Melissa reclined into the seat and felt as if she was on a cloud with how comfortable it was. Then at the side was a small slot with an indicator for the card and she put it in. On the screen was a prompt 'For Full Immersion please relax into your seat and place the headset on.' So she did just that and immediately was greeted by an array of colours and then a start screen for Resident Evil. Clicking start she faced two options.
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Select your Character:
Jill
Special Operations Agent
Note: Stats will be adjusted accordingly
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Clicking on Jill she began her game.
Izuku watched as she played, thinking it maybe in bad taste to play games while he had customers so he decided to ask the system a few more questions once her headset was on.
"System, what is the point of stat points as a reward when I gain more from gaining?" Izuku asked.
"Well, you are only gaining a rapid amount since you are building your earliest foundations. Think of it like 'newbie gains' in the gym where you gain the most early on. When you are lacking in overall points of development in some aspects those points can help cover your weakness. Also I shouldn't mention this but loose stat points can be turned into currency for you to spend. It's why I'll offer a few every now and then."
"That makes sense, thanks for answering the questions."
"Anytime, Izu-User." She quickly corrected herself. Thankfully Izuku did not hear that, slip up already mumbling.
Izuku was thinking about whether he would want to develop faster or save them for later. But he should worry about that later so he had opened up his mission tab to check his current one.
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Hello, Izuku Midoriya (User 0002)
Mission(s) Pending:
Mission Name: Opening Week
Time Remaining for completion: 6 days 6 hours
Description: You now have a store which the system will be renovating tonight. Open the store within a week and ready for business.
Criteria: [ 1/1 ] Obtain 1 paying customer
[2250/60000 ] Earn 60000 Yen
Rewards: 2 stat point
Drink Unlocked: Coca-Cola Price: 400 yen per bottle
Penalty for the denial or failure of the mission: User will lose allocated stat points.
[Active]
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He smiled having taken his first steps into his business. Though he had been worried the coke price may end up a little high.
Then he heard a yelp and turned to see Melissa take her headset off a little pale.
"W-what was that?" She questioned turning to him.
"Oh, did you die? The game is a little too realistic for most at times. Gave me a good scare too." Izuku chuckled at his own death.
"That was horrifying. How is this so realistic?"
"Not sure, my sponsor made the technology. They wanted me to set this place up."
"Is it always that painful?"
"Not every time. But if you would like you can reduce the sense of immersion but it does kind of dampen the overall experience."
Melissa debated it in her head whether she wanted that or not.
"No, it's fine, I'll bear it."
"Then happy gaming, But be aware you do have about twenty minutes left since you spent forty in there already."
He heard her click her tongue.
"Can I get a silver membership?" Melissa knew she was gonna play a lot more of this. The story was so enticing and its gripping immersion made it feel like its own world. But it helped she felt like she was the protagonist of the story with Jill also being quirkless.
"Alright that'll be 17500 yen and is paid each month for twenty five hours."
"Okay," she replied, swiping her card to pay for the new one.
Izuku took her card and placed it in a small scanner-like device and it returned with a silver card with white lines in the design and her name in the bottom.
Smiling, she took her new card. "Thanks!"
"Just remember we have about four hours left till closing."
"Okay!" She made her way back to the set up.
Izuku was happy he made around twenty thousand yen for the day already. Deciding to kill time he went on his phone and opened up his messenger and started talking to everyone in the group chat.
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GreenMight: Sup, guys!
Splitter: Green, you're alive. Are you up for some games?
GreenMight: Sorry, currently working right now. Got a customer on day one.
DustyBoi: Nice, anyways Green what games do you have in the cafe?
GreenMight: I've only got like one game. RIP. It's Resident Evil.
ScalesandBlades: Only one game?
GreenMight: Yep, it's because they need to be made compatible with the current systems I use and also licensing stuff.
ScalesandBlades: So it's just a trial for the opening?
GreenMight: Pretty much.
DustyBoi: Green, what is Resident Evil?
GreenMight: It's basically a zombie horror game. Gotta make your way through the missions and story. It's pretty good though dying hurts like hell.
Shockz420: You died? WTF! What did I miss?
Dustyboi: Green, talking about the game in his cafe. What did you mean 'hurts'?
GreenMight: Well the game is super immersive and that means all senses. Unfortunately that also means pain gets transferred over too.
Dustyboi: NGL that sounds badass and terrifying. Send me your address. I need to see this.
ScalesandBlades: Same here!
Shockz420: I'd make it but I live too far for a day trip especially with training for the exam.
Splitter: I can make it. I live like an hour by train from Mustafu.
GreenMight: Alright, the address is 27 Hikoto Street, Mustafu West District.
Dustyboi: Aight that's actually pretty close since I live in Kamino so wanna meet in two days or something?
GreenMight: Yeah that's cool. @ScalesandBlades and @Splitter What about you guys?
Splitter: I can make it, I'll just ask my tutors if I can have the day off since I'm already ahead in my classes.
ScalesandBlades: Tutors? Damn, that's rich people stuff. Anyways, I can make the Wednesday.
GreenMight: Nice, see you guys then!
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With that he decided to hop on his computer at the reception which unfortunately did not have a headset and started working on his latest Hero Analysis. He started getting back into them since he actually loved doing them; it was just a painful reminder of that day. Browsing hero forums and the sort he saw a video of Eraserhead and began diving into it. But as he worked he slowly realised he was seeing every subtle movement and detail recognizing them as the same fighting style as Chris when he got in close while at range using his scarf. Though Izuku began picking up his hair it was acting as a tell for his quirk and it started to irritate him that the man had not decided to tie it.
As he sunk into his work and notes he realised it was already ten and he needed to close up. Just as he looked up he saw Melissa take her headset off.
"It's closing time." Izuku said.
"Well, that's fair. I need to call my uncle to pick me up. Is it alright if I stay inside while I wait." Melissa asked.
"That's alright."
With that she had gone and made a quick call to her uncle and sat in the lounge area by the reception. Izuku himself got up and stretched as he went around just tidying the area little by little.
"I know it's a little late but what's your name?" Melissa asked as he just began sweeping. He looked at her like a deer frozen in headlights.
"Oh my god, I never told you. The name is Izuku Midoriya."
"Nice to meet you Izuku." She said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you too." He said shyly, placing a hand to the back of his head.
"So how come you running a cafe? You look about the same age as me."
"Eh, it's a circumstance thing. I needed to do something after middle school and I made sure to get tested out this week. My sponsor offered me this as an opportunity and I took it."
"So it's not your dream to run a cafe?"
"No, to be honest I wanted to be a hero." Izuku sighed a little solemnly.
"How come?" Melissa asked curiously.
"I'm quirkless." He revealed, wincing at the possibility of disgust from her. "Told I couldn't be a hero and that it was unrealistic."
"I get that." Izuku looked at her curiously. "I'm a late bloomer myself. I only realised I had a quirk when my uncle mentioned it may be similar to his own."
"Really that's kind of wild, never heard of a late bloomer in their teens."
"Yep, the doctors were surprised to hear there's a good chance I'm a late bloomer too. Anyways who said you couldn't be a hero or is that me prying too much?"
"Nah, I've made peace with it. It was Al-" As he was about to finish his sentence Melissa's phone rang.
"So sorry Izuku."
"That's fine."
She picked up the phone and began to talk to the person over the phone. "It seems my uncle is outside."
"Got it, hope you get home safe." He said with a smile that Melissa felt briefly blinding her.
As she headed out he went to lock the door and saw what seemed to be a very familiar emaciated man in the front seat.
'All Might?' He thought. 'Nope, probably a coincidence.'
Quickly dismissing the thought he quickly messaged his mother he may be late due to closing a little late on the first day and checking the upstairs apartment.
Heading upstairs after Melissa left he was greeted by a very modern kitchen and dining area. The entire place felt incredibly sleek and cosy at the same time. He began to head towards what he assumed was the bedroom and was greeted by a king sized bed. Exhausted he sent one message saying he was going to stay in the upstairs apartment for the night and fell asleep.