Chapter 1 – Curiosity

On a clear spring day in the afternoon, the lunch bell for a high school sounded. Students in their classrooms sighed in relief that they finally had a break. A majority of them got up and left their homeroom to go get something to eat or go somewhere. Even though the high school was adjacent to the center of their town, the school was gated. Though they grumbled about not being able to go to the convenience stores across the street, they either went to the cafeteria, a vending machine, or brought their own lunch.

Once they retrieved their meal and head toward their eating spot, some went back into their homeroom. It provided a sort of sanctuary from the crowded courtyards and other areas of the school ground. Given that Turbine High School was smaller than an average size, it was a little over occupied with enrolled students. Thus, facilities and spaces were shared as well as resources. Despite there being a few troublemakers in the school, everyone got along with one another.

A couple of male students were walking back to their classroom after getting their lunch. Opening the door and entering, the room was not emptied. Knowing that the classmates present would not deter them away, they went to their desks. Sitting down and facing each other, they began eating and continuing their conversation.

"Hey hey. Did you hear the news bulletin on what happened in the game last night?"

"No. I had a school evening activity to go to. What happened?"

"The dual welding swordsmen Bane went up another level and defeated the 85th level boss."

"Whoa…no way."

"Way."

"What is his character level at now? Last time I heard he was at level 75?"

"You are not too far off. He reached level 78."

"What?! How could he defeat that boss with such a low level?"

"Heck if I know man. But, I heard from others about the message boards before the battle. Apparently, he had help from the rank one swordswoman and a high level mage as well."

"Holy shit man! Damn, that guy is lucky getting the help from those babes. I heard rumors that Blaze is just as powerful as the swordsman Bane. Is that true?"

"Your guess is good as mine man. Just wish I could have seen that epic battle. Witnesses said it was like watching the aurora lights with the sparks and clashes of swords and magic casting."

"Man…that makes me want to play the game now instead of being here at school."

"Same here."

The two high school sophomores continued their conversation about the events and aspects developing from a video game. Categorized as a mass-multi-player-online-role-playing-game (MMORPG), there were several genre types to choose from nowadays. When the internet allowed gamers to explore realms while connecting with others online, at first it was solely with computers. As technology advance, game consoles were able to dip into the online gaming market. From that point on, advancements, improvements, and developments grew the MMORPG types and gaming field.

A turning point in the gaming experience came when VR headsets began appearing. Crude at first, it didn't take long for improvements to be made. While the average one aimed for the general public and once in a while gamer, there were ones wanting more. After a few years, a new type of VR headset was developed. Despite its questionable concept, it changed the gaming experience and market twofold.

First developed in the medical field for treating patients with psychological diseases and disorders, the grandfather model was wild. Taking the form of a motorcycle helmet missing the outer covering, there were many tubes, cables, wires, and electronics that hooked up to it. The visor shield was replaced with more electrical parts and circuit boards. In placing the helmet on a patient, they could load a computer program to scan and map out the person's brain. After doing so and finding out what areas the medical officials needed to address, they would induce the patient to go into a subconscious state.

Essentially putting the individual in a state of sleep, the readings coming back showing the person was able to dream. Miraculously, the monitor hooked up to the headset showed video of the vision. Strangely, what the patient was dream had nothing on it. Uploading their program, they saw the program come onto the monitor. Seeing this as a development for many opportunities, they had mixed results of treating patients of their mental illnesses and disorders. The developers took the feedback and results from the medical field and created something different.

In a room of government and business officials, the creators gave a speech and showed their newer model. Appearing as a bulky version of a motorcycle helmet, there were less exposed parts than its predecessor. Having less cables, wires, and tubs going in and out of it, the headset provided more ease of use. Presenting the results from the medical trials, the audience nodded at what they were seeing. After presenting their product, the only official that came up to them for further discussion was the military.

Developing a short term contract with the armed forces, the main goal was training. Hoping that the virtual simulation would provide a supplemental aid, the top officials implemented it into the areas requiring operation of aircrafts, vehicles, and ships. Results showed that over a small period of time, there was an improvement in the soldiers performance and efficiency when operating. Despite the positive results, many of the other military brass and branches were not in favor of the device. When the short term contract ended, the developers were contacted by video game companies.

Forming new contracts with the gaming industry, the new source of funding pushed them to develop a newer model. Complying with what the companies were seeking, the creators were able to create what was asked. Though it was still a bulk form of a motorcycle helmet, the wires going in and out were reduced down to just the power cable. Representing itself as a game console/computer in a headset, the gaming companies began developing games to take VR into a whole new world. Though the first round of games and development received mixed reviews, it slowly started overtaking all other VR headsets.

As more games developed, online gaming communities boomed. The gaming industry saw the VR market become more prominent. As the contract with the VR headset developers neared its end, the main gaming companies proposed to buy the rights to the product. Of the team of developers, only two did not want to let it go. One of the businesses, Gamco Co., was quick in developing an alternative deal.

Stating if they had the rights, they would hire the two developers. Seeing that none of the other companies make a similar offer, the developers accepted. The remaining two were placed within a team that was in the process of developing an MMORPG. After developing it for 3.5 years, it was released to the public. It became one of the popular online games amongst school students and young adults.

It was called "Entrenchment: Darkened Eve". The MMORPG was more into the fantasy genre with a heavy emphasis on old warfare such as swords, archery, magic, mystical beasts, medieval melee weapons, and such. Upon starting the game, a user could select five types of characters: melee fighter, archer, mage, monster tamer, and gunslinger. The order of popularity of character types were in the order listed. Though swords was a popular choice, there were several players that used axes, large knifes, staffs, weapon-arm attachments, blade discs, and many other weapons.

Tamer was not as popular as a melee fighter, but competed with those choosing archer or mage. The least used character type was gunslinger. Many game players vented on online forms of many things about it. One aspect was that there weren't many weapons available and finding them was repeated greatly. There were also complaints about the leveling for the character type that didn't seem to match what others would get. Since it came out, the amount of users of gunslingers became less and less till there was no one playing it online.

Though the game takes place in a fantasy land, there was more than one way to play it out. Users could do things the conventional way, use magic, use creatures, or pay others to do something for you. The maps, spaces, and worlds in the game were large enough for people to explore freely with curiosity. Most people considered the game to be moderately challenging without being either easy or hard. This made it popular for new players as they could start and be able to play without too much fuss or learning difficult commands.

As the two male students talking to each other about a video game, a page being turned was heard. Sitting on the other side of the classroom was another sophomore. Reading his book, he wasn't paying too much attention to his classmates as they talked about the MMORPG. Given that he has a sibling at home who is that enthusiastic about online games, he didn't find the conversation annoying. Adjusting his glasses, he turned the page and continued reading.

He wasn't against playing video games. It was due from never finding an interest in playing them that much. Most of the time, he just did things at home such as school work, exercise, watch TV, read, and "socialized" so to speak. Living out in the outskirts of town and in the rural area, talking to others was challenging. The nearest neighbor was down a couple hundred yards away on the same dirt road.

Only having a handful of people he associated with at school, he would consider himself a loner. Most of his days were spent in his parents' home doing his part of choirs. While his mother and father were at work, he helped maintain the house. As for exercising, it was something to do being out in the rural area. Despite the high school having a physical education, it became a political and local issue not too long ago. With the new rules and regulations implemented from complaints of school parents to political figures, the teachers couldn't force students to exercise.

Hearing the last break bell sound, the lunch period ended and students started getting back into their seats. The home teacher came in and resumed the day's lesson. Once the school day was over, students picked up their items and prepared for heading home. The sophomore with glasses got his things and went to the school lockers. Here, many students would pass through to pick up or drop off their belongings and supplies. Some of them would stay after school and chat a bit about many things.

When he got to his locker, he heard a couple of conversations around him. One was girls talking about a TV drama show. Another was a couple of boys talking about where they'd hang out afterwards. He glanced behind him and saw some guys talking about that MMORPG again. Looking back to his locker, he put extra items in his backpack. After getting on his school bag and tightening the straps, he pulled the bicycle helmet out and closed his locker.

Walking outside and toward the bike rack, he looked around the school grounds. Students were walking in the general direction of the exit places. Some teachers were out and about walking either to the parking lot nearby or to another place on the school grounds. Reaching his bike, he unlocked the anti-theft belt and wrapped it around the center handle bars. Pulling the bike out of its rack slot, he walked it to the exit gate. Once outside the school premises, he mounted the bipedal and headed in his home's direction.

As he traveled on the bike lane of the main road, there were many places that were popular hangout places for students. The coffee shop was probably number one due to the pastries and baked goods it made. Many students stated favorable things about that place. A convenience store passed by. That place was the ground area for news and information. A good number of students went there to find out what was going on in the main stream world. Topics such as movies, books, actors, TV shows, games, and news were all discussed at that quickie-mart.

Stopping at an intersection, he looked down his right and saw the local grocery store and a car part/repair shop. To his left, there was a diner and a couple of fast food joints. The eaters had a mixed opinion among the students in which most went to the quick meal places. On the other hand, if someone wanted to get a bite to eat anytime of the day, the diner was open 24 hours. It was also considered among one of the places that students would take someone on a date. Anything beyond the intersection seemed to be a bit far for the downtown area so students didn't travel passed it.

Crossing the street when the light changed green, he continued on the road passing more places. A majority of them were mom and pop stores with an occasional big name brand shops. Traveling down the road a couple of blocks, the city ended and shifted to the suburbs. The houses here looked like they were built in the 70s and 80s and needed a paint job. There were no fences around them. He continued down the road till the suburbs changed to a rural area.

After a mile or so, he saw his house. Turning on the dirt road, he continued pedaling for half a mile. Slowing down and turning toward the separate garage unit, he maneuvered the bike under an overhang near it. Slowing down to a stop, he flicked the kick stand out. Getting off his bike and taking his helmet off, he looked around.

There were no cars in the driveway which meant that the parents were not home yet. He walked to the front door and pulled out a key to unlock it. Entering his home, the lights were off casting a dark, shadowy tone over the inside. Flicking a switch, the inside was illuminated showing the place was clean and semi organized. There weren't things lying on the ground, more so that some tidiness would help make it look better. The rooms inside the home were simple and practical. He went upstairs to his room and closed the door after entering.

Placing his school bag next to his desk, he changed into his gym attire and went back outside. After exercising for half an hour, he returned to the house sweating a bit. Entering and seeing that his younger brother was home, he went to the bathroom to wash his face. After that, he grabbed something to eat and went back to his room to do his homework. Completing it, he grabbed the thin book he was reading earlier in class.

"… take…that…and…some of…this…" a younger male stated in the next room.

The sophomore adjusted his glasses and ignored his young brother's excitement over the video game he was playing. Thinking about how his sibling was playing his game, it reminded when they got the gaming helmets. One Christmas, his brother really wanted the new way to play games. It was a headset contraption that covered the whole head. This novel method of going into the virtual world would occupy all the senses. To do this, the user would be in a subconscious state and feel like they are dreaming.

When his little brother opened one of his presents which was the headset, he went crazy jumping up and down. To the older sibling, the contraption looked more like a flashy full-face motorcycle helmet. It had vent ports so that the user wouldn't have to breathe in trapped exhaled air. Also, there many jacks and plug-ins to both power the headset as well as listen to your mp3 player. On top, there was a disc inserter for loading in games. Internet connection was done wirelessly and compatible with all communication networks.

His parents smiled seeing their younger child giddy over it. They heard their older child open his present revealing the same helmet but it was a different model. It didn't have anything flashy on it and bore a gun metal tone. There were all the ports available and the disc inserter; however, his had something different that his brother's. Around where the forehead area, there seemed to be a triangular red glass piece that protruded outward. It had been smoothed out so it curved with the helmet. Not too sure what it meant other than a flashy accessory; the older sibling smiled quickly and thanked his parents.

He stopped at a part in his book and bookmarked it. Placing it on his nightstand, he reached under his bed. Searching a little, he felt the rectangular box which held the helmet. The teen had not used it since testing it that one Christmas. Thinking about taking it out, he shook his head.

Grabbing his book, he opened it and continued where he left off. After sometime, there was the sound of a car engine that came to a stop then died. A distant car door slammed indicating the parents were home. To arrive home in the late evening meant they went on one of their dating nights.

The younger sibling didn't have any interest in girls yet. His older brother didn't really care or at least he thought he didn't. Despite there being female students in neighboring classes, he didn't think of himself as dating material. The aspect of having a girlfriend was an afterthought and smirked at himself thinking he could get one. Adjusting his glasses, he told himself that school work and getting a job were more important.

Listening to the parents enter the home and move around a little, the older sibling looked at the time. Closing his book and getting ready for bed, his younger brother was still playing his game. Taking his glasses off, he got into the bed covers knowing that the younger male would eventually log off. Staring at the ceiling, he remembered his parents asking him to put an alarm setting on his brother's game headset. While playing, there was a heads up display (aka HUD) that displayed the time.

Once a certain time was reached, it would create a pop up window. It reminded his brother that he would need to save and log off within five minutes. If he didn't, then their parents would walk in and force shutdown the game. It only happened once and after that, the younger sibling was good about not repeating it. Knowing that another day at school was ahead, he closed his eyes and eventually fell asleep.

…The next day at school…during the break before the last period…in the classroom…

"Hey, did you hear what went on last night?" a male sophomore asked his friend.

"Yeah, heard that there was a clash against two factions and a big battle afterwards," the other male sophomore stated with interest.

The two students went back and forth about the event that took place yesterday evening. The sophomore with spectacles adjusted them and finished his thin book. Placing the book in his backpack, he looked at the time and saw that the last hour of school remained. Before leaving the house this morning, his younger brother requested him to pick up the latest gamer magazine at the convenience store. It covered a wide variety of MMORPGs information which included news, tips, tricks, strategies, and player feedback on the games.

After the last period came and went, the last school bell rang. Gathering his items and putting them in his school backpack, he put it on and headed to the locker area. Same routine as before, he gathered items from his safe box and listened to the gossip around him. Putting the bike helmet on and freeing his bike from the holding rack, he exited the school grounds and pedaled to the convenience store.

Once there, he dismounted his bike and holstered it in the bike rack in front of the store. Applying the security lock, he tested the bike. Seeing it wouldn't go anywhere, he took off his helmet. Walking toward the auto doors of the quickie-mart, they opened and he stepped inside. Blinking in mild surprise, there was a moderate amount of people. Ranging from kids to seniors, the volume in the store was a little loud with many people talking at once.

Adjusting his glasses and holding onto his backpack straps, he walked to the magazine section. Reaching it, he started looking for the one that his young brother wanted. Finding it, he picked it up and looked at the cover. It was very artistic and colorful with large blown up captions and titles. As he was doing this, a conversation was going on behind him. Given their proximity to him, it was hard not to listen.

"It is hard to believe that the new method of game play is through headsets now," one adult stated.

"Yeah. I remember when we had just hand control pads to play games and the arcade," another adult stated.

"Apparently, the headsets interact with the senses so that a player feels like they are actually doing the things in the game."

"Whoa, that sounds like hard science there. How do gamers stay still?"

"Word has it that the headset interacts deep enough to temporarily paralyze the player."

"Sounds similar to what happens when someone sleeps."

"Yeah, I think that is how the contraption nullifies gamers' movements."

"Say if a person wears it and plays a game. In the said environment of the game, the person learns a skill and repeats it over and over and over. When the individual unplugs and is back in reality, will they be able to do the same thing outside of playing the game?"

"…!?" the sophomore said. His glasses fell down his nose a bit from recoiling in surprise a little. Opening the magazine to a certain page with much text, he slowly pushed his glasses back up. His ears perked up a little and listened more when the men continued.

"I don't know for sure man, but I see what you are saying. It would be an interesting hypothesis to see if gamers are being neurologically or psychologically trained. I mean, it is on the same premises of mentally going over a routine many times. Not saying it is impossible, just an interesting thought."

After they ended the discussion, the two adults left. Out of the corner of his eye, the sophomore watched them leave the store. Closing the game magazine, he looked at the cover. The images on it made him replay what the two men stated. Their discussion didn't make him want to go play video games outright. However, it did make him curious enough to try it. Heading toward the cashier, the teen paid for the magazine.

Going outside and toward his bike, he opened his backpack. Sandwiching the magazine between his school books, he closed the bag. Putting it on, he freed his bike. Mounting the bipedal, he rode back home. While going home, what the adults stated at the store repeated in his mind. Once home, he did his usual routine.

In the evening when he finished all of his school stuff, he pulled out the box from under his bed. Opening it on the floor, he looked inside to see the following: the headset, instruction manual, power plug, other accessory plugs, and a game that came with the Christmas present. He took out the helmet and placing it on the bed. Taking out the power supply, he plugged it into the correct port and the other end into a receptacle. Small lights turned on indicating that the helmet had power.

He went into the box and picked up the game. Looking at the title, it stated "Entrenchment: Darkened Eve". It still had the factory seal. After the plastic wrapping was removed, he opened the box to see a guide manual and a small disc. Grabbing the booklet, he opened it and scanned through it. He went over the basic premise of the game and how it was played. Once done reading, he put the booklet back in the case.

Removing the disc, he set the game case on the night stand. Going to the helmet, he pressed the button for the top compartment. Slowly opening, he inserted the disk. Seeing it go in, the risen part lowered. Seeing the triangular glass piece start to glow, he heard a soft whirl sound emit from it. Wondering if wearing glasses would be cumbersome, the manual stated spectacles were okay. Not believing it, he took off his glasses and placed them on top of the game case.

Sitting on the bed, the sophomore grasped the headset with reluctance. With a sigh, he put on the headset and lied down. Only seeing inside of the helmet, he blinked a couple of times till a strange sensation went through him. Closing his eyes and trying to analyze what that was, he suddenly felt like he was floating. Peering his eyes open, he became shocked from what he was looking at.

In front of him, he saw a large screen that was loading. Next, an introduction of the headset commenced followed by setting preferences, personal profile, and security measures. Once he was registered and set, he saw the window go through him and everything became black. After a few seconds of suspension, a gray mist was coming from below. Slowly and gently, it engulfed him to mimic being in the clouds.

'…whoa…all this…is just the introductions?' he thought dazzled. As if responding to his amazement, there was a parting of the gray mist. The game occurred and began displaying many things: worlds, people, events, battle levels, and bosses. Once completed, the MMORPG went to a main screen that was all white. Suddenly, someone was communicating with him.

[Welcome to Entrenchment: Darkened Eve. This is your first time playing. A new game will be started] the narrator stated. The screen faded out and faded back in. He saw five pillars rise ahead of him with titles on the top.

[This is the character type selection. Please select which kind of player you would like to be.]

"…" he said. Looking at the selection, he pondered.

'…not much of melee person…bow and arrows never interested me as well as magic…monster tamer…maybe…gunslinger? In a fantasy setting game?...eh…why not,' he thought and pointed.

[You have selected gunslinger. Are you sure you want this character type…Okay, gunslinger it is.] the unknown person said. He saw the screen do another blackening out and whitening in.

[This is the character customization where you can create an avatar to your liking. You can either do random, start from scratch, or let the game take your measurements to create an avatar of you.]

He selected the measurements and felt fuzzy for a few seconds. Slowly, a mirror image of himself appeared only in underpants. Without glasses was a bit different though seemed good. A last added change was moving the hair forward and spiking it at the front. Looking at the selection of clothing available, plain looking clothes with earth tones seemed fine.

Once done, the avatar wore black pants with the leg ends tucked into black strapped tanker boots. The dark orange tank top was tucked into his pants. The outer garment was a dark brown polyester jacket that went down to his lower rib cage. Seeing everything look fine, highlighted the "done" caption at the bottom of the screen.

[Avatar character creation completed. Before saving and proceeding to the main world, name your character.]

'…I guess…my name should be fine…' he thought and shrugged his shoulders. Entering his name, the window showed texted on it.

[…saving….]

[Welcome Jin to Entrenchment: Darkened Eve.]