Fresh Start

Jolting upright in bed, gasping for breath, Jacks hands instinctively reaching for his back where he had felt the spine-shattering impact in that rat-infested alley. 

Wait...?! He just died! The pain still fresh in his mind pulsating through his entire body. He could still feel them... the rats. Their teeth, the pain, there beady little eyes!, it was all so vivid, as if they were still gnawing at him, right here and now."

Where was he? What was this? Had he been saved?

No one would ever save him the most hated player in existence. There were plenty other top players he was not special to anyone no one would save him.

Getting up feeling the cold hardwood under his feet looking around he found himself to be in his 20-year-old body once again in his old room at the time with his.

- Barely standing desk.

-The closet door that wouldn't close all the way.

-His creaky hard bed.

-The heater that never worked.

God he hated the cold! Why was he always Cold?

The vigor of youth pulsed through him, a stark contrast to the frail form he had left behind in the alley. The calendar on the wall marked a date that sent a shiver down his spine – it was four days before the release of Ethereal Odyssey, the game that had defined his previous existence.

He had no family even at this time of his life barely scraping by on the governments' monthly allowance.

Previously saving all his money for college before the game took over everyone's lives only eating instant ramen most nights. 

Jack's mind raced with the implications. He had been given a rare opportunity to relive his life, to change his fate. With the memories of power and domination in the world of Odyssey still burning bright in his mind he started to erect a plan.

He planned to redirect the funds he had saved up for college at the time. He wasn't going to tread the conventional path this time and waste his time on college. His goal was clear – to dominate Ethereal Odyssey from the very beginning.

-The next day-

Jack, ventured out with a single mission. He headed straight to the most renowned tech store in town weaving through the alleys and the beggars he had become so accustomed to in his old life.

His goal was clear: to acquire the most expensive and advanced VRMMORPG headset available, a crucial tool for his impending domination in the game.

His home was in a district that was a far cry from the polished, high-tech areas known for their upscale tech stores.

The streets were lined with the harsh realities of poverty life. Teeming with a mix of people among them were women leaning against the graffiti-laden walls or pacing the sidewalks, their expressions a mix of weariness and forced allure selling their bodys to whoever would be interested.

Beggars interspersed among them, some sitting slumped against the buildings with outstretched hands, others wandering with a hollow look in their eyes.

As Jack moved through this part of town, his steps quickened, not out of disdain but a sobering acknowledgment of the stark divide between this world and his destination.

Gradually, the scenery began to change. The buildings grew taller and more modern, the sidewalks cleaner and less crowded. The air of desperation slowly gave way to an atmosphere of commercial prosperity.

Jack arrived at the store, and his eyes were immediately drawn to the sleek, high-end headsets displayed prominently. He made his way over.

The shopkeeper, noticing his keen interest, approached him. A middle-aged woman with a friendly smile and an air of expertise about her.

Her name tag read "Susan," Greeting him with a warm, "Good afternoon! Looking for a VR headset?"

"Yes," Jack replied, his tone serious, "I need the best one you've got."

"Ah, a serious gamer, I see." Eyes lighting up with an intense understanding

"Well, you're in luck. We just got the latest model in. It's the top of the line, with the most immersive experience you can find on the market right now boasting an 80% immersion rate."

Jack alrighty knowing all of this nodded. "I'll take it. How much?"

Susan glanced at the price tag and said "With the headset and the pills to sustain you while in the game it'll come out to 15,000 credits.

It was a hefty sum, but Jack didn't hesitate. He had planned for this though knowing that the pills were required and that the higher-end headsets needed more pills. Tell the pods came out that you could just put nutrient packs into and not worry about it he would just have to make do.

While processing the purchase she couldn't help but ask, "You must be passionate about gaming. What game are you planning to play with this?"

"Ethereal Odyssey. It's being released in a few days."

Raising her eyebrows in surprise. "That's the talk of the town. You must be excited. I've heard it's going to be a game-changer."

"It will be, more than anyone realizes," Jack answered back.

Handing him the receipt and the bag containing the headset. "Well, I wish you the best of luck. Who knows, maybe you'll become one of the legends in that world."

Taking the bag, his grip firm. "Oh, I intend to. Thank you, Susan."

With the headset secured, Jack left the store, his mind already racing with plans and strategies. This was more than a purchase; it was the first step in reclaiming his destiny.

-Back Home-

Carefully taking the box out of the bag Jack stared a feeling of intense nostalgia washing over him.

The headset, crafted by the enigmatic company Lunar Dynamics, was a marvel of modern technology, shrouded in mystery as much as its manufacturer.

Even in Jack's previous life, at the pinnacle of his gaming career, little was known about Lunar Dynamics, a company that seemed to have sprung from nowhere, yet had revolutionized the world.

The headset itself was a sleek masterpiece, a blend of aesthetics and functionality that set it apart from any other on the market. Its exterior boasted a smooth, matte black finish, with subtle silver accents that glimmered under the light, giving it an almost celestial appearance.

The Lunar Dynamics logo, a stylized crescent moon, was emblazoned on both sides faintly glowing when turned on.

The interior was lined with ultra-soft, cushioned material, designed for comfort during extended gaming sessions. Its ergonomic design ensured a snug fit, adaptable to any head shape without causing strain or discomfort.

What truly set this headset apart, however, was its groundbreaking technology.

Lunar Dynamics had developed a unique system that induced a pseudo-coma state in the player, allowing their subconscious mind to fully immerse in the game. This method sparked many political debates about the safety and privacy of people it being both controversial and innovative, creating an unparalleled level of immersion.

Upon wearing the headset and initiating the game, players would find themselves drifting into a deep, trance-like state. In this state, their physical bodies would be in a restful, coma-like condition, with all bodily functions slowed to a minimal, safe level.

Meanwhile, their consciousness would be fully active within the game, experiencing the virtual world as vividly as reality.

The most innovative feature, however, was the direct neural interface. This system bypassed traditional sensory inputs and connected directly with the player's nervous system.

It translated the game's stimuli into neural signals, creating a sensory experience that was indistinguishable from real life. This technology allowed players to feel, smell, and even taste within the game world.