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"Now I could play after a couple years of waiting! Hahaha!" Terrell hurriedly ran back inside.

On the guild workshop, three units of Zephyr replaced the beds beside their gaming computers.

Well, they wouldn't play with the old Occult Xeno virtual headgear anymore.

Aria was quiet as she looked closely and thoroughly on Zephyr.

She admired the bizarre aesthetics of its structure and touched its glossy metallic casing with her delicate hand.

Eirwyn slackened his back as he sat on the sofa swiping the holographic screen projected by his Anima.

He read the user manual while eating a slice of Hawaiian pizza.

It was very important to read these before using any kind of advanced machinery to be familiar with its components and functions.

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AniMAIL

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1 / December / 2122

ー〔 Zephyr User Manual 〕ー

● Zephyr uses Quasi-realism Technology that enables the user the to perform actions and perceive everything inside the virtual world of Halcyon, made possible by the product of Augmented Neurotransmission Technology and Neuromodulation Technology — the Repetitive Transcranial Direct Current and Magnetic Stimulation Device, simply called Retra Device.

● Retra Device is a non-invasive neuromodulator. It reads the brain activity of the user and translates nerve impulses into electronic data. Retra Device is able to convert electronic data into nerve impulses that stimulate the cerebrum that translates information and intrepets it into a stimuli similar to that humans receive from the senses.

● Zephyr is completely unharmful to users and passed the Virtual Gear Safety Standards of the World Health Organization and approved by the International Technology Security of the United Nations.

● Zephyr installed with safety features that allow the user to maintain a healthy body. It will constantly check the user's vital signs and brain activity. At any instance that the user reaches critical levels, Zephyr will enable emergency protocols and force the player to log out regardless of the situation in the virtual world. No one can take advantage of this feature. It only works when necessary.

● Zephyr must be properly maintained in a perfect condition. Zettabyte Technologies Technical Logistics Department will provide the regular maintenance service without any charges.

● Zettabyte Diagnostic Program protects Zephyr against malicious software, it will scan the unit on a regular basis. Once it detects any abnormalities on the hardware, Zephyr will be forced to execute deactivation for safety measures.

● Zephyr is only exclusive for Halcyon Expanse. Installing other virtual reality games is impossible.

● Zephyr allows only one person to operate. The user must use the Anima to register as a sole user of the unit, and it will serve as an external controller.

● Zephyr records the user's statistics such as physique and mental capacity, to the database to use it for optimum performance.

● The interior of Zephyr has comfortable and stain proof bedding stuffed with a cushion made with soft materials. It also has built-in air conditioning for proper ventilation that allows the user to play in long intervals of time.

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"Hey! Let's go! I can't wait anymore!" Terrell shouted loudly that his voice was heard very clearly on the guild workshop.

"Did you forgot? That guy said we should read the user manual and end-user license agreement right?" Eirwyn was unaffected by Terrel's zeal and continued to read.

"Duck that! Why we need to go through this sheet?" Although Terrell was complaining, as a veteran gamer, he knew their importance.

He took a bottle of soda and sat down on his chair. He used his computer to check the e-mail in his Glegoo Crown browser.

Terrell preferred to read the user manual on a wide flatscreen monitor.

Once Terrell read the important details on the user manual and accepted the end-user license agreement without even looking at it, he stood up from his chair and took three steps to Zephyr.

He activated his Anima. A holographic window popped out.

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Would you register your Anima and your Anima Plus profile to Zephyr?

〔 Confirm 〕 〔 Deny 〕

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Terrell didn't hesitate and tapped 'Confirm'.

The circuit patterns of Zephyr glowed with white light, the hatch retracted and opened.

'Shwik!'

"Eirwyn, can I go now?" Terrell asked them, but he already went inside the pod.

"Wait for us, we should log in together!" Eirwyn reacted as he stood up.

"Nah, don't worry. We'll meet each other again. See ya!" Terrell smiled as he wore the Retra Device on his head and lay down, the hatch closed.

'Schwik!'

"That guy." Eirwyn shook his head. He finished the remaining slices of pizza.

"Hmph! I also want to play now!" Aria briskly swiped the holographic screen to the bottommost page of EULA and tapped 'Accept'.

"What?! You too?" Eirwyn was surprised.

Aria took a glance at him and nodded. She was also restlessly eager to play.

She registered herself with Anima. The circuit patterns on Zephyr glowed with bright white light when it was activated.

She entered the pod when the hatch opened and wore the Retra Device on her head. Aria lay down as she closed her eyes.

'Shiwk!'

The hatch closed. Eirwyn was left alone.

"Okay then..." Eirwyn could only sigh and began to clean up the rubbish on the center table.

He made sure the lounge of the guild workshop was spick and span.

After that, he followed after them.

Eirwyn went into the pod. He felt the air inside was cool enough and well-ventilated.

Eirwyn wore the well-designed headgear, the Retra Device, it fitted on his head with ease.

He lay down at a slow pace, he stretched his limbs and relaxed his body.

His skin felt the soft and smooth fabrics of the bedding stuffed with cushion, it was warm and cozy.

Eirwyn started to become drowsy. His vision went dark as he closed his eyes.

Eventually, he slept comfortably inside the pod.

He hatch closed.

'Shlick!'

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(A circle was spinning on a plain and blank loading screen.)

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ー〔 Z E P H Y R 〕ー

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Establishing the connection to the Cyberspace...

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Connection established successfully.

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Connecting to Zettabyte database...

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Connected.

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Loading necessary data...

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Load completed.

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Synchronizing Zephyr to the player...

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Synchronization successful.

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Logging in...

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ー〔 Halcyon Expanse 〕ー