*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* I groaned awake as the beeping from my alarm burrowed into my already suffering brain.
Slamming my hand down onto the general direction that the sound came from. My hand met the top of the side table and what felt like my alarm. Fumbling my hand over the alarm, I finally had silence.
"…"
Bolting upright, my eyes exploded open, desperately scanning my surroundings. I was lying in a familiar bed, in a familiar room. This was my room before it all started, my room Twenty years ago. Pulling out my phone, I looked at today's date. March 24th, 2020.
'What the hell?' I was still groggy from sleep and wondered if I was still asleep and this was all a strange dream. But which is the dream? This or the past twenty years?
No, this was real, my brain told me that it was. The feeling of the bedsheets, the cool breeze coming from the window, and the rustling of the trees was too real to be a dream.
So, did that mean that I died? Or was there some sort of divine intervention? But were there gods? I certainly haven't met any or done anything so noble to be reincarnated or be chosen for some grand plan.
'I don't know how or why I came back in time. But to be honest, I don't care. Why would I? This is an opportunity that only appears in a story or a flight of fancy.' My mind raced as I gripped the bedsheets, hoping that this was real.
'For now, let's reorganize my thoughts.' I took a deep breath and relaxed my body, lying back in bed, staring off into space.
'First things first. Tomorrow is the day that the virtual game 'Realms' is launched. Though the game isn't a simple way to pass the time, it was created by an unknown developer and would a direct in a year.' Memories flooded my mind as I recalled the future I knew.
This the world will be sent into complete turmoil. Well, the earth would literally double in size and new continents would rise up out of the ocean. And if that wasn't weird enough, monsters and magic started to appear. Even thinking about it, sounded ridiculous and I've lived it.
Rising from the bed, I walked out of my bedroom and into my bathroom.
'For some unknown reason, this world and the game's world would merge. That also includes your in-game character and your real body. It's not a stretch to say that those who played 'Realms' would have a huge head start.' I thought, as I emptied my bladder.
'I was one of those lucky ones. However, I wasn't some god-gamer who conquered everything in my wake. I was just a drone for a major guild, cannon fodder if you will. The only outstanding thing about me was my observational skills, so I learnt a lot of secret things.' I looked at my reflection in the mirror, as I sorted through my memories. My younger self was almost alien to me.
I wasn't a handsome guy, but that doesn't matter when the shit hits the fan. What is the most important is my body, unfortunately, this body of mine is thin and spindly. Something I need to work on from here on out.
'Well, I can't do much for today. For now, let's get everything ready for the massive grind fest.' I smirked to myself as I turned on the shower and prepared to get things sorted.
***
"Good afternoon, Sir, how can I help?" The cheery woman behind the counter, asked with a pleasant smile.
"Yes, I would like to pay for a year's platinum membership," I replied, in an equally pleasant way.
I was standing in the reception of my local capsule café, the first step in my plan to use my knowledge of the future to my advantage.
Capsules are a technology that allows the user to fully disconnect from their body and enter a virtual world. I read somewhere that they were created for medical purposes, but like most things, were made available to the public because of how commercially viable they were.
However, due to the size of each capsule, the general public had to come to places such as these. Unless you're filthy rich, then like most things, that rule didn't apply to you.
"Y-Yes of course. How will you be paying?" The now astonished and trembling saleswoman spoke, her voice shaking a little as she looked up at me with wide eyes.
"By card," I smirked as I spoke. Though I wasn't offended that she asked for payment before my details needed to set up my membership, she probably thought I couldn't afford it and was showing off. Although, I didn't know who I could show off to, considering it was she and I, standing in the empty store front.
This membership did cost a little under 7000 maq, or half a year's pay of an average worker drone. Not something that someone dressed in a hoodie and tracksuit pants could usually afford.
"But shouldn't you be setting up my account first, before payment?" Even if I wasn't offended, it didn't mean I'd let her off without a little teasing.
"Ah, of course. I'm sorry for being rude!" She said in a raised voice. Her face was red with embarrassment. But I just smiled it away. After all, she wasn't being rude. Well, not entirely. And I wasn't a petty person, well not completely.
After my account was created, by giving my details and address, the usual membership requirement. And of course, payment paid.
I was then given a full tour of the facility by the same woman, who seemed to be a little more professional once everything went through and was set up correctly.
At first, I was a little surprised that she left the reception herself, but she was replaced by a young man who looked tired and soulless and was there to earn some cash, if the vacant expression on his face was anything to go by.
Usually, you just pay for how long you want and are given entry to the main hall where the capsules were set up along the two walls of the room, 8 on each side. The lighting was dim and soft. This was to help with light sensitivity from coming out of the capsule.
However, it gave off the feel of a dingy nightclub. Just without the blaring music and drunkards throwing up everywhere.
On the far side of the room was a little shop/cafe area, but I wasn't really shown this. Instead, I was led to a door set in the middle of one row of capsules, with the letters V.I.P. written just above the door.
The woman pulled out a key card and pressed it against the sensor next to the door and with a click, the door popped open. Following behind her, she led me down the hallway of doors, until we came to a room labelled 4.
"This will be your personal capsule room," She explained, as she opened the door using the same key card. I knew that Platinum gave you a personal room, but this was the first time I was experiencing this. Usually, you could rent a private room for a few hours, but this whole room was kept reserved for my use only. That was a privilege that I never experienced before and frankly, it made me feel a little uncomfortable.
Inside reminded me of a studio apartment. There was a set of comfortable-looking chairs, with a small coffee table in front of it. A mini fridge, a cabinet and even an ensuite bathroom with a shower. And finally, the newest model capsule that was larger than your average size double bed.
"As per your membership, this room is accessible to only you, the manager, and our cleaners. We offer a full insurance policy for stolen or damaged goods. Because of this, we ask that you do not invite others inside unless signed in at the front desk. Of course, we offer a safe for your belongings." She spoke with practised ease, as she opened the cabinet to reveal a safe just below an empty shelf.
"Due to the nature of the capsule's suspension fluids, we provide several suspension suits for you to wear. Of course, we offer a free-of-charge cleaning service for used suits." She turned to face me, as if to look to see if I was taking in all the information.
"And finally, as part of your membership, you're entitled to a 50% discount on our onsite cafe. Which, you can order using the intercom behind you, beside the door." I turned to find a phone attached to the wall with what looked to be a menu sitting next to it, in a little plastic holder.
I was trying to take everything in, but this woman didn't give me time to process anything. I wouldn't be surprised if I would wake up with a sore neck for all of the head turning, I was doing.
"Now that I've explained the room's features, I'll begin with the capsule explanation..."
'Let me breathe, woman!'
"That's ok, I've used one before." I interrupted, having already been completely overwhelmed and wanted a moment for my mind to settle.
"Very well. I'll leave the registration to you. If you have any questions, the intercom can also connect to the front desk." The woman nodded, as if she expected that reply.
The woman handed me the key card she had been using and told me that not only was it my entry card, but it was also my capsule card as well. I was a little taken aback, but I appreciated the convenience of it.
Once she left, I turned to look at the capsule suspension suits hanging on the wall and sighed. I decided to change.
The suit was form-fitting, but the black colour with blue trim made me look more in shape than I actually was, so I didn't mind as much, as long as nobody was here to see me in it.
Walking over to the capsule, which sat a cool 4ft tall. I saw a slot for the card and a blank screen next to it on the capsule's metal casing.
With a click, the card slotted into place, and with it, the blank screen lit up. On it were the details I gave over when I registered.
Name: Abel Verde
Age: 23
Sex: Male
Height: 6ft
Weight: 140lb
'Yep, that's me' I didn't know what else to do but nod at the details.
I then pressed the big button labelled open and the capsule's lid opened with a mechanical hiss. Inside was a reclining chair, built into the capsule and not much else. Stepping inside I lay down and pressed the big close button and watched the heavy metal door, slowly slide shut.
Now enclosed in the capsule, a small screen lit up in front of me, it had a tutorial video of how the capsule worked. But as I didn't need it, I pressed the skip button.
Then the screen turned off, leaving me in a dim, neon blue lit container. After a few moments, the suspension liquid started to pour in from the bottom and slowly rose, filling the container.
I remembered my first time inside a capsule, I was terrified, and thought I was about to be drowned. However, I have long since gotten over the sinking dread feeling, though it still gave me the willies as I was slowly engulfed with the warm fluid. But it soon stopped just before covering my face, which made me glad that today wasn't the day I would drown. In fact, I hoped that that day would never come.
Thankfully, once you relaxed, it felt like lying in the bath with everything, but your face submerged. Of course, you have to readjust the capsule setting so nothing flows into any unwanted holes as that would be a sticky and unpleasant experience, talking from personal experience.
Just as I was musing about old times, the whole capsule was flooded with a blinding white light as a tingly sensation began to tickle across my brain.
As the light faded, I found myself standing in a grassy meadow, the wind gently blowing, and the sound of rustling grass whispered into my ears.
It still surprises me no matter how many times I experience it. To feel something so natural and calming when I knew that I was, in fact, lying inside a metal container filled with fluid. But no matter how many times I tell myself that, the soft breeze and warm sun rays still caressed my body, denying that realty.
Inside the capsule, there was little to no lag between connections, at least from what you perceive, as the time works differently in the virtual space. It had an upper ratio of 6:1, meaning that 1 hour in the real world is 6 hours in the virtual space. However, that depends on the program you used.
But the longer you spend in the capsule, the more strain it has on your brain. It was generally recommended that each user was to spend small periods inside at any given time. But that was advice I never really listened to before, and I don't intend to start now.
Suddenly, a system message popped up, as I was busy slating the majority of gamers.
[Welcome user. This is a starter simulation used to adjust your preferred sensory settings. Please select and confirm]
I read through the system message, and then an option window appeared with several settings. I was already prepared for them and knew what to do.
[Sound sensitivity: Default 5 → 10]
[Visual sensitivity: Default 5 → 10]
[Touch sensitivity: Default 5 → 10]
[Smell sensitivity: Default 5 → 10]
[Taste sensitivity: Default 5 → 10]
[Warning! The user has selected maximum values. Please bear in mind that the user may experience unpleasant effects. Does the user wish to continue?]
I confirmed these settings. 10 sounded like a lot, but it actually just meant realistic real-world values. Meaning, I'll feel the same things as if I was in my real body. However, that did mean that any damage I were to take in-game, I would feel as if I had actually received the damage myself. Luckily, I was used to being hurt. Well, my brain was, seeing as I came back to the time were the worst I had ever gotten hurt, was a paper cut.
With the capsule setting all done, I decided to eject from the capsule, as I had other things I needed to handle before tomorrow. Plus, all that's available to me at the moment are entertainment programmes and subpar games, and several adult entertainment programs. But I don't plan on wasting my time on them.
Exiting the capsule and taking a shower, I washed the suspension fluid off, which was more like a gel than a liquid. This wasn't something that I was happy to experience again as it could pull out some hairs if you didn't manage to clean it off quickly enough and it started to dry.
On the bus trip home, I set about sending my resignation to my work, as I should have enough cash to survive for a while. Though I will admit, I was happy to send it, but a little sad that I didn't get to see that old gremlin of a boss' face when he read it.
With that done, I loaded up my mobile banking app and checked my funds. 21,000 maq, the entirety of my savings that I was saving to buy a house in the countryside to settle down at.
Thinking about that now, I almost sound like an old man planning for his retirement, which wasn't too much off the mark. I had been worked to the bone since I was 16, so maybe I envied old men who just played golf and drank beer on their porch all day. But that was nothing but a pipedream now. A luxury that I would never be able to have.
When I got home, I ordered some food and crashed on my bed, browsing the web on my phone. This was something that I rarely had the chance to do, so I may have ordered too much food, but I did need to gain a little weight on this bag of bones I call a body. At least, that is the excuse I'm sticking with.
Soon, time passed, and I eventually fell asleep watching random people talk about rubbish going on in the world.