Chapter 17: The Limitations of Immersion

  The sun had long since set, casting the hideout in a dim, shadowy gloom. Jin sat cross-legged on the floor, his VR headset still in pce, his hands trembling slightly as the after-effects of his long session began to sink in.

  How long have I been here?

  It had been hours, maybe more. He had lost track of time during his training with Felix, so engrossed in the drills that he hadn’t even thought about the outside world. But now, as his body began to protest, he couldn’t ignore it any longer.

  With a soft, almost imperceptible click, he removed the VR headset and blinked, disoriented as his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the hideout.

  Felix stood nearby, watching him with a raised eyebrow. “You’ve been in there a lot longer than usual,” he commented, crossing his arms. “How do you feel?”

  Jin rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the fog in his head. “I… I feel tired. More tired than I should be. I didn’t realize how long I was in there.”

  Felix’s expression hardened slightly. “You need to be careful about how long you stay connected to the Echelon system. Prolonged immersion isn’t good for you. It messes with your brain, your body… everything.”

  Jin frowned, his confusion growing. “I thought the whole point of this VR system was to stay connected, to get stronger. What do you mean ‘not good for me’?”

  Felix took a deep breath, then sat down across from Jin, lowering his voice as if the conversation was too serious to be taken lightly. “The longer you stay in the system, the more strain it puts on your physical and mental state. When you’re plugged in, your mind is in a constant state of processing data and stimuli. The brain doesn’t differentiate between real and virtual experiences after a while—it just reacts. Overexposure can lead to mental fatigue, even cognitive damage.”

  Jin’s stomach churned with unease. “So, what… I can’t stay in there for too long? How long is too long?”

  “It depends,” Felix replied. “The system allows for a certain number of hours of continuous py before it starts having negative effects. But each person’s tolerance is different. Some can handle it for longer, others shorter. The general recommendation is to take a break every few hours, go outside, drink water, and eat something. It’s about bance.”

  “And if I don’t?” Jin asked quietly.

  Felix gave him a pointed look. “You might start to experience dizziness, headaches, confusion. And if you keep going without breaks, it could lead to something more severe. Brain fog, memory loss, and eventually, permanent cognitive damage. There’s a reason why the higher-ups limit the time people can spend in Echelon.”

  Jin felt a chill run down his spine. “That’s… that’s terrifying. I had no idea.”

  “You should’ve been briefed,” Felix said. “But I guess not everyone cares to pass on the details. The more time you spend inside, the more at risk you become. You might think you’re getting stronger, but at what cost? People who spend too long immersed become… disconnected. They forget what it’s like out here.”

  Jin stood up, his legs a bit shaky as he took in the gravity of Felix’s words. “So, what now? How do I keep this from happening to me?”

  Felix stood as well, walking over to a nearby table where he pulled out a small device. It looked like a portable energy meter, with a few buttons and dials. He handed it to Jin. “This is a timer. You set it for the amount of time you want to spend in the system. Once it goes off, you’re out. No exceptions. The device is calibrated to your personal threshold, based on your stamina and experience. Trust me, you’ll want to use it.”

  Jin took the timer, examining it closely. It was simple enough, but the reality of what it represented was starting to sink in. “I can’t ignore it, can I?”

  “Nope,” Felix replied. “You ignore it, and you risk everything. The system might even start to reject you if you overstay your welcome. It’s a safety measure.”

  Jin nodded slowly, understanding the importance of this device. He couldn’t afford to become one of the casualties of this world—he had to stay focused and take care of himself.

  “Thanks, Felix,” Jin said quietly, pocketing the timer. “I won’t forget this.”

  Felix gave a small nod. “Good. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we hit the training ground again. You’ve got a long way to go.”

  Jin wasn’t sure whether he felt better or worse after the conversation. On one hand, he now had a device to help him manage his time in Echelon. On the other, the idea that the system could be so dangerous was unsettling. But he couldn’t back down now. He had made it this far, and he was determined to grow stronger. Not just in the game, but as a person.

  As he y down on his makeshift bed, Jin thought about the world outside the VR and the struggles he still had to face. The road ahead wasn’t going to be easy, but at least now he understood one thing clearly: survival in this world—whether in the VR or out here—wasn’t just about strength. It was about being smart, staying aware, and knowing when to step back and take care of yourself.

  And that was a lesson he was just beginning to learn.