It's been about 6 and a half months since I joined the martial arts centre and since then 3 people have joined my class and dropped out before actually learning anything. I guess they couldn't handle Ajax’s beatings. I don't blame them, it lasted for 3 months before I could even come close to hitting him with the sparring sticks. After I managed to hit him he actually did teach me some sword skills. We pretty much sparred every day.

Other than that I worked at the clothing store either after training or days where I wasn’t training. I don’t think I had a day where I wasn’t doing something. There was one day where someone tried to mug me in an alleyway by a thug on my way to work. He only had a knife so it wasn’t hard to defend myself. I still called the police afterwards and Ray and Rae both berated me for an hour after I explained at happened to them.

I also started eating better once i started exercising. It’d be bad if my body gave up on me while I was playing the game. Time flew by as I continued this cycle everyday. A couple of days before the console’s release I decide to set up camp so I can be one of the first people to get one. I packed a couple day’s worth of food and water in a large bag. Ray and Rae came too. Seems they’re getting the game as well. To be honest I never even asked if they were. They don’t even save their money from the job that they do. Their parents are buying it for them which makes me a bit salty to be honest. I should also say that my parents are currently abroad working. They went after I had joined college and when I was old enough to live on my own. They still send me a bit every month into a savings account for me to pay rent with ,but they won't let me make big purchases and I have to handle the rest.

“Hey David! Looks like we’re first in line. Good thing we came along to keep you company!” He said as he smiled at me.

“Yeah, yeah I’d be lost without you.” I sighed rolling my eyes at him.

I checked my bank account on my phone and saw that I had 10500 credits saved up. It feels pretty bad that 5000 of those are going to just disappear. They also stated the game is going to have a monthly 50 credit subscription cost, but it’s a worthy sacrifice.

Ray glanced towards his sister and stated “I'm going to get some snacks and stuff from that store down the street, save my place” before walking off.

There were a few minutes of silence as we sat there, I also happened to notice Ray looking at us from the window of the store. I finally tried to dissipate the awkwardness,

“So what do you want to pick for your class?” I casually asked as I looked up from my phone.

She stuttered as she responds, “Ah-well, um, I was thinking of making a, uhm, priest class to heal you. And Ray too!”

Man she's always been shy like this. Though, she does fine around customers in the store. Which is weird. I guess she isn't comfortable around me or something…

Ray came back after handing me a drink and chicken sandwich which I quickly ate.

The couple of days in the line go by quickly and a line forms which goes round the corner. It was a good thing we came so early. The store is going to open in about an hour and we pack up the supplies and stand at the front of the store waiting for it to open.

Suddenly a large white limo parks in front of the store and a rich dick walks out wearing a white suit with long bleached hair and doesn't even glance at us and he just stands in front of us in the line. Honestly he’s hard to look at because of all of the whiteness which contrasts with the rest of the world.

Then I remember he just cut the line. Pretty much everyone else in the line is booing him and telling him to get to the back of the line. I reach over and place my hand on his shoulder. He looks back and leers at me with a scowl plastered to his face.

“Excuse me, you seem to have cut into the line. Friend. You know that's not allowed, If you know what's good for you you’d move to the back.”

He looks at me with disdain and replies “Who are you? Why would I care what you think?”

I just laugh “Because if you don’t I’ll hurt you. It's not right when you breach someone's personal space like that.” I say smiling.

“Haha with just you? I’ll have you know I’m well versed in boxing techniques whereas you don't look like you’ve done a day of exercise in your life.” he smirks.

Oh this is going to be good. It's winter right now so i’m wearing a lot of layers. He probably thinks I look weak because of my face. Which is pretty handsome if I do say so myself.

I smile at him and say; “Well tough guy, do something about it. Make me let it go.

The rich asshole laughs and takes a boxing stance. Then he throws a straight at me.

I deflect it with my forearm and laugh. “You struck first, You guys saw that, yeah?” Ray, Rae and everyone that's watching shout and agrees.

“Good.” At this point the rich bitch realises that he might’ve made a mistake by the sturdiness of my arm. I kick the back of his leg and he buckles. I then punch his chest and he collapses.

At this point the butler, who seems too old to be driving while at the same time could probably take both me and the rich prick in a fight at the same time, comes out of the car and picks him up, slinging him over his shoulder. Everyone watches as the butler puts him in the car and drives away. I'm not really sure why he didn't get the butler to fight me seeing as I probably would’ve lost.

At about this time the store opens and they start letting people in to buy the consoles.

I enter the store and am greeted the cashier who looks a little stunned by the number of people waiting outside.

“Hello, how can I help?

“Hi. I’d like to buy 99% reality VR headset with a copy of Hero’s Gear Online please. I smile as I greet her.

“Of course, that will be 5000 credits along with 50 credits for the initial monthly subscription.”

“Oh, yeah, No problem.” I force a smile and transfer the credits. I can almost feel the credits drain out of my account. He hands me a box in a plastic bag which has the headset inside. I wait for Ray and Rae to get their headsets and we all leave the store.

After I say farewell to Ray and Rae I head on home to set up the console. The game also launches today to coincide with the release of the headset.

The headset plugs into the wall and uses a wireless charging mechanic that keeps it charged anywhere within 25 meters of the platform. The game doesn't have any restrictions on being logged in.

The headset is set up and ready to launch the game. It uses a type of virtual storage rather than discs to prevent damage to the games and also prevent people complaining about that.

I place the Headset onto my head and strike a pose and saying with laughter “Secret game activation no jutsu activate!”. God I hope nobody saw that. I activate the headset and lay down on my bed. The screen inside the headset flashes and the games logo appears.

It's time to get started.