Prologue

[This world is not like ours. Here, you can live like NEVER before.]

[Welcome to Life Online, a reality that perfectly mimics ours.]

[Oh, but be welcome to a few twists as well...]

[Have you ever wondered what life would be like as a dog? What about as a bird?... Life as a different gender? Have you ever wanted to return to your childhood days? What about life if you could use magic spells? What about... life with advanced technology? Teleportation... time travel even?]

[What about... LIFE?]

[You can become rich. You can use superpowers. You can be man or woman. You can do whatever it is that you wish!]

[But, survival comes first correct?]

[Live any life that you want, but make sure you can see the light of day tomorrow.]

[Some may not care about the lives of weaklings...]

"Oh good lord I need to play this game." Victor mumbled, turning his phone off and laying back in bed.

He had just rewatched the trailer for Life Online for the 5th time, and he was quite excited.

He was a young college student, only 19 years old. His parents worked day and night, wracking up massive amounts of money for their family.

His father worked nights and slept during the day, and his mother worked days and slept through the night.

Victor himself just lived life, going to college and getting his work done. Occasionally he would play games, but most of his time consisted of talking to his friends and watching TV.

He was a simple guy, though he did like reading books more than most.

It was 10:54 am, six minutes before Legendary Ideal Fantasy Events Online would be officially released.

Scientists and religious figures didn't really believe it, neither did a good portion of the populous, but it had gone viral online.

There was a video surfing the internet of a group of 15 beta testers, testing the game.

They had been modified with some sort of brain camera, which scientists still struggle to understand, showing what the beta testers experienced and saw when taking up the Full Dive Living Virtual Reality goggles.

Actually, people originally thought that they had been watching some real advanced cgi...

A video of someone's hand lighting up and shooting fire as if it was actually real.

Then there was another, a girl flying through the sky, holding a cellphone camera pointed towards her. Strangely, the video was flawless!

There was no wire holding her up. The way the wind hit her face and clothes was physically seamless.

Some wanted to deny it but many couldn't find a single trace of manipulation or editing.

What was most convincing was the recording from after the test. The video of the fifteen taking their goggles off and falling to the floor completely baffled.

A few screamed in excitement, others crawled to the guards and begged to be given more time, some even just sat there blankly staring.

Sadly, after that, the footage abruptly cut off.

It was like it was a concept of a trailer for the game, but it was scrapped, and eventually leaked.

The video had over 3 billion views and it was only released four months ago!

Everyone and their mothers had ordered the devices online, no matter the price. 

Despite the FDLVR goggles costing nearly up to $1000, most people had saved to buy them. They were up for sale nearly a month before Life would release.

Victor was one of these people...

He equipped the sleek and lightweight goggles, laying his head back in bed. This was the advised positioning to be in when diving, recommended by Blue Penguin Inc. themselves, the people that created Life Online.

[Welcome, to Life]

As Victor heard the AI voice in his ears, he blacked out, everything fading into a darkness as he found himself appearing in a different place.

...

...

...

'Holy shit where am I?...' Victor questioned, glancing around the darkness.

He looked down, seeing nothing beneath him, not even a body.

'Trippy...' He muttered, looking back towards what he assumed was straight ahead.

Far before him was a white light, black numbers counting down in its center.

'What does that say... 4 seconds?' Victor asked.

'Wait that's like-'

In that same moment, the light started to spread, fully encompassing his view. He found himself sitting at an old desk, a huge square desktop computer right before him.

There was an ancient looking keyboard and mouse beneath his hands, the black screen before him only have a few words in green on it.

[What do you want?_] 

The screen blinked.

Victor looked down, recognizing his pale arms had returned.

"What do I want?" He asked himself, his fingers slowly moving towards the keyboard beneath him.

"How about... What do YOU want?" Victor typed away, a smug smile on his face.

He saw his question appear a line beneath the computer's, the green text blinking just as the computer's question did.

Though quickly, the two lines disappeared.

[I asked first didn't I?_] A line appeared, Victor smiling brighter.

"So if I answer your question will you answer mine?" He typed.

[Perchance._] 

"Then... I want to live." A buzz sounded from the ancient looking computer, Victor patiently waiting for it's response.

[That is not the answer I was looking for._] It replied.

"But it is the answer I have given. So now can you answer my question?" Victor asked.

The computer took a few moments once more, as if it was thinking.

[I want entertainment._]

Victor titled his head, his smile staying ever so brilliant.

"And I can help with that, can't I?" He questioned.

[Perhaps...]

"So, tell me the purpose of your question... What do you mean by, what do I want?..."

The computer buzzed even longer this time. Victor could only hope that he was asking the right questions.

[What you responded with, would determine what I granted you. Many have said they want money. They want magic. They want love. They want to be god. I can grant certain wishes._]

Victor stood still for moment, his thoughts racing throughout his mind.

This time he did not speak aloud, he simply typed.

[So, you are the God of this game?] 

He asked.

[The Game Master is more appropriate... I do not wish to play god._]

Victor's eyes narrowed.

[Then may I be your personal entertainment? That's what you want correct? Entertainment?]

[How would that work?_]

[How about you link yourself to me or something. You become my quest giver, and I complete missions you want in exchange for things that I want or need even?]

The computer whirred.

[I would, but that is unfair. Giving you what you ask for would be equivalent to giving you a golden finger. Something far outclassing the parameters of what I have given others._] 

Victor scrunched his face, a smile still present.

[What is the name of this game?]

He asked.

[Legendary Ideal Fantasy Events Online._]

It replied.

[The shortened version?]

[Life Online._]

[Is that what you are trying to mimic? Life?]

[Correct._]

[Then you should know that life is totally unfair...]

The computer did not reply.

Victor sat back in the office chair, his brow sweating.

Had he done it?

The Game Master seemed relatively human despite his assumption that it was an AI.

Perhaps it would succumb to his words.

After all, he was right.

[Welcome to life, Victor Ford.]

...

...

...