Logging into 'Odyssey' was the second biggest mistake of his life.
No, he wasn't coloring it wrongfully. The ranking was based on circumstantial evidence and pure bitterness.
He should have known that a game with such a generic name could not bring any good. Then again, it wasn't like anyone would think something was suspicious just because the name was too common.
And it was just too damn addictive too.
The story, the graphics, the variety of class options, everything was top class. Compared to other VR games in the market, it was on another level. Once players logged in, they got attached, as if it were their second home.
A fly trap. That's what it felt like to him after being drawn into the flames, already burning and regretting life choices.
'We're all such idiots.'
|You have accumulated 1547 hours of game time within the 4320 hours since the launch.|
The ugly blue screen didn't care about that.
|The administrators have acknowledged your perseverance.|
'What perseverance? That's barely two months…'
|You have been selected by the system. Congratulations.|
'Thanks for the consideration, but I refuse.'
|Data transfiguration has already begun. Hang tight.|
Yeah, it really didn't care what he said.
He would have preferred nothing more than for this to be a fancy joke by the game. A new update that was too realistic and meant to give the players a good scare.
But the pain was just too much for that. He didn't know how to describe it. Would it feel like this if his veins were being ripped out of him, followed by his nerves, leaving the body numb afterwards? Or was it more like being electrocuted at a high rate? He couldn't say.
However, he could say that if the pressure got any heavier, his organs would burst.
'Maybe the capsule is malfunctioning…how do I get out…'
In his mind, he knew that wasn't the case. He had disconnected the VR at the first instance of pain. But it didn't work. The dark blue screen continued to pop up one after another. Still, like a drowning man, he continued to assure himself with logic even when there was none left.
Maybe it really was wrong to leave his room undusted in the morning. Or was it evening? He swore to buy a duster and do it three times a day if he got out of this.
|Allocation in progress.|
His vision blurred until he couldn't see anything at all. But even in this void, the painful feeling of being ripped apart didn't subside.
'Let me out!'
'You can't keep me locked inside this capsule forever!'
The wind brushing against his skin reminded him that he wasn't inside the capsule to begin with. Whatever this dark void was, it held no trace of the multifunctional VR capsule of Esten's Gaming Cafe.
|User KDSFUY793457, your walk on Earth has already ended.|
'Bullsh*t!'
|The system suggests you cooperate with the transmission for your own sake.|
'You can't do this! This is a human rights violation!'
The hollow voice didn't pay him any mind, no matter what he said.
|User 'Reis' identified.|
Reis' already numb body went completely limp. How does it know my name?
There was an extent to the info shared with ODS; his name wasn't one of them. Like hell he'd share his information on a game. It was a major breach of privacy.
|You have met the threshold to cross between worlds. You're one of the thousand players who have achieved this honor.|
What honor? He didn't want honor. 'Stop this nonsense!'
'I refuse!'
|Even if you find it hard to accept, this is your reality now.|
Before Reis could complain again, his body twisted from pain. "AHHH!" A coarse scream escaped his throat. As though he was being dragged out of his own body mercilessly.
|Do not resist. The more you resist, the more painful it will be.|
|Your role has been decided.|
His screams filled the space as memories were forced into his mind. Thoughts of unknown origin took over, drowning him in the echo of too many voices.
|Please do not resist. We do not wish to cause you pain.|
'Then stop it!'
I cannot do anything if you do not calm down.
'How do you expect me to calm down?'
Could anyone calm down when it felt like their insides were being ripped apart and built anew? Even machines couldn't do so. How could a living human being accept it? He had read stories where characters were brought into other worlds. Wasn't it to cease their pain?
'What crime am I being punished for?'
Reis couldn't remember doing anything deserving of this pain. 'Just kill m—'
"Is this it?"
A solemn voice vibrated in the silence. Cold air enveloped his body. Not the gentle brush of wind; a harsh coldness that could have likely torn his flesh if it wanted to.
"Why are you resisting so much? Others were just fine."
It almost sounded like an accusation.
'Ahk!'
Reis's neck was captured by the same cold, dragging him upward. He was suspended midair with no sense of presence.
"You think it's unfair?" The coldness seeped into his lungs. "But this was your choice."
'How was it my choice?'
"Your choice to be a part of Odyssey."
"…"
Reis wanted to punch this being in the face. He felt like he'd feel much better if he could.
"..."
"You can curse me out later."
His thoughts came to a halt. Can it hear me?
"I'm your guardian; of course, I can hear you."
Although he couldn't see anything, he could feel a mocking gaze. Whoever this was, he was definitely looking down on him.
"What a stubborn little creature. You'd rather writhe in pain than listen?"
Yep. That's the plan.
A wall pressed onto him from all directions. Reis groaned from pain but still fought the rush of chill going down his spine. But it was useless.
|You mustn't hurt him.|
"I know what I'm doing." Trying to kill me? "Reis, is it?" The voice spoke, ignoring his inner lashings. "I do not know what kind of life you led, nor do I care. The transmission has already begun. This is your fate now."
"So stop fighting and preserve the energy for when you really need it. I'll guide the information to make it easier for you. Don't make it unnecessarily agonizing for yourself."
It was a one-sided command coated in fake concern. Even fake concern sounded more genuine than whatever this was.
'Why do I have to endure...' The coldness reached up to his eyes, then his head. The previous stream of information made space for itself in every corner of his being. 'I don't need these! Stop!'
His words were ignored. As if a passing wind.
"You made a wish to the heavens? It seems you were quite desperate. Is that why you're so persistent?"
'I did what?'
"I'll grant your wish."
'What wish?'
"Now go along. You've wasted enough of my time."
As if any of it was his doing!?
That's how Reis's 'journey' had begun. With zero questions answered, no demands met.
While the rest of the players were graciously accepting their position in the ethereal fantasy world of Odyssey, he fought tooth and nail to escape.
But in the end, it was futile, and he had resigned to his fate.
He still held hope at this point. Odyssey had countless possibilities. Perhaps he could be a normal citizen living in a small village.
Too much? Than anything that let him live behind the scenes. He wouldn't mind having a dangerous job as long as it was private.
That hope was short-lived, way too short-lived, broken into pieces moments after opening his eyes, with just a few words.
"Good Morning, Your Highness."