The midday sun bathed the city in a golden hue as two coworkers sat on a shaded bench, unwrapping their lunches. Around them, the streets buzzed with life, honking cars, chatter from nearby stalls, and the rhythmic clatter of footsteps. But their attention was locked on something far more thrilling than the chaos of everyday life.
"Can you believe it?" Jayar said, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he took a bite of his sandwich. "The NeuroSphere is finally launching today."
Carl Christopher Reyes nodded slowly, his gaze drifting toward the sky where a drone buzzed overhead. "Hard to believe the first full-dive VR capsule is actually here," he murmured. "Feels like something straight out of science fiction."
They were talking about the NeuroSphere, the world's first fully immersive virtual reality capsule, developed by the rapidly rising tech giant NeuroSphere Tech Inc. The device promised a revolutionary leap in digital experience, utilizing neural synchronization to transport users into a hyper-realistic virtual world one where all five senses would be engaged, indistinguishable from real life.
"And the game launching with it looks insane," Jayar added, scrolling through his phone. "A progressive VRMMORPG with real-time economy, evolving world mechanics, and player-run systems? What was it called again...?"
Carl smirked. "New Eden Online, I pre-ordered both the capsule and the game."
Jayar raised an eyebrow. "No kidding? How much did that cost you?"
"₱84,999, almost wiped out most of my savings."
"Damn, you're all in," Jayar said with a low whistle. "That's almost three months of salary, man."
Carl leaned back against the bench, letting out a slow breath. "It's not just a game for me, I've got a plan in mind."
Jayar turned toward him fully now, curiosity piqued. "What kind of plan?"
"If New Eden Online really supports crafting, trading, player markets even currency exchange, I might be able to earn real money in there," Carl explained, his voice steady. "Enough to help pay for my sister's tuition."
Jayar's expression softened. He'd known Carl long enough to understand the weight behind those words. Carl had dropped out of college years ago, forced by circumstance to support his family. Since then, he'd hopped from job to job, never once letting go of the responsibility he carried on his shoulders.
"I want her to finish what I couldn't," Carl added quietly, his eyes momentarily distant.
A brief silence passed between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Then Jayar frowned, the practical side of him kicking in. "Wait... if you're planning to focus on making money in the game... what about your job here?"
Carl didn't respond right away. He reached into his bag and took out a thermos, unscrewing the lid slowly, as though stalling.
"I already resigned," he said at last, almost too casually. "Today's my last day."
Jayar froze mid-bite. "Wait, what?!"
Carl glanced at him, not surprised by the reaction. "Yeah. I handed in my notice a month ago."
Jayar blinked, stunned. "You're serious? And you didn't tell me?!"
Carl gave a small shrug. "Didn't know how to bring it up."
"You didn't know—?" Jayar shook his head, a mix of surprise and irritation rising in his chest. "Dude, we've been working side by side for three years. You're practically the only reason I've survived the toxic environment in that office. And now you just drop this on me over lunch?!"
"I'm sorry," Carl said, his voice quiet but firm. "It's not that I didn't trust you or anything. I just... I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I needed to focus. This whole plan is a huge risk and I didn't want to get cold feet because someone told me to be practical."
Jayar leaned back, still processing. He wasn't angry, not really. More blindsided than anything else. "Man... I get it. I really do. I just wish you'd told me earlier."
"I know," Carl said. "But I had to do this my way. For her."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sun continued its slow arc across the sky, casting long shadows across the pavement.
Finally, Jayar sighed, shaking his head. "Well... I guess this is goodbye then. Kind of wish I'd brought a cake or something."
Carl chuckled. "I'm not dying, man. I'll still be around, just... somewhere else."
"In New Eden," Jayar said with a wry smile.
"Yeah," Carl replied, his eyes steady. "In New Eden."
Jayar glanced down at his phone, and his eyes widened slightly. "Crap," he muttered. "It's already 1:07. We've been out here for over an hour."
Carl blinked in surprise and checked his own watch. "Damn, I didn't even notice."
"We've got to get back," Jayar said, already standing up and stuffing the last of his sandwich back into the lunch bag. "That bitch is gonna flip if he sees our desks still empty."
Carl grabbed his thermos and stood too, brushing the crumbs from his pants. "Yeah, let's go."
They moved quickly, weaving through the crowds that had thickened in the early afternoon heat. The midday chatter of vendors, traffic noise, and the scent of street food filled the air as they hustled down the familiar path back to the office. Carl walked with long, purposeful strides, his bag slung over one shoulder, while Jayar kept glancing at his phone, muttering updates on the time.
"Still can't believe you didn't tell me," Jayar said between steps, panting slightly as they waited to cross a busy intersection.
Carl gave a sheepish smile. "Figured you'd take it like this."
Jayar rolled his eyes. "You're lucky I'm too tired to yell. Just don't disappear without saying goodbye, yeah?"
"Don't worry," Carl said. "You'll get a proper one."
By the time they reached the office building, they were both slightly sweaty and winded. The receptionist raised an eyebrow as they passed, and Jayar offered an awkward smile while Carl simply nodded. They slid into their workstations like two students sneaking into class late, trying not to attract attention.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Carl wrapped up pending reports, handed off login credentials to his replacement, and quietly cleared out his desk drawer. Jayar stopped by once or twice to help, still processing everything, but otherwise gave him space.
When 6:00 p.m. finally rolled around, Carl stood in front of his now-empty workstation, taking in the space one last time. He let his fingers brush the edge of the desk, the place where he had spent thousands of hours typing, thinking, grinding through spreadsheets and deadlines.
Then, without ceremony, he slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way to the elevator.
No farewell party. No speeches. Just a quiet nod to the security guard and a final glance at the dull fluorescent-lit hallway he wouldn't walk through again.
Later that night…
The elevator chimed softly as it reached the 19th floor of SNDC Residences, a sleek, mid-rise condominium tucked in a quieter part of the city. The hallway was quiet, the lights humming faintly as Carl walked toward the familiar unit at the end—Unit 1907, their small corner of the world.
He shifted the paper bag in his hand as he unlocked the door. Inside was a warm takeout meal from Mia's favorite Korean fusion spot—spicy beef stew, egg rolls, and an extra bottle of milk tea. He'd picked it up on the way home, already guessing that she'd be exhausted after a long day of school and dealing with the delivery.
As he stepped inside, the soft aroma of instant coffee and paper filled the air.
"Big Bro!," A voice called out from the living room. "You're finally home."
Carl smiled as he closed the door behind him. "Hey, Mia."
Inside, the modest two-bedroom unit was warmly lit. One of the bedrooms had long been converted into a shared study and storage room, and the living area doubled as a cozy space for both work and rest. At the dining table sat his younger sister, Mia, surrounded by open textbooks, highlighters, and a half-finished mug of cold coffee. Her school uniform was a little rumpled, and her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail.
"I saw the delivery guy earlier," she continued, rubbing the back of her neck. "The NeuroSphere capsule finally came. I signed for it and had to help him move it inside. Do you know how heavy that thing is? My arms feel like noodles."
Carl chuckled and held up the paper bag. "That's why I brought food. I figured you'd be wiped out."
Mia's eyes lit up when she saw the logo on the bag. "No way—that's from BulGoogi House? You actually remembered!"
"I always remember. Go eat while it's still warm."
She dropped her pen without hesitation and grabbed the bag from him. "You're a lifesaver."
Carl dropped his own bag by the door and followed her toward the dining table. "I didn't mean to leave you alone with that thing. You okay?"
"I'm fine," she said between bites of egg roll. "Just tired. Been studying since this morning. My prelims are next week."
Carl nodded, pride swelling quietly in his chest. Mia had always been the bright one, the disciplined one. She was in her second year of college now taking Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Accountancy, same as what Carl had once tried to finish. Before everything changed.
He looked around the unit, the walls lined with family photos, awards, and some still-unpacked boxes they never got around to fully sorting after the funeral. The condo was a decent size two bedrooms, a compact kitchen, and a small balcony with a view of the city skyline. It had once belonged to their parents, gifted as part of a long-forgotten investment deal. After the crash, it was the only major thing left to their name.
Their parents had been on a business flight to Australia when the engine failed mid-air. Carl was nineteen when it happened and Mia was only fourteen.
He had dropped out of college soon after, sacrificing his future to protect hers.
"You didn't even open the capsule yet?" Mia asked, nodding toward the large matte-black capsule in the corner of the living room. It stood like a sleeping beast, sleek, curved, and ominously futuristic.
"Not yet," Carl said, moving toward it slowly. "I wanted to wait until I was sure."
"You're sure now?"
Carl took a deep breath, resting a hand on the cold surface. "Yeah. I have to be."
Mia stood up, still chewing, and joined him at the capsule. She studied his face for a moment, concern flickering in her eyes.
"You really think this game can help us? Like... financially?"
Carl turned to her, his expression serious but calm. "It's not just a game, Mia. New Eden Online has real systems, crafting, trading, currency exchange. If I can build something in there, I might be able to start bringing in enough money. Maybe even more than what I made at the office."
"You left your job for this."
He nodded.
Mia looked down, chewing her lower lip. "I just don't want you to burn out again, Big Bro. You've already done so much for me. I can work part-time if it helps—"
"No." His voice was gentle, but firm. "You focus on school. That's your job. I'll take care of the rest, like always."
She was quiet for a beat, then finally smiled and nudged his shoulder. "Then you better be the best merchant, blacksmith, or whatever they have in that game."
Carl laughed, tension easing from his shoulders. "I plan to be."
"Okay," she said, yawning. "I'm gonna crash now. Wake me if you accidentally set the condo on fire trying to turn that thing on."
"Deal."
Mia headed to her room, pausing in the doorway. "Thanks, Big bro. For everything."
Carl looked up at her and gave a quiet nod. "Goodnight, Mia."
When she disappeared into her room, Carl stood alone with the capsule once again. The city lights blinked outside the window, casting fractured reflections across the smooth surface of the NeuroSphere.
He reached down, opened the sleek control panel on its side, and powered it on. The device hummed to life, lights flickering along its base. A soft, synthesized voice spoke from the capsule's interface:
"NeuroSphere system initializing. Please prepare for biometric sync."
Carl sat down in the pod's chair, heart pounding with anticipation. But not just yet. He had time. New Eden Online wouldn't officially launch until 12:00 AM three hours from now.
He leaned back, letting out a slow breath.
He was ready but he knew better than to rush. There was still prep work to do. He returned to his desk and opened his laptop, pulling up the game forums, economy starter guides, class breakdowns, and early player theories. His notebook, already filled with scribbles and strategies, lay open beside it. Every second he spent planning now could make the difference once he was inside.
A cup of instant coffee brewed in the kitchen. He'd need to stay sharp.
The apartment was quiet. Outside, the city glowed under a canopy of stars. This moment, this calm before the dive felt like standing at the edge of a cliff, wind brushing against his face, the vast unknown just beneath him.
He glanced back at the capsule, glowing faintly in the corner.
It looked less like a machine now… and more like a gateway.
Three more hours.
Then everything would begin.