Episode 3 User Interface

My eyes fluttered open to what seemed like a hospital room straight out of a sci-fi movie. The sterile, clinical environment was a marvel of advanced technology I have never seen in my recent life.

The walls of the room were adorned with interactive displays, seamlessly integrated into the pristine white surfaces. They pulsed with softly glowing icons and data, providing real-time information about my condition, treatment, and vital signs.

A network of sensors and monitors surrounded me, collecting and analyzing a constant stream of data. They hummed with silent precision, tracking my every bodily function and transmitting the information to a central console. I could see my own vital signs displayed in vivid detail, from heart rate and blood pressure to oxygen levels and brain activity.

Even the medical instruments appeared straight out of the future. Precision robotic arms extended from the walls, their mechanical fingers equipped with an array of specialized tools and diagnostic devices.

As I took in the high-tech surroundings, I couldn't help but marvel at the level of sophistication and innovation. It was a world where science fiction and reality had merged.

Wait, what?

I sat up; it seemed like I was on a water bed. No, I was hovering. I was on a state-of-the-art medical bed that seemed to defy gravity, suspended in mid-air by transparent supports. The bed was fitted with a sleek, ergonomic design tailored to ensure maximum comfort and efficiency.

Damn, Limbo sure seemed to have healthcare heading in the right direction.

But I didn't need to get treated, so I decided to get out of bed. The monitors displayed readings that seemed healthy, and my body felt perfectly fine.

Carefully, I swung my legs over the edge of the suspended bed and planted my feet on the sleek, cool floor. The moment my feet touched the ground, I felt a draft behind me.

I glanced down at myself and realized that I was no longer wearing my regular clothes. Instead, I was clad in a pristine white hospital gown.

"Uh, can I have clothes?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if the advanced technology in the room would respond to such a simple request. To my surprise, a soft chime echoed through the room, and before my eyes, a robotic hand offered me a sleek, form-fitting jumpsuit.

The jumpsuit had a futuristic design, with clean lines and a subtle sheen that hinted at its advanced construction. It was a far cry from the hospital gown, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as I reached for it.

As I took off the hospital gown, I heard something slide open. I turned in the direction of the sound. The source of the sound became clear—a pair of sleek, automated doors that I didn't notice before opening to reveal a man standing before them.

The sensation of embarrassment washed over me as I hastily tried to cover myself while changing out of the hospital gown. It was a vulnerable moment.

"I see you are awake, champion," the man said, uninterested in my bare ass. He might be the doctor, considering his reaction.

After I changed, I faced the man with a bit more dignity. A sense of déjà vu washed over me. His features were uncannily familiar, as if I had seen them somewhere before.

I finally managed to speak. "You... you look like a character from a game I've played." He only looked at me with confusion.

Recognition finally dawned on me like a revelation. The man standing before me was none other than Eyseck, a character in the immersive virtual world of Risk & Reward: Queen's Harem. My mind raced, struggling to comprehend how a fictional character had become a living, breathing presence.

"Eyseck?" I stammered, disbelief coloring my voice. "You're... you're from Queen's Harem."

"Harem? I'm sorry, but I am not part of your predecessor's harem, champion," he bowed to me elegantly. "No. I shouldn't be calling you 'champion' anymore."

Eyseck smiled.

He kneeled before me and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen."

The realization sent a shiver down my spine.

"Ah," I said. So this is what the God of Gaming meant when they said they would boot up my favorite game while I waited. I'm in the game.

As I walked beside Eyseck, my admiration for his features was undeniable. His bright yellow hair, elegantly tied into that ornate bun, seemed to shimmer in the light, casting an almost angelic aura around him. The eyeglasses perched on his nose, a detail I had always appreciated, added to his intellectual charm, making him even more appealing. I freakin' love eyeglass-wearing characters.

His futuristic military uniform, with its sharp lines and precise tailoring, emphasized his striking physique and conveyed a commanding presence.

Lost in my thoughts and daydreams, I became aware of Eyseck's concerned voice. "Are you alright, Your Majesty?"

I blinked, snapping out of my fantasies. I felt a flush of embarrassment creep onto my cheeks. "Oh, uh, yes, I'm fine," I stammered, trying to compose myself. "Just lost in thought for a moment."

Eyseck's expression softened into a reassuring smile as he continued to walk by my side. "Do not hesitate to share your concerns with me, my Queen."

I remember the start of the game being the inauguration of a new "Queen." In the setting of the game, the player was called the Queen. This place wasn't a traditional monarchy where the player inherited the title. Instead, it was what they simply called the ruler of their meritocratic society.

The most striking and formidable requirement was that the person who assumed the role of Queen had to defeat the previous Queen in combat.

Great. I appeared to have killed someone.

In a society where strength and determination were paramount, the act of slaying the reigning Queen was seen as a testament to one's worthiness to lead. In this case, it had been me who had taken on this role by defeating my predecessor.

Great, now I had to watch out for my back in case someone wanted to take the position from me.

While RRQH was an enjoyable experience, I had never imagined that being an actual Queen would have a deadly consequence. The thought of facing death a second time was unsettling to me. It would feel rather anticlimactic, and I had no idea what would happen if I were to meet my demise in this alternate reality.

Eyseck and I finally arrived at what appeared to be the heart of the futuristic facility—the control room. Dominating the center of the room was a grand captain's chair, surrounded by an array of advanced monitoring stations and holographic displays.

Eyseck gestured toward the impressive setup. "Welcome to your throne room, Your Majesty. This is where you can oversee and monitor the affairs of your civilization and make important political decisions."

I couldn't help but be awed by the sight before me. The captain's chair was a symbol of authority and responsibility, a physical manifestation of the role I had assumed as the Queen.

I approached the captain's chair, and I couldn't hide my awe as I looked at it up and down. The captain's chair was a masterpiece of futuristic design and comfort. The sleek, ergonomic form was crafted from polished, gleaming metal and plush, supple leather. The chair's backrest was contoured to provide optimal support, while the seat cushion was both soft and accommodating. Now this—this was a gaming chair.

The leather cushion, which I now glided my hand over, was a luxurious touch. It felt smooth and plush, a stark contrast to the high-tech surroundings. The material seemed to conform to the contours of my hand, inviting me to take a seat and assume my role as the Queen.

I felt myself sink into the chair—being this comfortable should be a crime.

An array of controls and interfaces adorned the armrests and sides of the chair, each one seamlessly integrated into the design. Holographic displays and touch-sensitive panels allowed for effortless interaction with the technology that surrounded me.

"S-system," I uttered. The room responded with silence. I thought a holographic panel would pop out in front of me, like in those web novels I had read. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of embarrassment as I addressed the room. I wanted to mentally crawl into a hole and die when I realized Eyseck was looking at me the whole time.

Eyseck, who had been observing my attempts, offered a reassuring smile. "Fear not, Your Majesty. The intricacies of this new role may take some getting used to. The technology here operates in its own unique way. Allow me to guide you."

Eyseck moved with confidence and purpose toward the captain's chair, taking his place by its side. His presence carried an air of authority, and with a clear, resonant voice, he issued a command that filled the room.

"Galatea."

As the sound of his command echoed through the chamber, the atmosphere seemed to come alive with anticipation. I watched with curiosity, wondering what would happen next. Moments later, a subtle, light blue glow began to materialize before me, forming into a holographic message.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, the Queen." It was in Comic Sans. My heart was full of warmth at the irritable yet beautiful font.

The holographic interface, known as Galatea, manifested as a shimmering, translucent text box. With Eyseck's guidance, I navigated through the controls and user interface.

Does this mean I finally get to see battles up close? I get to build a civilization. I get to conquer the world.