I like both the virtual and real world aspects of this story, but I feel like I'm just waiting for a moment where the pain perception gets turned on. It's probably something saved for the endgame that carries a lot of thematic weight. Some kind of scene where she breaks down screaming at the horrible sensation while a romantic interest holds them or whatever.
I guess they could also do a thing where someone else has to feel the pain she's experiencing for a bit. I think what I'm looking for is some kind of reference point for the amount of pain. I feel like I'm sitting around waiting for Goku to go Suffer Saiyan.