GENESIS

Devin felt a suffocating sensation as he struggled to pry open his eyes. He began coughing vigorously, desperately attempting to draw air into his lungs. His breaths came in rapid, wheezing gasps. Disoriented, he tried to focus until he heard a voice calling out, trying to capture his attention. "Devin! Devin, breathe! Follow the sound of my voice. Yes, like that. Take deep breaths."

Thanks to the familiar voice, Devin was finally able to breathe normally. The voice's owner offered him warm water, and as he drank it, he began to feel better. Finally, he had a moment to survey his surroundings. What he saw left him astounded. Wasn't this the dilapidated, abandoned building they had lived in when they were thirteen?

Devin's shock deepened when he laid eyes upon Alex's youthful, healthy face. So, this was what had occurred. The last thing he remembered was escaping an ambush in the holographic game, The Oasis. A group of assassins had been hot on his trail, seeking the bounty placed on his head by the powerful forces he had managed to offend. He had stumbled upon a karst and discovered a mysterious platform with a seed resting upon it.

Runic symbols adorned the walls, but since Devin lacked the ability to decipher ancient texts, he remained oblivious to their meaning. Before he could react, the seed had begun to glow. Devin felt as though he had stumbled upon a hidden treasure, unannounced within the game. He was filled with joy at the thought of cashing it in for money and using the funds to afford a cure for his adopted brother, Alex.

Although they were not bound by blood, both of them had been abandoned as infants in the poorest sector of the country. Their street upbringing had forged an unbreakable bond, and the only person Devin considered family was Alex.

In his excitement, Devin swiftly snatched the seed. Only a fool would pass up such a treasure. However, when Devin didn't receive the expected prompt or response after grasping the glowing seed, confusion washed over him. Suddenly, without warning, the seed melted into his hand.

At first, he didn't give it much thought, assuming it was just part of the game's mechanics. But then, a wave of suffocation gripped him, as if all the oxygen in the room had been sucked away. Struggling for air, he felt his consciousness slipping away, and soon, he found himself transported back to when he was thirteen—a time when the holographic game, The Oasis, had just been released.

Devin recalled that The Oasis was the most expensive game in the Federation. Even the cheapest gaming helmet alone cost 20,000 points, while the extravagant holographic cabin was priced at a staggering 300,000 Federation points.

This new luxury item had become the talk of the Federation, capable of acquiring a decent home, albeit in a less bustling area, but still far better than the decrepit and precarious abandoned building Devin had found himself in.

The holographic cabin offered a unique feature that appealed to the working class and student demographics—the ability to sleep within the game itself. This added layer of safety and security was made possible through end-to-end encryption. The cabin also came with a set of nutrition liquid, supplying the body with the energy it needed to sustain long gaming sessions.

The gaming company had collaborated closely with the government to create this revolutionary game called Oasis. Many large conglomerates had already begun transitioning their businesses into this virtual world, often referred to as "Another World." Despite doubts about its sustainability and longevity, Oasis proved its critics wrong. By the time of Devin's death at the age of twenty-five, the game had stood strong for ten years and continued to thrive, ultimately becoming a new economic force.

What set The Oasis apart from other games was its unique setting. Unlike traditional games that provided players with pre-existing materials, The Oasis required everyone to start from scratch. Players had to learn and acquire skills and props independently. If you wanted a particular skill, you had to put in the effort to learn it. If you desired props, you could either buy them or learn to craft them yourself.

One interesting feature was that players could bring their real-world skills and mastery into the game. For instance, someone who played a musical instrument in reality could quickly gain mastery of that instrument in the game. This added a sense of realism and personalization to the gaming experience.

Fierce debates raged constantly about The Oasis holographic game. Some argued that it transcended the realm of mere entertainment, while others viewed it purely as a leisure activity. However, Devin paid little attention to these theories. His only concern was whether the game could provide him with the means to earn money. However, with the mysterious rebirth he had experienced, he now had to delve deeper into the significance of the seed that had melted into his hand.

"Devin, are you alright? Those bastards won't let me take you to the hospital," Alex complained bitterly. Devin had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't registered the pain coursing through his body until now. As he focused on his discomfort, he noticed a sharp pain in his leg. Pulling up his trousers, he discovered a deep bruise that triggered a flood of memories. In his previous life, he had been hit by a car driven by a privileged second-generation individual. His family had covered up the incident, attempting to mitigate the damage. Devin recalled feeling fear when confronted with the bodyguards and lawyers and witnessing their attempts to manipulate the situation. Caught off guard, he had hastily signed the contract presented to him, fully aware that his lack of background made him an easy target for manipulation. These influential individuals hailed from powerful families.

In this new life, Devin had no intention of pursuing a legal battle. It would be futile, as they had the police in their pockets. The Federation, a place where the law favored the strong, while the weak remained at their mercy.

This time, however, Devin was determined to claim what was rightfully his. He knew they would pay, as they sought to protect the young master's image, but he also anticipated a negotiation.

"Don't worry, we will get what they owe us," Devin assured a seething Alex.

"How are you feeling?" Alex inquired once more. At thirteen, Alex appeared younger than his peers, partially due to the lasting effects of malnourishment. His blonde hair framed his face, and his keen steel-green eyes seemed to hold a maturity beyond his years.

"I will survive," Devin smiled at Alex, attempting to alleviate his friend's worries and tension. Alex and Devin relied on each other for survival, having lived on the streets together. Devin's desperation had led him to play the game recklessly in his previous life, all in an effort to gather enough money for Alex's treatment. The disease that plagued Alex was one that could be cured if caught early, thanks to advancements in medical technology.

Devin looked at Alex with a newfound determination. This time, he vowed not to let Alex suffer from the disease.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Alex questioned, sensing his friend's strange behavior since waking up.

"It's nothing. Just inform the bodyguards that I am awake," Devin instructed.

"Why? Those people are up to no good," protested Alex, though he ultimately left to carry out Devin's request.

Devin knew that the presence of the bodyguards was to ensure that news of his awakening reached certain individuals.

Thirty minutes later, a man in an impeccably tailored suit entered the dilapidated room, accompanied by his entourage of bodyguards. One would think that they were the ones in need of protection, considering the lineup compared to two defenseless, malnourished kids.

"My name is Silas. I am here on behalf of my client. My client believes that you have both suffered losses in this accident," the man stated.

"What loss did he suffer? He's probably in a five-star hospital suite receiving treatment and being pampered, while my brother is being treated like a prisoner!" Alex interjected, his frustration evident.

Silas stared at Alex as if he were an ignorant child before continuing, "Let's be clear, my client is also a victim here." Alex was flabbergasted by this statement and was about to erupt, but he was interrupted by Devin. "Alex!" Devin's reprimanding tone caused Alex to frown in anger but refrain from speaking further.

"My client acknowledges that you both have suffered and is aware of your situation. Out of the kindness of his heart, my client has sent me here to offer you compensation. Speaking of compensation, Mr. Devin also caused damage to my client's limited sport edition car and caused emotional distress. However, my client has decided to let this go, given that both parties are in the wrong," the lawyer explained in a professional manner.

Devin, unlike Alex, had heard this speech in his previous life. While he felt indignant, he also found it somewhat amusing. The client had hit him while under the influence, yet here they were, claiming emotional distress.

"Mr. Silas, why don't we cut to the chase and end all this nonsense? We both know that this case won't send your client to jail, but it will certainly put a dent in the reputation the Williams family is trying to uphold," Devin stated confidently. The lawyer, skilled as he was, didn't show surprise at Devin knowing his client's identity, but the subtle movements of the bodyguards betrayed their reaction.

"There's no need to intimidate us. We are nobodies, since your client is so generous and willing to offer compensation. Why don't you hear my demands first?" Devin proposed.

"Let's hear them. But let me be clear, my client will not entertain unreasonable demands," Silas responded.

"Don't worry, I may be fifteen and a nobody, but I still understand the nuances of the society ," Devin answered.

"It's good to speak with smart people," Silas remarked, flashing a smile.

Devin listed his demands without hesitation. "I want two national identities for me and my brother, two Oasis gaming cabins, and 3 million points. I believe that with your client's capabilities, these requests mean little to them."

Silas raised an eyebrow at these demands. He expected Devin to make outrageous requests, but he still needed room to negotiate for this to be worthwhile. "We can meet your demands, except for the points. We will offer 2 million points instead."

"Deal," Devin agreed, knowing his target was 1 million. The Williams family liked to portray themselves as good people, but it was just a facade for the public. They were ruthless individuals, and if Devin made outrageous demands, they would surely make his life miserable.

Silas produced a set of documents for Devin to sign, relinquishing his right to press charges. This time, Devin carefully read the documents, refusing to sign until they fulfilled their end of the deal.

"I will sign once you fulfill your end of the deal," Devin stated firmly.

"Do you want the cabin delivered here?" Silas asked, surveying the rundown house with disdain.

"Don't worry about delivery. You can make the payment and obtain the card from the company. We will pick it up when we are ready. As for the national identities and the points, you can make them happen today. This way, we both get what we need without wasting each other's time," Devin suggested.

"Okay, come with me to the bureau. Let me do the talking, and you just need to answer the questions," Silas instructed.

"Don't worry, I understand," Devin assured him. The reason Devin wanted national identities before turning eighteen was because of Oasis. In the game, one's real-life account and identity needed to be linked. Each person could have only one account.

"Alex, help me up," Devin asked, needing his friend's assistance to take the weight off his injured leg.

Alex, though unhappy with the situation, knew better than to question Devin in front of outsiders. Devin had always been the smartest and his decisions had saved them from numerous precarious situations.