D3AD DROP

Chapter 1 part 1 - Class

-Tuesday, March 8, 2078/ Cincinnati, Ohio/ 8:06 AM

"So, I'm gonna have to run the restaurant today, huh?"

"Yeah. Sorry, Mabel, I have to go to computer studies. There's a test today that I can't miss."

"Alrie, I guess I could hold up the fort. Good luck with your test."

"Thanks. And good luck with the restaurant. Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up the phone, putting on my shoes and jacket, heading my way out the door. Days like these were simple. I would go to class, ace another test, and go back to the cafe and end my day. My life was pretty much simple like that. And on most days, it would just be shortened to "wake up then cafe then home again." This was just how things were in Ohio pretty much. I was scared coming here, in the city because I was always afraid of the cultural differences between my homeland, Osaka, Japan, but things weren't as bad as it seemed. I guess being the new, Asian, transfer student surrounded by the white masses of the predominantly white University was enough stress on me already, but I just learned to not let it get to me that much. Having already some knowledge of English, it wasn't that hard to learn the language and fit in. There are occasional barriers such as certain metaphors I don't understand and the "alrie" that Mabel drops in here and there which is apparently slang for "alright." And even though my parents aren't around that much, I still get support from my two friends, Mabel Washington, and Harold Gray.  Whenever I was in a pickle, Mabel would always be there in save my behind. Whenever I needed supplies, Harold was always there to get it for me. Not to mention Mabel is the co-owner of the cafe and Harold is the technician for my expensive electronics. I kinda won the lottery when it comes to great friends.

"Finally at the science building. Time to ace another test."

I walked in the big, science building in front of me, mentally preparing myself for this test, but deep down, I already knew I was going to ace this test. I went to the glass classroom, scanned my hand on a touchpad on the door to confirm my identity, enter the class, and be marked "present" for class. I went to my seat in the white, glass, classroom filled with computers and holograms. There was no time to waste; I wanted to get done as quick as possible, so I jacked into the building's server, going into my classroom, online. About 30 minutes later, I finished my test and left the server.

Jacking into a server requires a Psychohigh-fidelity Device (PHF) which is basically a miniature glass tablet that you attach to your arm and connect it to a computer, tv, phone, or tablet via USB. It lets you connect to a server directly with your mind by controlling your neural connections and transmit them into the hardware you're connected to. This causes sort of a limbo space where you now can control your body irl AND virtually, but can only experience what you are going through in the server you're in. It's like VR but turned up to 11.

As soon as I left the server and regained my consciousness irl, I immediately jumped out my seat.

"BOO!"

"AAAGH!"

"Ha. I got ya."

"Damnit, Harold, don't scare me like that! I'm just got out of the server."

"I knew you wouldn't see me while you were zoned out on that computer. I took the chance to get ya."

"Anyway, why are you here? You got a test too?"

"I don't have time for stupid tests."

"Yeah, knowing you, you would just hack them and change the answers."

"You're probably right. But no, I'm actually here to give you something."

"What is it?"

Harold pulls out a tiny box from his pocket. The looks of it made me feel uneasy.

"What's that?"

"I don't know. Some dude gave it to me and told me to give it to you. By the looks of the size of the box, it's probably like a watch or something."

"A watch? Why that?"

"Random guess. Now open it."

"I think I'll wait until I get home."

"Fine. I gotta get back to work. See ya later, bud."

"Ok, bye."

Harold leaves out the building. I get my bag and walk out as well. I rush home so I can get changed for MY job and go back to the restaurant. But on my way back to my apartment...

"Hello, are you Takashi Yamada?"

A mailman was standing in front of my door.

"Yes, I am."

"Here's a letter for you."

"Thanks."

I looked at the letter while opening my door. It reads, "ITO Companies."

"You have a nice day, Mr. Yamada."

"Yeah, you too."

I walk in my home, closing the door behind me. I put my bag on the couch and head to the kitchen, still looking at the letter. I get something to drink and head to my room. I sit down and open the letter. There are a card inside and a piece of paper with some code on it. It's not an activation code or passcode. But an actual letter written all in code. I don't recognize the code at first but when looking at it harder, I realized what the top sentence said.

"57 68 61 74 20 69 73 20 69 6e 73 69 64 65 20 74 68 61 74 20 62 6f 78 2c 20 69 73 20 79 6f 75 72 20 77 6f 72 6c 64 2e"

"'What is inside that box, is your world.'

What the heck!?"

After reading that, I reached into my pocket and took out that box. I had the strong urge to open it but now...just staring at the box made my skin crawl.

"..."