"Julius, you're pretty late today."
"Yeah, man. Sorry about that—got caught in traffic and overslept a bit."
"No worries. It's the first day of the week—happens to everyone. By the way, the manager was looking for you. You should probably check in with him."
"Oh, thanks! I'll head over now. Better catch him before those anger issues kick in again."
This conversation took place between two young men—Julius Marcellus and Sebastian Rosetti.
Julius was a 27-year-old man, standing at about 6'1". He had medium-length brown hair, styled in a sleek, modern 60:40 split. His looks were above average, and his easygoing nature made him well-liked by almost everyone around.
He wore a crisp white formal shirt, a black tie, black dress pants, and matching belt, socks, and shoes. His physique was athletic, with sharp brown eyes, a slim nose, and fair skin. On his right wrist, he wore a stylish watch.
Sebastian was equally approachable. Also around 6'1", he had messy black hair of medium length, and piercing black eyes. Compared to Julius, his skin tone was a shade darker. He wore the same formal outfit but without a watch.
The two were inside the towering headquarters of a cutting-edge VR game development company. Not only did the company create groundbreaking games, but it also manufactured the exclusive consoles required to play them. Their work had gained global popularity, and they were known as pioneers in the field.
Two years ago, this very company had made headlines when it announced its most ambitious project yet:
"Eclipse Conquest: Omega" — a revolutionary full-dive game that promised to push the limits of virtual reality. Alongside the game, they revealed the Alpha console, a futuristic machine built with unparalleled technology.
The gaming world lost its mind.
From casual players to hardcore fanatics, excitement spread like wildfire. And with the official launch date set for July 24, 2085, just two weeks away, today marked the final testing phase of the game.
After finishing his chat with Sebastian, Julius made his way toward the manager's office.
The company building was entirely glass from the outside, though designed so no one could see in. Inside, it was a different world—luxurious interiors, high-end furnishings, cutting-edge facilities. Everything spoke of success and ambition.
But before Julius could reach the manager's office, he ran into the man himself in one of the corridors.
"Hey, Julius! Over here!" the manager called out.
Julius looked to his right and spotted him.
The manager was a short, stout man, around 5'6", and completely bald. He sported a thick moustache and a neat beard, and looked to be somewhere in his early fifties. He wore a white shirt, brown pants, a brown coat, and all the necessary accessories—belt, socks, and formal shoes.
"Julius! I was just looking for you." the manager called out.
"Sorry, sir," Julius said quickly, a little out of breath. "Got stuck in traffic and overslept a bit."
"No problem," the manager replied, brushing it off.
"By the way," Julius asked, "why were you looking for me?"
The manager's tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious.
"Well, as you know, today is the final testing phase for Eclipse Conquest: Omega and the Alpha console. But here's the problem—the guy who was supposed to test the game resigned just yesterday, without any explanation. So the president wants someone from inside the company, someone reliable. I recommended your name… and he approved."
"So… you want me to do the testing?" Julius asked, eyebrows raised.
The manager nodded quickly.
"Yes, and please—don't say no. It's a matter of my reputation and position. I can guarantee you a promotion if you accept this."
Julius smirked thoughtfully.
"Hmm... if that promotion comes with the final version of Eclipse Conquest: Omega and my own Alpha console, then we're talking."
The manager broke into a wide, relieved grin.
"Yes! Of course—absolutely."
Julius chuckled.
"Alright then. I'm in."
The manager clapped his hands together.
"Perfect! We're right on schedule too."
He turned and led Julius through a long hallway toward a highly secure room at the far end of the building. The doors were made of solid steel, and right beside them was a biometric scanner—accessible only to high-level, trusted employees.
The manager scanned his ID card, and with a soft beep, the doors slid open.
What lay beyond looked like something from a thousand years in the future. The room gleamed with advanced tech—holographic displays, high-end systems, and walls humming with quiet power.
At the center stood a sleek, high-tech chair—almost like a throne—and next to it, resting on a table, was what looked like a futuristic VR headset.
The room wasn't empty. Several important figures were already gathered inside, including the company's president.
He stood about 5'11", lean, in his late fifties. His brown formal suit was tailored to perfection. His hair was thinning and completely white, and his sharp gaze gave off a commanding presence.
Among those present were Sebastian and a few other employees.
Sebastian glanced over and spotted Julius walking in.
"Oh, Julius! What are you doing here?"
Before Julius could answer, the manager spoke up.
"Julius is the one doing the final test."
Sebastian's eyes widened.
"Wait, seriously!? Dude, I'm jealous."
Behind Sebastian stood a female employee, peeking from over his shoulder. She waved cheerfully at Julius.
"Hello, Julius."
"Oh, Sapphire. Didn't expect to see you here too," Julius said, surprised.
Sapphire was known as the most beautiful employee in the company. She had long blonde hair—bangs in front, tied in a sleek ponytail at the back. Her lashes were long, and her silver eyes sparkled under the lights. Her fair skin was smooth and flawless.
She wore the same uniform as Julius and Sebastian—white shirt, black tie, black pants. She stood at about 5'9", and many male employees had a crush on her. Even her voice was soft and gentle.
Julius turned back to face the futuristic chair.
The manager stepped up beside him.
"That chair and the headset together... make up the Alpha Console."
Just then, the company president spoke.
"Ah, Mr. Marcus. So you finally brought in the employee for the final test?"
"Good morning, President," the manager replied with a respectful nod.
"Yes, this is Julius. He'll be conducting the test."
Nervously, Julius stepped forward.
"Good morning, Mr. President. It's an honor to meet you."
The president gave a soft chuckle.
"No need to be nervous. I don't bite."
He then walked Julius around, briefly explaining the tech in the room and introducing him to the setup. The room was fully dedicated to high-tech game development—each wall, system, and station was tuned for precision.
After a few minutes, the president glanced at a fancy, futuristic clock on the wall. The time struck 12:00 PM.
He turned to Julius.
"It's time. Please take a seat in the chair and put on the headset. Let's begin the final test."