CHAPTER 1: Welcome to VIEW !

Welcome !

In the year of 2024, how many isekai anime released that you remember? Yes, too much! In every year, isekai anime became popular. There are always new stories in that genre every season, proving that many people truly enjoy imagining themselves going to alternate worlds.

Worry not!

Now, you don't have to wait for Truck-kun to send you to the isekai world! Introducing, the first Sensory Simulation Game called VIEW (Virtual Inter-conscious Emulation World) made by the world's leading game company, Yotsuba. The game console they develop let you to full dive in the dream-like world, even control your sensory to fully experience the alternate world on your own. And their first game for this most anticipated console is an MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) called Celestia, a world filled with adventure and magic. It truly captures the experience of journeying to an alternate world without needing to die in the first place. Don't worry, it won't end up like in the Sword Art Online anime; the log out button is definitely there and functions properly.

VIEW was first carried out in Japan, and received a positive response throughout the world as the huge success. Any gamer worth their salt would jump at the chance to dive into this game. Nana is one of that gamer. But as an ordinary salarywoman, she can't afford to be the first one to test the game in Japan and can only admire it by watching video that gamer content creator show on youtube.

"You don't understand!" Nana complaining to her co-worker, Mei, that sit beside her. "It's VIEW! Imagine yourself in a fantasy world, savouring the beauty of its scenery. The smell must be delightful. And aren't you curious about what their food tastes like?" she continued, fired up, not realizing already standing on the chair with fist punching the air.

"Nana, manners" Mei said calmly while finishing her meal. Nana froze in embarrassment for a second, and finally sat back as if nothing had happened, continuing her meal. "I've already saved up my money for it, so if they release it in Indonesia, I can try it on the first day of the launch." Nana said.

"Then you must work hard to convince the higher up in this meeting" Mei smiled.

"Of course. I will do my best!"

---o0o---

I did it

I did it, but…

"Why can't I participate by default?!" Nana cried out loud, finishing a glass of beer in one gulp, capturing the attention of everyone in the bar. They are in the middle of company afterwork drinking party, to congratulate their team for getting the contract of the most viral game all around the world, VIEW. Yet, she got drunk already just with one glass. Mei can only facepalm herself while thinking This kids, in front of Chief…

"What era do you think we are living? Collusion is prohibited, you know" The Chief replied casually, while laughing.

"You're still young. Where is your integrity?" A senior co-worker of her added teasingly.

That's true. Nana joined this company not to be so greedy like that. For her, she will be pleased as long as they can collaborate with game companies abroad so they will be interested in launching their games in Indonesia as soon as possible. With that, she can enjoy her favourite games faster too. But as a gamer, the innovation of VIEW is so tempting, she can't help to want more than usual #cough

"It's not that you can't participate. Just proceed like the others and let luck decide it." Chief said teasing.

Nana sulking more on her seat. She isn't the person who fortune goddess loves. She never won any lottery before, how can she let the destiny decide, from millions of gamers in Indonesia? The probability is almost zero. Hicz

"Come on, cheer up!" Mei try to cheer Nana up. "We win this contract thanks to you. Your enthusiasm in the meeting earlier successfully reach the higher up. Even if you don't win the golden ticket, you can watch it live in its first launching." She continued. Nana don't know if her bestfriend try to console her, or mocking her.

"That's true! Let's cheers for our MVP in the meeting earlier" said the chief and everyone eagerly raised their glasses, uttering 'cheers' in unison, their eyes alight with shared camaraderie.

"Don't talk as I will definitely fall, idiot, humph!" Nana whispered to Mei, annoyed.

"Hee, do you think you can win by luck alone?" Mei replied teasingly.

"Ugh, I can't deny it though"

---o0o---

Anticipation mounts as the day arrives for the drawing of lots, determining the fortunate few who will be the inaugural players to experience VIEW in Indonesia. This event is broadcast live via online platforms like Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, and many more. In just 1 month, the pre-order sales of this game almost reached hundreds of thousands, proofing Indonesia gamers enthusiasm of this game.

"In this important day and I need to work. Such a bad day" Nana sighed.

"It can't be helped. We are the one who manage to get the contract with Yotsuba Company. Of course we will be the one who handle such an event." Mei replied, full of smile on her face.

"Yeah yeah, you're right. But if you wanna date on the work hour, don't involve me, please" Nana sneer, rolling her eyes.

"Eeeh, what do you mean? Boy is here to help us carry the boxes since it's heavy for a woman to carry. Right?" Mei casually argue, but her action is completely different. Clutching the arm of the man beside her with an affectionate tilt, seems like she doing it on purpose. Understand his girlfriend's intention, Boy cooperate with a smirking face then said "Yes, honey" affectionally. Nana can only sigh and accepting her fate as single woman.

After finishing their working, they have a little free time before the streaming time. The best time in handling a big event, to meet the voice actor and actress of course. But Nana's nerves kept her completely preoccupied, leaving her too preoccupied to notice anything else.

"Look at her. She looks like a zombie" Mei giggling beside her boyfriend, Boy.

"As long as she doing her job right, no need to worry." Boy replied, feeling amused to see the zombie Mei mention about.

Just as Boy said, Nana did her work. But not in her best performance. Especially when finally the time to pick the luckiest 1000 gamers from those hundreds of thousands who already pre-order. Even though this idiot couple loves to tease Nana, but in this time when she need them, they really a big help.

It's already hundreds of serial number been called. As expected, her number still doesn't come out. In the verge of crying for not being lucky, seems for the first time the goddess of fortune looking at her. She literally scream in excitement when her number come out that Mei need to forcefully shut her mouth and drag her out from the room while apologizing to everyone.

"I WIN..!"

---o0o---

The day finally come. With the motivation to be chosen as one of the luckiest player of VIEW, Nana doing her best to do her job. She would happily take the overtime working as long as the progress will be as planned –better if it can be finished faster than expected, but of course that's impossible. Well, at least it won't be late.

"Welcome to---tch, it's you" Mei grumped.

"Hei, that's rude. I'm a costumer right now. Now, now, give me your best smile" Nana teasing, and they both giggling.

"Here, your beloved Luciel." Mei giving her a room keycard with number 707 on it, make her smile wider.

"As expected of my best friend. You know me so well. Thank you~" Nana said. She doesn't want to take Mei's time for too long, even though she still wants to chat with Mei since Mei is still in her work hours. So, she waves goodbye before going to her room to drop off her belongings.

The event starts in the evening with a dinner party, so she still has time to spend. Nana's adventurous spirit was already in full swing. Especially for ordinary people like her, being able to set foot in a 5-star hotel in her free time is almost impossible for her. So she has to upload it to social media to bragging to her gamer friendlist who is not as lucky as her. Ha ha.

"Wow, it's really amazing! Everything is soo beautiful. Need to take selfie, selfie~" She took out her phone and started taking pictures. Nana took several selfies of herself until suddenly she was startled by a young man who appeared behind her in the last photo.

"Sorry, did I startle you?" The young man smiled apologetically.

"Eh, ah, it's okay. Haha. Are you also a VIEW player?" Nana tried to open a conversation.

"Yes. 'Also' means Miss too, right? My name is Jay, nice to meet you."

"My name is Nana. Nice to meet you, Jay."

"Are you alone here, Nana? Aren't any of your friends coming?"

"Haha, they are not as lucky as me. Now I'm spreading salt (AN: It's Indonesian slang for bragging) for those who don't receive God's blessings like me in my social media," Nana joked, followed by laughter from Jay.

"Me too. My friends were very jealous of me because I was the only one who got an invitation among my playmates. Maybe the two of us can form a party later."

"Haha, of course."

The two of them quickly became friendly and even took several photos together. Time felt so fast, dinner time was almost here so they had to separate temporarily to prepare themselves and promised to meet again in the dinner room. On her way to her room, Nana looked like she was lost in her own world. Sometimes she smiles to herself like crazy. Of course, each person's level of handsomeness is different, but Nana believes Jay is still above average for girls in general. The moment some time ago was still playing in his mind makes her didn't realize that she was in front of the wrong room.

 "Ano… excuse me."

The voice of a young man slapped Nana back to reality. Nana immediately turned around and saw a young man, around the same age as her, wearing a dark hoodie. Typical hikikomori, but certainly not. Because hikikomori definitely won't leave their room, right? Eh to think about it, even if Nana were a hikikomori, if she got the chance to try VIEW like this, she would definitely be happy to leave the house. Ahem.

"Excuse me," the young man called again, seeing Nana who just stared at him blankly. 

"This is my room." The young man continued. Nana reflexively looked at the door number in front of her and found that she really had the wrong room—her room was next to this young man's room, Nana with a face flushed red rushed to her own room while shouting sorry, panickly. Oh damn, because of that young man, her memory of Jay has been erased. Well, they will meet again though.

Dinner is held indoors and outdoors connected by large and luxurious glass doors. A magnificent indoor space or a romantic outdoor space, both have their own charm. Of course they need a very large room to accommodate 1000 people. As expected of a five star hotel, with this many people, but you still don't feel cramped. But in exchange, Nana couldn't find Jay in a room this big and with this many people. Right now she was cursing herself because she forgot to ask for Jay's contact number. However, Nana's bad mood was quickly cured by delicious food from the hotel.

The much awaited time has arrived. On a stage, stood a middle-aged man in a neat suit. All the players in this place will definitely recognize him, because he is the CEO of Yotsuba company that created VIEW. Nana already met him twice, when the meeting held and when the streaming event. The man started his speech, then continued by someone who looked younger, who began explaining about VIEW. Boring explanation, better to eat delicious food.

After the explanation ended, the long-awaited time finally arrived. They were led by the staff to enter the capsule according to the number listed on their invitation.

"707 here, Miss." a female staff member with a smile showed an empty capsule with 707 writing on it, the number Nana got. Nana thanked her and went inside. It really looks just like a capsule hotel. The female staff again explained the basic features of the buttons before finally closing the capsule door while saying "Have a nice dream"

Nana closed her eyes. 1 minute passed… 5 minutes passed… 10 minutes passed…

WTF!!!

I can't sleep at all!!!

Nana's mind was frustrated. She was like a child who couldn't sleep because she is so excited for the trip in the next day. Well, since childhood, Nana has always been like that. She rolled to the right, to the left, back to the right again, but her consciousness felt as alive as in broad daylight. Her gaze accidentally fell on the writing above one of the buttons which said 'press me if you have trouble sleeping'. Nana immediately pressed the button, immediately sleeping gas filled her capsule. Finally, her two eyelids started to feel heavy.

Wait... I can't fall asleep yet

I have to say it

"Link sta…zzzzz"