1 Chapter 1

The best way to start the day is with a ritual of mine. Morning is the best time to plan for the day!

As I wake up, I check the glowing purple digital clock near my bed. Now there is a good reason why it's purple. It fits with the RGB lights of my PC and keyboard.

It is still early, my room is plunged into complete darkness. It is exactly 4:12 PM. Guess I'll get up nonetheless. For anyone wondering why it's still dark, well I'm in a basement haha.

I groggily stretch my arm, carefully sensing for my cellphone. Long, flat, and hard object…that's my laptop. Big but not too bulky…headphones. Rectangular box…tissues. Long, cylindric, oh god! I should probably wash my hands now…

Ah, I need some light. Luckily this part is easy!

"Mission status!", I simply murmur.

Appears a semi-transparent purple screen in mid-air. It softly illuminates my surroundings. Now that's more like it!

[Current Mission: Stream for an hour at least

Time limit 3 Day

Status: In Progress

Success: You get to live]

[Current Mission: Write an Introductory Report on the Portal Situation Worldwide

Time limit 9 Days

Status: In progress

Success: Noise Canceler

Failure: Unable to use the Internet for a month]

[Current Mission: Explore the Portal in your bedroom

Time limit 30 Days

Status: In Progress

Success: Nourishing Pet Food

Failure: PC destruction]

Obviously, the longer the time limit is the more important the mission is. One could argue death is pretty serious, but that one is my bad haha.

I may have said something along the line of "I may as well die if I can't even manage a 1-hour stream in 3 days". After all, my goal in life is to become a Gaming Streamer!

Finally, I manage to reach for my trusty cellphone, a simple but very sturdy model. I don't even have a single contact on it haha.

I quickly open my familiar Note App. In there I store my daily goals and my life goals. This organization is what allows me to know exactly where I am heading in life. I usually note every point in lists. It is easy, simple, and efficient! I can't help but grin seeing today's list.

[Goals]

Become a Pro Gamer:

-Look into the portal situation

-Work on my individual skills

-Join that one game everyone is talking about when it launches.

-Create an awesome guild

-Invite OP players.

-Invite whales

-Research new insults

Become a Pro Streamer:

-Buy a professional camera

-Buy a professional microphone

-Buy a green screen

-Set up a streaming program (Correctly)

-Get an awesome overlay

-Get myself custom emotes

Groceries

-Rice

-More rice

-Frozen pizza

-Tuna cans

-Duoritos

-Morning Dew

-Chicken nuggets

-Energy drinks

*PS remember missions*

How long does it take me to write all that? Well, on one hand, I just woke up. On the other hand, I didn't actually write anything. This is the same list I've had for weeks…eh…months even? I recently added a bit of stuff, however. You know since a goddamn portal appeared in my bedroom!

I am what we can call a professional tactical procrastinator. Why do today what one can do tomorrow?! I make sure to respect my deadlines, but that's about it.

There are actually two types of deadlines. The 'I need to do this' or 'I should do this'. Let's just say the prior is more effective. Right now my only true deadlines are my missions and to prepare for the launch of, drum roll, <Alter World!>!

There are few things known about <Alter World>:

-The name sucks

-The release date is 'soon'

-It is VR compatible

-The goal (It's totally an MMO!)

The name that sucks…well it's really bad from a gaming perspective, but the Explorers (read superhuman normies) like it quite a lot in fact, weird guys really. I guess I can't talk considering my own name, but hey at least it shortens to PGM!

The 'soon' is probably some marketing scheme. I feel like they are really trying to get the Hype train going on that one.

The VR part is a funny story. When then technology came out it was hailed as the most revolutionary thing ever because of its amazing realism! It reproduces all senses relatively well. Then it soon became unpopular afterward. It is so tiring, and don't get me started on the damn pain setting! So yeah, for long gaming sessions VR is bad!

Now, the goal! Apparently, this new world has a very ambitious project that wants to replicate the real world! Eh, worlds actually. The Earth and the various portals leading everywhere. Kinda crazy how amazing the Earth became after the first portals appeared with mana and monsters overflowing all over the place.

For many, this was their dream. To fight for their lives and win it all, or die trying. I'd say it's a mix of the gambler's mentality and a quest for power. I could probably dissect the issue but I honestly don't care.

Risking my life? How about no! You see, sure I love the excitement that games provide, but I am what you'd call a min-maxer. I love trying all kinds of new builds. It's fine in a game where you can change character, but IRL? No thank you!

There is a certain rush to figuring out something new and managing to do the best you can after considering every option carefully! Then when it becomes popular and people follow in your footsteps you know you have succeeded.

The real world is not as easy. People dream of succeeding to be able to just enjoy their life. In my case, my dream is simply to become the best gamer/streamer I can be. Becoming an Explorer would be counterproductive.

Hence why I have zero interest in the profession. I'm what we would call marginal. No, actually there are many like me. It's just that they often get convinced by their relatives. Either to find a secure job or to risk it all and become an Explorer.

One thing for sure, gaming streamers are dying. This whole portal craze overshadows it so much! But see, that's where I come in. I will be one of the first active streamers in <Alter World>!

The old-school gamers will disdain <Alter World> for being Explorer-oriented. The Explorers will use it to hone their skills. I will concentrate all my energy on the game aspect!

Master plan! Of course, I doubt I can get a similar income. After all, there has been a steady increase in the value of monster materials. This can be explained by humanity creating more mana-related transformation workshops. These projects are mostly taken care of by the tinkerers.

But my goal is not money. After all, money is of little value. I could simply ask my dad for a few million whenever needed. Well, besides that I don't know how to contact him haha. Oh yeah, why did I have to change my number again? Something about the contract being under my mom's name and the impossibility to reach her or something.

So yeah, I'll join this new <Alter World> craze but on my terms. It will only include abilities, equipment, etc that truly exists. This is why I've been researching the portals lately. I'm also pretty sure it won't flop as it's backed by tons of governments all around the world.

Will I simply do that? Of course not! I want to be the best Gamer AND Streamer! That includes all of the games in existence HAHAHA!

Good thing I have my cellphone Note App to organize my goals neatly! Ah, right. I can probably cross out the green screen. I have a cool portal after all as a backdrop!

Oh…and I guess a magical Gaming Streamer System. That may help a bit…