Simulated Life?

I'm Luka Isaac, and I work as a cashier at an old grocery store. My life is fairly average, and everything around me seems to be normal. I live alone, as I am an orphan and don't have the financial means to search for my family.

I thought the day would end as it normally does when a blonde middle-aged man wearing a black tuxedo entered the grocery store. He looked at me and said, "Young man, do you want to be a beta tester for our company?"

I was confused. Instead of buying something, this man had come in and asked me such a strange question.

"Beta tester?" I asked, confused. The man laughed and his blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as he kept looking at me.

"I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough. A beta tester is someone who tests games or programs to help find bugs or errors in them. And don't worry, you'll be well-paid for it," the man said reassuringly.

"What game could it be?" I asked cautiously, as I was suspicious of this man who was suddenly offering me a job.

"It's a very interesting game," the man chuckled. "I think you'll like it, considering your current situation," he added, glancing at my cashier's blue uniform with amusement.

"Are you here to look down on people like me?" I asked coldly.

"Haha, don't misunderstand me, young man. I apologize if what I said offended you. But let me be clear: the information I'm about to tell you is a secret that no one else in this world knows, except for my team, of course," the man's face became serious and he placed both hands in his pockets.

I was stunned. I felt like this well-dressed man was going to scam me at any moment.

"Wait, I forgot my cigarettes," the man said, as if he was about to reveal something important. He then went further into the grocery store to buy cigarettes.

As for me, I shrugged off everything the man was about to say and shook my head, thinking, "That guy is probably just pretending."

After a minute, the man returned with a cigarette between his lips, which was not yet lit.

"Do you have a lighter?" he asked me, his deep voice sounding.

I was occupied with my phone, but I took the lighter and gave it to him.

"Hey, don't play with your phone. What I'm about to tell you is not something to be ignored," the man said after taking the lighter and lighting his cigarette.

I ignored him and simply said, "Don't worry, you don't have to pretend for a free cigarette. I'll give it to you for free."

"That's cute, but I'm not joking with you," the man's voice became serious.

I looked up and saw that the man didn't seem to be joking.

"So, what are you going to reveal now?" I asked, uninterested and with a bored expression.

"Don't be so bored. Look, what I'm about to tell you will surely shock you," the man said, seeming irritated by my expression.

"Just say it!" I said, not wanting to waste my time on a crazy person.

"Ok, ok. You young kids are really losing your manners these days... your parents really failed to raise you properly..."

"I'm an orphan," I replied with an emotionless face.

"Oops, sorry. Here's the thing," the middle-aged man's face was awkward before changing the topic. "The game we're making is not really a game..."

"So, what is it?" I asked, becoming more and more confused.

"I invite you to be a beta tester for a simulation..." the man's demeanor became serious.

"Simulation?" I asked, still confused.

"It's another reality... in short, a virtual reality simulation. Everything in that world is the same as in ours. Well, not exactly the same, but everything will feel real there. The people living in that simulation don't know they're in a simulation. The people inside our virtual reality simulation have their own personalities, emotions, and awareness," the man blew a smoke after finishing his sentence, almost revealing too much.

"What!?" I felt incredulous. Did such a thing actually exist in this world!?

"Yes... and if you become our only beta tester, after entering that simulation, you'll be the only one who's aware and certain that everything is a simulation inside that simulation," the man nodded as he continued smoking.

"How can I know you're not lying? Is this a prank? Where's the camera?" I felt incredulous and suspicious, and I looked around for any cameras that might have been set up.

"Relax, you can trust me. And no, this isn't a prank. I don't have time for that," the man shook his head and chuckled.

"Oh yeah? From what I know, people like you usually have the most time to prank someone," I looked suspiciously at the well-dressed man.

"Haha, it seems I can't convince you so easily... well... look at this card and you'll understand," the man laughed and reached into the inner pocket of his suit.

He pulled out a card and placed it in front of me. "That's my card, with my company's name on it."

I looked at the card carefully and read everything written on it.

"It's Rizz Technology Enterprise!" I gasped in surprise.

Rizz Technology Enterprise was a famous and wealthy, influential company, number one in the world! It had introduced technological breakthroughs to the world and had an unmatched reputation. Its mysterious CEO, Ronald W. Rizz, was the richest person in the world, though his face and even his gender were speculated about by people online and in the media. He did not reveal himself on social media or in local media.

And from the name on the card, the middle-aged man in front of me was Ronald W. Rizz.

"Y-Your Mr. Rizz!" I shouted in shock, my body trembling with excitement.

"Shhh... now you know, right?" Ronald put his finger to his lips, as if someone might hear Luka.

"Is it really you?" I was still suspicious.

"Come on, bro. After everything I've done, you still doubt me? Alright, I guess money is the best proof..." Ronald then took out his wallet and pulled out hundreds of dollars, slamming it in front of me.

"Take this as a down payment for being a beta tester," he decided and pushed the money towards me.

"This... I didn't agree yet!" I was stunned and hurriedly protested.

"You're so lucky to be hired personally by me and to have the opportunity to have a new life inside the simulation that many people would fight for. Do you really not want it?" Ronald asked, a bit of irritation in his eyes.

I hesitated. It would surely be a wonderful experience and I would earn some good money, but at the same time, there may be some kind of danger in such a game, right? Or else, why would they need a beta tester? It would surely have some danger, since it has a reality sensation. If I died there, would I die in real life?

At the same time, I could also enjoy a new life inside that simulation! It was a good opportunity for someone like me.

I may not criticize my life, because it's quite alright, but it still feels numbing and boring. Thinking about that, I nodded. "Alright. I'll be a beta tester in your simulation."

"Good!" Ronald nodded in satisfaction.