I was in the middle of a city plaza I had never seen in my life. I wore clothes different from what I wore in the morning. It was a simple grey shirt and brown shorts that reached slightly above my knees. I worried that I would be wearing some revealing clothes that have become the trend for female characters in video games, but my worries fortunately did not come true. I also wore a pair of sandals that I found comfortable running around in.

From what I could see, the city was neither advance nor old. It was a standard city you could find anywhere in the world. 500 people around my age who were every bit as confused as I was filled the plaza. 

The plaza had a high monument in the middle with a fountain surrounding it. The floor was tiled and organized and there were benches every few meters.

Wait! Was this not a dream? Was I in one of those cliche trapped in a video game settings?

From the side of my eyes, I could see the information menu and the date, June 1, XX17 as well as the location, Naut City, 1500 Fitts, which seemed to be the currency of money in this game. I noticed something I had not chosen: the ability Wind Walk. I selected it and a description appeared.

Fade Walk

The target becomes invisible against all non-allies that lasts until the user takes another action. While invisible, the user has increased movement speed. If the user uses a basic attack or a damaging ability when invisible, the first instance of damage dealt will be increased.

Range: Self-target

Cooldown: 30 Seconds

Interestingly, I could activate the ability instinctively. It was hard to explain, but it was somewhat similar to people being naturally capable of breathing. When I used the ability, my Mana gauge, which was a green line located in the top of my vision below my Health gauge, a blue line, decreased. Unlike most video games, Health and Mana were shown as percentages. Right now, I had 63% Mana after using Wind Walk. Wind Walk consumed 38% of my Mana, since after a few seconds, 1% of my Mana regenerated. While in Wind Walk, my body was translucent. I could also instinctively deactivate Wind Walk, which I did.

It was not just Health and Mana that did not hold exact numbers. All the other stats I saw during the customization could not be seen. There was no Level either. This game is certainly weird.

While deep in thought about the game, I soon remembered that I have to go to class soon. It was then when a person appeared at the top of the plaza. The person wore a blue cloak that covered his whole face and body.

"HUHUHU, I'M SURE YOU ARE ALL CONFUSED ON WHAT IS HAPPENING. NOW FIRST OFF, WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF REALITY. NOW THEN, IS IT ONLY NAMED REALITY OR MAYBE IT ACTUALLY IS REALITY? WHO KNOWS? HUHUHU"

"ANYWAY, GETTING TO THE POINT REALITY WILL BE YOUR NEW HOME FROM NOW ON. THIS IS THE SECOND GENERATION OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT HERE, BUT MOST OF THE FIRST GENERATION HAVE PASSED AWAY SO YOU NEED NOT REMEMBER THEM."

"SIMPLY STATED, THIS IS THE STANDARD CLICHÉ TRAPPED IN A VR GAME PLOT WHERE DYING HERE MEANS DYING IN REALITY SO DO YOUR BEST TO SURVIVE HUHUHU. ALL STUDENTS BETWEEN TEN AND TWENTY YEARS OF AGE ALL ACROSS THE WORLD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT HERE. oF COURSE, YOU HAVE BEEN SEPARATED INTO GROUPS OF 500 IN MANY CITIES ALL ACROSS REALITY. ALSO, DON'T WORRY ABOUT YOUR 'REAL LIFE' 0 TIME PASSES IN YOUR REAL LIFE NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU SPEND HERE."

"NOW THEN, ENJOY REALITY!"

It was then when panic struck. Not just me but almost all the people shouted and flailed around after hearing that. Why were we so calm before then? I was customizing my character and testing the game without showing any sign of worry.

Then it hit me... the conclusion that made my fear grow even larger... that made me panic more... If this was a VR Game, then it meant it could transport our minds digitally, if that were possible, then our digitized minds may also be manipulated or even controlled. This was the conclusion I came to and feared...

This was not a joke... I thought all those conspiracy theories were merely material for movies... this had become my reality...

I could no longer see my surroundings... but I knew one thing... chaos ensued... I ran away as fast as I could. Which direction? I did not know. I ran until I saw the words INN in front of an old building. I immediately entered and rented a room for 50 Fitts a night, not even thinking about money or the quality of the inn. I shut myself in the room and buried myself beneath the blankets and pillows. I closed my eyes hoping that when I open them, I would wake from this nightmare... But this was no nightmare... this was reality... this was Reality...

End Dove POV

Help System: Inn

{Multiple Inns with different costs and quality are located in every city. All Inns have the same basic layout design. Inns have infinite rooms and the costs are charged automatically when the player enters the room. Player who leave their items in the rented room still remain there the next time they rent a room even if the player rents from a different Inn.}

These events led Dove into shutting herself in the inn room. Day after day, despair and fear grew stronger and hope grew dimmer.

She thought of killing herself, but was too afraid to do so.

In the end, her savior came, not in the form of a person, but a notification.

And thus, the story continued, from where the prologue ended.