Chapter 2 (1/2)

Ghost Killer Famous Sword

Some people who had the money, would put their money into 《G.o.ds and Demons》 to have returns. Others who had time, would put in their time and also received returns. But for Zhou Jian, he invested with both, having sold off all his a.s.sets. Since he’s fighting with one’s back to the river (tl: to fight to win or die), no matter how, there should also be a little return.

Zhou Jian bet correctly. Of course, this also had an element of luck involved as well. The so called Ghost Killer was a Thief with spirit. To put it bluntly, it’s a combination between a Thief and a Psychic. (tl: this line is hard for me since I don’t play games. I’m not used to the terminology.)

Generally, the Spirit attribute of Thieves weren’t over 20. But with each promotion for the Ghost Killer, the Spirit attribute would be greatly enhanced each time. With Spirit, one can have telekinesis, monster control and also used mental attack and so forth.

Thieves were already skilled in a.s.sa.s.sination. If added with telekinesis, understanding of mental abilities, tracking without a trace, and achieving realm state with weaponry. Then, the a.s.sa.s.sination method would reach a point of terror, and result would be the Ghost Killer.

Zhou Jian wanted to stay low key, but after the new dungeon opened and added with the high reward. It caused him to change his mind. But, he couldn’t rush through the dungeon alone. So, he showed a few of his hands to the Tianzun team and since then, he entered the Tianzun team.

Actually, although Zhou Jian’s profession was a Ghost Killer and his achievement in the future would definitely not be small, he didn’t have enough time to level up. He was just able to master his most basic Telekinesis skill. His fighting strength in Tainzun team wasn’t worth mentioning.

But this dungeon raid was more special. In this raid, fifteen people would enter into combat, of which 14 of them were the combatants. The last one was the “messenger”. The duty of the messenger was that when the 14 other players were fighting against the ultimate BOSS, he would be responsible for an item donated by the NPC, the amulet charm Pandora. He’s supposed to put it over at the Demon Lord’s altar to seal the Demon Lord’s heart.

In this version of the dungeon, the Demon Lord’s minion was responsible for protecting the Demon King’s heart. Its strength come from the heart. As long as the heart was sealed, the minion’s strength would decline, and making the killing a lot easier.

However, surrounding the sacrificial altar of the Demon Lord’s heart was a magma furnace. The heart was suspended above it. No matter how high the level was, jumping into the magma was certain death. Therefore, the only person who could be the messenger was a player with telekinesis ability in order to place the Pandora’s seal on the Demon Lord’s heart.

However, a new problem arose again. The altar was encircled by monsters. And Psychic’s body was fragile and slow. To slowly sneak into the altar among the monsters and seal using the Pandora’s charm was impossible.

Globally, hundreds of teams tried various methods but all ended in failure. In the end, they chose not to have a messenger. Instead, they opted to recklessly fought  against the BOSS, but were finally annihilated.

And for Zhou Jian, although his equipments were junks from missions, or basic goods from the shops. In terms of physique, his was already much better than the Psychics.

If a monster touched him, he would still die. But, he had two skills: the Thief’s Stealth skill and the Psychic’s Telekinesis. So, he’s the most suitable for this mission.

Stealthily sneaking through the monsters and used telekinesis to throw the seal. Once the world was in harmony, he didn’t even need to do anything else. Just waiting for the boss to die, he would get a huge experience. The system would reward Epic purple gear, six points to be a.s.signed to attributes, 1000 honor values and also the BOSS dropped items.

It was worth mentioning that the treasures dropped in 《G.o.ds and Demons》 could only be seen by their respective player. Each player could only see their own equipment, gold and potions. The items could slowly be picked up and the equipments were directly related to their respective professions. So, there’s no worry about getting an equipment that couldn’t be used or the need to trade.

Just like that, this would eliminate the problem of looting and unequal distribution of spoils. If, in this setting, one still couldn’t get the equipment intended. Then, could only be blamed on their appearance; better go and support more grannies to cross the road. (tl: do more good deeds for better karma) That’s why, Zhou Jian was not afraid of his low level being unable to get the spoils of war.

Zhou Jian, having such a nice dream, logged into the game. However, once he put on the helmet, he received a message that put him from heaven to h.e.l.l, The system prompted: “Dark Sword” Ghost Killer doesn’t exist. The system has data loss. Cause of loss: unknown.”

F**k!

What sort of joke was this!

Zhou Jian didn’t believed in the supernatural. He tried to log back in but the prompt was still the same.

F**k! (tl: different curse word from prior. Unfortunately, my selection of curses is very limited)

Zhou Jian went mad. Three months of effort. He devoted so much effort to play this game waiting for that tiny sliver of income. He also packed on external debt to buy the helmet. How could this be the result?

These three months, Zhou Jian had not attended most of his cla.s.ses. Although he could skip cla.s.s in university, this didn’t mean that there’s no repercussion. Zhou Jian was already noted by a lot of teachers, each just waiting for exam time to finish him off. Frankly, Zhou Jian retaking the exams was almost a sure thing.

In Lingnan University, retaking needed to pay retaking fee. Each credit cost 100 yuan. Zhou Jian had conservatively estimate a cost of around 1800 yuan. If he didn’t has any income, should he still to reach out his hand to ask for money from his impoverished family?

In addition, Zhou Jian ‘s impression among the girls in his cla.s.s wasn’t very good. After all, in most people’s eyes, even if a good online player could earn a lot of money, it’s still not a proper job. So, even if Zhou Jian had the honor of going to a cla.s.s full of beauties, his chances of wanting to discuss small love was basically hopeless.

If the game account was lost as well, he’d really lost everything. Anything also didn’t have.

Zhou Jian repeatedly tried to log into his account but the result was the same system ruthless prompt. Somewhat depressed, he took off his game helmet. At this moment, the dorm’s door was opened. A 1.85m tall man walked in. This guy had a long nose, thick eyebrows and big eyes, a little bit like a dog. His right hand was turning a basketball. His left carrying a lunch box. He wore a red basketball vest and a yellow shorts. His exposed legs were hairy.

The person was named Luo Haishan, nicknamed “The Mule”. He was Zhou Jian’s best friend, from primary school till University. They both took the entrance exam into the Chinese Department of the Lingnan University, and “coincidentally” stayed in the same dorm. Actually, their cla.s.s just had three guys, and the room wasn’t even fully occupied.

“Amazing, you’re not playing 《G.o.ds and Demons》 today? Aren’t you going to challenge the dungeon today? I’m not even playing basketball just to come back to watch you.” Luo Haishan put down the lunch box. This was Zhou Jian’s dinner. These few months, Zhou Jian had been wholeheartedly playing, and his dinner was bought by Mule.

Zhou Jian helplessly shook his head, repeating the incident that happened to him again.

“That can’t be. Like this also can happen? Didn’t 《G.o.ds and Demons》 claimed to have the world’s most powerful servers? How is such a mistake possible?”

“I don’t know. I’m going to report to the official website via email. See if there’s any way to recover it.” That being said, Zhou Jian’s heart didn’t has much hope. 《G.o.ds and Demons》 was a world cla.s.s game. There were too many players. It’s hard to imagine the number of emails the customer service processed each day. And Zhou Jian’s investment in 《G.o.ds and Demons》 was practically zero, the so called non-Yuan (tl: no money) player. His request wouldn’t be prioritized. Even if he desired to settle dispute also needed to wait until the Year of the Monkey, and the Month of the Horse. By that time, even if he got his account back, its value was far less than it was now. Moreover, even if his email was seen by the customer service, could the system data really be restored?

“It’s okay. Us brothers, our future is long (tl: there will be ample time for that later; We’ll cross that bridge when we get there). Come, let’s eat first.” Mule handed over the lunch box.

Zhou Jian depressingly opened the lunch box. He ate while writing his email to the official website. “Sigh, initially, I wanted to really on 《G.o.ds and Demons》 to earn a little money. Now, it seems like the 8000 yuan owed to you for the helmet is unlikely to be repaid this year.”

Zhou Jian borrowed money from Mule to buy the helmet. A total of 8200. If he played well in the game, he could earn an income of few thousand per month without issue. Zhou Jian originally planned to settle his debt to Mule within this semester. Now, it looked uncertain.

Mule’s family was well off. His family had a small company. In this day and age, the monthly income of general high level white collar worker was around 10000. Certainly, the expenses also similarly increased as well. However, 8000 for a student was still a large sum of money, especially since Zhou Jian’s family condition wasn’t much. One year of living expenses was also only 5000.

Mule took out two cans of beer from under the bed. He opened one and handed it to Zhou Jian. “Boring, this type of small money I still can afford it. Don’t bring this up again. When you want to borrow the money, I didn’t realize about your ability. From the start, I was already prepared to lose it. However, although you managed to get a hidden profession, the system data loss still catch up with you. This type of thing, who can you blame.”

Zhou Jian knew that Mule said that simply to calm him. If in normal times, he would have to get back the losses, but he’s not in such a mood today. “I’m so miserable but I’m still alive. Even if I can’t get back the account, I still have the helmet here anyway.”

“Haha, well said. Come, let’s toast.”

At this moment, Zhou Jian’s phone rang.

He didn’t want to pick up the phone, but a glance showed that his mother was calling. He could only adjust his mood, picked up the phone and in a gentle tone cried out, “Ma.” (tl:mother)

“Little Jian. I got a call from your teacher saying that you didn’t go to cla.s.s.”

Zhou Jian suddenly 1 head, 2 big (tl: I don’t know this idiom. Should be headache?). This beautiful teacher in charge was really supportive. Even the counselor didn’t care about this type of trivial matter, she unexpectedly called up until his home. Wasn’t this like beating him three inches deep.

No way about it. This beauty just graduated from school. She worked earnestly until couldn’t be explained.

“Ma, nothing big. I wasn’t feeling well since few days ago. So, had to also skip some cla.s.ses.” Zhou Jian although filial, but for his mom and dad, lying was more convenient to twist things around. In his words, this was a “white lie”.

“Don’t think your mother is a muddle head. I listened to your teacher saying that you bought a game helmet to play online game daily. The cheapest is also 8000. Where did you come up with that much money?”

Zhou Jian was speechless. His relations.h.i.+p with Mule although was strong like iron, this matter of borrowing money couldn’t be told to his mother.  If she knew that he borrowed money to play online game, she would be angry till… Just to let you know, his student expenses in Lingnan University was also depended on student loan.

Moreover, he could not explain about online games to her. Zhou Jian truly liked playing online game, but his goal of playing online game was also to make money and lightened the family’s burden. Currently, the profit from playing online game was too high. Don’t say about other stuff, just how much money is earned from the media advertizing revenue? Here in the completely self-contained virtual world, where the influence of man was unimaginable. A world of 100 million people but this is in fact more than population of British and France, equaled to a very large population!

Zhou Jian believed that if he continued on playing 《G.o.ds and Demons》, he could change his life which was already difficult. On the other hand, if he wanted to struggle in the society, in this age of undergraduates, and reached out to the sky, it’s much harder than playing 《G.o.ds and Demons》.

Later, Zhou Jian hemmed and hawed around, accepting his mother’s ideological education for more than 10 minutes before being able to finally put down his phone.

Mule smiled to Zhou Jian and said: “Haha, it seems like our beautiful teacher in charge is very concerned about you. To be blessed by the grace of a beauty is difficult, you are blessed ah.”

“I want to faint. This beastly mouth on your head has no virtue at all.”

Mule smiled and sipped his beer before turning serious. “What’s your plan? Are you continuing to play online game?”

Zhou Jian nodded. “I’m not like you, who still have a family for support. There’s no strong point on my body. It’s hard for my current major to look for a job. Four years later, if I am to survived in the Huadu city, where housing had crossed tens of thousands, I need to start now. Otherwise, in the future, there’s no end to my student loan. And, my father is not in good health.”

Zhou Jian lived in the rural area. His parents opened a small clinic there, but his father’s health had not been good. They sold medicine while eating it at the same time. Their lives were very tight. Even the money to construct their new home was borrowed.

Zhou Jian’s burden was heavy. Now the social pressure was too big. Even if Zhou Jian graduated with excellent marks for all the subjects. With no work experience, he could not find a well paid job in Huadu. Even if found, home debts including loans was enough for him to worry for two or three years. At that time, even wanting to seek love or marry was too luxurious of an affair.

Therefore, while others fantasized about finding love, he’s putting in effort for his future.

Mule tapped Zhou Jian’s on the shoulder. “I won’t say anything else. This brother has your back. Come, another toast.”

……

The two drank for an hour and finished off half a box of beer. Mule was ma.s.sive, but Zhou Jian started to have hangover and went to bed at 10 to sleep.

As for Mule, he’d rented a house on the outside to live with his girlfriend. After Zhou Jian had fallen asleep, he went out with accompany her, and promised to window shop with her tomorrow.

Mule’s girlfriend was his neighbor. Both of them were childhood sweethearts. Mule entered himself for examination in Lingnan University Chinese Department was mainly because of her. Her family background was also good. Both their parents already meet each other, and said to marry them off after graduation.

Zhou Jian’s other roommate, was named w.a.n.g Xiao Yin, like Zhou Jian, was also a bachelor. He’s a native of Huadu, It’s the weekend tomorrow. So he skipped cla.s.ses to go home in the afternoon.

So today, there was only Zhou Jian in the dorm.

In a daze, Zhou Jian had a dream. He dreamed that he became a flying thief – escaping from places, punis.h.i.+ng crime, and stealing rare treasures, countless possessions and the adoration of numerous beauties.

The Zhou Jian in the dream was too flamboyant. Therefore, he himself also realized that he’s dreaming. Afterward, because he drank too much, he was woke up by his urge to urinate. This beautiful dream was only halfway through, and was thus spoiled.

It really was a strange dream. Zhou Jian muddleheaded crawled up, but suddenly saw in front of his desk stood a man. Being dark, he couldn’t see the face.

Zhou Jian had a scare. His sleepy airs all gone. “F**k, Xiao Yin, so late at night still haven’t sleep. You want to scare to me to death!”

There’s no reply.

Wait, that person was almost as tall as Xiao Yin, but after close examination, their outline were not the same. Besides, Xiao Yin went home today. He’d no reason to be back in the dorms in the middle of the night.

At this thought, Zhou Jian’s heart thumped. Who is this man? What do you want to do here?

Thief? Robber? Murderer?

Zhou Jian’s back felt chilled. His hand subconsciously wanted to find weapon, but only touched his mobile phone.