'Vvid' is the top video platform. The streamers(Vmer) create realistic and fun contents. But what if they aren't CG? What if the videos are real?
It has been a secret that video creators live in the virtual world of 'Vvid' dominated by AI. But one d...
If you are just staring at the air in the busy subway, watching nothing.
Or in the cafe, alone without a phone, laptop, or pad, just sitting there and drinking a cup of coffee.
You may seem a villain with an evil plan in mind.
That's because every modern person watches a video in those cases.
Vvid, the most popular video platform in the world, is kind of beyond just a medium. People get all the news and entertainment through it. If you miss watching Vvid for just one day, you won't be able to join in the small talk that day. While commuting, going to and from school, whenever modern people have time, they click Vvid to see the channels they subscribe.
The toppers Streamer on Vvid, Vmers are known for raking in money. The most popular dream that elemental students picked was Vmer these days. But no one knows how to become Vmer and where they are.
...Who could imagine? What if all those realistic game streams were actual battles of real people? What if the Vmers are literally live in the virtual world?
Indeed, the villain I mentioned is me. In this modern society, the only person who does not watch Vvid. A boring person. A girl who does nothing but study to enter a top-class university.
The last person who is interested in becoming Vmer.
Then, why should I've been summoned to Vvid's virtual world?
I'm Jia. 20 years old. My whole life was covered with thoughts of studying and SAT.
And now, my life is cursed.
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"-Next. No.38. Please come in." It was her turn. Jia took a deep breath as she sat down in the mock interview room.
She had been preparing for this moment for weeks, meticulously rehearsing her responses to common questions.
Her palms were sweaty, but she forced a polite smile onto her face. "Hello. I'm Jia. Thank you for the opportunity-." "Are you 20 years old?"
The interviewer, a middle-aged man with a stern expression, cut in on her. Jia meant to answer each one calmly and eloquently, highlighting her academic achievements and extracurricular activities. She wanted to come across as the ideal candidate - hardworking, intelligent, and driven.
"-and this is your third time taking the SAT, isn't it? You should say thank you to your rich parents, haha!"
Jia froze. She felt a surge of emotions rising within her.
"Actually, sir, my family is not rich," said Jia. Her voice quivered slightly. "I've had to work multiple part-time jobs to save up for the test fees and tuition..."
The interviewer leaned back in his chair, a smug expression on his face. "Well, that's quite impressive, I suppose. Though I have to wonder, with all this time and effort you've put in, why haven't you managed to get into our university yet?"
Jia clenched her fists under the table, her nails digging into her palms. "...oh, um, I've often wondered the same thing, haha! But I didn't give up. I- I'll keep trying, no matter how many times it takes."
Jia knew that if she spoke out, it would only hurt her chances.
"Well, then, to enter a good university- is it your dream? I'm sorry but I can't tell you are so enthusiastic..."
It's better for Jia to take it and smile.
"Actually, my dream is that-" But knowledge and action are different, as we know.
"-Meteo falls to Earth right now so that the world perishes except for cute animals.
Then, this damn interview would end..."
So the interview ended anyway. The world exploded.
With a sound effect like, boom.
...
Of course, the building didn't blow up. She only blew out the interview.
Her fingers dug into the palms of her hands. The interviewer's condescending words had struck a nerve, igniting a simmering anger within her that threatened to boil over.
'Why are you so upset?' That's what Jia had heard her whole life. As if her feelings were somehow unreasonable or unjustified.
The second most common word was 'You're too serious.'
People expected her to be kinder, to smile more, to conform to their idea of how a little girl should behave. But Jia had a temper. She couldn't stand injustice.
When she was young, she had roughed up those boys who teased her friend. When adults had demanded that she be an obedient child, she had always questioned their directives, refusing to follow if she felt they were unfair.
'That crazy girl!'
This was the most word she had been told. She could feel her patience wearing thin. The interviewer's condescending tone, his dismissive attitude, the way he seemed to imply that her struggles were somehow her own fault - it was all too much.
"...SO WHAT?! Is it my fault?!" She suddenly burst into anger.
"That question was xxxxing RUDE! Am I the one who is CRAZY?"
Once on the rooftop, alone and away from prying eyes, she let out a guttural scream of frustration.
"Oh yeah, right! I'm damn grumpy. Who made me like that?
Is it my fault, huh?! Is it my fault- that I'm the only SANE ONE IN THIS xxxxING INSANE WORLD!! AAAGH-!"
Her yelling echoed across the empty rooftop in vain.
———————
She is in the real world now, but in the next part...
By the way, have you experienced those pressures in front of people like Jia had?😢
