Ding!
My phone rang on the small wooden table beside my bed. I groaned and turned over.
I reached out for my phone, half-asleep. The screen lit up in my face.
A message from Claude.
"Malachi, did you see the new game that's trending right now?"
I squinted at the screen, my eyes burning as I tried to focus. The time at the top said 5:48 a.m.
I let out a tired breath and dropped my head back onto the pillow.
"Why is he texting this early in the morning…" I muttered, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand.
My head still felt heavy, like my thoughts were stuck in slow motion. A game—of all things. Claude was probably already wide awake, excited about whatever he found, while I was barely functioning.
My phone buzzed again, making me flinch.
I sighed, unlocked the screen, and pushed myself up a little, the blanket slipping off my shoulders.
Whatever this game was… it must be a big deal if he couldn't wait until a normal hour to talk about it.
Claude sent another message, this time with a link.
Curiosity tugged at me despite my exhaustion.
I tapped it.
The page took a moment to load, then an announcement filled my screen—the kind of design that screamed high budget.
At the center was a bold headline.
"WE ARE LOOKING FOR 100 PRO PLAYERS"
Below it, a short video looped silently. Players wearing full VR headsets lay motionless, as if they were truly inside another world.
My sleepiness faded a little.
I scrolled.
"Join us in testing our first-ever full-dive virtual reality game, developed by ArcanePixel Studio."
My fingers paused.
This was it.
This was the announcement I had been waiting for.
"Arcane Weapon Online," I muttered.
More text followed, laid out like a recruitment notice.
"Only 100 players will be selected.
Participants must have high adaptability and extensive gaming experience. Selected testers will gain early access to the beta and exclusive in-game privileges."
Exclusive privileges. That alone was enough to make any serious gamer's heart race.
And there was more.
"Amazing prizes await, and the top five players with the highest achievements in the game will earn large cash rewards."
My heartbeat quickened.
At the bottom of the page, a final message stood out.
"Registration starts today! Hurry and sign up. The beta testing begins tomorrow in Tokyo, Japan!"
I swallowed.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Claude's number, my fingers shaking with excitement.
"Claude! We're going to Japan right away to try the new VR game that's trending! I watched their live stream last night!" I nearly shouted.
"Cool! I'll ask my parents for permission right away. We'll meet at the airport. We can't let anyone else take those spots!" Claude said.
I didn't waste a second. I threw my blanket aside and began tossing clothes into my backpack, grabbing my laptop, charger, and anything else I might need.
"Mom! Mom!" I called, running into the kitchen where she was sipping her morning tea. "I need your help! Can you lend me some money? And… I need your permission to go to Tokyo, Japan!"
She set her cup down, raising an eyebrow. "Japan? Now? What for?"
I held up my phone, showing her the announcement. "Look! Arcane Weapon Online! It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance! Only a hundred players will get to test it!"
Her eyes narrowed. "Tokyo… and you want to just leave? That's… very sudden, Malachi. Are you sure this is safe?"
"I… I have to go, Mom! I promise I'll be careful!" I said, my voice pleading. "It's not just a game—this could change everything for me, and Claude is coming too." You know how he always helps me with money, and besides, it's just a few days."
She hesitated, staring at me for a long moment. "I don't know… It's a long trip, and it's just a game. But… you've been so passionate about this… fine." She handed me some cash. "Just promise me you'll be careful, and call me as soon as you get there."
I grabbed the money and hugged her tightly. "I promise! Thank you, Mom!"
No time to waste. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and bolted out the door, jumping into a waiting taxi.
The taxi stopped in front of the airport. I jumped out, dragging my backpack. The terminal was full of travelers with rolling suitcases, and announcements echoed everywhere.
Claude waved from the entrance. "Malachi! Over here!"
I ran to him, nearly bumping into a group of people. "We made it!" I panted, trying to catch my breath.
"No time to waste! Let's grab our tickets before they sell out!" Claude exclaimed.
We went straight to the counter. I handed over the money and the required documents. "Two last-minute tickets to Tokyo, please. Any flight."
The clerk typed quickly. "You're lucky—there are two seats available on Flight 307. Hurry through security; boarding starts in ten minutes."
Claude and I exchanged a quick grin. "Perfect," he whispered.
We ran through security, bags on the scanners, IDs in hand. My heart pounded.
Finally, we reached the gate. Claude went first, and I followed. "Last call!" the speaker announced.
We boarded just in time and collapsed into our seats.
Claude laughed. "Barely… but that's how adventures start, right?"
I nodded, staring out the window.
---
The plane landed in Tokyo just as the afternoon sun dipped toward the horizon.
Claude and I stepped off the jetway, stretching our stiff legs. The airport was busy but organized, travelers hurrying in every direction.
"Do you even know where the studio is?" I asked, glancing around the crowded terminal.
Claude shrugged with a grin. "Not a clue. But hey, we'll figure it out. How hard can it be?"
I rolled my eyes. "Hard? We're in Tokyo! And I can barely speak a word of Japanese. I was hoping all those anime marathons would pay off!"
Claude laughed. "Just act like you know what you're doing. Confidence is the key!"
Near the arrivals area, a small group of people wore sleek ArcanePixel Studio uniforms and had set up a registration booth.
A large sign read:"ArcanePixel Studio Beta Testers Registration!"
Staff members were handing out posters to curious travelers.
Claude's eyes lit up. "Hey, check that out! Could that be our way in?"
I nodded, heart racing. "Only one way to find out!"
We ran to the registration booth.
"Excuse me," Claude said, bouncing on his feet. "Is this the registration for the new beta VR game from ArcanePixel Studio?"
The female staff member smiled warmly. "Yes! This is it. Are you trying to join our new VR game? You're lucky—there are still slots left. Just fill out this form." She handed us a sheet. We both let out a quiet sigh of relief. She spoke English!
We scribbled our names down as fast as we could and handed the forms back.
Moments later, a group of men in black suits appeared. The staff member gestured toward them. "These will be your ride to ArcanePixel Studio. Follow them, and they'll take you there."
We followed the men outside to a fleet of sleek black vans. One of the staff handed us water bottles. "The drive takes about thirty minutes. We'll brief you on the game once you arrive."
I sank into the seat beside Claude, my backpack at my feet, watching Tokyo's streets blur past the windows. My heart thumped in my chest. This was really happening.
Claude leaned back, eyes wide. "Man… can you believe it? We're actually going to play Arcane Weapon Online before anyone else!"
I grinned, trying to steady my racing heart. "This is insane… Just a few more minutes, and we'll be inside the game world."
Claude laughed softly, almost like he couldn't believe it himself.