My name is Tristan Anderson. I'm an orphan. My mother died giving birth to me, and my father perished in a war. I'm nineteen, short, just five feet—with an obese frame and a nose way too big for my face. To top it all off, I live in the slums of Ohio.
Right now, I'm lying on my bed in my one-room apartment. It's cramped, with just one toilet and no kitchen. Still, if I ever feel like cooking, I do it right here, the room's spacious enough for that, at least.
As I bite into a Burger King meal, my attention shifts to a news broadcast playing on my dusty old thirty-two-inch smart TV—generously donated by someone, probably out of pity.
The Broadscaster's voice cuts through my blank stare.
{As expected, the revolutionary new virtual reality console is finally here! Afterlife Online has arrived! It's an expansive fantasy world filled with creatures, dungeons, quests, monsters, and more. Players can even earn real-world money through missions and dungeon runs!}
I scoff, toss the burger aside, and shut off the TV.
"Affordable prices, my ass! They want ten grand for that!"
Yep. That's me—a loser who does nothing but binge-watch and play games since graduating high school. My only real "outing" is treating myself to Burger King once in a while.
But it wasn't always like this. When I turned eighteen and could make my own decisions, I left the orphanage determined to survive on my own. No more scraps. Fortunately, I ran into one of my dad's old friends, who offered me this abandoned dorm free of charge.
I figured I wouldn't last long in such a violent area but surprisingly, the people here are kinder than their reputation suggests.
Long story short, I spiraled into depression and obesity, living off Burger King for a year.
To cope, I threw myself into video games and the occasional movie. You're probably wondering how I survive financially since I don't have a job.
Well, the government gave me compensation for my father's service, around a hundred grand. That money made me complacent. I told myself I'd become a successful gamer. But reality hit hard. I can barely scrape a thousand views per upload. My total views don't even hit a hundred thousand. My dream of being a famous gamer? Crushed. Still, I haven't given up. I keep trying...
The TV announcement earlier had adrenaline pumping through me. I've been waiting forever for a hyper-realistic game like this. But the price tag? That killed the mood.
"Fuck! Who in their right mind would pay ten grand for that piece of shit?" I yelled, slamming my hand on the bed.
I took a deep breath and sighed.
They claim it's a limited offer—and with how fast it's selling, if I don't act now, I'll miss out. The game releases next week. Pre-ordering now guarantees I get one.
I jump from the bed and make a beeline to my PC in the corner. Sitting in my worn gaming chair, I power it up.
While it boots, I grab my phone and check my bank app.
"Ah, shit… I've only got eleven grand left!" I say, my eyes widening.
"But... I want that game. If I don't make it this time, I'm finished. I can still survive on a thousand a month…" I mutter, clenching my teeth.
Resolved, I log into the game company's website.
As I scroll through the menu, my heart skips.
"No way… One hundred thousand pre-orders already?! And—only one unit left?!"
Without hesitation, I slam the pre-order button. Luckily, my card info is saved.
[Purchase successful. Item will be delivered next week.]
I slump into my chair, grinning.
"Those sneaky bastards… The stock really was limited. With that many orders in just a few hours, people must be going insane. They'll probably restock later, but at least I'll be one of the first. Early access—what a flex."
To celebrate, I grab another burger from my stash.
---
"Ahhhhh… That was intense," I say as I tear open the package containing the VR capsule.
It's huge. Much larger than I expected, no size options were available, but thankfully, it's not too small.
Excitement floods me as I plug it into the wall. Instantly, neon lights flicker across the capsule.
Following the manual, I press the side button. The hatch lifts open. Inside are intricate humanoid carvings, but what stands out is the pulsating glow. The pod feels... alive.
'Humanity's really come far.'
I climb in and press another button. The hatch slowly closes.
Darkness. A tingling sensation spreads across my body.
Suddenly, a flash of white.
[Welcome to Afterlife Online]
[Please choose your region...]
I select it.
[Please choose a name...]
"Crimson_Overlord."
[Sorry, that name is taken.]
Figures. But I use that everywhere.
"Milf_Hunter."
[Player name successfully registered.]
[Milf_Hunter >> User ID: 195784557]
[The capsule would now like to scan the player...]
My excitement is through the roof. I'm determined to become the best.
But before that... I'm starving. Haven't eaten today.
I hit "Exit."
[Sorry, Player >> Milf_Hunter << cannot exit the pod. He has been chosen by Draegan Vossen, the Great Asura.]
Wait—what?
I mash "Exit" again, but the option disappears.
[Player's soul will be transferred to the Infernal Realm in 10 seconds. The host's body will be eliminated in this world.]
[9... 8... 7...]
Panic crashes into me. 'None of this was in the ads!'
[6... 5...]
I thrash, trying to regain control but nothing works.
[4... 3... 2... 1...]
Blackness swallows everything. A strange force rips through me—as if I'm being shredded and rebuilt at the same time.