Chapter 3

"Would you like to become a professional gamer?"

"…What?"

Taken aback by Rin's completely out-of-the-blue proposal, I couldn't help but respond with a dazed voice. Finding my reaction amusing, Rin chuckled and continued.

"My team, 'HEROES,' originally operated in three categories: FPS, TPS, and fighting games. I joined the team as a TPS player. When it came to VR games, we initially pulled people from those teams to experiment."

According to Rin,

the early VR games lacked the necessary quality to be viable as e-sports, and the market was too small to justify forming a dedicated team.

"But in recent years, the quality has improved significantly. Especially with fighting games, which now boast the highest prize money in e-sports. So, our team, which hadn't ventured into VR, decided to finally establish a VR department after the announcement of 'WorldLive-ONLINE.' This happened about three months ago."

"So, you're asking me to join this new VR department?"

"Basically, yes."

The announcement of 'WorldLive-ONLINE' wasn't about live streaming or anything like that; it was due to the game's exceptionally high quality. According to Rin, the technology underlying VR games had advanced from the Stone Age to the Edo period. With the potential for even higher quality games in the future and the expected market expansion, it was inevitable that a VR department would be created.

"But, isn't experience and such important for something like this? Is it okay to join just because of connections?"

"Primarily, it's a scouting process, so experience is considered. However, we were late to the VR game, and the promising players have already been taken…"

"Oh…"

Indeed, a considerable amount of time has passed since VR games first appeared. I don't know when they started as e-sports, but just like in baseball drafts, the best players are often taken early.

However, that wasn't the only reason. "And," Rin added, "Nana, in the world of 'WorldLive-ONLINE,' you can truly be free. You don't have to endure this stifling reality anymore."

Rin said this with a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

To cut to the chase, I decided to accept Rin's offer. The reason was that the benefits of joining her team were better than I expected.

First, the salary would be about the same as when I was working part-time. The job would involve streaming 'WorldLive-ONLINE,' approximately five days a week, for at least two hours each day. Of course, I would also need to play and aim to become a top player, as Rin mentioned. I would have two days off, during which I could do as I pleased, but I could see that I would be immersed in the game for a while.

Additionally, at Rin's enthusiastic request, she offered me a room in a high-rise apartment. Indeed, for Rin, who owned the entire 40th floor, it was probably an unnecessary space.

However, being offered a room in a high-rise apartment left me with a strained smile. No matter how close we were, I couldn't accept such a favor. When I tried to firmly decline, Rin hugged me tightly and pleaded in a seductive tone, "Please, Nana?" I caved in less than an hour.

Seeing Rin's genuinely happy face after I reluctantly signed, I couldn't help but wonder how we ended up here. But, she had always treated me so kindly, even when I neglected our friendship due to part-time work. I couldn't bear to trample on her kindness.

Incidentally, the room Rin gave me was the adjacent one, which was empty except for some dust. That night, I ended up sleeping in Rin's bed, as usual.

☆

The next day.

Rin showed me the latest full-dive VR machine. Full-dive VR machines used to be so large that they could only be placed in game centers, but with technological advancements, they were reduced to the size of a regular headset. However, people always chase performance, and the latest machine in front of me was larger than a decent bed. Pointing to the two machines, I asked Rin,

"Is one of these for me?"

"Of course."

"Why is it in your room?"

"Why would it need to be in Nana's room?"

"Wait, this conversation isn't making sense."

Given that I lived in a run-down apartment, it would have made more sense to move it to the adjacent room. My question seemed to confuse Rin.

"Since we'll be playing together, it's better to be in the same room. Besides, Nana will be living in this room anyway."

"Why?"

"Isn't it better to eat together? And it's lonely to sleep alone."

"Well, that's true."

Despite her mature appearance, Rin is basically a clingy person. She was the youngest and was pampered a lot, and we've been together since we were little. As she grew up, she became more mature and had a very shrewd side, but in front of me, she was usually like this.

"What's the point of giving me a room…?"

"Did you say something?"

"Never mind. So, when do I start 'WorldLive-ONLINE'?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention that. It starts the day after tomorrow."

Including Rin, ten thousand people would be the first batch for 'WorldLive-ONLINE.' Two weeks later, the second batch could join. To control the number of people entering the server, purchasing the software was mandatory. Naturally, Rin had secured my copy.

"Since you don't have much experience with this kind of game, I want you to spend these two days learning the basics and the etiquette."

"Got it, that's important."

"I have streams to do, so I can't be with you all the time, but I'll answer any questions you have."

"Okay. Maybe I'll try a full dive. It's been years since I last did it."

"Sure, I'll show you how."

And so, with Rin's guidance, I began the preparations to take my first steps as a gamer.