Beep!
The machine beeped loudly as it disconnected, and a figure rose from the bed, pulling the VR helmet off his head.
'I still feel energized. This has to be the effect of the Nutrient Fluid,' Malik mused as he stretched out every part of his body. He walked over to the window and slid it open to the left, letting a rush of fresh air booze its way into the room. Closing his eyes, he soaked in the atmosphere of the real world.
'For some reason, I can feel the Earth more closely than before. It feels raw… more vivid. There's this strange rhythm weaving itself through the polluted air—like something ancient stirring beneath the surface.'
He turned away from the window and stepped into the bathroom, taking a quick shower before changing into a black sportswear set—one of his favorite outfits, worn to the threads yet still cherished.
Malik had logged out of the game before the Silver Tier monsters noticed him. Of course, he chose a safe place to log out. The reason? Preparation.
He still had energy coursing through him, but the workings of the Nutrient Fluid remained a mystery. He didn't want to risk a system crash—especially if it involved his body.
"I need to get something to eat, then hit a gaming shop. Logging in through a cabin is on another level compared to this VR helmet," he muttered, slipping his phone into his pocket. He recalled how he had managed to purchase the VR Helmet through loan and his life savings just to satisfy peer pressure. 'I'm still halfway in completing the payment.'
He scooped up a bundle of naira notes from the bed and tucked them into his pocket. His eyes landed on the other bundle. With a casual flick, he tossed it toward the drawer two meters away—and to his surprise, it landed perfectly. The drawer even shut itself with a smooth click.
Malik blinked, staring at his hand. "Wasn't expecting that…"
He didn't dwell on it. Stepping out of his one-room apartment, he bolted the door and dropped the key back into his pocket.
'Because of God's Realm Online, the Federal Government finally tackled the electricity issue in this country. That long-dead solar energy bill was miraculously passed—just so everyone could access the game however they wanted. And for the past few months, power supply's been stable. All thanks to one game.'
'Now, social media's basically owned by God's Realm Online. Facebook, X, TikTok—every scroll is a highlight reel. Even the news is nothing but game updates and rankings. Come to think of it, I haven't recorded any of my fights… maybe I should start with this one. Might as well earn some likes on Insta.'
Soon enough, Malik stood in front of a restaurant, its entrance glowing with different colored lights.
Triple Star Bar and Dish.
A spot for upper-class patrons and middle-class dreamers. Though technically a lower-class citizen, Malik now floated somewhere in the middle—maybe even higher.
He slid into a seat at the far end of the restaurant and picked up the digital flashcard menu. After browsing for a bit, he tapped in his order through the table dashboard. In less than five minutes, the table was packed with various dishes, steaming and rich in aroma.
Before he could lift a spoon, a waitress stomped over, her heels clicking like gunfire. She wore a look of disdain as if she were staring at a bug in her salad.
"Did you order all this?" she asked, voice sharp enough to cut through steel.
Malik nodded, puzzled. What kind of question is that?
"Your bill is ₦80,000. You need to pay at least half before you start eating," she added, arms folded, chin raised high.
Malik's eyes widened. He'd only ordered three plates! ₦80,000? He had that kind of cash—but to waste it like this? Foolish. Opportunities like this didn't come twice.
The waitress's frown deepened when she noticed his shock and silence.
'Just like I thought,' she sneered inwardly. 'A frog in a well. Probably thought Triple Star was for the masses. I'll use him to send a message.'
Stretching out a mobile device toward him, she narrowed her eyes. "Cash or card?"
Black lines appeared on Malik's face. He hesitated. Sure, he had the money—but burning eighty thousand on one meal? That was madness. He opened his mouth to respond, but—
"Excuse me," a soft voice chimed from behind.
The waitress turned—and stiffened. A young lady stood there, wearing a pristine white outfit that practically glowed in contrast to Malik's black. At a glance, you could smell her wealth.
"You can add his bill to mine. I'll foot it," she said, voice calm, smile charming.
The waitress trembled. This young miss… she's offering to pay for him?
She turned to Malik, her gaze flickering with scorn.
Malik knew that look. Pride dented, ego cracked. A woman had just saved his ass.
Her eyes screamed, "You're nothing but a coward."
She rolled them and walked away, heels clicking with finality.
Malik averted his gaze and dug into the food with urgency. The young lady didn't leave, though—she just stood there, watching him with amusement dancing in her eyes.
He was about to switch to the second plate when he noticed her gaze and his eyes tensed up, he couldn't help but coughed out immediately.
"Oh—are you okay?" she asked, hurrying forward. She opened a bottle of water and poured a glass, sliding it across the table to him.
Malik downed it in one go. Then he grabbed the bottle and drained the rest.
"How can I be okay when you keep staring at me like that… Miss Carita White?"