'Congratulations, MIDAS BANE, you have successfully defended your tower 100 times without any defeat. Please wait for 1 hour for us to prepare your prize. Your loot will enter into your bank details associated with your account. Please enjoy and get ready for the next round.'
"Hell yeah, it's over." After 12 hours of gaming non-stop, I was so ecstatic and high. It's already the middle of the night but sleep can wait until tomorrow. I guess with all the energy drinks I had earlier did not help calm my nerves.
I took a cigar out of the drawer beside me and lit it up while looking at the gaming monitor, 'DOMINUS THRONE', the game I am playing took up the entire view.
It's already two years when I started to play, a tower defense/ kingdom building play to earn monster of a game. Unlike other games with the same genre, it was something I painstakingly found in the underground gaming community.
The amount of research and money I had to sacrifice is no joke just to find someone to sponsor me getting the invite for the game. For the specific gaming equipment needed to run the application, it was hundred thousand of dollars. Luckily, they had me sign a contract for now for installment after paying the initial payment.
After a week, I received a Thronos type gaming set-up, built-in mini fridge and complimentary gifts- 3 boxes mild spicy instant noodles and 10 boxes of my favorite energy drink. I don't know how they did it but there is only one application on this computer, I don't see any ports either other than those that are needed. The hard-core part, it has face and biometrics security login accompanied by an intelligent AI which I called Titania.
"Titania, notify me once the rewards are in".
"Yes, Master." Afterwards, I stood up and went out to finish my smoke.
When I decided to quit my job last year and pursue gaming as my source of income, all my friends and co-workers thought that I was losing my mind. They have a point, I mean I look average in the face department and smart too. In a couple of months or years and a little bit of effort, I could be on a management position.
To be brutally honest, I was lazy and always had to look for the easiest way to be comfortable and earn money. I am a team player but sometimes wish to be my own boss. Working from 9 to 5 and overtime is so exhausting.
After a few minutes, I received a notification from Titania on my phone. 'Master Michael, your rewards are in. A video message is also included.'
'Hmm.. that's a first.' I never received any personal or video message before not even after I purchased the game.
"Welcome back, Master. 750 gold and additional 250 gold was converted to your currency. It was deposited to your bank exactly six minutes ago. Please check your balance. I am pulling up the video message now, please let me know when to press play."
I pulled up my phone and checked my balance and a huge appeared on my face. This was my shortcut, one gold is equivalent to ten thousand dollars. This was enough for several monthly payments and still have a lot left for a weekly grand buffet.
I hastily went to the mini-fridge and yelled cheers after getting a drink.
"Titania, please play the video".
Fireworks all around started the grand message and a magnificent goddess slowly descended from the heavens.
"Greetings, MIDAS BANE, great defender of the lands. Thank you for your patronage all these years. We are blessed to have you in our ranks defeat the enemy. Sadly, our journey ends here."
I literally heard myself gasp for air and dropped the drink on my hand. The video continued and the background change into a white room and this time the goddess changed outfit as well into her corporate attire.
"Our deepest apologies, our representatives will come to your residence early in the morning to retrieve our equipment. May your future shine brightly. This message will be deleted after a few seconds and your system will automatically shut down. Goodbye."
As if to mock me further, the gaming setup shut off immediately. I tried clicking the power button many times but it won't turn on. I put on my last strength and call on Titania to respond but no response. I foolishly stared at the equipment for a few seconds and then passed out on the floor in shock.
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DOMINUS THRONE GAME COMPANY HEADQUARTERS
(unspecified location)
"It is done. The next player has been selected." If Michael is here, he would recognize the huge statue of the goddess he saw in the video still glowing brightly in the center of the room. Next to it is a middle age man in a corporate attire with a sword and shield pin on his suit.
He took his phone out and tap in speed dial 3. "Please prepare the luxury package and the team. Send me the location of the new player. We move at dawn." He then knelt down for a few seconds and exited the room.
After exiting the room, another employee is waiting, a huge sword in hand.
"Sir Kram, is there any news?"
Joseph Kram nodded. "A new player has been selected. A friend or foe, I don't know yet. We are assigned to brief him/her immediately."
Since the goddess herself instructed them to brief the new player, he already guessed that something is certainly different about the new player. Seeing the notifications on his phone, it seems all the major players were notified as well and now requesting to be part of the team to welcome Michael.
Joseph quickly pulled Michael's stats and had no idea why he was selected. He is not on top of the leaderboards and clearly one of the players who wanted just farm safely in easy mode.