Chapter 3: Skepticism
I've been struggling with the decision to log back into full-dive virtual reality. On one hand, the idea of being able to live out my dreams and get paid for them is tempting, but I'm also aware of the potential problems that come with this kind of escapism.
As I look out at the city from my window in the real world, I'm struck by the imposing, futuristic buildings that surround me. The blue neon lights that adorn the structures seem to pulse with an energy that is almost alien as if the entire city is trying to distract me from the bleakness of my reality.
The lights on the buildings slowly fade from bright blue to a dark, ominous red, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm about to pay a heavy price for my desire to escape. The city seems to mock me, a reminder of all that I am giving up in the pursuit of my dreams.
Despite all of this, I know that full-dive VR is my only option. The real world has nothing to offer me, and the virtual world is my only chance at a better life. So I make the decision to log back in, knowing full well that there will be consequences, but hoping that it will all be worth it in the end.
As I look at the headset on my desk, I can't help but feel a sense of uncertainty wash over me. The desk itself is a mess, cluttered with papers, coffee cups, and a collection of knick-knacks that I've accumulated over the years. It's a chaotic space, a reflection of the life I've been leading up until this point.
The headset itself is a sleek and futuristic device, a black oblong shape with glossy buttons and a smooth finish. It looks out of place on my cluttered desk, like a glimpse into a life that could have been.
As I consider all that I've given up to get to this point, I can't help but feel a sense of dread. The real world has nothing to offer me, and the virtual world is my only chance at a better life. But at what cost? Will I be able to live with the consequences of my decision?
I hesitate for a moment, my hand hovering over the headset. But then, with a deep breath, I make my decision. I pick up the headset and slip it on, ready to face whatever comes next.
As I log back into Quest, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness. I quickly check my friend list and see that Mia and May are not online yet, so I decide to grind alone until they join me.
As I explore, I come across a Knight standing guard at the entrance to the town. He's a towering figure, clad in gleaming armor and carrying a massive sword on his back. His face is serious and stoic as if he's ready to defend the village from any threat that may come it's way.
The Knight gives me a quest to slay 15 goblins, and I eagerly set out to complete it. As I walk through the countryside, the scenery around me is dull and uninspiring, a far cry from the vibrant and fantastical world of the village. The grass is a pale green, the trees are sparse and bare, and the sky is a washed-out blue. It's a realistic world, but it's a far cry from the excitement of the village.
Eventually, I come to the quest location on my map, a dark and foreboding cave. The entrance is guarded by a pair of torches, their flames flickering and casting shadows on the rocky walls. As I step inside, I can't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. The cave is damp and musty, the air thick with the smell of mold and decay. The only light comes from the torches on the walls, their flames dancing and illuminating the way forward. It's clear that this is a dangerous place, and I'll have to be on my guard if I hope to complete my quest.
As I make my way deeper into the cave, I can hear the goblins before I see them. Their guttural voices and the sound of their footsteps echoed off the walls of the cave. I draw my sword and prepare for battle, my heart pounding with excitement.
As the goblins come into view, I see that they are small and grotesque, with pale skin and sharp teeth. They're armed with rusty swords and clubs, and they look ready to fight.
I take a deep breath and activate my new sword skill, "Sword Spin." The skill gives me a burst of speed and power, and I launch myself into the fray. I feel a slight sting as my pain tolerance is turned on, adding a layer of immersion to the battle.
As I spin through the goblins, my sword leaves a trail of light behind it, slicing through the air and cutting down my enemies with ease. It's a breathtaking sight, and I can't help but feel a sense of exhilaration as I clear the quest with ease.
As I return to the village, I can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The quest was difficult, but I managed to complete it with ease, thanks to my new sword skill "Sword Spin." And as a reward for my efforts, I've gained two levels and a new skill.
My new skill, "Lightning Slice," envelops my sword in a crackling aura of lightning, allowing me to strike my enemies with electrifying force. It's a flashy and impressive move, and I can't wait to test it out in battle.
The skill has several passive abilities that make it even more powerful. For one, it has a chance to stun enemies, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. It also has a chance to deal extra damage to foes that are resistant to physical attacks, making it a valuable tool against tough opponents.
But perhaps the most useful passive ability of Lightning Slice is its ability to chain lightning between multiple enemies. This means that if I use the skill on one enemy, there's a chance that the lightning will jump to nearby foes, allowing me to take out multiple enemies at once. It's a powerful and versatile skill.
I then realized that I have some unused stat points. I consider my options for a moment, and then decide to evenly distribute the points among all of my stats, including some that might not be useful to me right now but could be helpful later on. It's a risky move, but I figure that it's better to be prepared for anything.
When I receive my payment for my virtual reality work, I'm surprised to see that I'd been paid 22 dollars. It's slightly more than the current minimum wage.
But as I consider the payment, I also realize that this is my only source of income. I've been so caught up in the game that I've neglected my responsibilities in the real world. Perhaps I am just overthinking this.
As I make my way through the village, I come across a blacksmith working at his forge. He's a burly man, with arms like tree trunks and a thick beard covering his face. Sweat drips down his brow as he hammers away at a piece of red-hot metal, shaping it into a sword.
I approach him, and he looks up at me with a friendly smile. "What can I do for you?" he asks.
I tell him that I need some new armor and a slightly better sword. I've been using the same old gear for far too long, and it's starting to show its wear and tear.
The blacksmith nods and leads me over to his wares. He shows me a selection of armor, all of it battered and worn. These are secondhand items, salvaged from other adventurers and patched up to be sold to players like me.
I pick out a set of armor that looks like it will fit, and the blacksmith helps me put it on. It's a little large on me, but it's the best I can afford. I also purchase a slightly better sword, one that looks like it will last me a little longer than my old one.
As I put on my new armor, I can't help but be impressed by how real it feels. The metal is cold against my skin, and I can feel the weight of it on my shoulders. It's not as heavy as real armor, of course, but it's close enough to give me a sense of what it might be like.
The smell of the armor is also realistic, a combination of metal and sweat, and old leather. It's not a pleasant smell, but it's one that I have to accept.
The armor itself looks battered and worn, with dents and scratches all over it. It's clear that it's seen a lot of use, and it's not the most impressive-looking armor I've ever seen. But it's functional, and that's what matters most to me.
As I leave the blacksmith's shop, I can't help but think about his behavior. It's clear to me that he's an NPC, a non-player character programmed into the game. But despite this, he seemed so realistic, so human.
His AI was impeccable, with lifelike responses and a realistic demeanor. It was as if he was a real person, a person with thoughts and feelings of his own.
It's a strange and unsettling thought, and it makes me wonder about the capabilities of virtual reality technology. If NPCs can be so realistic, what else is possible in the virtual world? Can we create entire virtual societies, with people who are indistinguishable from the real thing? Or has this game already achieved that?
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. It's all too much to consider right now. I can't afford to get caught up in philosophical musings.
As I continue on my journey through the virtual world, I take on several quests that I feel comfortable doing. I'm still a low-level player, so I stick to the easier quests like the Goblin Quest, which I've been repeating over and over again. It's not the most exciting thing in the world, but it's helping me level up and get stronger.
I'm getting close to the next pay increase now, only two levels away. It's exciting to think about all of the new gear and skills that I'll be able to afford once I reach the next level.
But as I look at the clock, I realize that I've been in the virtual world for 13 hours today. It's a long time to spend in a game, and I can't help but feel a sense of exhaustion setting in.
I decide to call it a day and log out of the game. As I remove the headset and stand up, I stretch and try to shake off the fatigue. It's not easy to switch back to the real world after spending so much time in the virtual one.
I look around my apartment, trying to get my bearings. I'm searching for the cigarettes that I bought earlier, but I can't seem to find them anywhere. I must have misplaced them somewhere.
Frustrated, I decide to go outside for a walk. As I step out onto the busy city streets, I'm immediately struck by the complexity and annoyance of the real world. It's a chaotic place, with holograms flickering on the sides of buildings, making a constant cacophony of sounds. The neon lights on the buildings are blinding, flashing in every color of the rainbow. And electric-powered cars zoom past me on the street, their engines making a low hum.
The cars are especially impressive, with sleek designs and the ability to be fully on auto-pilot. But even with all of this technology, people can still take control if they want to. It's a strange mix of automation and human control, and it takes some getting used to.
As I walk through the city, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. It's a complex and overwhelming place, and I find myself longing for the simplicity and escapism of the virtual world.
I wondered about the technological sprint.
The technological sprint was an event that changed the world in ways that nobody could have imagined. It was a period when technology seemed to evolve at an exponential rate, with innovations and discoveries happening every day.
In a few short years, scientists and engineers had cured many diseases that had once been thought incurable. They also found a way to produce meat in labs, which helped to eliminate the hunger crisis that had plagued the world for so long. This would also allow for food that used to be expensive to become cheap as a fast food burger.
But while these advances were certainly impressive, they also created a wide gap between the rich and the poor. Those who had the resources and the know-how were able to take advantage of the new technologies, while those who were left behind were left struggling to keep up.
The technological sprint was a transformative event that changed the world in ways that nobody could have predicted.