A New World, An Immersive Game Experience

"We're here. I know you are in no state to consider matters such as work and your studies. Unfortunately, we have to go through some steps to officially declare you fit to leave." Gengxin said as he led Eldrian into the reception building of the complex.

"A few people want to talk to you. Some want to ask you questions, others want to give you offers. Remember that you do not need to mind them right away, but do try and consider what they say."

"Can I get a headset?" Eldrian asked, causing Gengxin to miss a step. He had assumed that Eldrian would care little with the news he had just gotten. But the little Eldrian cared was too little. Gengxin knew of no other person who would not be curious upon entering Miracle Corporations' main headquarters. Sure him not wanting to talk to anyone was expected, but he only lost a friend. A new one at that. Gengxin did not understand why Eldrian was so upset.

"You can, but we can't just give you one. We need to confirm that it would be safe. We need to figure out what led to your condition." Gengxin tried to lightly guide Eldrian from his rushed approach, yet Eldrian outrightly did not care.

"Then use me as a lab rat. I need to confirm that Vivian is alright." Eldrian said, just wishing to confirm things without all the political bullshit he felt coming. He was never one for politics, feeling it was just too filled with corruption.

"We can't do that! But..." Gengxin did not know what to do. He was responsible for bringing Eldrian here so that they could pull him deeper into the company. His current condition was not good, not good at all. If they tried to take advantage of him now, those hovering over Miracle Corporation would certainly react.

The reason they needed to take a blood sample was not just to confirm the DNA of someone. But also confirm their physiological condition. Along with the blood sample, a piece of skin and some sweat was also collected. They used this to check if the person who signed the contract was under any effect; be this drugs, duress, stress, or anything similar.

Naturally, those in Miracle Corporation wished they could just not do this, but once the possibility of doing it had been developed. Those higher up had forced them to actually make it and start using it. Threatening to pull funding and publicize some of their failures if they refused.

No major corporation would want that to happen to them. Hence Miracle Corporation had seceded and agreed to follow the strict rules set up by those behind them. These rules stayed, even after Miracle Corporation became strong enough to stand without them. Now forever linked to those who helped them at the start through their failures.

As Gengxin was wondering how to bring Eldrian to a stable mindset without the use of drugs, Joren and a woman approached them. Both of them looked quite tired, the woman hid her tiredness far better than Joren. The only thing belaying her tiredness was the black shadows under her eyes.

"Gengxin, how is he?" The woman asked, while Joren instead asked Eldrian.

"Worried." Both answered almost in sync, Eldrian adding more, "Can I please get a headset. I need to confirm that Vivian is alright."

Joren sighed upon hearing this, looking at the woman next to him for permission. She looked at Gengxin, who simply nodded. Quickly it was agreed that Eldrian would be given one of the game tester's rooms.

As Joren led Eldrian to this room, the woman approached and whispered to Gengxin. "Bring your kit, and all the IVs you feel necessary. We need to speed up the development of the cabin. You will be responsible."

Hearing this Gengxin was not happy. This certainly meant a large pay increase, as well as the chance to become the face of the new technology. However, risks came with the rewards. If anything went wrong, he would face full responsibility.

Even knowing this, the rewards pulled Gengxin to reluctantly agree. He only hoped that his patient would not continue to do such outrageous things. Eldrian was not a patient any normal scientist would want. The more radical ones would certainly love him, which was also why the woman directly ordered Gengxin to do it.

They could not afford to lose Eldrian, hence a prudent scientist who feared failure more than they loved success was needed. At least for now, especially since the subject was already radical.

...

"We were truly caught off guard with everything," Joren said as they entered the room where Eldrian would be temporarily staying. "I feel like giving you some time to process things would be best. So we will come back tomorrow to discuss things. You can call for anything you might need from that intercom."

The room was far less fancy than the one Eldrian had woken up in. The walls were a light blue color, with led lights giving the room cozy lighting. The room was not very big, yet everything fitt well inside of it. There was a small dining table, a small kitchen, a single bed, and a small workstation with a PC.

Eldrian nodded to show he understood, but he was only half-listening. His focus was on the headset next to the bed.

"Alright then. You are free to use this headset. We already improved some things while you were asleep. It should hopefully allow you to play without troubles." Joren only said this to try and ease any worries Eldrian might have. His words landed on death ears as Eldrian only cared for getting into the game.

"How long?" Eldrian asked as Joren was turning around to leave.

Joren understood what Eldrian asked even without more words. Replying with a sigh he left the room. "Two days."

Eldrian nodded again, climbing onto the medical-style bed and placing the headset on. "Login."

As soon as Eldrian said this he was again brought to the simulation room. This time, instead of simple wisps, he faced a human target.

"Last twenty seconds, or subdue the target." The pleasant female voice rang and the target rushed at Eldrian. Its moves were slow to Eldrian and its attack straightforward.

Simply. Eldrian thought as he dodged the attack with ease. Moving under the target's arm, he grabbed onto the extended arm and threw the target to the ground. Without mercy, Eldrian stepped as hard as he could as the target was still bouncing from the landing.

With a crack, the target's windpipe was broken. Eldrian did not dare take it easy. Lifting his leg to step again, he had learned that magic could make seemingly deadly wounds trivial. As his second step was about to land the pleasant female voice spoke again.

"Target subdued. Time taken..." The voice faltered as it tried to make sense of the reading. Eldrian's attack landing long before the voice finished the second half of its sentence. "One and a half seconds..."

Eldrian was then enshrouded by a soft light as the voice faded into the void of the space room. Closing his eyes, Eldrian waited for himself to be placed into his avatar.

...

"Haru!" Vivian shouted as soon as Eldrian started opening his eyes. Hearing her voice immediately brought a smile to him as the weight of his emotions seemed to lift. The relief he felt on confirming that she was alright, too much for words to explain.

"I am glad you are really alright..." Eldrian said as he moved his hand to grasp her face. Rubbing a tear from her one remaining eye, Eldrian felt terrible that she had been wounded so badly. Yet even with an eye missing and terrible scaring, he still found her beautiful.

He felt anger swell in him as he looked at her missing eye and scared face. Forcing himself to calm down he tried to focus on the fact that she was alive.

They both stayed still for some time as they simply enjoyed the moment.

"Where are we?" Eldrian asked after the moment had passed and they had both hugged for another moment. He could feel they were in a carriage, but this did not really tell him anything.

"Back with the army."

"How?"

"An elf rescued us. But only me and Terlas made it, and you..." Hearing this Eldrian could see the sadness in her eye. She had become close to Sabrea quite quickly, both of them having trained together whenever they had time. Sabrea was only a few years older than Vivian and they both had the same drive. To protect their home.

Eldrian also got a pang in his heart as he was reminded of those gone. He suppressed it for the moment, allowing Vivian to grieve while he supported her. Taking her into a new embrace, Eldrian offered her the support which Gengxin had offered him a while ago.

"We have to become stronger." He whispered, Vivian nodding into his chest. She felt exactly the same. They can not allow something like that to happen ever again.