They said life is like a movie because it contain many kinds genres, emotions and endings but for him it was different, In his opinion Life is like porn, Because it can fuck you in many different ways. It can fuck you sideways, backwards, rough, gentle, when you are stuck, sleeping, taking a taxi and many more ways you have no idea off. Just like now as he read the letter send in his email after taking a dump.
Dear Mark,
I hope this email finds you well or at least better than your performance has been finding our expectations.
After extensive observation, we've come to the bittersweet decision that your journey with XYZ Corporation has reached its natural conclusion. "Bitter" for you, I'm sure. "Sweet" for us.
Your unique approach to deadlines, communication, and basic responsibility has been... noted. Many times. By many people. While creativity is valued here, your interpretation of "professionalism" has truly redefined the boundaries. Bold move.
Please consider this your official notice of termination, effective immediately. Your access to all company systems will be revoked by the end of the day so feel free to take this time to reminisce about the work you didn't do.
We wish you the best in your future endeavors, particularly those that involve accountability, effort, and maybe an alarm clock.
Warmest regards,
HR Department
Mark read the email for the third time and every time he read it his high-blood pressure is rising subsequently, what a bloodsucking company! Corporate slave drivers! 7-7 routine? Check. Day off? What is that? Benefits? Over the dead body of the Higher management. Work life balance? Who the Fuck form that theory?
'I only been late for one time and just 5 minutes, then they make it like I owe them a lifetime worth of gratitude? What about the countless overtime?' Mark clench his fist digesting the turmoil of emotion he is feeling.
Mark curse till the sixth generation of who in the world type this email but the sad news is that he is jobless again. Its already his fifth job since he graduated from college. The time he step out of university he thought he will make it big boasting about higher ideals with his room mates and friends when they walk in the society. But they cant be more wrong than ever.
This job is his gamble even if he know its toxicity, he let go of his young perception and ideals but still he was cast away like a used toy when they squeeze all of his worth, or when they find another that is more easier to handle than him.
Society was a hellhole, the description of his Professors, Mentors and Parents is not enough to warn them of what is ahead. Nepotism, Greed, Exploitation, Toxic work culture, Seniority, and many hidden rule is lurking in the shadow specially to new graduates like them. The integrity, fresh ideals, passion, aspirations they have when they first start is eroding faster than Won as it depreciate in value.
Mark is now 27, five years after he step out of university, no girlfriend, renting apartment in the middle of the city, only have two thousand dollars in his account, and unemployed. Two thousand dollar may look good at the province but living in the city it will only last him two months before he go penniless and pauper in this big city.
Mark stand up as he look around the room, the room is simple as it is an standard one person apartment with kitchen, 1 bedroom and comfort room it almost look like when he first rent this place aside from his occasional stuff that he have here and there.
Now that he is without work tomorrow it dawn to him that he only stay in this apartment to rest and sleep then go again in his way outside. He trace his step in the balcony overseeing the bright city escape of Metro Manila. Sky high buildings that overseeing the city, buzzing cars and people walking busy on their own ways. Mark savor the sight as he lit up one cigarette in his mouth.
Mark lean on the railing of the balcony as he look with vacant eyes at the view in front of him.
Mark exhale a mouthful of smoke lost in his thought, What do he do now? Will he be back at his hometown in Cavite? Or will he still take his chances in this bustling city? Mark know that he was in a crossroad of his life in this moment, 27 is an age where the society expects many things from you. An age where you are not a young child anymore and also an age that pressure from reaching expectations and responsibilities is nearing. The age of 30 is like a guillotine that leave psychological shadow to all people of his age.
'If he go to province he can freeload on his parents again and not worry about rent anymore they are getting old and he can also care for them when he is there, he is the youngest of five children most of his siblings already have own family far away, so the old couple are all alone back home, also maybe he can date someone near their place then start a simple family, with my experience in the city I can land in simple job and rest easy' Mark fantasize a simple and easy life when he go back home in his province. Its not like he still don't have the thoughts of staying in the city but the continuous setback and reality check put him in his place.
Before when he is young and still full of passion he will feel that it was beneath him and hurt his inflated ego of the thought of freeloading to his parents again. But after many years of juggling in the city he feel that he was fortunate to have a place to go back too away from this City. Where is the dream of being Higher management in Fortune 500 company? Living luxuriously and making other people that know him dumbstruck of envy with his success. All of those are washed away by the thing so called as reality.
Mark look at the night sky, it was pitch black he didn't see a glimpse of a star in the night sky maybe because of the thick city pollution in the air. Thinking of this maybe it will not really be so bad to return to province, imagining mouthful of fresh air reinforce his thoughts.
As his mind is wondering in various places he exhaled another mouthful of smoke when a small dot of light from the night sky seems appear.
Mark thought maybe it was a plane but its speed seems out of proportion, he follow it with his eyes and it seems it was going to his direction, its speed is so fast that he didn't have much time to react, his eyes close as an instinctive reaction because of the blinding light, he hold his head bracing for an impact. But after few seconds he didn't feel anything. He open his eyes and see his half spent cigarette in the floor and he cant help but curse who the heck fly his drone in such a pranking way.
'Shit, who the heck fly this drones? City folks really use anything to make a content. I'm afraid tomorrow when I wake up I will be a content for other person to profit into. What shameless persons if I know who you are I will beat you to death' Mark grit his teeth as his mood turn sour after experiencing such a scenario, also afraid that those prankster will return to make part two of his reaction. He return to living room after carefully locking the door to balcony.
Mark look at the clock and its already past to 10 pm this time usually he was already deep asleep but because of the earlier email that he was fired his mood to sleep vanish. Now that he will not have to get up early for tomorrow he have feel a certain sense of liberty. Away from exploiting capitalism its like he gain new life, his mood lighten up and the knowledge of being fired is not irritating anymore. He is not mad that he was fired, he is angry because he was fired without any notice. He know that his company is shady and very unprofessional but he never thought they will stoop to that kind of level.
Mark wash his face as he prepare to take his sleep, he plan that he will sleep like a log because he don't need to wake up early tomorrow. Thinking of this a wide smile appear in his face.
Mark lay in the one person bed adjusting himself in comfortable position, he wear his kakashi sleeping mask to cover his eyes, as he lay down face up he is slowly planning what he will do tomorrow, he plan to play video games, watch some new animes or kdrama or maybe read some novel. Having thoughts of his to do list tomorrow make him pretty excited. He feel that he have been suffocated since he start working. All hobbies he have was set aside as he pursue success that seems very fleeting. After a few moment in his thought his eyes begun to become heavy as he close his eyes.
Marks world begun to darken as he fall asleep, when suddenly he found his mind in a small white pristine room as an observer overlooking an avatar that exactly looking like him!
Mark was surprise for a moment but feeling that it is a dream his thought calm down as he focus on the avatar in front of him. Mark is not surprise because once before he feel that he dreamed that he is Sun jin-woo, so nothing is surprising anymore.
'Hmmm. This dream look pretty realistic and neat, is this what they called lucid dreaming? I am somewhat aware that I am awake but Im really sleeping. This state is worth studying maybe I can be the first Filipino to win Nobel price then kick Sigmund Freud away from his pedestal as the greatest groomer.' Mark wonder mesmerized
Mark look at the avatar in the room he is like in ethereal state as he observe the avatar In front of him, he try to check what he can do and surprised that he was like playing a game. His avatar in exact image of him and beside it is different floating windows. There is Play, shop, bag and lottery.
He first open the Play window then what greet him is 4 icon image, then the rest of the icon is full of question mark.
The list is so long that he get tired to scroll through it. He check again the only 4 icon image that is lightened up. All of them have similarity and that is they are all one time instance dungeon.
Base on his limited knowledge by being casual gamer for almost 11 years he was not unfamiliar with the so called one time instance dungeon. In simple term it is place in game where it can be only entered once, then after that it is gone.
He scrutinize the 4 icons and he conclude that its like a scenario mode in a simulation game.
Z Apocalypse: 2 party needed. Genre: Action, Apocalyptic, Romance, Drama, TragedyMy Spring: 3 party needed. Genre: Romance, Drama, School Life, Slice of LifeVoyage: 2 party. Genre: Romance, Drama, TragedyInvasion: 3 Party. Genre: War, Action, Drama, Romance, Tragedy
Mark is not estrange about simulation/Role playing games and from the description from the four icon image he gain rough idea of what it is about.
The Z apocalypse seems to be about Zombie Apocalypse, from the title itself its very self explanatory. He don't know how he can play as he is only alone with his avatar, does it have multiplayer mode?
What make him really curious is the Genre there is Action, Apocalyptic, Romance, Drama and Tragedy from that five combination he have already formed a blood curling zombie story out of the mind of a korean director.
Mark is itchy to start to play but he calm his eagerness as he observe the other three lightened icon. The second one is My Spring, different from The first Icon it is for party of three. Same as the last one he also have some idea of what it is about it may be a generic teen love story or maybe a love triangle that can make viewers cry in envy for a love life they will never have in their lifetimes.
The third one is Voyage is for 2 party to play, base on its Genre he don't have much idea. But interpreting the title maybe it is about sea faring or being lost in the sea, then a love story happen.
Then for the last one its called Invasion, simple title that present what is this about. Its for 3 party to play its Genre is basically bare he compare many movies he know that can be similar about it like Pearl Harbor, Independence day and the likes.
Mark feel that the genre stated is like for movies, if not for the play icon shining brightly in the top corner of the window he will thought he will choose a movie to watch.
After checking the play window he move to other tabs, the next tab he open up is the shop. What appear in front of him is different things that can be bought using the currency called karmic points, that maybe can enhance his avatar. The shop only have things like Skills, talent and bloodline.
Mark observe the long list he see things like Beginner Cooking skills to Divine Level Cooking Skills and many more sort of skills, Talents like Energy sensitiveness, Photographic memory, Quantum brain and etc. And in bloodline he saw things like Lotus core, Draconic bloodline, Heavenly spiritual root and etc.
Mark move to the next window because he cant choose anything among those display in the shop because his current karmic points is pitifully zero. He move to the next one which is the Bag. When he open it a game like grid inventory appear in his eyes. Inside it is only one item which is called 'Newbie Pack'. Mark raise one eyebrow when he see it because this series of scenario is routine template for a brain dog web novel.
If he is not in ethereal state he will want to pinch himself to feel pain to make sure he is really dreaming, because if not the thought that he really gain golden finger and became one of those chosen one will continue linger on his mind.
'Nah it should not be' Mark thought because from the novel he read all of the protagonist is from East Asia like Japan, Korea or China. If he really gain a System maybe he is the first case in his country of Hispanic-American-South East Asian-Pacific Islanders!
Mark playfully thought but his sense of reality is stronger as his mind say that all of this is just a dream, Mark observe the only thing in the Bag with his thought then a description appear in front of his eyes.
[Newbie PACK: Welfare package for every new user of Dream Simulator Version 189999.9.000
Contain random items]
Mark jolted up as he read the description, He don't want to rose his hopes up that he really get a system but many signs have already been shown. Lucid reaming? Check. Dream something device that seems like a Black Technology? Check. Poor or Average background story? Check. All of pieces seems falling in order but his sane and realistic thinking is still holding up his rising expectation.
'No. No don't raise your expectations Mark, maybe it is really just a realistic dream' He thought as he use his mind to open the Newbie pack in his bag.
[Congratulations! For being the first customer in this area you are given 10 times the reward!
You get Random Skill card x10
Karmic Points x10000
1 party Instance Dungeon x20]
Mark was ecstatic by the bonus, as he continue to interact in this system his thought that this is just a dream is slowly fading, maybe I really gain a Black technology system? He try to thought of the first question if he really gain one. How?
Then the thought of the light when he is in balcony before he sleep flash in his mind. It shouldn't be right? Is that really an Alien black technology? Out of the millions and billions people on the Earth it only hit and bind into him?
Mark rack his little mind for the possibilities and probabilities but after squeezing his 3 little brain cells he cant come up to a plausible conclusion, what he can only think of is that it was a miraculous encounter, Mark is now slowly accepting that maybe and a possibility that he now possess a golden finger.
Just the thought of it make his mind wonder on all possibilities that can happen. Maybe he can have unimaginable wealth, power and status with bunch of beautiful women lining up for him. Mark still have many questions about this thing that he have right now.
Where does it come? What is it purpose or what is it really is. But right now the only thing in Mark's mind is that this thing maybe can change his mundane life where destiny is almost foreseeable!
Mark is just a normal guy, he have dream and aspirations. But he didn't set his goals to high because he know there is many obstacle that he need to overcome. And even after many years those goals is still a dream that cant be achieved.
Who is him to not to look forward for a thing that maybe can change his life.
Mark became sentimental with emotion upon understanding that he gain a once a lifetime opportunity, he became more serious as he look at the Bag that have 2 new things that replace the newbie pack and also the new 10000 karmic points that replace the pitiful zero points just now.
Skill cards and new Instance dungeon!
'If its his really his break he need to be wiser!' Mark thought excitedly, if he is physically here his eyes will flash with eagerness and excitement.
Mark set aside using the Skill cards first after looking at the last tab which is the lottery, for the Instance dungeon he will use it later after he play in the 4 free instance dungeon. Mark decided as he will his mind to enter in the next window, The lottery!
Mark rub his hand in his thought as he feel excited as he see a Big roulette wheel materialize in front of him, with flashy and fanciful lights. Even if he adhere gambling the atmosphere that appear with the appearance of the roulette wheel make him want to bankrupt his families for three generation.
He observe the roulette in front of him, there is countless sections with prizes of varying proportions, the jackpot in the most brightest shining golden color is a Talent called Divine Prodigy. Just the look of the grand prize Mark already know that it would cost a hefty sum if he want to buy it in the Shop.
Mark see that there is 3 modes in gambling first is by using 10000 karmic points for a chance to get White reward for 90% chance, Green reward for 9% chance, Blue reward for .9% chance, and Red reward for .1% chance.
100 thousand karmic points for a chance to get White reward for 50% chance, Green reward for 30% chance, Blue reward for 10% chance, Red reward for 5% chance, Orange reward for 4% chance and Golden reward for 1% chance.
1 Million karmic points for a chance to get Green reward for 20% chance, Blue reward for 40% chance, Red reward for 25% chance, Orange reward for 10% chance and Golden reward for 5% chance.
When Mark see the price for one spin of the roulette he cant help but subconsciously curse its maker, This lottery is really a gamble for those who have luck and have more money! This black technology should not be pay to win right? Right?
Looking at his pitiful 10000 karmic points he gain from his newbie pack, poverty again hit his face squarely even here in his dreaming space. Sigh. Poverty is really a sin.
'Anyway gambling is bad, lets not do it if we want to have peaceful life' Mark said to himself comforting his poor self
After letting go of lottery he came back to his bag he look at the 10 skill cards shining with reflective light, he compare the feeling he have right now he when he was about to open his first pack of pokemon cards when he is a child. The excitement is infective.
He choose the cards in his mind then five choices appear in front of him.
[You are about to open X10 Skill cards
You can use x1 card to open Beginner Skills {lvl 1-20}
You can use x10 card to open minimum Beginner Skills {lvl 1-20} to Intermediate Skills {lvl 41-60}
You can use x100 card to open minimum Elementary Skills {lvl 21-40} to Master Skills {lvl 81-90}
You can use x1000 cards to open minimum Advance Skills (lvl 61-80} to Grand Master Skills {lvl 91-99}
You can use x10 thousand cards to open minimum Masters Skills {lvl 81-90} to Divine Skills {lvl 100}]
Mark look at the choices and he cant help but feel that the developer of this Black technology really knows how to exploit their players, its so exploitive that Tencent, EA and Riot Games need to take more seminars in this Master!
Mark rub his head subconciously as two choice was presented in front of him, to use 10 times of x1 for 10 beginner Skills or one use of x10 for a chance to have Elementary or Intermediate Skill but also a chance to fail and get only one Beginner Skill. Mark thought carefully then after few minutes of pondering he decide.
He choose to get 10 beginner skills!
You use x1 Ten times!
Ding! Congratulations! You receive the following skills!
Flower arrangement Lvl 5
Parkour lvl 7
Swimming lvl 11
Farming lvl 4
Cooking lvl 14
Gourmet lvl 4
Guitar lvl 2
Cleaning lvl 18
Carpentry lvl 10
Horse Riding lvl 11
Mark was satisfied with the haul he got, he don't know what is the use of this skills but having more shouldn't be bad right? Mark look again at the shop but seeing the sky high price of things on sale he put the matter of shop at the back of his mind, the lowest price is 1000 karmic points for low level Beginner skills and Million and Billion of points for Godly trait and blood lines. He know that this part is something he cant afford for now.
But mark is confident that maybe one day if he still have this system he can afford some of the golden things in the shop. After having a second look at the four windows he get back to his avatar that is standing their, a complete image of him personally. Right now different from the first he see the avatar standing with new window floating beside it.
There the list of the new skills he receive is being shown.
Mark decided that he got enough preparation, he go to the Play window then choose the Z apocalypse Instance dungeon! Mark choose this after long thinking. He thought that by choosing it maybe he can test if he really gain a golden finger or all of this is really a dream!
After he will his thought to choose Z apocalypse he was transfer to a new window. Then a screen float in front of him.
Ding!
[You choose Z apocalypse Instance Dungeon! You can only enter this space once, please read the terms and agreement before playing.]
Mark look at the long file that is written in arhaic language he don't know. But after few seconds it jumble down as it transform in language he know. English!
Mark read the long file carefully it stated here that anything that will happen in the game will not affect him personally, it is said that as a player his mind is protected 1000 percent. And there is no harm that will happen in his consciousness. It also stated the issue about his privacy, information and identity as all of this will be handled with great care and transparency.
As Mark continue to read he cant help but exclaim that this Black technology is really formal! If his company just have one percent of this politeness and professionalism then he will be more passionate in doing his job.
Mark will his mind to click the check icon in the last part of the term and agreement then the long contract vanish in glittering pixels. After accepting the terms and aggreement another window appear in front of him.
Ding!
[You are about to enter Z apocalypse Instance Dungeon! Z apocalypse is one of the inbuilt instance dungeon we offer to also serve as tutorial or orientation for new players. Entering alone is disable for now and can only be chosen after finishing the four inbuilt game. You can only enter with other party that you can find in Multiplayer network or Friend . You don't have friend, Do you want to search someone in Multiplayer network?]
Mark read the prompt, he nod in understanding in his mind that he first need to finish the the four instance that is like a tutorial before he can play in freewill, he is wary of playing with other people but he have no choice because it was required when playing as new player. Mark choose search after some time of pondering.
[Ding! Searching for players….
Searching in Neural Net…. Not connected to Neural net… Connection failed… Searching failed.
Searching in Virtual Net…. Not Connected to Virtual net… Connection failed… Searching failed.
Searching in Dark Net…. Not Connected to Dark net… Connection failed… Searching failed.
Searching in Spiritual Net…. Not Connected to Spiritual net… Connection failed… Searching failed.
Searching in Quantum Net…. Not Connected to Quantum net… Connection failed… Searching failed.
…
Searching in Heavenly Net…. Not Connected to Heavenly net… Connection failed… Searching failed.]
[Ding!
No available network…
Using Emergency protocol 9587…
Issuing Simulated generation companion…
No template detected…
Using Emergency protocol 1190055…
User Protection number 598 initiated…
Locale not detected in territorial jurisdiction of Imperial Law of the commons…
User Protection number 598 can be bypass…
User Protection number 598 bypassed…
Requesting permission for companion template generation…
Player! Please specify your requirements.]
Mark look at the long string of commands that was issued by the dream device. From the simple glimpse of its operation Mark was now thousand percent sure that this thing is a Black Alien Technology!
He is also not surprise that it cant connect into a network because maybe this device was lost in time and space and he was the lucky one to be the one to get it, he begun to feel that he was like Ben ten that got Omnitrix to who knows what kind of place.
The device cant find a party for him so it begun series of adjustment until it present him scenario to create a simulated partner for the game!
Mark prefer this one than playing with other players because he will have more freedom and truth to be told he was still wary of many unknown things about this device, he was still not ready to meet other intelligent beings or species. He don't want to be cause of the mankind demise if some advance civilization can track his location using this device.
Mark look at the window that appear to him which letting him have the specification of the companion he will have in the game. Mark was ecstatic because he feel more comfortable for an AI or computer to help him than other unknown entity.
What is the gender of your companion? Male, Female or Asexual? Mark was intrigue by the choices but he decisively choose Female! Who want to team up with Male!? that sound gay to him.
Intelligence of the companion? Max it.
Aesthetic appeal? Do this still need questioning? Of course Max level!
Emotional level? Of course to the limit! He want someone that will give true emotional support even if it is a computer! Why does it sound so sad?
Talent? MAX!
Skills? Max!
Bloodline? The Best!
After Mark finish the configuration of of the companion he sigh in relief. He look at the numbers that is all of the best stated. He know that he will only have a chance to have the chance to met this kind of individual in the dream so why don't make it a satisfying one? Even if it is AI or computer?
[Ding!
Are you sure with this specification?]
'Yes' Mark answer with his thought very excited in experiencing the game.
[Generating companion…
Template insufficient…
Permission to look for external data…
User Protection number 598 already bypassed…
Permission granted…
Searching…
Match found…
Scanning…
Copying…
External Infrastructure missing…
Trouble shooting…
Establishing Spiritual connection…
Locale not detected in territorial jurisdiction of Imperial Law of the commons…
User Protection number 598 already bypassed…
Connection secured…
The game will start in 3, 2, 1
Enjoy Dreaming]
Mark cant follow the fast command that is happening he only feel sigh of relief when the game was now successfully about to start. Mark is resolute but still full of expectation!
'its do or die Mark!' he said to himself as he see the count down reach zero then every thing went dark.
When he open his visual access open again he still find himself in ethereal state overlooking a scene in front of him. He see a room that is like a medical ward and many nurse and doctor surrounding a operation bed. Medical apparatus in many corner and lively atmosphere that can be feel in a glance.
He heard different kind of sound, cheering, crying, congratulating and etc.
"Congratulation Mr. And Mrs. Mendoza it was a Healthy boy" Said the doctor in white mask
"Congratulation Mr. and Mrs. Mendoza" the medical staff rain the man and the woman laying in the ward with warm congratulations.
The couple look at each other with loving eyes.
"What is the name of the child Mr. Smith?" a midwife to the excited new father
Mr. Mendoza look at the new born child squeeze beside his wife that undergo heavy labor with loving smile.
He look at the midwife and said. "His name is Mark, Mark Mendoza. This moment he already leave a mark in this world"
[Ding!
You enter the world under the loving care of Parents, They name you with a wonderful name called Mark. you can show them your love to them and let them know your heart. Choose your way.
1. Cry out loud
2. Stay Silent]
Mark observe the scenario, he feel that he now have rough idea of how the dream device work. This device is a Role Playing/Visual Game! He have some experience about this type of game so he was pretty confident in having a Good ending! He look at the choices and decisively choose.
'Uwahhhhhhhhhh!!!!' A loud cry echo in the medical ward, everyone look at the small thing curled under the arms of his mother and they cant help but show bright knowing smile.
Mark look at the picture and cant help but remember a proverb saying "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."