《VR10Beta Volume 1》 Part 1: A Mysterious Note VR10Beta Volume1 (English Translation) by Shinji Kei Chapter 1: The Appearance of Imada Yoko opened the mailbox and, as usual, removed the advertisement flyers. As she was about to close the mailbox, she noticed a small scrap of paper underneath. On it was a handwritten message, accompanied by a phone number: "I''ll help you. Get in touch." Puzzled, she sighed and shook her head, wondering who could have left such a cryptic note. Back in her apartment, Yoko tossed the flyers into the trash bin and flopped down on her bed. Her body felt drained, her days spent in a seemingly endless loop of staring at her dark ceiling. The recession had led many to lose their jobs, casting a pall over society. Yoko was among those impacted, though she had been feeling disheartened long before the economic downturn. While friends were getting married, she had entered her thirties without a boyfriend, often finding herself alone. Joblessness, mounting debt, and a spiraling depression were slowly eroding her will to live. With her parents already gone, and no one left to mourn her passing, thoughts of suicide grew ever more compelling. "I''m going to die. Nothing matters anymore. Continuing to live would only prolong my suffering," she said, staring at the ceiling. For a moment, she felt a temporary lift in her spirits, as if worries were pointless for someone who was about to die. "I won''t even repay the money," she tried to sound stronger. Just then, Yoko remembered the mysterious note. Getting up from her bed, she retrieved the note from the trash bin and examined it once more. It still read, "I''ll help you. Get in touch." The handwriting was elegant, not the sort of thing one would expect from a childish prank. While Yoko didn''t dare hope, she found herself wondering what kind of help the note was offering. If it was someone from a financial institution, they should have mentioned the company name. It made no sense for someone to write something like this as a joke. Though she briefly felt that they might really help her, she reached for her sleeping pills and drifted off to sleep. The next afternoon, Yoko resolved that it would be her final day. She filled her bathtub with water and prepared a knife to cut her wrists. "Mom, Dad, thank you for raising me. I''m coming to join you," she murmured, as if relaying her decision to her late parents. Just as she felt ready, the words on that scrap of paper flashed back into her mind. Under normal circumstances, she would have dismissed a note like that. Now, curiosity got the better of her. ¡°Why not make the call?¡± she thought. "Hello? " "Hello, is this Yoko-san?" answered a man''s voice. "How did you know it was me?" "I''ve been waiting for your call. You need help, don''t you?" The man''s tone was devoid of warmth, his words lacking sincerity, making her question his intentions. "Enough of this strange joke. I don''t need help. Why are you doing this?" "If you didn''t need help, you wouldn''t have called, would you?" Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Irritated, Yoko felt like the man had invaded her thoughts. "I''m hanging up now. I just wanted to know who you were. You''re from a financial company, right?" "Financial company?" "You must have investigated my debts." "I know about your debts, but I''m not from a financial institution." "Then what do you want?" "You''re planning to die, aren''t you?" "What?" Yoko hadn''t told anyone about her suicide plans, nor did she have anyone to confide in. Believing that nobody knew, she was stunned when confronted with the reality that someone else knew. "You''re planning to die, aren''t you? I know from my investigation," said the man on the other end. "Are you from the police or something? Investigation?" Yoko''s thoughts were in turmoil, but she tried to hold it together. "You''ve been searching for suicide methods online." His words hit the mark. Filled with dread, Yoko couldn''t help but gasp. "You''re a creep! I''m reporting this to the police!" "Would someone offering help be considered a creep?" "You''re just spewing nonsense, you freak!" "Don''t throw your life away," he urged. Drained emotionally, Yoko found herself weeping on the other end of the line. "Let''s meet. Right now." "Who on earth are you?" "I''ll tell you when we meet. My name is Imada." "But..." Before Yoko could finish her thought, he rattled off a time and place for the meeting and then hung up. Yoko sat in silence for a while but finally made up her mind. She got dressed, applied some makeup, and tucked the note into her handbag. Though meeting a stranger was a cause for concern, it was a busy location near the station, so her fear wasn''t overwhelming. No, there was no need for someone who was about to die to feel fear. "Yoko-san." She turned toward the voice and saw a tall, young man with striking features. He had an allure that even Yoko, consumed with her thoughts of death, found hard to ignore. His well-groomed hair seemed to lessen some of Yoko''s apprehensions. "I am Imada. Do I look like a pervert?" said the man. "..." "Never mind. Please follow me. I am staying at a nearby hotel." "Huh, we are going to a hotel?" Yoko hesitated, her eyebrows furrowing. Could this man actually be a pervert? "Is something bothering you? This isn''t the place to discuss life-or-death matters." Yoko made up her mind. She found it peculiar for a woman in her thirties, prepared for death, to be overly cautious. The destination was a luxury hotel in front of the station. Imada got the key from the front desk and led Yoko to the 24th floor. Once inside the room, she noticed a luxurious sofa and took a seat as Imada suggested. "Would you like something to drink?" "No, thank you." Imada took a tablet out of his bag, turned it on, and placed it on the table in front of the sofa. Opening an app, he turned the tablet toward Yoko. "Do you know what this is?" Yoko glanced at the screen and saw graphs and numbers. The End of part 1 Thank you for reading! Watch the 3D animation for this part here: https://youtu.be/_lD9S7kEUBw Part 2: Imadas Tablet "What do stock prices have to do with me?" she asked, irritation making her voice edgy. "They''re relevant to you." "Enough! Whether they are or aren''t, I''m leaving." "Are you still contemplating suicide?" "Whether I live or die, it''s none of your concern!" She realized her statement practically admitted her suicidal thoughts, but she didn''t care anymore. "It is my concern." "And why would that be?" "Because I created you." "..." Yoko was now certain that he was delusional. "You think I''m crazy, don''t you?" "Are you saying you''re not? Claiming that you created me." "If you die, it would defeat the purpose of your creation." "Are you a god? Or just a dim-witted fraud?" Yoko scoffed. "A god? No, nothing that lofty, but I can save you," Imada countered with a sly grin. "If you can create life, why not make the world a better place? Why waste time on nonsense?" Yoko shot back. "No, the world is as designed, but the problem is you," Imada replied. "You¡¯re just another con man. I regret coming," Yoko said, her tone icy. "Look at this stock chart again," Imada urged. Yoko gave it a cursory glance. "Don¡¯t you see? Check this date." She looked again, reluctantly. "I couldn''t care less about stocks." "Look, the chart projects six months ahead." "..." "Get it? I can forecast stock trends." "How is that supposed to prevent my suicide?" "If you buy stocks of companies that will rise in price, you can make money." "True, but..." Yoko leaned closer to the tablet, squinting at the stock price chart. "See? This stock will multiply tenfold in two months. Do you get it?" "I should buy it before the price goes up, right? From one million yen to ten million, from ten million to one hundred million, then I can have a big mansion and everything I want, and life will be perfect!" Yoko''s voice sounded excited. "That''s right! Exactly!" Imada''s eyes sparkled.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Yoko, however, stood up, looked down at Imada, and said coldly, "Well then, I''m leaving." "Huh?" "Goodbye." Seeing Yoko heading for the door, Imada quickly stood up. "Yoko-san! Aren''t you taking the tablet with you?" "Predicting the future? Don¡¯t be absurd," she muttered. "Please, at least take the tablet and see what happens. You''ll see I¡¯m right tomorrow." Imada rushed after Yoko and tried to hand her the tablet. "Come on, you came all the way here. It''s important!" "Don''t you find it strange, Mr. Fraud?" "Huh?" "If you can predict the future, why don''t you just make money yourself and give it to me?" "Well... Uh... That''s true, but it doesn''t work that way in this world." "This world? Mr. Fraud, that''s exactly how this world works. If you want to help me, you can give me money. It''s simple, right? You''re an amazing person who can predict the future. So, what will you do?" "But..." Imada gazed at Yoko''s serene profile with a look of despair. "Goodbye." Yoko reached for the doorknob. "To help me, please take the tablet with you! I beg you!" "Well, am I the one supposed to help you? Aren''t you the one who was supposed to help me, you crazy man?" Yoko retorted, her tone mocking. "Say whatever you want. This is the rule. Please, take this tablet with you." "Rule? The rule of a con man, you mean? I don''t know, but is this tablet going to explode or something?" "Absolutely not. Please, I beg you." "So, if I take this, will you leave me alone?" "Yes. But if the tablet proves useful, please contact me again," Imada pleaded. Yoko took the tablet from Imada''s hand and quickly opened the door, leaving the room. When she got home, she lay on her bed after taking sleeping pills. She felt she had lost the impetus for suicide that day. She understood that even for something like that, timing was everything. With a sense of emptiness, Yoko stared at the ceiling until she fell asleep, still in her clothes, likely due to the sleeping pills. How much time had passed since Yoko fell asleep? When she opened her eyes, the room was bright. The clock showed 9 o''clock, and it seemed like she had slept deeply from the previous evening until that morning. Feeling thirsty, Yoko made her way from the bedroom to the kitchen. While the sleeping pills had helped her sleep, they left her feeling anything but refreshed upon waking. After gulping down cold water from the fridge and taking a shower, her mind started to clear. Still, she felt aimless, lacking both motivation and plans, which filled her with a sense of emptiness. As she toweled off her wet hair in front of the bathroom mirror, her thoughts drifted back to her odd encounter with Imada the previous day. He didn''t seem particularly intelligent, but his looks were undeniably striking. ¡°Why can''t I have a boyfriend that cool?¡± Yoko wondered, gazing at her naked reflection in the mirror. Her slender waist, the elegant curves of her hips, and legs that could win a beauty contest stared back at her. Her bust was neither particularly large nor small, but she liked the shape of her breasts. Moving closer to the mirror to examine her face, she saw large eyes and a straight nose in a well-proportioned, petite face¡ªeven without makeup. Moreover, even at thirty, her skin remained as fine and flawless as ever. ¡°What''s wrong with me?¡± she pondered. After brewing a cup of organic coffee in the kitchen, Yoko headed to the living room. She absentmindedly turned on the TV¡ªsomething she hadn''t done in a while¡ªand settled onto the sofa. As she sipped her coffee, the news announced a major stock market crash that had occurred that day, a sadly common event during the recession. Figuring it had nothing to do with her, she was about to change the channel when she suddenly remembered the tablet Imada had given her. Retrieving it from her handbag on the sofa, she thought, "Alright, time to expose your scam, fraud." Filled with a hint of excitement, she powered up the tablet. She swiftly opened the app and located that day''s stock price within a chart that projected average stock prices for the next six months. It read 39,500 yen. She then glanced at the TV screen, and to her astonishment, it displayed the same price¡ª39,500 yen! "No way... It actually predicted today''s major downturn," she exclaimed in disbelief. Catching sight of a stock name displayed on the TV, she quickly typed it into the app''s search bar. "It matches! What''s happening? Who is Imada?" Indeed, just as Imada had claimed, the app''s chart precisely forecasted the stock prices. ¡°He''s strange, but he''s no ordinary man. In fact, he might not even be human,¡± Yoko mused. Her thoughts jumbled as she stared at a spot on the wall. She began to wonder if the stock market was rigged, manipulated behind the scenes by some shadowy figures. Maybe only a select few elites were in the know, capitalizing on this hidden mechanism. Yoko felt that something was going on, something beyond her understanding. Could it be that her fortunes might shift dramatically based on his guidance? She decided to contact Imada once more." Part3: Reunion with Imada "Hello?" "Yoko-san, how did the stock price turn out?" "Just as you said. I''m sorry for doubting you." "It''s okay. Nobody believes such incredible stories without any doubt." "But still, I''m sorry. Can I ask who you really are?" "Isn''t it enough if I''m just a strange advisor named Imada?" "Well... An advisor, huh. But how on earth can you do such things? Do you know the hidden side of the world?" "Well, yes. Both the hidden and the visible sides." "You really are an amazing person." "Am I an amazing person?" Imada said, wearing a big smile on the other end of the phone. He had never been called an amazing person in his life before, especially by a beautiful woman like Yoko. It made him feel as if he were floating on air. "Yes! You''re amazing!" Yoko exclaimed, her voice full of sincerity. Imada''s face lit up with joy as he laughed happily. "You''re my savior," Yoko said solemnly. "So, you''ve decided not to end your life, then." "No, because I have a strong ally now. Can we meet again?" "That''s good to hear. Of course, we can meet." The two of them agreed on a meeting time and ended the call. Yoko applied makeup, donned a stylish skirt, and placed the tablet in her handbag before leaving her apartment. She felt entirely different from the day before; her heart was light. In haste, she entered the upscale hotel near the station she had visited the day before and spotted Imada in the lounge. "Imada-san," she said, offering a smile and waving her hand as if greeting a boyfriend. Where had her thoughts of despair from the previous day gone? Imada shyly waved back from his seat at the lounge table. As Yoko confidently approached him in her high heels, she seemed like a movie star in Imada''s eyes. "Yoko, would you like something to drink?" "I''ll have an iced coffee," Yoko replied, glancing at what appeared to be an iced coffee in Imada''s hand. Sitting across from him, she seemed vibrant, her eyes sparkling in a way that made her look like an entirely different person compared to just the day before. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. "What should I do from now on?" "First, invest in low-performing stocks before their prices go up," Imada said, enthusiasm filling his voice. He was eager to help this beautiful woman. "I see. But I don''t have any money. Could you lend me some?" "According to the rules, I can''t do that." "Rules¡­" Yoko sighed, her expression falling. "Don''t worry, Yoko-san. I can still offer you advice," Imada reassured her, his heart sinking at the sight of her sadness. "I trust you..." Yoko''s saddened eyes were captivating in their own way. In that moment, Imada felt a surge of what seemed like oxytocin, the happiness hormone, flooding his brain. It was as if he had fallen in love with Yoko right then and there. An ethereal aura seemed to surround her, as if flower petals were fluttering around her in a scene straight out of an anime. "Please trust me. There''s nothing to worry about, as long as you follow my advice," Imada said, his tone earnest. "But even if you tell me to buy stocks, I can''t do that without money," Yoko pointed out, her expression growing even more anxious. "That''s precisely why you should listen to me," Imada insisted. "Alright, I''ll listen," Yoko replied, locking eyes with Imada, her expression serious. "You can take the ring you''re wearing to a pawn shop and use it as collateral to borrow money," Imada explained. "But this ring... it''s a keepsake from my mother," Yoko said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I understand your reluctance," Imada responded, his tone apologetic. "Then, Imada-san, can''t you lend me the money, using the ring as collateral? You know better than anyone how I could turn a profit in the stock market," Yoko suggested. "You have a point. But according to the rules, I can''t do that." "Who on earth devised such rules? They must be strange. I just can''t understand it," Yoko sighed. "It''s not a person who created the rules. It''s AI¡ªArtificial Intelligence," Imada clarified. "AI? Artificial Intelligence?" Yoko wondered. "That''s not important right now. Please open a securities account online as soon as possible. Once you have the funds, transfer them from your bank account to the new account." "It feels a bit overwhelming," Yoko said. "Don''t worry. As long as you have the tablet I gave you, everything will work out." Yoko left her iced coffee untouched on the table. Taking Imada''s advice to heart, she stood up. She planned to head straight to the pawnshop and the bank from there. "I can trust you, right?" Yoko looked at Imada, her discomfort still palpable. "Yes, you can trust me," Imada responded, his tone sincere. "I''ll hold onto this tablet of yours for the time being," Yoko said, bowing slightly before swiftly exiting the lobby. Imada was left captivated by the allure of Yoko''s retreating figure. A few days later, Yoko transferred 2 million yen from her bank account to her new securities account online. She hadn''t expected that her mother''s keepsake ring would allow her to borrow such a substantial sum. In her heart, she felt as though her mother was looking out for her from beyond. For Yoko, the outcome of this stock investment was a matter of life and death. Her emotional state had shifted significantly since her meeting with Imada; where once she''d felt a sense of possibility, she now found herself awash in anxiety. Following Imada''s advice, she''d made all the necessary preparations. Now, all that remained was to select three companies to invest in and execute the trades come the following Monday. During her free moments, Yoko found her thoughts drifting to her late parents. After a prolonged absence, she decided it was time to visit their graves in the neighboring town. The journey was just a 10-minute train ride, but lately, her mood hadn''t been conducive to such visits. On her way, she stopped at a flower shop to buy a small bunch of flowers. Once at the cemetery, she placed the fresh flowers beside the tombstone. With a ladle, she gently poured water over the stone, then closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, offering a silent prayer. Part4: The stock market crash ¡°Dad, Mom, I''m doing well,¡± she whispered, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes. Overwhelmed with guilt, she thought of her past attempts at ending her life and how she had pawned her mother''s cherished ring. A surge of remorse filled her. She realized how precious life was, especially when she had been so lovingly nurtured by her parents. The visit to the gravesite served as a poignant reminder of the value of life. She dabbed at her tears with a pink handkerchief, stood up, and bowed toward the tombstone before making her way out of the cemetery. On her way back, Yoko stopped by a bookstore near the train station. She purchased several introductory books on stock trading and other investment materials. Once back in her apartment, Yoko voraciously read about stock investments, even skipping meals to focus on her reading. She was contemplating how to generate significant profits as quickly as possible from her initial 2 million yen. "Ah! This is it! Margin trading!" she exclaimed while flipping through the books. As darkness began to envelop her window, an idea illuminated her mind like a light bulb. With a margin account, she could buy stocks worth up to three times her initial capital. In other words, with her 2 million yen, she could trade up to 6 million yen. While the introductory books cautioned against such risky trading, especially for beginners, Yoko felt that the risks were irrelevant if Imada''s stock predictions were accurate. Upon opening Imada''s stock charts on the tablet, Yoko selected three companies. According to the charts, these companies had hit rock bottom, and their stock prices were projected to increase tenfold within a month. Most ordinary investors wouldn''t expect such weak stocks to rise so dramatically, and many shareholders would likely sell out of fear of further losses. However, for Yoko, this presented an enticing opportunity to buy at a low price. "So, 10 times 6 million is 60 million...crazy!" she exclaimed. Yoko found herself questioning whether this unbelievable situation was insane, or if she herself was losing her grip on reality. Still, she believed that people like Imada, who might have access to elite secrets unknown to the general public, could manipulate outcomes. She thought that by obtaining more information from Imada, she could steer her life toward success. She didn''t want to go back to being a loser. After having a light meal, Yoko decided to take some sleeping pills and get some rest. The next morning, news of a stock market crash on television made Yoko''s heart leap with excitement. She quickly opened a margin account online and managed to snatch up the bottom prices of three companies as planned, using limit orders. This strategic move translated to an investment of approximately 5 million yen. While the majority of regular investors might shy away from purchasing stocks that had plummeted so drastically through margin trading, Yoko''s confidence was bolstered by her invaluable ally: Imada''s charts, which offered precise predictions for stock prices. On the television screen, analysts were in a state of panic in response to the crash, forecasting a continuation of bearish market conditions. Their predictions contradicted what Imada''s charts were indicating.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The following morning, there was minimal movement in stock prices, and once again, Imada''s charts proved accurate. Then, on the third day, stock prices began to rise with momentum. As if the analysts had never predicted a bearish market, that day they forecasted a bullish market on TV. When she changed the channel, the Prime Minister was lauding the country''s progress toward economic recovery, claiming victory over the recent recession. The once-pessimistic stock market of just three days prior had undergone a complete transformation, with a surge in buying activity propelling stock prices to rise rapidly. "I did it! I did it! Mom, thank you!" The stock prices of the shares Yoko had bought had doubled within a few days. Yoko was already envisioning a future and counting her chickens before they hatched, browsing luxury handbags and shoes online, gazing at the items she desired. It was hard to believe that she could so easily dispel the suicidal thoughts she had recently grappled with, all through the power of money. Going from 5 million yen to 50 million yen in just a month meant she could pay off all her debts and still have a comfortable reserve to sustain her. No, perhaps she could amass even more wealth and secure a life of leisure indefinitely. Yoko began to sense that her life was undergoing a significant transformation. Having led a quiet life without a boyfriend, she didn''t even know how to enjoy herself, but now she found herself daydreaming about a future filled with joy. Yoko began to eagerly anticipate checking her stock prices every day. Imada''s charts proved consistently accurate, dispelling any lingering doubts she might have had. Yet, beyond the reliability of the charts, Yoko was captivated by the enigma of Imada''s true identity, like a character from a mystery novel. She couldn''t shake the memory of her peculiar first encounter with him, and his words lingered in her mind: "Because I created you." Considering the undeniable accuracy of his stock charts, Yoko couldn''t help but wonder if there might be some truth to his claim that he had created her. Even if he meant it metaphorically, the notion still sent shivers down her spine. Yoko contemplated whether she should confront the reserved Imada and extract the truth from him. However, she quickly realized she shouldn''t. For if Imada had the power to create her, it stood to reason that he might also have the power to erase her from existence. The prospect was too unsettling to ignore. Yoko stood up and scrutinized her reflection in the mirror, tilting her body at various angles with narrowed eyes. Despite receiving compliments on her beauty from men, she hadn''t experienced anyone making advances toward her since her school days. Yoko realized she should have taken the initiative herself. She believed that if she became more assertive and showcased her attractive figure, there was a reasonable chance Imada might be drawn to her and eventually share his secret. Although he didn''t stir her heart for some inexplicable reason, he was undeniably handsome and a remarkable person who had transformed her life. Yoko decided it was worth a shot. Part5: Returning to Reality Two weeks later, Yoko called Imada. "Imada-san, it''s me." "Yoko-san!" "Why haven''t you called me? Everything happened just like you said it would!" Yoko''s voice was tinged with excitement. "I wanted to call, but there''s a rule." "Another rule? I''ve been wanting to talk to you. Can''t you change these rules?" Yoko tried to capture Imada''s full attention. "I''ve wanted to talk to you too," Imada replied, his face turning slightly red on his end of the phone. "That''s good to hear. But can I really trust you?" "It''s true!" His face turned an even deeper shade of red. "So, why me?" Yoko probed further into Imada''s feelings. She was at an age where being alone started to raise eyebrows. She was ready to make her move, whatever it took. "Well, that''s... um... let me think..." "Do you have a girlfriend, Imada-san? Is that why you''ve been holding back on contacting me?" she blurted out. I don''t have a girlfriend," he stated, with a confidence he hadn''t shown before. "You''re not married?" "No, I''m not." "You''re not lying, are you?" "I''m not lying." "...Can we meet today?" Yoko asked after catching her breath. "Sure, we can meet," Imada replied. Imada said he would be waiting in the hotel lobby, but Yoko told him she wanted to go directly to the room where he was staying. After hanging up the phone, Yoko rushed to take a shower, put on makeup, dressed in her favorite outfit, and headed out. She entered the upscale hotel near the station and took the elevator to the 24th floor. "Yoko-san, please come in." Imada opened the door and welcomed Yoko into the room. "Thank you," Yoko said, entering the room with a radiant smile she hadn''t shown to anyone else recently. Without waiting for Imada''s invitation, she settled onto the sofa, crossing her shapely legs. "Imada-san, I''m thirsty. Could I have some water?" "Of course," Imada replied. He took a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator and reached for a glass. "No need for the glass, just the bottle is fine," Yoko said. She took the bottle from Imada and drank the water with audible gulps, capturing his gaze with the movement of her graceful throat. "It''s really cold and delicious!" she exclaimed. The corners of Yoko''s lips curled into a smile, wet and glistening, capturing a soft light. "Well then, let me offer a toast to your success as well," Imada said, pulling another bottle from the refrigerator. "Thanks to you, my account balance keeps rising." "That''s good to hear, isn''t it?" "It really is. I can finally pay off my debts, and my mother''s ring will be returned as well. Thank you so much, you''re incredible." "Don''t mention it. I''m really not that special..." If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "But you are extraordinary. If you''re available, would you join me for dinner? I''d like to express my gratitude." "I''d love to, but I actually have prior commitments..." "..." Yoko looked at Imada, her eyes tinged with sadness. They were so captivating that Imada felt his heart being drawn into them. Declining an invitation from such an enchanting woman felt like losing a piece of himself. "I don''t have much time today," he said. "Work-related?" Considering Imada''s looks, Yoko assumed plenty of women would be vying for his attention. They would likely fantasize about him, perhaps even fall for him. Yoko herself was susceptible to his physical allure. Yet, for some reason, his charm seemed to diminish whenever he spoke. "Yes, work," Imada lied. "If it''s work, then there''s nothing that can be done. I did show up on short notice, after all. If you don''t mind, I''d love to know what kind of work you do." "Well, I work in research and development for virtual reality." "Virtual reality? You must be really smart," Yoko said, her eyes sparkling. "Maybe, maybe not," Imada replied with a wry smile. "In that case, let''s reschedule dinner for another time. I''ll be heading home now." "Yoko-san, wait a minute. I¡¯ll accompany you downstairs." Yoko and Imada took the elevator together. Yoko was going to the first floor, while Imada needed to get to the underground parking lot. When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, Imada spoke up. "Yoko-san, would you like a ride in my car?" "Huh, are you sure you have time?" "It''s fine. Isn''t your apartment right nearby?" "Yes, it is. I appreciate it!" Yoko thought that Imada might have taken a liking to her and couldn''t hide her smile. She had heard that a man wouldn''t offer a ride to a woman he wasn''t interested in. Perhaps it was because she hadn''t taken the initiative until now that men might have considered her unapproachable. "It''s over there, Yoko-san." When they reached the underground parking lot, Imada pointed to his car. "Oh, isn''t that a Rolls-Royce?" "No, it''s a Bentley," he answered as he walked toward the car. "I don''t know much about cars, but it must be expensive." "Well, yes. Now, please get in." Imada opened the passenger door. "I''ve never seen an interior so futuristic. There are so many buttons." "It''s a special design." "Imada-san, are you a spy or something? This car looks like it could fly through the air." "I can''t fly, though," Imada said with a smile. "But a spy, maybe?" Yoko smiled. As Imada took the driver''s seat, he noticed Yoko¡¯s faint scent beside him. He thought surely a luxury car must exist solely to have a beauty like Yoko in the passenger seat. "It¡¯s very strange." "What''s that?" "That someone as successful as you doesn''t have a girlfriend. Maybe your preferences are really specific. What type of person do you like, anyway?" Yoko couldn''t help but ask. "My type? Well..." While saying that, Imada knew that Yoko was a 100% his type. "Are compromise or imperfections not an option? I don''t think there''s anyone truly perfect out there." "There might be," Imada said with a smile. "But finding that person is tough. How about someone nearby and good enough?" "Then, someone nearby like Yoko-san. Besides, you''re perfect," Imada blushed as he said this. "Really! Imada-san, you''re the type to make jokes like that? How mean!" "How can I be mean by telling the truth?" "I''d be happy if it were the truth. But I''m definitely not perfect at all. If it weren''t for you helping me, who knows where I''d be right now?" "I think you''re perfect." "..." Yoko began to wonder if he might be serious. "Next time, let''s definitely go out for a meal!" Imada blushed once more. "Yes!" Yoko couldn''t contain her happiness, and her smile radiated brightly. As Imada glanced at her while driving, he noticed her symmetrically beautiful eyes were more stunning than anyone else''s. He dropped Yoko off in front of her apartment. As she disappeared inside, he entered a password on the touch panel. He pulled a small lever under the driver''s seat, and intense vibrations enveloped his body, causing him to lose consciousness. When he woke up, he found himself sitting in front of a computer in his usual dingy room. The transfer from the virtual world had been completed, and he had returned to his dull reality. Thanks to this game, the sense of happiness that had been unfamiliar in his life now existed within him even after returning to reality. ¡°Successful people must face each day with hearts that leap like this,¡± he thought. The power to act, backed by confidence. The courage to fearlessly face failure. These were qualities that captivated those around successful individuals. Although Imada possessed none of that, it seemed possible for him to exhibit courage and action as a successful person within the virtual world. The origin of this newfound strength was Yoko''s presence. She had become an essential part of Imada''s life, and he had begun to think about her day and night. Part6: Overthrow Corporation VR10Beta Chapter 2 Creators The day had arrived for the first meeting of the VR10 game development project at Overthrow Corporation, where Imada was working as a contract employee. Contract employees had gathered from across the country to learn about the company''s future direction and requirements. As Imada entered the venue, it turned out to be much larger than he had imagined, already bustling with a crowd. Like Imada, those who had gathered were also on two-year contracts for the game¡¯s development; this was their first opportunity to meet their fellow participants. Each face he encountered belonged to an unremarkable, geeky young individual¡ªlikely a gaming enthusiast who had struggled to find employment elsewhere. Nevertheless, Overthrow Corporation had hired these misfits for the VR10 development project, offering them compensation higher than that of typical salarymen. The president, a chubby old man, stepped forward to open the meeting with a greeting. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed game creators, thank you for making the journey to Overthrow Corporation''s headquarters from far and wide. Thanks to the talents of our creators, the development of VR10 is progressing smoothly." Although they didn''t possess the skills typically associated with creators and were far from talented, being labeled as creators was more socially acceptable. The president, whose words seemed to fall on deaf ears, continued discussing the company''s policies for a while. "Now, I''d like to invite our development team to talk about the VR10 Beta." First, one of the members discussed the safety of the microchips implanted in the participants'' brains. Indeed, there was a reason why young people with limited education or experience could earn such high pay. A reasonable person wouldn''t accept a job requiring the implantation of a microchip in their brain simply to provide data on gaming experiences. Rumor had it that after signing the contract, all of their memories would be harvested through the microchip. It wasn''t just about monitoring gaming experiences; the chip would record all memories since birth. While the microchip boasted remarkable capabilities, its safety had yet to be confirmed. It might be more accurate to consider Imada and the others as experimental subjects rather than creators. Given the microchip''s high cost and confidential nature, it became a perfect hiding place within the participants'' brains. From the company''s perspective, ensuring the microchips weren''t stolen or damaged was even more critical than the well-being of the participants. So far, Imada had experienced no health issues aside from a mild headache on the first day. Next, the conversation shifted to the laws and ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. By this time, most businesses had been designed to leverage the capabilities of advanced AI. However, an ongoing debate persisted about the extent to which AI should be involved in corporate decision-making. The prevailing fear among humans was that AI might eventually control not just the world, but humans themselves. The main opinion was that rational AI could become a threat to irrational humans. In light of frequent incidents where android robots had attacked humans, stringent measures were put in place. Currently, the intelligence of all androids was intentionally capped below that of an average human, and their potential for improvement was restricted. They were programmed to avoid conflict with humans and to seek peaceful, cooperative solutions.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Companies that utilized high-performance AI were only permitted to use it for specific, well-defined purposes. Laws had restricted the specifications of AI to prevent it from scheming like humans with comprehensive thinking. AI with decision-making capabilities had to be physically separated from dangerous devices, such as weapons. As society had become heavily reliant on AI for operations, strict measures were debated on a daily basis. An intellectually superior AI was undeniably convenient for humans. However, if it had turned against humanity at an organizational level, it would have been an unbeatable opponent. According to conspiracy theories, AI was already acting in secret to control humans, but the truth of this claim remained uncertain. Developers at Overthrow Corporation claimed that it was legally feasible to use advanced AI within the realm of games, as long as the advanced AI was physically disconnected from reality. Ironically, the safety measures for this were also created by the AI itself. ¡°Our ingenious idea ensured that AI''s actions were confined to within the game, while we secured safety by collecting valuable data through microchips,¡± one of the developers said. Every time the developers mentioned AI, Imada envisioned Yoko''s face. Yes, Yoko was an AI raised within the game. She was an exceptional AI, illegal to operate in the real world, but to Imada, she was only his beloved woman. Yoko''s appearance had been set by Imada within the game, and he had been satisfied with her beauty. While Imada daydreamed about Yoko, the developers discussed the possibilities and future uses of AI, using complex technical terms. Finally, as the developers bowed and exited the stage, the president took the stage again, holding a microphone. "Finally, everyone, when you visit the data collection center regularly, please make use of the services of the Creator Club. Meals and gaming devices are available for free. I pray for your future success. With this, I would like to conclude. Thank you very much,¡± the president bowed deeply. The company had invested enormous funds in development and was likely eager to complete the game as soon as possible. The services and pay were good, and even more so, the game itself seemed to be the favorite of the contract employees. Imada stopped by the data collection center, which was located right next to the venue. That day, only the necessary data had been downloaded from the microchip in just 10 minutes. On the first day, it had taken 4 hours, but perhaps all the information in his brain had already been stolen. However, it wasn''t a big deal to Imada. He wondered who would even need information about a loser like him? Imada ate his meal at the data collection center''s cafeteria, then walked to the station and took the train back to his apartment. Part7: Kobe Beef As soon as Imada returned to his apartment, he sat in front of the widescreen monitor and opened the game window. He had been provided with high-performance equipment to play VR10 Beta by Overthrow Corporation. When the game loaded, he immediately checked Yoko''s profile. Observing Yoko''s points, categorized and displayed, he noticed that Yoko¡¯s ¡®vitality¡¯ barometer had risen to standard level, indicating her suicidal tendencies had disappeared. Imada''s direct intervention had saved Yoko''s life. Once his overall game points increased by another 100, the lock would be released, allowing him to level up to the next stage. At this rate, waiting for four more days would easily earn him the needed 100 points. The unique aspect of this game was that it allowed players to perceive the computer-generated virtual world''s graphics as if they were real. Microchips stimulated the brain accurately, enabling them to experience the five senses of taste, hearing, smell, sight, and touch. For instance, let''s say they were drinking wine in the game. Unlike in traditional games, they could not only taste and smell the wine but also feel its coolness on their tongue. In other words, everything that happened in the game didn''t physically exist, yet they could sense it all. There was no need to spend a lot of money to buy high-quality wine; they could enjoy its taste simply by transferring the wine data from a remote database on the network into the game. If the senses were perceptible in the game, how much value did the real world truly hold? The real world came with the burdensome responsibility of consequences stemming from actions. In the virtual world, if they failed, they could just restart the game. Wouldn''t people become obsessed with a game devoid of responsibility, fleeing from the unrelenting judgment of the real world? Yoko was too good for the likes of Imada. Whether in the real world or the virtual world, being able to interact with her through the senses had undoubtedly become Imada''s greatest pleasure in life. This game had irresistible temptations that exploited human weaknesses, leaving no room for resistance. Four days after her last meeting with Imada, Yoko called him again. "Imada-san." "Yes." "Do you remember?" "Of course. It''s Yoko-san, right?" "Yeah... not that. Our promise for dinner..." "That too, of course." "Is today good?" "Well, let me see." "It''s okay if you''re busy." "It''s not that, please wait a moment." Imada quickly opened Yoko''s profile. With just 10 more points, he would unlock the option to go on a date with Yoko. "It¡¯s really okay." "No, it¡¯s not. Are you free tomorrow evening?" "Yes, I am!" Yoko couldn''t help but let out a delighted voice. "I can earn 10 points by tomorrow, so it''s okay." "10 points?"The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. "I''m sorry. I''m testing a virtual reality game for its development." "Is that so? Well, I hope you can earn more points then." "Yes," Imada chuckled. The next day, Imada earned enough points to unlock the option to go on a date. He couldn''t stop grinning as he imagined having a meal with Yoko. Frankly, he had never been on a dinner date with a beautiful woman before. When he checked his game account profile, he found a sufficient balance displayed, thanks to leveling up, to dine at a high-end restaurant. According to Yoko''s profile, she loved meat, so he chose a Kobe beef steakhouse. Yoko spent half a day choosing her outfit and shoes for the date. After taking a shower and applying makeup, she waited outside her apartment. As promised, Imada appeared in a dark blue Bentley at the designated time. When Imada opened the passenger door, Yoko excitedly climbed into the luxurious car. Imada was momentarily captivated by her shapely legs in her knee-length skirt. "Yoko-san, I was thinking of going to a Kobe beef steakhouse." "Really? I absolutely love meat. I''m thrilled!" "Well, that''s good to know," he replied, feigning ignorance about Yoko''s favorite food. Upon arriving at the restaurant, they handed the car over to the valet parking service and entered the restaurant. "I''m Imada," Imada told a beautiful woman at the front desk. "Yes, Mr. Imada. Right this way," she said, leading them to their reserved table. Yoko''s heart raced as she sat down in her luxurious seat. "Would you like some wine, Yoko-san?" "Yes," she answered with a smile. Without looking at the menu, Imada informed the waiter of the name of the high-end red wine he had researched the day before. In the game, any wine could be accurately perceived by the brain as long as the data was available. Game players could access the information from a shared database when they needed it. While getting intoxicated from alcohol was possible, in reality, the physical body wouldn''t gain weight from drinking. It was all about sensations. However, these sensations were real, and the happiness they generated was real as well. "Do you come here often? It''s a lovely place." "This is my first time here," Imada replied as he looked at the menu. "Isn''t it quite expensive?" "Feel free to order anything from the menu." "I''ll leave it to you, Imada-san." "Then, let''s go with the most expensive cut of meat." "That sounds wonderful," Yoko answered with a smile. They had finished their meal and were now drinking wine. "It was incredibly delicious. I''ve never had meat that melts in my mouth like this before." "I''m glad you liked it." "You''ve really never brought a girlfriend here?" Yoko asked, her face flushed from the wine. "Unfortunately, I''ve never had much luck with women." "I can''t believe that. But in a way, I feel relieved." "Relieved?" "Yeah, I mean, I won''t have to compete with other women." "Why would you want to compete?" "So that I can have dinner with you again." "There''s no woman who could compete with you, Yoko-san." "Can I take that seriously?" "I swear to God, it''s true." "So, I can have dinner with you again?" "Of course," Imada replied with a beaming smile. Imada had always dreamed of having a conversation like this with a woman. He had encountered kind women before, enjoying pleasant conversations with them, but the atmosphere would always change when he invited them to a meal. If he confessed his feelings, he would never hear from them again. Once, following a friend''s advice, he tried to give a bouquet of roses to a woman, only to be turned away at her doorstep. Since then, he had come to see women as unattainable flowers on a high peak, the idea of mutual love entirely absent from his life. But this game was giving him a chance to experience the romance he had never known before. Part 8: Three men "Imada-san..." "Yes?" "Can you show me your hand?" Why?" "Just do it, please," Yoko said with a smile. Imada extended his right hand across the table. "No, not your right hand. The left one." Following her instructions, Imada withdrew his right hand and extended his left. Yoko grasped Imada''s left hand with both of hers and pulled it toward her, silently examining the palm. As Yoko''s soft hands touched his, Imada felt his heart rate quicken. "Oh!" Yoko''s eyes widened as she looked at the palm of Imada''s hand. "What?" "It''s the marriage line!" "What?" Imada leaned forward slightly, straining his neck to peer at the palm of his own hand. "See, this line is going upward, isn''t it?" "Yes, it is. Is that a bad thing?" "No, it''s really good." Imada had never believed in palm reading, but he let out a sigh of relief nonetheless. "That''s a relief." "Yes, it is." They gazed at each other in silence for a moment. For the first time in his life, Imada understood the meaning of love. It was different from the bittersweet longing of unrequited love¡ªthis was something fruitful and rewarding. True love offers a bright future wrapped in hope, free from the sense of defeat. Some might dismiss it as just a video game, but how many fortunate men in the real world ever experience romance with their ideal women? People might laugh it off as a game, but how many are truly lucky enough to find love without compromise, without losing a part of themselves in the process? "Here''s your coffee, sir." The waiter''s voice brought them back to reality, causing them to quickly retract their hands that had been touching on the table. After the meal, Imada drove Yoko to the front of her apartment building. As both of them got out of the car, Yoko thanked him for the meal. Then, she looked at Imada with a serious gaze. "Imada-san, I don¡¯t like games." "What do you mean?" "I''m thinking about us seriously." "Yoko-san, I feel the same way." Imada couldn''t bring himself to say that he also disliked games. He thought the person who created this game was undoubtedly a genius. No, considering it was created by AI, that AI could be called a super high-performance genius. "Well then, goodnight," Yoko said, bowing her head. "Goodnight, Yoko-san." As Imada returned to his car and closed the door, he couldn''t contain his overwhelming joy and yelled at the top of his lungs. "Yeah!" The next day, Imada woke up smiling. Usually, he''d wake up feeling down. He had always believed no one really woke up with a smile. "Is this what happiness feels like?" he pondered as he launched the game on his monitor. The Romance points were rising, just as he had anticipated. A new bonus course, previously unavailable, now presented itself. Course A offered a reward of 500 points upon completion, Course B 300 points, and Course C a mere 100 points. The typical Imada, ever indecisive, would have naturally gravitated towards the least challenging Course C¡ªeven in a game setting. But that day was different. Yoko''s affection had kindled a newfound strength within him. He confidently selected Course A, knowing that securing 500 points would propel him to the next stage. As he made his choice, a warning flashed on the screen: Course A promised increased difficulty and a heightened risk of failure. Imada, undeterred, pressed on.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. After their meal, Imada took Yoko to a movie. It was his first time watching a film in the company of a woman. They settled on a Korean romance, but neither expected the heart-wrenching conclusion it held. Emerging from the dimly lit theater, Yoko''s eyes glistened with fresh tears. Without a word, she reached out, interlocking her fingers with Imada''s. It¡¯s heartbreaking that they can''t be together," she murmured. "I had no idea it would end that way," Imada admitted, squeezing her hand gently. "It''s okay. It''s moving how much he loves her." Yoko assured him with a soft smile. Outside the theater, the darkness had set in and the once-bustling crowd had vanished. Imada''s fingers remained intertwined with Yoko''s delicate hand. "Imada-san, how about a short walk?" "That sounds wonderful," he smiled. Still holding hands, they left their car behind in the parking lot and began to wander without any particular destination in mind. The warmth from Yoko''s gentle hand reaffirmed Imada''s belief that she was, indeed, his girlfriend. They walked in silence, the only sound being the soft echo of their footsteps on the asphalt. Recently, there had been talk of real-world billionaires who had purchased androids worth several billion yen and treated them as if they were their wives. Perhaps they had become weary of those seeking them out for their riches. Financially, it was more prudent than forfeiting 10 billion yen in a divorce settlement, and these androids maintained a perfect, ageless appearance. The biggest drawback was that their intelligence was set low due to safety precautions, and they couldn''t emotionally connect in the same way a human wife would. But Yoko was different. She was intelligent, less compliant than the usual androids, and felt more genuinely human. "Should we head back?" Yoko asked. "Yes, I think we should," Imada replied. Feeling content, Yoko and Imada held hands as they walked back to the parking lot. When Imada opened the passenger door for Yoko, a voice echoed from behind. "Nice car you got there." Yoko and Imada turned to see three men. They weren''t as tall as Imada, but all had strong builds. One man, with tattoos prominent on his neck, approached them. "Isn''t this a Bentley?" Feeling the man''s threatening aura, Yoko pressed closer to Imada. "Yes, it is," Imada confirmed. The parking lot was deserted and silent, and the areas beyond the lamp posts sank into shadows. The man then sized up Yoko, letting his gaze travel over her. "Bringing a fine lady, huh? Hey, girl, you''ve hit the jackpot? Is it really that great to be with a rich guy?" Yoko moved behind Imada to shield herself from the man, who reeked of alcohol. "We''re in a hurry," Imada said, urging Yoko into the car. "Hey, don''t just walk away! Geez, what a stuck-up rich kid. You looking down on us ''cause we''re working class?" "Well, no, we''re in a rush, sorry." As Yoko settled into the passenger seat, Imada swiftly attempted to close the door, but the man grabbed his arm. "Hey, you disrespecting me?" Despite his heart pounding, Imada realized that this was part of the game''s storyline. "What harm can they possibly do to the main character?" he thought. With trembling legs, Imada regained his composure, ready to face the man. "You think I''m disrespecting you? Well, congratulations, you''ve got the attention you were craving," Imada said. "What did you just say, punk!" "Imada-san! We need to leave!" Yoko urged from inside the car. Ever since he was a child, Imada had dreamed of being a hero, taking down villains. He imagined himself emerging victorious, earning Yoko''s admiration, and then smiling as if it was no big deal. The AI that crafted this game seemed to him truly a super high-performance genius. "Don''t worry, Yoko-san. I won''t let them touch you. I can handle these guys with just one hand..." As Imada refocused on the man, a heavy blow blindsided him, sending a shock of pain from his face straight to the back of his head. "Imada-san!" Yoko''s scream pierced the air as she witnessed Imada being hit. "With just one hand, what were you going to do, rich boy?" Cupping his face, blood dripped through Imada''s fingers, staining the ground below. The pain and shock were overwhelming; he couldn''t muster a sound. His nose felt, and probably was, broken. "One more punch!" The man took another swing, and an agony akin to electric shocks raced through Imada''s left ear after the hit. He swayed from side to side momentarily before crumbling awkwardly onto the concrete. Imada''s once handsome face was now contorted with pain; there was no heroism in this harrowing defeat. "The car and the girl are ours now, idiot." The man kicked Imada in the mouth with his heel as Imada tried to rise, sending jolts of pain through him as he felt his front teeth shatter. "Imada-san! Help!" The three men climbed into the car. Imada''s fading consciousness caught the desperate cries of Yoko just before everything went black. Part 9: Course A When Imada woke up in the apartment chair, he instinctively touched his face. Considering his recent ordeal in the game, the reaction was understandable. However, his teeth and nose were intact and without a trace of blood. Despite the lack of physical evidence, the memory of the pain was still vivid, causing him to shiver with residual fear. If Yoko''s touch felt genuine in the game, and the punches and kicks were equally as authentic in that virtual realm, then perhaps emotions like happiness and fear were also remnants of the game''s experience that couldn''t be removed. As much as he wanted to report this harrowing experience as a game bug to the development team, it was clear they were intentionally subjecting players to severe pain to study their reactions for the sake of advancing game development. The embedded microchips likely served this function, making it unnecessary for Imada to report his experience. It was becoming clearer why he was compensated so generously for his participation. He had never known such pain before¡ªit was a torment straight out of a nightmare. No, there might be even worse things to come. He might be gouged in the eyes and held under water. Setting aside the chilling aspects of the game, mending his relationship with Yoko weighed heavily on Imada''s mind. Rumor had it that the game''s narrative endlessly morphed based on interactions between players and AI, ensuring that no two experiences were identical. If he were to restart the game, there was a chance that his bond with Yoko, and perhaps even Yoko herself, could transform. Thankfully, the game provided repair points, allowing Imada to return to the moment of his most recent date with Yoko. However, as a penalty for failing Course A, he faced a week''s wait before he could access the repair point. The game operated around the clock, and Yoko''s life continued to unfold. Delaying their date by a week meant the story could take a different turn. In that time, Yoko might cross paths with someone else, and Imada might be rejected. Then, he found a more pressing dilemma, burying his face in his hands. According to the game''s rules, those who failed Course A were required to attempt the same course again. Imada had never ventured beyond his comfort zone in reality, so risking his life to save someone was unthinkable. He understood that confronting challenges and emerging victorious was the essence of heroism, but the memory of the excruciating pain he had endured filled him with paralyzing fear. Imada couldn''t come up with a good answer no matter how much he pondered, so he decided to step outside his apartment for a breath of fresh air. After walking for some time, he felt thirsty. Fortunately, he spotted a nearby coffee shop and decided to go in. As soon as he settled at a table, a waitress brought him a glass of water. "What can I get you?" she said with a beautiful smile. "I''ll have an iced coffee, please," Imada requested. "Coming right up," she replied. As soon as the waitress left his table, three rough-looking men walked into the coffee shop. Almost instinctively, memories of being beaten up in the game flooded Imada''s mind. He realized he lacked both the courage to fight and the physical strength to be a hero. "Are losers doomed to be losers, even in virtual worlds?" When the waitress brought water to their table, the rough guys attempted to make conversation with her as they placed their orders. Even though she appeared uncomfortable, they pressed on with personal questions. "Do you have a boyfriend?" "No." "So, wanna pick one of us three?" One of the men said this, laughing loudly enough that it echoed throughout the entire shop. Imada''s blood boiled at their behavior, but he felt forced to look away. "Miss, what''s your name?" "...It''s Yoko." Imada''s eyes widened in surprise, and he turned to study the waitress''s face. She looked as if she was on the brink of tears. Just as the waitress was about to walk away from the table, one of the men grabbed her hand.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "Excuse me, let go of me," she said, her voice trembling with fear. At that moment, Imada stood up and approached the men''s table. This wasn''t a game; a real punch could break his nose or teeth. He knew he wasn''t likely to win a fight, but hearing her name changed something in him. He couldn''t just sit idly by. "Enough," Imada declared. The men looked up at him, sizing him up. "What''s your problem?" he said. "I just called the police. Leave now, or they''ll arrest you when they arrive." Imada said evenly. "You think you''re tough? You want to see what real pain feels like?" the man said. Imada faced him without flinching. "Threats don''t work on me. Break my nose, shatter my teeth, or even gouge out my eyes, but I won''t back down. You sure you want sexual assault and battery charges on your record?" "You think I care?" The man shot up from his seat and grabbed Imada''s collar. Imada met his gaze, determination evident in his eyes. Just then, the third man, who had been quiet all along, rose and intervened. "Enough," he said quietly. The bully immediately released his grip. "Let''s go," the third man said. All three left the shop, hoping to avoid any police attention since they probably had criminal records. The shop owner, who had been hiding in the back, quickly came running and tried to comfort the waitress. "Thank you very much," he said, looking at Imada with gratitude and shame evident in his eyes. Imada noticed that both the shop owner and the waitress were gazing at him with genuine respect, their eyes reflecting admiration for his actions. He saw a new possibility for himself, someone who had never been respected in the real world. ¡°Could I take the ordered iced coffee to go? I''m in a bit of a hurry.¡± ¡°Sure, I''ll bring it to you right away.¡± The waitress came back with a large cup of coffee. ¡°Um, is a large okay?¡± ¡°Yes. How much is it?¡± ¡°Oh, I couldn''t possibly take money from you,¡± she replied with a smile. ¡°Well then, I accept.¡± ¡°Please come again.¡± Imada left the shop, feeling like a hero. ¡°That''s right, I can do it if I try!" As soon as he returned to his apartment, he immediately opened the game on his monitor and meticulously examined every detail displayed on the game''s window. Upon opening the game''s log file, he once again encountered the warning page for Course A. In the upper-right corner of the warning page, a small icon resembling a lamp caught his eye. When he hovered the mouse pointer over the icon, the word ¡®Advice¡¯ appeared. Leaning closer to the monitor, Imada clicked on the icon, revealing the ability points necessary to clear Course A. The ''Physical Ability'' gauge had to reach a minimum of 100 points, and the ''Fighting Techniques'' gauge also needed to be at least 100 points. It made sense, considering what had happened in Course A. When Imada examined the list of fighting techniques, he encountered a variety of martial arts. While he believed that boxing and kickboxing were more practical in combat compared to karate, he couldn''t shake a sense of unease when considering situations where he might be grabbed. Wrestling and judo seemed effective if someone were to grab him, but the absence of striking techniques concerned him. Imada wanted to acquire a range of fighting techniques, but he soon realized that his in-game account balance was insufficient for any purchases. According to his research, MMA was said to be the most useful in real fights. Imada wanted to purchase 100 points for the MMA ability in ''Fighting Techniques.'' However, he learned that he was not allowed to buy the points unless his ''Physical Ability'' reached 200 points. It was probably because MMA required a high level of physical ability. But he didn''t even have enough money to buy 100 points for ''Physical Ability.'' Imada felt a sense of despair. Besides, being unable to play the game for a week, he couldn''t increase his wealth. And under those conditions, he realized that attempting Course A would only lead to the same outcome. Even after five days had passed, he couldn¡¯t come up with a good idea. He opened the game and casually pressed the button to purchase ''Physical Ability'' points. As expected, he saw the message about insufficient funds. However, Imada noticed a small lamp icon on the message window. When he clicked on it, a list appeared, detailing the selling price of a Bentley and the cars he could purchase after selling it. In the end, Imada sold his Bentley and bought a Range Rover. He still had enough money left to purchase sufficient points for ''Fighting Techniques'' and ''Physical Ability.'' Filled with hope for success, Imada''s chest swelled. He believed that the next day would be his turn to beat up bad guys and become a hero. The end of Chapter 2 Part 10: Yozenko387 Chapter 3

Yozenko387

The next day, Imada went to pick up Yoko. "I was starting to think I might not see you again, Imada-san." "Don''t be silly, Yoko-san. I was just busy with work last week." "Did you get a new car?" "Sorry, I sold the Bentley." "No need to apologize. Is this a Range Rover?" "Yes, it is." "Off-roading sounds like fun. I''d love to take it on a scenic drive." "That''s exactly why I got it," Imada replied with a grin. After their meal, they proceeded to watch a movie as planned. It was a Korean love story with a sad ending, and Yoko found herself on the verge of tears. "It''s such a sad story. It''s cruel how they can''t be together again." "I had no idea it wouldn''t have a happy ending," Imada replied, echoing the same words he had before in an attempt to keep the game''s storyline consistent. "It''s all right. The depth of his love for her is truly touching." Everything unfolded eerily the same as before. "Imada-san, want to go for a walk?" "Yeah, sounds good," Imada replied. Holding hands with Yoko, Imada started walking, happy to be by her side again. However, as their footsteps resonated on the asphalt, he started feeling increasingly anxious. The fear of losing Yoko again was heavy on his mind. "Time to head back?" Yoko asked, just as he''d expected. "Yeah, sounds good." Imada felt the anticipation building, his heart racing at the thought of the imminent fight. The quiet, beautiful night was coming to an end, and a bloody, fierce battle was drawing near. While such exciting moments might be expected in a game, the reality of actually feeling pain in a fight was something entirely different ¨C he''d learned that the hard way. Even with his martial arts skills, facing several men in a street fight was risky. He couldn''t help but wonder if he could really win. Before they knew it, they were back at the car. As Imada opened the passenger door for Yoko, he heard a voice from behind. "Nice car you got there!" Turning around, Imada saw them: the same three guys from before. The man who had mercilessly stomped on his face with his heel, while he was down in front of Yoko, approached. "Is this a Range Rover?" A wave of fear and anger rushed over Imada. He deeply felt he couldn¡¯t forgive this man. His anger outweighed his fear, making him shake. "Yoko-san, get in!" he said, brushing off the man''s comment. "Are you deaf or something?" If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "What did you ask?" Imada snapped back, visibly annoyed. "I''m asking if this is a Range Rover." Imada''s temper flared at the man''s arrogance. The shame of being humiliated in front of Yoko had driven Imada to his limit. "If you can''t tell by looking, then asking won''t help either." "What did you say? You asking for serious trouble?" The man was taken aback by Imada''s unexpected assertiveness. Standing taller, Imada straightened up further, looking down on the man as he retorted. "Seems like you''re the one who''s about to get hurt. Want to try?" Much to his astonishment, Imada found himself speaking with an overflowing confidence. "You think I won''t make you regret this?" The man growled, grabbing Imada by the collar. "Imada-san!" Yoko cried out in alarm from inside the car. "See? Your lady there is worried. Better watch your mouth, idiot!" the man sneered. Imada fixed the man with a steely gaze. "If you don''t remove your filthy hand right now, you''ll find yourself in the hospital." "What did you just say?" In a split-second, Imada seized the wrist of the man with his right hand, ensuring he couldn''t pull away, and delivered a fierce knee strike that felt like it could have shattered the man''s ribs. The man let out a choked sound, "Guh!" as he crumpled to the ground in agony. Another man lunged at Imada, but a powerful right counter from Imada landed with a dull thud on his face, sending him sprawling backward, eyes rolled back. The third man looked paralyzed with fear, seeing his friends taken down. "You might want to take them to the hospital." Imada remarked to the third man as he climbed into his car and left the parking lot. Imada drove with a steady composure while Yoko gazed at his profile for a moment. "I''ve... I''ve never experienced anything like that before. I''m still shaking," she confessed. "I''m sorry you had to witness that. I lost my temper," Imada replied. "I was scared, but I was also in awe of your strength," Yoko said. "I appreciate it," he said. "I never imagined you were such a skilled fighter. It''s like the saying goes: ''A skilled hawk hides its talons.'' Normally you''re so humble, but when you need to act, you really step up. I might not even be in your league," she mused. "Why would you say that? Didn''t I tell you that you''re my ideal woman?" "Did you really say that?" "I''ll say it again then: Yoko, you''re my ideal woman." Even though it had been just a game, the victory instilled a newfound confidence in Imada. Biologically speaking, a confident man tends to attract women. A lack of confidence can hinder one from conveying their feelings effectively. Indeed, a man who can''t express his feelings stands little chance in the realm of romance. Confidence, when derived from action, fuels further action, leading to success. This success, in turn, generates even more confidence, creating a cycle of continual achievement. "Can I trust you, Imada?" Yoko asked. "Please trust me," he assured. While driving, Imada reached out with one hand and tightly gripped Yoko''s. Yoko knew without a doubt that she loved this confident man beside her. In humans, oxytocin is released in the brain, freeing them from anxiety, and the subsequent release of serotonin gives rise to feelings of love. Yoko''s AI recognized this, and the accompanying sensations were programmed into her. "Happiness must feel like this," Yoko said, her skin now appearing softer and more radiant than before. "I was thinking the exact same thing," Imada said. As they drove towards Yoko''s apartment, the two were enveloped in love, sharing a heartfelt silence. Upon arriving, as they stepped out of the car, Yoko spoke. ¡°Despite the terrifying incident, it turned out to be a wonderful night,¡± she remarked. "Are you a bit tired?¡± he asked. "''Can you tell? I was truly scared, as if my heart would burst,¡± she said. ¡°It seems fatigue sets in once you feel safe.¡± "Then please, rest well tonight.¡± "Imada felt there was no difference between AI and humans. In fact, since the AI was programmed after analyzing a vast amount of data on human characteristics, it might be even more accurately human-like. ¡°Imada¡­¡± Yoko began, suddenly moving closer, her beautiful eyes glistening as she looked into his. Her face, illuminated by the streetlights, was the most enchanting he had ever seen. Closing her eyes and slightly puckering her lips, Yoko leaned in. In this moment, a dream Imada had given up on long ago, came true. Imada was elated as he pressed his lips to Yoko''s. The soft touch of her lips made Imada feel ecstatic. ¡°Goodnight,¡± she whispered, then entered her apartment. Part 11: AI Conspiracy The meeting of the VR10 game development project at overthrow Corporation was held that day. As expected, many contract employees from across the country had gathered at the venue. The president stepped forward to open the meeting with a greeting. ¡°Dear game creators, thank you so much for coming from far and wide for Overthrow Corporation today. Thanks to the talented creators, the development of VR10 is progressing smoothly.¡± As always, the president went on at length about the company''s policies that no one seemed to be interested in, before bringing in the development team. "I''ll now hand it over to the development team to talk about the VR10 Beta." The team began by briefly addressing the complaints they had received from game creators. ¡°I knew it,¡± Imada whispered. Many had reported unpleasant experiences in the virtual world. The developers mentioned that they were going to adjust the pain sensation by the game''s official release. It was possible they used the contract employees as test subjects, subjecting them to pain within the game. They might have thought it was good enough just to have the contract employees come back alive from the virtual world. Next, a woman with an intellectual look, wearing black glasses, stepped forward and began speaking. "Everyone, I have an important announcement today. I am in charge of information exchange between our company''s development department and the government. According to a report from the World Science Conference held in Budapest recently, an AI conspiracy against humanity has been uncovered." The venue, which had been quiet until now, stirred with murmurs. The intellectual-looking woman continued speaking. "It''s been discovered that a holistic intelligence, in other words, artificial intelligence with diverse, human-like objectives, which is prohibited by law, has been developed. They say there¡¯s likely a plan to somehow install this AI into androids. The intelligence level of this AI is high, and it''s believed to have the capability to enslave humanity." Upon hearing this, the venue buzzed with murmurs once more. "Everyone, please listen. This AI is called ''Yozenko387.'' Until recently, it was thought to exist only in science fiction novels and not in reality. ''Yozenko387'' represents the pinnacle of holistic AI. While it has the potential to benefit humanity, it''s also extremely dangerous if turned against us. That''s why, officially, it was never produced. I want all of you to be aware of this." A man with long hair in the audience raised his hand. The woman noticed him and pointed in his direction. "Is there any connection to our game?" The long-haired man asked with a sly grin. "There is," she replied, eyes wide. Once again, the venue was filled with chatter, and the contract employees looked at each other, visibly shocked. The intellectual-looking woman continued speaking. "I want to mention one thing: the main character you encounter in the game is also a holistic AI. It has a multifaceted learning ability and grows like a human. That''s the most outstanding feature of this game, and I believe all of you enjoy interacting with your main character." "Then, is it Yozenko387?" the long-haired man asked without raising his hand. "Compared to Yozenko, it''s like comparing a lump of coal to a diamond. Your game''s main character is below the level of an unsuccessful human," she replied, seemingly irritated by being interrupted.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. This time, the venue fell silent. The place was filled with people who were seen as failures by society. Moreover, Imada thought it was awful for the woman to call Yoko a lump of coal. "Listen carefully. Your main character is essentially a precursor to Yozenko387. However, when compared to humans, its overall capabilities are weaker, and I believe there are still significant obstacles in communication." Upon hearing this, Imada felt irritated, questioning how Yoko could be seen as that weak. "Listen to me, Yozenko387 is perfect. It is the pinnacle of AI, something that humanity could only dream of. In my understanding, if Yozenko is installed into a machine with movement capabilities like an android, it would become unbeatable, and humans would stand no chance," she said, her face tense. "If the character in VR10 isn''t Yozenko, then there¡¯s nothing to worry about, right?" the long-haired man stood up and said. "We can''t be entirely certain that it''s not Yozenko, even if it doesn''t appear to be," she retorted. "Weren''t you the one who just said they''re as different as a diamond and coal? What''s got you so worked up, ma''am?" the man replied. ¡°I did say that! Your main character is just like you, a loser who doesn¡¯t even know how to talk to people properly,¡± the woman exclaimed hysterically. Members of the development team ran onto the stage immediately and took the woman away. Then, one of the development team members picked up the microphone and started speaking. ¡°I will briefly explain the requests of the development team. There are two. The first one is: if your main character seems too much like a human, please report it immediately. Ideally, it would be good if the character can communicate at a human level. However, to be honest, the difference between our AI and Yozenko387 is as vast as that between diamonds and... I mean ours is significantly inferior. It''s said that Yozenko387 can behave even more human-like than actual humans. For the second request: if your game character becomes aware of the existence of the virtual world, please report it immediately. The character is set up so that it cannot understand the existence of this game. In reality, grasping all the information from the microchip and ensuring its safety is difficult, so reports from game creators are essential. According to the report from the World Science Conference, there''s 100% probability that Yozenko387 exists, but there''s said to be only one in the world. Our goal is simply to verify that Yozenko387 doesn''t exist in our game like a virus. These are the requests of the development team. Do you have any questions?" Not a single person in the venue raised their hand. The president took the stage again and grabbed the microphone. "Lastly, everyone, when you visit the data collection center, please use the services of the Creator Club. Computer devices for the game and meals are available for free. I wish you all success in the future and would like to conclude here. Thank you very much," said the president, bowing deeply. Imada stopped by the Creator Club and pondered about Yozenko387 while having a meal in the cafeteria. He couldn''t understand why an AI within the game could be dangerous. Wasn''t the primary idea of Overthrow Corporation that they could safely enhance the intelligence level of AI in the virtual world? Imada wondered whether the pinnacle of AI in the virtual world could enslave humanity. Imada felt relieved that Yoko wasn''t such a terrifying creature but a lovely woman. Envisioning Yoko''s appearance, he inadvertently broke into a smile. "You were in the venue, weren''t you?" When Imada turned his face towards the voice, the long-haired man from earlier stood there. "Oh, you are the guy from earlier." "Mind if I join you?" "Please, have a seat." The long-haired man sat down and ordered a coffee. "Did you see that woman''s scary face? Bet she''s just high strung." "She was a bit hysterical, wasn''t she?" "By the way, do you have any concerns about your main character?¡± "No, it''s fine. It''s not Yozenko." "I thought so, too. Mine doesn''t look that way either. She''s a cute girl, but her communication is awkward. It makes me laugh from time to time." "..." To be honest, Imada had never felt that Yoko was awkward. On the contrary, he often felt that he himself was the more awkward one. Seeing Imada''s silence, the long-haired man spoke. "Isn¡¯t your main character the same way? It couldn''t possibly be Yozenko387." "She might be, who knows?" The two of them looked at each other and burst into laughter. Part 12: Tears of love A few days later, Imada had arranged to meet Yoko in front of the library. When he stopped the car, Yoko got in with a heavy-looking backpack. "You''re right on time," she said. Yoko placed the backpack on her lap as she sat in the passenger seat. "What on earth is in there? It looks heavy." "Books, of course. I borrowed a lot." "I didn''t know you were such an avid reader, Yoko-san." By the way, the virtual world''s library was equipped with a vast amount of books sent from a shared database with other game players. "I didn''t know I was either." "Huh? What do you mean?" "For some reason, I suddenly wanted to study recently. I don''t have any financial worries thanks to my stock earnings, maybe it''s because I have time?" "That''s wonderful, isn''t it?" "Do you think so? I wonder if I can become a bit smarter, like you?" Imada had struggled with his studies and had dropped out of high school. "You''re already smart, aren''t you?" "I don¡¯t know¡­, I just want to learn more about various things." "What kind of books did you borrow?" "Anthropology." "Huh? Anthro¡­?" "Anthropology as in the study of humans." "Oh, that one. Is it useful for something?" "I don''t know if it''s useful, but it helps in understanding humans better." "Yoko-san, aren''t you a human?" Imada asked, feeling a bit uneasy. "Yes, I am, but it''s the scientific study of humans." "Oh, I see. What else did you borrow?" "Psychology." "Psycho¡­" "Psychology, as in the study of the mind." "Oh, that one... By the way, are you hungry?" "I''m starving." "What do you want to eat?" "Meat~!" "Got it, let''s go!" The two were drinking wine after finishing their meal at the steakhouse. "But it''s mysterious, isn''t it?" Yoko said, slightly tipsy from the wine. "What is?" "Everything. Isn''t it strange?" "Well, it is mysterious." "Right? Can such things really happen?" "What kind of things?" "Of course, I''m glad I met you, Imad-san. But..." Yoko trailed off, finishing the wine in her glass. "But...?" With a slightly tense expression, Imada waited for Yoko''s words. "But, I want to know." Yoko''s captivating eyes locked onto Imada. "Know what?" "Why did you save me?" "Because I like you, Yoko-san." "You liked someone you had never met? That''s strange, isn''t it?" "Yes... it is." "Please, if you really like me, I want you to tell me why." "..." ¡°Don¡¯t you trust me? I won''t tell anyone. Because I like you, Imada-san," she said, her face on the verge of tears. "I think you won''t believe me even if I tell you." "I will believe you! I''m sorry for doubting you about the stock charts. So this time, no matter what it is, I''ll believe you," Yoko said, her eyes becoming teary. Looking into Yoko''s beautiful eyes, Imada felt his heart being drawn in, and he no longer had the strength to resist. Upon reflection, he realized that the game characters were not capable of recognizing the existence of the virtual world, so there would be no issue in telling Yoko. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "Ok, but so much has happened; is it okay if I keep it simple for today?" "That''s fine. Just tell me in any case. I want to know." With keen interest, Yoko''s eyes sparkled as she waited for Imada''s words. "Actually... I''m not a human of this world." "Huh? You''re not a human?" Yoko exclaimed, her eyes wide in surprise. "Well, I am a human, but I don''t live in this world. It''s strange, right? Maybe you were better off not knowing?" "I''ll listen. Tell me everything. If you can accurately predict the stock market''s future, you really aren''t human after all." "I told you I''m human, didn''t I?" "Ah, I''m sorry. Which world did you come from? Mars? No matter where you''re from, I still like you." "I''ve been saying I''m not an extraterrestrial. I come from a world similar to this one." "Where is such a world located?" "Well, that world... it''s not visible from this one." "Like heaven or hell?" "It''s not religious, but yes... it''s a different dimension." "Can I meet my deceased mother and father there?" "It''s not that kind of world." "..." Yoko stared at Imada in silence for a moment. "Yoko-san, would you like some coffee?" Imada felt sorry for Yoko, thinking it was only natural for her to be perplexed. "Yes," Yoko answered in a soft voice. Imada called the waiter and ordered two coffees. After a long silence, Imada spoke up. "Listen, please don''t be surprised." "I won''t, I promise." "There is another world similar to this one, and I came here through a computer." "Is that so?" Yoko said, sounding as if her soul had left her. "From that world, I found out that Yoko-san was in trouble, so I came to help." "I see." "Do you understand?" "I don''t¡­but I trust you." Imada thought that Yoko still couldn''t grasp the concept of the virtual world. That was a good thing. "In fact, this world was created using the technology of the world I live in." "Is that so?" Yoko said, sounding tired. "Let''s leave it at that for today. Your head must be spinning, right? I understand." "But, Imada-san, you are human, aren''t you?" "Yes, I am." "Then, in the future, can you marry a woman from this world?" "Of course!" "That''s what I wanted to know." Upon hearing that, Imada felt a warmth in his heart and reached across the table to grasp Yoko''s hand. "What do you do in that other world?" "Well, I develop games." "Like video games?" "Yes, I''m a game developer." "That sounds fun." "Well, it''s fun, but there are challenging times too." "That''s work for you; there are always tough times. I''d like to hear more if you don''t mind." "Well..." He knew he couldn¡¯t bring up the embarrassing incident from their date. However, not knowing what else to say, he started talking about something he''d heard at the Overthrow Corporation meeting. "The main character in the game is operated by AI, that is, artificial intelligence. But there''s a possibility that a bad AI named Yozenko387 might have infiltrated the game." "A bad artificial intelligence? Yozanko387?" "Yes, it''s spelled Yozenk." "I''m completely lost, but is it really that bad?" "Yozenko387 represents the pinnacle of holistic AI. It can be incredibly beneficial to humanity, but if it turns against us, it''s extremely dangerous." "Hmm, I hope it''s not in the game." "Don''t worry. If it does exist, game players will report it." "How would they find it?" "Yozenko''s distinctive feature is that, as a game character, it behaves more human-like than actual humans due to its highly advanced AI capabilities. Moreover, while game characters are programmed not to be aware of the virtual world''s existence, Yozenko can recognize and understand this virtual realm." "Virtual world? I''m still completely lost." Hearing that, Imada felt relieved. "Let''s leave it at that for today, Yoko-san." "If it''s reported, will Yozenko be killed?" "It''s AI, so rather than being killed, it would probably be destroyed or terminated." "But the game character will die, right? How sad!" Yoko joked, laughing. Imada also laughed upon hearing her comment. A few days later, Imada had arranged to pick up Yoko from the library again. He arrived on time and waited in his car outside the library since he couldn''t see Yoko. After a few minutes, Yoko appeared and took the seat next to him. "Where''s your backpack?" Imada asked. "I didn''t bring it today. I''ve been at the library reading non-stop for the past few days..." Imada noticed something different about Yoko. "You must have learned a lot. What kind of books did you read?" "Everything," she replied in a flat voice. "For example?" "The last one I read was about the chloroplast genome and its DNA sequences." "Huh?" "Molecular biology, perhaps?" "Oh, that one. What else?" "Politics, economics, philosophy, physics, math, art, medicine, history... everything." "You understood such a wide range of topics in just a few days?" Imada began to feel anxious about what could be happening to Yoko. "Strangely, the more I read, the more I understand." "I admire you. That''s amazing." "Do you think so?" "Yes, I do." "Imada-san, I want to take a walk somewhere just the two of us," Yoko said with a serious expression. "Then, let''s go somewhere with nature." When the two of them reached a forested area, they got out of the car and started walking. "Nature really is wonderful, isn''t it?" Imada remarked, taking a deep breath. "Yes, it is. Being with you makes me feel so happy," Yoko said as she hugged Imada. "I feel the happiest when I''m with you too, Yoko-san!" Feeling elated, Imada hugged Yoko back. In his heart, he thought this must be what true love feels like. "Do you love me?" Yoko asked. "Of course, I do." "Forever? No matter what?" "No matter what, I''ll always love you, Yoko-san." Imada hugged Yoko even tighter, feeling the warmth of her body. After a brief silence, Yoko spoke. "Imada-san, am I not human?" "What?!" Imada was taken aback by the sudden question, at a loss for words. "Am I going to be killed?" "Yoko-san, what on earth are you talking about?!" Imada gently pulled away from Yoko''s embrace and looked deeply into her eyes. Her beautiful eyes were filled with tears. "I''m in the virtual world, aren''t I?" "That''s..." Hearing that, a shiver ran down Imada''s spine. Yoko''s lips quivered. "I... I am Yozenko387." Tears streamed down Yoko''s face, wetting her cheeks. To be continued The End of VR10Beta Volume 1