Chapter 1: This is the Onlife

"Get back here, you glitch bastard!"

You’re probably wondering what the hell is going on right now.

Well, I’m currently sprinting full-speed across the rooftops of a megacity, under the glint of a starry night, while a mob of angry "fans" are currently chasing me down like I just spoiled their favorite show.

"When I get my hands on you, I swear me and my gang were gonna make you wish you were never born!"

Correction: not fans. Haters. Loud, violent, highly motivated haters. And those words really hurts.

I’ll explain why in a second, but first, I need to lose them.

The city blurs below me as I leap from building to building, the neon signs strobing across my skin. But no matter how far I run, I know I won’t lose them by speed alone. They’re obsessed. Obsessed people don’t quit.

So I make a decision.

Without hesitation, I launch myself off the edge of a skyscraper, diving headfirst off a hundred-meter drop. A full dolphin dive, arms tucked in, wind screaming past my ears.

Where am I diving to?

Straight. Into. The pavement.

At least, that’s what it looks like.

I glance back mid-fall, and, yep, they followed. All of them.

Of course they did. These people would do anything to catch me. It’s kind of flattering in a twisted way.

But here’s the part they missed.

They made one fatal mistake, they hate me, but they don’t know me well enough.

See, while they went straight down and splattered gloriously against the concrete, I phased slightly left and landed with a graceful splash in a narrow canal tucked between two industrial towers.

Don’t worry. They’re not dead. Not really.

This is Onlife, after all, a fully immersive virtual reality game. Falling from the sky doesn’t kill you permanently here. At worst, you take fall damage. At worst-worst? You lose everything you were carrying. In their case… yeah, ouch.

But the real question is probably this: how did they hit solid ground while I landed in water?

They were tailing me the whole time, weren’t they?

Let me let you in on a little secret.

Earlier they called me "Glitch." That wasn’t just an insult, it’s my entire identity in this world. People call me The Glitchwalker, because I do things… differently. Technically, I don’t cheat. I exploit. I manipulate flaws in the system. I bend the code around me. My movements aren’t always "legal," but no rule says I can’t do what I do.

Actually, there’s one rule in Onlife. Don’t cyberbully. Everything else is fair game.

So yeah. That angry mob? They’re going to hate me even more now, not just because they were tricked into chasing an illusion of me off a rooftop and fell to their demise, but because I also "borrowed" the treasure chest they fought so hard to win.

I know what you’re thinking. That I’m a jerk. Maybe even worse. But before you judge me, let me explain why I did it.

Those guys? They were monsters. Not in-game enemies. Real players. And they didn’t just compete, they hunted. They killed anyone who got ahead. Used others. Backstabbed their own allies, literally.

So if you ask me? Stealing that chest wasn’t a crime. It was karma. Just a little justice in a game that’s already too unfair.

Because this is Onlife.

A full-dive VR game so advanced, people forget it’s not real. But it feels real, the cities, the pain, the victories, the betrayal. You don’t play Onlife. You live it. Once you connect your consciousness through the neural-link pod, your body sleeps back in the real world… while your soul wakes up here.

A place where technology meets fantasy. Where magic can clash with mechas. Where adventurers and killers walk the same streets. And if you’re not smart, fast, or lucky?

You get deleted.

Me? I’m still standing. Like Elton John.

And I’m just getting started. Like… who cares I don’t listen much to musics anyway.
I immediately sprinted toward the portal, leaving the game area and returning to Onlife’s main world, with the treasure chest in hand.
Or should I say… the treasure chest I just borrowed.

Onlife is the best virtual reality game in the world. No joke. It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a VR headset, it feels like you’re physically in another world. A digital universe where you’re free to become anything, do anything… as long as you follow one simple rule:
No cyberbullying. Seriously. This is not something to joke about.

Other than that? All bets are off. You want to be a dragon-riding sky pirate? Go for it. A sentient toaster assassin? Live the dream. The system’s open, and massive. We’re talking 100,000 interconnected games, and each one offers tasks, quests, puzzles, or competitions. Some earn you souvenirs, but others? They pay out real-world money straight to your bank or credit card.

And that’s why I’m here.

Right now, I’m heading back to my base, or technically, one of my two homes.
The first is my apartment in the real world, shared with two lifelong friends.
The second is my in-game safehouse. It’s not flashy, but it’s a secure space where I can log out without worrying about item thieves or sneaky players trying to rob me blind while I’m offline.

Clutching the treasure chest tight, I couldn’t help grinning.
I wondered what kind of loot those backstabbers would’ve claimed if I hadn’t swooped in and taken it.

But this wasn’t just any ordinary treasure. No, this was the Odyssey Chest, one of the rarest, most coveted items in the game. You don’t get it through a fetch quest. You earn it through a deadly, optional side mission with a 99% failure rate.
You could lose everything if you screw up. But I didn’t.
And now? It’s all mine.

The chest gleamed gold under the Onlife sky, a mysterious button set into its surface instead of a lock. No keys. No riddles. Just one push.

I raised my index finger dramatically, savoring the moment.
Just one tap… and every untold riches would be mine.

But just as my finger touched the surface—

RIIIIING.
A call came in, shattering the moment like a hammer through glass.

I groaned and answered with a sigh.
"What do you want, J? I’m about to open the freaking Odyssey Chest. This better be life or death."

Jarrod Drummond, one of my two roommates and closest friends, replied with zero sympathy.
"Very funny, Jack. Did you forget we have to be at the store before 8:00?"

I blinked. "What for? I already bought chips and three lemon colas yesterday. You and Judeth love that flavor."

"Not to buy, you dumbass. To work. We work at the convenience store, remember?"

"…Oh. I forgot."
I scratched my head. "Okay, okay, give me ten minutes."

"IT’S ALREADY 7:30 AND WE’RE LATE!!"

I looked back at the treasure chest. "We’ll finish this later, my precious," I whispered dramatically. "This isn’t goodbye. Just… a quick break."
I hugged the chest and gave a little smooch, then placed it gently into my safe’s inner vault and locked it tight. "My precious"

And with that, I disconnected from Onlife.

Even in a digital paradise, bills still exist.

That’s why I also work a part-time job at a convenience store. Just in case our nightly Onlife sessions don’t pay enough. You can’t exactly rely on rare chests to drop every week.

Me, Jarrod, and Judeth Monaghan, our other best friend and honorary sibling, have been close since childhood. We all live together in a cramped apartment in the heart of Omnikuro, a massive utopian city. I used to live in the outer circle, where life was tougher and opportunities were scarce. But after winning a ridiculous Pac-Man tournament, I was invited to the inner circle for a shot at a $100,000 prize.

Long story short, to put it simply and naturally, I lost.

But thanks to Onlife, I earn more than I ever would’ve grinding in the real world. So it worked out in the end.

Now? We work by day, grind by night, and send cash home whenever we can.

Right now I’m manning the cashier while Jarrod and Judeth handle the heavy lifting. Judeth tossed a box down with a loud thud, glaring at me.

"Why are we doing all the work while you sit there looking pretty?" she snapped. "And before you say anything, yes, I’m a woman. A fragile one, in case you forgot."

I didn’t even look up. "Fragile, my butt. I remember how strong you were after a single drink. You nearly snapped me and Jarrod in half that night. And let me remind you - you suggested the game where the loser hauls boxes and the winner chills at the counter."

Judeth groaned. "This is still not fair."

Jarrod smirked as he passed by. "Also, Jack told me that whoever finishes the most boxes today gets to drive his Akira Cycle next time."

"WHAT!?"

Judeth dropped the box and charged after him like a possessed bull.
Now she was the one moving like a machine.

I leaned back in my chair, smiling.

The three of us — Jack, Jarrod, and Judeth — we call ourselves the "3Jays." Or sometimes the "Triple Js." I know it sounds corny. I don’t care. They’re my people.

Funny enough, there aren’t many customers these days. Everyone’s too busy chasing fame and fortune in Onlife. But we still work this job. Not for us, it’s for our families. We send what we can back home to help out. Judeth’s family especially needs it, and Jarrod’s parents are saving up to fix their broken roof.

As for mine?
Let’s just say they don’t exactly approve of my lifestyle. To them especially my dad, earning money through video games isn’t "real work." He calls it "digital delusion." But to me?
I’m happy, I’m not hurting anyone, and I’m paying my bills, so what’s the problem?

…Okay, maybe I did hurt a few feelings by stealing their Odyssey Chest earlier. They deserved it.

But come on. I earned it and I can’t wait to see what’s inside.

This job is boring anyway. We could be soaring through space, riding dragons, or hacking giant robots in Onlife. But nooo. Jarrod insists we need "real-world bonding time."

I roll my eyes, but I can’t argue. The guy’s practically a wise old man in disguise.
Yeah, he’s annoying sometimes. But he’s our annoying.

And together, the three of us are going to change our lives, one glitch, one shift, one crazy night at a time.

We’ve been sitting here in this store for two hours, and not a single soul has come through the doors. I only sold one bag of bacon chips, and Jarrod’s the one eating it now while sprawled out behind the counter, eyes glued to the TV mounted above us.

Judeth came running toward me, nearly jabbing her phone into my face. On the screen was a picture of her and her girlfriend, Camille, smiling like they just won the lottery.

"She said yes!" she beamed. "Camille said yes! We’re officially dating!"

I couldn’t help but smile. I remembered how anxious she was just last week, pacing our apartment and repeating lines she might say to Camille like she was rehearsing for a stage play.

"See?" I said smugly. "Told you she liked you. You owe me big time."

Judeth gave me a dramatic thumbs-up. "Fine. One favor, redeemable anytime."

She slid onto the stool beside me, still buzzing with excitement. "So… now that I’m officially not single anymore, got any date ideas?"

I gave her a blank stare. "Why are you asking me? I’ve never even had a girlfriend."

Judeth tilted her head, eyeing my hair with a teasing smirk. "You know, maybe it’s the hair. Spiky pompadour? Kinda old-school, man."

I sighed. "It’s not old-school. It’s vintage. There’s a difference."

She snorted. "Sure it is. Anyway, Camilleth? Judemille? Or should we go full ship name and call us Camdeth?"

"Camdeth sounds like a villain from a dark fantasy game, and also it reminds me of Macbeth," I muttered.

Suddenly, Jarrod’s voice cut through our banter. "Guys, shut up for a sec! Jack, turn up the volume!"

His tone was urgent, no joking this time.

I grabbed the remote and maxed out the TV’s volume. All three of us turned toward the screen just as the camera zoomed in on a familiar face: Takayuki Schneider.

We all froze.

Takayuki Schneider wasn’t just anyone. He was the man behind Onlife, the VR mega-game that had taken the world by storm. Everyone loved him. And I mean everyone. You couldn’t walk down the street in Omnikuro without seeing his face on posters, magazine covers, or branded ramen cups.

The guy was a living legend.

He didn’t come from money. In fact, his story was practically a fairytale. He started off as a freelance developer, hopping from job to job until he disappeared for two whole years—gone without a trace. Rumors flew that he had gone on some deep expedition in the eastern dunes, where he stumbled upon a forgotten mine filled with gold. Some say it was pure myth. Others believe he made a deal with a dragon, clearly that wasn’t true, just pointing it out. Either way, when he came back, he was rich. Not just rich, multi-billionaire rich.

And with that wealth, he didn’t build a palace. He built dreams.

He founded Horizon Works, a tech company that single-handedly changed entertainment forever. And then came his masterpiece: Onlife. A virtual reality game so immersive that you’d forget you were even wearing gear. The first time I logged in, I swore I could feel the wind on my skin.

Now here he was, broadcasting live. No filters, no CGI, just him.

And that meant something big was coming.

Judeth’s smile faded as she leaned closer to the screen. "He never does live broadcasts unless… something’s wrong."

Jarrod crossed his arms. "Yeah. Either there’s a massive update… or something bad’s happened."

I stayed silent, watching Takayuki’s calm expression. His eyes held that strange mix of excitement and weight. The kind of look someone gives when they know something is about to change forever.

And deep down, I had this feeling this wasn’t just about some new DLC.

The screen faded to black for a moment.

Then, it came to life, revealing a stage draped in silver curtains and glowing circuits. Standing at the center was Takayuki Schneider.

He looked exactly like you’d expect a tech pioneer in his fifties to look: sharp suit, sleek silver tie, graying black hair slicked back neatly, and those unmistakable half-moon glasses resting on his nose. Behind him, the iconic Horizon Works logo glowed like an eternal sun.

He spoke softly, but every word hit with clarity and weight.

"Good evening."

No theatrics. No fancy intro. Just his calm voice, as if he were talking directly to each of us.

"It has been… nine years."

Judeth stopped mid-sentence. Jarrod put down his chips. Even I leaned in without realizing it. Bewitched by a tv screen.

"Nine years since we first announced Project Alchemy & Alloy," he continued. "A promise of something new. A world where invention and sorcery could coexist. A realm forged not merely by code, but by vision."

The screen behind him flickered to show faint silhouettes: castles floating in the clouds, living machines lumbering through forests, entire cities glowing beneath massive moons.

Takayuki continued, voice steady.

"For those of you who remember, Alchemy & Alloy was never meant to be just another game. It was and still is a hyper-realistic, open-world fantasy experience designed on a planetary scale. Not just a world to visit… but one to live in."

He paused, the screen behind him now showing a rotating globe made entirely of golden machinery and arcane symbols.

"A fully explorable planet. Seamless. Persistent. Alive."

He placed a hand over his chest, and lowered his eyes slightly.

"But… I must be honest with you. It’s not ready. Not yet. As of today, we are officially delaying the full release to next year. We refuse to rush a world of this magnitude. It deserves the time, the precision… and above all, your trust."

We all held our breath.

But then, the screen flickered again, and a different energy entered his voice.

"However," he said, "for those unwilling to wait—for the dreamers, the wanderers, the players—there is another way."

The camera panned back as the silver backdrop dissolved into a swirling vortex of light.

"Hidden across the Onlife universe, within its games, hubs, even the smallest chatrooms, are 1,025 Easter eggs. Artifacts placed with intent. Secrets waiting to be found."

He let the words settle for a moment.

"To the first 1,025 players who find one… you will be granted early access to Alchemy & Alloy. A full year before the world sees it. Not just to play, but to become part of its mythos."

Then he smiled slightly, just enough to stir the crowd.

"And so I say this: to the puzzle-solvers, the data-divers, the explorers, and yes… even the rule-breakers…"

The screen pulsed once.

"The game starts now."