NOIM; Connected Worlds

humm... humm... humm... humm...

It's just been a few days since graduation and here I am, Job hunting. The last few days at the university has been hectic. And now this. I've been applying for a few days already and yes. A Walk-in applicant. An article said that walk-in applicants have a higher chance of being hired. Doing walk-ins is far more draining though... not to mention, some of the companies don't even have vacancies. But hey, If I need a head start. I believe this is just what I need.

So here I am. Humming away as I prep my pretty face for an interview. Ugh... I mean, look at me. My eye bags look like the pocket for baby kangaroos. I barely even recognize myself. It's already the fifth time I'm doing a walk-in application. Traveling will be gruesome as usual but hopping around from company to company is just exhausting. My previous applications probably didn't go so well. I don't know... Maybe I'm giving them the wrong impression... No, that's not it. I've been practicing and researching about job interviews ever since graduation I should be able to make them consider at the very least. What's wrong with me? Maybe walk-ins are only for pretty people... It's a good thing, I'm...

"Alice, sweety, you've been looking in the mirror for an hour already." my mom said.

"Mom, am I ugly?" No, please don't answer mom. I already know I'm pretty... hehehe

"No sweety, you're beautiful." mom replied as she continued serving breakfast. I prepped my things and sat down beside my dad in the dining area.

My mom is really the sweetest thing in the world. Look at her she looks just like me... Wait... How come mom still looks so young? Maybe I look old? It doesn't matter, I'm beautiful hehe.

"Dad, am I fat?"

"No sweety. You look like just your mother when she was young."

"Pass me another piece of meat bun then! hehe." as I grinned cheerfully.

A few minutes later...

"Leaving already? It's only 6 am." Mom asked.

"Oh, I'm gonna meet up with Bella before the interview."

"Okay. Are you positive with the company this time?"

"Uhm... I do have a scheduled interview next week though. Gotta go mom, love ya!"

"Love you too sweety, take care. Oh and good luck!"

....

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Cafe Orathoria, a coffee shop somewhere near Makati City.

Two men sat in a corner of the Cafe gathering the attention of visitors. The man in a crossed legged position had skin that was as delicate as a woman paired with a well-toned body and a handsome face. He has deep dark eyes that portray a sharp and confident gaze, constantly giving an unfathomable but charming feeling. The other man had a more muscular body, similarly handsome but was dressed with a simple and honest smile that imitates the impression of gentleness and security. Scene some of the staff and fellow visitors couldn't help but take another look.

"Are they celebrities?"

"I don't know. Models maybe?"

"I like the one in long sleeves."

"I don't know... I can't read that guy. I like the other one though. Typical Alpha male. Simple but hot."

*giggle* *giggle*

....

Watching the stream on the tablet.

"Cedrick Mortalrich..." Edizon muttered sitting in a cross legged position his eyes focused on the man in the broadcast.

"I know. The whole world is in an uproar because of this guy. Several articles were released just then. All of them being just guesses and speculation and no facts given. Considering how the media and the government are deeply tied. I'm pretty sure Its probably because only a handful of people know about this." Willam commented. Taking a sip of coffee. He then took his phone out and googled the name of the game 'NOIM'. After half a second the top results were displayed.

[The future has arrived.]

[Who is Cedrick Mortalrich?]

[What is the meaning of Noim.]

[Full Immersion Virtual Reality. How does it work? A miracle maybe?]

[No body saw it coming. Even the internet doesn't know.]

[How would the other IT companies catch up?]

[Noim, Cedrick Mortalrich, Limitless corporation.]

[The leader of the future.]

"Interesting..." Edizon replied. He then took out his laptop and started a search for information including the deep web.

"Is this really necessary?"

"Of course."

Edizon acted nonchalantly like it was a normal thing. Seeing this, Willam was a bit surprised. This wasn't the first time he saw Edizon searching within the deep web but seeing Edizon curious about a person is something unusual for a self-centered guy like him. After a few minutes, they finally found something.

"Cedrick Mortalrich. Graduated as the top student of the University of Columbia 1985. CEO of Limitless corporation and creator of NOIM. Inventor of the very first full Immersion virtual reality game. No further information can be found after that. It's like he just popped out of nowhere." Edizon

The two were baffled when they couldn't find anything about Cedrick even after doing an extensive search...

Looking back at the stream questions were continuously thrown to the man on stage...

"Given how complicated your technology is. How do you handle all of the data? Can you give a brief description of how does the Immersion Accessory works?"

"No."

"How many employees does the company have? When are you gonna let us have a tour at your company?"

"I won't."

"Will there be game masters within the game? How do you monitor what's happening inside or if there is anyone cheating."

"You can't."

...

Watching the stream. The two were speechless. The guy on stage was simply not giving the media nor the public any face.

"What's your opinion of this guy?" Willam asked.

"He wears his tie like a knot. It's either he doesn't really wear ties or he's single. Which we can neglect since he chose the model of accessories as a way to access the game. It must be the influence of his wife or girlfriend. While he is always smiling. He never really looks at the reporters and nor the audience. It must be his habit to think like a spectator." Edizon replied as he muttered his observations.

"Mmm... What else?"

"He answers like the world is not ready for his technology or like the people are too dumb to understand. He's probably a self-centered and arrogant person." Edizon added.

"A self-centered person hates a self-centered person the most." Willam laughed sarcastically.

"Yes, Willam. A self-centered person hates a self-centered person the most." Edizon didn't deny it either.

"Full Immersion Virtual Reality. Never have I Imagined that I would be part of the first generation to first experience VR. I mean... imagine that we're still stuck in playing consoles and wearing some goggles they call 'Virtual goggles' or something when this thing came out." Willam continued. Looking at the granite colored ring in his index finger.

"Mmm..." Edizon agreed as they continued watching.

....

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Somewhere along MRT Buendia and Ayala Station.

"Hey did you like the movie we watched last night?"

"Hmmm, I'm not sure... I wasn't really focused on the movie though hue hue hue hue..."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Jeeze! This is a public area. Ehem? Ehem!

<We are now in Ayala station.>

Finally my stop! I can finally get out of here. I took a deep breath before charging through the wave of people blocking the doorway. Including the two lovebirds of course.

"Excuse me! This is my stop thank you!" Bye guys it was a short-lived moment but it was destiny!

"Oops... Sorry!" Bye lovebirds. Forever doesn't exist! Don't say I didn't warn you!

"Excuse me! Excuse me!" Pretty girl coming through. Oooh, nice bag! I should get one after I get a job. It looks expensive though.

"Alice!"

"Excuse me! Hey!" Get out of the way it's almost closing! Jeeze why do these people love to stand beside the doors!

<Door closing.>

"Whew." I wiped the sweat on my forehead as I walked out of the platform. I almost missed my stop. Anyway, I made it! Commuting on a weekday is really a nightmare. Traffic is jammed. Busses are packed. Trains are stuffed. Perfect! Not to mention it's Monday. Perfect, just perfect. Then I have to go apply to several companies where they will chat you for fun, then they'll say that they'll call you, which they would probably won't or worse they'll put you the waiting list! Which by the way, is total bullshit. Ugh! I'm not really ill-tempered or anything really! To be fair I left the house with a great mood, great mindset, oh and in a good outfit by the way. It's not like it's my first time commuting and It's not the first time I've seen lovey-dovey couples on a Monday either but... jeez, I don't know.

"Alice!" Isabella said as she clapped on my shoulders.

"Ouch!" Well, that snapped me back to reality.

"Well you look like you're having a great day." smirked the pretty girl in front of me. She's the tall, smart both capable and beautiful redhead girlfriend of mine. Isabella my baby girl hue hue hue hue! lol. I'm just kidding. Isabella here is my best friend. We've been friends well... ever since we've known each other. We really hit it off right from the start. Not because she was the only one willing to be friends with me... or maybe because I'm really quiet on the outside which really compliments Bella's temper which is why no one talks to her either... Maybe redheads and blondes really just blend together.

I rolled my eyes on her as I folded my hands outward doing the 'Whatever' pose.

"I missed you!" Isabella threw a hug at me. Lifting me up in the process. I don't know why but, Isabella is awfully strong for her figure. Hmmm... Maybe that's the side effect of having big and well-rounded tities... Anyway, she's really sweet. It feels really comfortable that we're still both single. Hugging her boyfriend then hugging me would be like me hugging her boyfriend. That would be weird right?

"Aww, I missed you too! Wait! We have to take a photo this time!" I muttered panicky as I searched through my messy bag. It has been 2 years since we had a photo together. While I was at it Isabella drew a rectangle into thin air. Then a rectangular interface appeared projecting a reflection of us. Yes. It was for a selfie.

"You can do that? Wait how do you trigger the capture?" I asked. She didn't answer then suddenly a flash came from the projection. Snap! The photo was taken and the preview was projected on a new interface that just popped up. We did a couple more shots before leaving. Manipulating the angle and resolution of the interface like a handy floating camera. Oh and I'm not gonna miss those selfie sticks.

<1... 2... 3... Snap> A delinquent pose! I don't really fit this theme...

<1... 2... 3... Snap> A smart looking pose! Wow, look at me! I'm killing it.

<1... 2... 3... Snap> The ghostbusters pose! Do I look like the weird girl Erin from the movie? I know both of ladies in the movie are weird. It's just I'm not fat. I'm not weird either... I'm sex-si-yeh.

"Aww look at us!" Looking at the pictures we've taken on the interface. I couldn't help but be amazed. It's like we really blended together.

"I really missed you." The cute me smiled. Bella didn't answer and just walked as she continued to browse our pictures. I sped up and followed behind her as nothing happened. Bella has been like this for years, she really can't handle my cuteness sometimes and just walks away.

"Maybe we should do a seductive pose next..." Carried by the mood, I muttered. Noticing that we've been gathering attention. Bella immediately closed the interface and looked at me fiercely.

"No scratch that idea. Let's get some coffee! Hehe..." It's a good thing Bella doesn't pinch me anymore whenever she gets annoyed at me...

"Ouch!"