Logging In to Another World

“Stop running away!”

Those were my mother’s last words as I walked out the door. I headed briskly towards the car waiting for me by the sidewalk, eager to get away from her endless argument.

I climbed in and the driver silently pulled out of the driveway, almost speeding off to our destination. I’d made us late, hoping to make peace with my mother before I left. It was my fault for keeping my plans a secret until the last minute— I had been putting it off to ignore any second thoughts.

The place we were heading to wasn’t something my mother would have ever supported. A newly revealed ‘Virtual Reality Pod Station,’ as they liked to call it. I had been invited to a beta test by the founders themselves through an in-game e-mail.

The company in charge was a favorite of mine, developers of an open-world RPG known as ‘Under Heaven.’ I’d been a player since day one, “living” in their carefully crafted world with multiple character save files. When I learned they were working on a VR MMO, it filled me with anticipation. Looking back on it now, that e-mail was the best thing to ever happen to me.

It’s pathetic, though, isn’t it? The biggest achievement in my life is being addicted to a video game… But when I’m gaming, the rest of reality doesn’t hurt so much.

I fidgeted with the zipper on my jacket, hoping to distract myself from my anxieties. Outside the front window, I could see the building coming into view. The building itself looked altogether unassuming, squarish and gray, with barely any windows.

The driver came to a stop directly in front of the building’s entrance. As soon as I closed the door, they sped off into the night. I turned to the large doors behind me and took a deep breath before pushing them open.

I was immediately met by a woman in formal attire and glasses that reflected the bright lights above us. She checked a tablet in her hands before turning away.

“Miss ‘Velda’, please follow me.” Her tightly pulled ponytail twisted in the wind as she hastened off into a hallway.

As I followed close behind her, I gazed at my surroundings. Tall, cold steel walls were all I could see on either side of me. Before us lay a long hallway, ending in a single metal door with a PIN pad.

We came to a stop at the door, and the woman entered a code. The metal door slid open, revealing a brightly lit room behind it. I narrowed my eyes and as they adjusted to the harsh light, I saw five people standing by a large machine.

The machine emitted a low hum, and metal pipes stuck out from it like tentacles on a kraken. Spaced out evenly in a wide circle around the base of the machine were five pods. At the end of each pod was a vibrant red light that slowly faded in and out.

One member of the group near the machine, a tired-looking man in a suit, stepped forward and took the tablet from the tight-haired woman. The man made a few gestures as he stared at the screen before turning toward the machine.

“If you will all follow me, there are a few last-minute preparations to complete.”

The tight-haired woman stood to the side as I joined the others. The suited man’s fingers tapped on the tablet screen, and the lights at the ends of each pod became a bright green. A man in a lab coat nearby directed each of us to an individual pod.

As I approached my pod, the glass lid lit up and a screen appeared. Displayed on it was a contract with a lengthy list of terms and conditions. I glanced at my reflection in the glass, my face noticeably pale with uncertainty. There was a sharp sting in my throat as I swallowed. I steeled myself, then clicked ‘Accept’ while biting the inside of my cheek.

I’ve come too far to turn back now. Besides, I’ll be one of the first to experience new world-changing technology. Isn’t that more than enough of a reason to keep going?

The screen disappeared, and the pod lid let out a hiss as it lifted from its base.

“After completing the form, you may step into the pod. Take the headset located within and pull it tightly over your eyes. Slide your arms into the designated spaces at your sides and relax your body. Wait for further instructions.”

I followed the man’s instructions and got into place. The cold yet soft material inside the pod created the illusion of leaning back in a firm desk chair. The spaces my hands were slid in felt like loose-fitting rubber gloves.

The space inside the headset was completely dark, leaving me with only my sense of hearing. A hiss sound and a click later, all noise from the outside world disappeared. I wiggled my fingers, growing anxious from anticipation.

If I hadn’t stopped to talk to Mom, I would’ve made it on time. Haaah~, I feel so out of the loop now. I won’t know anyone’s usernames when I enter the game world. Not to mention the name of the suited man in charge.

Before I could begin to freak out, muffled electronic voices came through a speaker in the pod.

“Welcome to the beta test of our immersive new experience: ‘Over Heaven.’ When entering the Welcome Hub, you will be given the option to choose your role in the virtual world of Solagard. Work closely with your fellow testers to adapt to life in the new world, and make sure to explore everything it has to offer. We hope you enjoy your stay in Over Heaven.”

“For tech support, please consult our expertly designed AI companion ‘AT.’ AT will provide assistance, including logging and confronting any bugs or viruses you might encounter. Simply say ‘AT, I need your assistance,’ and AT will appear at your side.” The stressed feminine voice interjected when the man paused, leaving a second of silence before he continued the introduction.

“Remember, this is only a beta. If at any time you become stuck, AT will help you log out and return to reality. That being said, it is time to take the dive into Solagard. Are you all ready?”

After finishing their explanation of ‘Under Heaven,’ more voices come through the speaker. Four confident and enthusiastic agreements echoed through the small space around me, and I hesitated before opening my mouth.

“I’m ready.”

After the sound of a soft click, a strong force like gravity pushed against me. A strange, dizzying feeling like the fall of a speeding roller coaster came over me, and my view was filled with stretching lines of color.

I began to feel scorching hot, then cold and light. A sound like a thousand voices echoed in my mind loudly before being replaced by deafening silence. The colors swirled and danced sporadically, fusing in a flash.

Suddenly, everything halted, and the world went black.