C5 Trash Gaming

Eddie’s vision returned to see his messy bedroom. He exhaled loudly, flaring his nostrils. He was gutted he couldn’t be there for when the golem was created. He frowned, knowing full well he was going to have to wait six hours before playing again. He felt his belly rumble and decided to get off the bed. His legs felt like jelly.

He forgot that he had been playing for 18 hours straight. It didn’t feel right. Although, he did have fun- be it stressful, it was fun, regardless. He now understood how fun ‘gaming’ was; especially VR. The dopamine rush of levelling something or himself up was immense, truly addictive. He couldn’t wait to jump back. He did realise that taking a break was good, even if it felt far too long.

Noticing the time was 9am, he made himself some breakfast and sat in a pristine living room. It wasn’t his own decoration but his ex-girlfriends. He had bought a gorgeous three bedroom house in the suburbs for just the two of them. He didn’t want to think about it; he drowned his sorrows in a mixing bowl filled to the brim with chocolate pillows and chocolate milk- the growing belly growing even more.

As he was enjoying his breakfast, his phone rang- it was his father.

“Hey, dad.”

“Good morning, son. Are you at work?” his father asked. Unlike Eddie, his father was a real man’s man. He was an old school mechanic, he had worked on formula one cars most of his life, and that was when Eddie adopted his craze for anything metal. He had a deep tone and he spoke like he was reading off a sheet.

“I got the day off,” Eddie responded. “Why are you calling?”

He was not the nicest of fathers, but set Eddie on a very successful path in his life which he was genuinely thankful for, and he still gave the man a lot of respect. His father would probably look down on him right now; he was jobless, and just broken up with his ex-girlfriend; both of which he hadn’t told them about.

“As you know, I went into retirement a week ago. I’m looking for hobbies.”

“Can’t you just fix up an old car or something?” Eddie questioned with a mouthful of cereal. “One of those old planet-killers.”

“I could, but I want something different. Your mother has just started salsa dancing and you know I’m not a dancer.”

“Oh,” Eddie muttered.

“Well, what have you started doing in your free time? And how’s Akira?”

“She's good dad; uh, at work right now.”

“Ah, do you have any suggestions then?”

“Not really dad, you know what I’m like- always at work.”

“Ahaha, that’s my son. We are work-aholics... There’s this new game called Chronicles of Fantasy, have you heard about it?”

“I thought you didn’t like video games?” Eddie questioned in an arrogant tone. His whole life Eddie’s father hated them.

“I know, I know. But I’m not working anymore, I have earnt free time. It looks really interesting- like Lord of the Rings.”

“Dad, it’s a fantasy. Everything is like Lord of the Rings,” Eddie replied, then slurped the milk from the bottom.

“I know I’m going back on what I said, son. It pains me to even bring it up. Do you think I should give it a go? Have you played it?”

“No, dad,” Eddie lied. “You always said to never touch them.”

“Oh, I thought you might have gotten a tad rebellious since you left home. I think I’ll get it- see what it’s like.”

Eddie swallowed a stone. “S-sure dad, which city are you thinking of spawning near?”

“How do you know there are cities?” his father asked. He was quick witted.

“Oh, I-” he coughed. “I hear about it all the time on the news.”

“Likewise, son. They say it’s great for relaxing- unwinding.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Eddie confirmed his lie, hastily.

“Right, right. Well, I’ll give it a shot. Maybe we could play it together in your free time. You know, how we used to go to the old car shows on weekends?”

“Maybe, Dad. Work’s let off a bunch of people and I’m running around headless right now; this is my first day off in a week... Raincheck?”

“Sure, son. Just call me. It’s not like I’m doing anything now.”

“Alright dad, speak to you soon.”

“Byeee.”

Eddie moved the empty bowl to the side and slammed his forehead against the cold tablecloth. He moved his head up slowly and slammed it down again, and again, and again, until it hurt. Leaning back into his chair, he exhaled loudly through his nose. He couldn’t start to imagine what his dad would think if wasn’t working. He also couldn’t fathom his father playing a video game.

He was happy that his dad was trying new things; truly, but he was angry that it involved playing the exact game he was. He sighed again, knowing full well his dad was going to find out he was let go and that he was no longer with his girlfriend. He looked round the open plan house, he hadn’t touched anything since she left. Of course, he hadn’t tidied so it was a bit messy.

Even with current predicament, he still wanted to play the game- it was itching at him. He started thinking of all the spells he could receive with his class and especially the new golem he had made.

He looked down to his hands. “Am I..? A gamer..? Pfft, get real Eddie. You’re not even close,” he said, reinforcing his beliefs and leaning back into the chair- he was still going to play it. Though, not just anyone could call themselves a ‘gamer’.

It truly was addicting. He started to heavily debate buying the Bronze Soldier Bundle so he could get into the game faster. He now understood why people bought things in-game, you could play more, advance quicker, become stronger and hopefully see the busty goddess one last time. “Nope, don’t do it Eddie,” his conscience said out-loud. “Don’t give into the dark side- go for a walk.”

“You’re right, I should go for a walk,” Eddie replied to himself.

That walk lasted an entire three minutes- staggering. The game had gripped him by his steel balls now, he was in their cage- their dungeon. It wasn’t a bad thing, but Eddie only wanted to play more. It sucked it was going to cost him a few hundred dollars.

He jumped joyfully on his bed and slid the helmet on. He did stuff his face with as much food and water before so hopefully he wouldn’t starve. Drumming his heels against his unwashed bed sheets, the flashy logo zoomed in on the glass screen before his eyes. He felt like he was getting heart palpitations. Even if he was still in a trash pit, he was still having fun- and that’s what mattered.

Time remaining before re-login: 4:57:23s

If you would like to enter the game immediately, please buy any bundle pass.

He was conflicted. He didn’t want to become a P2W player- give in to the dark side Eddie- do it.

Would you like to purchase the Bronze Soldier Bundle? Yes/No?

$159.99.

Includes:

Sleep Ability

Uncommon Bronze Soldier Chest Piece

Uncommon Bronze Soldier Helm

Bronze Room Access (Located in Central Square of any city)

30 Silver

His upper lip twitched and his eyes went in opposite directions as his consciousness fought to the death.

It was atop the great mountain of Azorath. It all came down to this. Two warriors of light and dark, masters of the sword and magic. The clash talked about for eons was now taking place.

“How dare you speak those words to him,” Righteous Eddie declared, drawing his glistening sword.

Evil Eddie laughed maniacally. “You fool, I am inevitable- you are just delaying it.”

“I don’t care, people who only want to sit at the feet of corporations are the sole reason I picked up a blade. And for that, I shall slay you- in the name of true gaming and the art of the craft.”

“So be it,” Evil Eddie spat, crimson dark magic swirling around his sword.

Lightning began to form around Righteous Eddie. The power of balanced matchmaking invigorated his body, strengthening his muscles and heightening his senses.

Evil Eddie chuckled smugly. “You think only you can play that game, huh? Behold, the power of boosters!” The ground cracked beneath Evil Eddie’s feet; balls of dark magic whispered up and invaded his body. Double Experience, Double Weapon Experience, Increased Money, Increased Weapon Damage, Enhanced Armour. Though it cost Evil Eddie a portion of his soul and bank account to acquire the ancient magic, it was all worth it in the end.

“How dare you,” Righteous Eddie cursed. “To summon such evil before me. For that, I will use my ultimate power.” The wind started to pick up around his feet and rustled his messy oily hair. Light poured out from his body and shot up into the sky- splitting the clouds apart and penetrating the heavens above.

“THE ART OF TRUE GAMING. NOT FOR MONEY OR STATUS. TO EXPERIENCE FUN IN THE FULLEST. TO GRIND AND BE REWARDED FAIRLY. AND NOT BE CURB STOMPED BY PLAYERS WHO SELL THEIR SOUL!!! I SUMMON- NINTENDO!”

Evil Eddie raised his hand to block the blinding light of a true deity. Nintendo, the Goddess of Fun Games, floated elegantly down and hovered just in front of Righteous Eddie.

All seemed in favour for Righteous Eddie, but Evil Eddie was staring at the ground; his jet black hair hanging over his head covering his red beady eyes.

“What?!” Righteous Eddie questioned with a smirk.

Evil Eddie started chuckling, starting light and soft, and gradually turning into a mad cackle. “You truly think Nintendo can stop this?” He cackles again. “I didn’t want to have to do this. But it is my only choice. I summon thee- Corporation Giant Greed- Ultimate Form!!!”

Righteous Eddie took a step back in horror while the goddess readied her spells.

A sinkhole appeared, and what crawled out- was a horror, unlike any other. Two giant heads, a fat grotesque body the size of a cathedral. It’s skin was smiley and green. Smaller heads emerged from the fat folds screaming: “Give me your money! Give me your money!” From the bottom of the sinkhole, broke gamers threw cash at the monstrosity- feeding its malevolent power.

“I give you! Electronics Arts! Activision and... Mobile Games!”

Righteous Eddie took another step back. They were the true enemies. Powerful entities even he could not stop. His heart started beating fast and an uncontrollable fear swept over him.

“T-their too powerful,” he muttered in shock.

Evil Eddie laughed maniacally then quieted his voice. “Attack.”

“Noooo!” Righteous Eddie screamed.

“It’s only 150 bucks,” Eddie thought out-loud. “I earn more than that in a day- used to. Screw it.”

Thank you for purchasing the Bronze Soldier Bundle.

If you want to acquire the armour and coin, please visit the bronze room in the central square of any major city.

“What?!” Eddie questioned. “Can’t you just put them in my inventory?”

That is only allowed if you have the Berserker Brawler Bundle.

Would you like to purchase it?

Was: $199.99 Now: $189.99

Eddie immediately regretted buying the Bronze Soldier Bundle. Though, he really only wanted the sleep ability; even then that sounded absolutely ridiculous- which it was. He sighed. “Fine, whatever. Just put me in the game.”

Are you sure?

“Yes I’m sure!” Eddie snapped.

Initializing Full Dive. Please Relax Your Mind For An Easy Process.

Eddie closed his eyes as he pictured the busty goddess. He exhaled happily, forgetting the upset a moment ago. He was more than eager to hop in the game once again and see what he had made.