Vol.1 || Ch 5 - Fast & Furious [2]
A/N: Please make sure to give power stones if you liked the story thus far. Support will encourage me to continue the story. I mean, what's the point of writing a story if people don't like it? So, if you can, then make sure to give me some support by giving me power stones.
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If there are any errors then pls inform me. Despite calling the game "Fast & Furious", IT is not a driving game. But Something else. Just similar name.
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NOTICE: Starting next month, my final exam will start and it will end in August. So, this might be the last update for now.
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Soon, Arden finds himself in a vast white void—empty, endless. Pulses of energy drifted across it in grid-like patterns, as though space itself had been coded.
"Where... is this?" he murmured, his voice edged more with curiosity than panic, though the situation clearly warranted the latter.
A moment later, something materialized before him. A small, floating construct hovered into view—a metallic head with glowing eyes, paired with detached arms drifting beside it. Its design reminded Arden faintly of some C156 drones, but this one bore strange circuit-like patterns etched into its casing.
"Welcome, Player One. I am your personal assistant—B01, or Bee-Oh-One, if you prefer. I'm here to assist you however I can."
Arden narrowed his eyes slightly. "Where exactly am I? And how did I end up here?"
He already had a guess—he'd tapped that strange watch, after all—but the fact remained: he hadn't agreed to any of this. Not consciously.
Bee 01 responded promptly, its tone unwaveringly friendly: "Of course. Let me explain. This space is a temporary hub for now. It is where you will be before deciding to play any games."
It floated closer, lights flashing across its frame as it continued.
"The games you'll find here resemble your advanced VR simulations, though with one major difference. The experiences will feel completely real—sight, touch, sound, even pain, though the system ensures no lasting harm. Every session contributes to actual improvement in your physical, mental, and spiritual attributes. No risk, no harm. Just fun and benefits."
Arden's brow furrowed, but he didn't interrupt.
"Furthermore," Bee 01 went on, "players can acquire knowledge far beyond your civilization's current capabilities—technologies, techniques, even cures to diseases once thought impossible. Hidden energies. Lost pathways. Skills and powers. Some call it the Path to Supermancy. But of course... results may vary."
It gave a tiny, polite shrug.
"And all of this… is just the beginning."
Arden's expression sharpened. "I want to know how I ended up here. I know what happened, but it was not voluntary. It felt like… something was controlling me."
Bee 01 paused, its lights flickering for a moment as if processing the question. Then it replied, voice still light but now with a trace of formality:
"For that, we extend our sincere apologies. In order to ensure the spread of this experience, the Maker had to take certain… unconventional measures. As you may know, most people hesitate to test programs of unknown origin, especially those without branding or verification. So, a forced initiative was deemed necessary."
Its tone lowered slightly, almost as if trying to sound empathetic.
"Among all potential candidates, you were chosen based on a complex set of requirements. From a vast database, your profile matched the ideal parameters. In short, your selection was not random. You were qualified. Though there was little bit of luck involved."
Arden's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.
"However," Bee 01 added quickly, "you are not obligated to proceed. If you choose not to play, the system will not force you further. But… you will also forfeit any potential benefits."
Arden didn't respond immediately. His mind was racing.
"The Maker…", Arden thought. "If his hunch was right, this wasn't the work of any Xenon—or even any known planetary authority. It might be from an alien species. If so, what was his real purpose? For now, he had no answer. Besides, considering the planet's unique energy field, not even data could escape its surface—this presence shouldn't exist here. Which meant that the other party has the technology to bypass the field. So, this was either the opportunity of a lifetime… or the prelude to something catastrophic."
Still, he should really hear the benefits before deciding anything. Then he looked up and asked, "What exactly are the benefits?"
Bee 01 began to explain.
"As the first individual to access the game, you qualify for certain exclusive benefits. For example, a 10% lifetime discount. But there is one condition—you must spread its existence. Given your status as a rising influencer, this should come naturally. While introducing it, you'll need to share not just how it works, but also its origin."
Arden narrowed his eyes.
Bee 01 continued, "As you've likely guessed, the Maker is not from Nova. He's... not a Xenon. He's always dreamed of building something both fun and meaningful—thus, the games. Through the device that you suddenly got, it works from anywhere in the universe, so long as you're in a stable, undisturbed environment. And as for the gaming experience, it is fully immersive, yet adjustable to your preferences. You may configure settings like realism, sensory input, even pain sensitivity—to suit your comfort and purpose."
The assistant paused briefly before adding, "As you play, you will earn credits. These can be exchanged to enhance your physical, mental, or spiritual abilities. You can purchase knowledge, sciences, and insights that would take your civilization millennia to uncover. You can acquire rare resources unavailable on your planet. Or... gain the right to travel to other planets, dimensions, even entirely separate universes."
Bee 01 floated back, arms spread like a presenter finishing a pitch. "That is all you need to know—for now."
Arden blinked. "Wait, wait... Different universes? Are you telling me there's more than one? Isn't the universe, by definition, everything that exists? And what even are these dimensions you're talking about?"
Bee 01's tone shifted, playfully evasive. "That knowledge is not free. You'll have to earn it."
Arden was quiet for a long moment, gears turning in his head. Then, with a slow exhale, he nodded. "Fine. I'll take the deal. But hear me—if I find even a hint of danger in this... if I learn the Maker is using people or planets as playthings—I'll tear it all down. I don't care what it costs me."
Bee 01's eyes flickered faintly. "Understood. Rest assured, the Maker has implemented numerous safeguards. The risk of harm to players is statistically zero. As for any plans. He just wants others to have fun that is also meaningful and not harmful to any civilization."
Arden didn't smile. "We'll see."
A brief pause followed, then Bee 01's tone shifted, a trace more upbeat.
"So, would you like to experience the game? Currently, there is only one available. More will be added in the future."
Arden gave a short nod. "Sure."
Instantly, a translucent panel appeared in front of him. On it, a male character stood at the edge of a cliff, staring out over a vast landscape of floating islands bathed in twilight.
Beneath the scene was the title:
Fast & Furious.
Arden raised an eyebrow. "Fast and Furious, huh?"