Emika Chen is struggling.  She’s about to be evicted, and her job as a bounty hunter who tracks down people gambling illegally on Warcross is not bringing in enough money to make the rent. (Warcross is a virtual reality game that the majority of the world plays for entertainment and profit.) Desperate for some quick cash, Emi hacks into the Warcross Championship opening game to steal an artifact.  Her hack is discovered when she creates a glitch.  She is noticed and becomes an overnight sensation.  The creator and billionaire owner of Warcross, Hideo Tanaka, invites Emika to Tokoyo, all expenses paid, to offer her a proposal she won’t be able to refuse.