I guess the elite allowed us to live and be prosperous so we could help them build a utopian society that mostly benefited them, but everyone was also satisfied with the life they were living now; the low crime rate, as well as people having every basic need met and the freedom to explore and enjoy every type of entertainment, was what made the last remaining humanity on Tellus chosen to be under the elite rule.
Why does this lingering agitation claw at me? I have a roof over my head; I am a survivor, an orphan who found safety. Shouldn't this be enough?
By all accounts, it is a win-win, yet I am hollow. I craved the definition of true happiness, but instead, I am merely a dead fish drifting aimlessly through the current of a life I never chose.
A clear, bright woman's voice cut through the air, vibrating with chilling precision that broke my self-sabotage thought: "Following the catastrophic explosion of the Tower of Eternia within the massive VR network—a phenomenon involving over two billion users—the resulting neurological trauma has left countless players in a persistent vegetative state. In response, the world government has mandated an immediate, indefinite shutdown of the game, while scrambling to devise a solution for the families burdened by this devastating wreckage."
Suddenly, a colossal screen flickered to life, illuminating the vast hall of the gargantuan megastructure. It displayed the interior of an impossible floor within a towering spire, pulsing with raw, volatile arcane energy. The scene teemed with life: figures draped in ornate, ethereal robes moved through corridors, while majestic airships drifted overhead. A creature, resembling an elephant of immense proportions, lumbered by, carrying a two-story house upon its back as it defied gravity, hovering just inches above the ground.
Within this dreamscape, lush waterfalls cascaded into crystal-clear rivers, breathing life into a vibrant ecosystem. Then, without warning, reality fractured. A swirling tempest of violet fire and jagged, dual-toned lightning—a storm of red and blue—tore through the floor, consuming everything in its path.
NPCs, the agony of their erasure was so visceral and grotesque that the broadcast feed was forced to shroud the slaughter in a clinical, pixelated blur.
Then, a deep, resonant voice cut through the tension—it was the world-renowned news anchor, his tone sharpened by alarm. "This morning's incident has sent a seismic shockwave across the entire solar system. The Tower of Eternia was classified as an indestructible game object; yet, it has been decimated. This catastrophe forces us to confront a terrifying possibility: is this truly a virtual world, or have we stumbled upon something far more profound—and dangerous? Let us turn to Professor Niamh, our resident expert in neuroscience, to weigh in."
A man clad in sharp, gothic-style black attire stepped forward, his composure fraying as his voice cracked with raw, jagged emotion. "First, I extend my deepest grief to the families and friends of the victims. My own son is among the fallen; I left him in the sterile cold of a hospital ward only moments ago to come directly here."
He paused, his gaze hardening as he looked past the camera, defiant. "I do not wish to incite the wrath of the all-powerful World Government, but we must demand the truth. How many more secrets are they burying? We all know 'The World Of Dawn' is far more than a mere game, but it remains a classified secret that even a scientist of my standing dares not speak of, even under the protection of the Divine Light Church."
Around me, the hushed murmurs of the crowd spiked into a frantic, nervous buzz. "He actually has the stones to challenge the regime like that..." one bystander hissed.
Another followed up, their voice tight with dread, "Well, the other Galactic Federations and Empires are already closing in, openly finding an opportunity to attack the elite here on Tellus. Without 'Genie'—the sole architect and rightful owner of TWOD and the world government—Tellus would be crushed by this backlash."
I looked up at the screen again, watching the news feed continue to scroll with frantic, red-lettered updates. The atmosphere in the hall had shifted; the initial confusion was hardening into a cold, sharp dread. People were no longer just watching the news—they were bracing for the collapse of the world as they knew it.
If the third galactic war happened over this event, it would be the total erasure of the thin, fragile stability I have tried so hard to cling to. My life, modest as it is, would be the first casualty
The elite, led by Genie, ruled everything, even the world government. Though it was classified as to who the true rulers were that managed to unite humanity, it was said that the Mother was the one who led the elite, but recent rumors said the top 10 rankers of the solar system were the ones who were ruling from the shadows.
The rumors swirled around the hall like a suffocating shroud, transforming from mere gossip into a terrifying history lesson. Whispers persisted that the legendary figure who dismantled the Yallareon dogma hadn't simply vanished into the pages of history; he was still the hand on the tiller, operating from the impenetrable shadows under the codename "Genie."
The stories painted him as a titan of science—a man whose intellect had forged the very foundation of our survival. It was said that he, in seamless collaboration with advanced androids, had erected the colossal energy shield that held back the ruinous, irradiated legacy of the Thanatos fallout. We were all living in a giant petri dish, our lives preserved only by the barrier of a man who might now be losing his grip on the chaos he sought to contain.
"If the shield flickers," I whispered to myself, the sound swallowed by the frantic atmosphere, "the real world will burn just like those NPCs on the screen."
Regardless, my sole obsession was unmasking the purple-haired woman who snatched me from the jaws of the Orc Demon Lord and the subsequent cataclysm. In that digital abyss, only she—and her enigmatic companion—knew the true extent of that harrowing encounter.
TWOD was no mere game; it was an alternate reality. The Orc Demon Lord said it himself.
Yet she had challenged the Orc Demon Lord in singular combat; surely, she was among the human race's top ten—a legend reigning supreme in both the virtual expanse and the solar system at large.
That meant her identity would remain ghosted, even if I sought her out. The supreme tier of humanity was classified, strictly reserved for those holding Gold Citizen status—the absolute pinnacle of the elite.
At the moment, I was scouring TWOD's username registry, an archive accessible only via the virtual interface. Into the search bar, I punched the name: "Lasiv."
But my head felt a throbbing pain, and I heard a buzzing white noise after I tried to remember the event with her, who saved me from the explosion accident of the Tower of Eternia.
I groaned in pain. "Ughh."
It was like something was blocking my mind from accessing this memory with her. I grit my teeth in frustration and let it go, as this morning I tried to remember as much as possible, and it was screwing my head like countless needles pierced through it.
I sighed and relaxed myself.
All I knew was she was someone important to me, and she saved my life in TWOD. And that was enough for me.
A deluge of results flooded the screen:
Lasivlan_43
Lasivivat_38
...and a myriad of variations.
But not a single one matched the precise, five-letter moniker I hunted. It defied logic; even if her achievements and personal files were scrubbed, how could her basic account identity not even appear on the list?
Suddenly, the sharp rhythm of approaching footsteps shattered my focus. My gaze instinctively drifted toward the black sneaker marked with a distinct golden star, trailing the sound to its source.
She stood before me, in a medium-length black skirt that stopped just above her knees, paired with long blue socks. As our eyes locked, I was met with a gaze of oceanic blue, tainted by a haunting, subtle fleck of red—it was Stella. In her hand, a carbon-fiber black glove, she clutched a small coffee cup, swaddled in tissue to ward off the searing heat.
The air grew heavy with confusion. Customarily, I was the one forced to trek to her cart to claim my order; today, however, she had bridged the distance, delivering it directly to my side. I stared at her, my expression a mask of pure bewilderment, to which she merely arched a single eyebrow in a silent, awkward retort.
I seized the moment, unable to suppress my curiosity. "Is today something special? Usually, your grandmother demands I come to the cart to collect my own order."
To be fair, it was an anomaly—she never delivered to any other customer; I was the sole exception.
Stella offered a wistful, distant smile. "I made a choice. Perhaps by tomorrow, these fresh coffee beans will be gone for good. I don't desire any unnecessary attachments to things that don't last. I only came because she insisted I inform you of the decline in her health."
The words struck a dissonant chord. I recalled her earlier mention that her grandfather had ceased cultivating the coffee plants—a finality that suddenly took on a darker hue. A chilling realization washed over me: perhaps the situation was far more dire than I had dared to imagine.
"I hope... she recovers soon. And are you really sure that's all?"
"Do you honestly think I have feelings for you?" She countered, her eyebrow arching in a mix of mockery and sharp amusement.
I shook my head, my conviction absolute. Even in a thousand years, we were never meant to be; the chasm between our worlds was far too wide to bridge. More importantly, attention went wherever she went, and I was sure there must be a dozen high-profile men taking turns dating her right now.
I did admire her, truly—there was an undeniable gravity to her presence that drew me in. Yet, I wouldn't be blind to the red flag of this wrecked ship.
She extended her hand, offering the cup. As my fingers brushed against hers to retrieve it, I felt a faint, lingering heat. A wisp of steam curled upward, dancing in the air, the warmth of the coffee a stark, grounding reality against the creeping dread taking root in my heart.
Stella then said, "My adopted grandmother is in the hospital and refused to get an artificial organic surgery replacement; she said she wants to end her life as a human and not a robot."
If I remember correctly, Sasaki, Stella's grandma, was around 120 years old due to the advanced Nedro medicine developed after 10 years at the end of the Great Global Disaster, which replaced dead cells with new ones and also eliminated most cancer diseases, but now her organs have failed her. Sasaki did live a long life; I wonder what kind of life she had been through.
I drew a sharp breath, grounding myself with the thought that my morning's trivialities paled in comparison to the scars left on Sasaki—and the billions who had endured the Great Global Disaster and the harrowing First and Second Galactic Wars. It was a catastrophe that had nearly unmade humanity.
I cast my eyes down, my voice low. "Perhaps that's the right way to live. She has always been a woman of unwavering integrity."
When I finally looked up, her brows were knitted into a sharp, rigid line. The immediate sting of realization hit me: I had misstepped, crossing a threshold I hadn't even perceived.
Stella sighed, shaking her head, her tone aggressively neutral despite the flare of frustration in her eyes. "You still suck at reading social cues, don't you?" She took a slow, deliberate breath, visibly struggling to steady her composure. "She is the only family I have left, besides my brother. Though, in this world, I only truly trust my grandmother... and you."
I knew better than to press; she had pointedly omitted her older brother from the tally of her kin. He had long ago abandoned Stella and her grandmother, forsaking the safety of the Singa Sanctuary to chase his ideals in the lawless, uninhabited zones of Tellus. He believed his music was a calling for the scavengers dwelling in those wastes; Stella, however, had effectively erased him, rarely speaking his name and refusing to acknowledge the blood tie that once bound them.
It was true—her life was a tapestry of abandonment. Without parents, and now betrayed by her own flesh and blood, she had only Sasaki. That adopted grandmother had been her singular bastion, weathering every storm by her side. To face the prospect of losing the only soul who had stood as her constant guardian through the crucible of her youth… the sheer, suffocating weight of that pain was likely more than she could bear.
Although, in this lifetime I probably wouldn't be able to experience that kind of pain; after all, I had neither a parent nor relatives.
I said while fixing my eyes on her, "I want to comfort you, but to be honest, I won't be able to truly understand your struggle."
Somehow she looked at me with a slight shock for a moment, and then the corners of her lips lifted, expressing a slightly happy mood.
"That answer is so like you, that being said I am not asking for comfort, but I know you care about my well being so I appreciate that," Stella said with a neutral smile.
I returned her with a tiny smile as our eyes met for a moment, at the same time, a mature female voice could be heard announcing the arrival of the flying city bus.
[Attentions, the FCB (Flying City bus) lines 5, from The Cathedral of Divine Light Floating Island to the Educational Main District will be arriving in the next 3 minutes.
"If possible, you shouldn't take the bus today," Stella said in her concerned voice.
"Why is it?" I asked.
"Those creepy men who wear the mask of a bloody angelic face are suspicious. They might take the same bus as you, who knows what is their agenda?"
She made sense, but what should I drive to school today besides the bus?
Immediately, she took a deep breath saying "Come, I will drive you to the school today."
I opened my mouth widely, shocked by her statement. I asked, "Are you sure?"
She nodded and scratched the back of her neck, saying "Yes, I park my hoverbike at the Skyport parking station."
"Your Zvezda 6 nuclear/EV 300000 coins hoverbike?" I said in shock.
She glanced sharply around, ensuring my blunder hadn't drawn an audience before shaking her head.
"Silly," she replied, her voice composed yet cutting, "why would I risk bringing my exclusive custom bike to this island? I brought my Zvesda 3 hybrid hoverbike today."
I could only marvel at how casually she dismissed the price; just how deep were her pockets from the entertainment industry?
"The Zvesda 3 still costs a hundred thousand coins!" I countered, incredulous. "Why not just use the bike your brother left behind?"
Her expression hardened instantly. "It's hardly as exorbitant as Setsuna's car collection; we won't draw any unnecessary attention. And, for the record—don't mention him again. I have no brother."
As her older brother was once a very famous rock stars in Sector 0 at such a young age, I remembered he abandoned Stella to pursue his dream of becoming a rock star, his name was Asterix.
"I am sorry for mentioning him, but what about your grandma's shop?" I asked.
She replied as she turned her back against me, "Don't worry, the leader of security guards in this section will take care of it."
As she got further away, she said, "Wait for me here; don't go anywhere. I will come back."
Am I her puppy or what? In any case, I listened to her. It was better than taking the bus with a bunch of weirdos who might turn out to be a terrorist. At that moment I also swift my gaze toward the opening fence at the edge of the building near the cliff, which led to a floating platform where the bus landed, a temporary stop to get the passengers.
Amongst the passengers standing in line to board the Line 5 floating bus, I also noticed four creepy masked men standing in the line waiting to scan their bio-chips and board the bus. I felt glad that I didn't take the same bus as them, yesterday they didn't even appear at this Skyport bus station, why did they change their mind all of a sudden?
I wouldn't know the answer, therefore I turned to think about my upcoming exam, recalling the date of the Great Global Disasters, the cause of it and how it ended, and also some breakthrough inventions after the Great Global Disasters like the bioroid, and Nedro. Not to mention the achievement of the world government, all of these would surely appear on the exam.
After reflecting on the topic that might appear on the exam, I subconsciously gazed toward Stella as she was having a conversation with one of the security guards. He is dressed in black carbon fiber armor and a helmet that conceals his face, though his voice could be projected through one of the built-in stereos on the helmet.
What was shocking to me, I saw a two golden lines badge equipped on his right shoulder. Meaning he was one of the leaders in charge of security in the Skyport, to think that she had this much influence already!
The security guard seemed startled for a moment and glanced my way, then somehow he nodded as if he accepted Stella's request on something. After they were done having a conversation, she returned to me, when she arrived before me, she beckoned her hand and signaled me to stand up and walk to her.
Without hesitation, I stood up and approached her.
She said, "Follow me."
As I closely followed her from behind, we passed through several sections of the Skyport on this floor. The interior of the building was a captivating blend of futuristic design and advanced technology. The wide walkways led us through bustling areas, where passengers and pilots hurriedly moved about, preparing for their flights or seeking services.
Throughout the journey, one could notice the interactive digital displays adorning the walls. These displays showcased flight information, destination highlights, and even a virtual reality hall that showcased many arts, and information about TWOD. Nonetheless, I ignored it and kept walking.
We passed by customer service desks, where passengers and civilians sought assistance and information. There were waiting lounges with comfortable seating, where people relaxed while waiting for their flights to be called, this section was called a business class bus for people who travel across domes on Tellus. Along the way, one could also catch glimpses of cafes and eateries, where the tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and delicious food filled the air.
As I continued following Stella through the Skyport, I came across a hologram entrance. I was reluctant to step in since the holographic sign said off-limit for civilians.
She noticed my hesitation and said, "No worry, as long as you are with me you will be fine."
I gathered my courage and stepping through, I found myself in a vast area of docking bays, surrounded by an awe-inspiring sight. The space seemed limitless, with a magnificent view of the stretching blue sky visible until it reached the edge of the dome shield. This made me realize, I had reached the edge of the Skyport building.
The dome shield had a unique hexagonal shape, adding to the futuristic ambiance of the Skyport. It provided a sense of protection and allowed natural light to filter through, casting a gentle glow on the bustling activity below.
The docking bays themselves were a sight to behold. Each bay was meticulously organized and spacious, accommodating a variety of flying vehicles. The sleek design of the bays complemented the futuristic aesthetic of the Skyport, with state-of-the-art charging stations and maintenance facilities available to keep the vehicles in top condition.
Moving further along, I encountered docking bays where flying vehicles were parked. The sleek and well-organized bays housed a variety of impressive aircraft and cruisers, each with its unique design and features. The hum of activity filled the air as technicians and ground crew members attended to the vehicles, ensuring they were ready for their upcoming journeys, this section was mostly off-limit.
I asked, "Isn't this area off-limit to civilians?"
She replied with a smile as she removed her mask and the hood that covered her hair "Well, I am not a normal civilian, do you forget who I am?"