The way I structure my sentences in the first three chapters is bad, I agree. But it does get better later on.

Also, if you haven't. You really should read the prologue.

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My alarm bell rang. I woke up and yawned.

Stretching, I fumbled around until I managed to turn the alarm off.

I lay for a moment in the warm security of my bed before finally getting up.

I felt fine. Better than fine.

I had hoped that yesterday was a nightmare, but looking at the wrecked computer, my hopes were dashed.

I collapsed back on my bed. This was a nightmare.

I wanted to play Balezin. I wanted to play it so bad.

The alarm goes off at 6.30am each day. I want to get as much game time in as I could.

But there was no Balezin. There was no computer.

But while I was sleeping, maybe something happened? Could Balezin be back?

I knew it wouldn't be. But hope ate at me, gnawing at my heart.

Walking to the hall, I picked up the cordless phone and dialled David's number.

After ten seconds or so, he picked up. He would also be awake at this time for the same reason as me.

I hesitated before I asked "Any news about Balezin?"

I held my breath. Anticipating and fearing his answer.

David spoke in a heavy voice. "No. The site is also slowing down. We no longer have any of the game files on our computers"

A long heavy silence was drawn out.

We had nothing more to say.

I hanged up and went back to my bed.

Staring upwards at the ceiling, my eyes held a vacant look. My heart heavy in grief.

Five years ago, I was no one.

I had nothing to live for.

I knew David from school and often hanged out with him.

We liked to sit together, and just sit there. Occasionally reading books, doing homework.

Sometimes David bought a handheld to school. We competed against each other trying to get the best score.

We were friends in fellow boredom.

Then a internet community David was part of, just exploded.

Balezin.

Minutes before the post was deleted, David had signed up. Soon after he had played it.

He sent me the link soon after and I joined him.

My computer wasn't the greatest. My parents didn't believe in handouts.

But with some oddjobs and a cheap discount when David wanted to sell his old computer. I had one.

Thankfully my parents paid for the internet. I didn't think I'd be able to afford that without a part time job.

When I was first introduced to Balezin I couldn't believe it.

Surely this wasn't real. How big is the subscription going to be??

But we never saw any costs. I made friends there. Enemies too. But we all enjoyed ourselves.

It changed my life. I had been getting depressed. My parents were out all day. I had no siblings.

David was my friend, but we didn't hang around outside of school. Home had nothing to do.

Balezin changed my life.

I lay on my bed, remembering my past. I heard footsteps as my parents woke up.

My father walked to the lounge, turned on the TV. My mother dropped by my door.

Her eyes flickered to my computer as she softly told me to get ready for school.

I nodded in return, acknowledging her presence.

After she left, I lay for a minute more before grunting and sitting up.

Getting changed, I went downstairs for breakfast.

Eating robotically, I couldn't taste the eggs or the toast. Balezin.

My body felt heavy as I grabbed my bag and walked outdoors, waiting at the bus-stop felt like a eternity.

I almost missed the bus, deep in depression as I was.

The bus arrived at school and I got off. Heading to our usual spot, I met up with David.

We both sat there in melancholy.

He occasionally checked his phone, looking for any news about Balezin. But there was nothing new.

The forums were crowded with flocks of anxious people. Eager for any news. Any hope they can find.

The bell rang and we headed to homeroom. After a short inspirational speech, the teacher left us for the ten minutes until the first class.

The first class was math. I just stared at the book.

Our next class was english, but who honestly needs that?

After morning tea, we headed to the next class.

This time we had science. I had forgotten today was a exam.

I stared down at the exam which lay face down. I'd have loved to skip it today.

But..

I wasn't given a choice.

"Start"

We turned the paper over and reluctantly, I started filling in the questions.

Some of them I knew, others I had to guess at.

I was filling out the answer to a chemical formula when I heard a ding.

*Tring*

INT +1

A silvery blue text box appeared directly in front of me.

I reared back and inhaled in fright. My chair slipped out from me and clattered to the ground as I sprawled on the ground.

My classmates looked at me and snickered at my predicament.

The teacher approached me and looked down where I lay on the ground.

"Is there a problem?"

Couldn't they see the box in front of me?

But as I watched, it rapidly faded away. Just a few seconds after appearing.

Looking back up at him, I shook my head. "Its nothing"

Amid the snickering of my peers, I got up, righted my chair and sat back at my desk.

What was that?

Finishing the final few questions left on the exam, it was now lunchtime.

We had a final class which was woodworking, but the teacher was out today.

They couldn't find a substitute teacher, so we had a free period.

David still had a class however, so I sat in our spot.

Just what happened?

The box said INT +1

Intelligence?

My intelligence increased?

Didn't I see something like that box before?

Ah! Last night!

Was sleeping then, thought it a dream. But I swear I saw that same box then!

I don't remember what it said, but it mentioned the word 'Gamer' a few times.

They looked to be connected, and Gamer.. Its as if I'm playing a game?

*Tring*

WIS +1

There it was again!

This time, I examined the box.

Tilting and moving my head around, the box remained in the same position in my view.

Reaching a hand out, I felt the box. It resisted my hand, and yet. My hand moved through it without any problems.

As before however, it faded out quickly after.

I'm gaining stats as if it's a game?

This was just too weird.

Was it related to Balezin?

It had to be.

Experimenting, Jon felt awkward as he tried different words.

"Menu" "Help" "Inventory", then he struck gold as he said "Stats"

StatsLevel1VIT8STR7END8AGI7DEX12INT13WIS12LUK11

Looking at it, I noticed straight off that my physical stats were on the low side.

But in comparison, my intelligence and wisdom were higher than the rest.

With my dexterity also rather high.

Was this because of my gaming activities?

Ten looked to be the baseline, where the average guy has their stats.

But strangely I didn't see any other information. Just my stats.

Perhaps it was another command?

My stats hadn't disappeared this time like the gains had, but there was a 'OK' button.

Upon pressing it, the window disappeared.

I wanted to check out any other information I could find on this and "character" was the obvious choice.

Upon saying this, I was right as another window opened.

NameJonathan CliffTitlesGamerLevel1VIT8STR7END8AGI7DEX12INT13WIS12LUK11Skills

[p=left]

Gamer lv.1

[/p]

Interesting.

It didn't have my full name, likely because no one wanted to hear my middle name.

My level was 1. Indictating I just started. And this title..

Gamer?

I also had a skill listed under the same name.

Trying to make more information appear, I moved my hand over the title. Nothing happened.

But when I pressed on it, another window appeared over the character window.

TitleGamerFor destroying the source of Balezin's power and absorbing it, you were granted the object of your desire.

As such, you have earned the title Gamer.

I.. Destroyed Balezin?

No. I couldn't have.

It was a game. Just a game.

And absorbing its power? Was this a fantasy novel?

Besides.

Was this title even useful?

Dismissing the window, I looked at my character menu.

Something looked off about it. What was it..

Ah!

There was no health or mana.

Surely that was a mistake?

If this was a game, I should be seeing more information than this displays.

However I was unable to do anything about it.

This time, I pressed on the skill Gamer.

SkillGamerLevel1Reality is a game to you.

Play, survive and grow.

Now this was interesting. Despite the lack of information.

The world is a game? That sounded.. Fun.

Except I had a funny feeling that pain and effort would both be involved.

"Uh.. What are you doing?"

I turned my head startled. David was sitting next to me, watching as I poked at the air.

When did he get there? Had I truly been that distracted?

I don't know why, but I didn't want to tell him about this.

Maybe it was because I was the source of Balezin's downfall..

With a leisurely wave of my hands, I dismissed the windows and dropped my arm.

"Its nothing."

David gave me a funny look. "You better not be cracking up on me"

I shook my head. "Its nothing. Seriously."

"Whatever" he shrugged.

We sat there in silence, I continued to think about what this meant.

David took his phone out and started browsing through Balezin's forums, seeking some kind of relief.

The skills window indicted you could learn skills. But unlike a game, I'd have to learn them as I go?

What were the skills I could learn? Game specific skills?

I hoped not. Most of the skills you find in Balizen are related to combat and magic.

Both of which I doubted would be useful to obtain.

There was one skill that I thought would be particularly easy to learn.

As I thought about it, the urge to investigate made itself more and more known.

I didn't want to be sitting around here when I could be looking into this.

Finally I couldn't resist and got up.

"Well. I'm off"

David nodded and turned back to flicking through the forums on his phone.

I shouldered my backpack and moved to the bus shelter, after a short wait a bus arrived.

Getting on, I travelled back home and trembling with impatience I quickly dumped my stuff in my room and changed from my school clothes.

Heading to the kitchen, I started preparing a meal.

Cutting up the onions, frying them up then adding mince. Adding garlic and a little spicing.

I soon prepared a meal.

Upon completing it, A box appeared.

*Tring*

You have learnt the skill Cooking

You have learnt the subskill Cooking: Frying

As I hoped, I was able to gain the cooking skill.

But there was sub-skills? This didn't exist in Balizen.

Opening my character menu again, both skills were now listed.

NameJonathan CliffTitlesGamerLevel1VIT8STR7END8AGI7DEX12INT13WIS12LUK11Skills

[p=left]

Gamer lv.1

Cooking lv.1

Frying lv.1

[/p]

I tapped on both of the skills to open their descriptions.

I had noticed earlier that I was able to move the windows around by dragging them.

When reopening them, they stayed in that position.

Where tapping on the window with the intent to close it would have it disappear.

So it was easier to navigate the windows than you would originally think.

Opening the newly acquired skills, I quickly read through the little text that there was.

SkillCookingLevel1Cooking is a important aspect of your daily life.

You receive a small boost in your everyday skills in cooking and find it harder to ruin what you cook!

SkillCooking: FryingLevel1A subskill of cooking, frying has never been easier!

Anything you fry has a better chance of becoming something edible!

The descriptions sounded a little sarcastic.

Was it related to my lack of information in my character window?

Shouldn't I be seeing things relating to experience? Such as how long until the next level?

Obviously I could level them up. Why else would it mention "Level"

I smiled. Things are starting to get interesting.

I think I'll enjoy this new found gift.

*Tring*

The skill Gamer has reached level 2You can now view your health.

+2% increase in experience gains.