"Hah... what should I do today?"
My name is Highessn Harmberg, a 25-year-old living my own life. It's not a pleasant life. After graduating from school, I decided to move to the city, seeking opportunities to work and succeed.
Yes, that's how it should be, but... it has been 8 years since I graduated. And getting a job is very difficult in this advanced world; I don't have many opportunities.
Only the money from my parents helps me survive, but they also want me to succeed and support my own life.
That morning, on the 20th of the year 2089, nothing special happened. Everything was the same; my life was just that of a bored unemployed person.
My stiff legs wandered through the city, not too busy for today. But, it can be sure that in a few hours, people will fill the streets going to work.
Some of them have already started getting busy, wearing ties and neat suits for a decent life.
"It would be nice if I had a life like theirs, but right now, I'm just..."
I can only feel frustrated. I found a bench on the edge of the park, a perfect escape to release the fatigue of this life.
"If only I had a chance, I would fight for this life."
But, it's still just words. I don't know how many times I've said words to myself that success will come, but until now, I'm still a loser without a future.
Life feels boring enough; maybe only death will help me get out of this mess.
I gaze at my stiff hands. I don't know how long I can endure this. Every day, I can only hope. In the past few months, even the monthly money my parents used to send has stopped coming.
They must be very disappointed to have a child like me who can only spend money.
For 20 minutes, I contemplate there. The sudden appearance of sunlight makes my skin burn, reminding me to go home.
With a sour face, I continue to walk the city streets, staring straight at the flat asphalt with my eyes.
There's a crowd of people who seem so enthusiastic, even bringing cameras to focus on a luxurious black car.
For a moment, I was silent, waiting to see what would happen.
Clk...
The door starts to open; I squint my eyes. This makes me curious about what makes so many people enthusiastic to welcome this person.
The person in the car exits with a very charming aura; she is a blonde woman with fair skin. Her eyebrow arches are so graceful that it makes me freeze.
My heart beats fast as I look at her eyelids; there's a desire to approach her, and anyone who hinders my steps will be immediately pushed aside.
"Hah... that's just wishful thinking!"
However, it's just a hallucination. Now I only live in reality; such daydreams often happen. Perhaps when I was 20 old, I always hoped to get married soon and find a decent life, but unfortunately, it was just a dream.
I can only stare at my feet which have to keep moving endlessly until I reach my place.
A two-story apartment with a slightly outdated design, this apartment is not too suitable for living. Besides being quiet here, the building's texture is also neglected. But, I'm still comfortable because it fits my current condition, and the rent is not too expensive.
When about to climb the stairs, I see a newspaper lying on the ground.
Now information is easy to obtain; technology that makes everything easy makes newspapers useless.
I can feel the despair from this used newspaper, and I immediately pick it up intending to throw it into the trash.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
My feet continue to move until I'm in front of a trash can that would make my body feel nauseous, but it's not much different from me who has already failed.
As I look at the newspaper in my hand, my eyes spontaneously focus on the date on it.
On the 30th of August, my head contemplates it. What I read is still relevant until now. At least the newspaper shows information about what is happening now.For that reason, it's enough reason for me to change my mind. At least I want to read the contents of this newspaper, hoping for job vacancies that I can apply for.
"Hehehehe..."
Yes, even if all of that is just wishful thinking. I don't know how many times I've tried to apply for a job, and it always fails. Even if there is a vacancy, I will surely be rejected.
With a cup of coffee in hand, I sit comfortably inside the room. I spread the newspaper; I won't read all the news, only a few pieces of information that interest me will be read.
"Huah... this picture is so big..."
I am greeted by a picture of two women posing for a game; in other words, it's an advertisement for a trending game.
"The game developer really wants to promote it with so much enthusiasm!"
More than 2 million players have played the game, and many consider it the best game of this era.
At least for an unemployed person like me, this is too monotonous. A year ago, there were many games that had incredible advertisements, but now all of that is just history forgotten by many people.
I've seen new games being promoted with great fanfare too often, but in the end not selling well due to market competition.
Behind the explained advantages and excitement of the game, there is one sentence written in capital letters to emphasize something.
"For anyone who plays this game, there is a chance to win a prize of 1 million dollars!"
My chest feels tight hearing this. Yes, with that much money, surely debts and all the setbacks I am experiencing now can be overcome.
But, I'm not too sure if this is really true; not only do I surely know this. Moreover, in the first paragraph, if this game has been played by more than 2 million people worldwide, the one-million-dollar prize is likely just wishful thinking.
My body immediately leans on the chair until the creaking sound of wood echoes.
"Hah... competing with other players, do I really have a chance? Heh... don't joke, in this world, there will surely be endless difficulties!"
It's still too foolish for me to do, so I don't do it. I choose to sleep until today passes until the night comes.
"We here are disappointed in you; you shouldn't come back anymore!"
I see my mother expressing disappointment; this is not a hallucination or a dream. But... memories repeat in my dreams.
Everything turns white, and a light full of hardships directly hits my head, making my eyes slowly open again. I see the light in the room replacing everything that happened.
My heart beat non-stop at that time; the dream reminded me of this ruined life. There's no way out.
Standing firmly while panting, I then look at the newspaper still spread out, that game, the game that I keep looking at sharply.
"Right, I have to do it..."
__To Be Continued__
My mind is still not calm. Indeed, I have decided to try this popular game, but I am still unsure whether participating in the competition will bring me any benefit.So far, I have never won any competition, and now I have to do it for an unclear goal.With my hands trembling greatly, I check the balance in my bank account through my phone. Quickly, my eyebrows furrow as I see that my account balance is only $30, and that's also for my food and drink for the next few days."Next month, I'll surely die of starvation with this balance! And, I don't have many chances left!"I take a long time to decide whether to play this game or not. Besides, the price of this game is quite expensive for an unemployed person like me. It's only $20, but it will wipe out the little money I have left for food for some time."Ugh... why do I have to go through this," I shout in this silent room."If you don't have money and can't survive in the city, don't come back here! You're just a child who brings no
"What is this..."Highess shouted loudly, but he tried to understand the situation. He saw the roots moving from left to right, and the movements were clearly visible."I understand, maybe it's due to the insect species I chose that I can see the movements of these roots..."Quickly, he prepared to jump to avoid it; at this speed, it should be easy to evade. It just required the right timing.Rub!However, he realized that his character's speed was also limited. His legs were entangled in the roots, making it difficult to move freely."Damn, don't tell me my character's stats are terrible!"He was dragged by these roots, and trying to free himself was very difficult. His face could now see which plant dared to do this. It was a rafflesia flower with fang-like teeth, open as if ready to devour him."Don't tell me this will be a common occurrence in the wild, carnivorous plants devouring insects alive..."Highess struggled to break free, but it was still too difficult; his hands were bo
It won't be long before he reaches Turnera; the journey takes about 20 minutes.During this journey, he doesn't just stay silent; he encounters many monsters and collects items. Of course, he understands that each area has monsters that may be challenging to defeat. With a level still at 12, he is considered low. He needs to reach at least level 50 to be considered an expert player."Isn't this game played by more than 2 million people worldwide? Why can't I find a single player, or maybe the server where I play this game doesn't have many players?"It's an advantage, but also a disadvantage. A game with such a powerful mechanism feels deserted without many players. Fortunately, it's an MMORPG type, so it doesn't heavily rely on the presence of other players for gameplay."Hmm?"Without realizing it, he has entered a vast field covered with yellow flowers."Don't tell me these flower plants are predators deliberately luring other creatures closer!"Not wanting to fall into a trap agai
Utilizing the Quick Timing skill propelled Highess to jump at a height of 6 meters. Intentionally, he used the speed of this movement to take advantage of the perfect moment.The mantis became confused as its target disappeared, but it didn't take long. Its instinct told it the current location of the sought-after target was above its head.With a movement like this, it was impossible to evade, and that's what needed to happen."Strike Buster...."Twings...A slash cut through the air, reaching the monster's body. Slowly, the mantis's body split apart, and green fluid oozed from the severed parts.Even though it was just a game, the realistic effects were too nauseating. In the real world, Highess might have vomited repeatedly."Huh... I didn't expect to encounter one of the area bosses here!"Glancing around, he understood that tragedies like the appearance of other monsters frequently occurred in situations like this. He sincerely hoped that he wouldn't face a bad scenario.He could
12 hours, a long time for me to wait. My days may not be very meaningful, but I don't want to keep waiting. I've been made to wait so many times for something that wasn't even expected.But, reality always ends up disappointing.My face is fixed, staring at the pooled coffee, a gloomy face reflecting a lack of hope.I contemplate whether my decision to play this game is right or not; perhaps it will be entertainment that does not give any benefits."How much longer do I have a chance to step forward? I think it's better if I just die now!"I try to divert this thought by inhaling the fresh air from the terrace; the city life below my gaze is still quite bustling.Always hoping that one of those busy people is me, but I'm not lucky enough to have that busyness.Gulp...Even the coffee accompanying me doesn't taste sweet, without sugar because I don't have enough money.My tongue is bathed in a bitter taste, similar to my current life. I could just stand on the balcony and jump. Surely,
My body began to move towards the undead, the current opponent being a zombie knight."Slow movements like that won't be effective against my attacks."Seeing my arrival, the undead raised its sword and started swinging its attack. I easily dodged, and in the next motion, I delivered a slashing attack with my hand.Crash...Without blood, the undead's skin tore apart, and its head separated from the body. It fell and rolled in front of my feet. Without tolerance, I quickly stabbed its head."Just low-class monsters and the items they drop won't be too useful! From now on, it might be better for me to find stronger creatures!"As I suspected earlier, my body quickly adapted to the attack mechanisms provided by the game system. It's not surprising that players who did Live at that time could perform complex movements, undoubtedly based on adequate equipment."For now, I have to reach level 50 and prepare for the upcoming competition event!"I continued to explore the forest area, and th
However, I must admit that my body is currently in bad shape. After making that move earlier, I may have survived, but at another time, my luck might run out.Instantly, Exos charged, appearing behind me. He swung his blade, accompanied by a radiant blue light.Tings..."Counter...""Not bad. You managed to block my attack earlier."It was just a test, and this praise didn't make my situation any better."The level difference is too great. Sooner or later, I will be defeated! But, how can I defeat this person? His abilities are at a much higher level than mine. If I act recklessly, there might not be any chance..."For a minute, we didn't move, just staring at each other seriously. I guessed Exos was cautious, considering me no longer an amateur easily defeated.Unfortunately, time kept ticking, and the awaited moment arrived. I just needed to make a super-fast move."Quick," I exclaimed with a surprised expression. This was clearly different from the previous move; now the movement w
"Huagh...." With a slight stretch, Highess rose from his bed. His gaze felt heavy, and the pulsating throbs disrupted his concentration."This must be the result of me playing the game for too long! I never thought this game would allow players to engage in killing each other, but in every game console, such things often happen. It's just a matter of how the players adapt to it."The face of a player named Exos still echoed in Highess's mind, frustrating him to be defeated by someone like that.But, what can he do? Currently, his character's level and equipment are still relatively low. If he wants to face players like Exos, he has to try even harder.Slowly, his eyes glanced at the clock, and it showed 2 a.m."The time has passed so quickly!"He chose to lie back down, staring at the ceiling. He suspected that the joy of playing games only lasted for a moment. After that, a feeling of guilt would set in, making him realize that reality must continue."I don't mind if my life is excha