Bit & Byte

I open the front door, walk in, and toss my bag aside. I log into Bit & Byte, a virtual reality RPG that is my only hobby in a tiring daily life.

A moment later, 'Fairy Village,' a starting town that looks like something out of a fairy tale, unfolds before me. The square is bustling with tiny, two-head-tall characters waddling between giant mushroom houses, looking for party members or promoting their clans. My small character is spawned among the rankers wearing flashy cash-shop outfits.

Today, I'm too tired for ranking battles or raids. I control my avatar to a bench under the shade of a maple tree in a corner of the square and make it sit down. A resting motion triggers, showing the character dangling its tiny legs.

I set my status to 'Away' and go AFK, quietly watching the vibrant game screen.