Chapter 2: Player.

Atkinson slammed the car door shut as he exited.

"Have a good day, Mr. Edwards," said the driver.

Just as he was about to start the engine, he was halted by Atkinson.

"Wait," said Atkinson with his back turned.

The driver inquired, "Huh?"

"Worker, I've been noticing some...lapses in my employees performance lately," Atkinson said, his voice firm but controlled.

The driver eyes darted back to the road ahead. "I'm not sure what you're referring to, sir."

Atkinson's expression turned stern. "I guess it is because you are new. You know why you're now my driver? I've seen the old ones take detours that add ten minutes to our commute. I've seen them fail to open my door on multiple occasions. And just yesterday, I had to remind one to turn on the air conditioning."

The driver's face reddened. "Umm, sir? (Did I do something wrong?)"

Atkinson's voice dropped to a warning tone. "See to it that I don't face these problems with you, James. You're not just driving me around, James. You're representing AGP. Our company's reputation is on the line every time you're behind the wheel. If you don't do your job properly, I'll have no choice but to let you go."

James's eyes widened, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. "I understand, sir. I'll make sure that I do my best, I promise."

Atkinson's gaze lingered on James for a moment before he turned his attention to his phone. "I expect to see at 7:30 PM. We have a big meeting with investors next week, and I need to know that I can rely on you to get me there on time and in style."

The tension in the car was palpable as James nodded, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. He heard that Atkinson was a demanding boss, but he also that he was a fair one. If he could shape up and do his job to Atkinson's satisfaction, he might just keep his job and get a bonus on the more than excellent salary he had.

"(I better not mess up.)" James though.

The thought sent a shiver down James's spine as he accelerated smoothly through the next intersection.

Atkinson sighed. "Another day at work.

He stood onto the sidewalk, and peered up the towering structure in front of him. The AGP Tower, the headquarters of the renowned gaming company, was a marvel of modern architecture. Its sleek, angular shape, soaring 40 stories into the air was hard to ignore. The building's exterior was a gleaming expanse of glass and steel, with a deep blue hue that shimmer in the sunlight. The silver trim added a dynamic touch, giving the tower a high-tech feel that was unmistakable. As Atkinson gazed up at the roof, he noticed the distinctive curved shape, resembling a crescent moon, which had become a recognizable landmark in the city.

This was of his design.

Atkinson entered the lobby, walking through the glass auto-sliding doors. The interior of the building was spacious. The place was filled with natural light, colorful artwork, and eclectic decor inspired by their games.

There were soundproof rooms that held gaming chambers and a three desk that had staff members.

"Morning, sir!" yelled the three individuals as Atkinson walked in.

He didn't respond.

He went towards the elevator and pressed the button. After a few seconds, the door open and he went in.

"So disrespectful," said the male worker.

One of the female staff said, "Well, I don't mind. As long as I am getting paid."

The other female said, "What's the point of saying morning anyway? Just to get ignored."

"Just to keep our jobs," said the other female worker.

The male worker scoffed, "Yeah, right."

Inside the elevator, Atkinson took out a grey key card and slide it in a component.

Suddenly, the artificial voice said, "Going to floor 40."

The ding of the elevator door echoed throughout the empty hallway as Atkinson walked out. Infront was a lone door that had the text on the blurry glass that read 'CEO's Office.'

Atkinson took out a key and opened the door. Inside of his office was spacious. He even had a small balcony at the back.

The office had one desk and chair in the middle while sides were filled with shelves that contained important documents.

He took a seat. He pulled out a few documents from under his desk and began to write down his plans. He was signing documents to allocate specific resources to certain partners.

[One Hour Later]

A knock was heard on Atkinson's door. He then pressed a green button under his desk and the door opened. Inside came a woman that had a tablet in his hand.

"Good morning, sir," said the assistant. "I have today's reports."

Atkinson nodded his head. "Go on, Emma."

"I think you'll be pleased," she said as she placed a few files on his desk.

Atkinson scanned the numbers on the files. "Good, our new game, Aetherium is selling quick."

"Yes, sir. We've already moved 500,000 units in the first quarter." Emma nodded, smiling. "And it's not just the game itself. Merchandise sales are through the roof too. We've sold over $1 million worth of Aetherium t-shirts, posters, action figures and.. other items."

Atkinson's took up one of the files. "That's fantastic. I knew the game's popularity would translate to merch sales. What about in-game purchases?"

Emma handed Atkinson another report. "In-game purchases are up 20% from last quarter. Players are shelling out big bucks for virtual currency, character customization requests, and premium items."

Atkinson nodded, impressed. "Great to see. And what about our partnership with Razer? How are sales of the branded gaming peripherals doing?"

Emma consulted another report. "Razer's sales are up 15% since the partnership launched. The custom-designed gaming setups are flying off the shelves."

Atkinson leaned back in his chair. He seemed sad with the reports even though it didn't show in his face.

"Excellent. It looks like our strategy to create a rich gaming ecosystem is paying off. Right now, we are not just selling games; we're building a lifestyle."

Emma nodded, making a note on her pad. "I'll make sure to pass on your comments to the marketing team, sir."

Emma then left Atkinson office.

[Ten Hours Later]

Atkinson was now on the 28th floor, observing the employees. This floor was where events were made and character customization requests were fulfilled.

Everyone was focused on their task completely. They didn't what to be seen lacking behind when the boss was around.

Atkinson said to himself, "(It's soon time to go home.)"

He looked around at the employees. He saw how some were focused, others seem stressed and others looked tired.

"(I wonder if all of them have families to go home to? I wonder how it feels to be locked up at work while your family is waiting for you at home.)" Atkinson said to himself. "(I also wonder how the family feels when one of its members aren't at home.)"

"Hey, stop!" a female voice yelled.

Atkinson peered around and saw a male employee that wasn't doing his work beside a female employee.

"Yo, quiet with the screaming. I was just asking if you wanted to spend the night together," said the male employee. He had black spots under his eyes and his hair was messy.

He had his arms wrapped around the lady and was rubbing her shoulder. The other employees watched but didn't look as if they were going to do anything about it.

"And I said leave me alone!" yelled the lady.

She got up and slapped him in the face. The man staggered backwards. He felt his hot and red cheek with his hands.

The man gritted his teeth. "You bitch!"

He clenched his fist and threw a punch to the woman's face.

"Ahh!"

"Huh?" the enraged man was then taken a back.

His punch was stopped by Atkinson who held his fist tightly.

He said with stern look, "You're fired."

Atkinson tighten his grip on the man's hand.

"AAARRRGGGHH!!" the man yelled in agony.

Atkinson tossed away his fist as the man laid on the ground, clenching his seemly broken hand.

"You have until 9:00 PM to leave. If you don't remove yourself from the property by then, you'll be losing more than your job.

Atkinson left the working place, leaving the employees awestruck.

"(I wonder if that guy has family as well?)" thought Atkinson as he menacingly glances at the agonized man.

He made it down to the ground level floor. As the elevator opened, he walked through.

"Good night, sir!" yelled three employees.

They were different from the ones this morning.

Atkinson once again didn't respond.

"What the heck?" one of the males inquired.

The doors slide open and he walked outside. The cold, night breeze washed over. Surprisingly, it was better than the A/C in the building.

"Hmm," he said looking at the road.

"I'm surprised."

Parked near the sidewalk was James, Atkinson's driver.

"Huh? Oh! Good night, sir!" James yelled, immediately after seeing Atkinson.

Atkinson walked forward. "How long have you been here?"

"From like 11 o'clock in the morning," said James scratching the back of his head.

"(That long?)"

"James," said Atkinson. "Do you have any family."

James a little bit caught off guard by this question, but he still responded. "No, but yes. You see, I'm adopted. My foster parents kicked me out of the house after I turned 18."

Atkinson then asked another question, "Do have any friends?"

"Not really. I don't really socialize much. I tend to keep to myself," said James.

Atkinson wanted to grin, but for some reason he couldn't.

He said, "As you should."

Atkinson began to walk away on the sidewalk.

"I personally believe that friends are a fucking waste of time," cursed Atkinson.

"(Did the boss just curse?)" inquired James. "Huh? Wait. Where are you going?"

"James, you can go home. I am just talking a night walk," responded Atkinson.

James was in awe.

He said, "Okay then," as he slowly entered the car.

Before he did, he asked, "Are you sure that you'll be ok?"

Atkinson gave a thumbs up as he walked away.

James sighed as he drove away.

The city was now dark, as the sun already crossed over the skyscrapers and people were rushing home from work. Atkinson was walking down the street, lost in thought as he replayed the day's events in his mind. He looked around at the people and pondered.

"(I usually replay the days events, but for some reason I can't focus.)"

As he turned a corner, he noticed a commotion up ahead.

A group of three men were surrounding a young woman, taunting her and making lewd comments. Atkinson's was surprised, and he halted.

"(Are they going to kidnap her, rape her or are just neighborhood bullies.)" pondered Atkinson. "(Matter of fact, why should I help here?)"

Atkinson was about to walk away, but his legs won't move forward.

He signed, "(I haven't been acting normally lately.)"

Suddenly, he quickened his pace to get a better look at the situation. As he approached, he saw that the men were getting more aggressive, pushing the woman against the wall and threatening her.

Without hesitation, Atkinson walked towards them. He hadn't only been training his physique but also his combat skills in Mixed Martial Arts for several years and had even competed in a few amateur bouts.

Atkinson strided towards the group, his eyes locked on the men. "Hey, back off!" he shouted, his voice firm and authoritative.

The men, taken aback by Atkinson's sudden intervention, turned to face him. One of them, a burly guy with a sneer on his face, took a step forward. "Mind your own business, buddy," he growled.

Atkinson didn't flinch. He was more enraged. He took off his tie and fanned over his nose.

"(This guy's breath stinks.)" he said. "(And this is the second time I'm helping someone.)"

He gripped the man shoulder tightly to the point that his veins were popping out of his wrist.

Atkinson terrifyingly said, "Fuck off."

The men yelled, "AAAHHHH!!," as he kneeled on the ground.

The other two men realizing they were in for a fight, charged at him.

"Get your hands off our boy," said one of the men.

Atkinson then picked up the man by the collar as he said, "I thought I told you guys to fuck off."

He tossed the guy at the two guys. The men staggered back.

Atkinson said, "Just know that now, I'm going to hurt you."

He landed a swift back kick to the stomach of one of the guys, sending him flying back. The second guy tried to grab him from behind, but Atkinson quickly dispatched him with a elbow to the face.

"Argh!" he grunted.

Atkinson then placed his hands over his neck and began to unload a flurry of liver shots.

The second guy fell to the ground, coughing blood.

The third guy, got back up. He swung wildly at Atkinson, but the latter dodged and weaved.

"Bastard! Stay still!" the man yelled.

Atkinson then halted. The man swung a punch and it landed.

"Bastard?" asked Atkinson. "Who are you calling a bastard?"

Surprisingly, Atkinson held the man's fist in his hands. He then dislocated it with his elbow in a swift motion.

The yelled, "AAAAAHHHHHH!!"

Atkinson used his footwork to landed a side kick on the man's face, sending him crashing into a wall.

"Shut up, it's not like it is broken," said Atkinson with malice in his voice.

Finally, the first guy emerged again. He saw his two companies dispatched and was in awe.

Atkinson, seeing the distracted man, saw an opening and landed a solid punch to the guy's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.

The men lay there, dazed and defeated, as Atkinson turned to the woman. "Are you okay?" he asked, without etch of concern.

The woman, shaken but unharmed, nodded gratefully. "Y-yes, thank you," she stuttered.

The young woman had light bronze hair and nearly golden-like eyes.

"Good. Go home," he said as he turned to leave.

The lady yelled, "Wait-!"

"No," said Atkinson. "I'm not helping you again in anyway."

The woman looked at his back, her eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you!" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Atkinson heard it and couldn't help but cringe.

As he down the dark street, Atkinson saw a pile of cars parked and some that crashed into others on the road. There was a mysterious blue fog with sprinkles of blue dust that glowed, but Atkinson didn't pay that much mind.

"The heck?" Atkinson inquired.

He saw one car that was one fire. It was the car that James drove out in.

He rushed forward. He jumped over the cars and slide between the tight spaces. Atkinson eventually made it to the position of the blazing car.

"James!" he yelled.

Atkinson was in awe. No was in the car.

Suddenly, the blue fog made a spiral vortex around him. A blue crack was suddenly made in reality.

"What the hell is going on?" Atkinson inquired as he backed away.

The next second, the blue crack expanded and others were made around the city. A blindly light developing Atkinson and he disappeared.

The car abruptly exploded after his disappearance.

***

Atkinson was now in a black void. He couldn't see, he couldn't move and he couldn't talk. He could think however, yet he was surprisingly calm.

The next second, a blue hologram appeared.

[Congratulations!]

[You Have Been Selected To Become A Player!]

[Do You Accept?]

[Yes/No]

The yes button then brighten.

[Choose Your Class]

[Basic Class:

1. Swordsman.

2. Mage.

3. Fighter.

4. Warrior.

5. Rogue.

6. Ranger.

7. Choose Later.

*Classes Can Be Changed Or Advanced Later On]

The seventh option brighten.

[Are You Sure?]

[Yes/No]

The yes button brighten again.

[Do You Wish To Participate In The Tutorial?]

[Yes/No]

[*The Tutorial Isn't Mandatory But Rewards Will Be Given If Completed]

[Yes]

[Quest]

[Name: Classless Mirror.

Difficultly: Normal - Hard.

Description: Face A Classless Entity That Is Your Clone. The Clone Will Adapt To Fighting Style And You Must Find A Way To Defeat It.

Clear Condition: Kill 1 Clone (0/1).

Fail Condition: Die.

Penalty: None.

Duration: None.

Rewards: x1 Level Up, x1 Skill And 50 Coins.]

[*If You Fail Tutorial, You'll Be Sent Into Aetherium]

To Be Continued...

Next Chapter: Tutorial for the Classless.