“I… erm… we have a code blue everyone! Get the doctors in here, now!”
“Okay ma’am, I’m on it!”
Located in a pristine medical facility blessed with the most advanced technology money can buy, all the sciencey types in lab coats scurry about without a clue on what’s gone wrong with the latest subject. All the preparation, monitoring, and tests could not have prepared for a situation like this: a full-on cardiac arrest as soon as the pod was connected.
Dragging the lifeless man out from the machine, chest compressions are immediately started while an oxygen mask is placed across his mouth. Yet, there is no reaction despite the repeated attempts at resuscitating the man.
A defibrillator is applied to his chest and the team backs off giving one of the only doctors around here space to work.
“Clear the subject… shock delivered, no response.”
The electricity flows into the unknown man’s chest, no reaction is to be found. Any attempt at restarting his heart feels fruitless to those around.
“Clear him again… still no response.”
Compression after compression, charge after charge flows into his chest, but no continuous attempt will bring him back into the world of the living. The heart monitor remains at a constant zero beats per minute, his heart has completely flatlined.
Regardless, they still keep at it for a little while longer before finally allowing him to rest, all know that it’s the end for him. You could hear a pin drop if the monitor was switched off, it’s obvious just how tense the atmosphere around the facility is.
They have plugged countless people into the machines before with minimal failures, but with this one subject, everything goes wrong. Thousands of cubicle-sized pods adorn this facility, all filled with willing participants and this is the first casualty? Was this a coincidence or something more sinister? There have been a few complications before but never a death.
Despite everything that just went down, none of the depressed faces in the room have any clue that another soul is still lingering around, a consciousness that is aware despite departing this life. And whatever was still lingering around, it is a tad annoyed.
‘Sigh, couldn’t I have at least died with any dignity? I know they say your muscles relax upon death, doesn't make the sound or smell any better...’
__________
Welcome to Seraphim Online, the first and only deep-dive VRMMO being developed using your consciousness as the ground to build upon! The new revolutionary project will allow humans to experience a much greater fantastical second life, all the while time passes at a greatly reduced state back at home (Read more for the specifics on our website).
Experience a gigantic vibrant world filled with all kinds of experiences, species and factions. Want to become a world-class blacksmith creating gear of legendary status? Go ahead! Want to become a hardened warrior smashing through foes and armour like they’re made of glass? Go ahead! Even want to try your hand-picking pockets by day but silting throats by night? Go right ahead! Unlike real life, anything is available to try so even if your desires are more biological focused than a goal, we won’t judge…
Anything you desire can be obtained inside the world of Seraph so all you need to do is take the first leap towards greatness! The prototype stage has already passed, but alpha and beta testers are still wanted! Pay starts at minimum wage and…
‘Still remember an advertisement inside that magazine. Guess they left out the part about dying and getting stuck wherever it is I am now.’
Image is a little too big to just sneakily slide in there...
Spoiler
[collapse]
This was actually supposed to be the chance of a lifetime, to be a part of something meaningful to the development of mankind. Sure, it may only appear a game on the surface, this technology was supposed to bring about a way for the human brain to be fully interactive and compatible with technology. A way for a sort of immortality to be achieved just by using the web.
I never knew the specifics since I was only a guinea pig for the project, the story behind it was interesting though. A corrupt billionaire known for screwing over countless people had a taste of his own medicine when he fell terminally ill. Wanting to find some cure of sorts, he invested billions into healthcare, but nothing could be done so the development switched to brainwave technology instead.
When the project started bearing fruit, that billionaire was long gone, a crying shame considering how billionaires are adored by the public. At least some good came out of losing such a brilliant individual, that money is still trickling down into this research. Sarcasm aside, not like it matters to me anymore.
Anyways, back to the incident that brought this up. After being put in the VR machine and initiating the startup sequence, a sharp pain coursed across my chest and within a second, I was out cold. The brief pain was indescribable. but not exactly sure what I could’ve done other than been healthier and exercised more... maybe ate a few less donuts? Eh, no point questioning any life choices now since I’ve somehow ended up here, in a place of pure nothingness. The void…
I thought this place was the loading screen for the game at first, it feels like I’ve been here for days at this point. Sensory deprivation be doing that.
‘Heart attack at the ripe old age of twenty-two... couldn’t I have died by truck-kun or in the middle of something intimate? At least that would make for a funny introduction. Hey, how did you die fellow soul? Oh, I suffocated to death... probably shouldn’t say in what.’
Maybe it’ll take some time to register that I’m actually dead and start caring, all I’m trying to do right now is find some way to avoid the endless boredom. I’m not sure how long a mind can stay sane without any sort of mental stimulation, feel like I’m guaranteed to lose my sanity if this goes on forever…
[Hmm… this is quite a surprising mystery; I wonder if this was intentional or a coincidence?]
Like my prayers have been answered, a womanly voice gives me something to fixate on. I swear she has the voice of an angel, I’m not too sure if that’s down to the loneliness and ceasing to exist fear I’m currently trying to combat.
‘Hello? Where am I and where are you?’
[You’re perceptive as well!? How intriguing!]
‘Intriguing? Just, who are you and where am I?’
[Continuing to ask questions as well, child? This does require further investigation.]
Suddenly, a mysteriously dark-dressed woman forms out of nowhere, sitting down and smiling towards my direction. I have no idea if I even have something to look at, like a body or soul right now, irrelevant to focus on that. I’m not even sure how I’m conversing considering speech seems impossible for me inside this place, no point fixating on that either. She is quite pretty though.
Her appearance is the epitome of calming, cuteness and beauty especially with those relaxing eyes, combined with that slight smile she has. I’m not too sure why but I feel like that golden hair of hers isn’t natural, as if she's trying to appear better looking? Eh, maybe I’m just used to being shown useless blue-haired Goddesses so my expectations are ruined. This lady has to be a God, right? Why else would she be here?
[This form is slightly fitting all things considered, is it not? Do know I am sorry for what happened, child, I can understand dying in such a traumatic manner must be disorientating.]
‘Eh, I’m not all that bothered really, not like I left anything good behind. Are you supposed to be the God of death then?’
Like countless other people lost beneath the crippling weight of the system of civilization, my life was mundane and honestly pointless to anyone but the taxman. If I get the chance to start over and reincarnate as some big-chested futanari and wield a stupidly dumb harem obsessed head over heels towards me, I wouldn’t ask for it but who am I to turn that down? I would ask for breasts that don’t block out the sunlight though.
[No child, I’ve gone through many names, but death has never been my speciality. If you want a labelled name, Seraphim would be suitable.]
‘Wait, you’re called Seraphim? Like the game I was supposed to be plugging into?’
The reaction of the soft smiling woman changes little from my mentioning of the game nor does she even seem to understand the question I ask. Does this mean I’m actually going to that place, or is this some real-world, game-world hybrid of the two? I’m not sure if the idea of being an evil overlord sounds too appealing, but I can give it a try.
‘What happens next? Do you send me head first equipped with a full arsenal of overpowered bullshit abilities that make every fight a walk in the park?’
Before getting a verbal response, I get a slight chuckle from the Goddess proving my luck has never been that good. Knew I’d get something more grounded in reality.
[Unfortunately child, I cannot give you what you seek other than a tiny blessing that may guide you on your journey. Perhaps, you may have what you desire someday, but you’ll have to earn it like everyone else. I’ll be sending you along now so take care and please... stay safe.]
As soon as the woman finishes that last statement, she takes a stand pointing a finger towards me and said finger starts to glow like the brightest of suns. Except, we can’t end this here, there’s still way more for us to discuss!
‘Don’t I get to decide my starting class, race. or at least create my character? You’re seriously sending me off like this?’
[You’ve already determined and decided your fate, child, it wouldn’t be right for me to alter certain parts of it. I just hope it doesn’t become too much of a burden.]
'Wait, what do you mean by burd-…'
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