MONSTER MMORPG: Mayhem Online

Since the release of [Mayhem], there have been many talks regarding how it would affect the world. One of the earlier assumptions when [Mayhem] wasn't even that popular was that it would soon replace the world's greatest forms of entertainment and become one of the widespread sensations of the world.

Who would have thought that such a random and vague prediction would not just be true, but also far below the wild truth? When [Mayhem] was first released in the international market, people treated it like another one of the gimmicks that would just last for a day or two.

That's why its current astronomical success and the way it had become a natural part of people's daily life was something that most entrepreneurs could have never guessed.

That's why most of the equity of Kibea corporation was with the original owners of the company and there was rarely any outside involvement, gathering the envy of the world from the amount of profits that they were raking in.

And this very corporation, the owner of the world's number one virtual reality game, which was basically the second life for humanity.

Ever since its release, [Mayhem] has outgrown its competitors and secured its spot as the world's leading and only VR game that is fully immersive with all the senses intact.

Now, after it's been more than a year since the launch of the game, the game is finally getting its own competition.

It had created a worldwide sensation and all the participating countries have become the talk of everyone. The players of these countries were excited and the players from countries that weren't in the game were sulking or even willing to relocate just to participate in the tournament.

The tournament was now getting estimated as a game that might just compete toe to toe with the Olympics or even surpass it.

The hype about the competition was very real and tangible.

One of the popular forums online.

@U_r_nutz: This competition is going to be lit! I hope I get to see Majesty in real life!

@I_make_better_videos_than_mrbeast: How to join the competition? Is there a criteria that only top players can join? What's the competition even about?

@UrDadWhoFinallyBoughtBackTheMilk: I don't think there is any official news regarding that yet. But the Kibea corporation has said that they'll reveal all the participants' lists and more information about the tournament soon. I guess the participants will directly be offered to join the event.

@EyesOfSteel: Not that I really want to join! I'd much rather enjoy watching all the top players gathered together!

@ManOfVulture: Uh, since it has come to this. Do you guys think the legendary class will make its appearance?

@BlueBullSynergyDrink: No, does anyone even know which country he is from? I heard he's Italian.

@I'mNotATwoIncher: I heard that Italy isn't participating though… Out of the 50 countries that are participating, Italy was one of those countries that refused to join the competition from the get go.

@Robin'sWood: I really wish that the legendary class joins too. It'll be so much fun.

@SimpingDayNight: Fuck legendary class. I wanna see Majesty, Beatrice and Elexis i!n flesh!

***

— Sir, please check through the list of apartments that I've sent. They're one of the best ones in Delta city.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll see them."

I was currently on a phone call with a broker who was helping me find an apartment inside Delta city.

I've been living on the outskirts for too long and I finally had the money to live inside the main city. Not only that, but I also had enough money to buy a decent apartment instead of living on rent.

—-Knock Knock!

"Hold up a second."

Holding up the call, I ran towards the door to check who it was.

—-Click!

"Oh, I see some familiar faces."

Right in front of me was the head of Kibea's International Branch of Utah, Scarlett McJohn, and her brother, the head of Delta City's Kibea Healthcare Branch, Daniel McJohn.

"Come in, come in. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I asked as I gestured for them to come in.

Both Daniel and Scarlett had a surprised expression hearing my words as they entered the room.

"Are you okay? Or did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?"

Daniel asked with fake concern and Scarlett suppressed her laughter.

"What is it, birdbrain? Something funny?"

I insulted Daniel right away. I knew he was trying to make fun because I am usually not too polite when meeting people, but hey, I have my good and bad days too, right?

I was in a really good mood after what had happened in the game and after becoming a millionaire.

"That's more like it! For a second I thought that we would need to go through another MRI just for your human-like behaviour."

Daniel said in mock sarcasm and both me and Scarlett chuckled.

"Anyways, is it related to the competition?"

I directly got to the point. There has been a lot of news these days about the competition. So it wouldn't be surprising to see Kibea employees at players' houses. But what kind of players they went to, well, the information was classified to themselves only.

"Yes, it is."

Scarlett replied with a smile.

"Then what is he doing here? Doesn't he always grumble about not wasting time blah blah blah?"

I pointed at the smiling Daniel, whose smile instantly turned upside down.

—-Pffft!

Scarlett barely held back her laughter. After some time, she finally calmed down and explained that Daniel was again forced to come with her, just to check on my health just in case.

"I see you are doing much better than before."

Daniel said as he did a thorough check-up of my body.

I just shrugged at his unhappy remark and waited for Scarlett to talk.

"Well, you were right about the competition part. We are here to invite you to the competition."

As expected, she said exactly what I had thought. I shook my head.

"You should know just as well as I do. I can't really risk revealing my real self for this competition."

It would be weird to think that I would join the competition. Right now, I was the envy of the world, and envy rarely brings healthy outcomes. I didn't have any plans to put myself on a stage in front of the whole world.

Scarlett smiled at my reply as if she had expected it.

"Check your invitation. Each golden invitation gets a $5 million gift fee just for joining the competition, along with many other benefits. There are only 5 of such invitations, so I hope you reconsider."

'What the fuck!??'

Now that was certainly out of my expectations. I barely suppressed the expression on my face.

It was five fucking million dollars. It was a life changing amount for anyone, and can turn someone into a multi millionaire on the spot…. Someone like me.

"Okay… can I know who are the other four people that received the golden invitation?"

"Absolutely not."

Scarlett replied with her same business smile.

'Tsk. And I thought we clicked last time.'

As I was clicking my tongue, as if she had read my mind, Scarlett added.

"It's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just that I don't know who else is getting it. I can tell you one thing and that is that they are definitely not from Utah, whoever it is."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Anyways, I need some time to think."

Making a hasty decision would only bite me. I didn't want to reject or accept too soon, just so that I won't regret my own decisions later.

"You can take your time. Just don't be too late. 20 days, that's how much time you get to decide."

The boarding and housing of the players would start on 1st June and the first competition was going to be held on the 5th of June. It was already 4th May, so it was already generous of them to give me 20 days to think over my decision.

"One more thing, I heard that you want to relocate, is that true?"

Scarlett asked and I couldn't help but stare at her.

"What do you mean 'heard'? I didn't even tell anyone about it."

"Anyone except for your broker, that is."

"That's an infringement of my privacy! I can sue you for it!"

"I have a lot of money, I'll get out unscathed."

I sighed. This talk was going nowhere.

"Get to the point, why did you suddenly ask that?"

I asked since I knew nothing would come out of bantering with her.

"Well, don't buy an apartment just yet. If you want to relocate, I can help you with it."

"How?"

"Start living with me."

"What?"

"Come and live with me."

"...."