Chapter 1
Ava's eyes flutter open, greeted only by an endless void, illuminated by the soft, ethereal glow of her loading menu. She takes a moment to examine her surroundings, her gaze wandering to her hands, then lower, to her chest. A rush of realization washes over her as she registers her undressed state. Startled, she recoils briefly.
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However, her anxiety is quelled as the menu promptly responds to her predicament. It unfurls a digital canvas of clothing choices before her. Acting quickly, she selects a leather jacket adorned with a myriad of patches and complements it with a pair of sleek skinny jeans. Her choices made, the menu presents a pivotal query: "Are you sure?" It offers a binary choice, "Yes" or "No." Without hesitation, Ava confirms her selection with a resolute "Yes."
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In an instant, her chosen attire materializes, embracing her form with a comforting sense of cover and identity. The menu transitions to the next phase, its loading bar commencing at 0% and gradually progressing toward the coveted 100%.
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Then, in a startling and spectacular display, a rift tears open before her, crackling with captivating energy. She is irresistibly drawn toward its luminous maw, and before she comprehends the full extent of her situation, she is whisked away, leaving the void behind as she embarks on an unforeseen journey.
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Emerging on the other side, Ava stands in wide-eyed wonder, taking in the breathtaking, futuristic landscape that surrounds her. The cybernetic marvel of this new world captivates her as she begins to explore, her every step filled with fascination.
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Her journey, however, is abruptly interrupted by a crimson laser beam, whizzing perilously close to her face. Without hesitation, a guy with a tech-savvy demeanor rushes to her side, pushing her into cover. His attire reflects his expertise in all things digital. He sports a black hoodie adorned with an array of patches, featuring circuit board patterns and enigmatic hacker-related symbols. Underneath, a graphic t-shirt bearing obscure computer references adds to his tech-inspired look. Dark and practical skinny jeans allow him effortless movement, bridging the gap between navigating the virtual and real worlds. His feet are clad in comfortable sneakers, designed for the long hours he spends coding and hacking.
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With a swift and decisive motion, the guy thrusts a highly advanced laser rifle into Ava's trembling hands.
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Guy (Urgent): "Take this, and fire at those guys over there!" He urgently points toward a group of menacing figures, all clad in black, who are firing upon them.
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The guy swiftly drops to the ground and flips open a laptop with an air of intense focus. Uncertain but determined, Ava grips the laser rifle and begins to fire at their assailants, hoping to buy enough time for her tech-savvy companion to execute whatever crucial task demands his attention. The air around them crackles with tension as they stand united against the looming threat.
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The guy swiftly accesses a series of files and deftly inputs lines of intricate code on his laptop. As he completes the sequence, he uploads the code directly into the laser rifle that Ava tightly grips. She continues firing at their adversaries, feeling the weapon gradually warming up in her hands.
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Ava's eyes widen as she observes a previously inconspicuous tube on the rifle transitioning from a gentle, soothing blue hue to a deep, intense red. Simultaneously, the weapon's rate of fire accelerates, and it begins to autonomously track and aim at their foes. The sudden surge in precision takes Ava aback, but she quickly seizes the opportunity, using the enhanced capabilities of the rifle to her advantage.
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With newfound accuracy and a swift resolve, she systematically eliminates the remaining enemies, their forces crumbling before her unstoppable barrage. The cybernetic battlefield bears witness to her skill and the unexpected augmentation of the weapon, turning the tide of the confrontation in their favor.
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Ava's curiosity about the gun momentarily diverts her attention, but she soon turns her gaze back to the guy.
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Ava (Confused): "Who were those guys?" She inquires, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.
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Erik: "Oh, those guys? Just some... uh... troublemakers? No, maybe gangsters? Well, definitely not the good guys," Erik replies with a slightly uncertain tone. "By the way, my name's Erik."
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Ava: "Okay, Erik. I'm Ava. Nice to meet you."
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Erik: "Nice to meet you too! But we should get out of here, Ava. There's a good chance more of them will show up soon."
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Ava nods in agreement.
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Erik closes his laptop swiftly, rising to his feet. He extends a hand toward Ava, which she accepts without hesitation. Erik leads her into an adjacent alleyway, and as they approach a nondescript wall, he presses a concealed button on his arm. The wall seamlessly opens up, revealing a hidden passage. With Ava in tow, Erik guides her inside, then closes the wall behind them, leaving the uncertainty of the street behind.
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Erik led Ava through a labyrinthine path within their hideout, navigating past numerous rooms and windows that provided glimpses of the chaos unfolding outside. The metaverse was far from the utopia Ava had initially imagined. The two finally reached the main room, where Ava was met with several unfamiliar faces.
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Erik: "These are my teammates! Teammates, this is our new addition, Ava. Say hello, everyone."
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A heavy silence hung in the room as no one spoke up. It was Ava's introduction that seemed to break the ice. A woman in her twenties stepped forward, clad in an all-black sleek bodysuit with strategic pockets and a half-mask that concealed part of her face.
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Lena: "Greetings, Ava. I am Lena, code name - Phantom. Pleasure to meet you."
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Lena gracefully stepped back, making way for a man to introduce himself.
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Jasper: "My name is Jasper, code name - Stryker. Nice to meet you."
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Ava (Slightly Nervous): "Nice to meet you all. So, I'm a new teammate, you said?"
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Erik (Enthusiastic): "Absolutely! Welcome to the team. You're here mainly because you're new to the metaverse, but don't worry, you'll get the hang of it."
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Ava: "Well, that's reassuring, but I wanted to ask—"
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Erik (Interrupting): "Hold that thought, Ava! It's time to fill you in on the state of the metaverse."
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Jasper: "To put it bluntly, it's a mess. We face daily challenges from the Binary Syndicate."
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Lena: "And that's not all. There's the mysterious Drearygeist, TMW, constant gang wars, and—"
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Erik: "Alright, enough with the negativity! Let's dive into the interesting stuff."
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Erik slammed a massive document folder onto the table, opening it up and flipping through its pages, bypassing many along the way.
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Lena (Confused): "Erik, why are you skipping so much? Don't we need to address those other issues too?"
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Erik (Impatient): "Of course, Lena, but our top priority right now is something far more pressing."
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Jasper: "While I agree, we can't just ignore the Binary Syndicate. They'll keep hounding us, making it difficult to tackle other problems."
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Erik glanced at the folder, his expression filled with determination.
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Erik: "We'll handle the Binary Syndicate, but first, let's focus on this mission. It's a matter of utmost importance, one that could change the course of the metaverse. Once that's done, we'll deal with the rest. I promise!”
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His teammates exchanged glances, their silent communication leading to nods of agreement. Erik's face lit up with a triumphant smile.
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Erik: "Wonderful! So now, in order to properly deal with the Binary Syndicate, we need a larger hideout. We're going to claim some more space..."
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His bold statement left everyone in stunned disbelief.
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Lena (Stunned): "What in the world are you thinking, Erik?"
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Jasper (Aggravated): "You want to expand our territory? Do you remember what it took to secure the land we have now?"
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Erik (Determined): "Come on, guys! We can handle this! Besides, I've completed the aimbot code. We'll be nearly unstoppable!"
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Lena (Irritated): "Erik, we've told you before, an aimbot isn't something just anyone can use. It requires a skilled operator."
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Erik: "Calm down! Listen, Ava here is the one who can use it. I uploaded the code to the rifle I gave her, and she handled it without a hitch!"
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Ava raised the rifle she didn't realize she was still holding.
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Ava (Amazed): "So that's what that was...?"
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Erik: "Go on, Ava, show them! Show them!"
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Erik arranged some cups on the table, and everyone took a step back. Ava raised the rifle, aimed down the sights, and squeezed the trigger. The rifle's automated targeting system locked onto the cups, and with ease, it sent pulsing shots, knocking down all the cups in rapid succession. The demonstration left everyone awestruck, and Erik couldn't contain his excitement, letting out an enthusiastic cheer before catching himself and placing a hand on Ava's shoulder.
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Erik: "You're going to do great, Ava! With you on our side, we can bring about peace, at least in this part of the city."
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Ava looked around at her newfound allies, their expressions a mix of awe and determination.
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Ava (Confident): "Alright then, let's do this!"
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The room erupted in cheers as everyone pumped their fists in the air, united by their shared purpose and newfound confidence in Ava's extraordinary skills. They were ready to take on the challenges of The Metaverse and make a difference in their own corner of the digital world.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1p00AmEw1
