Chapter 1: Beautiful Leader (1/2)

(Overture)

Looking at the door of dreams

Listening to distant whispers

Oh bloodstained sword

Please guide me on the path onward

The fountain of light cleanses my dusted body

Weary, I still begin a new journey

Blood and tears spread across my eyes, the killing never stops

Oh, my lover, please don’t shed tears for me

The devil will never obtain blessing

I will protect you, even if it costs me a lifetime

……

It was a moonlit night. A warm spring breeze mixed with the fragrance of flowers and plants brushed across a forest, tree branches swaying in response.

In just the blink of an eye, two swift figures appeared, moving deeper into the forest.

Rustle…

Crushing thin grass beneath my feet, I looked up to the stars and felt an indescribable gloom come over me.

Another party wipe.

I wasn’t alone. Beside me was a beautiful and attractive elf archer. Bathed in poignant and beautiful moonlight, it looked like her face itself was glowing.

“Phew…”

She leaned back against an ancient pine tree. Fatigue and discontent was peeking through her features, and her chest heaved as she breathed deeply. She was gripping a saber with light flowing around it tightly. Her chest armor was cracked after the fierce battle, causing a speck of her near perfect curves to peek through it. Her bracers and legguards were also cracked, exposing her pale, round legs to the mountain wind. Her white cape was soaked with blood and severely shredded.

“Let’s stop running, Lu Chen.” She looked at me with red cheeks.

“Why?” I asked in astonishment.

She waved her hands. “We’re going to proceed with the plan in two days anyway. In that case, we may as well set this place on fire and delete our accounts now!”

“Alright, whatever you say, boss.”

I nodded and raised my bloodstained palms slowly.

Swoosh!

A burning arrow flew to the sky before exploding into a shower of fire. It only took an instant for the whole forest to become covered in flames.

“Aaaaah…”

Bloodcurdling screams resounded throughout the forest. The thousands of players chasing behind us were burned into a crisp as they succumbed to the sea of flames.

I let out a long sigh of relief. “It’s done.”

“Mn.” The girl nodded. “Now, let’s go. Let’s begin our new journey!”

I lifted my hand, and several streams of light composed of data swirled across my palm. My body started vanishing slowly. The beautiful archer seated on the opposite side of me nodded at me with a smile before doing the same. Just like that, we vanished from the virtual forest.

……

“Whew…”

I let out a long sigh and took off my gaming helmet.

It was finally over.

There was a shiny helmet on top of a table not far away from me. Two bold, cursive characters were engraved on its surface: Heavenblessed!

That’s right. After the success that was “Spirit of Grief”, the world’s greatest gaming corporation, Eternal Moon Corporation, had carefully pushed out a new game called “Heavenblessed”. It claimed itself to be the king of games, boasting top rankings, whether it be design or consumerbase. More than 800 million gaming helmets had been sold in the first month alone, and it dominated the market with a whopping 95%.

The official release date of “Heavenblessed” was two days later, at midnight, with no closed or open beta. “Heavenblessed” was one of the reasons I chose to leave. Many teams were ready to leave “Spirit of Grief” and develop themselves in the new game, and we were no exception.

Heavenblessed’s gaming helmets were split into four different types: low tier, middle tier, high tier and VIP tier. Naturally, each tier was priced differently. My helmet was of the VIP tier. It even had a small line of text imprinted on the side: Proud Member of the CGL Ranking, Falling Dust.

That’s right. My name is Lu Chen, and my legend is everywhere in this world.

……

“Heh…”

I let out a self-derisive laugh before turning on my computer. An avatar nicknamed “Boss” was vibrating in my MSN Messenger. It was of course my beautiful leader.

I clicked the avatar and read the message she left behind to me. “Let's meet tomorrow morning, okay? Where should we meet?”

“9 am, in front of the gym at Sanxiang Road.”