Chapter 218: Virtual Reality Game
Chapter 218: Virtual Reality Game
April 30th, 2027. At Michael's Penthouse.
Michael decided to check out the VR Game that he bought from the technological system months earlier. He turned off the CCTV cameras installed in his penthouse to make sure no one would see the interaction between him and the system.
When the monitor display of the CCTV cameras blacked out, Michael opened his system and then hovered his fingers over the Virtual World Tab.
[Do you wish to enter the Virtual World?]
[Yes or No]
Without hesitation, Michael tapped the yes option, and the room around him began to dissolve into white space. The transition was seamless, leaving him standing in a vast, white room, starkly minimalist with only a single object in sight—a virtual pod displayed by the wall.
The pod was sleek and futuristic, almost organic in its design, resembling more of a high-tech cocoon than a traditional gaming setup. As he approached, the surface of the pod shimmered with a subtle iridescence, inviting him to interact.
Michael examined the interface, which was surprisingly intuitive. A simple touchpad glowed softly on the side of the pod. Above it, instructions hovered in the air in translucent blue text, thanks to the augmented reality integrated within the room.
[Initiate the Virtual Experience?]
Michael pressed the initiate button on the touchpad, feeling a faint vibration under his fingertips as the system acknowledged his command. The pod's lid silently slid open, revealing a comfortably padded interior that promised to make any length of stay in the virtual world as comfortable as it was immersive.
He stepped inside, settling into the contoured chair that adjusted automatically to his body shape. The lid closed with a soft hiss, enveloping him in a gentle, ambient glow. A slight hum indicated the system was active and running, but it was otherwise silent.
Then, the real magic began. The walls of the pod seemed to disappear, and Michael found himself transported to a new world entirely. He was no longer inside the pod nor in any real physical space he could recognize. Instead, he was in a login display of the pod.
[Welcome User! In order to get started, please input your details on the form displayed in front of you.]
The form appeared in mid-air, floating with an ethereal glow. It requested basic information such as name, date of birth, and a username for the virtual world. Michael reached instinctively for a keyboard that wasn't there—his hands met only air.
Puzzled, he focused on the form, wondering how to proceed without any physical device to input his information. As he thought about his name, to his astonishment, the letters began to fill in automatically on the form.
"Michael Reyes" appeared in crisp, clear font as if typed by an invisible typist.
Curious, he proceeded with the test. He thought about his date of birth, and similarly, the digits populated the form without him making a physical move. The more he concentrated, the more fields filled themselves out, perfectly in sync with his thoughts.
This interface was evidently far beyond simple virtual reality; it was a fully interactive, mind-responsive system. Michael marveled at the technology, realizing the game was not just about visual and sensory immersion but was also interfacing directly with his cognitive processes.
Once the form was completed, a new message floated in front of him:
[Profile setup complete! Now please select a game genre to begin your adventure:]
As Michael perused the options, each genre was represented by a visually distinct icon that vibrated slightly with an inviting pulse.
Elysian Quests (VRMMORPG) - A vast, open-world fantasy realm where players can explore ancient ruins, battle mythical creatures, and forge alliances with other players in a dynamically evolving storyline.
Arena of Champions (VRMOBA) - Teams of players would select unique heroes to engage in strategic battles, combining personal skill with cooperative team tactics to dominate opponents in a competitive arena.
Shadow Strike (VRFPS) - A tactical shooter where realism and precision reigned supreme. Players would engage in intense, close-quarter combat, utilizing an arsenal of weapons and gadgets in highly detailed environments.
Michael hovered his mental focus over the icons, feeling subtle feedback from the system as it detected his interest in each option. After a brief deliberation, he was drawn to the rich, immersive potential of the fantasy world in Elysian Quests.
The promise of adventure, exploration, and the ability to live out epic narratives in a vast magical world appealed to his desire for an escape from the pressures of his real-life responsibilities.
Selecting Elysian Quests, the environment around him shifted dramatically. The sterile white space of the initial virtual setting dissolved into a breathtaking vista of rolling hills, towering castles, and distant, misty mountains. The air was filled with the sounds of a bustling medieval marketplace, the calls of distant creatures, and the rustle of wind through the trees.
The ground beneath his feet felt like soft grass, and the smell of a nearby forest filled his senses.
A new set of instructions appeared before him:
[Character Creation: Choose your race and class to start your journey in Elysian Quests.]
Options for races included Elves, Dwarves, Humans, and more exotic choices like the Taelon, a race of winged beings capable of short flights. Classes ranged from Warriors and Mages to more unique roles like Spellweavers and Shadow Knights.
"This is starting like anime or light novels with a virtual reality genre," Michael commented to himself with a chuckle, enjoying the novel-like beginning of his adventure. He surveyed the class options more closely. Though initially intrigued by the mystical allure of the Mage, Michael found himself drawn to the Warrior class.
Deciding he wanted a more direct and visceral interaction with the game's world, he selected the Warrior.
The virtual interface responded to his choice, and the character customization screen appeared. Here, he could fine-tune the appearance of his avatar. With a thought, Michael began adjusting the features: a rugged face, broad shoulders, and a sturdy build.
As he finalized the avatar's hair color and eye details, the background of the customization screen seamlessly transformed into a vibrant scene of the world where his character would soon be adventuring. The changes he made to his avatar were reflected instantly, showing him standing in a medieval town square, armor gleaming under the virtual sun.
[Character Creation Complete! Welcome to Elysian Quests, Warrior! Prepare for your adventure.]
"Start the adventure," Michael voiced out, and the system recognized his command, transitioning him into the gameplay.
Instantly, Michael's surroundings shifted. He was now standing at the edge of a small village. The level of detail was astounding: children ran past him, laughing as they chased each other, merchants shouted from their stalls selling exotic goods, and in the distance, the sounds of a blacksmith hammering away rang clear.
He started walking around and decided to explore every inch of it. As Michael wandered the cobblestone streets of the virtual village, his curiosity was piqued by the vibrant array of stalls displaying an assortment of goods: fabrics dyed in brilliant colors, sparkling trinkets, and, most enticingly, a variety of foods ranging from freshly baked breads to exotic fruits and sizzling meats.
Approaching a food vendor, a stout woman with a cheerful demeanor, he noticed the sign.
"Try the Best Pies in the Land!" Intrigued and somewhat amused by the hyperbolic claim, Michael decided to test the virtual food. He accessed his initial coin purse, a digital currency provided to new players, and selected a steaming meat pie.
"Ah, a fine choice, sir! Our meat pies are renowned across the five kingdoms!" the vendor exclaimed. Michael couldn't help but smile at the enthusiastic NPC, whose programming allowed her to react dynamically to his choices.
Taking the virtual pie, he bit into it. The experience was astonishing—his taste receptors were triggered by the simulation, delivering a burst of flavors that mimicked real, savory meat and buttery crust. The texture, the warmth, and even the slightly salty aftertaste felt incredibly realistic. He savored the bite, marveling at the technology that could deceive his senses so completely.
He spent more and more time inside the Virtual Reality and thirty minutes later, he stopped his session and decided to exit the virtual world.
Michael tapped the "Exit" option on the interface, and the vibrant world of Elysian Quests faded away, replaced by the familiar white interior of the virtual pod. The pod's lid opened automatically, and he emerged back into his Virtual World.
So what are the things that he had learned in this situation?
Well, it's easy.
"I'm going to be super rich," Michael grinned as he looked at the pod with excitement.
He exited the Virtual World and immediately called Juliet. It took her some time to answer his call. But the moment he heard the call connecting, he fired away.
"Juliet, yes, it's me. I want you to set up a meeting with Bridget and Antoneitte, I have something that they couldn't believe. We need to talk about a new venture."
Juliet, recognizing the excitement in Michael's voice, responded with equal enthusiasm.
"You sound excited, sir. When do you want to meet?"
"Tomorrow morning. Make it early. I can't wait to share this with everyone. And make sure that the team is prepared for something big," Michael instructed.