《Humanity’s Next Steps》A True Work of Art
Advertisement
A True Work of Art “It's simple, Mr. Mitchell. Sign the contract and climb a mountain. You’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose.” “I’m doing what you asked. I’m wearing a neural recorder. I’ll sign the papers, but I want to see the deposit made first!” “No deal! We have legal counsel to notarize the contract and ensure your payment.” “Will I receive the ten million tax-free?” “That’s correct. And just imagine, a wealthy buyer will enjoy your experience over and over. You’ll carry a legacy of authenticity.” “Why not just simulate it? No one can tell the difference.” “They’ll know. Real experiences are the true value these days. Not those conjured up digital recreations that mimic reality. They’ve got no substance nor consequence.” “What about legal ramifications?” “None. The government supports our effort to revitalize the economy. With nearly everyone plugged in, virtual currency has become next to worthless. Your family will receive government-sanctioned cash money.” “What’s that?” “True wealth. Imagine owning real land, not just virtual real estate. We’ll reciprocate your genuine contribution with something equally tangible.” “I must admit, I’m scared… what if …” “Good. The more you feel fear, the better for our buyer. They’ll want to experience your anxiety. In fact — if we detect you aren’t scared for a single moment, we’ll cancel the contract. You’ll return to that overcrowded slum. Your only source of freedom will be the virtual abyss.” “Why can’t I climb now?” “No. We need your emotional build-up for the climax. Our connoisseur will appreciate its intrinsic value. In turn, your family will have real wealth.” “Very well … I’ll sign them … What’s this about dream recordings?” “It’s all about the process to watch your mastery.” “And an NDA, huh?” “Yes. No one else must know. They'll never understand what’s at stake, right?” “Yeah, sure.” — Frank signed the last page. ———— Frank experienced recurring nightmares of screaming and falling to his death. And others of him surviving but completely paralyzed and spoonfed by his wife. He tried plugging in for a respite. Still, in the VR world, his subconscious manifested his fears into a haunting paralysis inflicted on all of his avatars. On the night before the climb, he woke up screaming … “Frank, honey, is there something bothering you? Should we talk about it?” “Nah. I’m just trying to solve a problem in a world-building scheme.” “Frank, if you need to talk about it, I’m here. I can plugin and help if you need it.” “Kind of you to offer. Once I’m finished with this project, you’ll live like a queen!” “What?” “It’ll be a surprise for you. Just wait for me to finish.” “I can’t wait!” He kissed her lips — “Goodnight, my love." ———— Frank stood stark naked and shivered. The company had dropped him off along with a disguised escort by helicopter at the base of a high mountain. Freezing winds chilled his bones, and he could barely breathe. The escort handed him a two-way VR communicator, a respirator, and a headset, then instructed him to climb up a set of dangling ropes. Frank clawed at the mountainside while rocks crumbled, and dust fell. Midway up, the support lines snapped. “Look down, Mr. Mitchell, the fall, will definitely be painful and terrible. Your drop may feel like forever. See the jagged rocks. You might well become paralyzed. You’ll wish for sudden death, but most assuredly, it'll be excruciating as your bones break and shatter, and you can’t move. You’ll bleed out first!” “I can’t do this!” “Sure, you can. Ten million for your family. Out of the slums. A paradise awaits. All you have to do is reach the summit!” Frank saw virtual flashes sent to his mind, of a countryside cottage, and a large ranch with horses, land, and trees as far as the eye could see. “Think of your family, Frank. Don’t fail them. Don’t feel regretful for the rest of your life.” Frank climbed further up. Rocks cut and scraped his skin, and bugs crawled all over him — then he encountered a large seemingly impassable rock jutting out. “Climb it, Mr. Mitchell. You can do it. You must. Your family depends on you.” “I … I … can’t…” “Do it, Frank. Or we'll make your wife climb the rock. Did you miss that part of the contract? The fine print says if you fail, your spouse must take your place.” “No! I don’t remember that. You’re lying!” A detailed visual recollection of his signing the contract appeared in Frank's mind. It showed the fine print, which stated the terms precisely as the escort mentioned. “We’ve taken this experience from your own mind. You saw the fine print, but you chose to ignore it. However, you've agreed to its conditions.” Frank's mind received an artificially generated scene showing his naked wife climbing the mountain and crying out, while she struggled, gasped, and slid on the rocks. “Okay! Okay! I’ll do it!” Frank climbed up the giant rock and lost his grip — he fell backward into the air and cried out for help. Within seconds, he smashed into the jagged rocks below and felt a sharp pain in his back — then died instantly. ———— Mr. Chambers, an elite tycoon of VR industries, removed the simulation headwear, and wiped the sweat from his forehead, then placed it on the table. He experienced Frank’s journey through his signing the contract, climbing up the mountain, and falling to his death. “Brilliant! I want more! Where can I place an order for a bulk purchase? I have a big party coming up in a week.” “Only one experience per encoded buyer's signature. We’ll need a participant for each experience rendered. It’s difficult to find so many participants in such a short time. And much more expensive for such a large volume.” Mr. Chambers thought a moment and slammed his shivering fist on the table. “It’s worth it! This is a true work of art. Place the order!”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Duality
John was a secret agent before he died while avenging his little brother. But death was not the end for John, as he had the chance to reincarnate in another world. Now watch him grow from a slave's son to a hero and a legend. PS: I write as a hobby, with my job and college coming first, so my release rate may be slow and random.
8 129Reborn in Tales of Demons and Gods
Rai need something else to entertain him while Ken is not doing anything or is just training so he decides to send another person to a different world. This time, instead of having a person change what world they are going to with a wish, he sends a survey for those who want to start a new life in TDG. The first person to reply will be sent to TDG while the rest will think that the message is a scam. I don't own TDG and Library of Heaven's Path or anything related to them. I do own my OC though... or do I? DUN DUN DUNNNN.I also don't own the picture.
8 1329White Mystic Fox In A Radical World
Under the cloak of midnight, behind the faint creaking sounds of metal bars, staring into the vast beautiful garden of twinkling stars and the gentle, lovely blue moon as its host, was the only fox girl living in the desolate mountain ranges of Maryland with an unknown background. The gleaming reflection of those flickering flowers in her meekly eyes, as well as her blossoming countenance of hardships, demonstrate both her innocence and independence, which has never been tainted by the outside world. A lovely flower eventually touched after thousands of years of living in peace, some bad elements plucked that flower from its natural habitat. The white fox girl never knows what's good and bad, letting them cage her effortlessly without minding their evil sneers because of her over-the-clouds excitement. Finally, the white fox girl realizes she has been treated as nothing more than a prey item ready to be devoured. She's staring at the night skies for a long time and slowly closes her eyes once she gets that divine premonition from somewhere else. It was soothing in the mind. Her lovely smile showed acceptance with tears flowing through her pinkish cheeks, and her consciousness began fading away. Before her senses faded, that glowing angel descended, knelt in front of her, and wiped away her tears. She doesn't know how to express her gratitude to the heavens above for blessing her with a fulfilling and peaceful life. Even if it was a mere single moment, that gratitude and that smile of hers were the happiest things she could ever express. Time has passed, and the sun has risen from its slumber. The soul of the thousand-year-old white fox girl finally ascended to heaven, leaving her lifeless, cold body behind, leaning against rusted metal poles. It was the most peaceful death everyone wished for. Painless and no regrets. The men in charge of the front didn't notice anything out of the ordinary going on behind them. Well... In common perspective and also in reality, a caged dead fox girl at the back of a horse-drawn carriage is no less than a funeral procession. Book found also on wattpad and webnovel.
8 198The Warrens
The Warrens is a story about four siblings (quadruplets); a spy, a mechanic/inventor, an assassin, and a detective (though they kept it from each other), who are trying to save their parents. One day, Nica, one of the quadruplets, found a pair of black headphones, and that's when their 'normal' lives went haywire. Libero, an organization who wants to rule the world using mind control, are after them. the question though, was 'why?'. Will they be able to save what matters most in the end? This is my first story here in Royal Road Legends! Hope you appreciate it!
8 1503 Bodies 1 Soul
Alex Hunter woke up in another world and found himself in control of three different bodies; a timid and weak-willed human guard, a good-for-nothing demon prince, and an elf who wants nothing more than to leave the forest where he lived his whole life, and to go to the outside world to explore and see how the other races were living. How is Alex going to deal with all of this? Especially after realising that 'he' was leading an army to invade the town 'he' lived in.
8 520First Lessons (A Medieval Tale #1)
Aliya is an ambitious, hard-working medical student until she wakes up in the body of a medieval noblewoman whose well-connected husband can't stand the sight of her. To make matters worse, she realizes she isn't even in the same world anymore. She has to find a way to survive and protect her peasants in a place where women are treated like property and slave traders hunt the coast for their prey. Can she practice medicine without being accused of witchcraft? Will she discover who her enemies are before it's too late? Updated every Thursday.
8 106