suit resembles a hero's costume, sleek and almost otherworldly, beckoning to him with an alluring promise of transformation.
He reads the instructions on the paper, his heart pounding slightly with anticipation:
1. Wear the exoskeleton suit.
2. Equip the AR lenses.
3. Attach the bio-watch.
4. Inject the blue serum using the bio-watch.
Following the instructions, he feels a strange thrill as he wears the exoskeleton suit,
the material snugly fitting against his frame.
Then he puts on the AR lenses for his eyes, anticipation buzzing in his veins, and finally attaches the bio-watch to his arm.
Once all three pieces of gear are on, the AR lenses come alive, launching a virtual OS,
and he sees a window appear in front of him, a blend of reality and digital fantasy swirling around him like a new reality unfolding.
The system (similar to Jarvis in the Iron Man movie) asks him to choose his virtual 3D personal assistant (male/female),
who will walk around him as AR, and to customize it if he wishes.
He customizes a 3D fairy assistant named Shiva,
her appearance delicately rendered with braided long blonde hair,
fairy clothes fluttering like leaves in the wind, pale white skin, elfin features, and human ears—
a vision of strength and ethereal beauty.
He sets Shiva's age to 20, feeling a sense of kinship with her youthful aura.
Once done, the AR system requires him to inject the serum using the watch.
After he injects the serum, a wave of warmth floods his body before
he suddenly feels a little dizzy and collapses,
gasping as the bio-watch starts connecting to his skin with 16 nano pins,
diffusing the serum throughout his body, visible veins glowing a radiant blue as the energy surges within him.
While he is still fainted, both his body and the watch begin to synchronize,
the camera shows the internal transformation of his body, the blood circulating and the DNA modifying at a cellular level.
After three hours, he wakes up gasping, heart racing like a thundering drum.
Then Shiva, his new AR assistant, greets him with a melodic voice that resonates brightly in the air around him,
explaining what happened while he was fainted.
Her ethereal form flickers and dances in the virtual space created around him, offering clarity amidst the chaos.
She articulates that he is now a
introducing a world of possibilities waiting to unfold.
The room buzzes with anticipation as he can manipulate the AR using his hands,
navigating a realm that blends seamlessly with his reality.
During their conversation, she reveals that any illness he has, his youth, and his wounds will be healed,
filling him with hope that clings to his emotions.
The bio-watch and serum can also improve his reflexes like some animals (sight, smell, etc.),
a tantalizing glimpse into the power he has just received.
As an extra bonus, the serum provides him with nutrients,
so he doesn't need to eat for a while, further igniting the flames of curiosity and growth.
However, the euphoria is punctured by a heavy warning—
the one thing he cannot remove now is the [bio-watch],
and the effects of the serum are supposed to last for at least <<2 weeks>>.
Once those <<2 weeks>> pass, he will face a lingering vulnerability,
grasping at his heart like the threat of a shadowy figure lurking nearby.
If he wants to survive,
he must find the serums that are spread and hidden around the world or complete certain quests to obtain them.
She emphasizes that removing the bio-watch has severe consequences—he will only be able to do so for <<2 hours>>,
else he will die, a weighty realization that sinks like lead in his stomach.
As she continues to explain, she mentions that he can also transfer the watch to another person,
but the old owner (as Genau is now) will forget everything about the package and the game,
the cruel cost of power glimmering ominously.
However, his misfortune will remain unchanged, as if he had never accepted the 'OK' dialog.
Genau, filled with bemusement, tries to ask her who is behind this.
She replies, her tone forlorn, that she has no clue,
stating that she was created at the moment he wore the lenses.
Her existence is tied to his, only knowing the scripts written for her and the knowledge of the game and the world,
a curious entity with no past.
He starts questioning her about what he can do with the gear.
She explains the possibilities, liberating in its potential—
he is free to do whatever; ignoring quests is an option if he has enough serums to survive.
Surrounded by AR space, vision swirling with possibilities,
he yearns for clarity as he looks for information about high-tech,
IP addresses, and searches for details about [The Valwatch], only to find no relevant information.
Disappointment lingers in the air, settling like dust.
Next, Shiva instructs him about the suit he has worn.
The costume can almost protect him from heavy damage (bullets, car shocks, etc.) as it is made with extra nano-fiber,
its properties granting him a mix of comfort and security.
With the exoskeleton applied to it, he can leap higher and sprint faster, even under extreme conditions and while breathing underwater and in space.
The technology is advanced, able to convert water into oxygen and hydrogen into oxygen in space, an exhilarating thought.
Yet, she cautions that this does not mean he is invincible;
heavier damage remains a possibility from others
or if he finds himself entangled in disasters like a nuclear explosion or crashing into an airplane,
the chilling reminder of mortality cloaked in the allure of power.
If the suit is damaged,
it will decrease the serum (HP) effect—from the promised two weeks to mere hours, perilously close to vulnerability.
He may then require further injections to survive,
the stakes rising as he connects to his newfound capabilities.
The exoskeleton's ability to morph with his body to take on the appearance of any clothing also ignites his imagination.
After hearing this, he eagerly attempts to virtually choose some clothing, swiping through various styles to pick suitable attire,
finally confirming his choice as the system applies it to the exoskeleton, a sense of glee spreading within him.
The exoskeleton is extendable for combat—
allowing martial arts-like movements, its strength tailored to his progression or natural skill.
As the adrenaline of possibility rushes through him,
Genau asks why he was chosen, his voice barely above a whisper in the chaos of emotions.
Shiva replies that it is random, based on a potential participant deemed worthy by the creators,
an unsettling notion woven within a grand design.
People around the world could receive the package,
a flood of thoughts racing through his mind about the scope of this project.
Genau inquires about other participants and their locations,
and she answers, a static hint of regret in her voice, that she can't find them because the suit conceals their signature signals from any radar.
She mentions her sensitive detection range of <<50m>>;
if she detects a weakened signal from a skeleton user beyond that distance,
she won't be able to yield anything useful.
Therefore, if Genau wants to find another user,
he must venture out into the world while she scans the area, her ethereal presence a comfort in the unknown.
She adds that he can also earn money if he agrees to undertake quests that the system will prompt him to complete,
the allure of purpose igniting within his soot-covered routine.
Now, after he has received all this information, it is midnight, and he sleeps until morning,
a wave of anticipation crashing against worries that churn beneath the surface.
In the morning, Shiva greets him as he wakes up; she is walking around the virtual space near his bed,
encouraging him to embrace this new reality that lies ahead.
He takes his bath and usually has breakfast, but he notices he isn't that hungry;
excitement mingles with uncertainty, rendering him distracted.
Then Shiva asks him to train outside with the exoskeleton to test his new abilities,
the moment fluttering with the thrill of the unknown.
Shiva instructs him to transform his suit into a jogging outfit and go somewhere around his building where it isn't crowded with people,
a sense of adventure blooming within him, holding onto the hope that change is possible.
He gently complies but hints at skepticism as a gamer,
feeling somewhat unprepared for the physical exertion but yearning for a break in monotony.
He leaves his apartment, stepping onto the bustling street,
and finds a green field a little ways from his building;
nature welcomes him with open arms—a clear blue sky above,
the distant sound of birdsongs lingering in the air.
There, he begins to race against time,
feeling his muscles awaken in a way he has never imagined before.
As he tests his limits, amusement blossoms as he realizes how amazing his spring is;
he suddenly attempts to jump a rope over 2m, then 4m, and beyond…
"Woah!" he exclaims, the excitement palpable as disbelief washes over him.
Then Shiva adds, now that he has grasped the basics,
he must perform parkour jumps over buildings and rooftops in his neighborhood,
her voice ringing with encouragement.
He sneaks across rooftops, the wind rushing past him,
and leaps between buildings, experiencing a thrill akin to a ninja-like life,
walking along walls and trees like "The Prince of Persia."
As it is something he does in his video games, he finds himself utterly amazed;
what once lived in the realm of fantasy is now so beautifully real.
The next day, while resting in his apartment,
he googles information using the 3D virtual space,
eagerly gathering information from around the world on topics like games, computer science, artificial intelligence, and space,
the passions igniting like fire within him—awareness returning.
[End]
Well, he receives every response and is quite impressed with the system,
and he begins to ponder how he will change his life by taking advantage of the AR system and the AI built into it.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon, Shiva informs him that she has received a notification for his first quest,
a quest that fades into view and beckons him forward.
The quest is to find his first serum nearby, a world of possibility unfurling before him with a whisper of adventure.