Level 1.

In the year 2058, a game was released that changed the gaming industry as we know it.

"Empyrium Online," a Fully Immersive Virtual Reality game (FIVR), became so popular that everyone was after it. Now, there are more than 3 billion active players in the game.

Empyrium was unlike any game that had come before it. Players could create their own paths, and the NPCs were so realistic that players often mistook them for real people.

After its success, countries began using Empyrium as a platform for official meetings, and the in-game currency became convertible to real-world money.

Many players became item hunters, actively seeking rare gear and treasures to sell at high prices.

==

A young man was looking at the advertisement of Empyrium on the giant bill board across the street.

He then checked the balance in his bank account using his phone which was cracked on one side.

His account had displayed a meager balance, barely enough to cover the necessities of that month. The reality of his situation hit him hard as he realised that his dreams of a better life seemed distant, especially with his current financial constraints.

He sighed, staring at the bright, enticing advertisement for Empyrium on the billboard.

Then suddenly he got a notification on his phone, it was from his friend.

What his friend send to him was a link, he clicked on it and opened it.

🎶🎶 Never gonna give you up...🎶🎶

🎶🎶 Never gonna let you go...🎶🎶

He groaned, realising he had been Rick Rolled by his friend. Despite his frustration, he couldn't help but chuckle. Tyler, his childhood friend, had a knack for trying to lighten the mood, no matter how bad things seemed. But this time, the prank felt especially misplaced given how dire his situation was.

He tapped a quick response on his cracked phone:

"Nice one, man. You know I'm struggling out here, right?"

Within seconds, his phone buzzed again.

Tyler: "Haha, sorry! But seriously, bro, I wasn't just messing with you. Check your email. I sent you something important."

His smile faded as curiosity took over. He quickly switched apps and opened his inbox. Sure enough, there was a message from Tyler titled: "An Opportunity". Inside the email was a brief message and a link to what appeared to be an address for someone selling second hand items.

Tyler's message read:

"Yo, I know things have been rough, but this could be a game-changer. I know you've been thinking about getting into Empyrium. This guy is selling second hand capsules. It's a bit of cash, but I can lend you some to get started. I'm telling you, people are making real money in this game."

He started at the mail for a moment and then called Tyler.

The phone rang a few times before Tyler picked up, his voice cheerful as always. "Hey, Ryan! Finally decided to call me, huh?"

Ryan didn't beat around the bush. "Tyler, are you serious about this? A second-hand capsule? I don't want to get scammed. You know I can't afford to throw money away."

Tyler's tone softened, becoming more reassuring. "I hear you, Ryan. But trust me, this isn't a scam. The guy I'm talking about is a co-worker. He upgraded his FIVR setup and is selling his old one. It's a solid piece of gear, not top-of-the-line, but it works just fine."

Ryan rubbed his temple, anxiety buzzing under his skin. "Even if it works… what if this doesn't pay off? I've barely got anything left."

"I know, but listen, man. You've seen the news about Empyrium. It's more than just a game now—it's an economy, an opportunity. I've already made some money from item sales in-game. The potential is real. And I'm offering to help cover the cost to get you started."

Ryan paced around his cramped apartment, Tyler's words echoing in his mind. He trusted Tyler—he always had. If there was even a chance this could get him out of his current situation, it was worth considering. People were turning their lives around in Empyrium; maybe he could too.

"Alright," Ryan said after a long pause. He let out a heavy breath. "But I need to talk with my parents."

Tyler was quiet for a moment, then he sighed. "Yeah, I get that. It's a big decision. But you know how they feel about gaming, right? I mean, especially your dad. He's not exactly a fan."

Ryan nodded, even though Tyler couldn't see him. His dad had always been skeptical about technology, especially gaming. To him, games were nothing more than a distraction, a waste of time that pulled people away from real opportunities. The idea of his son investing in a virtual world to escape his struggles in the real one would be hard for him to swallow.

"I know," Ryan said. "But I can't make a decision like this without at least letting them know. They're already worried about me."

"Fair point," Tyler replied. "Just don't let them shut you down before you explain the real potential here."

He hung up the phone and walked towards the studio apartment that he rented, it was for the purpose of his job and as he walked he looked at his phone once again and sighed, then dialled his mother's number.

Ryan's heart raced as he dialed his mom's number, hoping to explain everything before doubt crept in. The phone rang twice before she answered.

"Ryan? Hey, sweetie, how are you?" Her voice, soft and familiar, calmed him slightly.

"Hey, Mom. I'm... okay," he replied, though the weight of his financial stress was still pressing hard. "I wanted to talk to you about something important."

"Of course, what's on your mind?" she asked.

"Mom is dad there? If he is then could you put the call on speaker?" He asked gently.

There was a slight pause on the other end before his mom responded, "Yes, he's here. Let me put the call on speaker."

Ryan heard some rustling as she adjusted the phone. His heart pounded a little faster, knowing his dad's presence would make this conversation harder.

"Alright, you're on speaker," his mom's voice came through again, gentler now, as if she knew this was going to be a delicate talk.

His father's deep voice followed, calm but firm. "Ryan, what's going on? Your mom said you had something important to talk about."

Ryan swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "Yeah, Dad. I've been thinking about a way to change things up for myself. You know how hard it's been lately with work barely covering expenses... I just can't see a way out."

His dad grunted in acknowledgment, but didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue.

"Well...you know right, the massive game that kept showing upon advertisements.

"Empyrium, right?" Ryan's dad interrupted, his voice laced with skepticism. "That virtual reality thing everyone's obsessed with?"

Ryan hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, even though they couldn't see him. "Yeah, that's the one. But it's more than just a game, Dad," Ryan continued, gathering his thoughts. "Empyrium has become a way for people to earn real money. Some are making serious profits by selling in-game items and gear. It's like... it's an economy of its own. I know it sounds crazy, but Tyler's already making money in it."

His father sighed, clearly not convinced. "I don't know, Ryan. I get that times are tough, but relying on a video game to make a living? That doesn't seem sustainable. What happens when the trend dies down or the game changes? You need something real—stable."

Ryan's mom, always the more understanding, spoke up. "I see why you're considering it, sweetie. You've been working so hard, and it's frustrating when nothing seems to be improving. But... are you sure this is the best option? Have you thought it all through?"

Ryan rubbed the back of his neck, pacing in his small apartment. "I've thought about it a lot. And I get what you're saying. It's just... I don't have much to lose right now. My job isn't covering the bills, and I'm stuck. Tyler's even willing to lend me the money for a second-hand VR capsule, so I wouldn't be starting completely on my own."

His dad's voice softened. "I don't want to see you throw your life into a gamble. I know it feels like there's no other choice, but you have to be careful. There are no shortcuts, Ryan."

"I know," Ryan replied, the frustration rising in his voice. "But this feels like more than a gamble. It's a chance to change things. I'm not saying it's perfect, but I need something to hold onto right now."

His mom was quiet for a moment before speaking. "If this is what you really want to try, we'll support you. Just be sure to keep your feet on the ground, okay? Don't let this game take over your life."

Ryan smiled faintly, relieved. "I won't, Mom. I'll be smart about it. Thanks."

"Just keep us in the loop, okay?" his dad added. "We want to know how it's going—good or bad."

"I will, Dad. I promise."

As he hung up the phone, Ryan felt a mix of anxiety and hope. He still had doubts, but at least his parents understood. Now, all that was left was to take the plunge and see if Empyrium really could change his life.

He called back Tyler again to say the news, and Tyler picked up almost immediately, his tone bright. "Hey, Ryan! How did it go?"

"Hey, Tyler," Ryan said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I talked to my parents. They're... not entirely sold on the idea, but they're supportive. They want me to be careful, though."

"That's great to hear!" Tyler's excitement was palpable. "So, are you ready to get started? I can help you with the logistics and we'll figure out the rest from there."

Ryan took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm ready. Just let me know what I need to do next."

Tyler's enthusiasm didn't wane. "Perfect! The seller's address is in the email I sent you. I'll send you the details for the transfer so you can get the money. Once you have the capsule, we'll set up a time to help you get everything configured. It's going to be a learning curve, but I know you'll get the hang of it."

"Thanks, Tyler. I really appreciate this," Ryan said, feeling a bit more hopeful.

"No problem, man. We're in this together. Let's make it happen!"

"Tyler i have a doubt?" Ryan asked.

"What is it? Tyler replied to him while being curious.

"Isn't the FIVR capsules card locked? And the capsules could only create one character right?" He asked to Tyler.

Tyler chuckled slightly before replying, "Yeah, you're right. Most FIVR capsules are card-locked and usually tied to a single account. But since you're buying a second-hand one, it's important to make sure it's been properly reset and cleared of any previous data. The seller should handle that for you."

He continued, "If it's not reset, you might end up with someone else's account or character, which could complicate things. You'll need to make sure the capsule is fully reinitialized so you can start fresh. It's a standard process, and the seller should be able to walk you through it or provide the necessary steps."

Ryan nodded, feeling reassured by Tyler's explanation. "Got it. I'll make sure to ask about that when I pick up the capsule."

"Exactly," Tyler confirmed. "And once you get it set up, let me know. We can go over the basics and get you ready to dive into Empyrium. It's a bit of a learning curve at first, but you'll get the hang of it."

"Thanks, Tyler. I really appreciate all your help," Ryan said, feeling more confident about the next steps.

"Anytime, man. We've got this. I'm excited to see where this takes you!" Tyler replied, his enthusiasm evident.

Ryan ended the call and prepared for the next steps.

Ryan took a deep breath, staring at the faded ceiling of his small apartment. This was it. He was about to step into a world that millions had already embraced, one that could change his life—for better or worse. The idea of entering Empyrium felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

As he packed up his things to head out, his phone buzzed again. It was Tyler.

Tyler: "One more thing! When you meet the guy selling the capsule, be sure to double-check that everything works. It's easy to get excited and overlook details, but you don't want to get stuck with faulty gear. I'd hate to see you get burned."

Ryan smiled at Tyler's protective tone. Tyler had always been the practical one, balancing his enthusiasm with cautious optimism.

Ryan: "Thanks, man. I'll keep my eyes open."

With that, Ryan slung his bag over his shoulder and left the apartment. The streets bustled with life, people going about their daily routines, completely unaware of the internal storm raging within him. He made his way to the address Tyler had sent—an unassuming part of town filled with small shops and second-hand stores.

As he approached the building, Ryan's stomach churned with a mix of excitement and nerves. This wasn't just about buying a VR capsule—it was about taking a chance on something that could alter the course of his life.

The seller, a middle-aged man with a friendly face, greeted him at the door. "You must be Ryan. Tyler told me you'd be coming. Come on in, I've got the capsule set up for you to check out."

Inside the dimly lit room, the capsule stood like a relic from a distant future—sleek, metallic, and well-worn, but still in working condition. Ryan ran his hand over the surface, feeling the cool metal under his fingertips.

"Everything's been reset," the seller said, pointing to a small control panel on the side. "You'll need to sync it with your own ID card, and then you'll be good to go. I've used it for a few months, but it's still in great shape."

Ryan nodded, grateful for the man's transparency. He checked the controls, ran a diagnostic test, and everything seemed to be in order.

"Make sure that you would create an account for the character that you are going to create. It will help you to migrate the character once you decided to buy a new top of the line capsule. " The seller said that to him.

Ryan listened carefully to the seller's advice, realizing how serious this step was. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

The seller smiled, giving him a final nod of approval. "Good luck, kid. Empyrium's not just a game—it can change lives, but it all depends on what you do in there. I've seen some people make fortunes, and others... well, you know. It's easy to get lost. And keep it in mind that at the core Empyrium is just a game so try to enjoy it as much as you can, money can be obtained another time but the time you lose will never be back."

Ryan thanked the seller and then called Tyler.

Tyler picked up on the first ring, his voice brimming with excitement. "Hey, Ryan! How'd it go?"

Ryan exhaled, trying to steady his nerves. "I just picked up the capsule. Everything looks good, and the seller was really straightforward. He gave me some useful tips too."

"That's awesome!" Tyler responded. "You're one step closer to diving into Empyrium. Do you need any help setting it up, or are you good to go?"

"I think I've got it covered for now," Ryan said. "I'll set up the account and make sure everything is working. I'll let you know if I run into any issues."

"Perfect. I'll transfer you the money to your account right now, So you can pay the seller." Tyler said.

Ryan felt a surge of relief as Tyler assured him that the money transfer was on its way. "Thanks, Tyler. I appreciate it."

"Anytime, man. Just keep me posted on your progress, okay? I'm excited to see how you do."

"Will do," Ryan replied, hanging up. He took a moment to absorb everything—this was his chance to break free from his current situation.

With the money transfer completed, Ryan paid the seller and then called a van so he can transfer the capsule to his apartment.

Ryan got the capsule safely to his apartment and began the setup process. The VR capsule was a sleek, metallic contraption that seemed both futuristic and a bit worn from use.

The first thing he did was scanning his id card and syncing it with the capsule, then he enabled the air conditioning of the capsule.

Ryan lay down in the capsule, the display inside the capsule started to show instructions.

The screen inside the capsule flickered to life, showing a series of prompts as Ryan lay back, trying to calm the excitement and anxiety coursing through him. The soothing hum of the capsule's systems activated, as the interface instructed him to begin the synchronization process.

A voice echoed softly from the speakers:

Then a display appeared infront of him showed him his ID card details, below that there were confirmation button and he clicked confirm.

Ryan hesitated for a second, then tapped the confirmation button. His future was about to take a drastic turn, and all of it hinged on what he would do in this vast virtual world.

He was transported to a white room as that message displayed then a huge mirror appears infront of him showing his real body.

"No" he selected that option he decided to go with his orginal appearance in the game.

He thought for a moment. Then decided to go with a name that he used as his username on a game that he enjoyed few years back.

"Hyze. Let's go with that name." He said.

The system accepted the name, and the white room started to crumble like a piece of glass.