Ethan ate a bite of his burrito while he casually skimmed through the Eternity Edge community gossip.
His time had come to revolve more and more around it recently. He was just about to exit the app when a particular comment caught his eye.
" Yo guys, yeah just wanna confirm it here okay? So I heard rumors that the legendary Reaper is now playing the game. Is that true?"
He checked frantically for replies either asserting or denying the notion but got nothing. He turned on notification for that comment.
He stared into space while thinking of the implications. He knew that the Reaper was one of the most ruthless players in the game world. He was a player who took down other players unbending resolve.
One who's pleasure laid in how a destroy a player within the virtual realm. Ethan had only come across him once. At the 'Towers Of Eternity' -also a virtual reality game by the same company back then in 2024.
Then he was locked with Reaper who then was a powerful mage, The Reaper had not only ensured his avatar's death. He also made sure to record the fight sending one to him and posting another on his YouTube channel under the caption: " Another soul reaped!"
He train of thought was interrupted by the sound of his phone's notification. It was from the game community. He hurriedly opened the notification to see the lastest reply.
" Yeah bro it is! Dude posted it on his YouTube channel himself. I wouldn't be surprised though the cash prize Mr Marcus's offering is enough to draft any gamer hall of fame"
Ethan's blue eyes narrowed in confusion. The person had said 'Cash prize'. " I hadn't heard anything about cash prizes" he thought aloud and tapped on Google for confirmation.
After scanning through countless websites he finally came across one where a live video of Marcus Thompson was posted.
" I would like to say a thank you to the people who supported my industries in the make up of this game. My loyal gamers who supported me before and after the release of this game. Eternity Edge is a virtual game that promises real life immersion and create to unleash your full inner potential.
" In the event of that gamers I have decided to offer you a little bonus, the game contains five major dimensions. These are where your quests shall come from, I have hidden specific rare artifacts in the game which shall be offered to you within eighteen months, during a difficult quest in each dimension whoever gets the most artifacts or artifacts of real value shall be gifted a healthy sum of 970 million dollars and a thirty percent share of my company.
Now this offer is open on a sliding scale to the highest three players to be displayed on a leader board. Good luck gamers and stay sharp!!!"
Ethan digested this bit of information and let out an explosive whoosh of inhaled air. " 970 million dollars" he muttered in disbelief…
***
The three days he had to work at the work shop came and went with the speed of a slug and finally he got his free three days again.
He woke up on his single bed and had a long shower then breakfast. For the first time in a long while, he actually prepared what he ate.
He soon regretted the effort, he had always hated cooking and culinary arts seeming to have a mind of its own toyed with him.
In all of his previous trials, the god of cooking hadn't smiled at him and now… as he dipped his spoon into a bowl of chicken soup and put it into his mouth… he realized that the god wasn't going to smile any time soon.
He took a few more spoons of the soup until he couldn't take it anymore and ordered for pizza with extra cheese.
He read through the gist on the community to keep himself busy before the delivery guy eventually knocked on his apartment door.
" Thank goodness!" Ethan said. He finished the pizza within thirty minutes and immediately settled in his game chair.
He powered on his VR headset and soon became Recoil.
[New Notification : New invitation to 'Club Eight' from Tyrion].
Recoil stared around in awe when he stepped into the opulent club for the first time.
In front of the main entrance were twin fountains. The door was secured by a uniformed NPC guard.
Inside in building, the air was mixed with the smell of alcohol and cigarettes as players took full advantage of the freedom to unwind the club offered.
Tyrion was the one to find him first. " Hey Man! Glad you could make it" he extended a hand.
" No prob Tee" Recoil replied and gave a firm handshake. " So I wanted to make a proposal" Tyrion started and led him to the table.
" What would you like to have sirs?" The bartender asked. " Whiskey for me and…"
" Water please" Recoil cut in.
" I'd prefer not getting drunk" he explained upon seeing the inquiry in Tyrion's raised eyebrow. " You're not on a quest man you don't have to be so teetotal."
Recoil shrugged. " So you aware of the announcement the game developer made right?" Tyrion asked.
" Yeah. Everyone knows that" " The offer is also open to guilds so… I was thinking if I and the others could join yours"
Recoil was taken aback. " You wanna join my guild?" " Yeah man think about it, you're honestly a brilliant strategist and I feel I have a lot to learn from you" Tyrion said.
Recoil's eyebrows slammed together in a frown. " But I don't have a guild". "Don't tell me you're thinking of joining one man" Tyrion chuckled.
" I'm not that special anyway…" Recoil began. " Dude you're seriously underestimating yourself it's like saying fire isn't that hot… leave the verdict to your followers man" Tyrion said serious now.
He watched while Recoil turned the idea over in his head. " Okay I'll consider it, do you have an idea of when then first artifacts hunt will begin?" Recoil asked.
" Nah bro! But we've got a whole lot of eighteen months to find out man" Tyrion shrugged and took a gulp of his whiskey.
" Now you sure you not gonna order a real drink…?"