August 30th, 2020, Canada, Montreal.

In the west of the Montreal Island, where the more fortunate resided, a boy was waiting in line at an electronics store.

He was a tall teen that looked about 16 years old although he was only 14. He had a face that would be described as handsome due to his green almond eyes, thick eyebrows, a thin nose, full lips and a square chin. He had brown matte hair cut in an undercut style, which accentuated its waviness.

“Hum, hum, hum, huummmm~”

“Shut your mouth”

A strong female voice suddenly interrupted Jonathan’s joyful humming.

“Ay, someone is in a foul mood today.”

“Hmph.”

The angry person was a young girl, who was also 14 years old. She was standing next to Jonathan with her arms crossed and had an annoyed look on her face. Part of that was because she had been waiting in line for a long time but also because she kept attracting glances from young boys here.

But how could you blame them? It was truly rare to see such a fine girl.

Large grey eyes, long blond hair in a ponytail, full pink lips, round chin, beautifully curved eyebrows. What could a guy ask for more? Furthermore, she was a quarter Japanese, which gave her a unique and attractive look that produced admiration and curiosity. Even her body wasn’t something you could find on an ordinary 14-year-old girl. Toned legs, large hips with an ample posterior and full breast where each a rarity at this age, so saying that this all-in-one was a feast for the eyes was an understatement.

“Steph, you aren’t helping your case by having your arms crossed under your boobs you know?” Jonathan sneakily pointed out with a mocking tone.

Although she had said nothing, Jonathan had clearly seen through her. After all, they had been best friends since they were in diapers. If he couldn’t figure out this much about her train of thoughts, he might as well go to handicap school.

“..” Stephanie simply stared at him, not knowing what to say. Although the best course of action right now would be to change her arm posture, now that her friend had pointed it out, she couldn’t do it. Her pride was too large for that. As such, she simply grinded her teeth and endured.

“You know you didn’t have to come here right? There’s leaving bus toward our houses in 5 minutes. If you walk fast, you should be able to catch it.”

“Hmph! How could I abandon you here with all these creepers? It’s my responsibility as a friend to be with you.”

“Yes ma’am, whatever you say.” Jonathan lazily answered. Sigh, if only she didn’t have such a huge ego her life would be much simpler.

“But you know, not everyone here is a creeper, it's just that a series of events have led many people to come here, not just geeks.”

“Shut up.”

“Yes mom.”

Although Stephanie didn’t want to admit defeat, what Jonathan had said was indeed the truth.

Today was the launch of the latest virtual reality headset, the Phantasm. The company that constructed it, RealVision, had announced it as the opener to a “new age of virtual reality.” And from what people saw from its premiere at CES, that was indeed the case.

Until now, virtual reality consisted in having a headset with a screen imbued inside of it. You would then place your eyes on lenses on the headset to be able to “see” the virtual world, and controllers would serve as hands. To move would have to use a type of sliding mat that would translate your real life walking into whatever simulation you were using.

Although it was very fun and functional, this could be only described as a “lesser virtual reality” since it reflected our reality at a less accurate level. The Phantasm, however, was described as a “parallel virtual reality,” since it perfectly reflected our reality in every way. Whether it was graphically or physically, it would be almost impossible for someone to differentiate it from the real world.

This was made possible due to Quantum computing, which RealVision used as foundation for their headset. This allowed them to use less energy for more power, creating an extremely powerful machine with much, much less size and power consumption for the equivalent power as a traditional computer.

Furthermore, thousands of governments and private institutes sponsored RealVision, lowering the impact of R&D significantly for the consumer. In fact, the impact was so great that there was virtually no “R&D payback” cost to the Phantasm.

Adding to the fact that the Phantasm required no extra peripherals, as it directly retrieved signals from the brain, it’s cost was astoundingly low. In fact, stocks for tradition computer companies was turning to sh*t, as you could use the Phantasm for a much more efficient and fast workflow. Hell, you could simulate a modern computer in it. This was easily demonstrated at CES, which served as confirmation of its abilities.

$39.99 US

You could simulate a $3000 computer in a $39.99 machine. If this wasn’t a godsend, then you would have to search the whole universe to find something that was.

And this was the price without taking into account bulk deals. If you were in an organization like Jonathan and Stephanie’s school, you could get the headset for $30. With all that considered, it wasn’t surprising that it sold over 1 billion copies.

Unfortunately, this meant that if you didn’t pay to receive it by mail, you would have to go to a pickup location. Although this wouldn’t be an issue usually, with 1 billion people ordering, it was surprising that there was a blockage in stores.

Although Jonathan wasn’t poor and in fact, using his family funds, could buy “rich people's lives” ten times over, he didn’t like wasting money. As such, he was here.

He also had secretly ordered a headset for his best friend, who was punished for having spent over $500 on a celebrities’ new makeup line and thus had absolutely no funds in her bank account.

Although he insisted on having her leave, he had secretly influenced her in staying by text messages. This was possible since he knew her mentality like the back of his hand.

Since students at his school automatically had a RealVision account, it wasn’t an issue having her use the Phantasm with him.

“Hahaha, am I not a great friend?” Jonathan was secretly complimenting himself.

After a long wait in line, Jonathan and Stephanie had finally arrived to the counter.

’’After we pick up the headset we’re going to Rafik’s place. He has a pretty amazing Wi-Fi speed so it shouldn’t cut off even though there are a lot of people online.”

“I didn’t order a headset though. I’m not down to stay in a room while you guys are all in your fantasies…” Although Stephanie didn’t mind not having a headset, she still felt slightly disappointed to be the odd one in this situation.

“Who said you didn’t have one?” Jonathan responded with a huge smile on his face.

As he said that the cashier took out two headsets from her stock and placed them in a bag.

“Huh? You got me one? Hahahaha thank you! You’re the best I love you.” A huge smile beamed across Stephanie’s face, as she tightly hugged Jonathan. Although she could deal with not having a headset, it was still extremely pleasant to have someone looking out for you.

“Hahaha, what would you do without me.” Jonathan once again glorified himself as he reached out to grab the bag.

Even the young cashier had a smile across her face as she talked to Stephanie. “You sure have a nice boyfriend.”

“No, no we’re just friends,” Jonathan hurriedly corrected her.

“Oh really?” The cashier answered with a joking tone, as she thought Jonathan was lying. “You two would make a really cute couple.”

“Hmmm … perhaps one day, anyways thanks you for the service beautiful lady.” Jonathan calmly answered while leaving. It seemed like he was thinking about a certain, “one day.”

The cashier couldn’t help but smile even though it was an underage boy who complimented her. “It seems that he’s a player, that little miss will have it rough.” She then continued handing out headsets.

…

Two people were standing in form of a house that was just short of being classified as a mansion.

They waited a few seconds when a fat young boy opened the door.

He had chubby cheeks and you could see his belly pop out from under his shirt if he moved too much. His bushy eyebrows, dark hair, black eyes and slightly apparent facial hair all showed that he was of Arabic descend.

“Ay, isn’t it Jonathan!” The fat boy said with a surprised expression.

“Why are you saying that as if you didn’t know that I was going to come?” Jonathan answered in a mocking tone. “Anyways, what’s up man?”

“You already know what’s up bro, we’re about to get some shakalaka boom boom action. I wonder how well sex is reproduced in the Phantasm eheheh…” Rafik answer in a perverted way.

“You wouldn’t be able to compare it to reality anyways hahahaha!” Facing his friend’s perverted enthusiasm. Jonathan had no choice but to send him back to his lane.

“F*ck you. We’re only 14, not everyone is a sinner like you…” Rafik had nothing to say against Jonathan.

“Calm down Rafik. You’re quite lucky yourself. Not every teen gets to know what breast feel like. On the other hand, you get to touch some whenever you desire with those big ass melons you got HAHAHAHA!” Jonathan could restrain himself from pointing out his friends man boobs and burst into laughter.

“Shut the f*ck up, some girls like chubby guys too…” Rafik could only keep his mouth shut facing the overwhelming truth.

“It’s just a joke, it’s just a joke.”

After Jonathan entered, Rafik noticed the beautiful girl that was still standing at the door. She was staring at him with a weird expression.

“… You come to Steph. Jonathan told me he bought you a headset so you won’t get bored while waiting for us. Don’t worry, what I said we were going to do earlier was just a joke.”

Remembering the disgusting claims this fatty had made earlier, Stephanie’s expression turned even uglier. She decided to simply walk past the Rafik, which destroyed even further the poor bastard's self esteem.

“F*ck me … although it would be nice to look like Jonathan, food is still life.” He thought to himself, almost drawling to the thought of a good burger.

With Stephanie following right behind, Jonathan headed to the house’s basement. When he arrived there, 3 voices welcomed him.

“Yo, Johathan.”

“What's up bro.”

“Steph is here too? Hi to both of you.”

Sitting on two couches were 3 of Jonathan good friends.

The first one to talk was Julien. He was a half-Arab half-Caucasian, with thick eyebrows and lazy black eyes. He had a square chin, narrow lips and hooked nose. His very curly brown hair was cut in a faded undercut style. Although he was only a “decent” athlete, he shinned in academics, even more so than Jonathan.

Sitting next to him was Aaron. He was an African-American with dreadlocks that were almost at the level of his cheeks. He also and a short chin with a strong jawline and high check bones. Through his big full lips, you could see two amazingly white rows of teeth, which made his smile seem surnatural. His large eyes worked charmingly with his broad nose, giving him a unique look. Similarly, to Jonathan he had two earrings, although they were more attention grabbing than Jonathans. Although he wasn’t as good as an overall athlete as Jonathan, Aaron excelled in track & field. Unfortunately, his grades couldn’t compare to Jonathan’s, let alone Julien’s. With Jonathan, they often worked as the “black & white squad” flirting left and right as they were said to be some of the most handsome guys of their age.

Lastly was William, a full on Chinese boy. There isn’t much to say. He fitted the Asian stereotype perfectly. Narrow eyes, flat nose, very spiky hair, etc. The only thing that differentiated him would be his longer jaw. He was also a very good athlete and his grades were average.

The five of them always hung out together whether it was school or outside.

“Nice to see you guys.” Jonathan responded.

“Long time no see.” Stephanie didn’t seem to want to talk much so she only briefly said hi.

After the welcome was done, the group went on with the matter at hand.

“I think we should set up now just in case something happens because of server overload.” Jonathan said to all the group.

“Yea, I think that’s a good idea.” Will had already taken out his headset, so the 5-other people followed suit.

“Meet you guys in the waiting room.” Julien said before the program fully started.

Before the connection to the servers at 9 pm in their time zone, a waiting room where one could simulate about 10 km of things at will be made. Although it was only 7:23 pm, this could keep them well occupied till then. Furthermore, everyone on the same internet connection would be in the same simulation if they wanted to, adding to the fun.

“Oh wait.” Jonathan pointed out as he removed his headset. “Rafik, you got one of your knives that I can borrow to bring in game?” Jonathan wanted to test the usage of real-life objects in a simulation. There was a reason why many games used blades as a starting weapon, it was the most versatile tool.

“Yea, I have them here.” Rafik a big game fan and one of his games had multiple knives, so he had bought real-life versions of the knives. There were 6 different knives and all of them cost over $100.

“I shotgun the M9,” Jonathan said.

“I’ll grab the basic Bayonet” Although the M9 was Rafik’s favourite knife, he wouldn’t start business over it.

“Karambit for me.” Aaron said

“Gut knife.” Will said

“Just give me any knife.” Julien said.

“I don’t want any.” Steph grumbled. This seemed to be way too boyish for her.

“Don’t be a party pooper, you don’t even need to use it, just take a flip knife or you’ll regret it.” Jonathan said.

Before she could even respond, Rafik threw a flip knife to her. After a bit of hesitation, she put it in the back pocket of her jeans.

After everyone sheeted their knives and put them in their pockets, they started the Phantasm.

“This is it” Jonathan though.

[Initialization … Calibration finished. Think about login information please]

A voice resonated in Jonathan’s head.

“Information? My email is [email protected] and my password is.” The moment he thought about the password…

[Login Successful, Please Wait]

“Damn, that’s fancy.” Jonathan thought

Soon he arrived in a white space.

“So this is the simulation space?” Jonathan was currently in a white space with a huge clock in front of him, it displayer 7:39.

“How do you activate the simulation thought? Tutorial! Menu! Options!” He tried to scream commands he saw at CES, but nothing happened.

“Guess I’ll just restart, quit!... What the hell? QUIT!... No way … I’m stuck here? Don’t tell me I can only stare at this f*cking clock.”

“I guess I’ll just wait till 9 pm maybe by then will automatically enter a server and all will be well.” He was pretty good at controlling his stress, so he didn’t flip out or anything although the situation was weird.

8 pm

8:30 pm

9 pm

[Transition start]

“Finally!”

Although he wouldn’t have a breakdown, he still had to wait in an almost fully silent place for an hour and 30 minutes. He was fully naked so he couldn’t use his phone or anything making the wait even worst.

Suddenly, Jonathan heard a melody above his head and when he looked up, a huge shining diagram had appeared.

Right after, he was teleported away.

Little did he know, in the outside world, a huge commotion was caused.

From houses that had headsets in them, light rays shot out in the sky. Each ray connected to different headsets and if you looked at the Earth from the sky, you would see a huge diagram over each continent. These continental diagrams then connected to each other with multiple rays of light, forming a huge net over Earth!

Every single human being, no matter where they were suddenly shined in golden light, then disappeared.

In under 60 seconds, Earth was empty.