Chapter 8 - Episode 8: A New Beginning.

A month after Becker's funeral, I'm still mourning his death. I've been working and trying to forget like I never meet him. But the more I try to forget the more pain I feel in my heart. On the day the game got launched, the whole world was hyped about it, people were waiting for the next production for the device since it got sold out an hour after the game was released. I was watching the whole thing in my bed. Currently, there are 150 million people playing Legacy of the Betelgeuse. Utube now is filled with the gameplay of the game and all of them are trending right now. The billboards in my city are now all about the Legacy of the Betelgeuse. Right now, I'm on my bed trying to get some sleep. I'm looking at the device that I covered with a blanket. I haven't touched that since that day. My eyes slowly getting heavy and then I fall asleep.

My alarm is ringing and I open my eyes to find my phone. When I hit the snooze button, I see a notification on my phone. My eyes immediately wide open and click that notification as fast as I can. I sit down on my bed to see the live video.

"It's been a month since the release of the game, I'm so happy to see all of you are enjoying the game. I feel honored to see so many people in here playing the game that I created with love and passion. I wish I could be here with you guys, but my fate isn't allowed me to, but I'm really happy. Well, right now I'm just an A.I. but if the real me is still here and watching, I believe he would feel the same way."

All the players are crying to see him up there in the sky floating wearing the same costume when we were playing together. The person who's live streaming this is sobbing and the people around him are also crying and calling his name.

"As the celebration after one month of the release of the game, I will double the EXP, drop rate, rewards! Not just that, your status will be doubled for a week from now! So please enjoy the game and I wish you all the best! May the Betelgeuse bless you!"

All the players scream and cry.

"May the Betelgeuse bless you, Mister Becker!"

All of them are screaming in joyousness and sadness at the same time. The streamer stopped the stream. My phone is going black since the stream just ended. I see my own reflection with tears running down my cheeks. I wipe my tears with my shirt. I'm staring at the device for quite a while. Then I get off of my bed and turn on my computer. I go downstairs to make coffee. I check my phone while waiting for coffee. I check my bank account. $13.749.000 is my current balance. I wonder why I'm still working as a driver. But at the same time, I don't think I should use this money and let it sit there forever. Then the coffee is ready and I go upstairs with a cup of coffee.

I open the browser on my computer. I check the Legacy of the Betelgeuse forum. I scroll to a lot of threads then I stumble to an interesting topic that's in the trending thread with over 1k replies.

[Which is better, Midas' Series or Scrounger's Series for farming?

H: Midas' Series is better in all aspects, Scrounger's on the other hand has good stats but only for Agi players.

N: LOL! Scrounger's better since I've compared it. Midas' Series is shit! I farmed for an hour with each series and Scrounger's Series gave me more loots and I got this rare drop! [Picture].

C: WTF?! You guys already lv.50?!]

I'm smiling at those replies and everyone has their own opinions towards both equipment. I remember when Becker and I argued at the same thing.

[Midas' Series:

Midas ring: STR+1 DEX+1 VIT+1 (LVL req: 50)

Midas necklace: STR+1 DEX+1 VIT+1 (LVL req: 50)

Midas earrings: STR+1 DEX+1 VIT+1 (LVL req: 50)

If equipped with all the three Midas' Series, the player has a 5% chance to get double the drops and 25% to get a random amount of gold.]

[Scrounger's Series:

Scrounger ring: AGI+2 DEX+1 (LVL req: 50)

Scrounger necklace: AGI+2 DEX+1 (LVL req: 50)

Scrounger earrings: AGI+2 DEX+1 (LVL req: 50)

If equipped with all the three Scrounger's series, the player has a 5% chance to steal the monster's item when attacking (Did not affect the drop items when succeeded). 5% chance to increase attack speed by 25% when attacking.]

I close the thread and check another thread that picks my interest. Then I found the most viewed and replies thread. I click it and sip my coffee.

[What are the best stats? (Just started playing today.)

Z: If you're going for magic, then you should be focusing on INT and DEX. Another thread discusses why magic needs DEX! Here's the link [Link...]. If you're going to be DPS go for DEX and AGI. Why not STR? Go check this link [Link...]. If you're going to be an IDOL go for CHR and ART. There are other types you can go to this link, it's pretty much hybrid build [Link...]. Hope that helps! BTW, DON'T BOTHER WITH LUK! IT'S USELESS!

J: I build my character with DEX and AGI as DPS. I agree with Z, DPS doesn't need STR at all! Let equipment do that for you! "BTW, DON'T BOTHER WITH LUK! IT'S USELESS!" LOL EXACTLY.

P: I build my character with DEX, AGI, and INT I'm trying this build as magic, and at the moment, I'm very satisfied with my build, a few days ago someone introduced this build and they called it NUKER build. LUK is useless? Lol of course it is.

C: I ACCIDENTALLY PUT MY STAT POINT ON LUK! CAN ANYONE HELP ME HOW TO RESET OR CHANGE IT TO ANOTHER STAT?]

I choked on my coffee because of this C guy. He always put funny comments. Then I keep looking at the thread forum. So far everyone is saying that LUK is useless, but they really have no idea how can LUK be so overpowered when it reaches a certain point. But that's not my problem, and I'll prove to them that LUK is the most important and the only stat that you need. Now I should try that trick. I'm stretching my arms and yawn. I turn around and look at the device again. I check my coffee and chug it all down. I shrug.

"F*ck it, let's do it."

I pull the blanket and plug the device into the socket. It turns on immediately. I just realized that this device is different from the device the game publisher sold to the players. Well, maybe this one is just a prototype or something like that. If this device can't run the game, I'll just have to buy the new one.

I grab the helmet and wear it on. I lay down inside the capsule. I hesitate for a moment and this view, smell, and feeling makes me remember the good old days with Becker. I take a deep breath and exhale deeply. I press the button and I fall asleep.

I open my eyes. A bright light is blinding my eyes and I hear a soothing woman's voice. This feels like a deja vu. The ambient sounds in this place make me feel comfortable.

"Welcome to Legacy of the Betelgeuse. My name is Sev, and I will guide you before you enter The Orion. Please tell me your name."

I smile and chuckle. Sev is tilting her head.

"Is there something wrong?"

I shake my head and walk around her again. It's been months. Sadly she only exists in this place and not in-game. She's reacting the same way as back then. She's smiling and looking at me with her relaxed expression. I look at her face and she raises her eyebrows and tilts her head again.

"If you are curious about me. I am an Artificial Intelligence or an A.I. is what they called me."

I shake my head.

"It's been a while isn't it, Miss Sev?"

Sev is tilting her head and blinking repeatedly. She then smiles and closes her eyes.

"Welcome back, [Trevor]. It's indeed has been a while. Did you enjoy the game back then?"

I smile.

"Of course, it was the most fun I've ever had in my entire life."

Sev chuckles and approaches me. She puts her hands on mine. Her expression change.

"How are you feeling, [Trevor]? Since my master is no longer in that world of yours."

I tilt my head and squint my eyes.

"I'm doing okay. How about you? What do you feel?"

Sev is looking at her hands and then looks at me.

"I feel nothing... I just know that master is no longer in your world, but I know the fact that he is living in this world now."

I chuckle.

"So you can learn about sympathy and empathy. Congratulation, Miss Sev."

Sev nods and smiles.

"Let us focus on your character creation now."

I nod. Sev looks at me.

"Skipping the character adjustment like before? I agree that you should not change your appearance. Your red ember hair with gold eyes are the best combination."

I nod.

"Yes, and thank you for the compliment!"

Sev chuckles.

"With my current knowledge, you still cannot surpass 82%, I am very sorry about that."

I shake my head.

"Don't worry, I don't care much about that."

Sev nods and smiles.

"Now, please open your status."

I nod.

"Open Status."

It shocked me and look at Sev with disbelief.

"What is this?! Are you being serious?!"