After connecting his phone to the Neural-Chip implant, he downloaded an application called 'Health Up' from the store.

"What is that?" Donny asked absentmindedly. He was more interested in the playoff game that was taking place on the TV. Although it was only a game 6, the Toronto T-Rexes had already lost 3 games, so the two had bet $100,000 with the bookmaker they were introduced to. The money they expected to win wouldn't be enough to pay off the house and contractors but it was a start.

"It's a personal health tracking app that is mostly used by the medical and fitness communities. Their company wanted to attract more attention to the app, so they targeted a certain demographic that they thought could use the app as well as the exercise—gamers." Will said, opening the newly downloaded app and clicked an option for it to link with compatible devices.

"That sounds like a recipe for disaster."

"Which is why they reskinned the app and released a lite version for free." Will explained. The app had finished linking up with his Neural-Chip and he opened it up to display his statistics.

HP Up Name: Enter name here Age: 0 Class: Assigned after stat calibration Strength: 0 Dexterity: 0 Endurance: 0 Intelligence: 0 Charisma: 8 Calibration Required!

Will let out a quiet sigh. It wasn't as advanced as it would be in the future but at least he could now keep track of his progress somewhat.

"It looks like a gimmick." Donny commented, peeking over Will's shoulder. "How do they even measure your intelligence and charisma."

"An IQ test for intelligence if I recall and for charisma...I forget."

Donny already had his phone pulled out and searched it up. "Here, I found it...the app takes the number of contacts, social media friends and followers and makes some calculation based on some stupid formula they came up with. Yep, sounds like a complete gimmick. And it doesn't even have all the stats, where's wis and luck?"

"Perception will be added in the future. Besides, this gimmick will make us very rich."

Donny looked up from his phone. "You mean..."

"It's only the first version. They'll improve it after the virus makes changes to everyone and they release new updates. And then the app will become widely used. They'll even create their own scanning devices for people who can't afford or are skeptical of the Neural-Chip." Will gave Donny a look at the last part.

"Hey man, you can't tell me that it doesn't sound sketchy."

"Come on, let's go downstairs and do the calibrations for our stats."

"Bro, I'm watching the game..." He motioned at the screen with his hand.

"They have monitors in the gym." Will said. "Besides, you already know who wins."

"Okay, mom..."

The two went down to the gym to fulfill the calibration required for the app. They performed various exercises and entered the information into the app.

This included entering their weight, height, and BMI. Measuring grip strength, various one rep tests, vertical and long jumps, sprints and endurance runs, flexibility and balance tests, and even simple push-ups and sit-ups.

The app even had a few of its own built-in tests.

"Ahh..." Donny let out a sigh of frustration as he tapped on the screen when its light changed to green. "Why can't I beat you?"

"162 milliseconds is a good reaction time."

"But I'm the FPS player here. How can a noob like you get an average 110 ms."

"This is slow for me, I'm used to moving faster. And there are people with even quicker reactions."

"Alright, let's get this over with." Donny sighed and the two of them clicked the calibrate button.

Name: Will Age: 18 Class: Barbarian Strength: 10 Dexterity; 11 Endurance: 8 Intelligence: 0 Charisma: 8 Name: Don Age: 18 Class: Bard Strength: 8 Dexterity; 10 Endurance: 7 Intelligence: 11.7 Charisma: 15

"The guide said 10 is the average, right?" Donny asked.

"The average healthy adult." Will corrected.

"Dude, seriously? I worked so hard for the last couple of weeks and my endurance is only 7?" Donny complained.

They both knew the reason but Will refrained from mentioning it.

"How about I run the IQ test for you so you don't have that 'uh-uh me smash' class." Donny said as he compared their results.

"It doesn't matter, they'll take out all the useless stuff soon enough."

"I guess you're right. The only class I'm interested in is first class." Donny nodded at the monitor on the wall, showing the end of the game and a victory for the T-Rexes. "We just won another 130k. So...how about it? Upgrade?"

"..."

"Come on, it's a 16-hour flight."

"....we'll do business then." Will finally compromised. "First class is too much for us now, and there's still a lot we need to buy."

"Yes!" Donny pumped his fist.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Click.

"Your aim is pretty good for your first time. I remember I struggled a bit when I first handled a gun." Will said, taking a look at the target they had set up on the empty field in the distance through his binoculars.

"You're seriously comparing a global elite like me to a noob like you?" Donny scoffed in jest.

"I don't remember much about my gaming days."

"I wouldn't either if I was only a gold rank."

Will shook his head.

"But I guess you always preferred RPGs, maybe that's why you're so obsessed with that IRL RPG." Donny said, tapping at the phone inside his pocket.

"Everyone becomes obsessed with it. It's sort of like how everyone is obsessed with money or status or fame right now. It's the path to success and a good life. This will just be like adding another ladder on the climb to the top." Will said. "Alright, again!"

Donny reloaded his Glock and aimed for the target again. When he was about to pull the trigger, a shot sounded from right next to him.

"Jesus!" He flinched and whipped around to see Will standing close by. Will blocked Donny's arm from swinging the gun in his direction.

"Watch where you're aiming." Will said calmly.

"Bro, I didn't think you would be so close. Scared the shit out of me." Donny said, rubbing his ear. He began shooting again. When he was halfway through his magazine, he heard another shot from nearby, almost making him jump again.

"How am I supposed to focus if you keep making me panic like that?"

"That's the point of the training, so that you get used to the stress."

"Get used to? So it never goes away?"

"Maybe for those at the top of the ladder? But generally, not really."

"That's not what you're supposed to say."

"You want me to lie to you then?"

"No, that was your chance to say 'that's my secret, captain...I'm always stressed'." Seeing the look of incomprehension on Will's face, Donny couldn't help but shout. "Boomer! You're such a boomer!"

Buzz. At that moment, a woman's distorted voice sounded out from the police scanner behind them.

<4026 , direct.> A man's distorted voice came out right after in response.

"Looks like it's time for us to pack up." Will said.

"Was that for us?" Donny asked.

"Yes." Will began packing everything up.

"You said you were in communications, was your job like the one that woman just now does?"

"It was similar." Will nodded, zipping up a duffle bag and moving to clean up all the bullet casings they discharged.

The days passed by in a blur after returning from their trip. Will continued practicing Tai chi with his grandfather, and fitness and gun training with Donny. He spent time with his family and visited his niece when he could. It was his last chance to spend any meaningful time with them because once everything started, his time would be very limited.

Will had looked into 'flow state' when he returned and found out that although it seemed similar to mindfulness meditation, it was completely different.

The goal of mindfulness meditation was to be aware and present in the moment without judgment.

Flow state, however, was finding the right balance between challenge and skill and then becoming so fully immersed in an activity that all distractions fade away, boosting focus, motivation, productivity, learning, memory, and creativity.

Through constant practice, Will achieved flow state a few times during his workouts, but other than feeling good, he couldn't really find a use for it.

Like this, over three months passed and the inevitable date approached once again. He would be experiencing it for a second time.

But this time he would be prepared for what was coming.