--- A New Day

A solar system can be found in the farthest reaches of the universe. A brilliant yellow star shines brightly in the midst of a vast, lonely blackness. A massive green ball the size of the star can be seen circling it. Companions in this dark, lonely place, through good and bad times.

Gilona, a name given by one of the races who live there. Humans. The year 2660, a year when the race was at its most peaceful and prosperous, with massive technological advancement. They are at their peak.

But such tranquillity never lasts. War. Many people despise the word. But, no matter how much you despised it, it was unavoidable. This bloody thing will last a thousand years. Making humans regress significantly.

Something appeared out of nowhere in the year 3660, putting an end to the thousand-year conflict. A shop, an unbreakable one. Its creators released a game called Gaia Online. A virtual reality game that will alter the course of history.

It became a success thanks to the full support of Bank of the World. Every human being on the planet, whether a king or a beggar, will have an equal chance of success in the vast new world where talent is everything.

Aside from being entertaining and addictive, people who excel in the game excel in real life as well. Even the elderly regain their youth.

Because of its enormous potential, many companies, large and small, have invested heavily in it. Currently, nearly a trillion people are playing inside, which is equivalent to one-twelfth of the world's population.

*******

November, 30 3662

A young man sat outside a dilapidated house, staring at the setting sun, waiting for no one. He was just thinking about what he had to do the next day.

The young man was sixteen years old, with long unkempt black hair and golden eyes. With a minimum height of 5.3 feet. He's almost as thin as a skeleton with skin. Even with that appearance, you can see that very handsome face and those determined eyes.

Chris Drake was his name. His parents died in a construction accident ten years ago, and all of their properties, including his birthright, were taken from him by his "relatives," leaving him with almost nothing.

He fled his home two years after his parents died. His "relatives" wanted something from him, specifically his blood. He's been on the run with his two trusted retainers since then, hiding for nearly eight years and struggling to survive. He promises to take everything that is rightfully his one day.

"I'll never be able to save this much money in such a short amount of time. It's been over two years since that appeared, and I'm clearly falling behind. Should I simply accept their cash?"

*Sigh*

"Nah! It makes a mockery of my determination. Besides, I just need a little bit more..."

*Sigh*

"It's thanks to those hoodlums from this afternoon that delayed my progress for about two weeks. I lost alot of money because of them. They even made that place thier turf and ask for "protection money" even though you're just passing by. Scumbags!"

His daily earnings have been reduced by nearly half as a result of gangs collecting money as "tax" from slum dwellers who were simply passing through.

"If this trend continues, my progress may be slowed even more. Haaaaah! I guess I'll just try to avoid them as much as possible."

*Gurururu...*

"Haaaaah...guess it's time to go back and eat. After all, I'm going to have to get up early tomorrow..."

*Creak!*

His little house's floor is rickety from age. There is no electricity or running water. A small bedroom for one person on the left and a small bathroom on the right. A small kitchen-like setup in the front, complete with all cooking utensils such as a pot and laddle, as well as some tableware.

There was a woodstove outside where he could occasionally cook his food. But he hardly ever uses it. A half-sliced bread with some nearly expired sausage and a half-full cola on top of an old table. He had a bad meal because he needed the money for something. He began to eat after lighting a candle.

*Crunch!* *Crunch!*

The bread was slightly tough.

*Gulp!* *Gulp* *Burp!*

"Thanks for the meal!"

He went to the bathroom after eating to clean himself.

A few minutes later...

*Creak!*

He entered his bedroom after taking a bath. When you entered his room, you saw a small bed and a bedside table, as well as a picture of a handsome man, a beautiful woman, and a cute boy in the middle. A picture of a once-happy family...

*Dingrong! *Dingrong!*

Next to the picture is an old phone with screen cracks. But it's still very useful...

"Oh, the battery is almost dead! I'm curious if you'll be able to set the alarm in the morning... I'll have big sister Shiela charge you tomorrow..."

"Mom and Dad, good night..."

His house is on the outskirts of the slums, in the northern part of Glaze City, the poorest city in country Z-12. It is so bad that its technology is obsolete. The eastern part of Glaze City is a massive landfill where trash from every city in Z-12 country is dumped. Bullying on the part of Z-12 Country's rulers.

Fortunately for this city, it is built near a river that flows from the mountains to the north, so even the poorest slum dwellers have access to free fresh water.

*******

The dawn has arrived. The sun's rays slowly envelop the city, ushering in a new day.

*Ring!* *Ding!* *Ding!*

"Ugh... Morning...!?"

"Good morning, Mom and Dad!"

He stood up and stretched after his greetings. Going to the bathroom to clean himself up. He had a large drum filled with water he got from a nearby river, a small pale and a pitcher. He had to go back and forth every three days to fill the drum. Soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste are on top of the small sink.

He changed into a plain white shirt, old gray pants, and black flipflops after his bath. His long, unkempt hair is tied back with a rubber band. And, with a smile on his handsome face, he is ready for the new day.

"Goodbye, mom and dad. Wish me luck!"