Shanghai, China.
19:03 p.m.
Screech!
A sleek black car screeched to a halt before a grand hall. The door opened, revealing an unassuming man neatly dressed in a tuxedo. Today he was in his best look, unlike his usual rough and unkept self.
There were several luxury cars parked at every visible corner, and people garbed in crazily expensive attire could be seen everywhere. He couldn’t be compared to them, but shockingly, he was the reason they could gather.
This unassuming man was none other than Asher, a half Chinese-half American and the mastermind behind the creation of the very first full-dive game that promised gamers an experience that would keep them spellbound.
Asher lifted his head and gazed at the digital billboard in the grand hall, which displayed the name of his most renowned creation. On the epic 3D screen was the name ‘Boundless’.
Boundless was surely going to take the world by storm as it featured a realistic game play in a virtual world; players could choose either to be adventurers, creating guilds and hunting beasts, or lords, building their territories from scratch.
Both offered rich and fulfilling experiences.
A smile graced Asher’s lips while the fingers of his right hand fiddled with a small black box. The box was inside his pants.
Today was the day he would finally propose to the love of his life. He had known her from a very young age and studied at the same college with her overseas.
A warm feeling inside of him kept him anxious, but in a happy way after all; he had been in a relationship with Lia for a long time.
“I think it’ll rain soon. We should hurry up and go inside.” Asher heard someone from the background say.
As he walked into the hall, several people recognized him immediately.
“Mister Asher, your seat has been reserved in the front row.” A man said it respectfully, along with a gentle bow.
Asher responded with a soft smile before proceeding toward his seat; He could feel the stares from several people seated in the grand hall. Tonight was the celebration of their overwhelming achievement, so both the workers of X Gamers, the company Asher worked for, and their sponsors were gathered to celebrate before the grand launch the next day.
Seeing the man, who looked to be in his late sixties, on the platform, Asher nodded before sitting down. That man was none other than the father of his Lia and the chairman of X Gamers.
Oddly, Lia’s father smiled back, but Asher could tell it was forced. There was no genuineness in his eyes, and it didn’t escape Asher’s notice.
With creases, Asher sat in the front row.
Everything Choi Kang, Lia’s father said, went into one ear and out the other, as Asher was more concerned about Lia.
“Why isn’t Lia here?” He muttered under his breath. Without delay, he dialed her number, but it kept ringing.
Right at this moment, Choi Kang lifted up a wine cup. “A toast!”
Asher looked at his hand and discovered he also held a cup of wine. He was so focused on Lia’s whereabouts that he didn’t even notice when he took the wine from the servers.
Choi Kang glanced at him.
Asher frowned deeply.
Also at this moment, a security man in a clean black suit walked up to him. “Mister Asher, Miss Lia wants to speak with you outside.”
Asher swiftly followed the security man, and just at the exit, Choi Kang’s voice rang through the entire hall.
“A toast to the achievement of a world-breaking invention and a union that would cement the company’s place at the top!”
Instantly, the lights went up, illuminating a beautiful couple. A tall black-haired man garbed in a navy blue suit linked his right arm with a charming blonde beauty whose emerald green eyes could easily capture the hearts of men.
“It’s the successor of the Chen group!”
Gasps filled the hall, but it was different for Asher. His eyes shook as he beheld his girlfriend with another man. His eyes zoomed in on the engagement ring she proudly wore.
“Lia..”
Disbelief colored Asher’s expression.
For a split moment, their eyes met, and he saw a subtle glimmer of affection that died out in the next moment. It seemed like she considered the options and came to a permanent conclusion.
“Lia!”
Asher snapped out of his shock and dashed forth, but two security men grabbed his arms. With the same momentum, they threw him out of the hall before he could cause a scene.
The same security man that called him out walked up to Asher, who struggled with three other security men.
“Mister Asher, your contract with X Gamers has expired. We are no longer in need of your service; please leave this premises.” The man’s expression was cold and emotionless.
‘Was this why Lia made me her boyfriend?’
Lots of thoughts came after this, clouding Asher’s mind. Unable to put up a stand, he was tossed out to the sidewalk, and the gate shut against him. Just at that moment, droplets of water fell from the skies.
Asher couldn’t believe what had happened, but the cold water droplets washed away his lingering disbelief to the cold-hearted reality.
All the years he spent working to make sure this project was a success ended with him losing his girlfriend to one of the top sponsors of the project and losing his job.
This night was supposed to be the night all his dreams came true, but it became a nightmare.
“Lia, why…?”
His heartbroken voice drifted out as he walked on the sidewalk with slumped shoulders. All of a sudden, his sadness transformed into rage.
“You want to enjoy my hard work, huh?” A cold glow flashed through his eyes.
…
A few minutes later, a taxi stopped before the skyscraper. This was X Gamer’s headquarters!
Since he was known by the security, no one stopped Asher until he finally reached a specific floor, which he named ‘The Brain.’
This was the control unit of ‘Boundless’.
Asher clenched his fist so tight that his nails pierced his flesh, but his eyes remained steady. He looked at his work, his greatest creation, and picked up the black case he got from a supermarket and brought out a fire axe.
Rumble!
Lightning struck, reflecting his vicious eyes.
…….
Asher emerged from the roof after destroying nearly half of the memory unit. Panting heavily, he faced the receiver. A tall structure that receives signals from the satellite. The game was going to be launched in different zones. Each zone represented a country, so a satellite was needed.
Turning to his right, he saw a digital billboard showcasing the image of an enchanting golden-haired elf.
This was Liya, one of the main player-friendly characters, which he created with Lia, his girlfriend, as the source material.
Seeing a character he once loved, hatred boiled in his heart. Asher ignored the rumbling thunder clouds and heavy downpour hitting his weak frame. He went for the thick wires on the white structure.
“ASHER!”
Hearing that loud, piercing but familiar voice, Asher turned back and saw Chen Long, the man who took his girlfriend, standing at the door, pointing a cold black object at him.
“You destroyed everything!” Chen Long screamed like a deranged man. When he got the information that Asher left, he felt something was wrong, but he was late. This madman had destroyed a project worth billions!
Asher turned to face him. “The company’s yours.” He smirked.
Chen Long chuckled. “At least I have the woman you’ve been chasing after for over a decade, but you lost everything, including your life.”
Bang!
Asher looked down at his chest. He felt something warm gushing. Instantaneously, his vision became blurry.
Lifting his head for the last time, he saw her rush out of the door, her eyes growing wider with each passing second.
Maybe, just maybe, she felt regret.
Thud!
His body dropped to the ground.
