บท 5: First Game 1

The two siblings moved into the cramped kitchen, the air thick with the promise of a shared meal. Michael began unpacking the groceries, his movements practiced and efficient, while Mira meticulously washed the fresh tomatoes, her small hands working with surprising dexterity.

"How much are all these foodstuffs?" Mira asked, her voice soft, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Not much," Michael replied, his tone casual as he reached out and gently patted her head.

"Really?" Mira asked again, her voice laced with skepticism. She didn't believe her brother's words. The ingredients were far from cheap, and she couldn't help but wonder if he had spent his precious life times again. 'How many life times does he have left? Is that why he wants to play the virtual reality game?' The questions swirled in her mind, a whirlwind of worry, causing her brow to furrow slightly.

"Is something wrong?" Michael asked, noticing the subtle change in her expression.

"Well... why are you joining the game? I heard it's very dangerous," Mira asked, her voice filled with apprehension.

"True. The game is dangerous, but as a new player, AI will give me the simplest mode," Michael said, attempting to reassure his sister, his voice calm and steady.

"Really?" Mira's face lit up with relief, but the fleeting moment of joy was quickly replaced by a fresh wave of concern. "That means when you increase in level, AI will give you difficult modes. Which might risk your life. Brother, if you are doing all these for me, please stop. If it's life times, I can start looking for a job that will give us life times."

Michael stopped what he was doing and squatted down, placing himself at her eye level. "Never say that again," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "And what type of brother would let his little sister work on the streets?"

"But..." Mira began, her voice trailing off.

"No buts," Michael interrupted, his voice resolute. "Haven't you heard how the guilds or those who are higher-ranked gamers live their lives luxuriously? That is what I want for you. I'm not doing these for only you but for both of us." Michael said calmly, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. He pulled her into a warm embrace, then gently released her.

"Now go and arrange the table. I will bring the food out when it is ready." He gave her a reassuring smile.

Mira gave a small nod and walked out of the kitchen, her footsteps light as she headed towards the dining area.

"Don't worry, sis, I will make sure you live the best life possible," he promised, his voice a low murmur. He stood up and focused on the task at hand, the rhythmic chopping and stirring filling the small kitchen.

____

MOMENTS LATER

The dining table was laden with food, a feast of colors and aromas. A vibrant vegetable salad, fragrant fried rice and tender beef, perfectly fried eggs, and steaming noodles filled the plates. A bottle of wine stood ready for Michael, while a carton of fruit juice awaited Mira.

"Wow, brother, these foods look delicious," Mira said, her eyes wide with delight, her tongue darting out to lick her lips.

"Hahaha... have a taste. Today, eat till your heart's content. If you need more, just tell me, and I will bring the pot over," Michael said jokingly, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Mira giggled happily and began to eat, her small hands deftly wielding her chopsticks.

"Mira! You haven't prayed. How many times should I tell you this? Pray to the Lord before eating," Michael reminded her gently.

"Mmm, hm, hmm," Mira nodded, swallowing the food she had already taken. She placed her palms together, her eyes closed in concentration.

"Oh Lord, come and bless these foods we are about to eat, amen," she said, her voice clear and earnest. As soon as she finished, she looked up at her brother and saw him smiling at her.

"Go ahead," Michael said, a warm smile gracing his lips. That was all she needed to dive back into the delicious meal.

'Don't worry, after the game, I will make sure you only eat good and delicious food,' Michael thought, his heart filled with determination. He picked up his own chopsticks and began to eat.

_____

ONE HOUR AGO

"Ahh!! Those two brats! They aren't even happy I came to this smelly place to pay them a visit, and they chased me away like some thug," Sara ranted, her voice filled with indignation as she stormed down the street, her short dress swishing around her legs, her handbag's handle cutting into her shoulder.

"Cab!" she called out, hailing a taxi as soon as she exited the rundown area.

"How much?" she asked the driver, her voice sharp.

"Where are you heading?" the driver asked in return, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Clear Sky Street," Sara replied, her tone impatient.

"Clear Sky Street? How can someone staying in that high-end place come to this rundown area?" the driver asked aloud, his curiosity piqued.

"Shut up and answer my question!" Sara snapped, her patience wearing thin.

"Sorry, ma, two days life times," the driver replied, his voice apologetic.

"What?!! You motherfucker!!! It's only one day lifetime, how did it get to two?" Sara yelled, her face flushed with anger.

"Well... first, you are going to a high-end place which is a distance away, and second, you are currently in a bad place with thugs and crooks everywhere. Look at the time; it's already 7:30 pm. If it reaches 8 pm, the police won't be of any help, so it's better for you to pay up or wait for those guys coming ahead," the driver explained, gesturing towards five bare-chested men with their shirts draped over their shoulders, walking towards them.

"You are beautiful and also wearing a nice dress. I wonder why your boyfriend didn't drop you off. It's not my business, but if those men catch you, I bet you won't like what they will do," the driver added, his voice laced with a hint of warning.

"Fine!" Sara said, her mood plummeting further. 'It's all because of those two. Don't worry, I will make you pay back this lifetime you made me spend.'

The driver smiled and extended his green bracelet. Sara growled, but still placed her green bracelet against his, transferring a total of two days life times.

"Good. Now get in, let's get out of this place," the driver said, pressing a button inside his taxi, opening the door for her.

Sara entered and sighed in relief as soon as she sat down. She raised her bracelet and said to AI, "show me my profile."

< getting profile >

< Name: poisonous Queen >

< Level: 1 >

< rank: Bronze 1 star >

< strength: 600, LOCK >

< agility: 500, LOCK >

< endurance: 1,000, LOCK >

< Game played: 0 >

< skill: None >

< Guild: None >

< Owned weapon: None >

'This is fucked up. I don't even have the strength to protect myself yet. I hope if I play my first game, all these will unlock,' she thought, her brow furrowed with worry.

"Hey, miss, are you a higher gamer?" the driver asked, having overheard her request for her profile.

"Focus on driving!" she hissed, her voice sharp. She pulled out her phone and sent a text message to Michael. 'I hope this moron will be ready.'

Michael and his sister had just finished their dinner and were preparing to head to their rooms when Michael's phone buzzed.

He retrieved his phone and saw Sara's text. 'Hey handsome, I have opened my account. Name: poisonous Queen. You can add me up as your friend.'

"I should add her? She is surely up for a surprise," Michael snorted, a hint of amusement in his voice. He walked into his room, locking all the locks on the door.

'We really need to move to a new place,' he thought, lying on his bed, and quickly drifted off to sleep.

___

NEXT DAY

Michael woke up early, his movements efficient as he cleaned and completed his chores around the house.

Beep.

He walked towards the dining table, where he had placed his phone, a white towel draped over his shoulder.

"She again," he muttered, checking the message. It was from Sara. 'Ten o'clock, I will enter the game. I see you haven't added me as your friend yet. Don't worry, I will add you.'

Michael shook his head and dropped his phone on the table, continuing with his routine.

___

9:00 AM

"Morning, big bro," Mira greeted, walking into the dining room, rubbing her sleepy eyes. When she saw the food on the table, her eyes lit up. "Can't wait." She quickly jumped onto a chair, ready to eat.

"Not yet, aren't you forgetting something?" Michael asked, a gentle reminder in his voice.

"Oh!"

Mira said, her eyes widening in realization. She blushed slightly and rushed into the bathroom, the sound of running water echoing through the small apartment. Mira quickly washed her face, scrubbing away the remnants of sleep, and diligently brushed her teeth, her movements efficient and practiced. After completing her morning routine, she walked back into the dining room, her footsteps light and quick, and sat down on her chair, facing her brother across the table.

"I will be going today," Michael said, his voice calm and reassuring, "but don't worry, a day in the game is equal to an hour in real life. I think," he added, pausing thoughtfully for a moment.

"That's better," Mira replied, nodding with a small, relieved smile. "What am I going to do while you are gone?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of loneliness.

"Don't go out, stay inside," Michael instructed, his voice firm but gentle. "If you are bored, you can use my phone to play games or watch movies," he suggested, knowing that there was no television in their humble apartment.

"Thanks," Mira said in a low voice, her eyes downcast.

Michael stared at her for a moment, his heart aching with a familiar pang of protectiveness. "Don't worry so much," he said, his voice filled with warmth, "I will be back."

"I know," Mira replied, her voice slightly muffled as she nodded and began to eat her breakfast, her movements subdued.

He didn't say anything more, allowing a comfortable silence to settle between them as they ate, the only sounds the clinking of utensils and the soft rustling of clothes.

____

TEN O'CLOCK

"Ok, Mira, take care of yourself, don't leave the door open, ok?" Michael said, his voice filled with concern as he prepared to leave.

"I know, big bro," Mira replied calmly, her eyes filled with understanding.

Michael nodded, satisfied with her response, and said to AI, "Log Me into my account."

< Logging in....>

< Successful.>

The next moment, Michael's whole body was enveloped in a brilliant white light, a blinding flash that filled the room. He vanished from sight, leaving behind an empty space and a sister with a low mood, her eyes lingering on the spot where he had stood.

< Welcome, player Supreme.>

< You are currently in your lobby.>

< This is your first time logging into the game, take your newbie's rewards.>

Michael stared at the messages floating in front of him, the words appearing like a holographic screen in the vast, white space that surrounded him. He was in his lobby, a pristine, featureless void that served as a gateway to the virtual world. With a sense of anticipation, he tapped on the "newbie's rewards."

< congratulations, you have been rewarded with a common battle vest.>

< congratulations, you have been rewarded with 100 in-game diamonds.>

< congratulations, you have been rewarded with a Common-Class dagger.>

< congratulations, your account has been completely activated, you can now play any games you like.>

< congratulations, you are in LV 1 and Bronze medal 1 star. >

< Do you have any questions about the game? >

< Yes/ No >

< If yes, what are your questions? >

"All these for a newbie?" Michael muttered, his eyes scanning the list of rewards with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction. "Time to make a name for myself and..." He stared at the last message, his brow furrowing slightly. "I don't have any questions, because--" His words were abruptly cut short by a familiar, mechanical voice, a voice that sent a jolt of recognition through him.

{ Game discovered.}

{ Cheating System activating...1% }

{ Cheating System activating....86% }

{ Cheating System successfully activated.}

{ Cheats loading...}

😉 let the show begin, please leave a comment and review, thanks.

As you can see I was planning to release only two chapters of 1,000 to 1,200 words today, but I got carried away, and now I am releasing three chapters.

Two are +1,100 words and last one: +2,000 words.