Initiating Dusk Protocol

SSD, also known as the Soul Sphere Device.

It originated from VIRM Tech, the most extensive brain-computer interface in Japan, which has many different branches to serve a specific function in society. Some other models of this technology can aid in the health industry by performing miracles on some incurable diseases. It also served to entertain teenagers in this innovative generation through virtual reality gaming, a highly compacted digital world where individuals can be who they want to be without any restrictions—in other words, to be free.

The SSD provided everything an addicted gamer needs to fulfil their fantasy; the basic structure of this machine is different from the older ones. The SSD simply has one interface, a simplified interface that covers the entire body within, as opposed to older machine-interface devices like flat-screen displays or controllers that you operated with your hands. The equipment can contact the user's brain directly by utilising the multiple electrical impulses that the various signal components put out. Instead of using their eyes or hearing to see or hear, the user's brain received the impulses instead. In addition, the machine had access to all five senses, including touch, taste, and smell, in addition to sight and hearing.

Once all the sound has disappeared and the darkness envelops you, your body will be submerged in the SSD. The device will begin to engulf your body with a non-liquefiable substance that assists in transferring the mind into the system. All the clamour fades away as you enter a universe composed solely of data. As soon as you pass the green pixelated circle in the centre, you have entered the game world.

I hover over the schoolyard, unaffected by the early-morning mood. As I watched them all engulf the upper realm, millions of drones overran the morning sky. As the wind came up and delivered the enticing scent of the morning dew, I could also hear the rustling sound of grass and tree branches, as well as the buzzing sound of mechanical insects. Tang-Ji was pacing restlessly on a school bench as I peered straight down through my sunken body. I sighed and thought to myself, "Why did she have to stay up late before the tournament?"

"Are you sure you don't want to join our club?" said Kazami.

"No, sorry, I just don't care about joining a club; all I want to do is play in this game. To be able to test out a full virtual dive has been something I've wanted for so long to do." Emiko replied nonchalantly.

"Well, it's fine then, I guess. Thanks again for accompanying us; otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to participate at all."

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted when Ji-Soon arrived at the school gate. "So, are we ready to go?" Ji-Soon yelled out across the empty courtyard.

"Alright, it looks like everyone is here; let's go to Sanga Stadium." Kazami and the others excitedly rush to the bus.

I rode alongside the bus by grabbing onto the wind current as I skated on the vehicle's rooftops.

"These bastards are so racist. They always complain about stupid stuff on the forum that isn't even related to the game. If someone is ticked off, straight away racial slurs are thrown. This is why I hate gamers these days. They're all probably 20-year-old unemployed dudes with no life. I mean, who cares about letting foreigners play the game? Like, what does race even have to do with it? The game was planning to go global after a year anyway." Ji-Soon talked to himself, rocking back onto his chair before slamming his feet onto the empty front seat with rage. He was scrolling through the Dusk Protocol forum to see if he could find any more insights about the game.

"Hey bro, don't try to spoil yourself." Kazami nudged at Ji-Soon's elbow.

"Don't lecture me about spoilers, Mr. Beta Tester. Not everyone had the same luck as you, bro. Being able to be chosen as a beta tester out of a handful of other experienced players. You basically won the lottery with that one."

"Hehe. You're right. I'm one lucky duck. Might even be luckier than you." Kazami stretched both his arms into the air before yawning dramatically. "Don't worry about it; I'll lead our team to victory. The World Seed is as good as ours." Kazami gave a hideous laugh while patting Ji-Soon's back.

Ji-Soon rolled his eyes, looking unamused by his friend's obnoxious behaviour. "I can't wait to see you be the first one to die, Mr. Beta Tester."

The vehicle was stuck in a jam-packed traffic flow by midday. Tang-Ji peered out the window to see the expansive view of the modern metropolis.

Suddenly, a melodious tune reached her as the light reflected off her blue diamond eyes. She turned her head to find Emiko sitting next to her, who appeared to be playing a pop idol song on her phone.

"Eh, are you interested?" Emiko jested with a smug on her face.

"This is Mai; she's a very famous pop idol and a Cubetuber that gains popularity by advertising Dusk Protocol."

"She's also a model that is featured in almost every single virtual reality game nowadays. She's basically the poster girl for every top-tier gaming company."

"Wow, she's really pretty." Tang-ji murmured before feeling a strange reminiscence urging her to wake up.

"Hey, Tang-Ji. Are you alright? You don't look so well; perhaps you are feeling sick from the bus ride." Emiko concernedly asked.

Tang-Ji remained silent with an ashen-faced and visibly shaking body. Her glum expression and obvious trembling frightened Emiko as she retracted her arms from grabbing Tang-Ji. The memories of her past started to haunt her once more. The blonde idol in the video seems to resemble someone from her past.

Before she could reply to Emiko, the bus finally came to a stop. A giant shadow around the bus suddenly enlarged itself as the team glanced out the windows to find a 4-story structure that appeared to span several city blocks. Sanga Stadium was no longer the name of this location; instead, a large inscription was displayed over the building's main entrance, VIRM TECH.

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Soulsphere is a device that emulates a condition of coma in the brain to simulate reality in a person's awareness; hence, the name Soulsphere. A device that appears to expel a person's soul from their body and transport them to another realm.

With a 270-degree glass pane and a lengthy titanium skeleton enclosing the stall to rest your body on, the Soulsphere diver (SSD) gadget resembles a longitudinal capsule. The Soulsphere functions as a source of strength transfer, both mentally and physically. The mental or physical strength of an individual determines their competence and power in a game; some people might have a weak physique but a steely will. This may be detected by the gadget via brain neurons and transferred as strength and skills into the game. With just a slight mechanical improvement, in-game reactions in terms of timing, speed, power, and endurance are all based on real-life reactions.

Thousands of shaded pots are located on a big white platform that is lifted several levels above the ground. There was only enough space for the contender to go through each of the incline-set capsules that were barely a few inches apart from one another. Tang-Ji experienced a violent jolt that sent shockwaves through her entire body. Her eyes swam, and she appeared to be enveloped in a brilliant technological mist. Intimidated by the vast place, she glanced back at her companions, only to see sparkles appearing in their eyes.

"Look, it seems like the other schools have arrived as well. The official time of the tournament will be an hour from now, but players are allowed to enter the game first to get used to the brain control techniques." Kazami excitedly pointed out.

"Come on, team, let's head into the game first before the other students," he asserted.

"Alright, captain," said Ji-Soon, who was smiling from the excitement of competing against the other school.

"Sure, let's go." Emiko commented.

"Alright." Tang-Ji murmured nervously.

While the other players were preparing themselves to get into the capsule, Emiko could be seen examining the exterior of her pot. As she got into the compartment, a small USB could be seen left attached to the side of the SSD.

"Hey, Azuki-san, what is that USB that you just attached to the side?" Kazami questioned her suspiciously.

Frightened by Kazami's sudden voice, Emiko quickly disregarded his question as she tumbled into her pot, causing it to close onto her before their eyes could meet.

"Did she connect her music playlist to the device, perhaps?" He murmured to himself.

Kazami, perplexed by her unusual response, hastily returned to his pot with a doubtful air.

The wide-shaded glass frame shuts with a loud thud, the steel claw gripping the back of Tang-Ji's neck with cotton-coated steel. The cotton surface of the skeleton claws could be felt softly attaching themselves to her clothing. It began to leak a weird, odourless liquid, but for some reason, she didn't feel her skin growing moist or her clothes getting damp; instead, she thought the liquid was just air surrounding her restless body. The device started beeping, signalling to the participant that their consciousness was gradually being transferred.

As directed by Kazami, she closed her eyes and started mumbling a count of ten in her head. With each countdown, she started to break out in a cold sweat, and she could feel her heartbeat speeding up and her anxiety growing uncontrollably. Before she realised it, a white screen with a black border appeared in front of her as she was greeted with the words "input username."

Tang-Ji quickly traced her finger on the white screen to input her username before clicking a small text box besides her chosen name. She was suddenly immersed in a clear green pillar of light, passing the viridescent veil; her username in her vision blurred out steadily before plunging her into complete darkness.

Within a few seconds of emerging from the green digital mist, Tang-Ji twitched her body before opening her eyes to see a powerful wind current flowing in her direction and sweeping up her hair. She turned her head around, only to be met with anticipation by a particular wood that caught Tang-Ji's eyes as it began to bloom vibrantly, illuminating the surrounding darkness.

The cherry blossoms on the tree tumble down like a sorrowful fairy flower, like a piece of white cloud similar to the tears of the rain. Its departure from the branches is like the tree's unretained heart, or even just the wind's spirit carrying it across the dim horizon.

Sprightly bloomed like a sunflower in the centre of the petals as it elegantly glided down from above with a mass of sizable dots, appearing rich and appealing around the edge of the enormous petals. The thin, paper-like petals are about 10 inches long, as if a brilliant sunflower is in the wind. It seems to show its gracefulness by dancing in the upper realm with an enchanting aura.

I can't use the words to accurately describe the colour of the petal, saying that it is like an intense shade of pink; it has a cold appearance, almost like an ice sculpture. A breeze blew gently and fell with beauty and delicacy. The pink snowflakes fluttered across Tang-Ji's face, hitting the sides of her cheeks with a soft and elastic texture.

Where she stood was a large road paved with stone. Japanese-style streets were surrounded by streetlamps, a multitude of buildings, and rocks radiating a vibrant light a fair distance up ahead. The huge structure could be seen filled with Ema hanging all over the place, along with a large Komainu staring down at Tang-Ji as her eyes sparkled under the dim lighting. (Ema are pieces of wood which visitors of the shrine can write down their prayers and wishes for the deity of the shrine to receive.) (Komainu is a pair of guardian dogs or lions, often found on each side of a shrine's entrance.)

"Hey, isn't the view stunning? I never thought such a world could exist," as the green veil unshrouded around Kazami while submerged into the wooden platform. "So, I see you're still sticking with the name Zilynx after all this time."

"Huh? How did you know that was my username?" Tang-ji asked, looking perplexed.

"Look up above my head. Can you see it? There should be a green cursor, and it should indicate your chosen name in bold. If you look to your upper left, you will see a faint energy and hit point bar along with your level and experience points." Kazami instructed her.

Tang-ji squinted as she traced her eyes in her field of vision, right above Kazami's head.

"Kirizkuuk," Tang-Ji murmured, "you also used the same name, just like your last game too. You know Sen—I mean Kazami—how did you come up with that name of yours?"

A long silence stretched out between the two players as the digital sound from their green icons hovering above their heads echoed gently in unison. Kazami's expression could be seen changing as he slowly averted his eyes.

"Someone made that name for me when I was a kid; for me to log into a game, I needed a gamer tag. Though it has been long ago, the name has been with me, sort of like a gift from that person." Kazami spoke with a faint trace of sorrow.

Noticing Kazami's expressions, she tried to divert the conversation.

"Hey Kazami, why did you say that after all this time, this is only the second time you saw my name?" Tang-ji was confused by his earlier claim.

Before Kazami could reply, a rumbling sound started to reverberate in Tang-Ji's ears. As it blasted a shrieking pitch over the large shrine, the air started to rapidly condense. Before she could react, the digital sky began to soak up the colour of blood.