2 Paragon Online

-Valgrade, Eastern Europa Federation-

The city of Valgrade was the most populated city in the Bulkan Administrative Region of the state, housing an astonishing 32 Million people.

In the center of the city, the historic district and the Saint Sava Orthodox Cathedral stood as testaments to the long history of the settlement.

However, the rest of the city was much different.

In the newer districts, sterile and unnaturally clean streets were empty of people, as rows of cars passed through the highway-like roads, that were actually the city roads.

On either side of the road, high-rise chunks of steel and glass towered like metal monsters above the lifeless skyline.

In one such building, a young man was looking out from the floor-to-ceiling stained glass of his reasonably-sized apartment.

He had black hair, thick eyebrows, and hazel eyes, while his facial structure and skin tone were those of a typical Caucasian man.

This young man was Cyrus, a middle-class college student.

His brown eyes moved downwards and looked at the holographic screen of his watch.

(16:31, 6th August 2042)

Earlier that day, Armazun notified him of scheduled shipping from the city of Anfapol.

He accepted the request, as the only person he knew from Anfapol was his closest relative, his uncle.

Soon enough, he heard a ringing sound from the door.

Cyrus swiftly opened the door, and beyond it, he perceived a black drone holding a slick, silver box in its 'hind legs.

On the front of the drone, a large touchscreen turned on, and the imprints of a fingerprint appeared.

Cyrus placed his thumb on the specified spot, and a green checkmark notified him of the success of the operation.

The drone placed the box in his open arms and swiftly left.

Then, the composition 'Gymnopédie' by 19th-century pianist, Erik Satie, began playing from his wristwatch.

This was his ringtone, and the name of the caller was simply 'Uncle'.

Cyrus gestured left to accept the call, and a holographic rendition of a middle-aged man emerged from the smartwatch.

"Cyrus! Have you received the package?" His uncle smiled brightly, exposing his premature wrinkles.

"I've just received it, what are the contents?"

"Well, as you know, I've been working in Anfapol for the new immersive game, Paragon Online, so I thought to send my dearest so-...nephew a copy!"

'Paragon Online? That game has been making bounds in the news for a few months...' Cyrus was indifferent.

There was another reason he didn't want to play the game.

"Uncle."

"Cyrus?"

"Are you sure about distributing the game in Almania too?" The young man's expression turned sour at the mention of 'Almania'.

Almania was the bordering state of the E.E.F, and ever since 1945, they warred with each other violently.

In one such conflict, Cyrus was even so unlucky as to lose his....

"Cyrus, did you know that today, on Twitree, our high officials have shared a positive message between each other for the first time in decades?" His uncle looked straight at the camera and asked him.

"So what? They still-" Cyrus clenched his fists and felt an uncontrollable hint of moisture around his eyes.

"I know they killed Sister and Brother-in-law, and I loathe them for it."

"However."

"This war has to stop, if our people begin to appreciate each other, play together, and form guilds, it will be much harder to justify war, don't you think?" His uncle calmly stated.

Cyrus couldn't retort.

However, he still hated that nation with all of his heart.

Dark memories returned to haunt him every time, and even after all of these years, he couldn't reconcile with the loss of his parents.

"Cyrus, I'll be back in Valgrad in a few months, I'm sorry I haven't been-

"It's okay, Uncle, what should I remember when playing this game?"

His uncle smiled and said, "Remember, I won't give you any information that might grant you an unfair advantage."

"Do I look like a cheater to you?" Cyrus mockingly glared at his uncle.

*Cough*

"Well, the only thing you should remember right now is your starting state."

"Where should I start?" Cyrus was completely unfamiliar with the game's lore.

"I'd recommend the Republic of Savoy, they have very moderate policies and a central position, so you'll be at an advantage there if you choose a rare class."

'Isn't this what you called, unfair information earlier, uncle?' Cyrus facepalmed, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

His uncle guessed his thoughts and frantically said, "Don't get me fired, this is all information on the websi-

"There has been a bug with a certain player's framework, can you come to fix it?" Another voice than his uncle came out of the smartwatch.

His uncle looked at him with reluctance in his eyes.

"Uncle, we can talk later, I know you're busy."

His uncle gave him a thumbs up and ended the call.

Cyrus exhaled a heavy breath.

'Peace? Uncle, you're not one to talk.'

He knew that his uncle suffered more from the loss of his parents than he did.

In the background of the holographic image, a not-very-well hidden open bottle of liquor said all there was to say.

Cyrus then opened the silver box, and inside of it, there was a black helmet with strange nodes on the inside.

Next to it, a small cartridge held the data for the game.

Cyrus laid down on his bed and placed the helmet on his head.

Then, he inserted the cartridge and pressed on the touch-sensitive finish of the helmet.

'Here goes nothing.'

A numbing feeling spread through his head, and he lost consciousness.

____________

-Kowloon, The World's Slum-

In a cramped, one-room apartment, a young woman laid down on a futon.

Around her, a tattered wallpaper and the everpresent smell of rot made her frown.

However, these were both hallmarks of the slum.

A bottle of clear liquid went to her mouth.

The young woman frowned, as the disgusting and burning taste of Victory Gin went down her throat.

Cheap liquor was her only solace in life, and the only entertainment she could afford.

'At least you won't give me up.'

Next to her, a clean black helmet had contrast with the dirty environment.

She put on the black helmet, and lost consciousness, as her feeble body fell down like a ragdoll on the hard futon.

(Modified Software Detected!)

(Requesting Log.....)

(3....)

(2....)

(1....)

(Hello, this is Professor Johannes S.

As you might know, you are participating in a paid sociological study on the behavioral patterns of homo sapien individuals in virtual environments, such as those of the video game Paragon Online.

You have consented to grant the laboratory all data of your play for the month-long duration of the study.

After the end of the study, monetization features will be enabled and you shall keep the copy of the game and the hardware utilized.

Have a good play time.)

The young woman had relinquished her privacy for money.

However, at this point, she couldn't afford to care about her basic human rights.

As a resident of Kowloon, those did not exist either way.