Prologue

New Jersey, USA 3015

Michellion's Virtual Game Shop

A long queue snaked in front of a virtual game shop run by a woman named Rachel. On the other side of the store, two security men were trying to separate two teenagers who had started fighting due to the jostling. Everyone was desperate to get their hands on the newest virtual game called " ActivatedLand," and wanted to take it home as soon as possible.

Inside the store, Alice was standing by the window while occasionally tiptoeing to get a better view of her surroundings.

"Alice, I can't stand this crowd. My breath is short and the air is so hot. I'm gonna get out of here first. I can't stand it anymore!" Chloe complained as she pushed her way through the crowd.

This was the day ActivatedLand was heavily discounted. This discount would not happen every day. Each store in the country region had only one opportunity to open this discount event, and it only lasted for one year. What teenager could resist the chance to buy a popular item for $500 when it originally cost $5000?

Alice was still standing in place, desperately hoping that she could move forward and reach the place where the ActivatedLand was being sold. It was already 11 AM and she had been there since 4 PM. Of course, she wasn't willing to give up her efforts without results.

ActivatedLand is a virtual technology online game that allows players to enter the world of existing games. It was first released on December 15, 3015 by the WIC Company, a giant company that is well-known and a pioneer of other virtual games. The virtual game in question isn't just played using a tool like an X-box but takes players to a virtual world where the game is played without any additional devices.

Behind the scenes, Cyberpunk Technology Corporation has also collaborated with The Hidemask, a secret organization made up of high-class hackers. They are capable of hacking various kinds of data, and can even paralyze state networks in an instant. This makes any country's government think twice before provoking the WIC Company.

 The emergence of The Hidemask had positive consequences. People felt safer worshipping and going about their work. Thanks to them, the world was no longer at war, and finally achieved a peace that had eluded mankind for thousands of years.

Any malicious military action discovered by The Hidemask will first be reported to the World Peace Organization (WPO). If the warning is not heeded, then The Hidemask will paralyze the country's network where the crime occurred. They will also cut off the internet and throw the country into economic chaos, and the worst part is... no amount of apology will suffice.

North Korea had attacked WPO general bases, resulting in The Hidemask directly hacking their network for 325 days and rendering all of the island nation's control weapons unusable. They also turned off all the electricity in the country, wreaking havoc on its economy and leading to widespread protests from North Korean organizations and civil society. Schools and all public facilities were forced to close, resulting in many casualties. This incident served as a warning to anyone who dared to harass the WPO.

Cyberpunk Technology Corporation and The Hidemask have agreed to provide several features for ActivatedLand, as follows:

ActivatedLand, developed by The Hidemask, is an incredibly advanced virtual technology game with a real simulation rate of 99%. It has unlimited data storage, allowing it to accommodate players from all over the world. With sophisticated hardware and virtual systems not found anywhere else, ActivatedLand can guarantee the safety of its players’ deposits. The World Player Organization (WPO) also provides security management and age limit enforcement for the game.

The Cyberpunk Technology Corporation is responsible for all player data, while The Hidemask and WPO are ensuring that this data is treated according to the rules and regulations. These organizations are monitoring all incoming and outgoing data to make sure that the Cyberpunk Technology Corporation does not take any illegal actions concerning the participants' data. This ensures that all players can securely use their data without worrying about any misuse or illegal practices.

The ActivatedLand project has attracted a great deal of attention and investment from banks, large companies, and even governments. Famous artists have also joined the initiative by becoming brand ambassadors for the Hidemask-backed project. This could be a sign that the project is gaining in popularity and its potential is being recognized as a viable form of entertainment. It has also increased public awareness of the advantages that artificial intelligence can bring to the gaming industry.

The ActivatedLand project aims to provide an immersive gaming experience through the use of advanced artificial intelligence technology. By utilizing the power of AI, it is possible to bring players into a simulated game world that is as realistic and detailed as the physical world itself. This means that players can explore and interact with their environment and even take part in challenges that could not be experienced in the real world.

The Hidemask has developed face and eye detection technology to secure the ActivatedLand project, ensuring that only those with the right identity can access the game. This type of facial recognition system is employed to minimize potential data and hardware theft and protect users’ data. Additionally, the technology also prevents illegal users from playing the ActivatedLand on other people's hardware, further securing the gaming experience for legitimate players. 

In a room that was stuffy and cramped from being overcrowded, Alice still patiently waited. She eventually couldn't take it anymore, so she roughly pushed the people in front of her. All the insults and curses were directed at her, but Alice didn't care. She quickly went to the male cashier and handed him $500. The man quickly handed her the X-box ActivatedLand.

"Thank you!" Alice said as she quickly barged her way in the opposite direction.

"Slow down, bitch!" a boy shouted after her.

Alice kept pushing her way through the crowd until she finally made it out and breathed in the hot, dry air outside the store.

"I got it!" Alice shouted triumphantly to Chloe.

Chloe ran towards her with a smile, "You were so lucky! Ugh, I could never stand that crowd of bitches in there. Maybe I'll just ask my dad to buy it, even at the normal price."

Seeing Chloe lose her enthusiasm, Alice felt very sorry. She wanted to help, but getting back into the shop seemed impossible at this point.

"I'm so sorry, Chloe," she said sympathetically.

"It's okay. That's not your fault. Let's go back home!" Chloe said, trying to hide her irritation.