Chapter 01

At the end of the 21st Century, Technology long ago had been progressing at an amazing speed with all sorts of new technologies being made. Industries also have advanced greatly thanks to technology. One of the most advanced industries was, of course, the Entertainment Industry.

A company, Ethereal Entertainment Inc., had released one of the most advanced VR helmets throughout the world called, "Mirage" that could simulate reality at a mind-blowing degree of detail. It was said to be their greatest work and indeed it was as it was sold with millions of people buying every day. With their greatest success, they developed and invested in an exclusive strategy game that was renowned for its fantastic graphics, amazing content, and lifelike experience, named "Modern Warfare: Amplified".

Modern Warfare: Amplified was marketed as a game where it mirrored Earth. Its plot was simple, a global terrorist group known as "Black Viper" had committed countless atrocities that pushed the global organizations such as the UN, NATO, etc. to take lethal action against them. The players were soldiers who were deployed to take care of the terrorist. However, some people thought "Well, that plot has been done countless times already." and were initially not convinced however the game's unexpected features made them swiftly change their minds.

Michael Bradley, or simply called Mike by his friends, a teenager who's interested in war-strategy games and books. He lived an average lifestyle, had many friends, and had great parents. He wasn't ugly nor too handsome, just a little bit over the average.

Grinning, Mike clapped his hands as he was finally done setting up the necessary equipment.

Locking his door, Mike laid flat on the bed as he put on the VR helmet that he got from his birthday a few months ago. Making sure that the helmet was properly set up and it's cabling properly connected, he closed his eyes and moved his hand to press the start button on the side of his helmet.

Mike opened his eyes and soon saw that he was standing on an endless white space. Swiping his hand up, a menu appeared in front of him displaying movies, games, TV programs, adult movies, etc. He browsed through them quickly and soon found the logo for the game.

"Hello, New User. Welcome to Modern Warfare: Amplified. It is an oriented action-strategy game that is only suitable for 18 years old and above only as it may contain content that is not suitable for young children." A female robotic voice rang through his head and continued.

"Please state your age and birthdate. Lying will result in severe consequences." The female sounding voice cited standard procedure for new users.

"18. Born on November 5, 20XX." Michael stated as he anxiously waited for the confirmation, even though he knew he was an adult already, he couldn't help but feel nervous.

Finally, after a moment's notice, the Female AI had granted permission for him to play and started the basic introduction of the game.

"Modern Warfare: Amplified is a game where players, play as soldiers deployed by the various global organizations against a terrorist group. Players start as privates by spawning in one central headquarters which is located in the middle east, where the terrorist group is most active. The goal of the players is to rise through the ranks by completing missions assigned to them by their superiors. The players are automatically provided standard combat gear as they spawn in. As you fulfill your missions, you will be promoted to higher ranks which grants additional privileges such as building your base, recruit and command soldiers, and access to all sorts of military equipment. After logging into the game..." The voice continued to relay basic instructions and tips on how to play, see your character's status, accessing your equipment, and other necessary information for players.

After the voice stopped speaking, he suddenly fell unconscious and the space around him faded to black.

Soon a new voice rang through the area.

"Welcome to Modern Warfare: Amplified!"

...

Mike slowly opened his eyes as the bright rays of sunlight attacked his iris. Grunting, he propped his body up to a tree, feeling the hard surface on his back. Mike took stock of his surroundings and noticed that he was on a clearing with tall trees that looked they were reaching the blue skies.

Feeling puzzled as he knew that he should be in a building surrounded by other players and not in a dense forest in the middle of nowhere, he tried to access the call function in his menu that was used to contact GM's if players ran into issues. However, he noticed that the icon was greyed out.

Looking closely he also saw that the other social functions such as the 'World Chat' 'PMC Chat' 'GM Comms.' greyed out.

Feeling anxious, he turned his eyes to where the logout button was located however he soon froze, the button was missing. Mike immediately panicked and soon his breathing became irregular, he was shaking. He was scared. He was anxious.Overwhelmed by the sudden influx of emotions, he blacked out.

After a few hours had passed, Mike soon became conscious again yet he didn't open his eyes, he hoped everything was just a dream and he was back on his bed sleeping. Where he would see his Mom trying to get him to wake up, Where he would see his dad sipping his black coffee as he smiled warmly at him, Where he would see his siblings laughing, Where he would see his friends try to prank him but alas, his hopes were crushed.

Finally opening his eyes after a long moment, he stood up and wiped the tears that had unknowingly fallen.

"Profile." Mike tiredly called out.

=============

Name: Michael Bradley

Age: 18

Rank: Private

PMC: Null

PR: 0 / 100

=============

'Well, at least my profile screen seems to be working.' Mike thought as he tried to cheer himself up from the situation he was in. Looking up, he saw that the tall tree's dense canopy was mostly blocking the sunlight thus casting a light shadow below forest he was in.

'Inventory.' Mike called out as he remembered the information that all new players get a starter package that contains basic equipment for players to start.

Soon an army green screen with black borders appeared in front of him, there was only one item in his inventory. The item was shaped like a supply crate.

=============

Starter Supply Package x 1 - Contains Basic equipment for players.

=============

Mentally clicking the item, the supply crate soon disappeared leaving new items in his inventory. Mike soon began checking the items one by one.

=============

M4 Carbine - Standard Issue Rifle, it is a must for green soldiers fresh out of boot camp! It uses a maximum of 30 rounds per magazine. This weapon and its ammunition and attachments can be bought from the Armory.

Quotes: ["Number #1 Choice for Best Weapon Awards!"], ["There are countless weapons like it, but this? This is mine."]

Beretta M9 - Standard Issue Pistol, a small gun that you could use when your bigger gun runs out of bullets. 15 rounds per magazine. This weapon and its ammunition and attachments can be bought from the Armory.

Quotes: ["Pew, pew, pew, pew. Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of my pew pew gun."] ["Bang, bang. Was the last thing my enemy heard when he thought he could get close to me. Bastard didn't even see it coming."]

Standard Battle Gear - Provides standard protection. The camouflage system preinstalled will adapt to the surroundings to help you blend in. This battle gear can be bought from the Armory.

Quotes: ["They say that the clothes make the man, well I say, it's completely true! I gotten laid so many times already that I can't even count."]

Medkits x 5 - Can cure major wounds. After usage, the player will find themselves rid of major injuries and will feel slightly invigorated. This can be bought from the Armory.

Healing syringe x 15 - Can cure minor wounds. After usage, the player will themselves rid of minor injuries and will feel a little bit energized. This can be bought from the Armory.

=============

Feeling a bit better as he read the amusing quotes and descriptions, he equipped the items and suddenly his clothes were changed. Mike now sported the standard battle gear of the U.S Army. He had the standard vest, pants, shirt and everything that was needed. He took a glance over himself and made sure everything was prepared.

"Rifle? check. Pistol? check. Magazines? check....check...and all check. Now let's get going." Mike soon moved in a random direction but quickly stopped. "To go where exactly?" He asked himself. Once again, he looked through his menu and thankfully found a map function. Mike quickly activated it and soon a square appeared in his upper right vision. He took a quick look but was quickly dumbfounded as most of the surrounding area was black and only a portion was visible.

He guessed that he was the white dot at the center and occasional green spots that appeared were friendly and the red spots were the roaming enemies.

Mike sighed and soon took off in a random direction.

...

A few hours have passed since he started walking and the forest finally started to get thinner.

'Damn, this forest is thick.' Mike fascinatingly thought as he didn't remember any tree's that thick compared to the tree's back in his hometown.

As Mike continued to sightsee, the rustling of bushes snapped him back to alertness and put him on guard. Raising his rifle, he mentally prepared himself for the unknown.

And soon, a group of little green men walked out of the bushes carrying all varieties of weapons. But what was peculiar was they were all weapons of Medieval times. Bows, Swords, Axes, etc.

The little green men seemed to be cackling amongst themselves but their laughter died down as they saw a green looking human looking at them with a strange expression.

A second passed with them looking at each other before the little green men snarled and bared their weapons. Seeing the hostility, Mike nervously gripped his rifle tightly and put his finger on the trigger, ready to gun them down should they attack him.

With a cry, the goblins rushed at him, weapons ready to slash him to pieces with their archers staying at the back ready to turn him into a porcupine.

"Crakkk!"

"Kakakaka!"

"Fuck!" Mike cursed as he hastily pressed the trigger and shot the goblin with a sword at his head. Changing targets, he shot again at the goblin with an axe that was closely gaining on him.

Retreating a bit, he ducked behind a tree for cover as the archers at the back shot arrows towards him. Thankfully, their accuracy was off as they were enraged by the death of their comrades.

Peering through his scope, he switched to semi-automatic and pressed the trigger with shaky hands.

"Tersho!" His rifle roared out as it quickly ended the three archer's lives.

'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!' Mike roared through his head, the unfamiliar sensation of taking a life spreading through his very being. He slumped down, shaking. Looking at his now bloodied hands, he unconsciously clenched them.

"Why did this have to happen?..." Mike asked himself yet finding no answer. He cried, tired of it all.

After a few minutes, he noticed a glowing exclamation mark at the upper left of his vision. Distracted from his sobbing, Mike willed the notifications to show. Looking at it, he saw...

[You have killed a goblin! You earned 10 PR and 5 AP points!]

[You have killed a goblin! You earned 10 PR and 5 AP points!]

[You have killed a goblin! You earned 10 PR and 5 AP points!]

[You have killed a goblin! You earned 10 PR and 5 AP points!]

[You have killed a goblin! You earned 10 PR and 5 AP points!]

Bringing his status screen up, Mike saw that he now had fifty out of a hundred of PR, which meant Promotion Request, and he also now had 25 AP points, which meant Army Points.

Seeing that he had fifty out of hundred PR, he was now halfway through to getting promoted. However, he didn't get excited as he knew that he would kill once again for him to get promoted.

Still, he knew that within himself that it was necessary. If the goblins would have been any closer, he would be the one getting killed. Steeling his shaky resolve, he promised himself that it was necessary and as long as he didn't enjoy the killing, he would still be human or at least he hoped that it would be that way.

Standing up, he now continued to walk with shaky steps...