He'd succeeded. Even his older bub hadn't gotten this far, and he was starting high school.

He'd slain the ultimate boss. He marched up to the dais, the king hanging the gem of knowledge around his neck while the music swelled. The cute princess stood at his side, also promised to him. She beamed her bright smile at him and his accomplishments.

Too bad this wasn't real. He'd take this over his parents and their impending divorce, assuming they didn't kill each other first, and the stupidness called school.

As he touched the VR headset, it disappeared. Blinking in the dim light, smells assailed him. Horses, or maybe cows? This wasn't his kitchen, either, if it even was a kitchen. Fireplace with a pot hanging in it, a table, dried plants hanging from the rafters, and he supposed that was a bed in the corner.

Light filtered in through shutters and a door, so he stepped outside. It was sheep and chickens. There were other cottages around, people working in fields.

Where was he?

The noise of hooves sounded in the distance, and the people ran as men with swords rode them down, swords now bloodied.

He turned and ran for the forest, stopping only when he was hidden within the underbrush. Cottages went up in flames, his being the last.

This is the world you chose, a voice sounded in his head. Best of luck.