Chapter 2: The world outside.

Carter and Alora walked back into the big city gates as the sun set over the tall mountains surrounding the city of Breau. They walked towards the dock in the street going past the merchants. Many voices were trying to drown each other out, selling their items and loot gained from their dungeons and raids. “Come, we must sell your pelts so you can see how it works.” The duo walked into a building with a sign hanging from the wall showing a scale. The universal sign for a market. Inside there were hundreds of people milling about and at the end of the room sat an NPC behind a counter.

How may I help you today? Do you have items for trade?

He selected yes and it opened a menu in his HUD displaying thousands of items on auction. At the bottom of the screen was a button,

Place an advertisement, 5 gold.

He selected it and dragged his pelts into the flashing box with his mind. He raised the price to 50 gold per piece and clicked confirm. Instantly it flashed green signifying that it sold and he withdrew his gold. Another ping signaled that he had received a message. He opened his HUD and clicked on the message center. It was from Alora.

Hi, thanks so much for today, I had tons of fun. I gtg but I will be on tomorrow. Maybe we can do a job together again! I added you to my friends list so it will be easier to find each other.

Oh shit. The time. He quickly logged off and was instantly thrown back into reality. He carefully stashed his GlassOS into the case and left his room. He could see the sun was setting in the real world as well. Huh, we must be in the same time zone as the servers he thought to himself. They were a poor family and lived in a small house on the outskirts of Dallas. The world outside has turned into an automated factory. Robots did everything now. From computing to cleaning dishes. Companies made enough money from mining on other planets so they could afford humanity sitting at home doing nothing. Luckily his dad found a job as a security guard at one of the factories for two days of the week and this made sure they still had food on the table. Other people were not so lucky and many were out on the streets causing mayhem.

The world was controlled by a group of businessmen who made all the laws and decisions since all governments disintegrated after The Great Leap. They transformed the world into an industrial production plant, sending workers home to sit and do nothing while they experimented with extraterrestrial resources. They discovered Saturn houses the G2943-23 gas which doesn’t disintegrate after being lit and burnt for years on end. This created an unlimited powersource which was used to purify salt water.

Lab grown meat and vegetables was the usual now and animal products were a luxury along with plant products. The elite moved to Australia where they created their own safe haven and ruled the world through surveillance cameras and a very effective and decisive security force called the Intelligence Bureau. IB for short. To be part of the IB was a very, very well paid and the most sought after career in the world. As it was the jump needed from struggling civilians to the elite.

Most people were mechanics and engineers in the Mega-Factories which have taken over the world, researching and maintaining whatever new gas the Leaders have found.

The Leaders realized people were bored and started releasing virtual realms for those sitting at home, called MMORPGs but none has ever been successful as The Shadow Domain. So successful in fact, it was now the only game in existence. And people made careers out of the game, streaming, selling items and services for real life money, and creating guides. Some gamers were so successful they were sought out by the elite to come work for them depending on what their in-game career was. PvPers became police, Traders became real world market analysts, Clan leaders became business diplomats and bounty hunters became assassins.

But Carter was too young for all of this and he was still excited after killing his first wolves! He ran to his mother and father thanking them again for the GlassOS and telling them about his new adventures he had. They laughed and were glad to have been able to provide him with so much joy as they haven't been able to buy a present for Carter in years. Until one day one, a new security guard at the factory asked his father if he’d like to buy his older model of the GlassOS. Knowing his son was playing on an old gaming computer with no one else because they all moved to The Shadow Domain which could only be accessed through GlassOS, he jumped at the opportunity and bought the device. Carter has been doing well at school and was well on his way to become an engineering student. And so he believed a reward was in order anyways.

“-and then we went back to Breau and I got gold for selling my items on the market.” he said excitedly, barely pausing for a breath. “That’s awesome son. Maybe I should get one as well.” his father winked at his mother. “Now, grab your dinner and go study, you’ve spent enough time playing today.”

The boy did as he was told and sat at his desk, envisioning himself and Alora running across open plains fighting dragons. He quickly wiped away the thoughts and tried to focus on his schoolwork. He was a grade-A student and worked late into the night before heading to bed. That night all he dreamt of was the adventures he’d embark on as a Blade Singer in Baria.